FREE Language Arts Curriculum

I've been searching the internet again and found some very nice resources. The first one is actually an oldie but goody. It's Scott Foresman Grammar and Writing Handbooks. You can download each workbook for free! In my opinion, they are one of the best there is. It combines grammar and writing into an all in one, easy to use format. This is what we are using and I absolutely love it. Also, if you're not a grammar wiz and feel you need the answer keys, you can go to Pearson's website and set up a homeschoolers account through OASIS. I did it, and it was very easy to accomplish. If you need more help, you can always call their customer support or email them with the links on their site.

The second LA curriculum is by English Banana. I have not used them, but have looked at the available material. What they provide is strictly grammar related. They have a very nice website with links to games, video, tools, and downloadable workbooks. The workbooks themselves are pretty straight forward and simple. The workbooks I've downloaded are "Big Grammar Book", "Big Activity Book", and "Big Resource Book".

The "Big Grammar Book" is pretty nice, but not really a "teaching workbook". It's more of a nice resource book to use to test the child's knowledge of what you have already taught. I do think I will use this as something to put in their portfolios. The "Big Activity Book" is a workbook of grammar worksheets that could come in handy. Then is the "Big Resource Book", which for me isn't really a resource book. It's more of another extra set of practice worksheets. This too could come in handy in a bind though.

All in all, I found both programs were good. However, I thought Scott Foresman was the better option since it combined the grammar and writing. Plus, I found it was a more complete curriculum all around.

Hope that sheds some light on these two curriculums. ;)

A GREAT Site for Kids!

I was searching the internet today trying to find the answer keys to Scott Foresman Grammar and Writing Handbooks. Guess what, they're not out there! So, I mozzied on over to Pearson to see if could find them there. I did indeed find them. I also happened upon a cool little site! It's called Poptropica. It's like this little world for the kids to go through and earn credits that they can use in the "store". Of course, if you don't want to do their games (which happen to be pretty fun, I tried one of them to check for myself), you can always just buy the credits yourself. As I said, the games are fun, but could get irritating for an impatient child. I even found myself getting a little irritated at it. This also has a chat for the kids, if they own the "multiverse" card (which can be purchased in the store), or if one of their friends invites them to the chat with a code.

I hope your kiddo's find this enjoyable!

Notebooking System....

I found this online and thought you may like it. It's call The Full Year Notebooking System. Click Here!

It's Been Awhile....

Wow...talk about hectic life. Sorry I haven't had any updates lately. We took a few weeks "off" for VBS, and then to spend the last week of summer vaca with the kids cousin. Next week is back to school! I wonder if anyone else out there is relieved that all the public school children are back in session. I know I am. No more severely crowded stores. So much easier running errands now.

Anyway, I'll be starting with my updates again next week. Enjoy the weekend!

Free Online Reading Assessment

On one of my many searches for free resources I came across this. I've had the link for quite awhile, but forgot to share it! LOL Hope some of you can put it to good use.

Free Reading Evaluation and Assessment

First Week Finished!

Well, after a few minor setbacks (ex. arguing and temper tantrums) week one is done! Technically it's been done for a few days, as we are already into week two. Our schedule was actually pretty nice compared to other years. There has not been a lot of stress associated with school this year! Previously I had a "public school mentality" as I like to call it. I was so rigid trying to get everything done that I forgot the most important part. School should be fun! HUH? Did I just say that! LOL Needless to say, my kids are liking this year much better.

Our schedule really worked this last week! I get up with my husband, and I take care of my housework. Then, I start breakfast, get the kiddies up, and have them take care of their chores while it's cooking (ex. clean up bedrooms, which is all they really have on weekdays, except the normal picking up after themselves). After breakfast, I have them take care of themselves (brushing hair, teeth, etc.). This is what last weeks school schedule looked like (hope it helps some!):

Monday: Bible lesson and memory verse. Spelling: write words 3x. 1 Saxon Math lesson. 1 Easy Grammar Lesson. Island Story Ch. 62: 1/2, Bio of Leonardo Da Vinci: 1 chapter. Story Book of Science: Ch 1. Story of Inventions: Ch 1, 2 sub chapters. 1 Poem by William Blake. 1 Spanish Lesson.

