Quiet Life Homestead

Rainy Wednesday & A Thomas Jefferson Education

Its raining right now, just a light, relaxing rain.  I was getting sleepy studying A Thomas Jefferson Education and so I decided to check in and see how everything was going.

I'm really enjoying the book and have learned SO MUCH!  I've had to set aside my homekeeping book for right now, as A Thomas Jefferson Education is an interlibrary loan and I can't renew it.  I'm finding myself encouraged and I love how it works with what we already are doing (Robinson and personal library books).  I am going to probably have to tweak the list a little bit in order to take out what we don't need and make sure we have what we do need.

I spoke with my sister yesterday as it was her 40th birthday.  We're going to go to Stillwater again in a few weeks and the kids are very excited about that.  This time I hope to be able to walk around the campus (Oklahoma State University)  a bit and maybe even visit the student union to see about picking up some veterinary books for Bethany.  We'll probably eat at Eskimo Joes since last time we ate at Mexico Joes.

I guess I'd better get back to my studies.  The kids are outside playing baseball and the ham is in the oven smelling WONDERFUL! I hope you enjoy the rest of your day!

Thursday Evening

Okay, so I got a bit worried about Dallas' schooling when he took the practice ASVAB and have spent the past few days trying to get my ducks in a row adding this here and that there.  I never could get it all straight in my head and couldn't figure out why.  Now I know.  God has been quietly whispering to me and I have not heard.  Well, obvously He's tired of waiting for me to get it into my thick skull that He's trying to tell me something.  He, once again, had to put something right in front of my eyes for me to see.  He's been leading me to various verses and even some truths in the books I'm reading right now, but I didn't get it.  Well, today on one of the Yahoo groups I'm on (the Robinson one) there were - I didn't count so please forgive me - about 6-7 entries about not worrying and just following with the 3R's.  Saying to not get afraid and add anything, etc.  It was just like, BOOM!, hitting me on the head one after another.  Needless to say, we're not going to add anything.  We're going to continue on with our homeschool, I actually like what SisterLori said "homeskill," and not worry about it.

Keep us in your prayers.  The boys like to play football outside in the afternoons, sometimes with Bethany and sometimes without her.  From time to time, some of the neighborhood boys come and play with them - no big deal, I just keep an ear out.  Well, two girls who have played with them in the past have recently been flirting BIG TIME with the boys, especially Dallas.  In fact, one propositioned to show him a part of her upper anatomy (if you catch my drift).  I asked what he said back to her and he said that he turned around and just ignored her.  In fact, before I knew what had happened he told me that if the girls came by and asked if they could play I was to answer that they were doing schoolwork or taking a nap.  I thought that sounded a little odd out of a 15 year old and the above is what I found out was why.  I've spoken to others about this and they don't think its such a big deal.  I want my children to be as pure for their future spouses as possible and want to avoid any influences such as these in their lives.  Anyway, prayers/advice would be appreciated. 

I think I'll go work on Cody's afghan.  I'm doing a treble stitch and am on the last (finally!) ball of yarn.  I've just about given up posting pictures on here, but will let you know if I do.  Lastly, we noticed today that one of Charlie's leather art projects is gracing the front page of the international leather guild's Yahoo site.  If you want to check it out (hopefully its still there it will say Charlie Davenport) the address is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/iilg-members/  Also, he spoke with the publisher of The Leather Crafters and Saddlers Journal and his cover is on this next issue and the article is in there as well.  Our copies will be sent from the printer directly today or tomorrow.  He just finished making a half-size saddle and is now in the process of making a full-size saddle.  That's a lot of cutting with a really nasty sharp knife (he almost sliced his finger off with it when we lived in Michigan) so keep him in your prayers as well!

Be Careful for What You Look For!

