News....

Yes, you saw it at the top! We are expecting... my due date is June 23, 2009. And that is partially the reason why I haven't been around much. I have been dealing with morning sickness and fatigue. I have known for a long time, but my fears got the best of me and I kept it to myself.

I am thankful for this blessing and am grateful for the morning sickness because it means that my hormones are doing their job.

Other news...

Our baby girl is walking!!! EVERYWHERE!!! Loves to play in the toilet... ugh. Loves to climb stairs. She is a very busy little girl these days! Hope I can keep up with her!!!

That's all for now!

A big, "DUH!" moment....

Now as the owner/moderator of Home Management for Large Families, you would think that I have it all together. I do, in my head. Ideas just seem to flow out of my head, and when reading my schedules, to-do lists, and other things, it SEEMS that you WILL end up with the clean and tidy home/organized schedule that you have always dreamed of! But reality strikes when you realize, most things take more time than that!

Anyway, to get to my point...
I enjoy reading other blogs that inspire me to get it all together, make things tidy, and give me hope that, I CAN DO IT!!!

So, I'm reading along... and it says, "Today we are going to wipe and dust everything in sight!"
Okay, that's easy, I can do that! But then as I look around, I find my, "DUH!" moment... No, I can't wipe everything down because I can't see a clean surface in sight! "DUH!"

So, I can print out all the ideas that I want, but in reality, I have to find my way by myself.

For those of you who are in the same boat that I am in, I sympathize. However, I did sit down the other day and write up a cleaning schedule that goes above and beyond normal cleaning so that we can find peace for Thanksgiving. I will share that here for any of you who DON't want to join a group right now, but do want to find organization waiting at your doorstep on Thanksgiving. ****Note: This schedule has already began, but most of the jobs can be added to the next several days so that you CAN potentially catch up... and I am behind as I find most evenings that I crash at 8:30 p.m. on the couch in front of the roaring fire in our fireplace. Something about the sizzling and cracking of burning wood that just sets me up for a peaceful slumber that I can't avoid without leaving the room.


****UPDATED: I did just realize something else that takes a lot of time... two things actually:
1) I have a very needy baby that requires a lot of attention. She is content quite a bit of the time, but she is only 15 months and learning to walk and getting in to things, she has discovered my cabinets and the things they contain.

2) I also have a wood stove to BABYSIT... meaning that I am constantly adding to the fire, trying to keep it going, if it has gone to long without wood, I have to get it going again which can take up to 30 minutes of my time.


Thanksgiving Planner
Sunday........Monday ........Tuesday ........Wednesday .......Thursday .........Friday......Saturday

9	10	11	12	13	14	15
16	17	18	19	20	21	22
23	24	25	26	27 Thanks- giving DAY!	28	29

Monday 11/10/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…17 days!

¨ Try to do at least 4-6 loads of laundry. Follow all steps: Sort, Wash, Dry, Fold, Put away.

¨ Room Focus: Kitchen, make it sparkle!

¨ Straighten your computer desk. Clean pantry floor.

¨ Plan your menu for the week. Lay out any frozen items that you need for you meal today.

¨ Add any grocery items to your grocery list as you think of them, esp. any items needed for Thanksgiving.

¨ Have children keep floors clean, including their bedroom.

Tuesday 11/11/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…16 days!

¨ Continue doing laundry, my goal is still 4-6 loads. Set your goal and press toward it! Follow steps!

¨ Room Focus: Living Room/ Hallways, clean up and clear the clutter!

¨ Clear counter tops & cabinets in your kitchen or living room that has attracted clutter.

¨ Look at menu, and soak beans, lay out meat, brown meat, make bread…something to assist you for meals.

¨ Continue working on grocery list.

¨ Encourage children to keep up on the floors, and straighten their bedroom…make sure you do yours, too.

Wednesday 11/12/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…15 days!

¨ Laundry (an everyday task for us), my goal remains the same, 4-6 loads. Follow steps as above!

¨ Room Focus: Bedrooms/Stairway or Porch, clean up and clear the clutter!

¨ Clear a table or dresser somewhere in your house! Then clean out your refrigerator!

¨ Make sure you are ready for today’s meal, get things started or put them in the crock pot!

¨ Yes, grocery list time… keep it going so you won’t forget ANYTHING!

