CURRICULUM CLEAN-OUT: Giveaways x 2 Curriculum Packs!i

I am here to share the love, the homeschool curriculum love, that is!  I am joining other fabulous homeschooling mommy blogs, as we clean-out the curriculum shelves and give it away at Homeschool Creations.  Go check out the many giveaways HERE, after you enter the 2 Curriculum Pack Giveaways below - EACH GIVEAWAY has it's own Rafflecopter, so be sure to enter both!

American History Curriculum Pack includes:

• Heritage Studies 5 for Christian Schools, by BJU Press - 2nd Edition, Student Text ISBN#978-0-89084-990-3
• Heritage Studies 5 - 2nd Edition, Home Teacher's Edition
• American History Desk Reference, by the New York Public Library ISBN#0-02-861322-8
• DK Millennium Pack, Year 2000 - Interactive Fact-Filled Pack ISBN#0-7894-4715-0
• The American Presidents & The First Ladies Reference book set
• Civil War Ghosts by: David Cohen ISBN#0-439-05387-0
• Assassin by: Anna Myers ISBN#0-439-85104-1

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ancient History Curriculum Pack includes:

• Greeks:Usborne Internet-Linked, ISBN30-439-68680-6
• Myths, Legends, Neat Things (Grades 3-5) ISBN# 0-88012-813-5
• Exploring Our Word with Maps (Grades K-6) ISBN# 0-82244-396-1
• Fables by: Aesop ISBN# 0-395-45991-5
• DK Action Pack: Pyramid, An Interactive Guide to the Pyramids of Ancient Egypt, ISBN# 1-56458-684-7
• DK Action Pack: Rome, An Interactive Guide to Ancient Rome, ISBN# 1-56458-896-3

a Rafflecopter giveaway


BOTH CONTESTS END8/31/2012
Winner will be notified within 42 hours and items will be shipped via USPS media mail.  Open to Continental US residents only!


Be certain to stop by the LONG list of Curriculum Clean-Out Giveaways at Homeschool Creations.  Lots of chances to win and give curriculum a good home!

The Joyful Socks Mom  


Where we are at?  We are also linking up today at Hip Homeschool Moms Giveaway Day!

Weaving Coasters:Camp How-We-Luv-2-Crafta!

Teaching handicrafts to children is an essential key in a Charlotte Mason education.  I love introducing my children crafting that they can develop over time and use in adulthood.  Not that gluing a "foam piece" to a construction paper doesn't have it's practical value, but long term beauty?  I just don't see it.  The potential of passing a handicraft on to the next generation and the generations after, just blesses this mother's heart.  

Camp How-We-Luv-2-Crafta will be my summer wind-down series featuring handicrafts that you can easily create with your kiddos.  Here are some of the handicrafts I will feature: Weaving Coasters, Rag Dolls, Yarn Dolls, Stick Rafts, Making Butter, Spool Knitted Scarves, Macrame, Loom Weaving and Spool Spinning.


Today's Tutorial: Weaving Coasters
Materials needed: Paper Plate, Scissors, Black Yarn (for preparing loom), Various colored yarn of your choice (at least 3 different colors) cut in 2 - 2 1/2 feet strands (the younger the child, the shorter pieces of yarn so they don't get frustrated having them in tangles).

1.  Prepare your paper plate.  Punch hole in the center of paper plate.  Next, cut slits around the edge of the paper plate (every 2 - 2 1/2 inches around the scalloping on plate).  YOU MUST HAVE AN ODD NUMBER of slits.

2.  Now use your black yarn to construct your paper plate loom before beginning weaving.  Thread the black yarn through the center hole in paper plate, securing it with a knot.  Proceed by threading your black yarn up through an "edge slit" and then back through the center hole until all the "edge slits" are threaded with black yarn.  Black is easier for your child to see as they are weaving.  Secure last thread by tying a knot in the back of the plate.

3.  Turn plate around to begin instructing your child in how to weave their coaster.  Choose your beginning colored yarn.

4.  Thread yarn under a black yarn loom piece to begin.  Secure for your child by knotting the colored yarn to the loom yarn.

5.  Demonstrate and assist your child in weaving in an alternating pattern.  It is best when weaving a circle to begin with your fist few rows 2 under and then 2 over.  The remaining rows will simply be a 1 under, 1 over pattern.

