Top 10 Favorite Homeschool Books

If you have EVER read my blog before you probably know that L.O.V.E. books.  Over the years I have read many a homeschooling how to book.  I have several I have really enjoyed and gleaned a lot from.  I thought I share my Top 10 Favorite Homeschool Books.  So here goes...

Homeschooling: A Patchwork of Days: Share a Day With 30 Homeschooling Families by Nancy Lande - I really liked this book.  I am a visual learner and this book really helped me to get a real picture of what everyday homeschool life looks like. 

Homeschool Open House by Nancy Lande - This like part 2 to the book above. 

The Relaxed Homeschooler by Mary Hood - This book is about just what the title implies, how to relax.  I haven't mastered it yet but this book has helped to put me in the right direction.

The Successful Homeschool Family Handbook by Raymond and Dorothy Moore - This is a wonderful how to book.  Another book about stress free homeschooling.  Are you sensing a pattern yet?? : )

So You're Thinking About Homeschooling: Fifteen Families Show How You Can Do It  - by Lisa Whelchel - this is one of my absolute favorites.  I love how Lisa writes, I felt like I was having coffee with a friend and chatting about homeschool.  She helps to give you the confidence that us momma sometimes lack.

Educating the WholeHearted Child - by Clay & Sally Clarkson - This is a new favorite of mine.  I love Sally Clarkson, I am reading another book of hers right now.  The wisdom and encouragement that this book gives is invaluable. 

Beyond Survival: A Guide to Abundant-Life Homeschooling by Diana Waring - Anything from Diana Waring is a good read in my opinion.  I have this book as well as the audio, it is one of the first things I listen to when I am discouraged about our homeschool journey.  It is kinda like a battery charge. 

A Charlotte Mason Education  by Catherine Levison - This book is really helping me to get a complete understanding of the how to's of the Charlotte Mason method of homeschooling.  This is a short read but full of practical ideas.

The Three R's by Ruth Beechick -


The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling by Debra Bell - I haven't had this book long but I can already testify that this book is chock full good info for new homeschoolers as well as veterans.  I have already learned a bunch from this one.  A definite read.


So there you have it, my Top 10.  What are your favorites?Mrs. Beechick does a wonderful job explain how simple it is to educate a young child in the Three R's.  This book is 3 books in one, focusing on reading, writing and arithmetic. 

Homemade Playdoh

A friend of mine from church recently made some homemade playdoh for Little Bit's Sunday school class. 

Yep, all homemade.  The last color was red and then it got mixed with another color.  I could hardly take pictures before they were all over this stuff!

I thought it was a neat idea.  I had heard about making playdoh, just never attempted it myself.  I guess I thought that it wouldn't be the same, that it wouldn't be like real playdoh.  Yes, it is a little different but still quite worthy in my opinion. 

I was hanging out with Little Bits this morning in his Sunday school class and this gave us a chance to play with the playdoh.  This reminded me that I wanted to try my friends playdoh recipe. 

I can't believe that I have 4 kids and I am just now getting around to making my own playdoh.  Shame, shame.  I also can't believe how simple it was.  Here is the recipe:

1 cup flour
1 cup water
1/4 cup salt
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tbsp vegetable oil
Food Coloring - adjust according to shade you are trying to achieve

Yes, I dirtied a few pots but it was well worth the effort.  In the larger pot I doubled the recipe and added yellow food coloring.  Once it was all mixed up I pulled half of it out and ten added red to make orange.

Place all ingredients in a medium sized pot. Cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly.  Dough eventually becomes harder to stir and will gather on spoon. At this point dump the dough onto wax paper, allow to cool somewhat, and knead it until it is smooth. Store in plastic bag or container.

We just added color until we had a shade we liked.



Here computer girl is helping with the stirring.  This is a great recipe for the kids to help out with.

Isn't this just a beautiful picture!!

Just a side note, do not omit the cream of tarter, it keeps the playdoh fresh for about 6 months.



Enjoy!

A Bit of Friday Fun!

The kids and I had a great day on Friday.  It was busy but lots of fun! 

We started our day with a trip to the dentist.  The Lil' Chef and Little Bits had dental check ups and cleanings.  Computer Girl and Alpha Boy had their appointments last week.  I am happy to report we had NO CAVITIES!  Yippee!

First time to the dentist.  He didn't like it but he didn't scream.  That's a plus, right?!

All clean!

Checking out the chompers.

After the dentist I was going to take the kids to one of our favorite local parks, but I stumbled on a new park while I was in route.  Well, it isn't a new park, but new to us.  I really loved this park.  It has all my favorite park elements - not crowded, shade and cool slides, swings and climbing equipment.  The kids really liked it too, BTW. 

This was the merry go round.  Pretty cool except for the kids kept falling off.  Of course they were having too much fun to care about that. : )

Alpha Boy had just finished using the mega phone.

The Lil' Chef just climbed up to the top and was pretending to claim the land.

Once we got home from the park, we had lunch and then went to the pool for a few hours.  I really enjoy hanging at the pool with the kids.  They are finally at the age where we can all go into the big pool together as long as I hold Little Bits.