¨ Children, as always, need to help clean the floors… Want it done really good? Help them out!

Thursday 11/13/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…14 days!

¨ Take a break from laundry (if you can)…clean off your dryer, and wipe down washer/dryer, also take a vacuum and sweep out the lint from the inside of your dryer!

¨ Room Focus: Clean Office and wash windows, clean up and clear the clutter!

¨ Since today we are doing the windows, go to every window sill and remove all clutter!

¨ Do you have a meal in the crock pot yet? Maybe you can brown your meat and prepare it, and put it in the crock pot on low.

¨ Do you remember something that you needed? Write it down on your grocery list! Maybe today is errand day…things are starting to take shape, so go run your errands!

¨ Children should have this down by now, but make sure that do their part in cleaning the floors!

Friday 11/14/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…13 days!

¨ Laundry: Wash Sheets! Make Beds! My goal is again, 4-6 loads…large families make large laundry messes!

¨ Room Focus: Bathroom(s)…make them sparkle AND dust, dust, dust!!!

¨ Rubba Scrubba Scrubbing day! Once children have cleaned the floors, time to scrub them (and/or vacuum to edges), wipe baseboards, vacuum cobwebs from corners and walls!

¨ Do you have leftovers to serve from your refrigerator? Make something new, serve up those leftovers, or freeze them and order pizzas for Movie night!

¨ We should have everything under control as far as groceries are concerned, but nobody’s perfect… Write down a new list or add to the old!

¨ Children need to quickly clean the floors…this should be easy since it was already done today! The floors need to be ready for this evening so you can enjoy a movie as a family! I suggest watching the Waltons!

Saturday 11/15/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…12 days!

¨ Laundry…make sure things are ready for church tomorrow. Everything laid out and ready to wear down to the shoes! Washing shouldn’t be necessary if you have kept up the rest of the week, but if not…catch up today!

¨ Room Focus: NONE!!! Today we focus on Preparing for the Lord’s Day!

¨ Family Fun Day OR Baking day! Make you breads, desserts, and snacks for tomorrow and the following week! Or have a fun day with family!

¨ Get you meal in the crock pot for Sunday and plan a picnic for Family Fun Day!

¨ Don’t bother yourself with your grocery list today!

¨ Tidy up before your day of baking or fun! Then clean up when done!

Sunday 11/16/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…11 days!

¨ Lord’s Day! You should be prepared for church so that your getting ready goes smoothly and peacefully!

¨ No activities planned for this day except to plug in your crock pot before church (or the night before).

¨ Spend time fellowshipping with friends and family.

¨ Meal clean-up should be a family thing today, to ease one another’s burdens!

Monday 11/17/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…10 days!

¨ Wash weekend laundry so stains don’t set in (from Sunday’s meal). My goal 4-6 loads.

¨ Room Focus: Is your kitchen still sparkling? If not, make it sparkle! How is your entry way? Shine it up too!

¨ Make things easier Day!!! Today we are going to hunt down and gather those items that keep us from keeping things tidy! You know what they are! Mine are toys! Today, I will gather up extra toys and put them away until our family has enjoyed Thanksgiving with friends!

¨ Plan menu for the week and get things laid out for today!

¨ Keep that grocery list going!

¨ Children, get after those floors! Many hands make light work.

Tuesday 11/18/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…9 days!

¨ Continue doing laundry, my goal is still 4-6 loads. Sort, Wash, Dry, Fold, Put Away!

¨ Room Focus: Living Room/ Hall ways…dust, wash baseboards, straighten shelves, vacuum furniture!

¨ Clear a cabinet, fireplace mantel, or piano in your living room that has attracted clutter.

¨ Look at menu, and soak beans, lay out meat, brown meat, make bread…something to assist you for meals. If you have fresh pumpkin, cut it in half, scoop out the seeds, bake it in the oven at 350º in a large dish cut sides down with a little water in the bottom for about an hour. Then when it is done, scoop it out of the shell, puree it, and freeze it for Thanksgiving!

¨ Continue working on grocery list.

¨ Encourage children to keep up on the floors, and ask them straighten their bedrooms…make sure you do yours, too.

Wednesday 11/19/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…8 days!

¨ Laundry, my goal remains the same, 4-6 loads. Follow steps as above!