6.  Be sure to tighten your weaving yarn during the weaving process.  Teach your child to pull, but not too tightly.  When they pull too tight the coaster while have snags.  When they don't pull tight enough the weaving will come loose easily.  Stop the weaving at lease an 1 - 1 1/2 inches from the end of black loom yarn.

 7.  Peel back the paper plate loom and rip away all paper from the yarn.

8.  Clip the ends of the black looming yarn in half.  Tie ends together and secure with a knot.

Remember: When instructing a child in handicrafts you need to encourage them in their work, while helping them to endure to the end result.  Teach them the importance of patience in achieving excellent.  Most handicrafts will need to be taught in small 20 - 30 minute increments and then resumed at the next instruction time.

Happy Crafting!

The Joyful Socks Mom  

This post is part of the Camp How-We-Love-To-Craft-A: Generational Handicraft series

Where we are at?  We are linking up this week at 3boysandadog for Homeschooling on the Cheap! 

Here are some more homeschool resources we recommend:

• Bright Ideas Press - The curriculum that Moms Love!  Home of Mystery of History.
• SHAPE Academy - SHAPE offers excellence in home education: Christian, classical, affordable, original and fun!
• No falling behind on Homeschool organizing!  Get the Weekly Homeschool Planner today!

Statement of Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.  The blog owner receives a small portion of sales generated from these links, which helps to support this blog.  The blog writer does not receive compensation for thoughts or opinions expressed on this blog.  Thank you for your kind consideration. 

Top 10 Reasons We ♥ Notebooking

1.  Notebooking promotes self-discipline.  When you spend time preparing children with research tools and resources, they learn to discipline themselves in whatever subject they are studying.


2.  Notebooking teaches organizational skills.  Utilizing notebooking helps your child see the importance of consistent organization and its many benefits.

3.  Notebooking promotes a true partnership in education, between teacher and student.  When we use notebooking, it helps promote a better mentor relationship between myself and my children.


4.  When travels and daily life give you brochures, pamphlets, programs and snap shots, notebooks give you a purposeful place for them to go!

5.  Creativity can abound and thrive during the notebooking process.  My children enjoy sharing ideas with one another and using their different sets of skills and talents to produce awesome notebooks.


6.  Notebooking gives the teacher the ability to quickly assess a students areas of both strength and weakness.  Keeping notebooks eases my grading load and keeps everything at my fingertips ready to assess.

7.  Notebooking allows children to develop their own resource book, allowing them to quickly find references they need for instruction, self-discipline and self-government.


8.  If it was good enough for George, it should be good enough for me!  The discipline of educating one's self is nothing new.  Our founding fathers were dedicated to relating and recording all they had learned in order to walk in wisdom.  Take a hint from the men who built this nation. . . notebook!


9.  Notebooking gives a child a true sense of accomplishment.  When the year is over they can look back at all they have learned and accomplished with pride.


10.  Notebooking teaches good-stewardship, teaching our students it is better to produce than to consume!  It is like having your child become their own textbook author!


Make your Notebooking Success easy from the word go!  Try out Jimmie's eBook from Notebooking Fairy!

Happy Notebooking!

The Joyful Socks Mom  

Where we are at?  We are linking up at Many Little Blessings: Top Ten Tuesday   

AND - Homeschooling on the Cheap! at 3 Boys and a Dog

Here are some more homeschool resources we recommend:

• Bright Ideas Press - The curriculum that Moms Love!  Home of Mystery of History.
• SHAPE Academy - SHAPE offers excellence in home education: Christian, classical, affordable, original and fun!
• No falling behind on Homeschool organizing!  Get the Weekly Homeschool Planner today!

Statement of Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.  The blog owner receives a small portion of sales generated from these links, which helps to support this blog.  The blog writer does not receive compensation for thoughts or opinions expressed on this blog.  Thank you for your kind consideration. 

HOMESCHOOL CONFERENCE is HERE!!!

The hour is now upon us!  Woot-Woot!

Yes, it is official, I am a nerd.  I just cannot help getting excited about fellowship with Christian educators, new school books and workshops.  Is this sad, or what?

I hope all my readers are equipped for this weekend.  Be ready for some great Christian fellowship and inspiring speaking . . . and the essential chocolate and coffee, of course.

