In the Storm

project life | week 20

Oh my, Week 20 of Project Life. I've remained caught up (I even have week's 1 - 18) printed and in an album. And, I still love this project. Except for one Ali Edwards embellishment this is all Cathy Zielske product. I love the way this week turned out. When I decided on fairly uniform it made the putting-together process super simple.

I did use Pioneer Woman actions on all the photos and I like the mix of colorized, seventies, and fresh color. With my daughter and grandsons in the house and the added stories, using Cathy Z's 'story' journalers gave a fresh idea to my journaling, while still embellishing.

I had tons of photos this week but the 'blessed beyond measure' is sure to be a longtime favorite of Ian kissing his Grammy (me). So, another week of Project Life is completed - and another one is already underway.

 

Project Life is a solution-based approach to scrapbooking that was created to simplify the process in order to allow you more time to enjoy life! It requires no glue, no scissors, no tools, and no skills of any kind

 

sons of thunder academy | exploring american literature

We will be using the Exploring American Literature curriculum from Notgrass Publishing that accompanies the Exploring American History (EAH) curriculum from the same. Originally we were going to complete a British Literature package, the Lord of the Rings literary lessons and even purchased the curriculum, but once we signed the boys up for EAH (for high school students) at Kingdom Builders Co-op it seemed wiser to use the available curriculum for a year of American Literature while also studying American History.

The literature package includes 13 works of American Literature covered at various times during their study of EAH. There are suggested alternative readings should one want to replace a particular piece but rather than replace pieces I've decided to add those pieces in to our literature plans. When we are in Unit 2-3 of EAH we will read and explore the first piece of literature, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. All the literature will become read-a-louds because it is our most favorite time of homeschool: when I read to my 16-year old twin boys. They read many books on their own so I have no issues making this our time.

The following is the order we will complete our literature pieces and what if any will accompany the reading:

The Scarlet Letter (Nathanial Hawthorne) - During EAH Unit 2-3

     The Glencoe Library has quite a few study guides available for free download. We will take advantage of these for The Scarlet Letter

Calico Bush - During EAH Unit 4-5

     I found a Unit Study on line that I will incorporate into our studies when we read Calico Bush

Narrative of the Life of David Crocket (David Crocket) - During EAH Unit 6-7

     During this reading I'll use pieces of the National Endowment for Humanities website to provide a more substantial study.

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (Frederick Douglass) - During EAH Unit 8

     The Signet Classics has a Teacher's Guide that I will use to create a Study Guide for John and Jarrod during this reading. While we will just read some of the selections I disagree with the Notgrasses recommendation to just read the selections without interrogating or discussing what they've read.

A James Fenimore Cooper selection - During EAH Unit 9

     We have already read The Last of the Mohicans, which might be an obvious selection but more than likely we'll pick The Deerslayer. We will read to enjoy.

Uncle Tom's Cabin (Harriet Beecher Stowe) - During EAH Unit 10-11

     I will purchase a Study Guide from Progeny Press for this selection.   

Co. Aytch (Sam Watkins) - During EAH Unit 12-13

     We will read to enjoy.

Carry on Mr. Bowditch - During EAH Unit 12-13

     I will purchase a study guide from Progeny Press for this selection.

Little Women (Louisa May Alcott) - During EAH Unit 14-15

     I will purchase a study guide for this selection.

Across Five Aprils - During EAH Unit 14-15

     We will use the study guide available for free through the Glencoe Library.

Humorous Stories and Sketches (Mark Twain) - During EAH Unit 16

     We will read to enjoy.

In His Steps (Charles Sheldon) - During EAH Unit 17

     We will read to enjoy but we will definitely discuss each chapter together.

Up From Slavery (Booker T. Washington) - During EAH Unit 18

     I will put together a study guide for this selection.

Mama's Bank Account (Kathryn Forbes) - During EAH Unit 19

     I will put together a study guide for this literary work (unless I can find one online).

Christy (Catherine Marshall) - During EAH Unit 20-21

     We will read to enjoy.

To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee) - During EAH Unit 22-23

     We will complete the study guide available as a free download from the Glencoe Library.

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry - During EAH Unit 24

     We will complete a study guide for this selection.