¨ Room Focus: Bedrooms/Stairway or Porch!

¨ Run through the house and clean the cluttered spots, that is dressers, tables, exercise equipment, hanging mail baskets, and sewing areas! Then clean out your refrigerator!

¨ Make sure you are ready for today’s meal, get things started or put them in the crock pot!

¨ Yes, grocery list time… keep it going so you won’t forget ANYTHING!

¨ Children, as always, need to help clean the floors… Want it done really good? Help them out!

¨ EXTRA JOB: Straighten pantry so it is ready for cooking for Thanksgiving!

Thursday 11/20/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…7 days!

¨ Take a break from laundry (if you can)…clean off your dryer, and wipe down washer/dryer, also take a vacuum and sweep out the lint from the inside of your dryer!

¨ Room Focus: Office… straighten desk & shelves, then dust!

¨ Clean off top of refrigerator & microwave. Didn’t finish the panty? Finish it next!

¨ Do you have a meal in the crock pot yet? Maybe you can brown your meat and prepare it, and put it in the crock pot on low.

¨ Grab grocery list and make a run for the door! Make sure you have the fixings for THANKSGIVING!!! OR stay home and tidy up!

¨ Children should clean the floors!

Friday 11/21/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…6 days!

¨ Laundry: Wash Sheets! Make Beds! My goal is again, 4-6 loads.

¨ Room Focus: Bathroom(s)…make sure they sparkle!!!

¨ Rubba Scrubba Scrubbing day! Once children have cleaned the floors, time to scrub them (and/or vacuum to edges), wipe baseboards, vacuum cobwebs from corners and walls!

¨ Use those leftovers & LAY OUT TURKEY!!! (in refrigerator)

¨ Groceries: Write down a new list or add to the old!

¨ Children need to quickly clean the floors…this should be easy since it was already done today! The floors need to be ready for this evening so you can enjoy a movie as a family! I suggest watching the Waltons!

Saturday 11/22/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…5 days!

¨ Laundry…make sure things are ready for church tomorrow. Everything laid out and ready to wear down to the shoes! Washing shouldn’t be necessary if you have kept up the rest of the week, but if not…catch up today!

¨ Room Focus: Guest room…usually I focus solely on getting ready for the Lord’s Day, but due to Thanksgiving, I make sure things are ready in the guest room. Dust, sweep, mop, freshly made beds.

¨ Prepare for the Lord’s day!

¨ Make cranberry sauce, & cheese ball for Thanksgiving. Make a few loaves of bread for M/T/W.

¨ Get you meal in the crock pot for Sunday and make your easy meal for today!

¨ Write down any last minute items you need for Thanksgiving!

¨ Children, tidy floors! Mom, clean up kitchen mess when finished… must keep kitchen CLEAN!

Sunday 11/23/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…4 days!

¨ Lord’s Day! You should be prepared for church so that your getting ready goes smoothly and peacefully!

¨ No activities planned for this day except to plug in your crock pot before church (or the night before).

¨ Spend time fellowshipping with friends and family. OR rest up for the busyness of this week!

¨ Meal clean-up should be a family thing today, to ease one another’s burdens!

Monday 11/24/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…3 days!

¨ Wash weekend laundry so stains don’t set in (from Sunday’s meal). My goal 4-6 loads.

¨ Room Focus: Keep that kitchen sparkling, entryway sparkling, and living room sparkling.

¨ Today we make sure things are tidy and stay that way! Find something you missed and attack!!!

¨ Plan EASY MEALS for the week and get things laid out for today!

¨ Forget the groceries! Make pie crusts, lay out cool whip, chop veggies for stuffing.

¨ Children, get after those floors, tidy rooms and clean up the yard!

Tuesday 11/25/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…2 days!

¨ Do minimal laundry, we should be caught up by now!

¨ Room Focus: Make sure bathrooms are sparkling… including a clean shower curtain for guests!

¨ Dust all surfaces!

¨ Get that meal ready early, THEN make up veggie tray, make corn bread for stuffing, and make pumpkin pies.

¨ Clean up kitchen as you go! Wipe cabinet fronts while waiting for pies.

¨ Encourage children to keep up on the floors, and straighten bedrooms. MOM, make sure you do yours, too! We are preparing for company!!! Yeah!