Don't miss your chance to fellowship!  REGISTRATION Online is still open.  The conference will include speakers, lunch, 3 workshops, curriculum fair and used curriculum sale - $20 if you register online.  Registration will be open at the door on Saturday morning for $30.00 per person.  REGISTER today and save!

Here is what you have to look forward to enjoying THIS Saturday, July 21st:

• Inspirational Speakers: KEYNOTE SPEAKER Connie Hughes on "The Marathon of Homeschooling and Guest Speaker Reverend Nigel Ali speaking on "Generational Mothers".
• Musical Entertainment: Worship songs from The Burkett Sisters
• Original and Resourceful Workshop Presenters: 3 Workshops included with registration.
• LUNCH (that someone else prepared - Hello?!? That's gold right there ladies!)
• Fellowship with other Christian home educators, OUTSIDE your home.
• Homeschool resources and bargains at the Show-N-Tell Curriculum Fair and Used Curriculum Swap Shop.
• A day away from the house and the noise that accompanies its joys! :)

See you at conference ladies!

Happy Homeschooling!

The Joyful Socks Mom     

Our Homeschool: Grade 7 for 2012-2013

Our Homeschool Curriculum - I have included links to the curriculum we use (some affiliate), other links are free downloads, PDF's and eBooks.

The Scout & the Squeaker are both entering Grade 7 and both 13 years old.

Reading: 
Novel study (Independent Reading): Look at our List for Grade 7 LITERATURE HERE 
Poetry study: Graded Poetry-Seventh Year AND 
Term 1 & Term 2: Poems of Rudyard Kipling, Term 3 & Term 4: Oliver Wendell Holmes

Writing: Daily Writing Project {Essay Composition and editing} AND Editor in Chief  Scout B1 and Squeaker A1

Grammar: Language Lessons for the Secondary Child, Volume 1 AND McGuffey's 6th Eclectic Reader

Spelling and Phonics: All About Spelling Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3

Latin:Latin Not That Tough! Level 2 by: Greek-n-Stuff

Spanish: Poco A Poco {Conversational Spanish} FREE PDF

Math: Teaching Textbooks 7  AND Life of Fred: Fractions, Decimals and Percents


Science: Apologia - Exploring Creation with General Science 

History:  Daily - Our Island Story
Bi-Weekly American Exploration: Unit studies (Term 1: Columbus, Term 2: Jamestown & The Pilgrims Term 3: Daniel Boone Term 4: Lewis & Clark)

All of the curriculum listed above is in addition to the Family Studies that are conducted in a multi-generational format in the afternoons, evenings and weekends.  You can read more here.


Happy Homeschooling!

The Joyful Socks Mom 

• MOM ONLY! Boot Camp - LAST WEEK TO REGISTER!  Having a Generational Heart in your homeschool.  COME join us for a chance to win an ALL ABOUT READING Kit from All About Learning Press - - -  REGISTER TODAY!

Statement of Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.  The blog owner receives a small, TINY, portion of sales generated from these links.  This blog writer does not receive compensation for thoughts or opinions expressed on this blog.  Thank you for your kind consideration.  

Our Homeschool: Grade 3 for 2012 - 2013

Our Homeschool Curriculum - I have included links to the curriculum we use (some affiliate), other links are free downloads, PDF's and eBooks.

The Bug is entering Grade 3 & she is 8 years old

Reading: 
Daily - FI♥AR: Five-In-A-Row (Complete Volume 2, Volume 3) See our FI♥AR Schedule HERE. 
Novel study (Independent Reading): Look at the List of Grade 3 LITERATURE HERE. 

Poetry study Term 1: A Child's Garden of Verses by: Robert Louis Stevenson, Term 2: William Blake Term 3: Sara Teasdale and Hilda Conkling Term 4: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Writing: Daily - Getty Dubay Italic Workbook, Daily Writing Project {Essay Composition and editing}, Editor In Chief Beginnings

                                                                     

Grammar: Daily - Language Lessons for Elementary Student, Volume 1 AND McGuffey's 2nd Reader, Rod & Staff Building Christian English Grade 3