The Giver (Lois Lowry) - During EAH Unit 27

     I found a Progeny Press study guide that I will most definitely incorporate into this last literary selection.

I am crazy excited for our next school year and all wewill learn about American Literatue and American History for that matter.

 

 

 

i'm just saying...

pinterest

pinterest

pinterest

pinterest

pinterest

i'm just saying...

etsy window shopping...may edition

Gorgeous lightweight towel, yet super absorbent. Would love to try something like this. So rich and elegant.

I'm always...and I mean always a sucker for a soft leather messenger bag. I could own a hundred of them and not get tired of them.

These ceramic cellars are so darling. They would fit perfectly into my kitchen that will become full of colors.

An awesome WORDS photograph. And very true.

I'm so not into pink but when combined with bright, cheery purples and oranges it is gorgeous. And I have been so into bold hues lately I was immediately drawn to this scarf - and perfect for the summer season.

Geometric and bright colors make this necklace super desirable.

More color! It would be way cool and fun to wear several of these fun, playful penny necklaces.

To die for turquoise. Love the color tremendously. It's my most favorite. And ceramic - you just can't beat the yumminess of the creamy smooth-fired bowls.

I have the insance desire to purge most of my coffee mugs, start over and collect mugs that I absolutely love in all sorts of patterns - like these colored ceramic heart coffee mugs.

Oh my! I would love this. Love notes. Cards. Typed words on this adorable, vintage robins egg blue old fashioned typepwriter.

I'm not sure why they call these nursing necklaces but, all I know is that I love the crocheted-wrapped beads. And the colors make me swoon.

This ombre turquoise/mint tribal necklace is amazing.

Joy is Contagious. And this print is beautiful.

How pretty are these pastel coffee mugs and saucers.

As always I have so much fun window shopping Etsy. It's an amazingly sweet place to visit.

around here.

around here Ash, John and Jarrod and I have been trying new Naan pizzas for lunch. So good so far. I made a new dinner dish this week. Jarrod took Ian and Wyatt out for some sprinkler time on one of the warmer days. We've been clothes shopping for Ashley, to the Farmer's Market for fresh produce and some yummy Rosemary bread to enjoy with my Roasted Chicken, Roasted Red Pepper, Pesto Fettuccini, served up last night. Jeff, John, and Jarrod helped cut down some trees last night in preparation for this weekends activities.

I'm enjoying my grandsons immensely. They are silly and loving, cute and ornery, can be pistols at times but just mostly fun!

homeschool 101...building a portfolio (part IV)

Building a Portfolio (Part IV) – Course Descriptions

I’ve noticed through my research that many colleges are requesting full descriptions of high school courses completed. I imagine it is to ensure that specific concepts are covered in each course that meets requirements or standards. I’ve also figured out that writing the course descriptions is my least favorite part of the portfolio and probably one of the biggest tasks. However, I would prefer to be prepared should the need arise for course descriptions to be included in a college admissions packet.

The boys and I are apart of a homeschool cooperative, or co-op, that routinely includes course descriptions for each class the co-op is offering for the following year. It allows parents and students to see what the course will entail throughout the year. For instance, this coming year, their 10th grade year, John and Jarrod will take Biology. The following is the course description our co-op used in their Course Descriptions document:

This course is a college-prep biology course that provides a detailed introduction to the methods and concepts of general biology. Heavily emphasizing the vocabulary of biology, it provides the student with a strong background in the scientific method, the five-kingdom classification scheme, microscopy, biochemistry, cellular biology, molecular and Mendelian genetics, evolution, dissection, and ecosystems. It also provides a complete survey of the five kingdoms in Creation. (Apologia: Creation in Science, Biology); 1 Credit.

