What I'm Reading

Atlas Shrugged glares at me from my living room bookshelf. I really want to finish it, but, to be honest with you, with the direction our country is heading now, I'm afraid it would be far too depressing. I will eventually muster up the strength to continue...but for now I am reading other things.

The two books I'm currently reading have virtually nothing in common...but both are impacting me tremendously. Both books have provided wake-up calls regarding my two most important relationships.

Crazy Love by Francis Chan is causing me to evaluate my relationship with God and make much-needed heart changes. I will share more of this book as I get further into it.

The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands by Dr. Laura Schlessinger is a book I never envisioned myself picking up. However, a few women that I trusted recommended it very highly, so I was intrigued. This book has been rather paradigm shifting for me. Marriage quickly illuminates one's selfish tendencies. This book has revealed that dark tendency within me to an even greater degree. Wow. But, it's not been a guilt trip. Rather it has been an eye-opener with very practical advice on making positive changes.

Horse Study Field Trip

Riley and I did a short unit study on horses a while back, and I had difficulty finding a good place to plan a field trip to correlate with the study. A friend was kind enough to put me in touch with her aunt who not only agreed to let us come and see her horses but also offered to give Riley a quick lesson on riding and caring for horses. What a blessing! Riley had a wonderful time and learned a ton. She brushed the horse, watched as the bridle and saddle were put on, rode for quite a while and then led the horse for a walk. At the end of the lesson she fed the horse treats from the palm of her hand. All of these were very new experiences for her, and I was so proud of her bravery throughout.

Sawyer even got in on the action and rode around on the horse. He was deemed a natural, and it is suspected that he will one day ride bulls. This news did not surprise me in the least.

I believe that our camera has officially bitten the dust. I am grateful to at least have captured a few shots from the visit despite the camera's contrary ways. We all had a wonderful time. The lesson was exceptionally thorough as well as kindly taught and created a memory we will treasure.

More Grammar Rumblings Afoot

So, I am once again rethinking grammar. After deciding against Shurley and Primary Language Lessons, I had settled on Growing with Grammar (GWG)--a program we have used for the past two years. Now, however a couple of other products have caught my eye.

The first is Christian Light Education's (CLE) Language Arts program. I like that it is still rather independant, as is GWG, but unlike GWG it is spiral in review. In addition to grammar it includes spelling, vocabulary and handwriting which would allow me to cut out excess materials to streamline language arts. The program receives very good reviews among homeschoolers seeking a thorough and rigorous yet child and teacher friendly curriculum.

The second materials I am considering are those of Michael Clay Thompson. These materials consist of grammar, vocabulary, poetry and writing. I am most intrigued by the grammar and vocabulary, though the poetry looks interesting as well. These materials would definitely be more teacher intensive than both CLE and GWG, but they are also intended to be covered over a shorter period of time with review and practice taking place over the remainder of the year. This program also receives rave reviews from parents, such as: "I can not say enough good things about these materials." From the samples on the site, the format seems very kid friendly all the while covering an impressive amount of topics.

And so, the plot thickens on my curriculum crazies. However, I am blessed to be homeschooling in a time when one of my greatest problems is having an abundance of fabulous materials to choose from. As frustrating as it can sometimes be, this hunt for the best materials to fit my family is actually also a lot of fun.

CalcuLadder: Thumbs Up

I am a flash card failure. I have troubles with consistency when it comes to the superfluous items. But, math drill is a necessity as math requires a cementing of the facts in order to succeed in the next stage. As I searched through reviews and products, my ambition was to find a program that provided adequate review and drills without relying on flashcards.

I found it! CalcuLadder is a math drill program that consists of 16 drills for each level. The workbooks include 12 copies of each of those 16 drills. At the bottom of the page is the amount of time your child needs to be able to complete the worksheet in order to move forward to the next set.

