Blood Moon September 27, 2015

Blood Moon 

September 27, 2015

We stayed up to see the Blood Moon.  We had a LOT of clouds that interfered, but it was really special to experience.  Here are a few of our pictures:

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Reviews on Books, Favorite websites to check books out, Book Reviews, Book summaries, sites

I am still receiving the helpful magazine called The Informer, which is a publication of the Indiana Association of Home Educators.  I've asked my "Michigander" homeschooling friends, and they don't seem to have a magazine for Michigan homeschoolers here.

This post is to share the three websites that they (The Informer) recommend for looking up books when deciding if they are right for your family to read.   Of course the book I looked up was not included in the reviews on these sites; so I had to go to Amazon and read the reviews there instead.  Amazon seems to always come through in a pinch, but I still don't know if there is "mature" themes from those reviewers.

Spark Notes

http:/www.sparknotes.com/lit/

Cliffs Notes

www.cliffsnotes.com/literature

Pluggedin

www.pluggedin.com

Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/

Read Daily web site with LOTS of homeschooling STEM sites listed:
http://www.readdaily.org/steam-youtube-channels-elementary-kids/

Core G/Ancients Week 14 A (In Process) Sept 20, 2015

Core G/Ancients 

Week 14 A

Sept 20, 2015

Second Week of Marching Band (alto sax), Choir (both on Wednesday at the Homeschool Building "HSB"), and our LINK homeschool co-op). The music classes seem like a gift from God; Dd is SO beyond pleased!  This week I was put to work at the HSB, as they have this deal where parents have to volunteer every week of pay a few hundred dollars.  I thought this would be fairly easy, nay, they ran me like a borrowed mule!  First we (I was put with the woman they trained on the first week) went to each room and gathered the practice sheets and attendance sheets and tallied the times of practice for each student.  Then we were off to the printer.  We had six books, and from those six books (each book was for a specific instrument), we had to print out three or four different songs, and make ten copies of each.  Most songs were two pages long, and I had to tape the two pages together side-by-side.  We started at 8:30 and the woman helping me had to leave at 10 am to take her children to piano lessons.  I stayed at the printer and did the last songs and taping until I finished at 10:30 am.  We were going as fast as we could the whole time!  I'm glad Dd is liking the music classes so much, as that does make me feel better for having to volunteer.  

As for the alto sax she is using--it is rented from a music store and they charge $60.00 every month!  I will put it out there and see how God solves this problem--I really want to buy a good USED alto sax!  I'd rather buy one then get taken to the cleaners from this store!  Anyone have any ideas?  I will start praying about it.  I have to say it feels so good to finally be able to get Dd in to music classes.  When she took piano lessons (years ago) she didn't want to practice and it was more trouble than benefit at that point.  Now she knows to do her practices every day without my reminding her.

Now for the co-op- it is mostly going good.  All my classes have been very fun--as I am with the "KinderKids!" (six kindergarten kids and a really sweet woman who has taught this class for years.)  

  Dd was still having difficulties with one student, and it really dragged her down.  To be honest, Dd looked like she had been run over--super sad and forlorn.  With so much being new and so many transitions on our plates I decided to offer her the option of dropping that class and helping out in the nursery that period.  She was very glad to hear that!  So I emailed one of the board members and asked her if Dd could switch and she said that would be fine.  Ahhh, Dd looked like the world was a brighter place when she heard the news.  We are praying for a bridge to build between Dd and this other student, but for now I am fine with removing the biggest tension in her life.

Walks in our new woods....well, I have finally started taking short walks in the woods and trying to spend some time outside to recharge my batteries.  It really is such a beautiful, old woods and I am just the right person to appreciate it!

Our house in Indiana:  The wife had only started her new job in October and the bank wants a full month of paycheck information provided to them before they will agree to give them a loan.  I guess the husband's information was fine and not an issue.  Now we are waiting until the end of September for her to have a full month of wages to prove her new salary---THEN the bank will do a loan?  Our realtor said if all goes well, and the woman's information checks out, we might get to close on October 9th.  I don't understand how they can schedule a closing when they still haven't got all the info?  But, I will take it as another micro step in the right direction.

Our house in Michigan.  This week I truly have not got much done besides the 'have to's.'  I really need to figure out a way of fitting in painting or something.  It is really bugging me that we still need to put insulation and put new drywall up in the basement "rec room".  I also want to get some insulation for the attic of this house.  Dh has been working his crazy hours, so he has time to eat dinner, chat for a bit, and go to bed.  

