The Old Mormon Fort September 30, 2008

A couple Fridays ago, I took the kids to the Old Mormon Fort.  We had a really great time.  They gave us a scavenger hunt to do, which kept us very busy, and was pretty fun.  The kids thought all the old stuff was pretty awesome, and they liked learning about what the fort was used for.  It was fun watching them explore and take everything in.  Anyway, we took a few pictures. 

      

The prizes for the scavenger hunt were balloons!  This was very exciting for them. 

By the way, they wave the admission fee (which is only $1 for adults) for homeschoolers, who set up a field trip.

Catch Up September 2, 2008

It’s been a while since I’ve given any kind of update as to what is going on with our homeschooling, so here we go. 

About one week before the official start of the school year, I got an e-mail from an online school that I looked at months ago, saying they have opened up to K-12, instead of just 4-8, in Nevada.  I thought I would go check into it, and see what they had to offer.  We have since enrolled with them.  Here’s the deal.  I am the one teaching.  I am the one who can control the learning and the environment.  My kids are able to learn at their pace and go as fast or slow as they need.  They offer the whole curriculum.  A small part is online, but most everything else is done offline.  They sent me, and are still sending, tons of materials, including a computer and printer.  I really like the curriculum and the way it is set up, and I’m able to accomplish what I wanted to when we first set out on this journey.  I think it is much the same as it would be had I bought a boxed curriculum, except with this, I have more resources.  I’m still homeschooling my kiddos and enjoying all the wonderful things that go with homeschooling!  It’s been a bit crazy this last week, just trying to get a schedule down.  But, I’m confident that once we do, things will run really well. 

Check out k12.

Homeschool Convention June 25, 2008

I attended the homeschool convention last Friday and Saturday, with my friend and fellow homeschooling mom, Amy.  It was way awesome!  Friday they had a used curriculum sale, at which I got lots of good history and writing books for cheapy cheap!  Amy got some very good stuff, too.  After we did the used curriculum sale, we attended a presentation on the Constitution, by Stewart Rhodes.  So amazing!  I loved it!  And, really that’s putting it mildly.  Of course, those that know me well, know I’m very politically involved and that I’m passionate about the Constitution.  So, that was really great!  Then, on Saturday, we went and all the vendors were set up.  Also very cool!  We got our math program, Math-U-See, purchased, which was the main point in going Saturday.  We were also able to see some other really great vendors, like the Atomic Testing Museum and the Las Vegas Astronomical Society, and get lots of good info, especially about more field trips and educational programs.  So, all in all, I would say we had a really great experience and it was pretty fun.  I’ll definitely be going back in the future!  Thanks to Nevada Homeschool Network for putting it all on! 

Math-U-See June 19, 2008

I’m so excited because I think I’ve found the math program that I want to use!  I really thought I was going to use Saxon Math, which really looks like a good program.  However, this looks even better!  You’ve got to check out Math-U-See.  This looks perfect.  A DVD to refresh my brain (because it’s been a long time for some of this stuff), manipulatives, the textbooks look great.  This really looks like it’s it.  I’m hoping to be able to attend their demonstration at our homeschool convention this Saturday.  I’ll report back. 

Plant World June 18, 2008

Today’s field trip to Plant World was really cool.  We saw tons of animals and plants, and I learned a lot, too!  The kids really loved it.  Mine were especially excited by the waterfall and coy pond, where the turtles live. 

I’m glad we went before it reached 107 degrees, but it was still too hot for one of our little guys.  Amy’s son ended up having heat stroke.  Of course she didn’t know that at the time.  As soon as she saw something was wrong with him, she left and took him to the ER, where they diagnosed him and got him all fixed up.  But, I’m happy to report that he’s doing well, now. 

Here’s some fun pictures. 

  

  

 

 

 

Field Trips! Woo-hoo! June 17, 2008

I love field trips!  I always have.  I remember that when I was in school, I always learned a ton on field trips and they were always fun.  So, with that in mind, I decided to plan some field trips for us (minus the stinky school bus)!  The kids will really get a kick out of them, I think.  Plus, what a great way to expose them to things that they may have otherwise found boring.  So, here’s what I’ve got lined up so far, but hopefully the list will grow. 

