Tuesday Together

Together, some.
Alone, some.
In Student's bed, some!



Teacher said if it was ONLY reading going on in Student's bed, then student's bed is open for his visit.



Writing, not being her favorite, Student does however like to share her work. Reading her story aloud, she doesn't have to ask Warrior to quiet down as he's still in her bed. Thus, she's happy to share!



Mascot uses his favorite POINTER to choose the country the Homeschool can pray for today. Those red and orange countries on the map currently persecute Christian solely for their faith, and we are called to pray for those suffering, and mourn with those who mourn, so we practice that here at the Schoolhouse. Cousin wanted to take note of which countries were Bible-friendly so he didn't go to the wrong one on vacation, sweet boy that he is!



Reviewing the month song, rug time is complete.



Working his skip-counting skills, Warrior is up to 2s, 5s and 10s. Can't wait to see him connect this counting with coins! That's the kind of thing his brain really gets a kick out of.



And to be the only third grader, usually means for seatwork, so as the others fill the floor, Student continues in her work. Diligence in her prayer journal among the other lessons, this is the focus we are called to.

2Peter 3:14
Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.

Thursday Work

Add one, and three sit in desks! It's been an amazing Fall to spent time with cousin.



Somehow Warrior transfers the competitive spirit into sitting! Any motivation for sitting is encouraged by Teacher.

And when else does his competitive spirit brought out?



In play.



In P.E.



Warrior hit a new P.R. with 26 jumps with a rope. This kis MUST be a middle child! He's comparing all things, pushing all boundaries...may God align this competitive spirit to bring Him glory.



As for Mascot, he just wants to be a part of whatever Student is doing. Turning a jumprope into a microphone is just another way he brings joy to our daily learning.



And when to rest? Tent time. Good old brother and sister togetherness in the backyard under the sunshine. In the shade, and at peace. Thanks be to God the Father of all good things!

Monday Exposure

Having joined the local Home Educators Association, the Homeschool has exposed itself! Yes, among OTHERS whom God has called to this task of teaching and training children, it is a good thing.



This creates a schedule on both Monday and Friday that involve leaving campus.
Monday is Piano and Sign Language. Warrior seems to think it's a treat both to play AND do the activities!

An answer to prayer, the Piano teacher trades the lessons to Student and Warrior for group Signing lessons taught by Teacher.

Not all things are new this year, though. The fishing chart was a favorite for both Student and Warrior, so they have constructed their Fall 2012 charts and prepare to finish each days' lessons to place a sticker in the square and FISH for a prize each Friday.



Working side-by-side, Teacher can't wait to see what this arrangement brings!



Making use of in-between lesson time, Warrior has been digging into the flashcards box. And Student has taken it upon herself to learn a few Spanish words each month. So she gets permissoin to keep a handful in her desk each month. Now that's a priveledge!



The POINTER has been a popular addition to the classroom this year. Teacher just couldn't pass it up on the $1 rack at Target! Really, now, if Warrior and Mascot will just believe Teacher that it is NEVER EVER to be used as a sword, all should be safe! It's been a nice addition to Warrior's skip-counting efforts. He's been working though 2s, 5s and 10s.



And to complete the classroom, a newer globe! Grammy eyed this gem! It plugs in and offers a light display of the constellations God designed in the night sky. LOVELY! We are so thankful.

Thursday School

And so continues the learning process.



Reading for Warrior gets a new environment,
as he reads in his room and tries to take turns
playing AND reading!

Mascot toots the train from the other room,
as Student and Warrior try to focus among the noise!



Just more training for the world outside of the campus, right!?
Wherever God plans to work through these kiddos, there will surely be noise!
So we do all things for His glory and make some noise with an old favorite hymn:
Pass It On.

Teacher remembers the Autumn mornings Grandmother would invite the neighborhood kids over. Yes, before school made for an early start on the school day, but the kids would come, and we would sing to Jesus and pray for our day ahead in the public schools.

Grandmother would play piano as the kids would sing. Teacher longs to teach her own kiddos of the days and music past. Hymns that bring praise in a warm presence of togetherness and the Holy Spirit. Mmm, hmmm.

As for Warrior, he sits and shoots like he isn't listening... til Teacher hears him sing from the other room. Those brains are always at work!



And finishing his Phonics lesson with a request, Warrior identified the letters with his sense of touch and CLOSED eyes!



Student kept busy with Reading, as usual, but made time for an experiment after her seatwork.

She has been studying energy, and today was wind and water.



The Homeschool had no pinwheel on hand. Our artful skills proved not too useful this time, as the pinwheel we could MAKE would be water and Student quickly hypothesized that it would get soaked! We had better get some foam on hand for just such emergencies!



Realizing that the blades of the propeller needed to be angled, Student's last effort to use wind to push the propellers brought her fun mess to an end!



