Coloring pages for the kids :)

Great site to find all your coloring needs.
http://www.coloring-fun.com/index.html

Home Schooling in the news!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/38721323#38721323

Curriculm

Here are some links to some current curriculum my sons are using. All books so far have been taken from The well trained mind book here is the website I highly recommend the book it gives hundreds of references: http://www.welltrainedmind.com/

http://www.zaner-bloser.com/

http://www.dorbooks.com/


http://www.greenleafpress.com/index.php




Here are a few to start with. I would love for anyone to share any links that they really like using for their kids.. There is so much out there that you can spend hours searching.

I use this website for Keynan and also to occupy one while I teach the other :)
http://www.starfall.com/

The Study of the Human Heart.

Part of our Science curriculum this year is learning the anatomy of the human body and all it's complex functions. While you might think that this concept is to full for a 7 year old to grasp you probably are right. What is cool is they will be learning about human anatomy until they know it very well. I remember having to learm human anatomy in college for 8 weeks, what a nightmare!lol
They truly will have the time to really memorize the way the human body functions and how important it is to take care of your heart by eating right, exercising and sleeping!

I found a great site online with more free print outs! With over 2 million families homeschooling in America the resources are free and abundant!

http://www.texasheartinstitute.org/HIC/ProjH/cvheart.cfm

Progress isn't Perfection.

As the first year of Homeschooling came to end it gave me a lot of time to reflect. Now that I am home full time with the boys it is much easier to stick to a schedule. While the schedule still gets interrupted during the week it is progress that is important to me and not perfection. I have realized things will come up during the week and you can't help to stop what the plan is and accomplish whatever comes up. Last week the neighbor lady came by and brought me some books and some plants. That is okay that people stop by but it cut into the day and before you know it the neighbor lady is leaving at 3:00 p.m. and the kids are totally done with trying to finish their work at this point.
My point to all this that it is okay if the schedule gets off kilter a few days a week. I've learned that it will never be perfect so get over it being that way. So even though some weeks I really wish we could stay right on track we honestly don't. I am always trying to delve up ways to make my life simpler but the fact is that simple is as simple does. Make the most of what you have at the time and each week strive to at least accomplish a few time frames exactly like the schedule reads.
Here attached is our current schedule we so aimlessly try to stick to:

6:00-9:00- Mom to cook breakfast, clean up kitchen and get ready to teach.

9:00-10:00 a.m. Math

10:00-10:30 BREAK

10-30-11:15-SNACK

11:15-11:45- Grammar

Spelling-10-15 min Phonics Pathways & (spelling work book A)

Writing- 5-20 min.

Reading-60 min.

Grammar 15-20 min. finish Book A (English for the thoughtful child)

11:45-12:15- Reading and notebook page creation.

12:15-1:00-BREAK

1:00-1:30- LUNCH

1:30-2:30- History (Keynan’s nap)

2:30-3:30- Reading on Sofa & Activity

3:30 Class dismissed.

4:00-5:00 – Art Project or picture study or listening to music or coloring (Mon& Fri)

Repeat for 4 months, 4 days of each week start date :

One day out of the week being a free day. Library Trips, Field Trips, Trips to people’s houses. Card or Craft Day and Baking.

No Electronics M-TH. Friday movie night stay up until 10:30 p.m.

Video Game Day Saturday