We have used so many different curriculums over the past few years and some have worked better than others, but none have been as fun and engaging as Time4Learning. It is a very complete and thorough program and both boys enjoy the lessons and activities. They get immediate feedback on their answers and I can print reports to show what they have done. The lesson plans are easy to read and show me exactly what they should be doing each day and the parent forums are very informative and a great place to connect with other parents. It is very affordable as well with easy monthly payments. We are using Time4Learning for both boys (4th and 7th grade) and we are very pleased with it and plan to continue as long as we can!
As a member of Time4Learning, I have been given the opportunity to review their program and share my experiences. While I was compensated, this review was not written or edited by Time4Learning and my opinion is entirely my own. For more information, check out their standards-based curriculum or learn how to write your own curriculum review.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Our New Classroom/Dining Room
It has taken me a long time to post this, but the dining room is finished and I want to share pictures! The pink flowers are gone, the wall is fixed and the new paint is done- it is beautiful! We now have a wonderful, refreshing space to do school during the day, and then eat dinner all together as a family in the evenings- what a blessing!
Although we weren't planning to work on the dining room right away, the water leak from upstairs and damage to the wall moved the project to the top of the list. Now that it is done though, it is so wonderful and even worth the headaches and heartache of the leak and the hole in the wall. This truly was an example of having to make it worse before it gets better LOL but it is fininshed and beautiful! We all worked together to fix the wall, tear down wallpaper, and paint.
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| Connor helping tear down the pink flower wallpaper! |
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| Garrett helped too! |
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| Dad fixed the hole in the wall once the leak was fixed- what a mess!! |
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Nana tearing down paper too! |
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| The new wall! :) |
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| Almost done.... |
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| Always a work-in-progress but we love it! |
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| The Classroom Side |
Saturday, September 3, 2011
First Month of School
We have finished our first month of school and it has been wonderful! The boys have worked so incredibly hard and have learned so much- and had a great time (at least I have!) We are using Switched on Schoolhouse for Language Arts and Connor's math and Garrett is using Teaching Textbooks for math. We are using Heart of Dakota for Bible, reading, writing and history and it is such a blessing! We start our day learning a hymn and singing praises to God and reading His word together! We all have grown so much in our faith this past summer and God is so faithful to be ever-present and all-powerful!
We started co-op classes on Fridays a few weeks ago and they are going great. The boys love their classes and we have all made friends. Garrett is taking Science and sign language and Connor is taking Science and life skills. We have met some great people and made a few friends and learned alot! Monday school starts in a few weeks and we can't wait for it! The boys will get more science, history, and art. We have all made some great friends. We also can't wait for Cadets to start soon. The boys learn Scripture and character values while getting to hang out with friends too! Garrett is also doing AWANAs on Sunday nights so we are very busy.
I had some great pictures of the boys working on art projects, doing schoolwork, etc but our computer crashed and I had not backed everything up. We are waiting to hear whether they can pull anything off the old computer and we are hoping they can, but if not, those pictures are gone. I will do a better job backing things up and we will take more pictures! :)
Our family is growing closer together and closer to God- what more could we ever ask for!!? Thank You LORD for your amazing blessings- may we always be aware of them all around us and not miss a single one!!
We started co-op classes on Fridays a few weeks ago and they are going great. The boys love their classes and we have all made friends. Garrett is taking Science and sign language and Connor is taking Science and life skills. We have met some great people and made a few friends and learned alot! Monday school starts in a few weeks and we can't wait for it! The boys will get more science, history, and art. We have all made some great friends. We also can't wait for Cadets to start soon. The boys learn Scripture and character values while getting to hang out with friends too! Garrett is also doing AWANAs on Sunday nights so we are very busy.
I had some great pictures of the boys working on art projects, doing schoolwork, etc but our computer crashed and I had not backed everything up. We are waiting to hear whether they can pull anything off the old computer and we are hoping they can, but if not, those pictures are gone. I will do a better job backing things up and we will take more pictures! :)
Our family is growing closer together and closer to God- what more could we ever ask for!!? Thank You LORD for your amazing blessings- may we always be aware of them all around us and not miss a single one!!
