Homeschool Open House

It's The Homeschool Lounge Homeschool Open House 2009! I thought I would post about our curriculum for 2009-2010 and about our schedule. I hope to post pictures next week of our schoolroom. I am in the process of painting and organizing. First, a little about my "students". My oldest is in his first year of college and we are very excited for him. My middle son is in the 10th grade and my youngest is in the 9th grade. We are all very excited about our school year. The first two pictures ( sorry they are sideways!!) are of our family read alouds that we are doing in the evening. We are using Sonlight's American History in depth this year. Instead of them reading Peace Child on their own, we decided to do it as a family read aloud. We are going deep with missionary studies this year. We are enjoying this book immensely. We also are just starting Outcasts United by Warren St. John. I have been reading ahead and I have to say that I am really intrigued by this book. It is a true account of a refugee soccer team and their coach. The location where the story takes place is not too far from where I live. I am excited that we will get a chance to meet the author in late September.

This year we are using Skills for Rhetoric by James P. Stobaugh. This book can be used for Jr. High through Senior High. We are hoping to participate in a speech and debate club. We are also using some supplemental books with our rhetoric study.

The boys are doing Algebra 2 with Saxxon Teacher this year. They like Saxxon, and are especially enjoying Saxxon Teacher. We will also do some supplemental acitivities through different math websites to reinforce the concepts.

We are doing an American composer study once a week using, A History of American Classical Music, by Barrymore Laurence Sherer.

We are also going to study American poets using The Mentor Book of Major American Poets edited by Oscar Williams and Edwin Honig.

Our language arts will include many different sources. We will be using Spelling Wisdom, The Winston Grammar Program Advanced, Latina Christiana Book I, and Wordly Wise.

We are also using IEW for writing, SAT study cards for PSAT and SAT prep, an American artist study along with a study of two of Shakespeare's plays. Also, this year we will be participating in the Outdoor Hour Challenge. Our focus will be on trees and weather. Our Bible study consists of a worldview study including using various Answers in Genesis material and videos. Also, our family Bible study will be studying the Gospels and digging deep into the life of Christ.

We hope to be involved in more mission minded work and community service work.

I am excited about our physical education program. We will be working through the fit programs that the State Park system of Georgia offers. They have a Canyon Climbers Club, Paddle Club, and Cycle Club. You can learn more about these on the Georgia State Parks website.

My 10th grader studies Anatomy & Physiology and composition through a local homeschool support. My 9th grader studies Biology and Spanish I at the same place. My 10th grader is continuing French II with Rosetta Stone version 3.

Both boys will be involved in driver education training.

My 10th grader will also be involved in Civil Air Patrol and Civil War battle reenactments. My 9th grader will be involved in learning to make videos, website design, and strategic war games.

We will be studying United States geography, along with adding to our Georgia studies. We add to our Georgia studies each year. We visit different sites in the state, learn about famous figures of Georgia, authors, painters, etc....

Our schedule does not go by time slots as much as what subjects we cover each day. Our schedule also includes field trip days, as we love hands on! Below is what we try to cover each day:

MONDAY

Bible

History/Geography

Math

Latin

Grammar

Spelling

Artist Study

Rhetoric/Logic

P.E.

TUESDAY

Bible

Science

Writing

Foreign Language

Math

Vocabulary

PSAT Study

P.E./Health

Civil Air Patrol

WEDNESDAY

Bible

History/Geography

Math

Latin

Poetry

Grammar

Spelling

Shakespeare Study

Rhetoric/Logic

Church

THURSDAY

Bible

Science

Foreign Language

Math

Vocabulary

Latin

Nature Study

P.E./Health

PSAT Study

FRIDAY

Bible

History/Geography

Math

Latin

Grammar

Spelling

Composer Study

Rhetoric/Logic

P.E.

SATURDAY

Family Activities

Driver's Education

We will try to make our field trips on Friday or Saturday. We will document these with pictures, journal, information pamphlets, and reading anything that pertains to that particular place.

