Check out this new site!

http://folderfun.ning.com/page/page/show?id=2345210%3APage%3A852

This is a file folder site, and they are having a cool giveaway. File folders are a great way to have fun while learning. So check them out. I haven't learned how to grab pictures off sites and post it on my blog yet, so don't click on the picture click on the link below it. Sorry about my lack of TECHknowledge : ) Hope this is helpful for some of you out there. Haben

The ABC's of Preschool

It probably seems like my little one's get left out a lot, when in fact we have been very busy with reading lots of books and learning how to count, recognizing our colors, and learning our ABC's. We have also been on field trips to the farmer's market, the library, the fire station, and Shakey's Pizza to learn and make our own pizzas. But even if we do periodically focus on the older two the younger ones are always listening and learning too.

When I first decided to homeschool last year, my older two were given the opportunity to go to Texas to stay with my sister for the summer. This is something they really needed and deserved. They got the chance to step out of their role as older brother and sister, and were allowed to just be kids and have fun.

While this was happening, I took the opportunity to focus on my little ones; fearing that when the older two got back they would be neglected. So this summer, me, the little ones, and Grammee did a thematic study on farms. We read books like The Ox-Cart Manand Stories from Treasured Tales from Beatrix Potter, and we read nursery rhymes(ALL HIGHLY RECOMMENDED). We sang songs like "Old MacDonald". I had a puzzle of a farm and all the animals in groups from one to ten. For example: one cow, two chickens, three mice, ect. And we put that together counting and making the noises of all the animals. We also discussed all the different jobs and purposes of all the animals on a farm. We did an art project making a picture of a barn yard out of beans and macaroni. After we read Beatrix Potter, we got clay out and made turtles, frogs, and other things that went along with the stories.

For food we picked blackberries from our own back yard, we made homemade bread, and we made our own butter. *This is actually very simple, you get small containers like baby food jars, buy some heavy whipping cream, add a little salt, and then shake, shake, shake, shake,shake..........until it turns into butter!!!* This was a lot of fun, plus it tasted SOOOO GOOD on our warm homemade bread! You could even drizzle some honey over it and talk about bees and the job they do. If you look at things creatively enough, every situation can turn into a moment to teach. We also made some homemade ice cream. Delicious! Ok so we used an electric ice cream maker, but it's still considered homemade in my book after all we did add all the ingredients ourselves. :-) And the kiddos thought it was cool.

I really wanted to visit a working farm, but at the time I didn't know where one was. So we settled for visiting the local farmers market and talked about how farmers plant, grow and harvest food so that we can have good food to eat. This too was a lot of fun.

Next year I plan on having a garden so that we can carry this theme even farther. I imagine that planting our own garden will be very rewarding and exciting for our family. Hope this is helpful for someone.

Love, Haben

Dinosaurs

Well, let me show everyone what we've been up to for the last couple of weeks. We've been slowly working on our dino study that we got from hss. Since we started off our year studying the creation we also looked at what day we thought the dinosaurs were created. And our guess is that they were created on the fifth and sixth days with the rest of the water, air and land creatures. Then we went on to learn about what classification dinosaurs would be in; which of course is the reptile family. After learning about what qualifies as a reptile, we went outside to see if we could find a descendant of a dinosaur. And we were in luck, we were able to find a lizard...well Chloe our dog got to it first and we had to wrangle it away from her. And before we could get it from her, she managed to kill it, which actually ended up being quite useful. Since it was dead we were able to examine it in a way that would have been nearly impossible if it were still alive. We got to turn it upside down and look at it's under belly and open it's mouth and look at that. Really very interesting! Then we went to see if we could find a live specimen and again we were able to find one. This time we caught it before Chloe could. It was the same kind of lizard as the first one we found, we have several different varieties were we are. This particular kind of lizard is able to change colors. I always thought that only chameleons could do that. Learn something new every day huh!

