Sunday, February 14, 2016

Core G (Sonlight) Week 21"A" Middle Ages Feb. 8-14, 2016

Core G Sonlight Week 21 "A" 
BiblioPlan Week 7
Middle Ages 
Feb. 8-14, 2016

We had a few nice days that melted 80% of the snow!  Then the Arctic temperatures hit us hard!  Not too much snow this week, a lot of dusting, but not a lot of accumulation.  But, wicked cold temps.

 Due to our schedule being so busy, I didn't schedule a lot of work for us this week.  This was a 'low expectations week' where I was content to not lose ground.  We can't shine every week!  I know many hs'ing mom's can plan months ahead, but for us, I just plan each weekend what we can do the next week.  Even with this style of planning, we still don't get everything completed and I have to put some of last week's work on the next week and scale back or move forward consistently.  Planning our lessons is not easy for me, and takes up a lot of my time.  But, I do like how I can decide to repeat a week of math or science if I feel like she didn't absorb the whole thing--and repeat it until she does.  I find this is one of the blessings of homeschooling; that individual scheduling and pacing (and repeating) can profit each child.


This week I decided to buy my own Valentine's gift, and tell Dh that he did a great job of listening and knew exactly what I wanted for a love gift!  Isn't it great when you get older, and you can accept reality and work with it, instead of against it?!  I just love orchids!  I found this one for $9.99 and couldn't beat that wonderful price!  I've been looking for over a year and hadn't found one for less than $15.00.   Thank you, Aldi discount grocery stores!!!




I have to share how thankful I am to God---You know it was REALLY difficult for me to move up to Michigan from Indiana.  I had finally been in the same state for something like fifteen years, after moving, moving, moving my whole life prior.  I finally had a real FRIEND (Heather L.) and homeschool connections and networks.  The prospect of me having to back up my whole house and move really was a big downer for me!  Plus, my Dh has such crazy amounts of hours to work each week; that meant I would be doing 80% of all the packing, carrying, and unpacking of thousands of books, and all our other stuff.  But, I am so grateful to say, I really did have full faith in the Lord and that He had a reason for moving us--it was just that I didn't need to know what that reason was....!  So, fast-forward a year and a half later and I am sitting in my new home in the woods.  Literally this morning I had TWO PILEATED Woodpeckers under my feeders outside my 'library' (homeschooling room) window eating my suet!  They were literally twenty feet from me!  Not only am I surrounded by nature, birds, trees, deer, turkey...but I also have 2 real friends! ALREADY!  I didn't ever have that many friends in Indiana!  Not to mention-- I totally love this house; it is half the size of our last house, but SO much more "me!"  I am SO very grateful/thankful/appreciative to the gracious Lord for blessing me so much in this move. 



 I also am SO thankful that I can finally get Dd the music lessons that I've been praying for for years now.  Music has always been her talent from God, but we didn't have the opportunity to feed into it, and here she has weekly classes and her music is filling our days. 

 Dh works for a company that although they work him even more hours than he had in Indiana, he is in a really good group of co-workers, and every.single.thing is not solely on his shoulders, but is spread out somewhat.  He has some really nice co-workers that he gets to joke around with!!! Fantastic!  I could go on and on, but want to really loudly share how much the Lord has blessed our little family.  I feel like Abraham and Sarah!  Have faith in the Lord, obey Him, talk/pray daily, turn over your heart, and watch what happens! Praise the Lord with me!



We were never so social and so busy in Indiana, and I am trying to adjust to all of these options and things to do.  I'm thinking about trying 4H again, and seeing if that might take the place of us doing co-op next session in the fall?  I'd like to be able to focus more on our lessons, like we use to.  I felt like Dd was due for more social opportunities after a whole year in the apartment with little outlets; but now, I think we are fairly established and transitioned (my guilt is gone!).  



  Perhaps I need to schedule a week off soon--we do need to built a box for the new chicks, and need it done in fifteen or so days.