Lord, above, we thank you for this daily experience raising these children in the knowledge and admonition of You. Feeling exhausted, exhilarated, pain and joy many times even all in one day, we lift our efforts and ask that You would give the courage and perseverance to continue in this good work You have begun in us. In the Holy name of Jesus, Amen.

Monday Bed School

Retraining Warrior as to what a bed is created for...he began his Mathematics lesson in the comfort of his room, bed and favorite hero uniform.


Counting, locating and recognizing individual numbers, Warrior has gotten to be quite familiar with his counting chart. It's the opportunity to sort and then build a rocket after his mastery of the lesson that keeps him going through his repetition rote lessons.

Eventually returning the a TABLE for seatwork, Warrior went to work with Tad today. Tad the tadpole, not the uncle! And for him that meant a marker and dry erasing...capital F-U-N!



Mascot shared in the learning fun with his flashcard pile-up!



On the other hand, no biggie for Student was her switch from one to two seatwork sheets per day in Mathematics. Welcomed with a smile, actually...God is good!

Tuesday Anew

Beginning the day at the doctor's office to restore health for both Warrior and Mascot. Each having a sinus infection, the beginning of homeschool was justly delayed. It was Warrior's recognition of the eye chart that brought an early-morning smile to Teacher! As he had just learned about the chart in his Social Studied lesson this week about kinds of doctors. He pointed it out and told Teacher all about it!



And with such care given to us, all felt the presence of God by the work in the personnel throughout the visit there.

Onto healthier and more private learning opportunities back at the Homeschool. Student retreated up to her room for studies while Mascot looked on.



She was quite glad to have time in her room for lessons. She lied on her back and did the feet-on-the-ceiling dance!



Having a book nearby, awaiting the completion of the other lessons, Student could barely stand to wait to finish her latest Boxcar Children mystery!



Not unseen by Mascot, Student's story problem work with manipulatives made his day!



Meanwhile, Warrior worked his seatwork to completion so he could have more Art time to finish his paper heros...not paper dolls, mind you!





Finishing up with some reading in the dinosaur alphabet book, and his Bible lesson, Warrior chose to complet his studies on the couch.



Counting down to prize-fishing day, Friday will surely come soon!

Warrior Tuesday

Warrior had a little oral test today tht challenged his critical thinking, and it goes something like this...

Name something that...
Floats: boat
Swims: person
Slides: person on a slide
Is that correct?!
Squishes: jelly
Cracks: crab
Cools: water
Drips: water
Runs: bathtub
Rolls: wheel
Cuts: scissors
Spins: spinner

Gotta love the Creator's style in differing brains! Glory to God for Warrior's cognitive development! Only His plan is the perfect one.

Student finished Mattie Mae and looks forward to continued Reading this summer. She talked about the book naming Jesus, and how it was good to find that in a book! You know, they are Amish, and so...that got us to talking about their practiced and beliefs, and Student remarked:
I'm glad my parents know Jesus and that they admit when they are wrong so I learn about forgiveness and know we need to do that.

And a Science project that Student began today, will bless the Homeschool for years to come.



Seeds to seedlings to sunflowers!
Student's Hypothesis:
I think it will take 3 days of wetness to bring the seeds to sprout o we can plant them.

So then, Friday, our official last day of school, we'll unveil the findings!

As for other learning, today, Student laid back for some flashcards and painted-pampering!



Studying the travels, imprisonment, and letters of Paul, we are growing in anticipation for the book of Revelation.

Off into the afternoon for park fun with friends, the Homeschool had just one stop to make first...



Babies of furry composition that came with quite the smell! Student held her breath as she showed Mascot the lil guys!

Deut 7:13
He will love you and bless you and increase your numbers. He will bless the fruit of your womb, the crops of your land—your grain, new wine and oil—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks in the land that he swore to your forefathers to give you.

The Homeschool stands on this promise as we see His words are true & delivered even through the winged-creations! Thank you God!

Wonder Working Wednesday

And why is it Teacher wonders if the lessons are really soaking in? How can Teacher doubt that Warrior is learning as succinctly as Student though he's standing on his head? When he goes around singing about the wonder-working power in the precious work of the power, of the blood, of the work...there's no denying, the Lord is establishing the work of our hands!

Warrior not only sang, but praised the Lord with horns today!



As for the phonetic alphabet, Warrior has chosen a few favorites in his manly alphabet:
P is for Popeye
W is for Wood
Y is for Yo-yo
X is for Xylophone



God continue to show us your favor, and may these children grow in You through their knowledge, and admonition. Amen.

Today was focused on The Word. The Homeschool has found that there is no overwhelming rush to scramble and fit in all the remaining knowledge of a lifetime, in the last 2 weeks of homeschool. Still trying to focus and remember what comes first. Thus, we caught up on Bible History, all 5 lessons! And gazed upon some funnies about figuring just what is in the Bible?!





Thanks to Grammy for some recent Easter greetings of Jelly Telly! This humor is parallel with Student's age and interests right now. And Teacher can't complain when there's not even a purple dinosaur in sight!