I really blew it yesterday, for a little while anyway.  I thought I'd go online to see when our local public school starts back up.  We're in Bixby and they start back up August 16.  On the page, I notice this cute little thing that says to click on it to see "what your student will be learning this year."  So, silly me, I click it - mostly out of curiosity.  I notice they have a little link thing for 6th grade (Bethany's doing a mix of 6th & 7th grade work), looks pretty good as far as goals so I print it off to compare.  No big deal.  Then I see that 7th and 8th grades are broken up for different types of classes and think, "Hm.  I guess this is where the kids start choosing for themselves what they will take."  So, and here's the slippery slope...I scroll down to see what's available in high school.  Oh my!  I started freaking out because of the classes that are offered.  The whole I can't compete with that, what am I doing, should I rethink everything, etc., doubt bus came into town and not only parked in my driveway but pulled right on into my kitchen!

Here I am, almost in tears, washing dishes and talking to God.  He then reminds me that the possible benefits of those classes doesn't compare to the detremental things they would be exposed to in that environment.  Yes!  Thank You, Jesus for the gentile reminder.  But I still wasn't all the way there yet.  So when Charlie got home, I take him into the other room, tell him all about it, and show him the paper.  He, too, was very impressed with the classes offered. (by the way, you can probably find them at Bixby Public Schools if you're interested)  Then it was if my eyes had opened for the first time.  I saw the science offerings and remembered how Dr. Robinson (a successful scientist) says to not do formal science until after the child has finished with the math up to calculus because to properly understand and use science, you must first have the math background.  "We're already doing math'" was my next reply, "and are covering most of these history topics in our reading."  On and on I was able to tear through the offerings as either something we're already covering or something we've already planned to do in the future.  Once I finished, there were maybe half a dozen classes left.  I remembered that we can click on the class and see the goals for that class (if we really want to cover it) and use that as an example.  Charlie then said that what probably intimidated me was the titles of the classes, but then when I was able to look past that (praise be to God!) I could see it for what it really was.

So, personal reminder here: You (me, remember this is a personal reminder to me) can look all you want at what the schools are doing in regards to hours, days, and classes, but remember who your Principal is.  Who the Head of your homeschool is.  Who the curriculum selector is! 

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.                Psalm 20:7

Homeschool Update

As you may know, I decided to do something a little different this week in regards to our homeschooling.  Instead of giving each child their lessons each day and then having them work on them in the room with me, I decided to give them their assignments for the week on Monday and then let them work on their assignments as they see fit throughout the week.  Dallas just has three lessons to do tomorrow (all in english), Cody has 5 math assignments, and Bethany has 2 math lessons, 4 english, 4 science.  Not what I was hoping for!  It seems like once again, they beg me to let them do something like this and once again, they prove to me that they can't handle it!  Its very frustrating!!  So now I feel like we wasted a whole week, I do need to realize what did get accomplished.  The boys did pretty well considering.  Here's my deal, if it were me growing up, I'd have completed the schoolwork by Wednesday.  I have to remember that the kids aren't me - hard to do!  I can't understand why they wouldn't want to get it all completed and then have the rest of the week to do whatever they chose.  When I'd come home from school, I'd make a snack and then sit at the kitchen table and do my homework.  It didn't matter if I had one subject or six, I'd sit there and do it until it got done.  I always knew what subjects I had homework in because I kept a note each day where I'd list what I needed to do in what class.  Then right before sixth hour I'd go to my locker and grab everything that was needed for the homework so I could leave my last class and go directly home without all the congestion by the lockers after school.  Is that so hard?  I just don't understand........So tomorrow the kids will be working on their work and I'll have to refigure next week's work.  They will be working in the kitchen and or living room once again. 

Vicki 

What Kind of Homeschooler Are You?

I saw this at Deanna's site and decided to try it.  Funny, but we're not unschoolers (we do use textbooks and I'm usually neurotic about scheduling).  Everything else kinda fits though!

