I've been reading a lot lately - much more than normal. It's so nice to have my nose in a book again (even if it's not fiction!).
Here's what I've been reading:
1. Raising Your Spirited Child by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka - What a great book! I've recognized the spiritedness of each one of us by reading this one. Bull is most assuredly spirited - he's the reason I picked up the book in the first place. But I've learned that my compliant Gator has some serious spunk in him too. Kurcinka offers wonderful explanations and suggestions throughout. I know I will come back to this book over and over again as I raise this brood of boys.
2. SuperImmunity for Kids by Leo Galland - Chock-full of information, this book is a challenge to read and absorb all it offers. I only got 1/3 of the way through it before I had to return it to the Library. So, I ordered it! We have implemented a couple of the suggestions that I got to, including Flaxseed Oil for Bull, Monkey, and me, Probiotics for Bull and Monkey, and Grapefruit Seed Extract for Bull. I can say for sure that the Flaxseed Oil has completely cleared up Bull and Monkey's eczema! I'm looking forward to learning more!
3. The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder by Carol Kranowitz - Absolutely fascinating. Kranowitz explains SPD with skill and offers advice on everything from getting a diagnosis and finding a good therapist to creating a good Sensory Diet at home. I ended up ordering this one too because two weeks was not long enough!
4. Marriage Without Regrets by Kay Arthur - So, this isn't really a book, but I've been spending a lot of time reading it! This is the Bible Study I will be teaching in the fall at PWOC. It's quite challenging, but then again, Truth usually is! I look forward to learning and teaching from this study.
What have you been reading lately?
8/11/2010
8/04/2010
Classic
Since we decided to homeschool next year, we've been in a whirlwind of curriculum choices and lesson planning.
We will be using the Classical Method as laid out in The Well-Trained Mind.
Here are our curriculum choices by subject:
Spelling - Spelling Power; I love this because it's a one-hit wonder. I won't ever need another spelling curriculum. The lists are arranged phonetically.
Language Arts - First Language Lessons; The text covers 1st and 2nd grade. But since I'm not sure what Gator already knows, we're starting at the beginning. I think we'll fly through it though.
Handwriting - D'Nealian Handwriting; Gator already started learning D'Nealian last year, so we'll continue with this until he starts cursive. Then, I think we'll switch to A Reason for Handwriting.
Reading - Any reading we do will be directly linked to what we're studying in History, along with some leisure reading as well. We will visit the library a lot!
History - The Story of the World - The Ancients and Activity Book; I LOVE the way this series is written, chronologically from pre-history through to modern times in four books. If I had been taught history this way, it would have stuck! I will definitely be learning along with my kids for this subject. And we get to mummify a chicken while covering Ancient Egypt!
Science - Exploring Creation with Zoology 1 and Notebooking Journal; Science learning by immersion is such a great way to learn! I'm really looking forward to all the experiments we will do.
Math - Right Start Mathematics; I chose this one for Bull's sake. Gator could learn math by any method. This hands-on approach is perfectly suited for my kinesthetic second-born.
Music/Art/PE - I'm still trying to figure all of this out. Art will most likely be with a co-op. I'm not sure that I'm ready to commit to instrument lessons yet (baby steps!). So, we'll likely do some type of Music Appreciation. As for PE...well, they're boys! We'll most likely do some combination of Gymnastics Plus, team sports on post, and co-op involvement.
Memory Work - We will have numerous sources of memorization for the boys: literature/poetry, historical lists (i.e. Egyptian Pharoahs), and AWANA at a local church.
Bible - We will work Biblical history into our study of Ancient History. We will also take advantage of Daddy's time at home between PT and office work and do family devotionals while we eat breakfast.
While I need one-on-one time with Gator, Bull will have plenty of Montessori-inspired activities, worksheets, and play-doh to occupy his time and hands. And Monkey? He'll just keep being cute, I suppose!
That's the plan. Any other ideas? Do you see any holes? This will be quite a grand adventure!
We will be using the Classical Method as laid out in The Well-Trained Mind.
Here are our curriculum choices by subject:
Spelling - Spelling Power; I love this because it's a one-hit wonder. I won't ever need another spelling curriculum. The lists are arranged phonetically.
Language Arts - First Language Lessons; The text covers 1st and 2nd grade. But since I'm not sure what Gator already knows, we're starting at the beginning. I think we'll fly through it though.
Handwriting - D'Nealian Handwriting; Gator already started learning D'Nealian last year, so we'll continue with this until he starts cursive. Then, I think we'll switch to A Reason for Handwriting.
Reading - Any reading we do will be directly linked to what we're studying in History, along with some leisure reading as well. We will visit the library a lot!
History - The Story of the World - The Ancients and Activity Book; I LOVE the way this series is written, chronologically from pre-history through to modern times in four books. If I had been taught history this way, it would have stuck! I will definitely be learning along with my kids for this subject. And we get to mummify a chicken while covering Ancient Egypt!
Science - Exploring Creation with Zoology 1 and Notebooking Journal; Science learning by immersion is such a great way to learn! I'm really looking forward to all the experiments we will do.
Math - Right Start Mathematics; I chose this one for Bull's sake. Gator could learn math by any method. This hands-on approach is perfectly suited for my kinesthetic second-born.
Music/Art/PE - I'm still trying to figure all of this out. Art will most likely be with a co-op. I'm not sure that I'm ready to commit to instrument lessons yet (baby steps!). So, we'll likely do some type of Music Appreciation. As for PE...well, they're boys! We'll most likely do some combination of Gymnastics Plus, team sports on post, and co-op involvement.
Memory Work - We will have numerous sources of memorization for the boys: literature/poetry, historical lists (i.e. Egyptian Pharoahs), and AWANA at a local church.
Bible - We will work Biblical history into our study of Ancient History. We will also take advantage of Daddy's time at home between PT and office work and do family devotionals while we eat breakfast.
While I need one-on-one time with Gator, Bull will have plenty of Montessori-inspired activities, worksheets, and play-doh to occupy his time and hands. And Monkey? He'll just keep being cute, I suppose!
That's the plan. Any other ideas? Do you see any holes? This will be quite a grand adventure!
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