Wednesday 11/26/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…1 day!

¨ Do minimal laundry, if any!

¨ Room Focus: Quick tidy of entire house!

¨ Thanksgiving prep: Make crescent rolls, remaining pies, mix mushroom soup into green beans for green bean casserole and put back into refrigerator, cook sweet potatoes.

¨ Eat up those leftovers or make something super easy! Make & bake a breakfast casserole.

¨ Keep cleaning up your cooking messes!

¨ Help children do a super job cleaning the floors.

¨ Set time for your Thanksgiving meal tomorrow, then plan to have turkey done one hour before so you can cook your green bean casserole & pan of stuffing at the very last.

Thursday 11/27/08: Thanksgiving Day!

¨ Get up early and put turkey in oven! Once finished, make gravy from broth.

¨ Cook potatoes for mashed potatoes, mash and put in crock pot.

¨ Room Focus: Be prepared! Rooms should be tidy, but make a quick check! Make sure bathrooms have plenty of soap, towels, and toilet paper!

¨ Make sure dishes stay washed!

¨ Clean up breakfast mess quickly, THEN set the table for Thanksgiving dinner.

¨ Warm up sweet potatoes and prepare them as desired, remember you can put them in a crock pot if you have an extra one. If they have a topping, it can be added at the end and placed in the oven for 15 minutes to crisp up!

¨ Light candles, put on some light music & set out veggie tray & cheese ball or other appetizer just before guests arrive.

¨ Children should help where needed.

¨ Finally, enjoy your day of thanksgiving!

Last year’s Menu

Appetizers

~Cheese Ball with Crackers

~Veggie Tray with dip (celery, pickles, olives, carrots, pretzels, ranch & French onion dip)

Main Meal

~Turkey

~Dressing

~Candied Sweet Potatoes/or Sweet Potato Casserole

~Rice/or Mashed Potatoes

~Gravy

~Crescent Rolls

~Green Bean Casserole & Regular Green beans

~Cranberry Sauce

Dessert

~Pumpkin Pie w/whipped topping

~Pecan Pie

~Pumpkin Streusel Cake

Making a Thanksgiving Menu is helpful to keep you focused and on task. It also helps when you begin to set things out so that you don’t forget anything! One year I forgot to set out my cranberry sauce!!! Boy, was I embarrassed! Ever since then I have made a list of my menu!

***If you need recipes or instructions on how to prepare any of the items I have listed, just leave me a comment!

Blessing!

Heather

A Quick post...

There is just simply no time for me to blog these days...

First it was getting ready for company...then entertaining company... we actually went to the east coast to see the beach...AWESOME it was!!!

Then the recovery time for me from having company...

Trying to get school going again...

The possibly getting ready for company again...but they couldn't come...and during this time sickness (last week)...finally better now, at least for now. I didn't get it yet.

Now trying to get school going again (today & this week)...then in a couple weeks get ready for company again... my inlaws! That is always a great task as they are not used to having little ones around to cause the house to be in disorder... so I am going to try to work on the house a little at a time...

All the while I am making everything homemade, including crackers, bread, not cheese...not yogurt, but I should...all breakfasts come from my pantry of baking ingredients...egg casserole, baked oatmeal, scones, cinnamon rolls, cinnamon toast on my homemade bread, cake made from leftover oatmeal (coffee cake), french toast (with my homemade bread and eggs from our chickens), pancakes with freshly milled oat flour (and regular white flour) and homemade syrup...sorry can't afford maple syrup yet.

Oh, and I am compiling together a cook book... I plan to post it if possible on my Yahoo groups group... I created that for my own specialized reminders, but you are welcome to join...it is called Home Management for Large Families...I will eventually get the little icon you click on put on my blog sidebar. It is still under construction, but in the files I have job charts, mom job charts, grocery list, blank grocery list, and will eventually have menu plans, recipes, grocery lists for those recipes...etc. etc. etc....

Oh, and before I forget...we also have been butchering deer... so far, we have been given two deer for our family. The other evening we had grilled teriyaki deer steaks....YUM!!! with Oriental slaw, and baked spaghetti squash...

We haven't much except tomatoes from our garden, but I have squash planted in my garden that should be getting around to producing very soon...

I have been making a dessert squash casserole lately that we just love....I even eat it for breakfast! I will be sharing a recipe for that too...for my cookbook, when I have time...