We are off to a great start. We are excited about the opportunities available to us and hope to make good use of those things. It is always a tightrope walk, it seems ,to balance our time with what to be involved in and what to pass on. I am praying that God will give my husband and myself wisdom in this area, as there are always many exciting events to be involved in. I value our time at home, together as a family, so I don't want to overload us with outside activities. Sitting at home, reading a book together is absolutely an awesome thing to do!

I wish everyone a wonderful school year. I hope you enjoyed this "peek" into our school. Please check back next week for pictures of our schoolroom.

Kim

Menu Monday

We had a wet weekend, which is good. We can always use the rain! I was able to pull out some of my autumn decorations. I still need to do some yard work and get things looking more like autumn outside. I also still have to finish the painting downstairs. So, those things along with our schoolwork will be on the agenda for this week.

The menu for this week is as follows:

MONDAY: Mexican Fiesta Night!! Tacos, Chips, Salsa, Salad, Brownies, Tea, Water

TUESDAY: Chili, Cornbread Muffins, Chocolate Pudding, Tea, Water

WEDNESDAY: BBQ Chicken, Green Beans, Corn, Salad, Fruit, Tea, Water

THURSDAY: Vegetable Soup, Crackers, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Fruit, Tea, Water

FRIDAY: Homemade Pizza, Breadsticks & Dip, Ice Cream, Tea, Root Beer,

SATURDAY: Lasagna, Garlic Bread, Salad, Grapes & Strawberries, Tea, Lemonade

Have a wonderful Monday!

Kim

Sunday's Thoughts

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Mark 10:45 NKJ

"Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, "Which is the first commandment of all?' Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:28-31 NKJ

"And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Acts 22:16 NKJ

Wishing you a blessed Lord's Day!

Kim

Show and Tell Friday

I am so excited to be participating in Kellie's Show and Tell Friday. Be sure to check out all the Show and Tell Friday posts at www.thereisnoplacelikehome.blogspot.com Thanks Kellie! This week I would like to share some of my thrift store finds. I have a favorite thrift store that I occasionally get to visit. This last week I was able to find these treasures! The first two pictures are of a panel of curtains. They are Tommy Hilfilger floor to ceiling panels. I was able to get 4 panels for $13.00! I am going to put them in our craft/school room.

My oldest just started college and I am trying to get some clothes in the school's colors. We go to family weekend next month and what I found was that I had nothing in their colors. So, I found this shirt for $3.00. I think it will work nice at family weekend!

We are always in need of towels, washcloths and the such ( who isn't? ). I picked up these three washcloths up for $1.50. They are very thick and looked brand new!

I just loved this. I think I will use it to put seasonal candies in. It was .50 cents.

I picked up this vase for .50 cents also!

I love Christmas and Christmas decorations. This thrift store always has wonderful Christmas decorations. I picked up these dessert plates for .50 cents each. I was able to get three ( that was all they had ). I have three boys, so I thought that worked out fine.

Another Christmas decoration. I have a real weakness for decorations! This cute little Santa was .35 cents, so I knew he had to come home with me!

I hope you enjoyed my thrift store finds. Have fun checking out all the other Show and Tell Friday posts!

Kim

Outdoor Wednesday

Happy Outdoor Wednesday! Thanks to Susan, at www.asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com for hosting this weekly event. I enjoy looking at all the Outdoor Wednesday posts. Today, I wanted to share a mix of outdoor pictures. These are from various outings that our family has taken. I hope you enjoy them! This first picture is at "Sloppy Floyd" state park. It is located in Summerville, Georgia. It is a beautiful park where you can fish, canoe, hike, picnic, play on the playground, and just enjoy nature.

Last week I posted some pictures of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga Military Park. This is the tower in the park, which you can go inside and climb to the top. At the top, you can see the most amazing view. I can see why this was a lookout tower. It is also great for exercise!