• Tomorrow morning, we’ll be visiting a plant nursery here in town.  This place is huge!  Not only do they have tons and tons of different kinds of plants there, they have tons of animals there, too.  They have a tour they take you on, where they teach the kids about all kinds of plants and animals.  The kids even get to touch huge desert tortises.  I did this a couple years ago, and the kids really loved it. 
• In July, we will be going to a firestation, and getting a tour there.  No doubt the kids will be way into this!  What kid doesn’t want to sit in that big firetruck?!  I think it’s really important to teach kids the importance of emergency workers, and that they deserve a tremendous amount of respect.  It’s really great that they are willing to do community outreach things like this. 
• Also in July, we will be going to the Nevada State Museum, here in town.  They are actually sending me a teacher packet so that I can teach the kids about the stuff we will see there, before we go.  Then, for the older kids, they provide a clipboard with questions for them to answer while touring the museum.  I think that is a great way to get the kids to pay a little more attention and be more excited about the exhibits!  (They even waved the fee for us!)
• Then, in August, we will be going to the Old Mormon Fort, and getting a guided tour.  This is great because the fort is such a big part of not only our city’s history, but also state history.  Even though it didn’t always belong to the Mormons, this is a great way to tie in state history with Church history.  This will be an awesome way for the kids to learn about their heritage, in several areas. 

I’m hoping to get more things planned.  I really believe that hands on learning is vital.  It can’t all be out of books and videos.  When you actually get to see things, it makes it much more real.  So, I’m pretty excited about it all!  I’ll report back on each of the trips. 

Educational Plans May 27, 2008

In order to comply with Nevada Law, when we submit our Notice of Intent to Homeschool, we also have to submit an educational plan.  So, with a great deal of information taken from Rebecca Rupp’s Home Learning Year by Year, I’ve completed the plans for the boys.  I know this is much more detail than the school district requires, but this also serves as a great guide for me.  Anyway, I thought I’d post them, in case anyone was interested. 

 education-plan-kindergarten1     education-plan-2nd-grade

I also went to Barnes and Noble today and ordered Rebecca’s book.  Should be in next week.  I’m pretty excited.  Thank you to Erin for finding it for me!  What a blessing this book has turned out to be! 

Another great treasure! May 27, 2008

I just love the DI!  I try to go every couple of weeks or so, just to see if I can find any treasures.  I went again today, and like last time, found a ton of Living Scripture workbooks!  This time, I got 57!  Can you believe that?!  I think I’ve got to have nearly all of the New Testament and Hero Classics now!  These things are so full of learning resources.  What a find!  I’m also using these to create Sunday Folders for the kids.  I also got for $.50 each, a book about the Gettysburg Address and a book about questions about animals, called I Wonder Why Camels Have Humps.  Yeah!  I love bargains.  I’m definitely going to have to check out the little used book stores in the libraries, like Erin suggested! 

Progress and Rewards May 15, 2008

Well, I’m doing much better now.  I think I’m over my Yikes moment, for now.  I’m sure there will be more in the future.  As I’ve read, I’ve come to discover that homeschooling takes some getting used to and some trial and error.  I have every confidence that we will be able to make things work out well.  I’ve started already, with some small things with the kids, and so far so good.  We’ve also got our classroom all ready.  That was a lot of work, but it was actually really fun to do.  The kids helped a bit with it too, as well as Grandma.  I’ll have some pictures of it up in a day or two.  And, a special thank you goes out to my friend Erin, who discovered two amazing books that outline and detail grade by grade curriculum and expectations.  Hooray!

Also, this week I’ve discovered the rewards of telling people that you are a homeschool teacher.  First I went to Learning Is Fun.  When the sweet lady asked me if I was on their mailing list, I replied that I wasn’t, but should be since I was going to be homeschooling four kiddos.  So, when I told them that, they not only put me on their list, but also gave me some teacher magazines, but also some of the coupons teachers get to hand out to their students to get a prize at Learning Is Fun.  Then, when I took our calendar over to OfficeMax to get laminated, I was asked if I was a teacher, and I told them I was a homeschool teacher.  Then, they gave me their teacher discount and reward card.  So, that’s pretty cool.  These stores are now on my newly created list of homeschool friendly businesses. 

Placement Tests May 7, 2008

Well, I gave the boys math placement tests today, just to see where they are at.  Gavin tested right on the line between Kindergarten and 1st grade, and Logan tested at a 2nd grade level.   It was very interesting to see how they did, and what they already knew.  I got the tests from the Saxon Homeschool site, and they were very well done.  I’ve gotten a few things now from Saxon Homeschool, and I’m awaiting their sampler K-3 math book.  I really think that we are going to go with them for our math program.  Their stuff seems really comprehensive and well put together.  I’ve had multiple recommendations for them, too.  I’m very anxious to see their sampler.