Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Homekeeper's Journal ~ August 24, 2010

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Dreams of Autumn...

Autumn in my kitchen means ……. chili, soup, home-made spaghetti sauce and apple pie!

Autumn in my home brings …….a  sense of cooler days ahead.

I bring Autumn indoors by …….. opening the house up once the heat of summer passes.

A few favorite Autumn activities for my family are ……. hikes in the Battlefield, camping, and playing in the leaf pile!

Two favorite Autumn recipes are ……. Pumpkin Pie and homemade apple sauce.

This Autumn I would like to ……… begin a soup dinner night for our immediate neighbors so we can really get to know them.  Think indoor block party!

Hip Homeschool Hop ~ August 24, 2010

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How to join Hip Homeschool Hop:

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1. Place the Hip Homeschool Hop button somewhere in your post or in the sidebar of your blog.

2. "Like" Hip Homeschool Moms on Facebook (so you know what we're up to each week) by clicking HERE

3. Link up your blog, twitter, and/or facebook page below in the McLinky. The link up will be open every Tuesday from 12AM midnight - 11:59PM CST (24hrs)

4. Comment on *at least* the person linked above you and let them know you're coming by from Hip Homeschool Hop. Comment on as many as you'd like - Follow as many as you'd like!

5. Some week's we'll have giveaways and at the end of each month we will feature one Hip Homeschool Mom for all of us to get to know better.

6. Have fun and help us spread the word about Hip Homeschool Hop!


Sunday, August 22, 2010

A Day in the Life of Our Home School

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A Day in the Life

Since we got an early start on our school year, we have found our groove.  I do have a teaching schedule for all the days.... oops, I'm getting ahead of myself.

Our day begins....

  7:30 am     wake up and hit the shower (to help me wake up!)
  8:00 am     teenagers start waking up and having breakfast
  8:30 am     begin laundry, bread baking, crock pot, etc.
                    morning chores are done
  8:45 am     darling daughter hits the floor ... s l o w l y!
  9:00 am     begin school... See Below


** I have chosen to take a new direction on the when and how of teaching. Since I am home schooling 4 high schoolers, I am 'teaching' only 1-2 subjects a day. During the class time, they are given their school assignments for the week. Here are my teaching days and times -

Monday
    9:00-10:00 am      Physical Science with labs
  10:00-10:30 am      Grammar/Vocabulary (Michael/Shelby)
  10:30-10:45 am      Break time!
  10:45-11:00 am      Grammar/Vocabulary (Matt/Melissa)

Tuesday
    9:00 - 9:45 am      Intro to Literature (Michael)
    9:45-10:30 am      Health (Matt/Melissa)

Wednesday
    9:00-10:30 am      Creative Writing (Michael/Shelby)
    1:00-  2:30 pm      Art History (outside class)

Thursday
    8:00-10:00 am      Chemistry @ Hilger's (Matt/Melissa)
    8:30 - 9:30 am      World Geography (Michael)

Friday
    9:00 -  9:45 am      American Literature (Matt/Melissa/Shelby)
    9:45 -10:30 am      U.S. History (Matt/Melissa)

** Math is completed daily. I work one-on-one with each student needing my help usually after we have completed the designated teaching times above.

My older two are independent learners, so they are excited to have scheduled time to discuss what they are learning. I didn't have the time to do that the last two years. My younger two and I still spend time one-on-one on a daily basis on some of their work. This schedule allows for more in-depth teaching, while allowing the students to become responsible for their assignments. It will also guide the younger two into more independent learning.

Our day continues...

  10:30-10:45 am     Break Time
  10:45-12:00 pm     independent work
  12:00-12:45 pm     lunch
  12:45 - 2:00 pm     independent work
  2:00 - ?                  complete your work and study

Most days the students are completed with their work by 3 PM.  With the addition of Chemistry and Art History this week, the older two students will need more time to complete their studies well.

Since we have all teenagers, their extra-curricular activities occur at night.  Our 16 year old daughter, Melissa,  plays 2 different varsity sports (soccer and basketball).  Matthew performs in 2 different community theaters, and Michael is active in Boy Scouts.  Here is what our evenings look like!