So what have I been doing? ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING... keeping very busy... and yes, part of my time has been getting my cookbook together... I will be transferring those recipes to a word document for my group, Home Management for Large Families...but your family doesn't have to be large to join... that is just the name I gave it because my family is large, and so I am giving you a schedule for what a large family does.

Out of time!
Blessings!
Heather

BTW...I just put the link for my group in this post...just click and you will find it!

Home Schooling & Such...

Home schooling is going as well as can be expected...

I am trying my best to stick to my schedule and if I get behind, I just do the next thing that my schedule tells me to do. Although if it doesn't all get done, I stop at 3:00 p.m. regardless...

My schedule has stayed the same as it is below with the exception of having a singing time with our Bible time every morning and a "homework" time from 1 - 3 p.m.

I am also using Fridays to "catch up" on any incomplete lessons and such...that is if we have a lesson from English that we didn't finish on Thursday, we just finish it Friday and we are done with that subject for the day.

And if you are wondering, "WHY DO I HAVE SOOO MANY SUBJECTS ON MY SCHEDULE???"....it is the state law here...

We are REQUIRED to do Reading (Comprehension?/Phonics?), Literature (Reading the Classics?), Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Art, Language Arts (which lists a whole realm of things that we must try to teach), Music, Health & P.E. and twice a year submit a portfolio to the public school system for documentation of home schooling...ugh.

I am just wondering here...I am up at 5:30 a.m. every morning and I don't often go to bed super early AND MY HOUSE...oh, my house....IT IS AWFUL!!!

Does anyone have any tips here? I mean, I CAN'T skip home schooling for any length of time!!!

I really try to get things done, but they just get messy again. And money is pretty tight right now, so buying paper plates, paper napkins... and other helps, like a pizza delivery is out of the question...

I keep thinking, if I could just stay up super late and clean, but by the end of the day I am beat!!! And I am an energetic person. I know that my house is going to HAVE to be cleaned super well soon as my sister's family is coming to stay for visit...

An emergency cleaning would be somewhat helpful, but it takes a long time as we live in a large house... I remember the days of cleaning a much smaller place...I only had four children then...and my house stayed clean! What is the matter with me now?? (with the exception of living in a home 3 to 4 times that size?)

Oh well...I do it someday...it will be here for me tomorrow if I don't get it done today, right?

I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel SOMEWHERE!!! I just need to find it and run toward the light! (with prayer, of course)

Blessings!
Heather

BTW... Mrs. C, I am SOOO glad that my schedule was helpful to you!!! That made my day!!!

Gardening & Homeschooling

Sorry, Amity....the only thing I have to show for my garden this year is tomatoes...tried to post a picture, but blogger wasn't cooperating.

My tomato varieties are:
green zebra stripe tomatoes (heirloom), hillbilly tomatoes (heirloom red & orange tomato), celebrity, early girl, grape & Roma tomatoes....

Although I was digging up a section (a very large section) last week by hand and planting some other things that may not come up...we'll see. I also dug up another section of my "secret garden" by hand that I plan to plant peas, broccoli, cauliflower & cabbage in.

Then once Saturday gets here, or later today, I will be planting my mesclun (lettuces), spinach, carrots, beets & possibly peas in my herb garden (in the "secret garden").

And here it is....an official, trying to make it work, Daily School Schedule for 5 homeschooling children.

NOTE: In order for me to get ready for the day, I am rising at 5:30 a.m. every morning (except Saturday).

Daily School Schedule (times may vary)

Monday

¨ Bible (Proverb corresponding w/date; 8:00)

¨ Next Lesson in Math (9:00 – 9:45 boys; 9:45 – 10:15 girls)

¨ History / Social Studies (Group Lesson—10:15 – 10:45)

¨ Spelling (Write spelling words; 9:45-10:15)

¨ Penmanship (9:00 – 9:45 girls; 9:45 – 10:15 boys)

¨ English (10:45 – 11:15 older children; learning nouns & verbs with girls)

¨ Reading/Phonics (11:15 – 11:45)

¨ P.E. (11:45 – lunchtime; bicycles)

Tuesday

¨ Bible (Proverb corresponding w/date; 8:00)