Later we read a couple of the books that are suggested to go along with the unit study. But you could use any books that you have on dinosaurs that your kids enjoy. *Remember to use what resource you already have first. And then try and find the ones you don't have at the library. Most libraries have their catalogs online now so you can check to see if they have the book you need before you drive all the way there. These sort of things will save you a lot of money.* Unfortunately the libraries near me don't have many of the books that I've needed. This is when I've resorted to looking for them on Amazon or Ebay. This can save you the time of tracking books down, which may be worth the money to you. Since I've become a homeschool mom I've had to decide what my time is worth. This may be helpful for you to figure out too. Here are the books that we used:

A few days later we learned what a Paleontologist was. Then we went outside and did a dinosaur dig of our own. The study recommends burying an easy to put together dino puzzle, but I found a kit that had a small skeleton of a dinosaur that you excavate and put the pieces together. So I bought 2 kits for my older two and buried some dog bones for two of my little ones. They had a blast doing this.

Here is a kit from Amazon:


I found mine from Hobby Lobby (cheaper) but the convenience of having something shipped to your door is really nice. Plus, it's like Christmas when ever I get packages! I love it!

Next we'll be researching the dinosaurs we like the best and finding out were they lived in the world. We'll also be making a dino diorama, fossils, and paper mache' eggs. So stick with us and find out how the rest of the study goes. As soon as I can figure out how to put pictures on here the way I want them I'll be adding them as well. Love, Haben

Another cool contest

Here is another really cool contest. It's at BlogMommas.com . She is giving away a Crayola digital scrapbooking kit. So check it out. Haben

The Winner of Contest is...

Congrats Pitts Family!!! You've won The World God Made set. I hope you enjoy it! And thank you everyone who participated in our little contest. We had fun and I hope you did too.

If I am unable to get in touch with the Pitts Family than we'll draw another winner tomorrow. Thanks again, Haben

Procrastination

I really wanted to learn about and enjoy the Olympics with my kids but I just never got around to gathering up all the stuff and doing anything about it, so another great teaching opportunity gone. I don't feel too guilty though considering they happen twice every four years. Hopefully we will catch the next one.

But according to my sister Amber, I'm not allowed to overlook this year's Presidential election. It is a historical event either way. Either we will have our first black president or our first woman vice president. I know this is important. My brain just isn't geared up for planning and implementing lessons yet. But lucky for me and my kids, currclick is here to save the day. I was able to find a unit study that has everything all together for me. And the publishers A Journey Through Learning have gotten rave reviews on this particular unit study, nice plug huh...I should really get paid for these kinds of things, and all I had to do was download and print. Can't get much simplier than that.

So this is what we'll be doing for the next couple of weeks, along with a dinosaur lapbook, which we got for free from Homeschool Share . I'll be putting up picture of both as we do them. Well that's all I have for now folks. Love, Haben

To RV or not to RV

Well that is the topic of interest right now. You see my hubby Bryan works for the carpenter's union, but with the housing market's bottom dropping out and all those far reaching consequences; construction has come to an almost stand still in our area. So he feels that in order to make ends meet that he will have to resort to working out of town. And not just 4 hrs away like his is now, but more like... across the country!

Now we've already decided to HS so RVing isn't completely out of the question. But they (RVs) are pretty expensive, and we have 5 children. Is this even feasible? Then I started thinking about streamlining everything we have to be able to move into an RV! Wow that was mind boggling. How would I possible do it? Fit everything I have become so dependent on into an RV. Would I even survive emotionally? Being stuck in such a SMALL small small space with six other people 365 days a year! I KNOW I sound like a spoiled American who is too accustomed to her personal space and material possessions, but yeah! I am. That's all I know, but that doesn't mean I'm not willing to try another way.

I know that like everything in life you have to trade for one thing for the other. Very rarely can you have both. I also know that this kind of experience/education, to be able to travel around America with our children seeing her majesty and learning her history along the way, is priceless. And that unless we were rich, thus enabling us to be able to afford the house and the vacations, we aren't going to be able to give both to our children. I think it would be worth it though, giving up the stuff for the experience.