Student has been working on reconfiguring fingers and rearranging bows to fit her new, larger and God-provided violin! Readying her working piece for solo recital next Monday, she is looking forward to surprising Mrs. S tomorrow with the rewards of her diligent work.

Mascot has been enjoying lunch as a family. Eating food off Teacher's plate, and having playtime afterwards! Principal rather enjoys midday love, too!



Student reviewed addressing an envelope and sent off the UPCs for Warrior's surprise Toy Story 3 plate. Nobody doesn't like Sara Lee when she offers FREE stuff!



Counting down, daily...
In Christ alone...
The Homeschool perseveres...

Interrupted Wednesday

It's true, the learning of complete sentence structure was upon us, but it was Student that suggested today be the day! Through a God-interruption, that is!

Student separated the subject from the predicate, and viewed one of her fav old skool house rock videos! Really, God's timing is perfect because Teacher wasn't looking forward to this lesson, and with the contagious enthusiasm from Student it was a rather fun experience! Oh, Lord, how patient You have been with us this year. Thank you for reminding us that the Grammar and Language are second to the relationships we are building with You and each other as a family.
Amen.

Student filled her arms with a fresh load of books from the local library. Immediately upon our return to the homeschool, she escaped to her room with her newest treasure in hand: Fancy Nancy Bonjour, Butterfly.

Teacher had her chance to read as well. Student chose a historical fiction journal from a dust bowl migrant. And also on our pile, we read Here Comes the Garbage Barge, base on a true story which showcases fabulously creative art from Red Nose Studio. Also we enjoyed There Was an Old Monkey Who swallowed a Frog. We must have done as much reading as the Oregon Steiny Homeschool! Whew!

While Student, having her mid-morning snack on the porch, noted the chirping of the breeze, Teacher found the homeschool to be quite quiet.



Suspiciously quiet...
and the search was on!
Where could Warrior be? Mascot was fast asleep in his crib. And Warrior? Well, in bed because he said he was cold! Thus Teacher knew the ordinary daily experiments would have to take a hiatus, as something was fishy. Alas, a fever was brewing, and he spent most of his ibuprofen-filled day in bed. Blessings of restored health to our Warrior. Amen.




Mathematics continued Students introduction to multiplication. She wrote the facts for the 3s family, and explained how she figured each correctly the first try! Again, props to the God of grace for granting Teacher a daughter who enjoys Math and has such a gift for the subject!

Squeezing in violin practice, Student gently swiped the instrument from the grasp of one certain excited Mascot...



and memorized the finger positions for her working piece. (No, Mrs. S, we don't make a habit of this sharing with Mascot...) Student now works on the ever-familiar transition from fingers to bow, go! And we shall see what tomorrow holds!

May the God of Lights bring us more sunshine and interruptions to our schedule of life. To Him be the glory forever and ever, Amen.

Wednesday Can Do

Added to the I Can list for Student's first grade year:
I can name and show you where the oceans are.
I know where South America is, and Brazil.
I can find Kansas on the globe.

Student also added to her Geographic knowledge today the location of the following:
Appalachian Mountains
Rocky Mountains
Mississippi River



Warrior wanted to find Egypt, and sighted the Red Sea. Student, reviewing other world facts, it is amazing to remember starting this first year journey and her excitement of a real globe in the Homeschool! Oh how the time has flown! Oh how the blessings have overflown! Praise to you, Lord of all! During Bible History today, the two were discussing who they'd see in heaven and which jobs they hope to have!

Phonics brought a Spelling review of special sounds throughout the year..and yes, it was rough:
pasture
golden
price
thread
greatest
shield
bought
wrench
rough
neighbor
Student's seatwork helped to reinforce these special sounds. She would much rather learn something new, but so go the lessons of perseverance. Slow and steady wins the race, little one!

Preparing Blueberry Bang, and some cards for our beloved pastor's 60th bday, Student and Warrior created cards from their fav papers on-hand, and stickers, too! Nothing like Thomas the Train to deliver a bday greeting!



Mascot entertained himself by peering out the backdoor at the alley cats, while Student and Warrior took recess out doors.



They were in denial of the weather change from yesterday's 80 degrees to this day's 50 degrees. So with shorts with flip flops and coats they ventured out for a friendly game of tic tac toe.

History brought the story of the Bald Eagle symbol, and other eagle facts from our recent library picks. Student also fit in subtraction flashcards for Math, and a time of imagination in her room.

Warrior has been fighting the whines through his 4th round of antibiotics. And in a moment of energy explosion, he wanted to make a sack mask...oh the creativity at the Homeschool! Well, at least we waste not, and want not by creating with whatever pops out of the craft cabinet...or the utility cabinet, it goes both ways!



Reading in preparation for AWANA tonight, Student began her new Hiker book. Smiling and jewel-filled, off she goes. What love the Father has lavished upon us to bring this family a true princess.