A New Beginning!!

So it's been a very long time since I've updated. I have come a long way in home schooling. I LOVE it! We have tried a lot of different programs and have found some that work with us. Now we are going to be trying some more!! This is just a list of notes for me to remember and not loose as I get ready to home school all my kiddos!! Yes, even Cameron. With all this I don't have the list of books we'll read together yet. But I know we will be READING READING READING!!!

Ricky 8th Grade:

Language Arts: Writing, Reading, Grammar, Spelling
Cryptomania program
Reading Detective
Mindbenders
Editor in Chief B1

Math:
Teaching Textbooks!!

Science:
Inquiskids videos
Big Science book


Michael 4th Grade:

Language Arts: Writing, Reading, Grammar, Spelling
Cryptomania program
Reading Detective
Mindbenders
Editor in Chief Beginning 2 or A1

Math:
Teaching Textbooks!!

Science:
Inquiskids videos
Big Science book


Cameron Kindergarten/1st grade!!:

Reading:
Lots of beginner books. Read Read Read!!

Writing:
Handwriting without Tears program? I'm still thinking about this one.

Spelling:
Site words each week. About 3-5 is all for him. I'm going to go at his pace.

Math:
Just memorize flash cards if possible, but do simple addition and subtraction right now. Print off simple math work sheets from kidzone.com or just google!!

Science:
What ever we are doing with Ricky and Michael. I will slow it down for Cameron!!

Not sure I really like....

So now after trying the ELF program, I'm not sure it really is for Ricky. He is so bored with it all. It is all way too easy for him. I think I am going to have to go get a different language program for him. Eventually that is. Right now I will continue to use it for some of the spelling words. He is just so smart and advance. I want to make sure he is challenged, or he will get really bored. I don't want that.

Right now after going to the home school book fair and looking at several other grammar books, I think I like the "Easy Grammar" books. But for now we are not financially fit to buy anything else. Maybe next semester.

Michael is being challenged by the ELF program though. That is a good thing. He seems to like it too. Thank goodness for me. Michael loves to do it too. I am so lucky to have such fun/loving boys that love to be home with their mama!!

I bought the cursive books and the teaching textbooks programs today. That means when they arrive, we start school. Officially!!! YEAH!!! We all can't wait. It has taken a lot to get some things organized and put away. I hope that it works for us. I keep telling myself not to over do it these first few weeks. Here we go!!

More notes...

So far I have done the ELF program with Ricky and Michael. We are adjusting to this whole home school idea. I am very glad I started just one subject right now. It is helping is get comfortable to a type of routine. I am getting a feel for how the kids learn. It is amazing how different Ricky and Michael learn. Ricky is more of a get it done and hurry. Michael is more of a take your time so that you get everything right. He gets really upset if he makes a mistake. I think at Michael's age, Ricky was the same way. I just keep reassuring him that we are a home school environment and it doesn't matter if you make a mistake. I tell him that we all have to make mistakes in order to learn. Hopefully we can continue to work on that.

In regards to the ELF program...Michael is being challenged at the Level 1 so far. Ricky is not. I am going to move him up to Level 2 and try it out. He may need to move up to level 3, but I just don't want him to miss anything. He really is further along than I thought he would be. I am impressed. He actually has been learning something at school except bad habits and behaviors! J/K

I have been reading up on a program called: Shurley English. I REALLY want to get it. I have a friend that has a copy of one of the levels that I think I may ask to borrow and see if I really like it as much as I think I do. I am not going to get anything right now, but I know I want it for Michael sometime. Maybe after Christmas I can buy it. I don't want to over spend right now.

I am also going to just get the Handwriting Without Tears (HWT) books for the boys. I wasn't going to, but they can really use it. It looks like a great way to teach Michael cursive and have Ricky review and perfect his cursive. I am going to get "Cursive Handwriting" for Michael and "Can-Do Cursive" for Ricky.

Needless to say I need to buy still:

TT3 and TT7
HWT books for both

Not too bad. The boys have been enjoying it so far. I am getting nervous adding in more, but on the other side I am VERY excited about all of this. I am looking forward to spending the time with them at home and also on our trips away from home. Wish us luck!!

It's officially started...

Today we started one of our home school subjects...ELF. It is the phonic/grammar/spelling/writing program. The boys just kept begging me to start. So I thought that it would be fun to start with this program. I started both boys at the beginning. We did Lesson 1.1 and 1.2 today. They loved it!! It is more of a review for Ricky and Michael. Next week we might add another subject. It was fun. Whoo-hoo!

Getting things organized...

Oh man is time flying by and I still don't have everything done yet!! I am getting a little overwhelmed. I am preparing for a new baby and a new homeschool. I know everything will work out right. I just need to keep taking one day at a time.

I have ordered the scripture mastery cards. Now all I need to do is buy the Teaching Textbook programs for them. 3 and 7. Also the handwriting books. Not too bad.

I also am still wanting to start up the piano this fall, but I don't want to over do it with trying to deschoolize them and with the new baby. Worst case we start it up in the spring. The nice thing is that I get to do what I want when I want. I will do what is best for my family. The boys are getting excited.

I will be there when everything is organized. I am still starting and new at all of this.

So, I am not a saleswoman but....

BUT, when I find something good, I like to share it. At the Utah Convention for homeschooling I found this awesome program for phonic/grammar/everything!! It is called Mormon Little Books. I got the WHOLE package. It is an introduction to our Book of Mormon AND to reading. These books are very simple, yet they help introduce the people in the Book of Mormon. They are very cute drawings and an easy to read program. Right now the package is half price. This is the best $50 you will ever spend. It includes 32 books, scripted lesson plans book, and a Cd of Book of Mormon scripture pages that you print out and you have your children draw a picture that goes with that scripture. I think that it is not only a good reading program, but also can be used as an AWESOME family home evening lessons. I fell in love immediately. I can't wait until this winter to start this program. The link to her website is: http://mormonlittlebooks.com/shoppingcart.html

I'm not sure if she has a comment section, but if she does make sure you tell her I sent you:-)

Check it out and let me know what you think!!??

Programs I still need to buy...

Writing: Handwriting without tears and the Scripture Mastery cards.
Math: TT 3 and 7

So do I have it all taken care of???

Math:TT 3 and 7
Writing: HWT
Citizenship: ABC's of government
Spelling/Grammer: ELF program
Reading: Chapter books adn B of M together:-)

I think that is all that is required for the state of Texas. Please correct me if I am wrong. So far I am feeling good about all of this. I am just getting things organized for school before the baby comes:-)