Tuesday: Bible lesson and memory verse. Spelling: Quiz, write missed words 3x. 1 Saxon Math lesson. 1 Easy Grammar Lesson. Island Story Ch. 62: 2nd 1/2, Bio of Leonardo Da Vinci: 1 chapter. Story Book of Science: Ch. 2. Story of Inventions: Ch 1, 2 sub chapters. 1 Poem by William Blake. 1 Spanish Lesson.

Wednesday: Bible lesson and memory verse. Spelling: Quiz, write missed words 3x. 1 Saxon Math lesson. 1 Easy Grammar Lesson. Children's History of the World: Ch 63, 1/2. Geography: Marco Polo "snippet". Story of Inventions: Ch 1, 2 sub chapters. Science Lab In a Supermarket: pg 15 &16. 1 William Blake Poem. Literature: Heroes Pt. 1, The Princess and the Goblin, Ch 1. 1 Spanish Lesson.

Thursday: Bible lesson and memory verse. Spelling: Quiz, write missed words 5x. 1 Saxon Math lesson. 1 Easy Grammar Lesson. Children's History of the World: Ch 63, 2nd 1/2. Story of Inventions: Ch 1, 2 sub chapters. Literature: The Princess and the Goblin, Ch 2. Tall Tale: Paul Bunyan (one note: I have never heard my son laugh so hard at a story before! He REALLY enjoyed this!). 1 Spanish lesson.

Friday: Bible lesson and memory verse. Spelling: Test, write missed words 10x. 1 Saxon Math lesson. 1 Easy Grammar Lesson. Pilgrims Progress. Story of Inventions: Ch. 1, finish to pg 10. Literature: The Princess and the Goblin, Ch 3. Art Study: Sandro Botticelli. 1 Spanish lesson.

Free Christian Children's E-Books

I found this on one of my groups. It's several good e-books with moral themes for children. Here it is:

Free E-Books from Ed Dunlop

Parables From Nature

Hello Hello! I found this online at google books. I thought it may benefit some. Enjoy!

Parables From Nature

Free Math and Reading curriculum

I found this site a couple years ago and it spread like wild fire! Well, they are having a hard time now, so I thought I would try to spread the word around and see if anyone out there could help them.

This is an absolutely WONDERFUL resource! It has two different maths (one of which is to your state standards), and a reading program. The best part (aside from being free) is that it is tailored for each child. I absolutely loved this, as do many homeschooling families. Anyway, you can check out the site here. If anyone out there can donate any money to help support them, please think seriously about it!

The 4th

I hope everyone had an awesome 4th! We absolutely enjoyed ourselves. We went and took in the sites in town and watched the parade. I believe my kids will have tooth rot before midweek now! LOL They ended up with so much candy! They did get a bit upset with me when I took it away from them. When they pay their own dentist bills, they may eat all the candy they like ;)

As my son said, "Happy Birthday America!" LOL

Progressive Phonics

I love Progressive Phonics! I used this back in 2006 (man...has it really been THAT long ago!) when I first started homeschooling my son. I really really liked it. But then before too long, they had to start charging for it. I was kicking myself for not downloading it all before this happened, but I ended up finding Stairway to Reading, which was good too. However, Progressive Phonics is FREE AGAIN!!!! HURRAY!!!!!!!! I guess I'm going to be downloading for the next couple days...LOL ;-) You can go check them out here . Or, if you like, you can check out Stairway To Reading here . You do need to register with Stairway before you check out their materials. One other quick note, they also have math materials, though I have not checked them out.

Enjoy!

Found a GREAT link!

I have been searching for Trial and Triumph by Richard Hannula for a long time. I find it everywhere, just not at prices that I can afford for one book. Well, HURRAY, I found it! Best part? It's free to read online here ! I thought that was SO awesome! I'm all about saving money when I can!!! Needless to say, this makes my husbands day....LOL If anyone out there wants to use this, make sure you read the chapters before you let your children. Some of them may disturb sensitive children. I, however, have had no problems with it so far. I think this is a WONDERFUL book for church history.