Nature Tid-Bits:

So the Sandhill Cranes have been flying way overhead and up really high.  I've/We've heard them 4-5 times this week.

The Hummingbirds have definitely not been around much this week.  I didn't see any today, and they use to be at our Hummingbird feeders all day.

Bluejays, after not having any Bluejays here all summer, we were surprised to see 2 here this week.

The frogs and toads that were everywhere in August are rare sights now.

Our lessons this week:

Bible: 

Veritas Bible Chronicles-Malachi,Job HS Kit

Veritas Press Chronicles Through Malachi and Job:

Card 90: Done

Esther Saves the Jews, Esther 7 & 8, c.510 BC

Card 91: Done

Ezra Returns to Judah

Ezra 7 c. 458 BC

Card 92: in process

 Ezra Forbids Intermarriage 

 (Dd still working on the worksheets to complete this card.)

Ezra 9 & 10 c.458 BC

Greenleaf Guide to Old Testament History

The Greenleaf Guide to the Old Testament:

Lesson 171: The Jews Destroy Their Enemies

Lesson 172: Ezra Appointed Governor by Artaxerxes

Lesson 173: The Problem of Foreign Wives

Bible and Believer's Bible Commentary:

Esther 9 & 10

Ezra 7-10

DC Cook Journey Through the Bible

Journey Through The Bible:

pg 180-181

Survey of the Bible

Survey of the Bible:

pg. 121-123

Current Events:

CNN Student News: 1 x this week

Science:

Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology

Apologia: Human Anatomy and Physiology: COMPLETED!
pgs 242- 250 and wrote notes along with it.  Earned a Star Wars figurine (Princess Leia).

Math: Math U See: Algebra 1

Lesson 7 A, B, C

We really struggled with this lesson and have decided to go back and start this book again and really focus on it a lot.

Easy Grammar Plus Teacher Edition

Easy Grammar, Plus:

209-215

Fix It! Grammar and Editing Made Easy with Classics

IEW Fix-It: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight:

Week 4: done

All About Spelling Level 7 Materials

All About Spelling 7:

reviewed Step 1-Step 5

that concludes our review, we go on to new material on Monday, with Step 6.

Typing up her book

I think she has five chapters done?!

Sonlight Timeline for Week 13: completed

Our feature points were Octavian (Augustus Caesar), Jesus Christ, Jerusalem destroyed, and Emperor Trajan's rule at the height of the Roman Empire inAD 117

Kingfisher History Encyclopedia (revised)

The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia:

pg 73, 80, 81, 83

Read Aloud: Sonlight

Flame Over Tara

2004

by Madeleine Polland

Flame Over Tara: completed

We really enjoyed this book!

Read Aloud: FUN

Hobbit

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein: in process 

We are really enjoying this book--it's a repeat, but we like to repeat books!

Cooking:

Dd made Naan bread

Drawing:

2 sketches this week

Sewing Machine:

*I* got a sewing machine as my anniversary gift, and Dd has sewed on it almost every day since!  She says she is learning how to run it so she can *teach me!*  She has started her Christmas presents, on the machine, she is making lavender satchels. I've yet to use it!

She did a lot of homework for her Literary Analysis and Speech classes this week.  She had to give a speech in her Speech class, and they had to pick a topic they could talk for 3 minutes on--something they know how to do well.  She picked describing how to make your own Camp Half-Blood T-shirt!  She said she didn't do very well.  She did all her homework for the Literary Analysis class and come to find out they didn't have to have it done for two weeks!  Oh well, she can work on the new assignment that is due in two weeks.

Fun Books:

Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes: Completed

She loved it, she used her birthday money to buy her own copy, so for a few days we had 2 copies here--one from the library and one that she bought.

The Maze Runner (Book 1)

Aug 24, 2010

by James Dashner

The Maze Runner: Completed

She loved this book and has already started talking about the three other books in this series

Paper Towns

Sep 22, 2009

by John Green

Paper Towns by John Green: just started

The Battle for Skandia: Book Four (Ranger's Apprentice)

Jan 8, 2009

by John A. Flanagan

Battle for Skandia: Ranger's Apprentice, Bk 4: in process

Audio's:

By the Shores of Silver Lake CD (Little House-the Laura Years)

Oct 5, 2004

by Laura Ingalls Wilder and Cherry Jones

On the Shores of Silver Lake by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Wildwood CD (Wildwood Chronicles)

Aug 30, 2011

by Colin Meloy

Wildwood--I really liked this audio, and for one of the reasons that a reviewer said they didn't like it--that it uses vocabulary for vocabulary sake.  This book just has the most exciting and fun words!  It get so bored of books not stretching themselves with big super words--this book does not disappoint!  We are on our second time through this audio.

