Homeschooling A Houseful

I just saw this post about raising godly men.   This is something our world is lacking boys being raised to be righteous men. It is difficult to find encouraging books on this very subject. Here's a link for a  free download of this book I haven't actually read this, yet. However it looks amazing! I've read a few others from the same author.  Enjoy, and remember to train your boys to be real men!  

SHARE YOUR HOMESCHOOL PLANS FOR JUNE!!! Well let's see, for us we will be making some drastic changes. I had mentioned we were going to do more textbook learning... well the A's have cast their votes, and they all HATE their history textbooks. We we will be leaving those behind. I am actually quite happy. Next Friday is our local homeschool convention and curriculum fair... so I am making a list and checking it twice! {Wait is it Christmas?? Conventions get HS Mama's feeling that way!!} The other major change, will be our routine. We live in a hot climate, so we move to a summer routine. We get up, do our family bible readings, personal bible readings, prep for the day, morning chores, breakfast and breakfast duties, Math lessons for the day, and some family history reading, along with working with the K and Pre-K kids a bit. Then the A's are free to roam and play until lunch. After lunch, during the HEAT OF THE DAY, we come in and take care of our Independent Studies {...

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These came through a yahoo homeschool email list I am on.... very cool!!! I thought they were cool enough to share! ENJOY!

{Photo from Amazon, link below} I am sure you have all heard of workboxes, they are everywhere... in the homeschool world. I started implementing the workbox idea with A5 and A6. I am still working out all the details. We currently have their regular work in the drawers, and they work through them. I am finally {sad to say, FINALLY} ready to start getting myself into gear here!!! I found a few wonderful workbox finds, and thought I'd share! ~I came across these drawers , {pictured above} and love the look of them, the simplicity in design.. and size. I purchased two of them. {no I didn't pay that price!!} ~I also found this wonderful planning sheet at Robin's Blog, Heart of Wisdom. I love these, I printed off two. I copied them to my computer and made one for A5 in "boy" colors and one for A6 in "girl" colors. This way I can glance quickly at them to "see" who's who and what they are suppose to be doing. These are pretty simple forms, and ...

I just wanted to take a second and mention this wonderful letter of the week program. You can download all her fun things, free online. Though a much more simpler way, and way to support her for all her hard work, you can purchase it for $10 to download, or I believe $15 for a CD. There are so many wonderful resources, she has made. It's all so very cute, my little girly A's love it. I am sure come time for A7 to learn his letters, I will need to change a few of them, I will need to add a bit more for a boy.... but $10 for a complete years worth of letters, is wonderful... so much less than paying for a preschool!!!!! Oh and if you haven't seen this blog, you so need to go there... LOVE IT!!!! Confessions of a Homeschooler . The link to her letter of the week download is on the side bar. She also is so willing to help, I had a problem with the download, and she was right on fixing it for me.

My Sister in Love, has started a photography business, and she takes the cutest pictures!! If you happen to live in Utah, and need new baby photos... check out her site. Marlina Gilbert Photography . She's running a baby special until the end of March.

I just love reading this blog, Kate's Kitchen . She also has a wonderful homeschool website, see my sidebar Milestone Academy. I use, and have recommended everyone get the principle pantry, it comes from this wonderful lady! If you like beans. Or if you want to learn more about them, and how to cook them. Check out her post on how to soak and cook beans .

I read this idea a few months ago, and well one thing lead to another, and I am finally getting around to doing it! You know the ever growing to do list, just never seems to get to do-ed!! For years now, actually the entire time we have been homeschooling, we have memorized. We started simple with scriptures and then slowly added quotes, then hymns and songs, and more and more. Currently we are memorizing; Weekly: one Poem {usually one week is all we use on a poem, though it depends on the length and how well we really practiced it} one Scripture, one quote, one educational item {again, usually one week, sometimes more when needed} Songs {one Hymn, one Childrens Hymn, one Educational Song, one Patriotic/American history type song, and usually one Seasonal or just for fun song} Monthly:one Historical Document. along with a new history facts memorization we will be throwing in. I never really needed this with A1, he tends to be a fact magnet, or maybe that should say a fact sponge! He lo...

Oh yeah, she has posted another new video!!!! If you loved the milestone video I mentioned here ... don't miss the newest one, here .

I just wanted to put this out, real quickly.... It's a video from a homeschool veteran, with ideas, and tips about how to homeschool with little ones tagging along. I love this idea of actually seeing, what she's talking about, and getting a great view of the ideas! Not only that but I love her home library in the background!!! WOW!!! Click on this link , then on the videos link at the top of her website. She only has one up currently, but is in the process of editing and filming more. I believe she will be doing 10-12 Also if you love what she says, you should look into her website, it's GREAT!!!!

Kim, over at the Starry Sky Ranch , posted about "Ask the Dad" Oh so inspirational...thought I might share. I do so believe what she says, it sometimes seems like we make all the decisions. Ask all the questions, yet not to the Dad. These are his children too... and yes I am sure he has an opinion too! I know whenever I am in need of inspiration and/or support I can go to Papa Bear. It also seems anytime I ask his opinion, he can come up with a way to solve the problem, just as well as any veteran homeschooler. Oh and talk about a houseful...the starry sky ranch, is a houseful!

Maureen at Spell Out Loud, {link on sidebar!!} Has compiled a wonderful list of activities you can do in workboxes with Toddlers, check it out here . Thanks Maureen, you're the best!!!

I just love how this lady is doing her art appreciation . It seems so simple, and easy, yet so effective. Just what I have been looking for!

Well lately, I've been trying to organize our upcoming school season. We are going to school year round, from now on. Though we are taking off the first few weeks for summer break. I do think though that everyone, is starting to want a little more structure in our days. Well one thing I am feeling I would really like to add to our studies is a Character Training time. I know I have good kids. I also know they are just that.... kids. It seems like most of the "problems" we have been having lately, are dealing with character. I think we could all use alittle boost, in this area. It also seems like some of their character issues, are things they have inherited from me. Well I wish it was that easy, just a simple inheritance! It's not, they are learning these things from me. I too am in need of a character training session! I read a thought somewhere, it goes something like this.... that if you are not always looking for ways to better yourself, than you are only hurting ...

This is so cute, I just had to share! Smarty Pants! Sometimes we get so consumed in home educating, that we forget about how easy it really is. Given the right environment, anyone can learn, and learn what is needed. It doesn't need some fancy curriculum. It doesn't need the correct amount of time. It doesn't need the proper days. It needs a happy, learning environment. It needs simplicity. Look how happy she is to do the smarty pants dance. She knows her dad (I assume) is pleased, and loving it. She doesn't know why, just that dad loves it, so she needs to love it.