Our night continues...

Monday night:  6:30-8:30 pm   Soccer practice or games
                         7:00-9:00 pm   Community Theater practice

Tuesday night:  6:30-8:30 pm   Soccer practice or games
                         7:00-8:15 pm   Boy Scouts
                         7:00-9:00 pm   Community Theater practice

Wednesday:      7:00-8:30 pm   Church Youth Group

Thursday:         6:30-8:30 pm    Soccer practice or games

                         7:00-9:00 pm    Community Theater practice

Friday:              6:00-10:00 pm  Theater Shows (about every 2 months)
                          6:00 - 8:00 pm  Soccer Games

       

(Sorry there are no pictures, I forgot our camera needs batteries!  When I get them, I will add pics.)

This post is linked to Heart of the Matter Online - A Day in the Life.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

A bumpy start ~ A smoother ending

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Wow, three weeks of school!  I cannot say I was ready to begin, but I decided to just jump in anyway.  Our first week included some laughter, whining, and mornings that started way too early for my teens!

Week Two I was more prepared, and during the week, the last of our school books arrived.  The older teens were then able to begin their U.S. History. 

I have chosen to take a new direction on the when and how of teaching.  Since I am home schooling 4 high schoolers, I am 'teaching' only 1-2 subjects a day.  During the class time, they are given their school assignments for the week.  Here are my teaching days and times -

       Monday 
               9:00-10:00 am        Physical Science with labs
             10:00-10:30 am        Grammar/Vocabulary (Michael/Shelby)
             10:30-10:45 am        Break time!
             10:45-11:00 am        Grammar/Vocabulary (Matt/Melissa)

     Tuesday
                9:00 - 9:45 am        Intro to Literature (Michael)
                9:45-10:30 am        Health (Matt/Melissa)

     Wednesday 
                9:00-10:30 am        Creative Writing (Michael/Shelby)
            
     Thursday
                8:00-10:00 am        Chemistry @ Hilger's (Matt/Melissa)
                8:30 - 9:30 am        World Geography (Michael)

     Friday
                9:00 - 9:45 am         American Literature (Matt/Melissa/Shelby)
                9:45 -10:30 am        U.S. History (Matt/Melissa)

   **  Math is completed daily.  I work one-on-one with each student needing my help usually after we   have completed the designated teaching times above.

My older two are independent learners, so they are excited that we get to spend time discussing what they are learning.  I didn't have the time to do that the last two years.  My younger two and I still spend time one-on-one on a daily basis on some of their work.  This schedule allows for more in-depth teaching, while allowing the students to become responsible for their assignments.  It will also guide the younger two into more independent learning.

This teaching schedule has allowed me more time to work with each of the kids individually.  Since I'm not 'teaching' all day long one subject or another, I am free to answer questions, debate a topic, or just listen to their thoughts.

How was your week?

Thursday, August 19, 2010

What's in your stack of books?

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I just love a good stack of books.  Don't you?  I believe the hardest part of reading through a pile of good books is where to start!  Here are some of the authors I read either for enjoyment, and/or to further my Christian walk into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.



We all have a list of books we love or specific authors who seem to write directly to us.

As a home schooling mom, I enjoy some simple Christian fiction when we are not "in school." Some of my favorite authors are Karen Kingsbury, LaVyrle Spencer, Neta Jackson (Yada Yada Prayer Group), and Elizabeth Musser to name a few.

I have also thoroughly enjoyed some great Christian Historical Fiction. My most favorite has been The Flames of Rome by Paul Maier. I am now on the hunt to find more of these books. I read it to prepare to teach Ancient History and fell in love with it. 

I also enjoy the writings of Michael Phillips and Alton Gansky.  These authors write Christian mystery novels. 


I have just borrowed Susan Wise Bauer's book The Well-Educated Mind from the local library.  I am looking forward to gleaning a lot of new information on how to help one of my kids.