First Week of School
Our first week of school has been wonderful! I am so proud of both boys and how hard they are working. They have matured and grown so much over the summer and are showing such godly character! I am amazed at the works God is doing in their young lives.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Remembering My Goal
We homeschool.
This brings about many varied responses in people. Some smile with admiration and understand the benefits, others nod with a far-off look of wonder and perhaps curiousity. Some have a genuine interest to understand and want to know more. Then there are the thankfully rare instances that someone thinks something must be wrong that led us to that choice. I even had someone ask me once what was wrong with my child that we had to homeschool!!
The truth is we homeschool because that is what God led us to do. James and I felt (and feel) very strongly that God not only led us to this decision, He daily equips us with His divine inspiration and leadership enabling us to teach our children and guide them as they grow into the strong, Godly adults we are praying for. Yes it's true we don't have all the high-tech equipment or sports fields that are available to more traditional schools. But, we also don't have a single bully in the "lunchroom" or foul language on our bathroom walls. This choice may not be for every family, but it is without a doubt where God has led us and it is a decision we are thankful for each and every day! There are many sacrifices, but so many more blessings!
In fact, the choice to homeschool has been one of the biggest blessing in our lives. It has brought our family closer together and even more importantly, has led each member of our family into a deeper, more meaningful relationship with our creator. It has at the same time, been the biggest challenge we have ever faced on an ongoing basis. Each day, we must choose to be productive and accomplish what needs to be done. Every morning is a new challenge to balance the academic studies and the duties of life and keep God at the very center of every detail. Some days are wildly successful and others are not. Not so strangely, the smoother, more productive days always begin with time seeking God's direction and letting Him order our day.
Of course, we must measure and gauge how our children are doing. We must set goals and ensure those goals are being met. However, the measure of success cannot just be a letter or number on a piece of paper. Determining whether they are successful in their growth and learning has to be deeper, more meaningful and lasting. I must look further into the future and prepare them to become the adults they are created to be. I must rise to the challenge of leading them in the right way, but I must also step back at just the right time and let them make choices and observations on their own, trusting I have given the resources and foundation they will need to last a lifetime of good choices.
I have the honor and blessed privilige of spending these days with my children, getting to know them and lead them day by day toward the plan God has designed for each of them. My challenge is to stay focused on the task at hand and never lose sight of the goal. I am not raising straight A students or scholars. I am not raising the class president. I am not raising a future CEO or business owner. Now, each of those are wonderful things and are possible outcomes. However, these cannot be my goal. My goal must be bigger. In fact, it must be God's goal for their lives.
I am striving to raise mature, godly young men who will stand strong for Jesus in the face of every challenge that lies ahead. I am raising warriors who will fight for the truth and protect the people in their lives with humility, dignity, and grace. I am raising men strong enough to admit they need God and willing to kneel before Him daily. And I am raising intelligent thinkers who will be seekers of knowledge and truth every day of their lives. These are my goals as a mom/teacher and I pray for abundant fruit in my children's lives as the measure of my success. I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength and so can my children!
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
(3 John 1:4)
This brings about many varied responses in people. Some smile with admiration and understand the benefits, others nod with a far-off look of wonder and perhaps curiousity. Some have a genuine interest to understand and want to know more. Then there are the thankfully rare instances that someone thinks something must be wrong that led us to that choice. I even had someone ask me once what was wrong with my child that we had to homeschool!!
The truth is we homeschool because that is what God led us to do. James and I felt (and feel) very strongly that God not only led us to this decision, He daily equips us with His divine inspiration and leadership enabling us to teach our children and guide them as they grow into the strong, Godly adults we are praying for. Yes it's true we don't have all the high-tech equipment or sports fields that are available to more traditional schools. But, we also don't have a single bully in the "lunchroom" or foul language on our bathroom walls. This choice may not be for every family, but it is without a doubt where God has led us and it is a decision we are thankful for each and every day! There are many sacrifices, but so many more blessings!
