I'm sorry that I have been quiet. The last year or so has not been easy health-wise and I've ended up swamped. BUT I have not been idle! I should be posting realtively soon with a blog entry and adding some more content to my site here.

I have created a World History Curriculum of sorts. It is attached to a text book that I found on Amazon. I'll post links, downloads, lesson plans and the such. It's about 2/3 of the way complete at this point and will be done by the end of the school year. This is HIGH SCHOOL level. It can be, and has been, adapted to work with middle school grades; however, it is really geared toward the older kids.

For those that have contacted me about the American History curriculum, I am sorry to say that I never quite got it beyond the planning stages. I became pretty ill and I just never got the umph. I hope to finish it off at some point in the future--just not right now.

Anyways, this is where I'll leave you for now! Soon, my friends!! :)

~t8ermomma

On Friday morning, around 10:00 a.m. CST, CurrClick will be having a "Pay What You Want" event. Through the weekend and ending on July 29th, homeschoolers can shop over 4,000 titles from top homeschool publshers and you guessed it: Pay whatever they want for the items they select. No other homeschool curriculum site has done anything like this before.

The other day I was on another blog for homeschooling (Megan's Latter-Day Homeschooling) and she explained her lesson planning strategy. I was floored! She used an amazing program called Evernote.  This program is like having a virtual notebook that you can put notes in, link blog posts to, copy articles from blogs or websites, you can even use it to link all of your pinterest links into one place--for each lesson plan.

The really neat thing is that it is FREE! Well, you can of course sign up for premium services, but you can have it free. AND you can have it off line! So you can save your work and if you don't have internet always available--no problem! It's really neat!

Here's a quick look at my Evernote page for my upcoming World History co-op class. (Yes, I will be posting this!)

This is so customizable! For instance, the left hand columns start out with nothing, but you can create as many notebooks as you want. As you can see on mine, I have a co-op notebook and my lesson plans. This is so that I can keep it all straight.

The middle column breaks each notebook down into individualized notes. So for this one, I have Overview and then weeks 1-7 showing (It's actually a 26 week class). On the right I have Overview opened up. It shows a "pasted" page. To do this, you need an add-on (also free) that will actually copy the page, article, picture, what have you, right into your notebooks. This is easy to do! If you notice in the picture there is a little "elephant" that is right below the red close window X and right next to my home button and download arrow. This button is very cool. You just click on it and it will give you the options that you have--such as this page had a "copy page" option. Then you return to Evernote and move it into the right note! Very simple!

I am loving this! It has really made pulling things together so much easier. I have my pins in Pinterest. Then as I am putting together things, I open up all my links--and just "Evernote" them together and it gives me a great place to mull it over!

And, though I haven't investigated it yet--I do believe that you can SHARE notebooks! So all the work that I'm putting together for my World History Co-op class--I might be able to share it very easily with a click of a button! :) But we'll see how that works out once I get a little further into planning!

And before you ask . . . Yes! there's an app for that! ;) Both android and apple have free apps. Even my Kindle Fire has the app!! So you can even see your projects and notebooks on the go! The app is very versatile and has a ton of great features that I haven't even had time to play with--even pictures can be organized straight from your phone! So Check it out!

I really do think this program has a lot going for it and for you! Take a gander at it and see if it helps you with your planning this summer!

Ok, so the last year my blog has sat and sat and sat. The poor thing has been completely neglected for almost an entire year. I am sorry dear readers that there has been nothing forthcoming. My excuse--I was exhausted. I was ill and finally was able to go through surgery that was much overdue. I am much better and am ready to go. However, the side effect of not feeling great--the kids were able to talk me out of a LOT of school time. 

Normally at this point we would be gearing down for at least a short break. But this year, we are still at full throttle. Much to my kids dismay. Well, except the older kid, DD16--she's enjoying school--she was even going through withdrawals from math! Crazy girl!

So what are we doing? A little of it all.

MATH:
DD16 has finished both Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 books this year and has begun Geometry. She is really loving the Life of Fred books and has gotten out of the "It just doesn't make sense" to "Let's keep going" phase. This Fall, If DD16 finishes up the Geometry book (She might, she goes through about 2-3 lessons a day!) We'll begin the Trigonometry book.

DD 13 is finishing working on the Decimals from Life of Fred and will be starting the Pre-Algebra series in the fall.