¨ Next Lesson in Math (9:00 – 9:45 boys; 9:45 – 10:15 girls)

¨ Science (Group Lesson—10:15 – 10:45)

¨ Spelling (Write spelling words; 9:45-10:15 boys)

¨ Penmanship (9:00 – 9:45 girls; 9:45 – 10:15 boys)

¨ English (10:45 – 11:15 older children; learning nouns & verbs with girls)

¨ Reading/Phonics (11:15 – 11:45)

¨ P.E. (11:45 – lunchtime; free play)

Wednesday

¨ Bible (Proverb corresponding w/date; 8:00)

¨ Next Lesson in Math (9:00 – 9:45 boys; 9:45 – 10:15 girls)

¨ History / Social Studies (Group Lesson—10:15 – 10:45)

¨ Spelling (Write spelling words; 9:45-10:15 boys)

¨ Penmanship (9:00 – 9:45 girls; 9:45 – 10:15 boys)

¨ English (10:45 – 11:15 older children; learning nouns & verbs with girls)

¨ Reading/Phonics (11:15 – 11:45)

¨ P.E. (11:45 – lunchtime; rules/team sports)

Thursday

¨ Bible (Proverb corresponding w/date; 8:00)

¨ Next Lesson in Math (9:00 – 9:45 boys; 9:45 – 10:15 girls)

¨ Science (Group Lesson—10:15 – 10:45)

¨ Spelling (Write spelling words; 9:45-10:15 boys)

¨ Penmanship (9:00 – 9:45 girls; 9:45 – 10:15 boys)

¨ English (10:45 – 11:15 older children; learning nouns & verbs with girls)

¨ Reading/Phonics (11:15 – 11:45)

¨ P.E. (11:45 – lunchtime; free play)

Friday

¨ Bible/Music starting 2^nd wk (Proverb corresponding w/date; 8:00)

¨ Spelling Test (9:00-9:15 boys)

¨ Next Lesson in Math (9:15 – 9:45 boys; 9:45 – 10:15 girls)

¨ Art (Group Lesson—10:15 – 10:45)

¨ Penmanship (9:00 – 9:45 girls; 9:45 – 10:15 boys)

¨ English (10:45 – 11:15 older children; learning nouns & verbs with girls)

¨ Reading/Phonics (11:15 – 11:30)

¨ Health (starting 2^nd wk)/P.E. (11:30 – lunchtime; health lesson then endurance training)

What I've been up to....

Gardening...
Gardening...
Gardening...
Entertaining...
Gardening...
Church...
Gardening & Home Schooling...

Need I say more?

I'm really too tired to write...been up since 5:30 a.m. est. I'm tired...

Have a blessed day in the LORD!!!
Heather

Another addition to my "Thought of the Day"

Where there's water, there's children, and where there's water and children, there is mischief and MUD!!!

Yes, Mrs. C, we have discovered MUD...not to mention holes in the ground, dug by my dear sweet children...

Directions: Dig BIG hole...fill with water...mix well...and play...get really dirty with the mud that you have made...add Mom to the mix...she's frantic by the way...get hose & turn on water...spray dirty children well...run really warm bath (because by now we have goosebumps, shivers, and blue lips)...put children in bath...2 at a time...wash WELL...provide children with clean, dry clothes, turn movie on, lock in house....take wet muddy clothes (that have been rinsed out well...outside)...put in washer...wash on extra dirty cycle with detergent & oxyclean...dry in dryer (to get sand completely out of clothes)...now, MOM...sit down and enjoy movie with children...by now they are snuggling in blankets and don't EVER want to touch mud again!!! until they dig the next hole!!!

When children have all gone to bed, write your story in your journal and remember it forever...don't forget to share it with your children when they are grown!

Blessings!
Heather

Thought for the Day

Where there's water, there's children. And where there's water and children, there's mischief.

More on Homeschooling...

I am still trying to gain my focus on what I am going to teach and how I did it in the past, so I am still thinking and writing through my ideas and plans... However, I am going to share it here... (so I don't lose my notes (o;)

To keep the small ones busy, I will provide them with lots of copy work... the way I usually do copy work is more time consuming but saves money...