In fact, the choice to homeschool has been one of the biggest blessing in our lives. It has brought our family closer together and even more importantly, has led each member of our family into a deeper, more meaningful relationship with our creator. It has at the same time, been the biggest challenge we have ever faced on an ongoing basis. Each day, we must choose to be productive and accomplish what needs to be done. Every morning is a new challenge to balance the academic studies and the duties of life and keep God at the very center of every detail. Some days are wildly successful and others are not. Not so strangely, the smoother, more productive days always begin with time seeking God's direction and letting Him order our day.
Of course, we must measure and gauge how our children are doing. We must set goals and ensure those goals are being met. However, the measure of success cannot just be a letter or number on a piece of paper. Determining whether they are successful in their growth and learning has to be deeper, more meaningful and lasting. I must look further into the future and prepare them to become the adults they are created to be. I must rise to the challenge of leading them in the right way, but I must also step back at just the right time and let them make choices and observations on their own, trusting I have given the resources and foundation they will need to last a lifetime of good choices.
I have the honor and blessed privilige of spending these days with my children, getting to know them and lead them day by day toward the plan God has designed for each of them. My challenge is to stay focused on the task at hand and never lose sight of the goal. I am not raising straight A students or scholars. I am not raising the class president. I am not raising a future CEO or business owner. Now, each of those are wonderful things and are possible outcomes. However, these cannot be my goal. My goal must be bigger. In fact, it must be God's goal for their lives.
I am striving to raise mature, godly young men who will stand strong for Jesus in the face of every challenge that lies ahead. I am raising warriors who will fight for the truth and protect the people in their lives with humility, dignity, and grace. I am raising men strong enough to admit they need God and willing to kneel before Him daily. And I am raising intelligent thinkers who will be seekers of knowledge and truth every day of their lives. These are my goals as a mom/teacher and I pray for abundant fruit in my children's lives as the measure of my success. I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength and so can my children!
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
(3 John 1:4)
Monday, June 27, 2011
Days of Rest and Planning
We are finally beginning to feel truly settled in our new home and we love it! God has truly blessed us with a beautiful space to live, laugh and love together! We have been enjoying some lazy days of summer recently and so grateful and thankful that Connor is healing and healthy!! We have made new friends in an amazing homeschool group and the boys have made some great friends right next door to us. The past few months have definitely been the most challenging of our lives, but have also brought many beautiful blessings.
The boys are enjoying these quiet days and probably wish they would go on forever, but I am already looking ahead to the first day of school. I am getting lesson plans together and looking at curriculum and that always gives me an excited anticipation of the school year ahead. We are enjoying the moment but it is exciting to have these days to plan and look ahead at what the school year will hold and what plans God has for us.
Father God, guide us in our daily choices and lead us toward the plan You have for us. Give us wisdom in each curriculum choice and extra-curricular activities. Create our schedule and help us not over-commit but show us the exciting plans You have for us. May our days of summer and the upcoming school year grow us in every way, but most of all, may we grow closer to You and bring You honor and glory!
The boys are enjoying these quiet days and probably wish they would go on forever, but I am already looking ahead to the first day of school. I am getting lesson plans together and looking at curriculum and that always gives me an excited anticipation of the school year ahead. We are enjoying the moment but it is exciting to have these days to plan and look ahead at what the school year will hold and what plans God has for us.
Father God, guide us in our daily choices and lead us toward the plan You have for us. Give us wisdom in each curriculum choice and extra-curricular activities. Create our schedule and help us not over-commit but show us the exciting plans You have for us. May our days of summer and the upcoming school year grow us in every way, but most of all, may we grow closer to You and bring You honor and glory!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Summer Photos 2011
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| Connor in the hospital |
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| Hailie with "the boys" |
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| Enjoying the pool! |
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