Anywho, enjoy the link!!!

What A Long Weekend.....

Well, the yard sale is over! I have to say, even though I did pretty good, that was the most miserable yard sale ever! I had no idea it was going to be such a heat wave. It was just plain too hot for a lot of people. Plus the distance to drive to my place. So, I have decided to load up the trailer hitch and take it all into town for another one. I'm going to give it a couple of weeks though. I figure this will give me time to purge more things. I STILL have about 10 tubs packed to the top with books. WHEW! I can't believe after all I sold, I still have that many. And GOOD ones too. I guess we'll see how the next one goes! ;-)

Who Knew....

I had no idea getting a yard sale ready was so much work!!! Of course, when you have enough books to start your won used book store, it probably should of been a given. I ended up spending all day and night setting stuff up, pulling stuff out, clearing stuff out. I am now sporting a nice little sun burn on my shoulders. Hurray...LOL

I didn't realize I had so many until the 16'x5' trailer bed didn't have enough room for them all. And neither did the long table I added to it. I've got books coming out of my ears! LOL I've had to pull out mats to put them all on, as well as tubs with lids on them!

I really hope this yard sale goes well. I SO do not want to pack up all these books again. I guess I could always take what isn't sold into our used book store and trade them. Man....that would be one huge store credit this time! Last time I did that I got around a $300 credit, and that was a small fraction of what I have this time. Time will tell. ;-)

First Fish!!

Last year my husband discovered the sport of fishing. I was glad, at first, that he had finally found something that he really enjoyed doing. Then came the endless days of doing nothing BUT fishing. It grew pretty tiresome for the kids and I ! So, now we only go out with him on occasion. Usually when we do actually go, my brother and his family go along too. This gives the children and I someone to visit with while we "fish". Just so happens, that on one of these outings, our girls caught their first fish! On the left is my niece Amber, my brother (Amber's dad), and my baby girl Bre. You'd never guess that Bre is actually older. Only by a few days' but still! ;-) Can you tell that's a proud papa there! Of course, if it were not for my brother, Bre never would of caught a fish. I had her convinced that her bobber was a fish hook...LOL I was scared to death she was going to hook herself of someone else, so he took over for me. Thank God for big brothers!!!!

My Awesome Book find for the day!!!!

I had an absolute great book find today! I guess I should say finds, considering there were two of them. I had been looking for Bob Friedhoffer books all over the internet. All I could find though were ones that cost over $20! That, to me, is too much for one these. Well, today I hit the jackpot! I went to Alibris and found the two I had been searching for. Best part? Shipping and handling were free, so it only cost me a couple of dollars!!!! HURRAY! Now I can't wait to get them! I can just see my husband's face now when he see's the packages. LOL....oh well, there goes that floor space! ;-)

Welcome!

Well, after being a homeschooling parent for the last 4 years, I have decided to start my own blog. I'm not really sure how often I will update this, but my hopes are that I can share all my wonderful finds with everyone! It has taken SO long to find these, I thought maybe I could spare someone else the long hours of internet searching. Ok, lets be real, it's good to find awesome links, but we all know you're STILL going to be up until 3 am looking for the best! I know I would ;-)

This year we are doing school a bit different. I have decided to take a break (started on May 19th) and start back up again on July 6th. I'm doing it this way because we're going to start Ambleside Y3 this year. I wanted to give myself ample time to get all the books together and printed out. Plus I wanted to research it a bit more to make sure it was right for us. I have actually looked at it a lot over the last couple of years, but was really unsure. I had a case of what I like to refer to as "public school mentality". I was so worried that if I let go of all the workbooks and textbooks that my children would not learn anything. But, after reading all the reviews, faq's, and some of the books themselves, I have decided to dive on in! This undoubtedly made my husband's day as I have decided to purge all the workbooks and textbooks (with exception to about 15)! We now have a dining room again. I thought my husband was going to pass out when he first saw it! Of course, now in place of the many bookcases I have maps, charts, and pictures! But hey, THERE IS FLOOR SPACE!!!

Anywho! I hope to get most of the links up for Year 3, along with yahoo group links, before too long. I'm actually kind of excited about getting everything up and going!