Back to Sloppy Floyd, my husband and two of my boys canoeing on the lake.

Everyone gearing up for the canoe!

A view of the lake at Sloppy Floyd. It is so relaxing just to sit and read or fish by this lake. Just beautiful!

Moving to the ocean now! This is in Jekyll Island, Georgia. The boys enjoying a day in the ocean.

Sunset at Jekyll Island.

Now we are on to Disney World. This is the boat that took us to the Magic Kingdom from the campgrounds. Our family loves Fort Wilderness. We have camped there several times ( tent camping ) and loved it. There is so much to do in the campground. They show a movie every night with hot chocolate and marshmallow roasts. There is a great buffet to eat at. We usually tried to eat lunch there at least once during our stay.

This is the church that sits across from the Grand Floridian. Alot of marriages take place there. We camped at Fort Wilderness one December and one day we took the monorail and went to see the gingerbread houses at the other hotels. The Grand Floridian had a life size gingerbread house. It was wonderful.

I hope you enjoyed my random adventure pictures this Outdoor Wednesday. Be sure to check out the other posts, as they are always great!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Kim

Menu Monday

We had a wonderful weekend and an even better Lord's Day yesterday! Saturday, the boys had friends over and my husband worked at his mother's in the morning, so I tried to get a few things accomplished. I did get some ironing and some cleaning done. I am thinking about planting a fall garden. I need to get on that, if that's the plan. I have not planted a fall garden before, so this will be an adventure! This weekend I plan to put up my summer decorations and get out the "applish" decorations. We have had a couple of cool nights, which was refreshing.

It seems that since we started school, things have been going at lightning speed! I have fell behind in a weekly menu, even though this is when I need that direction the most! Anyway, I think I am back on track, so the menu for this week is as follows:

MONDAY
Spaghetti
Corn
Salad
Jello
Tea/Lemonade

TUESDAY
Chicken Fingers
Baked Beans
Rolls
Salad
Tea/Water

WEDNESDAY
Chicken Enchiladas
Chips/Salsa
Brownies
Tea/Lemonade

THURSDAY
Grilled Hamburgers
Green Beans
French Fries
Salad
Fruit
Tea/Water

FRIDAY
Homemade Pizza
Chips/Salsa
Ice Cream
Tea/Root Beer

SATURDAY
Chicken Soup in the crock-pot
Corn Muffins
Salad
Blueberry Crisp
Tea/Lemonade

Have a wonderful Monday!
Kim

Sunday's Thoughts

"And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." Mark 16: 15,16 NKJ

CONCORD HYMN

Sung at the completion of the Battle Monument, July 4, 1837

By the rude bridge that arched the flood, their flag to April's breeze unfurled, Here once the embattled farmers stood And fired the shot heard round the world.

The foe long since in silence slept; Alike the conqueror silent sleeps; And Time the ruined bridge has swept Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.

On this green bank, by this soft stream, We set today a votive stone; That memory may their deed redeem, When, like our sires, our sons are gone.

Spirit, that made those heroes dare, To die, and leave their children free, Bid Time and Nature gently spare The shaft we raise to them and thee.

RALPH WALDO EMERSON (1803-1882)

Have a blessed Lord's Day!

Kim

Outdoor Wednesday

It is time again for Outdoor Wednesday. Thanks to Susan, over at www.asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com for hosting this weekly event. Today I want to share a few pictures and a little history of a nearby park. The Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, which was the nation's first, was created in 1890. The park is 5,500 acres and was the scene of the last major Confederate victory of the Civil War. The Union and Confederate forces were fighting for control of Chattanooga, which was the gateway to the south.
In November of 1863 Union troops gained final control.

The park was created to preserve these battlefields. There are numerous monuments, historical tablets, exhibits, and trails. There is an auto tour that you can take and there is also the visitors center which houses exhibits, a bookstore, and a collection of military arms.

