George Washington Notebook Page

We have studied and read so much about George Washington, that he really deserves two blog posts. Below is the notebook page I have my high school kids complete for this history binders (century book)

George Washington Notebook Page

George Washington by 2inspire5

Jack's Insects

As many may already know we do our best to have a Charlotte Mason inspired home school.   We have started reading one of the books that would have been used in one of her schools.  It is called Jack's Insects by Edmund Selous originally published in 1910.  Here is a picture of the text:

The story begins with a young boy who dreams to be an entomologist.  He is showing his younger sister his new book.  They fall asleep and are suddenly in the book.  If you decide to read this book,  I have listed some of the characters they meet and learn about on their journey. 

Chapter 2  Jack Promises the Great Morpho Butterfly

Chapter 2:  Quite Unintentional Insult

Blue Morpho Butterfly


Chapter 4: A Butterfly with a Grievance- and Other Butterflies

 Heliconea Butterfly

Leaf Butterfly

Chapter 5:  Caterpillars Extraordinary

 Flowering Caterpillar

 Twig Caterpillar

Snake Caterpillar

Chapter 6:  Very Surprising Adventures

These two spiders pick them up when they are looking at flowers.

Flowering Mantis

Chapter 7 Jack and Maggie Have Their Lives Saved

Green Leaf Grasshopper

Chapter 8- All Full of Glory and Grandeur

Plague Locust

Back on Track

When I first started this blog, I wasn't sure what I would contribute. I had doubts whether anyone would benefit from reading what I have to say, still do. Recently, I have been watching various videos from other homeschool mom's, whom are just starting to homeschool. I have seen the fire and excitement they have. It is slowly rekindling that flame that I had.

It is amazing how life can impact you. Since I started this blog in 2012, we have moved twice, sold a house, remodeled a house, health issues, a few family surgeries, a few births, a few funerals and currently trying to sell a house. All of this at the beginning and during those homeschool dreaded years of 'how to homeschool high school'. In fact, last summer was a blur. All I remember was wake up, work, eat, go to bed exhausted. I know if these occurrences did not happen everything would have progressed smoothly and as planned.

You know, that is just not how life works. The important thing is to be able to get back on track when you've made a detour or two. That is my plan. We have homeschooled throughout these occurrences, and it has felt like we are just going through the motions. We have covered science, history, literature, Latin, math, etc. I am not worried necessarily about their education.

I am worried that we are loosing that love of learning. I have noticed that homeschooling has been a chore at times, when we all used to be excited and overjoyed with what we were learning.

Beginning last October, I have been on a protocol to help combat my health issues (thyroid). It has taken a few months, but I am starting to feel normal again. This means I am ready to take back control of what our homeschool life used to be.

This post does not have any beneficial information, only my sentiments that I plan to get back on track. Maybe someone will receive motivation, ideas, from me that I have received from others.

Classical Education - Ted Talks

I just watched this video on Ted Talks. I thought it was a clear, concise explanation of classical education.  I know that I find it hard to explain in few words.  (I suppose this is because I did not have a classical education)

I think it is important to remember that you do not have to have a 'school' to provide this type of education for your children.   

Enjoy!

The Story Book of Science Ch. 49

The Story Book of Science  is recommended from Ambleside Online.  My older children read this book on their own and wrote weekly narrations. 

Currently, I am using this book as a read aloud with my younger two.   The written and oral narrations my older children did for this book did not give it justice.

It is a wonderful book and I highly recommend children reading or listening to it.  If you are looking for a book that springboards your child's interest in science, this is it.

Today we finished Chapter 49:  The Locomotive

Here is a video that gives a visual for the chapter. 

Start Homeschooling: Testing and Grades

How are kids tested and how do you and the state know how the kids are doing and when they've passed a grade?  

First....you will need to find out the testing requirements for your state. HSLDA has information of state laws for homeschooling.

Second... whether testing is required by your state or not, you can still administer standardized tests.  The best site to get these tests is Seton Testing

Third... a good resource for information by grade is Core Knowledge.  I do not use their curriculum, but do have all their books: What Your _____ Needs to Know.  I use these books as a guide and give them to my kids as free reads.  These books were a help to me when my kids were in school and when we first started homeschooling.

Fourth...Grades?   Your child needs to have a set grade for testing purposes.  According to our school system, my daughter is 2nd grade.  Recently, someone asked her what grade she was in.  She responded, "I don't know I'm homeschooled."   

