I’ve pulled my kids out of public school, now what?

When the Lord pressed upon me to homeschool my kids I researched all I could about how to do it and what to buy. The idea of homeschooling never crossed my mind before, nor did I know too many people who did it. I found it very overwhelming to start with all of my kids at once. Many homeschoolers started out before their kids were school-aged and others might have had one in school when the decision was made. So I found myself in a wealth of information that didn’t include much help for a mom like me. I prayed that the Lord would give me the strength and knowledge to carry on the journey.

A little bit about the beginning of our journey. I started schooling before the public schools started so I could have plenty of time to get us all acclimated. The Bible is our first lesson of the day. Sometimes we do a devotional and other times we just read from it. Our first purchased curriculum was all-inclusive. I took it one day at a time and started with only a couple of subjects. As the weeks passed I began to incorporate more subjects and life became pretty intense with rebellion. We soon found out that the curriculum that we had bought was not working for our family, me or the kids. We took a break and enjoyed the outdoors, museums and a local theatre. I then began our read-aloud time, for english, and soon found that this was one of the best things that has happened to us. The kids and I truly enjoy this bonding time. I found free online unit studies for history and science, alternating each of these. In my searches I discovered nature study and added it to our learnings. I had never thought of nature as a subject before but we do enjoy the Lord’s creation so it is a good fit for us. The math program that we have has been a blessing because all four kids love it and we can re-use with the youngers.

If  I had to pick one thing to focus on, the number one thing I suggest is to bond with your children. Get to know their likes and dislikes. I have gotten to know my children so much more than I ever have and I thank God for the opportunity to love and teach them. You will soon realize that you teach them much more than you know, just by listening and playing with them.

Many Blessings,

 Vicki B.

Win Free Money!

If you haven’t heard of Swagbucks, then it’s about time! I learned about them earlier this year and I’ve won almost 4oo swagbucks so far. I just recently turned some in to purchase amazon.com gift cards for myself. Right now they are 45 swagbucks for a $5 amazon gift card! I now have $45 in FREE money to spend online at amazon! And all I had to do was to search on their search engine. How EASY is that?

If that didn’t persuade you to join, then check out their swagbucks store for the other stuff they have.

When you sign up, let them know Vicki Barnes sent you!

Homeschool Buyers Co-op Is Great!

If you’re in the market for homeschool curriculum you probably do what I do. Look everywhere for the BEST deal! One place that I am sure to check is Homeschool Buyers Co-op. They are a purchasing co-op for homeschoolers. I became a member about a year ago and have not regreted it at all. Membership is free! You can’t beat that…. They have some great offers right now with Explode the Code online, ABC Teach, Rosetta Stone, Switched on Schoolhouse, Mark Kistler online & Meet the Masters just to name a few. Besides getting great deals on curriculum you love, they award points for purchases and you can redeem them for more curriculum!

This is one of those tried and true sites that have been around awhile and you should check it out. So go on over to http://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/ and let them know I sent you!

Many Blessings,

Vicki Barnes

FREE Random Acts of Fitness kit

Subway is giving away a free Random Acts of Fitness kit to school and Home School teachers. So go check it out!

Link here:
 http://www.subwaykids.com/grownups/classroom/RandomActsOfFitness.aspx?rdr=SFB:eblast:W7:2009

 

Homeschool Magazine Subscription Sale!

Most homeschoolers know about The Old Schoolhouse magazine and it’s great articles, lessons and helps. And if you don’t, I’d suggest you check out their website http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com .  They are having a terrific sale on their subscriptions right now. Just use coupon code FB795. The offer is for a one-year print subscription (US only), good until midnight PST on September 22nd. Don’t wait, order now! I’m already set for 3 more years!

The New Plan!

This ’school year’ has been in the planning stages since the beginning of the calendar year. I tend to have a hard time narrowing down what will work for our family and budget. It is a difficult thing to decide on what your children will be learning and what you will use to guide your teachings. After all, you want to give the best to them and want them to succeed. And with all of this weighing on a mother’s heart, it can be a very daunting task. You pray for guidance and answers while hoping your decision is the correct one.

So long story short……We are going to continue to use Horizons for math for all. It went well last year and we will use it until it no longer serves it’s purpose. Kyra is in it’s last year this year and will be ready for Algebra next year. We are  starting to look at programs that will fit our needs for next year. Any suggestions? We’re all EARS!! LOL

The younger two boys are using Learning Language Arts Through Literature, the blue and red books, for their phonics. Kyra and Zach are using Painless Grammar. And we will be utilizing copywork for penmanship for all and grammar reinforcement for the older two.

For Bible studies,we were blessed by another homeschooling family to be able to use their curriculum, Family Bible Lessons.

I ’stumbled’ upon a GREAT history program called TruthQuest. It is based on HIStory through the ages. It is a wonderful addition to our studies and we plan to use it throughout our homeschooling  journey. Michelle Miller, the writer, has a yahoo group that you can join to ask questions before and/or after purchase of her product. The ladies on there are extremely helpful in answering any questions you might have on scheduling, implementing, etc. Michelle is also a frequent commenter and is very willing to offer help with her first-hand knowledge. I would highly recommend thus curriculum for any type of homeschooler as it can be used with all styles.(Charlotte Mason, Classical, Unit studies, Unschooling, etc.) 

