Space Chimps

I know that I am probably behind the times on this but the movie "Space Chimps" website is really cute. For a parent of boys I am always on the lookout for fun websites that the boys can play at and be safe. I like this one because it has a link on the main page for the movie to "chimp yourself". If you get a chance check it out here.

Prayers

Many things in life tend to take people by surprise and this was definitely one of them... I know that most of you if not all of you who read my blog know that Todd Mitchell passed away recently, you can read about it here.
Please be praying for Paula, their 3 boys and their extended families. They are a special family to us and we are grieving right along with them now for the loss of Todd.
Paula & boys, I just want to say that I love y'all dearly!

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

If you home school, I have GOT to turn you on to a new resource....The Old Schoolhouse Magazine! This periodical has cool insights, tips, and tricks for parents and homeschoolers alike. I love to read about how other homeschool families approach everyday life and homeschooling. It is fun for me to find new ways to introduce a concept in math, find a different outlook on how to parent all different types of learners, or just look for a particular subject/curriculum when reading this magazine. It is a company that I am growing to love more and more with each email of encouragement and magazine that I receive. There are so many great articles and the people who write these articles are just really down to earth. They have a real-life outlook that has captured my attention! Because my husband Chris is a pastor, I'm in a unique position to meet new people from many walks of life all the time! The Old Schoolhouse has given me some cool conversation starters several times as I relate an idea I read. It's authentic approach is very easy to connect with.

Of course, Old Schoolhouse is highly applicable to homeschooling as well. As all home-schoolers know, home-schooling is a way of life, not just a curriculum choice, that is both rewarding and a challenge. We use a variety of calendars to help keep everyone organized. I mean with all of the activities, play dates, church functions, field trips and not to mention all of your curriculum for each child. I think that I have been very fortunate to have stumbled upon a really awesome home-schooling calendar. When I find a treasure like The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, I just have to let the whole world know!

Tapestry of Grace

Today we started a new curriculum sample that we have downloaded from the Tapestry of Grace website. I am excited about starting this because it is a very history based curriculum with a biblical world-view. For someone like me coming from a traditional background starting something like this is a little intimidating. I am moving past this feeling of intimidation so that I can educate my boys and explore together with them a new way of learning.
I am very old fashioned in the way of traditional vs unit studies goes. I was brought up with the traditional style of schooling. Traditional studies is where you have a book for each subject that is being taught. Unit studies include all the students in a particular theme of study at different levels of learning.
This is my 3rd year of homeschooling so I am trying new curriculum, finding what works best for our family better.
My boys are doing great in their studies and are showing improvements in learning by leaps and bounds. I'm very proud of them. If they were in public school I'm sure that I would notice this then as well but it wouldn't be as easy to spot their learning styles and help them excel.

Please pray for us as we go through this 3 week trial period of the curriculum from Tapestry of Grace. Thanks!

Well, one week into the spelling power and the boys are doing awesomely! I love the 10 step process...it has really helped my spelling challenged children. I too am learning tons about remembering how to spell words. I love the fact that you are to incorporate the word shapes activity into the week for the students to remember the words easier. I have always wondered about word shapes, ie how successful that memory tool was. I'm convinced that it does really help in remembering how to spell certain words. In my book this book gets an A+!