We are close to completion of BiblioPlan's first (of six) units.  We are doing Sonlight (SL); like we always do (Core G), but also adding in BiblioPlan (BP)Family Guide for Medieval History, Medieval and Church History from the Fall of Rome to the Renaissance.  These two curriculum's fit together quite nicely.  BP suggests more options on book ideas for various ages/grades; some of which are in Core G, or use to be, before they were discontinued with their (SL) revised cores.  The unit we have about finished with BP was Unit 1: Weeks 1-7: "Early Christianity and the Rise of Islam".  
Our history highlights right now: Clovis Rules Over the Franks AD 481-511, Tariz invades Spain AD 711,  Charles Martel AD 690-741, Charlemagne AD 742-814....

I've been trying to schedule more things for Dd to do on her own, but she definitely doesn't like that as well as when I do it with her.  I am trying to slowly help her adjust to more independent work, but some students are more open than others.  

Our life updates:
Dh still hasn't had any time to fix the used truck he bought a month ago, that ran for 1 1/2 weeks before transmission fluid went everywhere...and he decided he could fix.  It is in the outbuilding/barn waiting on him.  Prayers Appreciated.

Dh, Dd, and I have all been run down and fighting something.  Dh had to take Monday off as his flu.  We've kept going, but the wind is not filling our sails...hoping we feel better soon.  

GERD: I only had BAD heartburn twice this week; and it wasn't too horrible.   It isn't really getting any better, I'm still getting heartburn, but it is only half as bad in the pain as before.  I can tolerate it, but it still feels bad.  I am really working hard on getting as much probiotics in my system as possible (Greek, plain yogurt, keifer, probiotic supplements...) Plus, keeping my diet super veg/fruit/nut driven.  I've been trying whey protein, and shakes--something I'm new to.  I am hoping things will be better next week, when my stomach isn't so gurgley.  My LINK friend, Michele, gave me a SCOBY from her Kombucha tea, and I made my own batch on Monday. I found this excellent YouTube video that explains how to make your own:
How to Make Kombucha Tea Cultures for Health 5 years ago471,746 views




Dd's music: Last week Dd had asked her band instructor some questions after class, and the teacher (Mrs. March) said she should get some private tutoring to help her---so we set that up and she had her first private class with Mrs. March.  Come to find out, Dd had been 'tonguing' wrong, and Mrs. March has taught her the correct way to play her alto sax!  So, Dd has really had a good week of extra practicing this week, trying to get down the new technique.  Plus, the boy that is now in chair six, wants to challenge her for chair five...so, she knows she is going to be challenged next week (tested and recorded while playing her sax, and the results could mean she could move up or down the chairs...)  So, Dd decided to challenge the girl in the chair better than hers, and see if she might move up.  This is a big deal for her, she normally is not a competitive player, so this is a new thing for her.

LINK Co-Op: I'm still trying really hard to say hello to everyone as I learn all their names; but do not see that same effort in return.  But, so far, that has only challenged me to try to be more outgoing and friendly.  I have to be honest, I think next week I am going to give myself a week off and gear down a little as my 'cup is empty' right now.  So far, all but two times this year, I have been working during my "free" period to help out in the Nursery.  The Nursery is always short staffed, and I do love babies and toddlers.  But, last week I really was exhausted by the time all three classes were done, and then I had to clean the church, as it was my turn, and I had missed getting the heads-up on that.  We had a chaotic KinderKids day, to put it mildly, and then not getting a bit of a break was really hard on me.  I literally went home exhausted and didn't have anything left to do our studies.  That is the part I really don't like--getting home so spent that I don't have anything to give to my own daughter!!!  I need to try to find a balance between helping at the co-op and yet keeping some energy back for our own home.  I definitely didn't do a good job of that this week.