The younger 2 are working on Singapore and Horizon's (Because that's what I had for them!) I do have life of Fred for them, but A) it moves really slow. And they are way beyond the books I have for them, and 2) There just isn't enough Drill. I don't know yet if I will continue the elementary books, or if I'll just drop those until we get to Middle School level. We'll see if I can find some discounted books.   In the fall I am looking at Horizon's workbooks for their math.

Life OF Fred:   http://www.lifeoffredmath.com/
Horizon's: https://www.aophomeschooling.com/horizons.html
Singapore: http://www.singaporemath.com/Primary_Mathematics_US_Ed_s/39.htm


LANGUAGE ARTS:
This is always my sticking point. I struggle getting it all done. This year we have focused on composition. And I will continue to do so this summer. We have worked with spelling and grammar as well. I just found some workbooks at a local school supply store. Though it is not ideal, it has made it so that I could continue some things while I was under the weather. And it turns out the kids actually LIKE workbooks--who knew?

Spelling for the Younger kids: (Grades 1-8)  http://www.zaner-bloser.com/media/zb/zaner-bloser/spellingconnections/practice-pages.html  (this is good for a fill in like I'm using them this summer, but I would advise a more in depth study.)

DD 16 is focusing on Vocabulary instead of spelling. She is using Michael Clay Thompson's Word Within A Word series. She really likes it. In fact we will be continuing with this series for her. 
http://www.rfwp.com/series/vocabulary-word-within-the-word-program-by-michael-clay-thompson#book-word-within-the-word-vol-1-student-new-edition

So I have already found some spelling workbooks for the fall--K-12! I got them for really cheap at a used curriculum fair (Brand new for $4 a set!) Looks like it will work for what we need.

Grammar is another thing though. I haven't found something for this fall. I have another curriculum fair to go to this summer (in July) and I'll hunt for something. If all else fails I'll find something online to order.

Composition! This year I started with basics with the littles. I let the older kids work on creative writing (not that I could stop DD16 if I tried!) But we will be working on writing to a prompt this summer. In fact DD16 already did one--though it really doesn't count because the prompt was a creative writing prompt! I am hoping to get her to write a little more essay form and not creative/story form. She is practicing for the ACT/SAT and she needs to hone her skills to meet a 30 minute deadline. Her writing took 45 mins and she still hadn't proofread. :{ So a long ways to go. I found a very fun book that will be be a great starter--but not for this. It's creative in nature. I'll have to see if I can find a link to it. (I bought it locally!)

For prompts to practice writing I am using 501 Writing Prompts. I picked up the free .pdf Here:  http://talibiddeenjr.wordpress.com/2010/03/04/timed-essay-writing-prompts/
The .pdf is #3.

SCIENCE:
I am not focusing on Science (Or history) this summer. We did a LOT during the school year. In fact I taught a High School Chemistry Class. We used the Apologia "Exploring Creation With Chemistry" set. It was a great class and we ended the year exploding things like Watermelons. It was literally a BLAST! So we are done for now, but we will be picking it up this fall.

Apologia: http://shop.apologia.com/6-chemistry  (we used 1st edition that we were able to get at a discount from various sites)

My older 2 will be doing Biology. I am not sure yet if I will be teaching or if my girls will just be doing what is covered during Co-op. The plan is for Co-op to have a year long course. I don't know if it will cover it all though as the teacher (WHO IS ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS and I love how she let the kids explore things and take a class where they will) isn't big on following a lesson plan or curriculum. My original plan was using either Apologia's Biology book--or another one that I picked up off of Craig's list. It's by Glencoe.

Glencoe Website: http://www.glencoe.com/sec/science/biology/bio2004/index.html
Resources: http://www.nclark.net/BPbiology

Apologia: http://shop.apologia.com/5-biology  (again, I would use an earlier edition or a used copy of this book. My reasons are not just financial, but I'll leave it at that.)

HISTORY:
This again will not be worked on this summer. We didn't do much in the way of history study at home. All the kids had history of some sort this year. DD16 attended a High School Level American History class via another parent. The younger 2 had classes at co-op. and DD13 read a lot of books on various History subjects. I know I'm a slacker, but really, something had to give and this was it.

This fall I will be teaching a year long high School leveled World History Class at co-op. I will be using a book series that I found on Amazon. Below are links to the books (Vol 1& 2) and some resources that I have found for the books. Some of the links are for earlier versions. Keep in mind the books I have linked is for 5th Edition. Currently 6th edition is available--however it is close to $200 a book! WAY out of my price range! From the various sites, it looks as if the changes between each edition seem to be minor and they should be able to be worked with together.