Leave a comment and let me know what is on your bookshelf? or stack?  I would love to hear what books and authors inspire you and hopefully, find some more books to read and enjoy!

Happy Reading!


What's in your stack of books? Part 1

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Books, books, and more books...

I asked my teenagers what their
favorite book is and why. 
Here are their responses...



Matt said, "The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown is my favorite book. 
I like it because the action keeps moving."











Michael responded, "Strategy guides to video games because
I get to choose them to read.  I like the hints and cheat codes
that you can use to win the game." 
   
(Note to self: let Michael pick out more of his own books for school!)






Melissa thought long and hard and responded, "Angels and Demons by Dan Brown.  He intertwines historical fact with fictional characters to bring it to life.  It is a book you can't put down until your done."

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

The Academic Scholars of Cook's Academy ~ 2010-2011

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Come on in and meet our Academic Scholars of Cook's Academy!


Matt ~ Junior, age 16
Melissa ~ Junior, age 16






Michael ~ Freshman, age 14




Shelby ~ Sophomore, age 15

We are so serious all the time!  NOT!

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Peek inside our home school...

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Our Home School Classroom 

Our schoolroom does resemble a "classroom."  Why, you ask?  When our youngest began home schooling during his first grade year after being in a Christian school, he wanted a desk and a chalkboard.  Later that same year, our older two came home from the same school 3 months into their third (3rd) grade year.  Take a look at what we have now!

I am currently home schooling 4 teens - 2 Juniors, 1 Sophomore, and 1 Freshman!


We have not one, but TWO chalkboards!  And yes, we do have schedules to keep my life sane!

I love books... these are some of the books we use!


This is Matt (16) at the student's computer desk. 
This bookshelf was added during the winter of 2009-10.
Notice our fancy wall art!


My filing system.  Each student has a section of the vertical file on the left.
The file on the right is all mine for transcripts, high school portfolio information,
filing, articles, field trip ideas, etc.



Meet Rod, my husband and our school principal!  He is working at
our combined home office / teacher desk.

Last but not least, my laptop!  This is primarily mine, but the students use it when their
computer is already in use or when we are schooling away from home.



Well, there you have it!  We are currently into our second week of the new school year.  Things are moving more smoothly this week than last.  Praise the Lord!

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Back to School Traditions

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Do you have any fun and interesting ways to get your students excited about the new school year? 

As a family, we try to schedule a FUN field trip before we dive into our coursework.  Also, our local home school support group hosts a ‘Back to School’ picnic mid-August. We enjoy a picnic-style dinner and games for the kids. This is a great way to reconnect with other home schoolers before you get knee-deep into your academics.

On a more academic note, we begin our first day of school with only 2 subjects.  Then each day I add another subject.  We will have a full course load by the end of the second week.  This helps both the students and teacher acclimate into the school year less stressfully.

School has officially begun

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Cook's Academy officially began yesterday for the new 2010-2011 school year.  We started with 2-3 subjects and will add-on one more each day.  This helps both the students and teacher acclimate into the school year less stressfully.  The Juniors started with Health, Math, and American Literature, while the Freshman and Sophomore began with Physical Science and Math.  Today we add on Classical Vocabulary for the Juniors and World Geography for the other students.

Happy Homeschooling!

If you have started back up, leave and comment on how your first day went.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Hip Homeschool Blog Hop!

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How to participate:


1. Place the Hip Homeschool Hop button somewhere in your post or in the sidebar of your blog.

2. "Like" Hip Homeschool Moms on Facebook (so you know what we're up to each week) by clicking HERE

3. Link up your blog, twitter, and/or facebook page below in the McLinky.

4. Comment on *at least* the person linked above you and let them know you're coming by from Hip Homeschool Hop. Comment on as many as you'd like - Follow as many as you'd like!

5. Some week's we'll be featuring individual sites/vendors, other weeks we'll have giveaways and maybe a suggested topic to post on for that week's link up. Who knows - you're always in for a surprise (and treat!) at Hip Homeschool Hop.

6. Have fun and help us spread the word about Hip Homeschool Hop!


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