Salvador Dali Melting clocks are not a problem in your reality. You are an unschooler. You will tolerate a textbook, but only as a last resort. Mud is your friend. You prefer hands-on everything. If your school had an anthem, it would be Dont Worry, Be Happy. Visit my blog: http://www.GuiltFreeHomeschooling.blogspot.com

If you take the test, let me know how you did!

Vicki

I'm Inspired Again

I just read quiverfull acres entry.  I had asked her a few questions about her teenagers and how she homeschooled them.  Her answers have inspired me so much!  It's almost like a breath of fresh air!  Way too many exclamation marks, I know!!!!    I had been ready to retire for the night, but now I have a burst of energy.  I'm going to be looking at our homeschool extras (text books, living books, foreign language, etc) with a different eye.  I've been wanting to go through them and once again weed some out, but now I have a little more inspiration.

Also refreshing was Maa's (Homestead Girls) comment, in which she spoke about what colleges want and what they deem important.  I hadn't realized that there were places where you don't have to give a diploma  to for entry into their programs.  We'll keep our eyes opened, but it's nice to know that there are many options.

When God closes one door, He opens a window!

Vicki

A Note From Cody

Cody, my 13 year old, is always writing me notes asking to do various things - mostly permission to play on the computer his Age of Empires, Civilization, or Zoo Tycoon games.  He's always very creative and downright cute in them.  I keep all his notes in a drawer in my room and he loves that I do.  In fact, anytime he writes me one he says, "This one's for the drawer."  Well, today he wrote me the cutest one.  It isn't clever like some of the others he's written, but since I read about the HeartSchooling idea, I just had to share it.

          Hi Mom.  I was smart this time.  I did my math before I asked you this question.  May I have permission to play on the computer and do my senario game please.                                    If yes, I love you           If no, I love you still

The only changes I made were spelling, otherwise the note is as written.  I think I'll get off and let him play for a little while!

Simplified Homeschooling, Part 2

While I was writing yesterday's entry my sister called and so I hurried and got the entry done.  Later I realized that I may need to explain a few things, so that's what this entry is about.

We do a modified version of Robinson.  I do have the CDs but the printing out of the books just isn't feasible right now.  We do have ink (my husband showed me where it was) but now the printer has basically died a slow, painful (for me) death.  The reason I made up our own list is because of the inability to print off the books from the CDs. 

We do not use Saxon Math anymore.  The children kept getting frustrated with the curriculum (even math man Dallas), so I moved everyone to Bob Jones.  Bethany's problems in math are the reason why I switched to the other two programs she is now using. 

I don't have the children write a paper everyday.  We do spelling and they write their "book report" after the completion of each list book read.  I've gone back and forth with trying to decide if we should have them write everyday, but, honestly, their spelling is so awful that we need to focus on it.  I do have Writing Power (made by the same people as Spelling Power), Easy Grammar, BJU grammar, AND Rod and Staff grammar, but we aren't using them right now.  I tell the children that proper grammar comes from proper speaking and that's how we work on that, informally, throughout the day in our speech.

I keep going back and forth on the merits of teaching a science curriculum.  Dr. Robinson says they don't need it until they have the math background to properly teach, understand, and apply science.  We've just started doing the science again about a week ago.  Dallas wanted to try to do Biology and so that's why it's included.  I should make it be an extra-curricular thing, oh, I don't know.  See what I mean?  Bethany and Cody have for over a year been keeping animal notebooks.  They get books from the library and do their research on various animals (right now they're on different breeds of dogs) and fill up the notebooks with the information they've gathered.  That seems like enough science for me, but then there's the if one does a science curriculum should the others?  Bethany LOVES her science books and wants to do them - in fact, she already has all her schoolwork planned for the day as she planned it last night.  But Cody, who I consider Mr. Science, doesn't like his science textbooks.  (He and Bethany both have BJU and R&S science.)  He likes reading them (I think) but doesn't want to answer the questions.  Maybe I should just let him read books in our science collection here at home.