So what do you people out in cyberspace think? Any RVers out there willing to let me pick your brain? Financially does the trade off make sense? Is the mortgage and gas for an RV, a more affordable way to travel? How do you socialize, or get your mail? :-) On average how much is lot rent? What are the most important features in an RV? Which make and models are best? Gas or Diesel? SO many question!
Curiously, Haben

So unorganized!!!

I've really got to get this under control. We've been doing school , but very haphazardly. I keep trying to tell myself that its ok, but I know better. There has to be some kind of structure.

Next week we'll finally be finishing the seven days of creation(it only took us a month and a half) and we'll be starting on dinosaurs, which we have a lapbook for. Maybe this will help give me some of the "structure" I know we need. Honestly though, I think I'm going to have to break down and make a tinitive schedule for each week. Uhgg! I don't know why this is so hard for me. I guess it's b/c it requires planning in ahead.

Concerned friends and family : don't freak out! I'm just like this. Heavenly Father knows how stubburn I am, and how I refuse to change until I am practically forced to. So be glad that I'm finally being forced into learning how to organize my time. I love my children and I'll do what's best for them, no matter how agonizing it will be for ME! Sniff Sniff! Just trying to get alittle sympathy here! Because I'm sure I'm not the only one who struggles with this. Self- justification niiice...it's funny how we get defensive, even by our own words! LOL

I'm making a promise. I will try (No! No loop holes to wiggle out of) I will make a weekly schedule from now on. THERE, now it's out there and I can't take it back.

Well, thanks for the therapy, just send me the bill. Really I'm good for it! Haben

Our Homeschool Creations: Homeschool Closet Giveaway

Our Homeschool Creations: Homeschool Closet Giveaway

Song of My Heart: It's A Homeschool Giveaway!

Song of My Heart: It's A Homeschool Giveaway!

Cleaning Out My Homeschool Closet Contest

I'm participating in a HS giveaway by the wonderful folks at Christian Preschool Printables (see above banner), which has challenged us to clean out our HS closets and bless someone else with our gently used HS materials, we no longer need/use.

When I started searching around for what I would share I found this... The student manual of -God's Creation Series- The World God Made and the teacher's manual that goes along with it. This book is in like new condition and is geared toward K aged children.

All you have to do to enter is comment on this message and tell me why you need these books for your HS library. Also make sure you leave your em address. The winner will be picked from a "hat" by my kiddos the evening of Sept. 14th., announced Sept. 15th and shipped to you soon after wards. Sorry, but I can only ship to the U.S.

Here is a brief description from the back of the book:
The God's Creation Series is designed to give young students a greater understanding of and appreciation for the handiwork of Almighty God. This book has the following special features:

• Interesting facts to engage the minds of students
• Colorful images to stimulate a greater understanding of scientific concepts
• Helpful review questions for each chapter
• Hands-on experiments and activities to encourage student participation

This is sooo exciting! : ) Good luck!!! Love, Haben

Tips for new home school moms

I'm very new to this great adventure myself, but I have already made good and bad decisions. I thought maybe if I share my triumphs and mistakes, you'll be able to navigate more smoothly through this wonderful journey.

First of all I would say "RELAX"!!! You can do this!!! The statistics are greatly in your favor. I read somewhere that homeschooled kids are on average at least two grades ahead of there peers. So if you take it slow (which I strongly recommend) the first year don't sweat it. They will catch up, and probably pass kids their age, quickly!

Second (which was some of the best advice I received) if you are taking your children out of public school; they will need some time to de-stress. This may take a month, three months, or even a year. Just recongnize that this will be an adjustment for them and if you force them to "do school" before they are ready it will be very unproductive and cause alot of contention in your home.