When we first began trying it out, I was a little nervous about setting the timer. Riley has always balked at the idea of completing work in a set amount of time--too much pressure for her. However, she loved the idea this time. I'm really not sure why, unless this time it seemed more like a game than work. I set the timer for a minute longer than the time at the bottom of the sheet and she excitedly began. When finished she was very eager to begin the next sheet, curious to see if she could beat her original time. This continued each day.

We are very happy with this product. Riley even considers it fun, and all the while she is learning and memorizing. So, check it out. You won't be sorry. There is also a MasterPak cd option for families with multiple children.

Zoo: Now and Then

For our end-of-the-year field trip, our homeschool group went to the zoo. The above pics are of Sawyer this week.

And below:

Riley in the same place four years ago. Ditto with the pictures below.

My how the time does fly!

Just a paintin'

Homeschool Book Sale

Heart of the Matter has been hosting a Book Sale. Unfortunately, not many bloggers have participated. I thought I'd go ahead and be a late entry since I do need to clear out a few things. If you are interested in purchasing any of the books below, send me an email. My email address is the title of this blog (altogether, lowercase, no spaces) @ gmail.com. I accept paypal payments only, and I will give you the appropriate address to send payment to. Thanks so much for looking.

Eagle's Wings Considering God's Creation: Science for grades 2-7

These books are both in great condition, no writing, the cd is also included. The copyright dates for the Teacher's guide is 2002 and 2004 for the Student workbook. Asking $18ppd for both books, and cd.

Slow and Steady Get Me Ready

This book is in very good condition, no writing, some smudges on the outside edges. $8.50ppd.

Rod and Staff Science 3: God's Protected World

This set includes the Teacher guide and Student textbook. Both are in great condition. $12ppd.

3 Value Tales

These three Value-Tales books are library discards. The plastic coverings are pretty dingy and dinged, but the books are still in good condition. Typical library markings and smudges from public use, but no other writing and bindings are tight. $6ppd for all.

If You Traveled West in a Covered Wagon

I'd prefer to sell this with another purchase. If you want to add it in with something else, it would be just $1.00 extra. If you want to purchase it individually I would have to charge $3.50ppd to cover the cost of shipping.

Lives of Extraordinary Women

This book is in good used condition, it has a name marked out across the top outside edges. If you add this on it will be $1, if you want it individually $3.50ppd.

Big-Boy Haircut

Prayer for this child

This song is written and performed by Sara Groves, one of my favorite singer/songwriters. Since the first time I heard it, this song has traveled with me. I share it with you now in honor of the upcoming Momma's Day.



I do not know how I am to pray for this child
As a mother I don't want my baby denied
But in the waiting, in the waiting
I learned to hold on to the heart of God.

Every instinct in me wants to shield him from pain
Take the arrows of misery, heartache and blame
But in the sorrow, in the sorrow
I learned to hold on to the heart of God.

I only have two eyes - be all seeing
I only have two hands - be everywhere
I do not know enough - be all knowing
I give my baby up into your care

I do not know how I am to pray for this child
I want to guard him from everything wicked and wild
but in the trial, in the trial
I learned to hold on
And in the trial, in the trial
You'll learn to hold on to the heart of God

A different plan

I know that some of you out there are considering homeschooling. As my friends begin posting their plans for the upcoming school year, I'd like to share them with you here (with their permission of course).

With that, I'll introduce you to Brittney at King Alfred Academy. Her blog is one of my favorite homeschool blogs, and I've followed it for a long time. I love to see the interesting things she and her boys are studying/doing. She does a great job of piecing together her own curriculum, as you'll see in her 2009-2010 school year post. I am not a lapbooker, though I am a wannabe. For some of you who enjoy crafts, lapbooking can be a very fun hands-on way for a child to learn. Brittney has some wonderful resources for creating lapbooks linked in her post.

So, check out her blog and her plans. It is always interesting for me to see what other people are doing in their home schools. I hope you enjoy it as well.