Our School Curriculum 2012-2013

As busy as we've been the past few months, I've managed to look over curriculum we needed to change up or add to, and get it all ordered. Yay!

We plan to get started on the new year next week. So exciting!

We use the Classical and Charlotte Mason methods. I love so much about Charlotte Mason, but needed some of the Classical approach to sprinkle in.

We are doing 2nd Grade and PreK this year.



Preschool:

For Preschoool we are actually using My Father's World Kindergarten curriculum, because after looking it over, I know Brighton will do really well with it and it's just enough to let him do "school" without me planning a lot.

MFW includes unit studies, phonics, and character development, all biblical based. We will take it slow and spend 30-45 min a day doing this together throughout the day.

We also plan to do a lot of reading. We have an old Five in Row curriculum, that I want to add in with our reading. Nothing big like lap books, but just reading and talking about what we're reading.



2nd Grade:

Bible:
 We are starting again with the Family Reading Bible. We read it last year, and have absolutely loved it. We follow the short path since Brighton and Jaiden sit in on the readings daily. It's an actual Bible with a reading plan throughout the whole Bible. It has discussion questions as well for each reading. We have all learned so much!


Math:
 We are sticking with Singapore Math
We have loved it, and why fix something that isn't broken?! I actually picked up 2A-3B at a used curriculum sale for under $10!
 We also love Family Math

Spelling:
 This year we are using All About Spelling
After looking over it at a friend's house, I knew this would be a tremendous help for my full of phonics questions boy. I'm so excited about this!

Grammar:
 We are sticking with English for the Thoughtful Child
It is very gentle and Tristin gets it. He does very well with this, again, no need for change. We will add volume 2 when we get there.

Writing:
 We will do copywork from Scripture, poetry, and literature. We are also going to start a gratitude journal or wall. I'll post more when we get started.

Science:
 We will continue with our Nature Journal from last year.  We don't write in it, so it's available to use again. We have a lot more to explore at our new place which is a ton of fun!

We have added Apologia Swimming Creatures to our curriculum this year. We will take it slow, read additional literature and do projects. We are excited about this!

Will read The Burgess Animal Book

History:
 For History we are reading books for the Middle Ages.

We will be reading (I can make a different post on the order we will read these)
Robin Hood
Good Queen Bess
The Kitchen Knight: King Arthur
The Shakepeare Stealer 
Viking Ships at Sunrise and more Magic Tree House books
Michelangelo
Leonardo 
Joan of Arc
The Door in the Wall

 We will also include A Child's History of the World
and Our Island Story and Trial and Triumph


 And more books I pick up throughout the year. I'll be sure to let you know!


Geography:

 Continue though  Paddle to the Sea
then start Tree in the Trail


Fine Arts:
  Michelangelo
  Da Vinci
  Raphael

  Bach
  Handel
  Haydn

 Ambleside Online Poetry and term 2


Literature:
 The Pilgrim's Progress
 Parables from Nature
 Understood Betsy
 The Wind in the Willows
 Little House on the Prarie




I love these two sites for helping with our booklists:

AmblesideOnline

Charlotte Mason Help


We are excited to get started!

Good Morning Sunshine

Yesterday morning I woke up at 3AM for good. I was still tired, but couldn't go back to sleep.
Last night, I was so very tired, but as I watched Jaiden before bed, I could tell he wasn't feeling well and was trying to keep from throwing up..well he finally did, I was up with him off and on all night. Bless his heart, he was so uncomfortable. He is seeming a bit better now.

I woke up and thought of how to make the most of my morning, even though I just wanted to sleep.
After making the other boys' breakfast, I made myself my favorite breakfast and read some wonderful blogs, and I thought I could share all of that here with you.

First of all, one of my favorite breakfasts. This is so easy and tasty, there is really no reason at all I shouldn't have it more often!

You need:

1 piece of whole wheat toast
1 T (or so) of pesto
1 egg over easy (or your favorite way)
a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese



For the juice you need:

1/2 cup of orange juice
1/2 cup of cranberry juice



There you have it.
Very easy and filling breakfast.
A good way to start a sleepy day.

Good Morning Reading:

Why Pray the Hours? Written by Joel J. Miller. Much to think and pray about. I would love to make this an everyday part of our lives.

Everything Is New

I just love Spring..I'm sure I've mentioned this before ha.
It's a time when things come to life.
Everything is fresh and new.
It's all about new life.



As we celebrate Jesus' Resurrection this weekend, I love to take time to ponder the new life we can have through His sacrifice. It's not just a big part our our lives, it's everything.



