1st Grade has Started!!

Well 1st grade started yesterday and well, it didn't go as smooth as i hoped.. lol but it was a good day none the less.. today was much better and didn't take quite as long to finish.. We haven't been able to start his math program yet, cause i need the manipulatives for him to begin.. and am still looking to purch Explode the Code book 1.. But right now we are working on:
Bible Study
Bob Books
Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading
106 Days of Creation
Mystery of History Vol 1
and we are finishing up his Explode the Code "Go for the Code" he has just a few pages left to finish up and should finish tomorrow..

We were doing some writing in a journal but it seemed to be slightly stressful for him as he really struggles with writig.. so i am thinking of dropping that for now.. do any of you have any ideas to take the stress out of it??  he liked the idea of having a journal, but doesn't want to write in it.. lol.. its hard for him..

Today in Mystery of History, he made Adam and Eve out of his Playdough...

Somehow he managed to make Eve bigger then Adam.. ...  if you look close, you can see a little red mixed in with the green.. thats because God used a piece of Adam to make Eve so Isaiah did the same... :)  he is very proud of hisself..

Its's Almost Time!!

The school year is almost upon us already!!  I can't believe this summer  has gone by so quickly.. I am sure there are alot of families that have already started their school year.. if so, please share how your year is going so far and what you are using/doing..  I am still struggling to get the last minute things needed to get started.. Money is tight this year so i have bee buying a little at a time.. but am happy with my final choices.. I have made some changes**already**  lol..
I have added, Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading and have decided to switch from Miquon Math to Math U See Alpha level.. I think this will work out well for Isaiah..We have also changed our Science chioce to 106 Days of Creation.. I think this is more geared towards his age then the other program we were gonna use.. so i will save that book for next year..  he is excited to get started and we would probably start if i had all the materials.. but I still need the Math U See Curriculum, and one of my Explode the Code books too... and then just some supplimental items...

So, share what you are using?? what grades are  you teaching??  are you having an easy time planning and getting ready for the school year??

Summer School, Next Fall and First Grade... whew!!

I can't believe Isaiah will be in 1st grade next fall already!!  they just grow too fast...  sorry i haven't been on here to update everyone, just been busy.. we moving in 2 days!!  wahoo!!  right now i am on the 3rd floor and am so happy to transfer down to the 1st floor..  okay okay, back to school now..

So, how many of you are schooling right thru summer?? do you keep the same schedule?? a lighter one??  we are continuing on thru summer.. right now we are finishing up the begining series of Explode the Code workbooks.. he is almost done with the Go for the Code book (book C) and we are also working on a Math workbook, he has been enjoying learning about more then, and less then and making graphs..

He really enjoys Explode the Code and is learning alot... He has really enjoyed his math too.. we haven't used a specific curriculum for math this year, just a workbook i got from The Book Samaritan and he loves it too..



He really had fun making that graph!!  We are almost done with the math workbook and our ETC books, not sure what we will do afterwards, i am thinking of just looking for some workbooks to keep him busy thru the summer..

I have been busy thinking about what we are going to use next fall for 1st grade.. I think I have most of it figured out, but still up in the air about some things.. here is what i have and know so far:

Phonics: Explode the Code

Reading: Bob Books

Math: Miquon

Bible: Exploror Bible Study- Beginnings I

History: I am stuck between Story of the World and Mistery of History

Science: I really want to use God's Design on Life, but its too spendy so I think i will use Christian Kids Explore Earth and Plants.. and i will also get Big book of Science and Play

I want to also do a nature journal and maybe some copywork.. not sure yet, i may add these at a later time..

What are your plans for the upcoming fall?? what grades will you be working on??

Great Contest...

Weekly Homeschool Planner Giveaway


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Happy Easter!!!! HE is Risen!!!!!

Great Contest over at Parent at the Helm!!

Head on over to Parent at the Helm and check out their contest!!  You can win this great book:





its easy to enter and will be great to win...  this book is full of great ideas...  click  here to go to Parent at the Helm and enter

Its friday!  this week has seemed like a long week, with lots to do.. School, Cleaning, Grocery Shopping, Birthday party planning, my daycare, dr. appts... whew... lol

Me and my youngest have been pluggin along in Kindergarten and enjoying it.. though i am wanting to add in more crafts and such.  We did start Get Ready for the Code and we enjoy this.. I also found this great online program and so far its his favorite.. its: http://www.readingkingdom.com/ its fun and he really enjoys doing it.  He has actually now started sounding out words on his own, so he can spell them and such.. its so great to see him learn and grow.. We still really struggle with writing and he gets so discouraged with it too, but we take it slow here and go at his pace... One of the many reasons i love homeschooling..