    
Spelling and Phonics: Daily - All About Spelling Level 1 and Level 2

French: Bi-Weekly - French Primer Notebook and CD

Spanish: Bi-Weekly - Poco A Poco {Conversational Spanish} FREE PDF

Math: Daily - Saxon Math 3  AND The Life of Fred Dogs Edgewood, and Farming


Science: Bi-Weekly FI♥AR, Nature Study & 
Science Readers - Term 1: Wilderness Ways Term 2: Ways of the Wood Folk Term 3: Secret of the Woods Term 4: Squirrels and Other Wood Beavers

History:  Daily - Our Island Story
Bi-Weekly American Exploration: Unit studies (Term 1: Columbus, Term 2: Jamestown & The Pilgrims Term 3: Daniel Boone Term 4: Lewis & Clark)


Geography: Bi-Weekly Home Geography for Primary Grades

All of the curriculum listed above is in addition to the Family Studies that are conducted in a multi-generational format in the afternoons, evenings and weekends.  You can read more here.


Posting next week on Grade 7 for 2012 - 2013!  See You Then!

Happy Homeschool Organizing!

The Joyful Socks Mom     

Where we are at?  Homeschooling on the Cheap! at 3 Boys and a Dog

Statement of Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.  The blog owner receives a small, TINY, portion of sales generated from these links.  This blog writer does not receive compensation for thoughts or opinions expressed on this blog.  Thank you for your kind consideration. 

Top 10 Reasons We LOVE to Spell Again!

Spelling has long been an area of much needed improvement for us as a home educating family.  Our lack of zeal for the subject is rivaled only by the dreaded "four letter M word".  I am not a natural speller to say the least, and rely heavily on the miracle of spell-check in all my writing ventures!  


This is why I was excited to partner with our sponsors for upcoming MOM ONLY! Boot Camp, All About Learning to review one of their curriculum packages, ALL ABOUT SPELLING Level 1 & Level 2 with Deluxe Interactive Kit.


1.  We are a multi-sensory, multi-learning style homeschooling-type family!  Huh?  What that means is the Lord has entrusted me with 3 children to educate at home, EACH ONE with a different learning style than the other.  The Squeaker is auditory, the Scout kinestetic, and the Bug a reader/writer - Thank you Lord for trusting me so much!  We love to spell once again, because ALL ABOUT SPELLING has met the needs of EACH ONE of my children, with their many different learning styles.  There is something for everyone:

• Phono-gram CD-ROM
• Flash Cards
• Magnetic Letter Tiles
• Progress Chart
• Certificate of Completion

2.  Organization Rules!  I love that ALL ABOUT SPELLING comes with all its elements ready, easy to assemble, and in an easy to organize manner.  The kids love having their own spelling review box and I love less mess . . . Who doesn't?

3.  Support, Support, Support!  We home educators cannot seem to get enough of that . . . but with ALL ABOUT SPELLING the customer support is friendly and ready to help you find what works for you and your family.  I spent 1 1/2 hours on the phone with Greg who was friendly, informative and honest about what would work best for us.  Let's be honest, good customer service is becoming harder to find!
4.  Incremental lessons, using ALL ABOUT SPELLING, helps us to build on our last lesson, adding knowledge each day to what the kids have already retained.  This has definitely added to the confidence level in our spelling abilities.  I have enjoyed the improvement in the Bug's attitude in her spelling instruction as well.  Whew, thanks!
5.  The hands-on lessons that ALL ABOUT SPELLING provides help break the tedium of spelling in general.  (Yes, those of us that are not "natural spellers" do, in fact, find the subject tedious at times!)  The tiles used to practice spelling words help to make this time more engaging for any learner.
6.  I love the spelling lessons that ALL ABOUT SPELLING clearly provides for me, as the instructor.  The lessons are well scripted, leaving me with less preparation time before lessons.
7.  The spelling instruction, provided by ALL ABOUT SPELLING, uses one-on-one lessons with my children, allowing me to individualize the lesson to their needs and go at their own pace.  
8.  We now have the means to decode all those spelling rules that keep us confused, without proper explanation.  ALL ABOUT SPELLING provides direct spelling instruction that helps to better understand and remember all those "elusive" spelling rules.