So in the mean time I would suggest taking this time for getting to know your child again. What is he interested in? Go and do some of those things. Go for walks together, play board games together, do chores (yes I said chores) together. You'd be surprised how much closer a family can become when working together. Plus if you do them together they become more like a game then work. Ha Ha!

But most of all just have fun together. This is how children learn best anyways. There's something to learn in every situation. Don't fool yourself into believing that just because your kids aren't doing worksheets that they aren't learning. Children are ALWAYS learning. Shhh! You'll know when they are ready to start school. That's when they start asking questions again. This natural curiosity has probably just been in hibernation. The reawaking of their love of learning will be something beautiful to behold.

Trust yourself and your ability to teach your children! This is very important!!! Heavenly Father would not have blessed you with his precious little ones without also bestowing on you all the intuition and talents, though sometimes hidden, needed to nurture and teach them. So don't listen to those who don't understand the the sacred call you've been given to serve your children.

Also don't be tricked into thinking that HSing has to be just like public school. You know... sitting in a desk all day reading boring text books and completing mindless assignments. This is one of the quickest ways to see your child's love of learning go quickly back into hibernation. I know a lot of you live in states that have strict rules and regulations on what you can and cannot do. But that doesn't me that you can't think outside the box. Do what your state asks; but make sure you add lots of color to the bland palette they have provided. Your child deserves for you to learn how to stretch your imagination.

And oh yeah turn off the TV as much as possible!!! Or what ever electronic device that may be robbing precious time away from you and your family. This has been one of my biggest temptations. I thought I was cured of my tv addiction but then I started spending way too much time on the computer. My friend told me that's not being cured. Nope that is called cross addition. Oh well, and I thought I was doing so well. Any ways... I've seen first hand through my own children how these electronic devices have hurt their ability to soak up the simpler pleasures in life. Without the distraction of constantly moving images, it's very hard for them to concentrate. I pray that in time I am able to heal this unintentional harm that I've inflicted upon my children. But in order to over come a bad habit you have to replace it with a good one. I'm striving to replace the evil, lol, devices with good books and the healing power of nature. This is my biggest goal this year. I'm sure this will be a bumpy road and that I'll fall off the wagon many, many times but I hope I'm able to keep my eyes on the prize. Ok, how did this become about me? Focus, Haben! Well I hope it helps to know that I'm working on mastering these things too.

I also hope you will take courage when mistakes are made. None of us are perfect. And we aren't asked to be. Baby steps, one foot in front of the other. Don't worry we'll all get there. And really it's not the pace that matters, but the journey along the way. WOW that was an overload of cliques!!! Sorry bout that, I'll try to be more original next time. Still stuck inside the box, Haben

Well, like I said in my last post I'm kinda keeping this blog as a record of what we do for home school. A way to show my accountability, I guess. But it's sort of a journal too. I get kinda obsessed with things though. Like I was only going to be on the computer for a few minutes, but I think it's taken more like a few hours. It's probably the "SHE" in me. Like that plug there Flyladies :) I really need to set the timer huh! LOL Ok! Ok! I haven't learned to organize my time yet. I've been struggling with this one my whole life. I think if I could only get up at a reasonable hour, I think I would be able to get more done. But then that would probably mean going to bed at a decent hour too. I need to recommit myself to the babysteps routine. I know, I know, I'm not behind, I'm... something else, huh I can't remember that part. Oh well it must be because my brain starts shutting down after 10 pm. I guess that's it for intelligent conversation tonight! Love ya, Haben

P.S. To understand most of this ramble you'll have to go to flylady.com

On your mark get set go!