I like the bulk of our homeschool being done by lunchtime, which it usually is, even if we begin late.  It seems to take anywhere from 1-2 hours for their work - not including the reading of list books.  That leaves the afternoon free to read, take a nap, or work on projects.

Vicki

Simplified Homeschooling

I'm going to attempt to answer a question I was asked on how we homeschool "simplified."  I've tried many different approaches throughout the years and had various successes and failures, but always felt like I had accomplished nothing and would feel pulled to go and try the next new thing, always with the same results.

All this changed when I prayed HARD and read R.C. Sproul's When You Rise Up. 

We begin our homeschool day by reading our Bible (KJV).  Each day we read 5 chapters, if for some reason we are unable to do our schooling, we just pick up right where we left off the day before.  It used to be where I had to have everything SO planned out and if we didn't do something on the list, no matter how insignificant, it would throw me off for weeks.

After Bible, we do Spelling Power.  I don't do it exactly as they describe in the book.  Each child is at their own pace and we take it easy.  Some days the child may do one lesson, do several lessons, or just review what they got wrong the day before.

Next is math.  Dallas (14) is currently in BJU's Algebra 1, Cody's (13) in BJU's 7th grade math, Bethany (11) is doing both Making Math Meaningful Level 4 and Rod & Staff's 4th grade math.  I've had a hard time in the past finding a math program that worked for Bethany but I think this may just be the right combination for her.  The MMM is teaching her concepts she had previously not understood and the R&S is reinforcing them.  In the past, I would be freaking out bigtime about her not being on grade level with math and would just make her struggle so she'd be on level.  I realized that it's much more important for her to understand the concepts than for her to have the correct grade level on her book.  Each child does one lesson per day and for the most part they are able to do the work on their own.  I do allow the boys to use chalkboards and dry erase boards, but require that they copy their problem and solution on paper.  The boys also check their own work (I got that idea from Dr. Robinson) and let me know how they did.  I do have tests for their curriculum, but once again, my focus is on understanding and real life application, not test taking.

Science is done MWF: Dallas - ABeka's Biology, Cody - R&S 7th grade, Bethany - R&S 5th grade.  Let me explain once again Bethany's.  When I purchased her science, she noticed that it was Book 2 (6th grade) and she asked if we could get Book 1 as well.  She really loves these books and does her science everyday.  I do not require that she does it everyday, it is something she wants to do.

The rest of our school is reading our "list books."  I posted them last month in case anyone wants to see what they're reading.  The kids read anywhere from 1-2 hours a day, sometimes more.  After each book they write an one page summary of the book.  Charlie rewards the children for every six books they complete and this is the way he makes sure they understand what they read.

The children also do leatherworking (boys mostly) and sewing (Bethany).  Hope that answers some questions.  If not, let me know.

Vicki

The Word of The Day

One of my favorite things to do when I was in high school (I don't know if I should admit this, but I graduated 19 years ago    I feel so old!) was to take my dictionary and learn from it one new word a week.  I've started doing this with my children but have changed it to a word a day and I thought ya'll might be interested in learning as well.  The rule is, you have to write down a word AND it's definition (don't worry, I'll do that here although you can add your own....then we'll learn a lot more).  Then try to use the word in normal conversation as much as you can so that it becomes part of your vocabulary.

For my first word, I can't use my Noah Webster 1828 Dictionary.  I have to use a more modern dictionary.  It comes from the American Heritage Dictionary that I used in college.  Before I tell you the word and its meaning I must tell you why I have chosen this word.  My dear, sweet sister HATED my game growing up.  Hold on, I finally have a use for the red, burning smiley face!    Staci, this was you!  And this was me  .  She's gonna hurt me now!  :)  The word I'm using today is the word I remember most about this game and we still use the word and then talk about the old times.

Disgruntle  - To make discontented or cross.  Variations of the word would be disgruntled, disgruntling, disgruntles, disgruntlement.