I'm sure there are lots of homeschooling mom's who, like me, feel like they don't have enough energy to do all the things they want to do for their child's education.  This week was definitely a week where I didn't meet my own expectations of what I wanted to do with her!  I would not have given myself a good grade on my teaching skills this week!

House Update:  Dh has been working out in the outbuilding.  We still have a LOT of boxes out there and I try to get to a few boxes each week.  I didn't do a great job this week on that--I only emptied one box!  Dd and Dh got a new light fixture put up in her loft /bedroom bathroom.  Our dishwasher is still seeping nasty, gross, smelly water into the bottom part of the washer.  It is such a mess!  I can't wait for my FIL to visit again--perhaps he can either fix it or stop the nasty water from the garbage disposal from backing up into it and smelling up the place.  I know we need a new garbage disposal too---I think that is part of the problem!  Prayers appreciated on getting this house in better condition!

Chickens and Eggs Update:  My new friend, Michele, had her husband fix the incubator and we met her at the library on Tuesday to take back the incubator and new eggs to try and hatch.  These are Buff Orpington eggs.  I will do a new post and show you all the incubator and eggs!!!!!  So exciting!!


Dd, Sophie (dog), and I taking a walk in the woods.


Church: We started the local Christian church in our new hometown on Nov. 1st, and have been really enjoying their services there.  Dd still is uncomfortable there...praying she will find a friend there soon.  I guess I should be praying for that--I hadn't thought of that yet.


Red-Bellied Woodpecker---see that big hole? wondering if it is his home?

Our Lessons this week:

Bible: 

Veritas Press: Gospels
card 101: Simeon Meets the Christ: completed
Luke 2: 25-35 c. 3 BC
read with Bible and Believer's Bible Commentary

Journey Through the Bible, pg 204


Survey of the Bible pg 139-141

Dd finished the worksheets for this card.

Card 102: in process
The Visit of the Magi: Matt. 2:1-12, c. 3 BC

Read Matt 2, 
with Bible and Believer's Bible Commentary

Journey Through the Bible pg's: 205-207
I took this photo from our kitchen window.  It is so great to watch all the many birds while I do dishes!



Exercise & Walks:

I've put pictures around this post from our walks in the woods this week.  Dd is working out on her own, and has been each night.  I've always tried to connect brain capacity and productivity with physical health/exercise.  I focused on that this week with her. Monday we went for a nice walk through the woods. Also,twice this week; despite the extremely cold weather, she hiked out in the woods to work on her new fort.  I'm so pleased for her to spend time outside and building!  Can't wait to see her fort.

LINK Co-op Classes:
Government Class: another paper was due this week, and lots of reading in her Gov't book.  She is working hard and has learned a lot in this class.  She is still working on memorizing Romans 13:1-2

Cake Decorating Class: I'll put in a photo of this week's cupcakes.  The focus was a cream cheese icing; which Dd had been making for a long time now, but dipping strawberries in chocolate as a decorating tip was new.

Volunteering in the Nursery: This week went well.


Music:
Besides her normal schedule of working on her Alto Sax, piano, and choir this week; Dd had a 1:1 lesson/session with her band teacher, Mrs. March!  This has been a good music week!  Plus, the boy that is in the seat below her has "challenged" her for her fifth place chair.  So, on Wednesday she will have to be "chair tested" to keep her place/chair.  Since she already has to be tested; she decided to challenge the girl in the seat above her.  So, she could either move up, go down, or stay where she is.  We won't find out for two weeks.  


Hello Sophie! such a sweet dog!


