Teaching to read again: IEW Primary Arts of Language

With 3 children I am realizing that learning the process of teaching to read is one I will have the opportunity to refine. With our oldest child Lily we used a variety of tactics. First and foremost reading to children is essential. It peaks their interest and introduces them to the written word. Second, using a curriculum - and I discovered what a weakness I have in choosing which curriculum is best. As you can imagine having your first child you may try many. We used a book called Teaching Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons - sometimes the stories were strange and the book was dry but it worked [but I would probably still say it was tedious], we used Veritas Press' Phonics Museum - my favorite part was the primer books and the Museum story, we used BOB books - nice small readable and building one on the other books.


Now I am teaching another child to read and having the luxury of looking back 6.5 years and seeing what worked well I have come to a different place. First, we have seen the amazing benefits of using a curriculum from a company called the Institute for Excellence in Writing. Lily started using their curriculum via Classical Conversations Essentials program. She has used various books over the past 4 years and it has greatly shaped her writing. That led me to looking more closely at their new release last year of the Primary Arts of Language: Reading and Writing curriculum. It is a blended sound-sight program approach.  Wilder is still technically in preschool but we have started this program and she is loving it. She just asked me yesterday when she can do it again. I said on Monday because I wanted the weekend break but I loved that she was excited about it. I think what is drawing me to it is that it combines copy work, learning how to read, writing, grammar, poetry and recitation, spelling & spelling rules, games [educational games that are clear and concise and not long winded] ALL in one program. I should say at this moment that I am not paid to say such nice things about IEW but when you have a kid begging to do her school work - you raise your hands and shout hallelujah. Since Wilder is K4 I am taking it slowly but this has worked in so nicely to our schedule and has been so thoroughly touching on all these key areas that I can't help but be very pleased. Some of the program are consumable notebooks but I made an extra copy for Atticus so that it can be used twice. Here is a review written by another homeschooler on the curriculum.

I am sure that I will be able to continue to hone and customize Wilder's curriculum as we move along but I am happy to have found something that she and I both enjoy. For now I am freaking happy with the ease of one stop curriculum for a group of subjects by a program that I have seen as a crucial building block to Lily's good writing skills. God is good. Carpe diem.

our little rose is 5

 Wilder Rose you came after a storm and lit our world with sunshine and grace. Your papa, your sister and I all truly rejoiced in your birth. After Coco died, I got pregnant with you within 5 months and it seemed so unreal. Thankfully you have lived up to your name and are wildly strong enough despite your heart issues and yet tempered with a loving spirit and a sunshiney disposition that creates such beauty around you. Now 5 years later your spirit grows stronger and we being to see more and more the girl God created you to be. We love you to the moon and back! 

One step at a time

I was trying to persuade myself that it would be ok if I skipped my workout. I knew in my heart that I needed to be accountable to the goals I had set, to the work I had put in, and the money paid. Sometimes it is simply those little accountability moments that help us keep our promises. I have been reminding myself and also been encouraging my children to keep our decisions based on what we should do or what we said we will do NOT on what our emotions influence us to want to do in the moment. So on a rainy day we work on keeping our spirits up and moving one step at a time. It is not easy, but in the winter we need to have a vision of the spring and summer. We need to see the fruit of our labors and to know this work now is part of what makes that time so sweet. I am also thankful for our choice to be a part of the Classical Conversation groups that help make winter homeschooling fun and do-able. I love seeing the fruit of their hard work and the joy of keeping the forward motion. I know that I lead by example so when I step out the door into the rainy, cold day - I think of how good it is that I have an opportunity to do one step at a time. God is good. Carpe Diem.

Simplify simplify

It is a gorgeous day  and the light is shining through illuminating all the nooks and crannies of my home. - yikes - it is cleaning and decluttering time. It is time to take the bulls by the horn and do some serious work. Homeschooling often pushes housekeeping down a notch on what actually gets done. Especially when you have a toddler creating a tornado of play behind you. I am strategizing on how to streamline our little family even more. So on today's agenda = declutter the toys that seem to walk from upstairs to downstairs. It's time to donate some good toys and maybe even books to worthy causes and help my family! It is a win, win situation! 

Meanwhile this little man discovered the bird whistle and is distracted for the moment in making sounds...