For geography we are going through Ann Voskamp’s: A Child’s Geography, Explore His Earth V1. It is a highly awarded and well received geography course with a Christian emphasis.

And last but not least, we have our science program, Christian Kids Explore Biology. This course presents biology the way God made it. It is user friendly and is laid out by day for you. There is a supplemental booklist in the appendices to help with digging deeper when there is interest. This is a good program for elementary students to get their ‘feet wet’ with science.

Oops! Almost forgot our nature studies. At least one day a week we are going to observe this wonderful world God made for us and expand our thoughts to paper. Sometimes we will draw what we see and label it, be it plant and/or animal. Other times we will do leaf rubbings, dry flowers, planting, crafts, etc. Whatever floats our fancy for that day. There will be days that we just go into our own backyard or maybe the park. And sometimes we will make special trips to zoos, national parks, flower or butterfly gardens, etc.

With all of this we will of course be reading from our Bible daily, along with a ‘free’ read-aloud(we are starting with On The Back of the North Wind) and one for history(We are learning from early explorers to 1800 this year).

I pray that this list will be a blessing for someone out there in cyber-space that has been looking for that ‘perfect’ thing to use in their homeschool. As for our home, we know that wherever the good Lord leads us is where we need to be. And just maybe, He might lead one of you to some of the same things for your family.

Many Blessings,

Vicki B.

I’ve finished some books!

Since June 1st I have read Don’t Make Me Count to Three: a Mom’s Look at Heart-Oriented Discipline by Ginger Plowman, Sibling’s Without Rivalry by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish, Parenting By The Spirit: raising godly children in a godless world by Sally Hohnberger and The Alchemist: a fable about following your dream by Paulo Coelho. And yes, I have been pouring into the parenting books lately.

Sibling’s Without Rivalry described how to get your children to get along in detail. It was written by a mother that counseled parenting  classes and it had many suggestions with plenty of  example stories. She told about some of the things she went through as a mother and followed her class in her writing.Although it did not have a christian influence, the topics were covered so well that I would recommend it for anyone looking to end the tension between siblings.

Don’t Make Me Count to Three was written by a christian mother that describes how to change your child’s heart to want to be obedient. She  described several events that took place in her home life where she applies the Bible’s teachings. She goes through the disciplining process scripturally. There are many references to different passages throughout the book and she even has a chart that has scriptures pertaining to certain issues/traits for a quick look-up. I highly recommend this book! It is one that I will refer back to often. When I get it back that is….it’s already being loaned out to a friend!

Parenting By The Spirit was read after Don’t Make Me Count To Three and I wish I had read it before. It was written “to help you be the parent you need to be” and is a parenting book that works on you first. It is biblically based and written by a christian mother to help you in your journey with parenting. She has multiple examples from her life that help to give you the skills for better parenting. It is a must read for all parents!

Last but not least, The Alchemist. This was my “free read” for the month. LOL! It turns out to be very deep and exciting. I could hardly put it down. This young man goes off in hopes to find out what a dream means and gets told that he will find a treasure near the pyramids. He meets several interesting people and goes to different lands in hopes of finding this treasure. Along the way he realizes important things about love and the world God has made. And in the end………does he get his treasure? the girl? You got to read it and find out! A worthwhile read, even if it is “just for fun”!

5 More Days!

Well, we have 5 more days left til we leave on a plane to Florida! Kyra wakes up every morning and informs me of the countdown! The kids and I are so excited! It will be their first time….and my 2nd on a plane!

We plan on staying with my Mom(Nana) for the whole month of July. We’ll be staying at the beach for several days too, visitng Sea World, going to our old parks that the kids loved. along with visiting the different springs in the area. Not to mention 2 Family Get-2-gethers! We’ve missed everyone so much! I hope we get to see as many family as possible!

I sent our stuff already! It is actually cheaper, not to mention easier, to mail it than take on the plane. They’re charging $25 per luggage now!

The Old Schoolhouse Facebook Fan Page!

I just recently started blogging early this year and even more recently started on Facebook, but I was hooked from the beginning. I get to let everyone know what is on my mind, what me and my family is doing and tell people about things that are important to me.

I signed up for The Old Schoolhouse Facebook Fan Page about 2 months ago, shortly after I signed on. Ever since then I have received great info on products and answers to questions that I have.(whether I was the one doing the asking or not) They give out great freebies to whomever is a fan. It’s worth it for new homeschoolers, like me, and for veterans to be involved.

Right now they are having this AWESOME special on their TOS subscription to where you receive 19 FREE gifts for new subscribers or two year renewals. The free items are alone, worth way more than the subscription. You get  free e-books, gift cards to some of your favorite curriculum sites and many other gifts that you would love. Too many to mention! BUT…it is only for the first 5,000 people!(good news-you can check to see if you can get in…so no fear!)

The Drive-In!

On Saturday, Wyatt’s 6th Birthday, we went to a drive-in that I had just heard about. It was the kids first drive-in experience and Brian and I hadn’t gone to one since we were teenagers. The closest one is in Fayetteville, about a 20-30 minute drive. The movies that were playing were UP! and Hannah Montana. We brought our own concessions, sleeping bags, blankets and pillows for the back of the truck. The kids got comfortable in the back while Brian and I sat on chairs in front. We had a blast and it didn’t end until after midnight! Wyatt was the only one who ended up falling asleep, halfway through the second movie. LOL!

The Drive-In.

We're Watchin' The Show!