This park draws several visitors each year, along with several runners, cyclists, and walkers. As you go through the park, you will probably see several deer out in the fields.

Our family enjoys going to the park to hike the trails, bike, or just walk and take in the exhibits. Last year, we enjoyed going to a battle reenactment in the park.

If you love Civil War history, this is definitely a park you will want to visit.

Be sure to visit all the Outdoor Wednesday posts! Have a super Wednesday!

Kim

Menu Monday

What a wonderful weekend it was! Georgia Tech held their Freshman Convocation yesterday, so we picked my son up for church, then went out to eat. We had a wonderful visit. After we dropped him off at his dorm, we went to a parent's reception, then on to the convocation. It was a lovely ceremony, encouraging the freshman class on their new college careers.

The band was just awesome! We enjoyed hearing them play several songs.

We were also entertained by the Glee Club. How talented these men are! By the way, that is "Buzz" leading them!

A picture of some of the freshman wearing their R.A.T.S caps ( Recently Acquired Tech Student). I so much enjoyed this ceremony. It was very moving, uplifting, and encouraging.

On Saturday we met some friends to go to the local arcade. We had so much fun! We rode the go-carts with the boys, then went inside and visited while the boys played video games.

It was a very nice evening with friends! We enjoyed the time to get caught up with them.

I will post my weekly menu tomorrow. I have not written it out yet. We are in full force on school this week. I wish everyone a wonderful Monday!

Kim

Sunday's Thoughts

"Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed. Or the golden bowl is broken, Or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, Or the wheel broken at the well.
Then the dust will return to the earth as it was. And the spirit will return to God who gave it.
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man's all.
For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil." Ecclesiastes 12:6-7, 13-14 NKJ

The Peacock

The Peacock cries,
he doesn't quack,
or coo,
twitter,
chirp,
or say, "Tu-whit, tu-whoo!"
He cries--
a loud sorrow--so desolate,
the air shrinks back
to make space for it.

But if,
as he unfolds his emerald fan,
his feathers turned
as common as a wren's,
would he be free of his
parading strut,
and maybe--
make a
soft,
contented,
cluck?
DEBORAH CHANDRA
Heart to Heart

College Move 2009

The big day happened yesterday. We moved our oldest into his college dorm. This has been a deeply emotional journey. I find I am spending alot of time on my knees in prayer. I have also found that I have truly experienced that "peace that surpasses all understanding" that God promises us. I have cried in prayer, I have poured out my heart in prayer, and God has been faithful to hear and answer each time. When we came to move in day, I was sad, but I also had a joy for this time in my son's life. I also knew that he is in God's hands. I don't know what path God has for him, but I do know that God will be there every step of the way, and that is very reassuring! We were so thankful for the beautiful day yesterday! We packed everything up and headed to Atlanta!

We had twenty minutes to unload our stuff, then we had to move our truck so others could unload. We took everything in suitcases, piled it on his bed, and moved the truck. He has alot of organizing to do!

This is the street in front of his building. It was crazy yesterday, but in a sort of organized way. I was impressed at how "smooth" it went, considering the amount of people trying to get moved in.

His room is close to the stadium. He is actually in a very good location. We sent his room deposit in very early, so we were able to get his first choice location.

This is the view of his dorm building.

We ate lunch at Moe's. This was our first time to eat there. It was very good. They were covered over with people, but everything moved very well.

These two were super movers. They helped with moving and getting everything unloaded in a timely manner.

The day went really well. I did not know what to expect, so anxieties were high. Once again, I realized who is in control here, not me, but God. I also think my son felt relieved that the day was here and we could now move forward with things. I got a facebook message last night letting me know that all was well! I am going to love those facebook messages!

Thanks to everyone who has sent such sweet comments through this blog and facebook. Your thoughts and prayers mean so much.

I wish everyone a wonderful Friday! My other two sons and I are going to enjoy a field trip together today!

Have fun!

Kim