July = SOS / Crusade / VBS / IHop

Wow - what a whirlwind month.  It seems like this month just started.  We've packed in  three weeks of church activities. 

SOS - The second week of July - the youth group of our church had their Summer of Service (SOS).  This year, they went to a retirement home, two of our church family's homes, and worked around the church. 

Under Construction VBS - The third week, we went to Odessa for our yearly VBS out there.  God did awesome things there and we met several new people who had never been to church before.

Pandamania VBS - This week, we just finished VBS at our church.  We ended the final night of VBS at IHop with some friends.

 I've been at church so much this month that subconsciously I called my kitchen counter the platform the other night!  But, I wouldn't want to do things any differently.  We have so much fun working with the children and seeing what God has for them. 

Now, it's time to focus on getting ready for school which we will start in a week.

The Aftermath....

My boys returned from their Boy Scout summer camping trip and I don't think I've ever seen them this dirty! Of course, my camera did not even get close to showing how dirty they actually were.  Let's just say that I had to wash each load of their laundry three to four times each and there were at least 6 loads of laundry.  My washer and I are tired!  I think they must have brought back half the state of NM dirt with them! 



I am glad they are home.  This is the first time they've been away for an entire week and we missed them so much.  They had a blast and are looking forward to next years event. 

Staying busy....

While the summer months are here, it seems that we are busier than during the school year.  The boys are preparing to leave for Boyscout Summer Camp.  This will be their first year to go and they are very excited.  My daughter turns 14 this week - yikes - that just doesn't seem possible!  And we're working on VBS activities for July. 

Busy, Busy, Busy

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.    Ecclesiastes 9:10

Mark 12 - Daily Take Away

Another great conclusion of the scriptures that I would like to share with you.

Mark 12

 

This chapter gives us one of what I consider one of the most fundamental staples of Christian living. Through His teachings Jesus is describing principle-based living. We've been fasting as a church lately in preparation for the revival God's going to send. But when we do things like that, or participate in our prayer meetings, or even pray over our lunch every day, Jesus instructs us to be careful about our motives. If we're just fasting so we can say we did, or praying loudly just so people can hear how good we are at it, we might as well not do it at all.

When we do these things, the sacrifice is unto the Lord, and in secret. God will reward us openly. Let's keep our motives in check today, and do the things we do as if God's the only one watching, and base our lives off of principle, not rules.

Joey Hart

Homeschool Curriculum for 2011/2012

Below is a list and links for those wanting to check out the curriculum I've chosen for next school year.  One note on the Total Language Plus.  These are the books I've selected, but we will start with one and see how it goes - the book list may change midstream.   Since there is a local seller of this curriculum, I will be purchasing one study guide per child at a time. 


3rd Grade (8 year old girl)

Bible

• Who Is God and Can I Really Know Him? 

Math

• Teaching Textbook 3 Textbook, CD-ROM,Workbook and Answer Key

Science

• Exploring Creation with Astronomy Textbook and Notebook Journal

Language Arts

• Explode the Code (books 5, 5 1/2, 6 - a little behind in phonics skills so we're starting at 2nd grade level)
• Total Language Plus:

1. The courage of Sarah Noble
2. Charlotte's Webb
3. Pippi Longstocking

History / Art

• Draw and Write Through History (all 5 books)

Foreign Language

• Spanish

Fine Arts

• Piano - private lessons and recital

6th Grade (11 year old boy)

Bible

• Who Is God and Can I Really Know Him?

Math

• Teaching Textbook 6 Textbook, CD-ROM,Workbook and Answer Key

Science

• Exploring Creation with Astronomy Textbook and Notebook Journal

Language Arts

• Basic Winston Grammar Set
• Total Language Plus:

1. The Sign of the Beaver
2. Amos Fortune Free Man
3. Adam of the Road
4. From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
5. My Side of the Mountain
6. The Cricket in Times Square

History

• Story of the World III - Textbook, Activity Book and Tests - I did not purchase the Cd's because after listening to the samples, I feel that he would soon grow bored with them.  He will also be reading biographies of some of the people he'll be learning about - such as some of the early American heroes.

Foreign Language

• Spanish

Fine Art

• Artistic Pursuits
• Guitar Lessons - This one is still up in the air yet, but he is begging to learn guitar and drums, but drums are out for now so hopefully the guitar lessons will work out.

7th Grade (12 year old boy)

Bible

• Who Is God and Can I Really Know Him? 

Math

• Teaching Textbook 7 Textbook, CD-ROM, Workbook and Answer Key

Science

• Exploring Creation with General Science  Textbook, Solutions and Test Manual and CD-ROM

Language Arts

• Basic Winston Grammar Set
• Total Language Plus:

1. Carry On, Mr. Bowditch
2. The Bronze Bow
3. Rifles for Watie
4. The Call of the Wild
5. The Phantom Tollbooth
6. The Hiding Place

History

• Mystery of History Volume 1  Textbook, Reproducibles CD-ROM, and Vol 1 Enrichment CD-ROM

Foreign Language

• Spanish

Fine Arts

• Artistic Pursuits
• Violin - He has shown interest in continuing his violin studies since he's had two years of violin already.  We will see how this goes.

9th Grade (14 year old girl) 7 1/2 credits

She will be using Abeka Academy for the majority of the following.  However, we've made a few changes because she needs one full credit for geography and Abeka only offers one semester.

Bible (1 credit)

• Hebrew History

Math (1 credit)

• Algebra I

Science (1 credit)

• Biology

Language Arts (1 credit)

• English 9 (includes spelling, vocabulary, grammar, composition, poetry and literature)

Geography (1 credit)

• World Geography (one semester)
• Trail Guide to World Geography / Uncle Josh's Outline Map Book  / Around the World in 80 Days (one semester)

Foreign Language (1 credit)

• Spanish

Fine Arts (1/2 credit)

• Piano - private lessons and recital

PE (1 credit)

• Variety of exercises and outdoor activities including some exercising videos such as Leslie Sansone and Jillian Michaels.  She's been using these already so we will just continue it.