Speaking of repeated books and audio's--studies have found that we are much more likely to pick up and "own" (metaphorically) new words if we hear them over and over.  Wildwood, though fun to hear, easily counts as a grammar lesson in my book!

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Core G/ Ancients/ Week 13 "F" Sept. 14-19, 2015 (47th week on this core)

Core G - Ancients
Week 13 "F" 
Sept. 14-19, 2015 
(47th week on this core)

Can you see inside the box? 

Ah, it's our dear old Smedley, being super cute!  BTW, not our box, it was from a yard sale, not sure what Coldwater Creek does and don't know how to blur the print out in photo's!  The point is to see the funny kitty!  

• First week of Marching Band (alto Sax)
• First week of Choir
• First Week of LINK hs Co-op Classes 

A funny story from this week: This week Dd told me that she is NOT excited to go to college anymore.  I ask 'why', and she told me that 'just the idea of you going with me doesn't sound that fun.' Ha! Dh and I had been joking (seriously, joking!) about how I was going to go with her and how I was looking forward to some more fun college math classes; that she thought we were actually serious!  We were only joking with her, but apparently she never figured that out!  She was very relieved when we explained we had been joking!

Speaking of college---a few months ago, Dd told me that "Giz" had been asking her questions on the phone about college and voiced her concerns about 'homeschoolers going to college'.  Giz didn't think we would have a transcript or be able to take any of the standardized tests to show the colleges her abilities.  I thought long and hard - wondering if I should bring it up, or just continue to SHOW Giz (and any other family members that needed convincing) that homeschoolers do go to college.  I decided to not make a big confrontation about this issue, and just be prepared if Giz brought the issue up to me.  While visiting us two weeks ago, the Lord placed homeschool mom after homeschool mom in Giz's path and they each brought up their children to her.  Of course each of these mom's had numerous stories to tell about how exceedingly well their children were going, or did, while at college.  It was just totally providential and amazing.  These women had such super high achievers; medical school, scholarships, and lots of magna cum laud's--or something like that, that they were the highest scoring students in their colleges at their graduation.  I don't have such high goals; just for her to get a fantastic education.  I just was so amazed at how the Lord took care of answering her questions through the people we met at the picnic and at random yard sales...that just happened to be full of local homeschool families sharing their stories to strangers.  I wanted to publicly praise the Lord in taking care of that issue for me.  I didn't have to say anything---they did all the talking for me!

Last week's Indiana house update---

The family that bid for our home in Indiana has some new things to complete in order to get their loan for our home.  They have to get a "Termite Inspection" done---which should totally be easy and not a worry there...and since the wife had only started her job this month they want a full month's worth of paychecks to have proof of her keeping the job and that specific salary to satisfy their requirements for the loan. We are approving the extension of this process, and waiting to see if the bank is satisfied soon.  It should take another week for the wife to have all the paycheck stubs to show proof, and then the bank should be able to move on to the next step of making the loan.  I'm not sure how long that will take, but it does seem like this is still going forward in a positive way, just a bit slower than I ever imagined!

This weekends update: We got some paperwork from our realtor to sign, and this new forms extends the loan to Oct. 16th or 17th, 2015.  And one of the forms was a "FHA" form.  It looks like the people are applying for financial assistance from the government to get the loan.  Dh says this is probably why it is taking so many weeks for them to get a loan; since they are seeking extra help.  I am really growing quite tired of waiting on this family and never knowing if they will indeed get a loan or not; espcially when we might already be done with the whole process if another family had stepped up a few days sooner.  Now that we went down another $5,000 the interest in our home went up--our house was actually "trending" last week on Zillow!  Too bad it wasn't trending 6 weeks ago!  I hope you all keep us in your prayers as we continue to wade through this really long process with this one family.

Dh is finally able to wean himself off the Mucinex as his cold bug is getting better.

We went from having no activities to too, too many activities in one weeks time!  This week we started Dd in the Marching Band classes (playing the alto sax) and Choir at the Homeschool Building.  We also started the homeschool co-op this week; which had a few good points and a few bad points (Dd had a girl be quite rude/mean to her and this isn't something we have had to deal with before and is new for us).  And lastly, she has her "Girl's Night" with some good hs'ing friends.  So, she had an extremely social week!