See how many times you can use the word today.  I've already used it once, "Cody, I know you feel disgruntled at having to take the dog outside.  But if you don't she will potty and you'll have to pick it up."  :)

Have a great day!

Book List Part 4

131. Men of Iron (Howard Pyle)

132. Mere Christianity (CS Lewis)

133. Oliver Twist (Charles Dickens)

134. The Story of Antibiotics (Beryl Williams & Samuel Epstein)

135. Joni (Joni Eareckson Tada)

136. The Sixth Floor (Dallas County Historical Foundation)

137. Asia (Carpenter's New Geographical Reader)

138. To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee)
139. Rachel's Tears (Beth Nimmo & Darrell Scott)

140. She Said Yes (Misty Bernall)

141. The Children's Blizzard (David Laskin)

142. Reader's Digest Illustrated Story of World War II

143. Don Quixote (Cervantes)

144. Common Sense (Thomas Paine)

145. Outdoor Pastimes of an American Hunter (Theodore Roosevelt)

146. Amy Carmichael of Dohnavur (Frank L Houghton)

147. St George for England (GA Henty)

148. Tortured for Christ (Pastor Richard Wurmbrand)

149. Les Miserables (Victor Hugo)

150. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Victor Hugo)

151. Science According to Moses, Vol 1 (Dr. Thomas Sharp)

152. The Case for Christ (Lee Strobel)

153. The Pilgrim's Progress (John Bunyan)

154. Science According to Moses, Vol 2 (Dr. Thomas Sharp)

155. The Case for Faith (Lee Strobel)

156. The Holy War (John Bunyan)

157. Science According to Moses, Vol 3 (Dr. Thomas Sharp)

158. Gods and Generals (Jeff Shaara)

159. The Killer Angels (Michael Shaara)

160. The Last Full Measure (Jeff Shaara)

161. The Christian History of the Constitution of the United States of America (Verna M Hall)

162. America's Historical Documens

163. The West, An Illustrated History (Geoffrey C Ward)

164. The Cat of Bubastes (GA Henty)

165. How Should We Then Live (Francis A Schaeffer)

166. Robin Hood (Howard Pyle)

167. Christy (Catherine Marshall)

168. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Burton Raffel)

So there it is.  The kids are coming along nicely on the list and learning lots of stuff.  I know there are a lot of books having to do with the same subject (like WW2, for instance), that's because either we have someone really interested in that subject or we just decided it was very important.  If anyone has any suggestions on things to add or remove, please let me know. 

Book List Part 3

91. Augustus Caesar's World (Genevieve Foster)

92. The Bronze Bow (Elizabeth George Speare)

93. The Red Badge of Courage (Stephen Crane)

94. Lincoln and Douglas - The Years of Decision (Regina Z Kelly)

95. Pearl Harbor - The Day of Infamy (Dan Van Der Vat)

96. The Story of King Arthur and His Knights (Howard Pyle)

97. Animal Farm (George Orwell)

98. D-Day: The First 24 Hours (Will Fowler)

99. Revolution in World Missions (KP Yohannan)

100. Sam Houston - The Tallest Texan (William Johnson)

101. Fighting Prince of Donegal (Robert T Reilly)

102. Our Finest Hour (Time Life Books)

103. The Boys' Sherlock Holmes (Arthur Conan Doyle)

104. A Night to Remember (Walter Lord)
105. Little Women (Louisa May Alcott)

106. Pirates and Patriots of the Revolution (C Keith Wilbur)

107. Little Men (Louisa May Alcott)

108. Custer's Last Stand (Quentin Reynolds)

109. 1776 (David McCullough)