And their Algebra I course that they just completed this past year looks like this (which I created, erring on the side of caution, and including all the concepts learned):

Algebra 1: Made up of five instructional components: Introduction of the New Increment, Examples with Complete Solutions, Practice of the Increment, Daily Problem Sets, and Cumulative Tests. Algebra 1 covers topics typically treated in a first-year algebra course and includes • arithmetic and evaluation of expressions involving signed numbers, exponents, and roots • properties of real numbers • absolute value • equations and inequalities involving absolute value • scientific notation, unit conversions • solution of equations in one unknown • solution of simultaneous equations • the algebra of polynomials and rational expressions • word problems requiring algebra for the solution (such as uniform motion and coin problems) • graphical solution of simultaneous equations • graphs of a variety of functions: linear, quadratic, cubic, square root, absolute value, etc. • translations and reflections of graphs • factoring • Pythagorean theorem • algebraic proofs • functional notation and functions • solution of quadratic equations by factoring, completing the square, and quadratic formula • direct and inverse variation • exponential growth • computation of the perimeter and area of two-dimensional regions • computation of the surface area and volume of a wide variety of geometric solids • statistics • probability (Saxon Math Algebra 1): 1 credit.

I realize some descriptions will be harder to put together, especially if it isn’t a ‘defined’ curriculum that might include a textbook, but something one has put together. For instance, this past year John and Jarrod completed for their English/Literature credit using a ‘put together’ curriculum: Easy Grammar 9 (a defined workbook), Wordly Wise Vocabulary 9 (a defined workbook), a multitude of historical fiction and fiction novels with literary study guides, or literary analysis. I’ve kept all of their literary assignments in one binder and assessed each for a grade. This course description will be harder to define as I’ll need to include the descriptions for the grammar, the vocabulary, and the literary portion.

I am encouraged by having already a good beginning on their portfolio. I do however need to create a specific binder for their portfolio to store the hard copies in. Right now I only have the documents on my computers. Not that that isn’t an ok spot but I like to see the final product too.

52gratitudes | 20

I am grateful for the time with my daughter and grandsons. It has been such a joy to have them here - and they are here for another month and a half.

homeschool 101...build a portfolio (part 3)

Homeschool 101 – Building a Portfolio (Part 3)

Today is all about Reading Lists.

Every high school portfolio should include a compiled, substantial reading list of non-fiction, fiction with literary merit, and a smaller list of popular works (although I plan on including their entire general, on-their-own reading list as well. I’m not sure if John and Jarrods’ reading list could be considered substantial - yet, but by the time they complete high school they’ll have compiled quite a lengthy, but more important, quality list of works of literature.

2012 – 2013 Reading list for the Sons of Thunder Academy

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Last of the Mohicans by James F. Cooper

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas

The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain

The Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes

Stowaway by Karen Hesse

White Fang by Jack London

The God Smuggler by Brother Andrew

The Outsiders by S.F. Hutton

The Hobbit by J.R. Tolkien

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Mocking Jay by Suzanne Collins

Heroes of Olympus: The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan

Heroes of Olympus: Sons of Neptune by Rick Riordan

Heroes of Olympus: The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

Betsy and the Emperor by Staton Rabin

The Broken Blade by William Durbin

Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise McGraw

Mary Slessor: Forward into Calabar by Geoff Benge

Into Africa: The Epic Adventures of Stanley and Livingstone by Martin Dugard

Except for the Riordan books, the Three Muskateers, Mara, the Great Gatsby, and the Prince and the Pauper I've read them a loud to the boys. It is our most favorite time of homeschool. Reading time. When we all get comfortable, usually curled up on the couch or chair, snuggled into a blanket.

I read a loud. And they listen. Often times I stop in the middle so we can discuss something, some truth, have them explain what's going on - if they understand. This time of reading has been a blessing.

I know there are more books the boys have read on their own because they always have a book opened reading bits here and there. I recently started them on the Ranger's Apprentice series by John Flanagan and they were quickly enthralled with the story. I'm sure we'll be securing the Brotherband Chronicles series by the same author and a continuation of the Ranger's series.

I have already compiled our 10th Grade list of primary literay reads which we will delve into for their American Literature course. But, within their American History I have begun obtaining via purchase, or have indicated I'll need to check them out from the library, or know someone I can borrow them from, a lengthy list of historical fiction type. Most will continue to be read aloud but some I'll just make sure John and Jarrod read on their own.

With those, and their own reading we'll have added to their 9th grade reading list, substantially. And, I love seeing the list compiled; mostly, because of what they've accomplished.