We have been working on Core G, Week 13 for quite a few weeks now as we had a few different books that we needed to finish before we could move on to Week 14.  We had: Hostage Lands, Flame Over Tara, Bronze Bow, and the Ides of April.  Now that those books are done we can take a step forward.  

LINK homeschool Co-op: 3 classes:
First Period:Intro to Literature/Literary Analysis Teacher: Danielle Olander Class Fee: $8.00 This class will use the course “Teaching the Classics” from Center for Lit, taught by Adam Andrews. Each week we will watch part of a DVD seminar and then practice what was taught. By using short stories as the models and the Socratic approach (asking questions to lead a discussion) as the method, the authors systematically prepare you to analyze character, plot, theme, and other elements of fiction and literary analysis. Students are equipped with literary study tools that can then be used easily on longer works. Skills gained through this program will allow them to study any piece of literature. We will also practice writing about what we are reading and discussing. Homework: 1-2 hours per week for reading and writing assignments.

Secrets of Great Communicators Set

Second Period: Public Speaking - *2 Semesters* Teacher: Jane Heikoop Class Fee: $25 Have you looked at any job descriptions, college programs, or scholarship applications recently? They all include statements such as “excellent communication skills” or “must be a good communicator”. This class will take the fear out of public speaking and replace it with confidence. Public speaking is important for our Christian witness to win others to a biblical worldview. We will give presentations, how to speeches, and eventually short impromptu speeches. We will practice job interviews, college scholarship interviews, group discussions, how to introduce a speaker, etc. This class will include the book Secrets of Great Communicators, By Dr. Jeff Myers. Students also will use the internet to listen to assigned speeches of famous and infamous speakers which influenced others. This class will start with e-mail assignments given at home a week before other LINK classes begin and will have an additional week of class via e-mail assignments after LINK classes end, therefore students will have 12 weeks each semester. Students will learn to relax and enjoy speaking in front of a group! Homework: About 4 hours weekly

Third Period: Behind the Scenes Art Class Teacher: Liane Williams Class Fee: $8 Students in this art class will be exploring different mediums while providing advertisements, backdrops, scenery, and other types of creative support to the drama class. So much goes on behind the scenes of a production besides whispering! Those willing to commit to the performance will have the chance to help with audio/visual/stage crew. Come develop your artistic expression with the drama class, behind-the-scenes!

OUR lessons:

Bible:
In our Veritas Press Bible Program we completed the two cards and assignments on Esther, but I wanted to go ahead and finish reading the rest of the book of Esther and use our Women Of The Bible book, chapter on Esther, to finish off the week.
This week we studied Esther 9 and 10 with our Max Lucado/Life Lessons Study Bible and our Believer's Bible Commentary on those two chapters.

Our Psalm of the Week was Psalm 86:

Psalm 86

A prayer of David.

1Hear me, Lord, and answer me,

for I am poor and needy.

2Guard my life, for I am faithful to you;

save your servant who trusts in you.

You are my God; 3have mercy on me, Lord,

for I call to you all day long.

4Bring joy to your servant, Lord,

for I put my trust in you.

5You, Lord, are forgiving and good,

abounding in love to all who call to you.

6Hear my prayer, Lord;

listen to my cry for mercy.

7When I am in distress, I call to you,

because you answer me.

8Among the gods there is none like you, Lord;

no deeds can compare with yours.

9All the nations you have made

will come and worship before you, Lord;

they will bring glory to your name.

10For you are great and do marvelous deeds;

you alone are God.

11Teach me your way, Lord,

that I may rely on your faithfulness;

give me an undivided heart,

that I may fear your name.

12I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;

I will glorify your name forever.

13For great is your love toward me;

you have delivered me from the depths,

from the realm of the dead.

14Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God;

ruthless people are trying to kill me—

they have no regard for you.

15But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,

slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

16Turn to me and have mercy on me;

show your strength in behalf of your servant;

save me, because I serve you

just as my mother did.

17Give me a sign of your goodness,

that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,

for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

(We read the Psalm in both our bible and the Believer's Bible Commentary.)

Speaking of God--we tried a new church today, and were actually met with such friendliness and kindness!  As it really should be, too!  The other church we have been going to since May has made such little effort to even say 'hello' to us.  It certainly knew the Word really well, but truly failed on the 'heart' issues---such as trying to be any bit friendly or loving to new people.  Poor Dd did not want to chuch hop any more, but we really desire to be part of a church that can be a real church "family" to us.  