110. McGuffey's Eclectic Fifth Reader

111. The Evolution of a Creationist (Jobe Martin)

112. North America (Carpenter's New Geographical Reader)

113. Great American Statesmen and Heroes (Catherine Millard)

114. The Deerslayer (James Fenimore Cooper)

115. Stepping Heavenward (Mrs E Prentiss)

116. Europe (Carpenter's New Geographical Reader)

117. The Last of the Mohicans (James Fenimore Cooper)

118. Facts the Historians Leave Out (John S. Tilly)

119. In His Steps (Charles M Sheldon)

120. South America (Carpenter's New Geographical Reader)

121. The Lone Scout of the Sky (James E West)

122. The Hiding Place Corrie ten Boom)

123. McGuffey's Eclectic Sixth Reader

124. Everyday Classics Seventh Reader

125. From Farmhouse to Whitehouse (WM Thayer)

126. Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)

127. The Answers Book (Ken Ham, Jonathan Sarfati, & Carl Wieland)

128. The Spirit of America (William J Bennett)

129. Ivanhoe (Sir Walter Scott)

130. Beowulf the Warrior (Ian Serraillier)

Book List Part 2

(I just realized there's going to be less than 171 books)

31.The Story of Madame Curie (Alice Thorne)

32. Faithful Friend: The Story of Florence Nightingale (Beatrice Siegel)

33. McGuffey's Eclectic Third Reader

34. Pyramid (David Mcaulay)

35. The First Overland Mail (Robert Pinkerton)

36. William Penn, Quaker Hero (Hildegarde Dolson)

37. Exploring the Himalaya (William O. Douglas)

38. Castle (David Macaulay)

39. Clara Barton - Founder, American Red Cross (Leni Hamilton)

40. Of Courage Undaunted (James Daugherty)

41. Cathedral (David Macaulay)

42. The Panama Canal (Bob Considine)

43. The Life of General Stonewall Jackson (Mrs. M.L. Williamson)

44. Noah Webster: A Man Who Loved Words (Elaine Cunningham)

45. Caddie Woodlawn (Carol Ryrie Brink)

46. The Life of JEB Stuart (Mrs M. L. Williamson)

47. Flying Aces of World War I (Gene Gurney)

48. Frederick Douglas Fights for Freedom (Margaret Davidson)

49. Poor Richard (James Daugherty)

50. Paul Revere and the Minute Men (Dorothy Canfield Fisher)

51. The Phantom Tollbooth (Norton Juster)

52. Shhh! We're Writing the Constitution (Jean Fritz)

53. The Story of D-Day (Bruce Bliven, Jr.)

54. The Great War (Edward Jablonski)

55. The Old Man and the Sea (Ernest Hemingway)

56. America is Born (Gerald W. Johnson)

57. Seabird (Holling C Holling)

58. Mr Bell Invents the Telephone (Katherine B Shippen)

59. America Grows Up (Gerald W Johnson)

60. Paddle-to-the-Sea (Holling C Holling)

61. America Moves Forward (Gerald W Johnson)

62. Wild Bill Hickok Tames the West (Stewart H Holbrook)

63. Carry On, Mr. Bowditch (Jean Lee Latham)

64. The First Woman Doctor (Rachel Baker)

65. The Great Fire (Jim Murphy)

66. Minn of the Mississippi (Holling C Holling)

67. Walter Raleigh - Man of Two Worlds (Henrietta Buckmaster)

68. The Battle of Midway (Ira Peck)

69. I, Juan de Pareja (Elizabeth Baton de Trevino)

70. A Pioneer Sampler (Barbara Greenwood)

71. Gladys Alward (Janet & Geoff Benge)

72. The Great Little Madison (Jean Fritz)

73. Adam and His Kin (Ruth Beechick)

74. The Story of Oklahoma (Lon Tinkle)

75. Alamo! (Greg Sullivan)

76. McGuffey's Eclectic Fourth Reader

77. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Mark Twain)

78. Exploring the Bismark (Robert D Ballard)

79. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Mark Twain)