It's all about love.
He did it because of love for us.
It's overwhelming to even think about everything he went through just for us.



He didn't have to. He chose to.

If you do anything at all, give up your life and live to worship and praise Him.
Even the stars, flowers, and animals are here to glorify Him and praise Him.
 (read Psalm 148)








If we are in Him, then this much bigger than eggs, candy, nicest clothes, and bunnies. In fact, what does all of that even mean?

It was and always should be all about Him.
Live to praise Him. To bring glory to Him. To honor Him. To obey Him.
Jesus Christ.

"Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer. But this I know with all my heart. his wounds have paid my ransom."



In Christ alone my hope is found. He is my light..

Reading List 2012

I have been slowly reading Bonhoeffer, and have been coming up with a list of books to read throughout the year. I thought it would be fun to share.

In my post last week I shared my next reads but I wanted to add the list for the whole year to that. This is my "would love to read" list.

Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxes(almost finished)
The Good Earth by Peter Conn
Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

Pilgrim's Progress (starting March in this book club)
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (I've never read it. I have it, so it's on the list!)
A Tree grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Method For Prayer by Matthew Henry (I love Becky's post about how to use this book)

The Bible (along with The Gospel Coalition's blog of For the Love of God by D.A. Carson. Our church is doing this together this year!)

Oh and I watched this delightful little film a few weeks ago, and was so excited to hear they won and Oscar last night for it. So, if you love books...enjoy!

What I'm Reading

In the still of the night when everyone is tucked tightly in their own beds, I turn on my tiny kindle light and read until I can't hold my eyes open anymore.

I started reading Reshaping It All. A very delightful read, and truly encouraging to get in control of food you eat, thoughts you have, and decisions you make. To live by the Spirit and not let the flesh win. Whichever one you feed is the one that wins.

It's like speaking to a big sister who has heard all your excuses (and has been there herself) and basically telling you to grow up a bit and live your life the way God intended. All in a wonderfully loving and graceful manor.

I have learned a tremendous amount about myself. Which has helped me step up and take the necessary actions to let my body know it is no longer in control. That it is now Spirit led, and I make healthy decisions based on what God designed my body to need, not everything it wants. And when I want something like say a brownie fudge sundae? Get it, but split it with the boys, or my hubby. Remember...Spirit led to do what is best.

Today, for instance, I wanted a burger and fries. I'm not a big burger and fries girl, but my body sure wanted me to know that that's what it wanted today. I always like a a large coke with it as well ;). Well, we headed out, and before I went, I made myself chose whether I wanted the burger and fries, or the coke...a medium coke. I choose coke and a grilled chicken wrap..no fries. I ate until I was full (a little more than half)and was done. In the end, I survived...and feel much better than if I would've if i had given into my flesh and ordered a burger, fries, and a large coke.

What a journey this has been, and it is hard, but the more I stay focused, the better it will get.

Gal. 5:16
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

180

I have been anxiously waiting the release of the new 180 movie. God revealed that in America, we have our own holocaust to me a few months ago, so I couldn't wait to view Ray Comfort's movie on abortion.

It's available to view for FREE and takes 33 minutes of your time.

Sometimes, I think it's important to take a stand. It's time to stand up for God. The God who created all life. The One who gives you every breath you take. He did it for you and me...couldn't we do it for Him?

**some content not for children**

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Bible Study Reflection: Philippians

I started reading the book of Philippians last week. It's not a long book at all, but I am slowly digesting it, and just letting it all sink in.

I joined in with Inspired To Action and have really REALLY enjoyed it.
I also found Time Warp Wife's Study on Philippians and am using her guide and questions too.

What God has shown me about Him in the first part of Ch 1.
*He is always working to finish what He has started in your life.
6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 
*Jesus longs affectionately for us.
8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus

What God wants me to apply to my life.
*To long affectionately for others.

*To pray for them like Paul did.
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now

*To consider the good I do. Does it stem from a love for God, or a desire to be good? 

Paul truly cared for people. That is how you know you know God. When you love others, because that is the true character of God. Paul prayed for them every single day, with joy. No matter his circumstances, and even recognized that everything that happened to him turned out for furtherance of the gospel. He shared the gospel no matter what!

Paul loved others and prayed for others, but he also focused on ridding his life of sin. He knew he was a sinner, and because he loved God, he focused on ridding his life of sin. He didn't focus on all the good stuff he was doing. He lived in a humble manner.

I just love the example Paul is. I love that he loves God and others. I love that he prays for others, and truly deep down inside cares for each person. I love that he made sure others heard the gospel no matter what.