We don't have a ton of work to show for our week, as it was a week FULL of new things, and new things really suck the life out of me!  On Wednesday after Dd's classes at the Homeschool Building (http://www.homeschoolbuilding.org/), I was so mentally/emotionally tired that we went home and worked on the house instead of doing our lessons!  We had officially waited the seven days of curing for the floors to be done in the living room and master bedroom, so Dd and I carried/pushed/shoved/rolled the furniture back into their spots---which took hours!  But, now we have a fairly empty dining room; as it was the store room for all our furniture this past seven - ten days!  It is so nice to be able to sit in our living room again!  We managed to get quite a few things done in regard to unpacking and fixing this week as our mental resources were used up in the new things.

Math:
Math U See: Algebra I
7A, B, C, D and test


Science: 
Apologia: Human Anatomy and Physiology:
pgs 231-242 and wrote notes along with it


Current Events:
we skipped CNN Student News the whole week!

Easy Grammar, Plus:
pg's 202-208

All About Spelling 7:
we skipped this week--we were suppose to start back with our spelling this week, and just couldn't manage it yet.  Hoping as we get use to our new schedule we will be able to accomplish more.


IEW Fix-It:
We were *suppose* to start this subject back up this week, but it also fell to the side.  We will try again next week!

She did have writing homework due for her first class of Public Speaking, which she did.

Music:
She had a "Instrument Fitting" at Marshall's Music!  She spent about an hour trying and re-trying all sorts of instruments to find out which one clicked with her.  She was partial to the the alto sax and the french horn, but landed on the sax in the end.  Now she has music practice five days a week, and her book that goes with it.

Reader: Sonlight Reader:

Ides of April (Rome, A.D. 62)

Ides of April by Mary Ray: Completed
Dd really liked this book a lot.  She thought it was particularly good and considerably better than the last few SL books she had as readers.  
Rainbow Resources summary:

Hylas is a young Greek slave in the household of Caius Pomponius, a Roman Senator involved in political schemes. When the senator is found mysteriously murdered, the household slaves (including Hylas and his mother) fall under suspicion. Hylas escapes capture long enough to enlist the aid of a young tribune, Camillus Rufus. The desperate attempt to unravel the threads of the political intrigue carries Camillus into the presence of Nero and brings Hylas into contact with the new secret sect of Christians.

Our FUN Read Aloud:

Hobbit

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien: In Process
We've listened to this book on audio; a few times, and I never got that clear of an image in my brain of the story until my reading it aloud to Dd.  I always liked the book, but now with me reading it aloud, I am super-impressed with it.  It amazes me how some books go so well with an audio, like the Little House on the Prairie books, and others just don't work as well, **for me**.  I have to say, Dd has listened on audio, read it to herself, and now is listening to me read it, and she *got* each version.  But, I have improved my rating of this story after reading it aloud.  So, if you never were super impressed with this book after hearing it on audio; perhaps you could give it a try as a reader or a read aloud?!


SL Read Aloud:

Flame Over Tara

2004

by Madeleine Polland and Omar Davis

Flame Over Tara: In Process
by Madeleine Polland 
We are really liking this book so far--this book is set in Ireland, and the Priest Patrick comes to the land to spread the good news of Jesus.  It has been interesting to read about the druids, and how they must have been so opposed to Christian ways taking over the ground that they had swayed for so long.  It is beautifully written and creates a very picturesque view of the land and sea.


Fun Books that Dd is reading:

Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes

Aug 18, 2015

by Rick Riordan 

Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes: In Process 
She is almost done, she just has the last section on Jason to read yet.  She is totally loving this book!

The Maze Runner (Book 1)

Aug 24, 2010

by James Dashner

The Maze Runner by James Dashner: In Process

Princess Ben

May 4, 2009

by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdock: In Process
She has read this book at least 2 or 3 times already, but it is one of her favorites and she likes to revisit her friend!


Fun Audio:
By the Shores of Silver Lake, narrated by Cherry Jones---who does such a great job on these books!

By the Shores of Silver Lake (Little House): IN PROCESS

Apr 8, 2008

by Laura Ingalls Wilder and Garth Williams

I am working on our Christmas gifts---should be finishing my third gift tonight...so close to being done.  I wish I could share pictures; but the gift I am working on might just be for you!  I'm knitting a lot!

May the Lord bless each of you and fill you with peace and faith!