I recommend not worrying about grade levels. There are different ways to homeschool.  Some families use boxed curriculum with a grade labeled to it.  Our first year, my son was in 2nd grade.  So I bought Saxon 2nd grade math. His older sister was completing 3rd grade Saxon Math.  It took about 2 weeks for me to realize that the 2nd grade math was a waste of time.  I grouped the two together on their math lessons.  He has now surpassed her and is half way through Algebra I.  (He is 13)

Your child may be at grade level in math, at a much higher level at reading and a lower level in spelling. That is the beauty of homeschooling.  You can give your child a personalized education!

Previous Post: Start Homeschooling:  My Kids Do Not Want To.  

Salem Witch Trials

We are studying history before the American Revolution.  Normally, I post youtube videos and web sources for my children on our private blog.

These links are recommended by Ambleside Onine (AO) for year 9.

http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schooladventures/salemwitchtrials/

http://salem.lib.virginia.edu/home.html

Start Homeschooling: My kids do not want to homeschool.

The unknown can be very scary for adults as well as children.  It is not uncommon for kids to be hesitate at the idea of homeschooling.  Especially, if they do not have friends that are homeschooled.

What is a parent to do to ease this anxiety?  

First, make sure you have your priorities/goals of why you are choosing homeschooling.  My goal is to have children who grow up to be self-sustaining, empathetic, happy, intelligent individuals whom love to learn.  I knew that homeschooling was the avenue we needed to reach that goal.   

Communicate with your children.   It is our job to encourage, discipline, and direct our children's lives.  Be honest and do not make false promises and over sell it.  

Show them the research you have completed on homeschooling.  Let them know about homeschool groups they can join.  I remember our first field trip, I asked my kids to introduce themselves to one person.  They informed me they would, but they would never have any other friends unless they went to their previous private school.   Guess what, they ended up making friends.

Friends was the only concern my kids had about homeschooling.  They really didn't care about the school part, but what about my friends.  If possible continue the afterschool activities, so they are still in contact with their current friends.

To prepare for your family discussion, make a list of why you want to homeschool your children.  Use this to help explain why you feel homeschooling is a good choice.  Be positive, honest and listen to your children and you will be off to a great start! 

Next Post:  Start Homeschooling: Grades and Tests

Start Homeschooling: How will I keep kids socialized?

When we started homeschooling, 4 of my 5 children were in a private school.  They were involved in after school activities and always on the go.  This meant I was always on the go.

Socialization was a concern of mine when we made the decision to homeschool.  After all,  I did not want the kids to become socially awkward.

In my experience the only aspect that has changed from the kids going to school is the classroom environment. The kids still have "afterschool activities" and life became easier because the homework was obsolete.  They completed their school during the day and there was no homework.  

At first they kept their friends that were still in school.  It took about a year before they began to really make new friends whom homeschooled.  My kids began to be friends with their siblings friends.  There was no longer a division of I'm in 3rd grade so I am only friends with other 3rd graders. 

It is similar to moving, you keep in touch with your really good friends and begin to gain new ones.  This does take a little bit of time, unless you are extremely extrovert. 

Where do you begin this process of socializing your kids if you are at home homeschooling?  

Depending how hectic your life might currently be, you may want to take a few months just to enjoy your children, let them relax, and get that love of learning feeling.  We started homeschooling in August and did not do any homeschool activity until January.  (They still did things with their school friends)

As soon as you think you may homeschool locate any support groups that are in your area.  The best place to start is the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, www.hslda.org You can select the state you live in and see the contact resources available at 

http://www.hslda.org/earlyyears/StateResources.asp 

  

This is the best place to start and not the only resources available for your state/location.  

Here is a list of ideas your kids can be involved in while homeschooling:

• Music/Art Lessons
• Sports (some states have homeschool sports teams)
• Co-op (Kids take classes taught by other parents)
• One Day Schools (Where I live there are about 4 one day schools.  You pay to send your child one day a week)
• Scouts
• 4H
• Support Groups

Next post:  What if my kids do not want to homeschool?

How to Start Homeschooling?

Every year families are making the decision on whether they should homeschool or not. This can be a difficult, life changing decision. I think the hardest part is entering the unknown. This was one of my greatest concerns. 