Well I figured I needed to document our homeschooling career, sooo here we go!... OK maybe I should tell you a little about myself first. I'm a mom of five amazing kids, unless you include the hubby then that makes me a mom of 6! : ) The kiddos' ages range from 2 to 9. I've been blessed with an amazing husband who has always understood and supported me in my desire to stay at home with our children. I thank Heavenly Father for that decision we made very early in our marriage. We are LDS and our beliefs mean alot to us. As LDS we believe that families are very important. So I felt that it was my responsibility to take care of my children instead of trusting my little ones to some one else. There is no judgement here! I was raised by a single mother, so I know that we all have to do what we have to do. And that know matter what choices we make in life we all make sacrifices. Trust me we have made plenty of sacrifies in our family, mostly material things. My kids are often found sporting handmedowns and out grown hair styles lol, and we don't have brand new furniture or cars, and I couldn't tell you the last time dh and I had a weekend alone. But... I was there when each of my babies smiled for the first time, for the first words they spoke, for the first steps they took, and countless other beautiful moments I've been blessed to witness. And when they got "old enough" I, like most loving parents, sent my oldest two children to PreK and then on to public school. That's what your suppose to do...Right?

"So why (you may ask) would I or any sane person want to Home School their kids?!" Well every family is different and all of them have different answers to this question. But for us there were many reasons.
-I guess my first reason would be because the Spirit had been warning (or preparing me depending on your point of view)this was coming for a couple of years before it became an absolute necessity.
-Then there is the fact that the schools have become obsessed with teaching to the test instead of the individual and that everything is timed whether you know the material or not. My kids did not respond to this kind of pressure, very well.
-Also the homework lasted past 10pm most nights. He was only in 3rd grade!
- And then there was my son's well being. He stopped smiling and laughing. This was unacceptable! My children's happiness is very important to me!

So I prayed and the Spirit confirmed that Homeschooling was the right thing to do for my family.

Let me tell you, a lot of self doubt followed. But I was excited at the same time. Then when I began to research HSing on the internet I begin to get very very overwhelmed!!! There is so much info out there. What kind of homeschooler was I going to be? Classical, Unschooler, or do I just use a curric from a box? Who do I get the curriculum from? There are so many different companies. And man are they expensive! I liked Charlotte Mason's way of doing things. I love her nature studies and copy work ideas. I liked the classical approach as well. Living books are definitely a wonderful way to learn. But I also wanted to do some child lead learning. And the everything in a box was appealing, just because I'm lazy. Too many choices!!! Especially for someone who has a hard time making any kind of decision. I'm very wishy washy. Where do I start, there is so much I want to do.

It wasn't until I prayed again(Hum... is there a pattern here? Maybe if I pray in the beginning...maybe I'd "get it" without all the frustration...nah that would be too easy) for direction that the idea came to me like a thunder bolt START FROM THE BEGINNING! The Creation... of course!!! So that gave me the direction I needed and I was able to begin gathering books and materials together. It was a wonderful feeling to be doing something productive. By the way I've decided that I'm a eclectic kind of gal : ) So I pulled resources from all over, and I feel good about the choices I've made. I took the whole summer to gather everything.

And in a nut shell, that is why we started to HS. Really it hasn't been that big of a leap for me. Homeschooling has fit pretty naturally into our lives so far.
Now that you're up to speed it is time to see if this plan is actually going to work in action.

HERE is a rough outline of what we will be studying this year:
Of course we will be doing daily scripture study. OK let's be honest, we will try to do it daily. (Is that better for those who know me)
For math I choose MIQUON math.
We are starting with the preexistence and then working our way through creation and history.
And we will be using Story of the World for history.
For creation science we are using the Apologia series. Astronomy is what we will study this year.
To kind of round things off we'll be using HomeSchoolShare for unit studies and lapbooks.
We've already been reading quite a few books. I'll give a list and a review later.
And of course we will be taking advantage of any field trips and clubs we can find that interest my kiddos.
The library has become an inexhaustible resource! Thank you Ben Franklin!!!

Just an update: Since we've taken our son out of public school he's been happier than we've seen him in along time!!! He smiles and laughs all the time now! It's like he's come alive again. This alone has made it worth it to me. I know that this is not the answer for every family, but I know without a doubt that it was for our's! I feel so blessed to see the difference it has made in my son and in my home. I will keep y'all posted on what adventures we embark on next! Love, Haben