Science:
Apologia Exploring Creation with General Science
Module 4: Science, Applied Science, and Technology: completed
Dd didn't do great on the test, but did okay.  The test was full of questions where she had to figure out the formula; Mechanical Advantage for wheel axles, multiple pulley system, inclined planes, screwdriver, screw, etc. etc.  I am going to let her move on to the next module, as she knows most of it, and I don't think she needs to memorize the formula since she can easily look that up to calculate it. 
Study Guide for Mod. 4: completed
Student Notebook pages: completed
Test for Mod. 4 : completed
Reading for Mod. 4 : completed



Khan Academy:
( I personally love Khan Academy and watch it a LOT more than Dd.  I highly recommend this site for furthering your education--parents or your children's!) Here is their site:
www.khanacademy.org
*Listening to the Medieval Book
*Making the Medieval Book
*Charlemagne: An Introduction (wrote a paragraph on it)
*Charlemagne and the Carolingian Revival (wrote a paragraph on it)



Busy Hands:
Dd is working on making herself moccasins from scrapes of leather, and drawing.  

Baking/Cooking:

Here are the pictures from this week's Cake Decorating class: Cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, with dark chocolate dipped strawberries, in a plastic cup with a Valentine's decoration.



I didn't get a picture quick enough!  She does a fantastic job.

She made a cheesecake from scratch, that I couldn't eat...bummer.
She made me eggs, and has become a pro at making smoothies with whey protein, greens, Keifer....good stuff!  She is doing really well with her kitchen skills.  She has been doing much better with her chores, in general.  She did her own laundry, all the way through, and put away--all within the space of a few hours.  



Her bathroom looks fantastic!  Dh had taken her to Menards to pick out a light fixture for her bathroom, and they got it put in on Saturday.



Math:
Math U See: Algebra I: 
10 A,B,C,D, E and test.
Dh helped us again this week on figuring out this lesson.  Dd missed one question on the test, and feels good about comprehending this lesson, so she will move on to Lesson 11.

Graphing: I made some sheets for her to graph each day, so double enforce her graphing skills.  She was switching up the formula for graphing and was doing "Y" before "X."  I will continue to make these sheets for her next week too, to get this into her long-term memory through repetition. 

Study Skills:
SOAR Study Skills: pg's 1-17: IN PROCESS
My friend, Christie's daughter had a class on Study Skills and they used this book.  Christie recommend to me, so we are fitting it in to our schedule.  

Read Aloud:
Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris: IN PROCESS
This is our third time through.  Dh had started to read this to us aloud in December, but it kept getting too late for him to read, so I've taken it back to slowly read during our days.


The people that live on the other side of our property line had put so much plastic tape on our property line.  It seems they were in a feud with the last owners of our home.  Dd has been trying to free the trees that are now growing into the plastic.  Good thing she keeps her knife with her on hikes!




History:
Khan Academy

Trial and Triumph: IN PROCESS
*Boniface, Missionary to the Germans
AD 680-754
*Charlemagne, Protector of the Church


Otto of the Silver Hand by Howard Pyle : IN PROCESS
Ch. 1-5

Monks and Mystics: Vol 2: Chronicles of the Medieval Church: IN PROCESS
*Charlemagne: Crowned By God
*What is Islam

Dd's Reader:
Catherine, Called Birdy: Completed

BiblioPlan: Advanced Maps: Medieval:
*Islam and the Franks


Fun Books:
The Only Pirate At The Party by Lindsey Sterling


When Comes Spring by Janette Oke



DVD of the Week:

War Room, Exclusive Collector's Edition DVD + Soundtrack CD
War Room, Exclusive Collector's Edition DVD + Soundtrack CD
The War Room
Highly recommend!!!


KinderKids craft project; I help in, at LINK homeschool co-op:





In class we had the kids press their hands into this salt dough, molded into the shape of a heart.  Then Michele took a picture of each child with their momma, printed those photo's and attached them to the back, so you could see the photo in the heart, in the center of the frame.  Then she attached a rope through the two small holes below the thumbs, so the mom's could hang up their new Valentine's photo of them with their kindergartner.  Such a cute craft...time consuming, but cute!  Michele took four frames home, and I took four as well.  We each baked and painted them at home and brought them back to this week's class for the kids to wrap and give to their mom's on V-day.