Me & My Boy

I haven't posted in a few days because I've been waiting for my final order to come in the mail. Which it hasn't yet, but I'm hoping for today. I had a big mixup with my ABEKA book order, it was all my fault, I entered the wrong book code, but I will have to say that their support staff is excellent. They fixed everything for me and even apologized for the problem (but it was MY fault!) and sent it out in a timely manner. So go ABEKA! I went to Walmart the other day and bought my small white board and EXPO markers to put on James' wall. I'm a visual sort of person, so I'm hoping that if that's his learning style then it will help him get through. I wanted to start school on Monday, because everything is here and ready, but I don't know, i may wait until next week. But I have an opportunity to go on a mission trip to Alabama to a children's home in 3 weeks, where I can actually take James with me, which is neat, but I don't want to start school and then take a week off. I'm not sure if that will mess him up or not. And I'm not sure what kind of time we'll have while we're there to work on school stuff. I guess we'll see how it all works out. Maybe I'm stressing too much. Have a great weekend everyone!

So I went ahead and ordered the last of my curriculum today. I've been thinking and rethinking what I wanted from ABEKA, and even though my list was long, I shortened it to just two items, Number Skills K (which I got the teacher edition off Amazon.com for half price), and Writing with Phonics K5 Manuscript. I wasn't able to afford K5 Bible Activity Book and Art Projects Kindergarten because I have already spent my maximum amount on curriculum from another source (Love to Learn). I figured that for now, I could come up with my own Bible and Art lessons from materials and books I already have in my home. ABEKA was a bit pricy for shipping, at least I thought so, they had a flat $8.00 fee, which is great I guess when ordering a lot, but not so great for someone like me who just ordered two items. They also ship in just 2 business days, which is nice and one of the reasons I put off ordering for so long, I knew it would arrive soon. When my books arrive I will look through everything and post my lesson plans, stay tuned to see what happens!

God Bless!

So I was reading one of my favorite blogs and came across some interesting news.

Life In A Shoe is hosting a giveaway of Vision Forum's exciting new adventure series, Ballantyne Books.

I decided to research these books on Vision Forum and I decided that I absolutely LOVE them! I know that my son is young right now, but I do already think about how much I want him to enjoy reading as he grows. I was a total bookworm and I knew how books could just transport me into adventures, mysteries, and fairytales. I think that James might have an opportunity as he grows to love books as much as I do, especially after finding these books. I particularly like the All-American Boy's Adventure Catalog. What a great find! Look it up and if you want, visit Life In A Shoe and enter the giveaway too!

I found a really great website that I thought I would post. Its homeschool help from Kindergarten to Third grade and has links to other websites with worksheets, book lists, helpful "starting up information" for the new homeschool parent, including state laws. I found it to be a wonderful resource.

HomeschoolingAdventures

I have decided to begin school August 6th, which leaves only 2 1/2 more weeks of summer vacation. Where has the summer gone??? We did get out of school late this year because we started late (8th grade, my homeroom class I taught, had a new modular this year that took awhile to update and pass code inspections). James and I went to Florida for 2 weeks this summer to visit family and to go to Disney World! We had a nice time, my twin sister went with us. **Note to self: Next time you go to Disney go in January** It was so hot! And very busy with summer tourists (I don't consider myself one since I spent 22 years living there).
I have already ordered part of my curriculum for James from "Love to Learn". The rest I will order from Abeka.com soon. When I get it all together I will post pictures of it and how I plan to use it.
So here's to the rest of the summer, I hope yours is fun and safe!!

God Bless!

P's. I LOVE Goofy!

So I've been looking up curriculum and comparing my choices. And boy, are there A LOT of choices! I'm really leaning to Christian suppliers, because if I am going to teach my child at home, then wouldn't I want to teach him with the values we believe in? Makes sense.

I have found a lot of interesting resources in 2 catalogs that have been sent to my home, "Timberdoodle" and "Love to Learn". I like how it is written by parents of homeschoolers who have tried every product they are selling and lists reasons why or why you should not purchase it. How wonderful to find people who actually are looking out for you and not just their own pockets! I also have been browsing Abeka.com for curriculum. This is what James' preschool class used last year and he responded well to it. If you have any suggestions, please comment me!



God Bless!

I like this magazine, check it out!

I had a crazy idea last week. After contemplating my choice between the cost of sending my son to a private Christian school for kindergarten, versus the rapidly declining yet free public school system, I was struck with the thought of “neither”. What if he didn’t not attend either place? What if I were to actually home school James (my little boy)? My college background IS teaching, its what I’ve been doing the past two years. Huh. That could work. The plan WAS for me to go back to college this fall, which could consist of mostly online courses, I would have the time, and I would be able to stay home. The more I thought about it, the more excited I became. But what would James think? He liked school for the most part, and he had friends that went to school with him in preschool. So I asked him. And he was thrilled! He thought it was the best idea ever (actually I think the exact quote was “You’re the best momma ever!”), so here I go…traipsing into the unknown world of home school, of being the complete and sole supervisor of my child’s education. That seems a bit daunting. Like, if he doesn’t learn to read well, that’ll pretty much be on me. But then, I think of all the things he can learn with me that he wouldn’t at school. We’ll have time for music, art, field trips, and of course swimming, his favorite activity. I think this can really work. I’m up for it. Anyone have any suggestions, resources, schedules, or activities that work well for you and your family? Please let me know, I’ll need all the help I can get.
God Bless!

This book sounds interesting, check it out!