I have not posted in a while and thought this subject would be a great way to start this planning season.  I asked a friend whom is contemplating homeschooling what her top questions were.  Here they are and I plan to answer these through a series of posts.

• How will I keep my kids socialized with other kids?
• What if one of my kids really doesn't want to homeschool? 
• Can I work and homeschool? 
• How are kids tested and how do you and the state know how the kid is doing and when they've passed a grade? 
• What costs are involved? 
• What do homeschooled kids say they like most and least about being home schooled? 
• How do you convince one unsure parent that this is a positive change? 
• How many hours a day do you homeschool? 
• What happens if you realize homeschooling isn't for you and/or your family? 
• Are there any studies on home schooled children going back to public school and their transition back? 
• Is school length determined by hours of work done or materials completed successfully? 
• What supplies or instructional materials do I need to start?
• What are the different curriculum you can teach from?

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Edouard Manet

Edouard Manet

Well Planned Day Student Planner Review and Giveaway

Why use a student planner? 

As children get older they need to have ownership over their studies. After all it is their education. This year my daughter will be using the Well Planned Day Student Planner. It is well organized, brilliant colors and includes the month tabs.

Do you help with scheduling?

Depends on the child.  I sit with my children when they begin to have the responsibility of scheduling out their work.  I will hand them a 12 week at-a-glance schedule (term) and a 4 week schedule.  I sit and discuss with them how to schedule out their week.  It could take a day, week, or even a month before they are ready to schedule their own work.  Not everyone is naturally organized.  It is OK to hold your child's hand as they begin to schedule their own studies.

The Well Planned Day Student Planner is going to be a perfect fit for my daughter's scheduling. There is a nice reading log for each semester, a 2 page spread for the month and each day has room to schedule out assignments. 

Planning Overview

Planning for the next school year can be difficult, therefore I write everything down in one place.  Below is my Yearly Planning Overview that I use for each child.

It is self explanatory.  I suggest using a pencil, writing every subject that you think should be covered and slowly try to streamline and eliminate any busy work.

Planning Overview

Well Planned Day Review & Giveaway

I am excited to host a give a way for a Well Planned Day Planner!  This planner has been a life saver for our home school.  I use it to record everything we complete through the year.  There is so much that I enjoy about this planner that it is difficult to write about it all.  Here are some of my favorite features:

Class Plan

There is a class plan available for up to 4 students.  Schedule their day/week and curriculum for the year.   This is important because you can coordinate their schedule with the teacher schedule.  (I use this to coordinate my time with each child.)  I use a pencil when completing this.  I make changes through out the year.

My Education/Responsibilities Chart

I use this for my younger children. I write down the main seat work subjects they have.  Then I use clear contact paper over them.   I hole punch the ends and cut a slit in the hole.  My planner is in a three ring binder.  So I pull those out every time they sit to complete their work.  They use a dry erase to check off and put it back when they are done.

Monthly Books to Enjoy/ Field Trips/ Enrichment Activities Page

Wonderful tool for reviewing what was accomplished over the year.  I use this to list all the books each child reads or has read aloud for that month.  I include all our activities, movies, etc. that we use school related.  It gives me a good at a glance of what we are accomplishing.

Calendar Layout

I am most excited about the new 2013/2014 because of the two page spread calendar and monthly tabs!  I have not been able to utilize the 1 page calendar in the past.   The squares were too small.  This simple update has saved me from buying a separate general calendar!  The two page spread of the week has been wonderful and can be easily used.  I have used this in a variety of ways.  I only write what we actually accomplish.  If I plan ahead and write it in the planner, than I make sure those items are completed.

The giveaway has ended and a winner has been emailed! 

Planning: Evaluating Prior Year

It is time to start thinking about/planning the next school year.  Planning strongly influences the flow of your school and family life.   There are a few steps I go through for planning.  First, start with an overall evaluation.  The key areas evaluated are academic, social, character, habits, and family cohesiveness.

1.    Evaluate the previous school year. 

o   Did everything run smoothly?  If not, why? 

o   What worked?

o   What didn't work? 

o   Discuss with your children/spouse their thoughts for the year.

o   If there is time have them complete a questionnaire.

2.    Evaluate each child.

o   What areas need improvement?

o   Where did he/she shine last year?

o   What habits do they need to work on?

o   List curriculum used and decide whether it is worth using again or scratching.

o   Use resources to gain insight of where your child should be.  I typically use The Well Trained Mind as my guide.

