Homeschooling the Free Way

So I have been gearing up for another fun year in homeschooling. Last year was sort of a blur, with a new baby and getting Gabby to simply enjoy learning again... it was fun, but sort of challenging to find our groove. We are still going to have an eclectic type of schooling going on, but with a little more structure from all over since I have discovered that left to her own devices, Gabby really doesn't put forth any real effort. (AJ on the other hand is downright pissed that she can't read yet, so she is jumping on the school wagon!)

This year I want to get Gabby in the habit of not only putting forth her best effort, but also taking the time and patience to look for answers herself instead of waiting for me to feed them to her. We are also going to add in an into to a foreign language- Italian, as well as violin lessons and swimming. But, I wanted some more resources and some sort of list for myself to keep track of the topics we are covering so I went in search of some free curriculums and resources... man, oh man, did I find some!!! Here are my favorites so far:

Scott Foresman Math and Science Curriculums: First off, these are absolutely FREE work books and sooooo nicely done! While I may not do these page for page, at least I can have some order in the topics that I introduce and a starting point for our explorations.

Lesson Pathways Guided History Lessons: Again, we may not follow this exactly, but I like having a weekly focus so that I can get out the appropriate books to spin off of, for instance, we can read The Little House series while studying early American history. (We didn't focus a lot on specific history themes too much last year so I am going to cover the year 1 lessons this year...)

Spelling City: One aspect that Gabby really enjoys is writing so this year I am trying to expand her written vocabulary and spelling. She is great at spelling words phonetically, but likes to have a word bank to work off of if she is writing something important.

The Learning Page: I am a sucker for wacky holidays like Hug Your Cat Day and National Clown Week! This site has the traditional and wacky holidays plus lessons to go with them!

Finally, have you ever heard of the Daily 5? Basically it is a way to get kids to become better readers by approaching the process from different angles, something that is important because not every kid learns the same way. Everyday you have the kids:
1. Read to themselves
2. Read out loud
3. Listen to reading
4. Practice writing and
5. Do word work.

Now, we were already doing everything on the list, just not every thing every day. I am going to try to not only have Gabby do these, but myself as well since it is good to model the process and let's face it- I love books!

If you are a teacher and prefer a more formal classroom setting, be sure to check out my sorority sister Katy's Pinterest board for the Classroom. She is a teacher and is finding some really cool posters, organization techniques, and neat ideas to implement!

                                                    Source: shadytreediary.blogspot.com via Katy on Pinterest

(I have updated my homeschool resources, so be sure to check them out! Lots of free fun stuff to be had!)

Our Week...

We played, we cleaned, we cried, we laughed...

we watched our newest member of the house play with his fellow felines,

we worried over Miss Moira's mysterious allergy,

we slept in and stayed up late.

It was an interesting week!

Baby Medical Mystery

So I am calling out today to all you mamas with kids with allergies, mamas who have some experience with mysterious skin issues, namely-hives:

This is what it looks like at first, then they get bigger and redder, then they fade out...

 Poor Miss Moira has been getting hives very randomly for the last 5 days. We can't figure out a common trigger and there is no rhyme or reason to the time or severity. It is driving me NUTS!
They don't seem to bother her at all and most of the time disappear as fast as they come. What is crazy is that nothing in our daily life or diet has changed. No new foods, no new household products... nada. And it has happened when we were out at a museum, at the park, 10 mins after nursing, after playing on the floor, etc.... I thought at first that she got bit my something but there are no bites, just lots of hives. They usually start on her legs, then the arms, and face- never any on her stomach or back or under her hair.

I thought that maybe it was a reaction to me eating a ton of cherries and her eating cherry puffs, but I stopped that days ago to see if the hives would stop and they keep on coming strong.... AHHHHH!!!!
Poor kiddo looks like she has the plague when they are full force!

So..... any thoughts on how to figure out what is the root cause? I have been writing down every episode and there is no pattern to the hives, no linking factor. Help!!

Sorry for the bad pics, it was late and photo composition was definitely NOT on my mind!

Wednesday Lovings

Hello all! Just popping by to share some quick links and such that I am loving these days, enjoy!!

Did you know that you can borrow free dissection alternative kits? Yay for exploring animals without having to kill any in the name of science!

Here is a great article on how to talk to little girls. (Hint: ask them what is their favorite book!)

There are a still a few days of summer left... here are 10 things you must do before it is over!

And when it is over, here is an easy science experiment to get you started if formal learning is on your agenda.

I gave my reasons why we homeschool a couple of days ago, but this article says it even better!

Here is my crafty fix that even serves as an awesome new mom present: make a portable beautiful growth chart... lovely!

Well, that's all for now... I am off to enjoy a wonderful day with my girls. Have a wonderful day yourself!

Happy 7th Birthday My Gabba!

 Happy Birthday my Gabba Raba Ding Dong!

(Yes, that is her nickname!)

Today you turn 7 years old,

my oldest daughter. 

7 years ago you came into this world and made me a mommy,

and since then you have shared all these firsts with me,

paving the way for your sisters to follow.

You are a joy, a challenge, a mystery, and an adventure for me.

You make me try hard to be a better mom,

and make me smile with your creativity and spunk.

But there is such a sensitivity to you...

all of our friends comment on your sweetness.

I love your drawings, your passion for the animal world, and your deep thoughts.