Handwriting/Copy work (every day--independent)

1. First I get some very cheap lined paper (for beginning handwriting) and I make a "book" by stapling several sheets of this cheap paper between construction paper (or whatever I have).
2. Then I use a ball point pen and write letters for them to copy.
3. They use a magic marker or highlighter pen to copy the letters...the marker makes it "fun," and is usually a "treat" for them.
4. I also make sure to help them decorate there new book. Stickers can be used as well as crayons and markers to make a picture. I also make sure I write there name on the book.
5. Once the child has mastered their letters and numbers, I go on to words, then sentences...I prefer Scripture verses, not only does that teach writing, but once they begin to read that reinforces there memory verse for the week.
6. Sometimes I use Donna Young's handwriting worksheets to teach the correct way to write in cursive...I often let the child decide when they would like to write in cursive as I have often began them in 1st grade (which was their choice).
   

Math (every day--independent after lesson is taught)
Saxon Math teaches almost all the skills a child needs, but if you are not using a curriculum for your small children (K-1st grade) you can do many different things...

1. Use counters to teach counting... anything here can be used from army men or teddy bear counter to beans or noodles.
2. Use toys to teach positions (front, middle, back...first, second, third....and so on)
3. Use your same counters to teach addition and subtraction... This method makes math real to your child. Make rows, trains (with blocks), towers, airplane seats... adding and taking away so the child begins to understand math.
4. Use apples to teach division. When you cut an apple in half how many pieces do you have now? So 1/2 apple plus 1/2 apple equals one whole apple.

Spelling (every day--independent after lesson taught)
This is one of those subject that many throw there hand up in the air about... How do you teach spelling?

Well if you teach phonics to your child, then your child will learn to spell phonetically. However, sometimes words are not spelled phonetically so as you are going over your child's copy work, you find the spelling mistakes that they made. Those "mistakes" are now your "spelling words" for the week. Have the child/ren write those words 3-5 times each day for 3 days. Give a pre-test on Thursday, if the child scores a perfect score on Thursday then count that for the test, if not, have the child retake the test on Friday.

Any words that were not spelled correctly on the Friday test can be added to the following weeks spelling lesson, because we all know, "Practice makes perfect."

In addition to writing our spelling words, I also have my children write the pronunciation, definition, and different forms of the word (with prefixes, suffixes, plural form, past, present, future tense if verb).

Language Arts (every day--group lesson, worksheets independent)
Language arts is spelling (covered), grammar, reading (which I include in Literature), word study, and expository and creative writing which includes essays, letters to friends or family, and poetry.

Shurley English covers most of these topics... that is grammar, writing, word study, and abbreviations (including states, their capitols, postal abbreviation, & the outline of the state).
It uses jingles or poems to teach about parts of speech, etc. Each day we outline a sentence and learn or review a concept, then follow up with a worksheet. Each week we learn new words (synonyms & antonyms), take a test, write a paragraph, and learn 2 new states.

When I am teaching English, I usually try to include my younger children in singing the "jingles" so they can memorize these poems (which teach the parts of speech). Young children can be taught some of the parts of speech...mainly nouns and verbs. This can actually be very fun as you can ask them to jump, run, dance, etc. or to get the cat, a toy, or something that is a noun.

History/Social Studies (3 times per week--group lesson, independent reading)
We are basically learning about people and events from the past. Reading the Bible from the beginning to the children is teaching them about the past...how the world began. This is a very good place to start.

I use Tapestry of Grace to teach History, Biblical Worldview, etc. I also use their maps to teach Geography.

For my younger children, I have often read Genesis 1-3 to them and had them illustrate what happened on the Days of Creation...wow, we just covered 2 subjects... history & art! Then I might have them copy a verse or the verse that refers to the day we just discussed and our handwriting is done for the day!

Science (2 times per week--group lesson)
Science is a study of God's Creation...the earth, the animals, the human being, the way things work, electricity, magnets, weather, clouds, etc.

What curriculum do you use? Good question! But we have chosen Apologia Science. You can read the lessons out loud to ALL of your students... making sure your little ones are coloring and occupying themselves, then finish up with discussion and then, if your child is able, have them follow up with the questions at the end. Many parents will have their child dictate to them what they have learned and then the child will copy what their parents have written on their papers, then as the child gets older you can teach them to rephrase the sentence and find the answer themselves.