3.    Evaluate time.

o   Did we manage our time well?  Look at each week, day and the overall year.

o   Did we playing catch up most of the year?

o   Did our days seem relaxed or stressed?

o   What activities did we participate in?  Were they worth the time spent?

o   Was there time for them to explore new things, be bored, play games, etc.

4.    Evaluate yourself.

o   Decide your strengths and weaknesses.

o   Did you take care of yourself and not just the family OR too much on yourself?

o   Were you approachable by your children? 

o   Did you feel stressed or overwhelmed?  If so, can you pinpoint why?  

o   Did you use your time wisely?

This overall evaluation should not take long.  It is just taking a quick glance at the year and what stands out.  Do not be too critical.  This process helps you begin to think about what is going well and changes that you might need to make. 

What a Year

When I started this blog last year, I was determined to post as often as possible.  Unfortunately, our life became very busy.  We spent last summer selling and buying a new home.  This took all my time and little was left for planning our homeschool much less posting to this blog.  The lack of planning definitely affected our homeschool this year. 

I found that I piled on too much school, activities, etc.  Throughout the year the love of learning slowly faded away from my children and to tell the truth myself.  Everyone has one bad year, right?  I have not kept my observations from my children.  I even gave them questionnaires to complete to make things better.   My older daughters both told me it was because I didn’t plan.  Maybe my lack of planning will inspire them to see the benefits of planning?

As we slowly end this school year, I am revved up about the next.  I have all my planning materials laid out on my desk.  Notes I have jotted down through the year and I look forward to posting the planning process here on the 2inspire5.  My contact email for this blog is inspire5@outlook.com  

At the end of May I will be hosting a giveaway for the Well Planned Day Planner.  There is a link on the blog for their planners.  (It was one of my saving graces this year.)

Claude Debussy

We are in our third term this year and my oldest asked if she could please pick the composer.  How can you say no to that?  She picked Claude Debussy.  She also picked the six pieces that we will learn about this term.  I have made a playlist with Grooveshark and thought I would share the Claude Debussy Playlist:

• We spread the 6 pieces throughout our 12 week term.  How do we do this?
• The first week we read a small portion of a biography about the composer.   Here is the website for Debussy:  http://claude-debussy.com/
• Then we listen to the first piece at least twice.
• We write on our notebook page a small narration of what we learned about the composer and how we feel about the song we listened to.  (As everyone is writing I play the piece.)
• I complete a notebook page with everyone.  It makes a big difference if you are working with your kids instead of telling them what to do.
• The next two weeks we will listen to the song before we do any group work.

Claude Debussy Notebook Page by

Burgess Animal Book for Children

My younger 2 and I have been enjoying Burgess Animal Book for Children this year.  This book is recommended on Ambleside Online for year 2.   I created notebook pages for us to use with the chapters.  The notebook pages are downloadable below.  

I thought I would share how we have used this book in our school. 

• I read a chapter (they normally look through animal books, draw, etc. as I read)
• They pick the animal they would like to research (there is normally more than one animal mentioned in the chapter.)
• We work together to look up information about the animal.
• YouTube - excellent resource to see, hear and just learn about the animal.
• Our narrations for this book are very relaxed. We talk about it as we are looking up items on the animal.

They are keeping their completed notebook pages to make an Animal Book.  My older kids did this with the Burgess Bird Book and still look through it. 

The Burgess Animal Book Notebook Pages by 2inspire5

Biology Level 1: Real Science 4 Kids Chapter 3 & 4

This is a continuation from  Biology Level 1 Chapters 1 & 2 post . Here are some videos that coincide with Real Science 4 Kids  Biology Level 1 chapters 3 and 4.  This post includes additional videos for older students. 

Chapter 3   Cells:  Photosynthesis

This is a cartoon that gives a good explanation for photosynthesis.  Though it is intended for younger children, older children can benefit from it.

This short video shows chloroplast in real time. 

Bill Nye video on photosynthesis includes some history.

Explanation of photosynthesis

Older student?

Khan Academy offers an excellent overview of photosynthesis.

brief explanation of the light and dark reactions

Chapter 4:  Parts of a Plant

basic overview of parts of a plant

Chapter 4 Experiment

 (I recommend to review the lab information and answer suggested questions.  Watch the video and then complete the conclusion portion on the lab worksheet)

Chapter 5 & 6 coming soon...