 

9.  Reasonable pricing for a valuable curriculum.  ALL ABOUT SPELLING curriculum can be purchased with the Deluxe Kit to begin, then adding your additional student packs and teachers manuals for each level completed.  This means less from the pocket each year . . . that's fine by me.
10.  We can stick with this spelling curriculum.  ALL ABOUT SPELLING has a complete curriculum for each grade, no waiting for next volume . . . Yes!

I could find no down side to using ALL ABOUT SPELLING.  Everything from the cost to the lessons made this curriculum a wise investment in both funds and time.  To have a smiling face on a child who used to deplore spelling is worth all that was invested, and ALL ABOUT SPELLING made it simple.  That is why we love to spell again!


Happy Homeschooling!

The Joyful Socks Mom 

Where We Are At Today?  Linking up at Top 10 Tuesdays at Many Little Blessings

• MOM ONLY! Boot Camp - Having a Generational Heart in your homeschool.  COME join us for a chance to win an ALL ABOUT READING Kit from All About Learning Press - - -  REGISTER TODAY!  ONLY 50 Seats Left!!!

Statement of Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.  The blog owner receives a small, TINY, portion of sales generated from these links.  This blog writer does not receive compensation for thoughts or opinions expressed on this blog.  Thank you for your kind consideration. 

Favorite Freezer Recipe Link-up

My friend Connie, the fun one with all the kids and the silly sarcasm, is hosting a linky on Favorite Freezer Recipes.  When it comes to serving up a crowd on a budget, Connie knows her stuff.  Here is my favorite Freezer Food recently - Gluten Free Turkey Meatballs!


We cook up a ton of meatballs and freeze them for use during the week. The reasons I love this food is it has no-gluten worries, the Scout is supposed to have limited gluten, and that I can use it in many different dishes.  I love feeling more versatile in the kitchen than I actually am.


Ingredients: 1 lb. Ground Turkey (or beef), 5 Gluten-Free Corn tortillas, Egg, 1/2 minced onion, 2 cloves Garlic, Rosemary, Basil (This is for one batch, but I usually make 5 batches at once to freeze)


1.  Leave Corn tortillas out on counter overnight to dry out a bit.  Cut them in thin strips with a pizza cutter.  Then cut them into small squares and put them in blender or food processor to make crumbs.  Add in your desired amount of chopped garlic, rosemary and basil.  (In this house too much basil is NOT possible). 


2.  Mix together ground turkey, minced onion, egg and tortilla crumbs, salt and pepper to taste.  Form into 1 - 2" balls and place on cookie sheet.  Cook in the oven at 400 degrees until meatballs are browned at bottom, usually 
35-40 minutes.

3.  Serve up for supper tonight and freeze the rest in gallon size freezer bags for later.


What to do with the meatballs?  Add them to some white gravy with plain Greek yogurt and mushrooms to make Meatball Stroganoff.  We use them with BBQ sauce, because we're from Texas, and we can!  I love to use meatball sandwiches on gluten-free rolls with a little mozzarella.  We eat the meatballs cooked in marinara and put them over Spaghetti Squash.  

{Picture By Zlatko Unger via Flickr}

Got any more magical meatball ideas?  Share them in the comments and swing by Smockity Frocks to share your favorite freezer meals and get more great ideas on-a-dime!

The Joyful Socks Mom 

Where We Are At? This week we are linking up at 4 Moms 35 + Kids 

Visit these resources for more great homeschool fun:

• MOM ONLY! Boot Camp - Having a Generational Heart in your homeschool.  Come here Connie speak on the "Marathon of Homeschooling" REGISTER TODAY!  ONLY 
• Notebooking Fairy - Ready to implement Notebooking in your homeschool?  Get started Here.
• Bright Ideas Press - The curriculum that Moms Love!  Home of Mystery of History.

Statement of Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.  The blog owner receives a small, TINY, portion of sales generated from these links.  This blog writer does not receive compensation for thoughts or opinions expressed on this blog.  Thank you for your kind consideration. 

So You Call Yourself a Homeschooler???

Head on over to Carlie's blog at So You Call Yourself a Homeschooler to read up on my guest post discussing what I have learned from dipping my foot into the Waldorf-infused Christian homeschool approach (not a technical term, just to say . . .)  Be sure to stay tuned to Carlie's blog in July for the continued Homeschool Methods and Approaches summer series.


Lessons I Learned From Waldorf

Happy SUMMER Homeschooling!

The Joyful Socks Mom