52lists | week 17

I'm a little behind on my lists but I'm good with that - I know I'll catch up. With Ashley home I'm not spending near as much time on the computer as I might normally - which is also good for my neck and shoulders too. Here is my week 17 from Moorea-Seal.

I realized that putting pen to paper (not literally pen to paper - but you get the drift)...anyways...I realized that it isn't easy writing how your feel, or in this case what I admire about someone. It is blatantly obvious for some, but not others. Maybe, it is those I should have considered leaving off. I don't think admiration necessarily reflects whether one loves someone or not. I most assuredly left off someone, more than someone.

I think it is interesting how we can admire someone for this or that but also not admire them for something else. God has really given us a huge capacity for grace. So my list of week 17 is complete. moving on...

homeschool 101...building a portfolio (part 2)

Today, I’m sharing the High School Credit planner I created for the boys’ high school years. It really is a planner, although I’ve inputted their ‘completed’ 9^th grade year, and not necessarily part of the portfolio that will go with them at graduation. I have in the past, prior to their 9^th grade year planned out their 4 years of high school but I’ve since researched our states requirements for graduation, adjusted their proposed classes from our homeschool co-op schedule, and assessed what they will complete at home in order to meet requirements.

At this point, both my boys are not planning on college, initially. They, instead, are looking at military service.  But, things change. We need to make sure they have the necessary requirements for a high school graduation, a portfolio for college entrance, or entrance to military service. We would be doing them a disservice otherwise.

Credits Needed	Subject	9th Grade	10th Grade	11th Grade	12th Grade
4	English/ Composition	Easy Grammar Wordly Wise Vocabulary 9 World Literature                      1 Credit	American Literature          1 Credit	LOTR/ British Literature                  1    Credit	IEW Writing                   1 Credit
4	Math	Algebra I                       1 Credit	Algebra II                                  1 Credit	Geometry                        1 Credit	Advanced Math/ Pre- Calculus                        1 Credit
4	Science	Physical Science w/ Lab                                1 Credit	Biology w/LAB   1 Credit	Meteorology w/ Lab           1 Credit	Advanced Biology  or Chemistry  w/ Lab         1 Credit
2	Foreign Language	Spanish I (Early H.S.) Spanish II                      2 Credits	(See 10th Grade Elective)
3	Social Studies : World History, U.S. History Government Economics	World/Bible History        1   Credit               World Geography .5    Credit	American History                 1Credit                             World Geography             .5 Credit	Government  .5 Credit              Economics                     .5 Credit
6	Electives	Bible (The Story)             1 Credit	Bible (Study of James, Paul, & David)   1 Credit               Spanish III          1 Credit                   Art 3D                 1 Credit	Bible                                1 Credit                 Drivers Education         1 Credit	Bible                             1 Credit
1	Fine Arts	Art & Design                 1  Credit	(See 10th Grade Elective)
1	Health / Physical Education			Health / Physical Education      1 Credit
Total 27/25 Credits Earned/Required		8.5 Credits	7.5 Credits	7 Credits	4 Credits

 (Please excuse the messy table; inserting it into typepad was a pain)

Will this plan change? I imagine so. Even our plan for 10^th grade has already changed in mid-step. We had originally planned on completing their British Literature in 10^th grade but because they are taking American History in 10^th it made sense for them to take American Literature at the same time. In fact, the curriculum we are using is an American History and American Literature combined (Nodgrass’, Exploring America). They will take the American History portion in homeschool co-op and they will complete the American Literature portion at home.

All of our homeschool co-op sciences are with a Lab in order to give students options. Both John and Jarrod want to take my Meteorology class so I’ve scheduled that their 11^th grade year. But, I expect them to complete an advanced science with a Lab as well.

I have to say that being part of a homeschool cooperative is a God-send. I know we could have continued with their high school years but classes like their science, and foreign language, and even writing classes are so much better for them having taken co-op classes. The ladies who teach in our co-op have found their strengths and they impart those strengths onto their students who reap the benefits. I know teaching Meteorology serves two purposes for our co-op:  1) it offers students an alternative science with a lab other than advanced biology or chemistry, which many students just don’t want to take, or need, and 2) it utilizes my strengths. As a 30 year meteorologist, I too, can impart my strength to students.