God is good. Carpe diem - oh and on a side note.. I have used Carpe diem for years as one of my favorite sayings. I know it is hip now but I discovered it for myself in college and it has special meaning for me. After the death of my daughter and the hit and run accident that almost took my life I even more profoundly realize that life is short and I want to seize the day, the moments, etc. Not just in some dreamy way but REALLY I don't know what today will bring nor tomorrow. I am hear now and I want to make the most of it. So I try to remind myself to do that. I read an article the other day on how people were offended by it [the saying Carpe diem] and other pithy sayings. All I could think was - to each his own. What bothers me may not bother you - but I hope that we can let peace and grace reign! And for goodness sakes let's get back to important stuff!

Schooling stuff: homeschool, Classical Conversations, etc

It's January 2012 and homeschool has started again with our co-ops and thus the call back to our regular home schedule. Homeschooling multiple ages makes me admire women who can do it well - especially if they have kids that have the age spread of at least 5 years. I think as I continue to observe the process it is really about consistency and vision combined with grace and flexibility. This may not be the best written post - I just wanted to get this up to record what this year looks like. Blogger is a bit ackward to write on at times but I am too busy right now to chase down another venue : ).

My two older girls are 6.5 years apart. Sometimes Wilder fools people into thinking she is older because she is very articulate but she is still very young. That being said, her enthusiasm to learning has been a gift. So in essence as we tackle middle school curriculum with Lily and kindergarten with Wilder and the Atticus the free agent -  it keeps Tucker and I on our toes.

Our main core curriculum for the last 4 years has been from the Classical Conversations curriculum. It is a classical education core for the elementary years. It also has a very strong grammar & writing core class for the upper elementary years. After that it splits into what they call the Challenge levels. Lily is in the first level of that. One of the biggest factors to this process has been seeing the difference a cohort can make. The cohort of kids really helps shape the direction and enthusiasm that these students have. It gives them accountability.

One of the homeschooling blogs I was reading the other day talked about how the curriculum should be a tool and that we should be masters over the curriculum vs. it being a master of us. I L.o.V.e. that! Too many times as we tweak and hone this process it feels more and more like we need to listen to what intuitively works for our family, for our student.  And as I often hear what works for one family does not necessarily work for another.

And also to answer the question of how we get this all done - we are and have [especially over the past 7 years of homeschooling] learned the very great value of schedule and consistency but with flexibility because life does not always fit neatly into our little boxes, lists and lines. Especially this year Lily has really learned how to manage her school time and Wilder is learning how to do homeschooling.

With all the above being said here is the list of our curriculum that we are doing for 2011-2012.. 

for Lily this 2011-2012 year:

Classical Conversations Challenge A:

Language - Henle Latin I, and conversational Spanish sessions

Geography - drawing the World - countries and capitols, etc.

Science - research in the Natural Science & Biology [focus on the body]

Writing -

• Institute for Excellence: Bible Based Writing Lessons
• Words Aptly Spoken: Children's Literature - Carry On Mr. Bowditch, Magician's Nephew, Number the Stars, Amos Fortune, The Secret Garden, Door in the Wall, Bronze Bow
• Lost Tools of Writing

Rhetoric - Don't Check Your Brains at the Door, It Couldn't Just Happen

Math - Teaching Textbooks and the Life of Fred

Spelling - IEW Phonetic Zoo

Journal/Blog writing - daily/weekly writing and posts

Bible - daily family reading through the bible in a year ESV plan

Art - drawing/painting/photography and experimenting with different mediums and techniques, Dance - participate in Narnia production, Tap, Ballet, and HYPe [learning more about choreography]

Piano

for Wilder this 2011-2012 year:

Classical Conversations Foundations Cycle 3 - focus American History, classical methodology, the body, science experiments, drawing, tin whistle, great artists, orchestra, geography [USA], math, world history timeline, English grammar facts, Latin translation of John 1, chemistry

Language & Writing: Institute for Excellence: Primary Arts of Language, Primary Arts of Writing, All About Spelling

History: Story of the World, and Young People's History of the US

Reading - working on having her read aloud from BOB books, primary readers and Veritas Press readers

Math: counting, Life of Fred

Art - Dance [creative dance tap & ballet, and participate in Narnia production], Suzuki: pre-Twinkle Violin I have been delighted by how Suzuki methods/philosphy mirror classical methods - it has been very helpful, drawing, painting, various elementary art projects

Bible - daily family reading through the bible in a year ESV plan

little mister is a busy 22 month old

little Wilder is almost 5 and a bundle of LIFE and joy and loves

dance for big and little girls has been very fun

schooling the ages - love the character building of the siblinghood - kindness and love rules

middle school - I am thrilled to see the great conversations and friendships in this cohort

Light in the new year

What do these rituals hold? These place markers on the calendar? The changing of the guard, the phoenix rising, renewal, birth, etc. It is a new year. And with newness seems hope. The opportunity for fresh life. As we reflect on the blessings given of another year lived and as we look forward to what could be...I pray that we are filled with hope and perseverance. I hope we have purpose in our days. And again I pray that we cherish what is truly good and right. One of my favorite sayings late this year was beautifully adorned by an artist named Katie Daisy.

