What we are doing for our Freshman Year

It's hard to believe as I type this that I have two freshman. It means we are only a few years away from completing this journey with them. Does learning ever end? It hasn't for me. I'm constantly repeating school. Thanks to homeschooling I think I've finally figured out that 1+1=2, in theory, unless you change what the number 1 stands for in that case it throws my whole theory out. Oh well! Maybe by the time Rebecca is a Senior I'll get it. :)

So, I promised yesterday I would write what we are doing for Highschool this year. It's evolved quite a bit since finding Easy Peasy Homeschool. Did I mention how much I LOVED all her links and direction. I've never met this woman, but if I do I will hug her! This has revolutionized our year.

So stay with me, I'm going to go by subject, tell you what we have done so far and what we are doing now. In a few cases its simple, in a few it's a little over the top to follow.

We will start easy!

Math - Math U See (I love the old versions)
Kahn Academy for explanations, videos and practice when needed.

History - We LOVE Notgrass World History! In all honestly I've not looked anywhere else for history for these kiddos. Not to say I wasn't looking before I found this but it's just perfect for my kids!

So, now it's going to get a little tricky

Literature - World Literature
We are using Notgrass World History which also comes with a literature program. It is great literature BUT, we haven't found a huge discussion on the literature. I felt they needed a bit more. After all we have been following Adam Andrews Teaching the Classics up until now. WHICH I LOVE!! Nothing will replace him, however with my 5th grader still needing a lot of my attention literature just wasn't going how I wanted.

So.....
Easy Peasy to the rescue! We followed her link to GA Virtual School for 9th grade Grammar and Literature.
It's been a win win for us.
And to find SAS Currciulum Pathways (which is FREE to sign up for) and see all the resources we have to fill in.....it just doesn't get any better.

Just to be clear we are still reading the literature from Notgrass World History AND completing this online course with GA Virtual.

Now, on to one of the trickiest of subjects for us.

Science - We are doing Biology this year.

We started the year with Biology 101 and LOVED LOVED it! My freshman devoured it, literally. We were done with it quite fast. We were following the accredited version of this course and instead of using library books as they suggest we were using Apologia Biology and The world of Biology by John Tiner. We still finished early. Like I said, they devoured it. I have no doubt it's due to the Biology 101 course. They are still telling everyone how much they loved it.

 So, I'm trying to figure out how to make this course keep stretching. After all they are suppose to have a full 180 hours in order to count as a credit. Sigh.... WAIT.....here comes Easy Peasy again! I have told you lately how much I love them?
I've checked out a few of her Biology recommendations and I'm so excited.
First we have Biology 101 from the Education Portal
Next we have Biology from GA Virtual
Finally we have SAS Curriculum Pathways

Can you believe all there is on Biology for FREE! Interactive educational whoop de doooo!

Thank you Easy Peasy for showing us the way!

Bible
Now my kids do some intense Bible Study with Notgrass History AND Awana AND Bible Study. Not to mention our fantastic co-op class on God's Heart for the Nations.

Art
They are also completing an Art History Course at co-op with  Meet the Masters!

Music
Just so you don't think I'm not doing enough with them.....hahahha.....they were also just accepted into our local Youth Orchestra.

Did I mention we are trying to fit in Institute  for Excellence in Writing? Looks like it might be a co-op class soon so I'm slacking in that area!

Loving Easy Peasy Homeschool!!

If you haven't checked out Easy Peasy Homeschool you should!

I have two freshman in high school this year and a 5th grader. I can't tell you how this has revolutionized our schooling. It's a fantastic FREE website that points you to all sorts of amazing websites on the internet. Each of these so far in our journey have been quality free learning sites. I can pick and choose as I go along. It's all in my control and yet the quality is hard to be beat.

Disclaimer: if you use some of the science sources that are free, please realize you should view them first. There is a bit of evolution in them. In my opinion my kids are well grounded in creationism and it's okay for them to see what others believe and question it. I encourage my older ones to question!

Here is what my 5th grader is doing and I should say LOVING!

Math Facts - Easy Peasy
Math - Math U See for workbook

Science Videos and fun stuff - Easy Peasy
Science Workbook - Abeka

Health - Abeka Workbook

Reading - Easy Peasy
Writing - Easy Peasy

Grammar - Schoolhouse Teachers Daily Grammar

Thinking Skills - Easy Peasy

Year 1 Easy Peasy
Bible
Art

We are also use her History as supplemental since we are doing History in Co-op.

As you can see, this is a very full curriculum for my 5th grader and she loves following the days lessons along with fun links. I love it too! Can you tell yet?

Tomorrow I'll tell you what my Freshman are doing this year. Stay tuned

Working from Home AND Home Educating

Well, I'm starting a new adventure. I wanted to find a little something I could do from home, with my daughters, in my ever shortening free time that MIGHT bring in a little extra money.

I searched high and low. I watched way too many promo videos. I researched, filled out surveys, and filled out more surveys. Guess they don't need white women aged 35. Oh well.

