Friday, March 25, 2011

March 25th - Homeschool Mother's Journal

The Homeschool Mother's Journal

The Homeschool Mother's Journal began as a single post on a Friday morning (at The Homeschool Chick), and turned into a link-up for homeschool mothers across the blog-O-sphere to share a piece of their journey with one another each week.   .
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To visit the most recent Homeschool Mother's Journal post, please click HERE

In my life this week...

So, we've made a family decision. Chickens will be our new pet! Hopefully this weekend we can start building a coop. Perhaps after a nice long yard clean up. I've created a Chicken Farmers page on this blog where I'll keep info I come across as we figure out this new endeavor.

In our homeschool this week...

Some days I see a dedication to the little one's work, others it's a struggle for immediate obedience. We've hit the puberty stage and stubbornness reigns. We're constantly discussing what God would want us to do and how he would want us to act. We're currently memorizing Romans 12 and the topic of 'Do Not transform to the patterns of this world' has had many a discussion. I consider the world's focus to be a selfish, me-driven, do what I want, give me give me type focus. I do not want that for our family. Our homeschool has been very focused this week on obedience. We're practicing the term I read on someone's post from the Charlotte Mason Carnival this week that said 'I will obey immediately with a happy heart.' We talked about how the little one doesn't want to get in trouble, and really does want to do what is right but is letting her anger and selfish thoughts get in the way of obeying with a happy heart. It's an ongoing process. This week's carnival  was all about obedience. Very enlightening. All homeschooling must have a base of obedience or its so much harder to accomplish.

Places we're going and people we're seeing...

Sunday we did spend with our whole extended family for a birthday party. My nephew turned 13. Why do they have to grow up? It was a wonderful relaxing time. Chili, cake, ice cream, lots of laughter, beautiful sunshine, riding bikes, jumping on the trampoline. I love those type of get togethers. Found out on Monday that the teen has Strep Throat so I'm hoping against hope that no one contracted it on Sunday. 

During the week we did not go many places. We tend to hole up in the house, doing our homeschool and spending leisurely evenings at home. The little one has a major part in the church play so on Wednesday night she had choir practice for the songs and on Saturday they will rehearse the lines. I can't wait until her play on April 30th and May 1st!

My favorite thing this week was...

Honestly? Reading books about chickens and planning the new gardening beds and what we'll plant in them. I think I'm ready for spring!

What's working/not working for us... 

We're pretty much up to speed on all our subjects, including all of our homeschool paperwork and records. This is a coup for me as I'm never up to speed on records in March! Our Latin for Children is going slower than I'd imagined. I didn't pick up the curriculum until October so we started late. We should probably be in chapter 18-20 and we're only on 10 but I feel confident in what she knows, and we didn't do much Latin during December.

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have...

We've used so many math programs over the years, I just don't know what to look at for next year. This year we used 2 different books. One a regular textbook used in public schools and then we're finishing up with Saxon 76, in which I'm catching the things she did not know on the placement test she took at Saxon to see what book to use next. Should I go with Saxon 87, Saxon Algebra 1/2? What about Teaching Textbooks. I like that one but my pocketbook does not. Just don't know. Don't want to buy the wrong thing and then it not be the right thing for us...

A photo, video, link, or quote to share...

This week I feel pulled in many directions. With gardens needing planning, a coop needing to be built, I'm going to conference in two weeks and then hopefully on a vacation with my mom for a week or so after that.  While I'm gone hubby is refinishing our cruddy wood floors so all our rooms need to be organized so they can be moved out. I feel rushed and stressed and sometimes want to just chuck it all and say forget it. But I'm reminded of one of my favorite Thoreau quotes. While I choose to find my Eternity in Heaven, the rest applies:

You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment.
 - Henry David Thoreau.

12 comments:

katie said...

Hi there. I found you at the HMJ linky! and you are going to LOVE chickens. we decided to do chickens and got our first ones last fall, 6 babies one day old and now they are 6 months old and are our babies! They love to be pet, follow me around the yard and are big lovies...who knew? stop by and read my post on our chicken adventure if you are interested. have a blessed day!

Crisc said...

Love your pic, such a great shot =)

Anonymous said...

How exciting that you are going to have chickens! We have toyed with the idea, but they sound like a lot of work. We love fresh eggs though, so maybe one day. Visiting from THMJ.

Becca said...

We love Teaching Textbooks. I have very independent learners who are so happy to watch the lesson on DVD and then do the worksheets. Currently saving for Math 3 and Math 4 for my girls. The Pre-Algebra book was the on that hooked us.

Mary said...

I wish we could have chickens, but our HOA doesn't allow it. Instead, I buy fresh eggs from a friend, who has chickens.

We've used TT and think it is great. My other favorite math is Abeka.

MamaHen said...

Hi! I came over from the Homeschool Chick.

We have chickens and love it. Once you get them out of the chick stage they are very easy to keep. And the eggs are great!

My oldest son (12) is using Teaching Textbook 7 this year. It is our first time with it and I think it has been a good thing for him and me.

StephF said...

Chickens are great! We love our fresh eggs!!

This is our first year with TT Pre-Algebra. So far, DS14 is enjoying it. I bought ours used on ebay, so that helped with the expense.

Found you through HMJ, by the way!

Robin Sampson said...

Hi, I'm new to the Mother;s Journal.

We want chickens too. My neighbors were supplying us with free range eggs but a dog pack got them. We have the land (horses and goats) but I don't have a coop to keep them safe from dogs.

I hope you'll be posting more about gardening too. We do squarefoot gardening.

Nice to meet you look forward to coming back next week. I want to see how the chickens are doing.

MommyKuehner said...

Really like your blog. New follower from the Homeschool Mother's Journal.

We are trying Charlotte Mason with our children (just started). We'll see what happens.

A friend of ours is raising chickens also. They really like it. Thinking about it ourselves:)

IF you get a chance, check out our blog sometime.
www.krazykuehnerdays.com
Renita

Contessa Kris said...

Wow! Lots of new friends! Can't wait to visit everyone's blogs. For those interested in the chickens, we've set up a ChickenCam that will go live as soon as our little chicks come home with us. Feel free to go ahead and 'follow' the ChickenCam so you know when it goes live. Kind of like having chickens of your own, but vicariously through us! We're very excited.

Tonya @ The Traveling Praters said...

I have convinced myself that TT is my dream curriculum. :)

I remember having a discussion about Saxon 8/7 with a friend a few years ago and I thought she said that if you used 8/7 you didn't need the Algebra 1/2 you could go straight to Algebra 1? May be something you could consider.

Sherry said...

The last comment is right. Do either 8/7 or Algebra 1/2, but you don't need both unless the student needs a LOT of review and over-teaching to feel confident.

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