Light and being, love and sunshine, I remind myself to breathe in this day deeply. Happy New Year! God is good. Carpe diem.

tried and true - the French 75 or 77

One of our holiday festivities is to gather with a few friends and celebrate over food and drink. My marvelous friend Marilyn made one of her favorite cocktails and now is becoming one of mine [closely edging to my dearest Richmond Gimlet obsession] the French 75. The goodness of gathering and tasting marvelous food and being with dear friends is a blessing. I think that I will have to put either the French 75 or 77 on the menu. I love that one of my favorite food blogs Rosemarried shared a beautiful description and recipe.

So from Rosemarried a beautiful description of the cocktail making...

Lastly, I thought I’d share a festive cocktail recipe that is perfect for ringing in the new year. It also happens to be my favorite cocktail of all time: The French 77.



The French 77 is a variation on the classic cocktail, The French 75. The French 75 was created in 1915 at a bar in Paris and the drink was originally made with gin, champagne, simple syrup, and a lemon twist. The name hails from the fact that the cocktail was rumored to “have such a kick that it felt like being shelled with the powerful French 75mm field gun”.

The 77 doesn’t differ much from the 75, but the one slight change makes all the difference (in my humble opinion). The 77 uses Elderflower Liqueur (St. Germain) in place of the simple syrup. The St. Germain adds a sweetness that isn’t too sweet. It’s slightly floral, without being too overpowering. It’s perfect. The cocktail is smooth, balanced, and goes down ridiculously easily. And yes, it certainly has the kick of a French field rifle. This cocktail packs a punch (in the best way).

So, Happy New Year to you and yours! I plan on celebrating with a French 77. Maybe you’ll join me?

The French 77
Note: The drink is often served in a champagne flute, but I like to serve it in a smaller classic cocktail glass.

Ingredients:
2 oz Gin
1/2 oz St. Germain (Elderflower liqueur)
1 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 ounces Champagne (or sparkling wine)
1 small strip lemon zest

Shake together gin, lemon juice, and St. Germain with ice. Strain, and pour into a cocktail glass. Pour champagne float over the top, garnish with lemon zest. Serve immediately.

Makes one cocktail.

Art & inspiration - homeschool art and Classical Conversation

For Classical Conversations each year we do a drawing segment in the first 6 weeks. Often in the time we have for each topic we are wanting to have more opportunities to delve deeper into the subject. One of my favorites as a tutor, but also one of the student's favorites is perspective drawing. It combines so many of the drawing skills we are learning. Lily loves drawing houses and Wilder is learning 1 dimensional space. I really want to encourage art in our house in the everyday and journalling helps do that. Each girl has a sketch book and various supplies. We journal/draw almost every day. In my wandering in internet land I often stumble upon great sites. This morning as I was thinking on my next 6 weeks of teaching I found this and it is so lovely that I wanted to share. These were inspired travels from the blog Deep Space Sparkle. This blogger reminds me of the curriculum we have done with Mona Brooks Drawing with Children. I am sure that we will be doing some of this later today. I can't believe it is the new year.

one of the examples from the Smart Class website

and for more advance drawing..

this is from an elementary school teachers site B an Artist

from Art with Mr. E

God is good. Carpe diem.

tech helps...distracting but fun

In the last hour I have played @ pinterest, weheartit, tumblr...and who knows what else...that being said it is a fun vacation thing to do and reminds me of the old days of leisurely flipping through a magazine...I think I will try this next...