World Civilizations 5th Edition Vol. 1 (Atlas Edition)
World Civilizations 5th Edition Vol. 2 (Atlas Edition)

Resources:
Pearson Hall: http://www.phschool.com/advanced/lesson_plans/hist_stearns_2001/
ASFMS World History:
http://www.mitchellteachers.org/WorldHistory/ASFMSWorldHistoryMain.htm
Project Ideas:  http://missashleysworldhistoryclass.weebly.com/projects.html
Companion Website:
http://wps.ablongman.com/long_stearns_wc_4/17/4386/1123069.cw/index.html
Course Notes/Outlines: http://www.course-notes.org/book/export/html/1806
Sparta vs. Athens Project: http://home.freeuk.net/elloughton13/gcontent.htm
Mr. Black's World History: http://www.worldhistoryteacher.org/student_forum/projects.htm
World History Class; http://www.freewebs.com/cblankenshipwhistory/activities.htm

And that's a wrap!

I have more coming up really, but this is the basics. I'll be posting again soon!!

T8ermomma

With our new books for math ready to go, I decided we needed a fun way to practice some of those skills that seem to be tripping the kids up! Namely money, time, and "FACTS".  After rummaging around the internet looking for some fun games, and a "easy store solution," I realized that I was missing the whole point! I didn't want something that took up a lot of space, nor something that was going to be hard to keep up with, or worse remember! So I chose the bullitin board concept that many public school teacher's go for. Basically because it's fun, colorful, and in my face! How could I possibly forget about it?  The stack right next to the door?? That's my desk!


So here's some generic info!

Pockets are made using CD sleeves. I bought several hundred off of ebay years ago.  I use them quite often. You will notice that they have 4 to a sheet. I have learned that it is totally ok to cut them apart! So as you can see I have some as 4, and some as just solo!  To stick the pocket to the cardstock, I simply used spray adhesive. Works like a charm!

To stick things to the door, I used command strips. (The ones you pull and it pops off without damaging the paint job--works perfectly just like the commercials.) I do cut them into smaller pieces to make them go further! Even without the tab they still work!!  Oh and best of all-I have never had anything fall off the door!!

Lamination is just using the Scotch brand laminator! It's cheap (sorta) and works very well.

TIME:

This is just a simple clock with moveable hands. This way I can change the clock to whatever time I want, and then write the digital time for them.  I have added a pocket with little clocks in it. They are laminated. I will have the kids write the current time on the clocks with dry erase markers on the front (analog) and the digital time on the back. 

I don't have a download as I pulled these out of a book that I have and just copied the page. 


Here's a link that could replace them though:

Clock with Hands:  http://www.fi.edu/time/Journey/JustInTime/clock1.html
practice clock: http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/48400/48481/48481_nclockb.htm

Drill Cards:

The drill cards are simple cards that have addition, subtraction, and multiplication drill cards. The problems are in a random order, with 4 different sheets for each fact family. So + 1 cards have 4 sheets,  x 2 cards have 4 sheets, etc.





Links:

Addition:  http://www.mediafire.com/view/?tc6pj9c78g9jjkg
Subtraction: http://www.mediafire.com/view/?4yq5uh2vtrtzs1q
Multiplication:  http://www.mediafire.com/view/?9kymxp99hukek36
Division:   I am still working on getting the division pages created. . . . Those are a little harder to whip up!

Place Value:

For my 6 year old, we need a bit of place value practice. So I made a small set of base 10 sticks and a small place value answer card.

Links:

Base 10 blocks I pulled out of a book. But here is a link to one I think will work: http://www.havefunteaching.com/worksheets/math/place-value/base-10-blocks.pdf
Place Value Cards:  http://www.mediafire.com/view/?4t43485mzsknpqs 
I printed this 2 sheets per page so that It would be smaller.

Money:

One of the hardest things for kids to learn is money, both counting it and making change. this section does just that. Along the top of the door, I have info graphics reminding the kids what each coin is and how much. (And a quick note stating how many it takes to make a dollar) Then I have two sections below. the first is has a bunch of "coins" (laminated) separated into pockets (.50 to .01)  And then a problem pocket and a answer card pocket. The purpose of this section is to count the money. HOW MUCH MONEY?   The second section is adding the cost of items. The use 2 dice to roll twice.  For each roll they select that item from the first or second choice pocket. They fill out the "order form" with the price.  Then they add it up. For DD12 she also has to decide if $10 is enough to purchase the items and then decide how much change she would get or how much more she would need!