I wanted to find something that I could stand behind and that other homeschool moms might like. I'm not in it to get rich. I would like to see a small amount of profit someday, but I'm pretty laid back. I'm not the pushy type.

I decided to go with Avon. Yup, we all need more makeup in our life. Ok....I do. I rarely wear it anymore. I need good quality hair products that don't cost a fortune and it's nice to shop from home. Plus, even if I don't sell a dime except to myself I get a nice discount from already great prices. Sounds easy huh?

You can do it too! Or you can drop by my website and place an order. Doesn't matter where you are, as long as you live in the U.S. the order will ship to you. You will be helping out another homeschool family and getting products I promise will have a 100% guarantee.

So, there is my plug! Now go visit my new site and tell me what you think.

Susan Kroeker
Avon Independent Sales Representative

2011 Directory of Freebies From The Old Schoolhouse

Who doesn't love to try before you buy! The 4th annual 2011 Directory of Freebies is out and you can find it all here!
Great products to try from :

• ALEKS Math
• All About Reading
• All About Spelling
• American Heritage Education
• Apologia Press
• Barker Creek Publishing
• College Prep Genius
• Critical Thinking Company
• Deeper Roots - Devotional Studies
• Ecclesia College
• Fire Station Buddies
• Great Commission Languages
• Greek n' Stuff
• Heart of Dakota Publishing
• Hello-World Publications
• Home School in the Woods
• Janome Sewing Machine Company
• KBTeacher.com
• Landry Academy
• Math Mammoth
• Motherboard Books
• Movie Makers
• Nordskog Publishing
• North American Montessori
• Olivita Oink LLC
• Owlkids
• Perfect Praise Publishing
• Peterson Directed Handwriting
• Rain Before the Regin
• Sarah Books
• Schola Publications
• State History.net
• Super Star Speech
• Tiny Planets
• Lesson Plans from U.S Mint Education Initiative
• Video Text Interactive Homeschool Math
• Writeshop
• Zeezok Publishing

WHOO! That is a long list of free things to try this summer. Take a look around and enjoy.

The Old SchoolHouse

The Old School House Magazine

This may be one of my most favorite all in one homeschool magazines. In fact, it is the only one that I renew year after year. They are more then just a magazine company, they have ebooks, planners, curriculum and tons of free encouraging help for the home educator.

Here is their latest FREE items to encourage you on your home school journey!

The Old School House Free Resources

12 Amazing Freebies just for you! Enjoy

Well if we don't have enough on our plate already

I have a dream.... no we are not studying Martin Luther King Jr. right now. I have a dream to open a homeschool resource center here in my town. A place where one could go to offer or take classes from mom's, a place where you can find those out of print REAL history books. A quiet place for mom's to plan, kids to research and for all to share in this journey of homeschooling.

I would love to offer services at very little charge to no charge. Book binding, copy machines, fax machines, printers, computers, coffee and lots of it. Not just another book store, but a lending library, a curriculum treasure trove. A look and see before buying from the company. Believe it or not, I do not want to do this to make money. That is the true beauty of it.

So, things to research as of now, non-profit christian status, grant money - non government funded!! A place, the vision and the people!

If anyone has an extra 50,000 laying around, I know a great non-profit just waiting to blossom!

I think I can I think I can I think I can......

Wow, I really need to get my own words in writing to hand myself at this time each year. I always end the homeschool year swearing I will never fill up our schedule like that again, and yet, here we are beginning Oct. 1st with a full schedule that would blow even the deepest foundations over.

My husband recently accepted a canadency for a doctorate at Walden University. Yes, that sounds daunting, and I'm a tad bit worried about his mental health right now. Add in homeschooling three children, with three very active lives, running the homeschool support group meetings, a Friday school co-op with 80 children and numerous classes that add to our homeschooling experience and you have a recipe for insanity. Oh, yeah, and I'm in school full time too for my bachelors. Are we crazy or what? So, here is our weekly schedule, just to make you feel like your normal.

Monday - Homeschool 9-12 we are doing some pretty hefty classes this year
Piano for 8 year old
Science co-op for twins - Apologia
Botany for 8 year old
Guitar lessons for twins

Tuesday - Homeschooling again :0
The one day, where we stay home and hmmm, clean?

Wednesday - Homeschooling 9-12
Violin Lessons for 8 year old
Bible Study for Kids with Grandpa

Thursday - Homeschooling 9-12
Violin lessons for the older kids
Horseback riding for all three
AWANA for all

Friday - Friday School 8:30-12:00
Co-op (yes a second one) 1-4pm

Saturday - Everything else that needs to be done before we start it all over on Monday

Sunday - Church
Bible study
Planning Day

Now, if you were too add in my own schooling schedule, we would see I have exactly 3 hours and 42 minutes each day, if I read while making dinner :) Add in my husbands schooling and our day extends well into the evening.

Check back in 3 weeks when I show you just how a family of 5 can make 32 hours in a day appear :)