http://familyoffarmers.blogspot.com/2011/11/liquid-hand-soap-diy.html

Pondering Christmas

I am In my middle age now and pondering Christmas has taken on so many dimensions since when I was a child. I grew up my first years of life in a third world country. I lived in an orphanage until I was 5. Now in my first years of being 40, being married for 20 years, being a mother of 3 [4] children I am pondering Christmas in a new way. This is growth to be stretched into knowing what one did not "know" or understand fully before. I pray that I continue to grow and that God would give me wisdom as I go through this life. I don't often think about the ramifications of my first few years of life - but when faced with the simplicity of what we should be about in this world, it brings me to what I remember. I remember longing to be saved. I remember being told Jesus was my saviour. I remember that in this process of growing up that all things have worked towards my salvation. It is a never ending process. I pray that I live with that in my mind as I raise my children, as I live with my beloved husband. All the education, wealth, travels, adventures mean nothing if we do not have faith, if we are not being saved. So today, as I remember the joys and work of this holiday season I pray that I will remember to live the hope. I pray that as I go into this new year that I cling to what is true and good.  I hope that we all do. God is good. Carpe diem.

me with my two dear sweetheart daughters

our adopted farm family - who remind us of grace in this life

living the Christmas story with the help of Grandpa Dick & Grandma Maryanne

the cousins - how sweet to watch them grow up together

a blessing to see your children loved deeply

traditions w/Hanz & Franz

dear Grandma Judi

big and little boys - love the boy brotherhood

glee

the beloved and faithful godmother

seeing the star

Santa traditions

We don't do much to seek out a traditional Santa moment but yesterday at the annual cookie decorating party one fell into our path. Wilder is still young enough that it is magical to see a Santa. Atticus has not met any Santa's yet but maybe next year we can introduce him. I am trying to settle into this season and enjoy the light. God is good. Carpe diem.

Christmas traditions - gingerbread houses

Yesterday was one of my kids favorite traditions - making gingerbread houses with Grandma Maryanne - it is the quintessential holiday tradition of visiting the farm and playing. I am grateful for the rituals of the season. The girls crafted elaborate houses and Atticus upon seeing them coveted the candies. Luckily a visit to Grandpa Dick's shop created a wonderful boy diversion. I think he has fallen in love with the shop and the cheery man who works in it. Carpe diem. God is good.

this looks like mischief

O Christmas tree O Christmas tree

It has been a doozy of a week - we had a touch of stomach flu last week and it hit all our family - not my favorites scenario but we muddled through. I have found this week to be a mad dash to finish all our presents - hopefully that will be sucessful. But today amidst listening to the church sermon I was reminded of God's grace as the starting point and the renewal of life in all this.

I think that amidst all the reading and studying I have been doing this year some things have stood out profoundly. One movie that I watched recently really struck a deep chord. It is called Aftershock.  It is about a family put in an impossible situation. During a catastrophic earthquake a mother must choose between the life of her two children - a twin girl and boy. To save one the other will most probably die - both cannot be saved. The mother chooses. Both children end up surviving but their family is torn asunder. This story is about how they survive from that moment on.

Overarching themes of forgiveness and repentance were woven in with grace, sorrow, and joy. How these people dealt with an impossible situation, the misunderstandings that marked a whole life lived and then the grace given for redemption and forgiveness.  It moved me to the core. I am still feeling the thoughts tumble down and in this time when my main job is mothering it really was relevant. This was a "big" circumstance in this movie and yet these are about the small circumstances as well. I had to watch a few scenes over and over they were so moving. How do we transcend our sinful natures to be the creatures God intended - grace. The simplicity and wholeness of God's grace. Now in a house filled a little more with Christmas cheer from the lights of the tree, I pray for grace. God is good. Carpe diem.

Lazy holi-daze

Oh the slowness - loving the slowness - after so much busy - it is a sweetness to be slow and mellow. God is good. Carpe diem.

noticing the little things

Having three children it can sometimes feel like you are running around in circles trying to meet multiple needs. This year I have learned something important. Or maybe I have remembered something important. Each moment of our life is broken up in little segments. Be there at each segment as best you can before you move on to the next one. When I go work out I know that for that next hour or so that is what I am doing. After that is something else, and then something else... This noticing and being in those moments, being present and focused, has helped me in connecting more significantly with each of my children. I know we have love unending for our children - but I also know we can get stuck in the mire of the mundane. I am grateful that God has allowed me to notice the little things so that I can be more loving and kind in the everyday. I will fail but I would rather die failing at something worthy than at nothing at all. God is good. Carpe diem.

End of Fall

This week ends all our Fall curriculum. We have muddled through - this week has been a Narnia prep festivus sprinkled with the daily chores and some Violin lessons. It is good to be at work and hands to the plow - there is much joy amidst all this. God is good. Carpe diem.

learning violin