Links:

Most of this I pulled out of a book, but I do have some links for the things I added:

Coin Count cards: http://www.mediafire.com/view/?kkassblm4ieadsk
Printed these 2 pages to 1 sheet to make them smaller
Shopping Trip:  http://www.mediafire.com/view/?sjqmwmd4su8zbu4
Printed pages 1 & 3 separately to make them 2 pages to 1 sheet to make them smaller. I also had a second set of items that I pulled out of a book.

More pics of the Money Sections:

I will most likely change things up as the year progresses so that I don't bore the kids to death. And that way I can focus on what the kids need rather than just "drill." So that would be Drilling with a purpose!!

~T8ermomma

The Life of Fred Series of math is where we are going for this year. I have debated over this for awhile and I finally took the plunge. I used one book for my oldest for Algebra and it really seemed to make thing more understandable for her. So I have decided that we will go with it for everyone.

This summer we will actually be using some of the books for my youngest girl (DD8) and I'll get her ahead of her brother. They are at the same level ability wise but I don't want them doing the books at the same time, if that makes any sense. I just want to give her a bit of a head start so that they are working in separate books. It will make it a tad bit easier--for me mentally!!

DD12 will be the Middle School books. She is my "Hate's Math with a Passion" child. However , she started looking over the books and has decided that they just might be doable. WHY??  Well I think it has a lot to do with the fact that they explain the WHY of math as well as having a fun storyline. So I am hoping that this will work out for her.

So planning . . . . Not much, we will just go lesson by lesson. I will be putting these in HST+ (after checking the Math files in Yahoo to see if they are already there!)

Now that is not all that I am planning for math . . . You see Life of Fred doesn't provide much drilling. With a 2nd grader, a 3rd grader and a 7th grader (who struggles) I will need a way for them to drill some of their math facts . . . . So what's a girl to do?? 

I am going to create a Math drill zone. We have a door that we had our "weather station" on.  I have removed it (since we have grown beyond that) and I will post some pockets that will have addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division practice sheets. There will be a "Clock" worksheet that my younger two will draw the time that is on the analog clock in our class room. and then they will write the digital time on!  I'll also have a game or two that will work. We have Smath (a board game) and some other to do's that will help!   I have great plans for math this year!! I just hope that it's as cool as I think it will be!  I'll post pictures up later!  AAAAHHH, another To DO!! :)

L8ers!!
~T8ermomma

You know you have issues when you have to remind yourself that there are baby steps every day. The image to the left is my current desktop on my PC. I have to see this all the time right now because I have so much going on and so much that I need to do to accomplish it all that I get so overwhelmed.

Getting overwhelmed is fine . . . if you have a back up plan. And right now I don't. I have excuses, distractions, things I "gotta do" that really I don't. All of these "reasons" to do other things instead of what I really need to do . . . this blog post is not one of the "reasons" however! I am using this as my back up! You see, if I can share with someone . . . ahem, you! . . . . that I have accomplished something, then maybe I'll feel the need to,  well,  accomplish something!
Today I have reached the I'll try to do it step. It's a hard step to accomplish if you don't take the time to do it though. So I  best get to it!

TO DO:
American History "History of US"  With a million baby steps
American History "Young Peoples" With a million baby steps
Around the World in 80 Days  With a million baby steps
Mystery of History Lesson planning (For fall)
Chemistry or Biology (gotta still pick one!)  Lesson Planning (For fall)
English Lesson Planning (for fall)
Math Lesson Planning (Actually I have this figured out  . . . I THINK!)
Timeline wall (So excited I might do this first!!)  (For Fall)
Math drill wall . . . (This is a thought I AM going to put together!)
Co-op Summer lesson for the Scholars  (the girls are making me do it!)

So you can see I have a ton to do . . . And this is JUST for homeschooling!   I have Time out for Women, Indexing (I am the ward coordinator!) Lesson plans for church (I am first on the sub list . . . makes for often sub duties!) And then there is my duties as wife (FIRST PRIORITY!) and Mom (SECOND PRIORITY!).  Really I'm not just slacking . . . well not too much. I do have my hobbies that have proved to be a HUGE distraction. Crocheting is my outlet right now!! (Ravelry.com member:  t8ermomma) But I have let it overtake my official "responsibility" time. So I need to put it away, until later . . . . and