Daddy’s Treasure Map

Posted by Coral on June 3, 2008

Yesterday we were studying Maps and Exploration in the “Usbourne Children’s Encyclopedia”. P asked if she could draw a map, a treasure map to be more specific. So we did.

We started by getting a small cardboard box that I had in the garage. The girls each placed a few things in it (pictures they had colored, a toy car, a plastic dounut, and a sticker), they deemed treasures .

Next we found a place that we wanted to bury it in the back yard. The perfect place was behind the play house where there are lots of rocks for Mommy to dig up. So I dug, we buried. I spray painted a black X on top, because P was quick to remind me “X marks the spot”.

We started our map making out in the garage where Daddy always comes into the house from. Moving our way through the house to the back yard we finished our map entitled, “Daddy’s Treasure Map”.

Finally P taped it to the back of the van so Daddy would see it when he got home. when Jeff called to tell me he was coming home I told him there was something on the back of the van for him . When he got here he played along wonderfully and went on an exploration for his treasure. This was a lot of fun!

Home school Curriculum We Chose This Time Around

Posted by Coral on June 3, 2008

Ok, so last time my curriculum choice did not turn out well. So this time I did even more research (I have decided to continue through the summer, it keeps them occupied and they enjoy it still). I was interested in a curr. called “Sonlight”. I know someone in my town that uses it. I asked her if I could come see it. She said I could come and actually watch her school her children! This turned out to be exactly what I needed. It really helped to see the curr. in action. Her kids are so smart and seem to really love learning. That is what I want for my kids. So the choice was made. 

It was suggested that after I look at the catalogue and web site, if I was confused at all, I should call the Sonlight help line. When you call, you talk to a mom that uses the curr. I just told her what my kids can and cannot do and she helped me decide on what would work for our family (Cool right!).I know lots of people think that this curr. is too expensive (I spent $598.00, on my initial order). However when you see all you get, and how much it would cost to get everything they give you; it’s very well worth it. Besides The books you receive will be enjoyed for many years to come (not just for “school”), with multiple children. 

I ordered:  

Core K (Geography, History, and Literature) with Readers 2 (both girls, except for Readers).  

 

Language Arts 2 for my 6 year old. This did not work out. She could read the Readers 2, but the Lan. Arts 2 was too much for her. I thought this might be the case when I ordered. I’ll just keep it and I’ll use it next year.  

 

Lan. Arts 1. and theExplode the Code books 1,2,and 3.This is perfect for her. I only ordered some of the Readers 1, because most of them were ones I knew I could find at the library (Dr. Suess , ect…). There is no pic. of the Readers. Yes, my flub cost us more . 

 

Lan. Arts K for our 4 year old. I didn’t get the Readers K because we have some little books here at home that look similar, they work fine. She already knows her letters and their sounds. This is great for her, because it starts with letter sounds. 

Markable map, very cool! 

Book of time(time line with sticker of events in history). 

Science K program, and Non-Consumable Science Kit (both girls). 

 

 

 

 

 

Things I love about this curriculum: 

1. It’s real books not text books, that we can use over and over. 

2. I enjoy them and learn from them also .  

3. You get lots of books. I got 53 books, not including the 3 binders full of info. 

4. We get to read aloud a lot; I love to read to my kids! It’s more like family fun time than school. 

5. It has the lesson plan all laid out, no guess work. You just put a check by what you’ve done and it becomes your records. It comes with a separate record sheet that you can print off and use also. 

5. I don’t have to search for things like the markers for the markable map or science project materials, it’s all included. 

6. Easy to use with multiple ages. Core and Science is not age specific. 

7. It’s something that I would come up with if I had the time. 

When you get the Sonlight curr., setting up your binders can be a little time consuming and daunting. Sonlight has videos on their web site on how to set everything up, step by step. Once you have it set up the way that works best for you, and get into a groove, it is actually very easy. I personally put 3 weeks at a time in a separate binder. I insert not only the Lesson plans and Notes, but any Appendices or Study Guides for those weeks. I also make any copies I need to. This takes about 15–30 min. every 3 weeks. Time well spent. The rest of the work is done for me (yeah!). 

Oh, for Math I decided to stick with Saxon 1. It seems to work well for us. 

I don’t know if we will stick with this curr. forever, but for now it’s awesome! Hope this helps someone. I know it is a lot of info, sorry .