80. The World of Columbus and Sons (Genevieve Foster)

81. World War One (Robert Hoare)

82. The World of Captain John Smith (Genevieve Foster)

83. Treasure Island (Robert Louis Stevenson)

84. Captains Courageous (Rudyard Kipling)

85. Robinson Crusoe (Daniel Defoe)

86. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Jules Verne)

87. George Washington's World (Genevieve Foster)

88. The Bulletproof George Washington (David Barton)

89. Fanny Crosby - The Hymn Writer (Bernard Ruffin)

90. Abraham Lincoln's World (Genevieve Foster)

Davenport Academy of Home Education's Reading List Part 1

Before I start, let me tell you a few things about our "list books."  Ever since we lived in Panama and I first heard of homeschooling, I started collecting books for us to read.  Through the years, we've read tons of books and switched back and forth between unit studies, textbooks, and unschooling.  What we do now really works for us.  I'm not saying it is right for everyone or that what didn't work for us isn't right for someone else.  I have friends who use all types of approaches and we all have to find what works for us.  One last thing, the list has 171 books on it (long, I know).  As the children are reading the books they are on, I also am reading (I'm currently 3 books ahead of the closest child's book) ahead to be sure the books are not only appropriate but also of some educational value.  When I first purchased many of these books I had different goals and different values (I was saved but didn't realize that a Christian needs to let Jesus be Lord over all their life).  When I do find a book that isn't appropriate in one form or another, I remove it from our list and from our home.  

1. Wilbur and Orville Wright - Boys With Wings (Augusta Stevenson)

2. John Paul Jones (Stewart Graff)

3. The Story of Flight (Mary Lee Settle)

4. Francis Scott Key - Poet and Patriot (Lillie Patterson)

5. Ben Franklin - Printer's Boy (Augusta Stevenson)

6. Project Apollo - Mission to the Moon (Charles Coombs)

7. Marconi's Battle for Radio (Beverly Birch & Robin Bell Cornfield)

8. Flying Ace - The Story of Amelia Earhart (Angela Bull)

9. Thomas A Edison - Young Inventor (Sue Guthridge)

10. Twenty and Ten (Claire Huchet Bishop)

11. The World of Christopher Robin (A.A. Milne)

12. Paul Revere's Ride (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)

13. The Great Big Treasury of Beatrix Potter

14. Early American (Mildred Pace)

15. Little Sure Shot (Stephanie Spinner)

16. Savage Sam (Fred Gipson)

17. The Doctors Who Conquered Yellow Fever (Ralph Nading Hill)

18. Daily Life on a Southern Plantation, 1853 (Paul Erickson)

19. Inside the HIndenberg (Mireille Majoor)

20. ...if you grew up with Abraham Lincoln (Ann McGovern)

21. The Mouse of Amherst (Elizabeth Spires)

22. Robert E Lee - Brave Leader (Rae Baines)

23. Mr. President (George Sullivan)

24. The Story of Ford's Theater and the Death of Lincoln (Zachary Kent)

25. We Were There With Lewis and Clark (James Munves)

26. Pioneering on the Plains (Edith McCall)

27. The Devil's Arithmetic (Jane Yolen)

28. The Battle for the Atlantic (Jay Williams)

29. Attack on Pearl Harbor (Shelley Tanaka)

30. Daniel Boone - Pioneer Trailblazer (Jim Hargrove)

Homeschool Curriculum

I just figured how to put my old entries into categories and I didn't have one for this category.  Perfectionist that I am I had to write something for this one.

Our school day currently looks like this:

Bible (we're doing a reading through the Bible in one year thing)

Spelling Power

Math (Dallas - BJU Algebra) (Cody - BJU 7th grade) (Bethany - Making Math Meaningful Level 3 - she is now finally understanding a lot of the math concepts that previously escaped her)

Reading our "List Books" - kinda like doing Robinson but I never have enough ink or paper so we made up our own list.  I'll put our list on here tomorrow (hopefully). 

I'd like to do more of the Heart of Wisdom Approach but it just hasn't worked out yet.