My Gabriella Rae, you are a wonderful daughter whom we love so very much.

Thank you for all you do and all you are. 

I can't wait to journey into 2nd grade homeschooling with you,

watch you discover all that there is out in this world for you,

and be there for you, no matter what. 

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

Why We Homeschool

School is all the buzz right now in Northeast Ohio. In our district, classes start in a little over a week and if you set foot in any store, mall, or even restaurant that is all everyone is talking about.

When I was younger I lived for the start of school... my book bag was packed the start of August even though in Western NY it didn't start until after Labor Day. I planned my locker decorations, re-read my summer reading books in anticipation of first day pop quizzes (yes, they did happen at my school!), and held my breath for that morning when I would go see all my friends again to catch up. It seems forever ago and yet only yesterday. And even though I loved school, my kids are not me and schools are not what they used to be.

I asked Gabby if she wanted to go to school this year, because I didn't want anyone to accuse me of not giving her the option. She didn't even hesitate before saying no! We talked for awhile about what we wanted to learn this year and then went off on another of our adventures. But it made me think about how our reasons have changed for homeschooling since we took her out of public schools last November and this is what I came up with:

1. I prefer my girls to actually experience real life learning instead of just reading about it. For example, to actually go to the zoo to see the polar bear instead of doing a worksheet on polar habitats, and use real money to pay for things instead of playing with fake plastic coins that don't resemble the real thing.

2. I want them to have a choice in what they learn and to make each learning experience matter to their daily lives, instead of stressing out about a test about something that will be forgotten as soon as it is done.

3. We enjoy being able to take a long weekend without having to ask permission or worry that something will be missed.

4. I like that I can follow the rhythm of our family rather than a forced schedule that doesn't fit us. Waking up at 7am is definitely not a Gabby thing! Sometimes we don't "school" until after dinner, sometimes we skip a weekday and then learn on a Saturday... it all depends on the kids.

5. The girls get to hang out and be with people of all ages throughout the day, just like in real life. They talk to everyone they meet, are constantly learning from their surroundings, and look for new experiences.

6. With budget cuts everywhere, teachers are hard pressed as it is to teach all that the states demand. There is little room for creative teaching, going off roading with lessons, or teaching to all the different learning styles in a class of 30. I know my daughter and how to help her succeed.

But, forget all the details and what it boils down to is that right now, this is right for us. I am pretty sure that if I can homeschool after just having a baby and having a husband who is gone 2/3 of an entire day, I can teach all the subjects that is required! I homeschool so that we can read Little House on the Prairie while eating on the beach in September, so we can sit and watch baby grizzly bears and talk about the animal world, and so that if my daughter has to go to the bathroom she doesn't have to worry about someone saying no to her.

So we will go get some new pencils, a notebook or two, and maybe even some new clothes. We will wish all of our friends well as they start the school year, and then go about our routine of learning and life. =)

What's New?

Well this little guy for one!

This is Cole and he is the new addition to our family.

Gabby really wanted a lizard for her birthday... buuuuutt... the kinda geek me out.

And this baby needed a new home since his mama was hit by a car. 

Cole is only about 6 weeks old, really tiny.

But he is a really smart, silly little thing- litter training was a breeze, 

and he even plays with the older two cats.

(I think everyone too was missing Tuck a lot so Cole helps heal the sadness)

I am sure there will be more photos to come,

he moves so fast that they are all blurry for now!

8 Months!

(this is a few days late, Moira wasn't in a photo mood lately!)

Oh my goodness!
This little girl is such a sparkler...

she has a temper like none other and can go from happy to PISSED in a blink.

But she is sooooo happy and lively most of the time. 

Moira is not only crawling, but she pulls herself to standing a lot.

She is eating everything in sight and demands tastes, no matter what it is. 

She giggles at her sisters a lot, especially Gabby.

I have taken to calling her "Meep Meep" (think Roadrunner's voice)

because she moves so quick and is sorta goofy. =P

She is still nursing like a champ and has learned how to lift up my shirt when we are sleeping.

There is so much to this little one of mine...

Happy 8 months baby doll!

Thursday Luvin'

Hello dear friends, how is everyone today? Here in Cleveland we finally got a break from the unrelenting heat and humidity and enjoyed some cooler breezes. It was absolutely lovely! I am working on a some parenting posts, a little bit of homeschooling stuff, and trying to deal with the everyday stresses of life. Anyhow, here are some lovelies I have seen on my addiction, also known as Pinterest!

I am LOVING these earrings!!! So whimsical and fun!

Get a pair here!

                                               Source: theburghbaby.com via Connie on Pinterest

This fairy garden is beautiful,
I love the detail work and I think that the girls would enjoy making this.

Speaking of crafting with the girls...

                     Source: unsimpleliving.wordpress.com via Connie on Pinterest

Wouldn't this be fun art for a playroom?

                                              Source: smashedpeasandcarrots.blogspot.com via Connie on Pinterest

I really would love to learn how to knit so I can make some of these...
I know the basic knit and purl stitch but that's about it.

                                               Source: flickr.com via Connie on Pinterest

Next week starts my favorite time of year,
Gabby's birthday is the 16th,
Aj's birthday is in September... then there is the yumminess of fall and holidays.
I can't wait to start all the celebrating!

:Wordless Wednesday:

How was your day?