Bible (every day as a group)
We sing the Old and New Testament songs, recite our catechism questions & answers, teach memory verses, sing Scripture verses, read the Bible, and talk about the character of God. This can be done anytime... say you do a morning devotion and Bible reading during breakfast, and at lunch read your Proverb of the day (corresponds with the date), and then during "school" time sing songs, work on memory verse, work on catechism questions, dinner time can be a question & answer session with dad.

Art (once or twice a week)
There are so many things to do in art, I don't even know where to start. But many things can be considered art. Say you have a Lego genius, like me, have them build a structure and then take a picture of it to put in your portfolio...that is sculpture.

Drawing can be anything from animals, trees, your house, to tea cups, fruit, glass jars, eggs, popcorn, etc. They are basically learning small motor skills. You can buy a book for ideas or find some websites (Like Donna Young's) to help you, but art is basically ANYTHING creative... from knitting & sewing (fibers) to painting & sculpture.

Other ideas that may help are to have you children make cards for family members who are having birthdays. Make sure to take a picture and stick it in you portfolio though!

Health (once per week)
Simple...caring & learning about our bodies. This includes how our body works, dental care, grooming, what to feed & fuel our body, why we get sick, how to keep our bodies healthy, getting proper sleep, what to expect when mommy has another baby, how to care for our siblings, safety rules, gearing up (helmets & elbow & knee pads) for outdoor activites; protecting our skin, sight & hearing; what to do in an emergency, first aid, CPR, when to call 911; what drugs, alcohol, smoking & junk food does to our bodies, how our body changes when we get older, etc.

Music (once or twice per week)
Straightforward...
Composers & their music (reading out of a book).
Learning to read & play music.
Listening to music & learning to appreciate it.
Teaching musical instruments (or music lessons outside of the home).

Physical Education (every day...as my children are quite active)
Learning what to do to keep our bodies fit which includes learning how to play different team sports (& rules), learning how to play individual sports (& rules), learning what activities we should do everyday and learning about warming up, stretching & cooling down.

I thing that should be a good enough start for me... it gives me a few great ideas on subjects that I have not taught before (as the laws out here are different). Hope you find this helpful too!

Blessings!
Heather

Thoughts on Homeschooling

Homeschool Lesson Goals

Reading/Phonics – How to Tutor Lessons

• Writing & Singing ABC’s
• Writing & Spelling name

Math – Next lesson for boys (in Saxon Math), Saxon Math 1 & 2 (2nd grader...she didn't finish Math 1, and I will not go to Math 2 until she has finished)

• Shapes & Counting (1 – 20)
• Writing numbers
• Basic Addition, Subtraction, & Division

Bible – Memory verse each week & TOG curriculum (focuses on what the Bible says and why certain people did what they did)

• Bible Stories
• OT & NT Songs
• Catechism Questions
• Singing Scripture

Music – Identifying notes, Listening to music, Composers & their music, Singing (refer to Bible)

• Instruments? – piano, cello, keyboard, trumpet, guitar?

Art – Colors & Mixing Colors, Still Life drawings, Animal Drawings, TOG curriculum

• Using different mediums – crayons, markers, play dough, paint?

English – Spelling (Natural Speller?), Language Arts (Shurley English?), Writing (Write Like Crazy?)

• Identifying punctuation
• Identifying nouns & verbs

Science – Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day?, Butterflies & Bees mini books?

Social Studies – TOG curriculum

Health – Learning about our bodies and how to take care of them.

Physical Education – Team Sports

Literature (Reading) – TOG Curriculum

• Reciting Nursery Rhymes
• Fairy Tales & Fables

The indented items are mainly thoughts on teaching my little ones... They will be 1st grade & younger. TOG stands for Tapestry of Grace Curriculum.

The main goal with my little ones is to keep them busy while I teach the older children. The less idle time they have, the less they get into trouble.

Other ideas when trying to keep your littlest content is to have your older children take turns occupying baby while you teach the others. And as baby begins to sit up and play, get a basket of toys (safe for baby) and set in front of him/her. That usually keeps them busy for a good long time. If all else fails, invest in a carrier of some kind...I suggest the Ergo baby carrier, and put baby in there until he/she falls asleep.

If the font on this post is a little crazy, it is because I copied and pasted this Homeschool goals from Microsoft Office...it always makes things look crazy!

Blessings!
Heather