Relaxing during rest period.

We got a silly picture in before I took the "nice" picture.



I took this picture in front of a really old tree that had very cool roots.

  

The boys were kind enough to water my legs for me.

The girls.

Playing in the pool.  Our pool has an awesome little persons pool.

Being at the pool and park wore everyone out so we came home and watched a movie until The Hubs got home.  

It was a great way to end our first week back to school.  We all had a chance to relax and recharge.

I Will Glory in My Redeemer

by Steve and Vicki Cook

I will glory in my Redeemer
Whose priceless blood has ransomed me
Mine was the sin that drove the bitter nails
And hung Him on that judgment tree

I will glory in my Redeemer
Who crushed the power of sin and death
My only Savior before the Holy Judge
The Lamb Who is my righteousness
The Lamb Who is my righteousness

I will glory in my Redeemer
My life He bought, my love He owns
I have no longings for another
I’m satisfied in Him alone

I will glory in my Redeemer
His faithfulness my standing place
Though foes are mighty and rush upon me
My feet are firm, held by His grace
My feet are firm, held by His grace

I will glory in my Redeemer
Who carries me on eagle's wings
He crowns my life with lovingkindness
His triumph song I'll ever sing

I will glory in my Redeemer
Who waits for me at gates of gold
And when He calls me it will be paradise
His face forever to behold
His face forever to behold
His face forever to behold


I have come to really love this song.  Hope you enjoy it too! 

You can listen to it here.

Back to School! Well sort of.

I have gone back and forth with the idea of going back to school in August, mainly since it is so hot and my kids don't really play outside during the day anyway.  I figured out that if we stick closely to my school schedule this year we will be done by May 1, which is just about the time I am mentally done anyway.  However, I also know that this is my plan and it may not be the Lord's.  So we shall see : )

This is Little Bits, he was sorting bears.  He loves to do this.

This year we finally did it!  We started some school this past Monday.  I decided that we aren't going to get back to everything right away, just the basics and some reading.  Right now we are working on phonics, grammar and math.  We have continued reading through the summer and Bible is not considered school for us so we've been doing that all along anyway.

Alpha Boy had just finish a letter matching game, which he really enjoyed.  Not real sure why he was being camera shy.  I just love how kids think as long as they close their eyes, no one can see them.

"Fine Mom, I'll smile." 

My goal for us is to school in the morning and then still have time to play in the afternoon and evening.  We are also not schooling on Fridays except maybe for some math, so there is still plenty of time left over for play. 

Computer Girl doing her Daily Grams.

So far the kids are enjoying Easy Grammar, it is a nice switch from Abeka.  Although I am still trying to figure out if I am going to have them do the Easy Grammar Workbook AND the Daily Grams.  Any input on this would be appreciated. 

Little Bits was 'playing school" with his big sister.

As far as math goes, The Hubs and I decided that instead of going full force with our math books we need to take some time to brush up on our math facts, well not us but the kids.  You know how it goes, kids always seem to forget some of their math facts during the summer, at least our kids do.  I sometimes wonder if all that pool chlorine sucks them right from their brains.   Just wondering.

Having fun and gettin' creative!

For reading, the kids and I are working on The Hedge of Thorns and some books about birds.  The boys get a HUGE stack of books to browse through before their naps and the girls are each working on their chapter books.

The Lil' Chef brushing up on her drawing skills.

The girls also started their Draw to Learn: The Life of Jesus books this week and I think they are wonderful!  They are not that into them yet, but maybe in time they will learn to love them.  Regardless I am going to have them persevere through them because I think they are great for a personal devotional!

P.E. - They love to jump on the trampoline.  Today they jumped FOREVER, they did relay races and turned the back yard into an obstacle course. 

With it still being summer, I haven't been setting the alarm clock, instead we've been sleeping in a little.  We are getting things done but just a little later in the day than I would like, still I have vowed to not to start setting the alarm until after Labor Day.

Most of us LOVE bugs.  We like to collect them and check them out for a few days before letting them go.  This week we got to watch a mom and baby leaf bug.  They were really cool.  This of course opened the door to going online and looking up many different bugs.  We even enjoyed watching a dancing stick  bug on Youtube.

I am still working on getting used to schooling 3 people this year and keeping Little Bits busy at the same time.  Alpha Boy did some school last year, but he wasn't technically in kindergarten yet, so it wasn't every day.   
My plan has been to do school with Alpha Boy, Computer Girl and then The Lil' Chef.  I feel like Alpha Boy and Computer Girl need to school early while they are happy, have energy, and are focused.  If they do their school later I can tell a big difference in their attitudes and their performance. 

The Lil' Chef is the type that is up and doing school before my feet hit the floor, most days.  She is very self motivated but I still need to help her with some math and grammar.  As soon as I wake up, and I really mean AS SOON AS, she wants my help.  This has been difficult because I like to first at least have a cup of coffee with in arms reach.  Then, I like to make them breakfast and while they eat, I read Bible. So at this point, I am just still trying to figure out  going to pray about where to place every one's "mom time" for school. 

Anyone else start school this week? How did it go?