Christmas Piano Recital

Clavier had his Christmas piano performance this weekend. He's worked hard on several pieces over the last few months. There is no doubt that he has been blessed with a love and a gift for music.

He played the offertory in church several months ago, and will also be playing Christmas Eve.

For his Christmas performance he chose to learn "Suzy Snowflake", "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring", and the Hallelujah Chorus.

Overheard...

While listening to the song for this week's Latin memory work (What are Latin verb families called?):

"Mom isn't that what large groups of people are called? Like at church?"

"No, kiddo. That's congregations. This is conjugations."

Six Months!

History Plans, Term One

I'm designing my own history plans this year, pulling from several different resources.  I'm trying an experiment this year of reading through all of world history during the first half of the year.  We are using A Child's History of the World for our overview, and reading a few short chapters every day (we started this last week). While we are doing that, we will do a narrower study of two specific times/places. I asked Clavier to choose, and he picked Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece.


During the second half of the year we will read an overview of American History, and study Native Americans and New World Explorers.


I use OneNote to plan, and here is what we're doing the first term of the school year for Ancient Egypt. Many of the activities come from History Odyssey: Ancients and History Pockets: Ancient Civilizations. Some of the reading choices are from Classical House of Learning, Veritas Press, and our own shelves.


Read Aloud: History


• Child's History of the World- Start 08/05/13


Week 1: 9/3
• Time Traveler: Pharaohs and Pyramids
Week 2: 9/9
• Story of the World, Vol. 1 Chap. 2-3
• The 5,000-Year-Old Puzzle (library)
Week 3: 9/16
• Egyptian Cinderella
• The Temple Cat
• Seeker of Knowledge (library)
Week 4: 9/23
• Story of the World, Vol. 1 Chap. 4
• You Wouldn't Want to Be Tutankhamen
Week 5: 9/30
• Story of the World, Vol. 1 Chap. 12-13
• You Wouldn't Want to Be a Pyramid Builder
Week 6: 10/7
• Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt
• Science in Ancient Egypt (library)
Week 7: 10/14
• Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt
•  Ancient Science
• You Wouldn't Want to Be Cleopatra
Week 8: 10/21
• Ancient Science
• You Wouldn't Want to Be an Egyptian Mummy!
• If I Were a Kid in Ancient Egypt: Children of the Ancient World (library)
Week 9: 10/28
• Tut's Mummy Lost and Found
• Hieroglyphs

History: Assignments (I'm not sharing all the details, so as not to violate copyright.)

• Week 1
• Finish "What is History" Pocket (we started this at the end of last year)
• Copy work/dictionary: papyrus

• Week 2
• Mapping
• Start Pocket 3, “Ancient Egypt.” Complete the Pocket Label, Words to Know, and Student Booklet. 

• Week 3
• Copy work/dictionary "gods" and "pyramids."
•  Pocket 3, Life Along the Nile.
• Week 4
• Continue Pocket 3, Postcard from Ancient Egypt and The Great Pyramid.
• Week 5
• Copy work/dictionary "temple."
• Mapping
• Week 6
• Finish Pocket 3, if needed.
• Timeline 
• Week 7
• Ancient Science project
• Notebooking pages
• Week 8
• Ancient Science project
• Notebooking pages
• Week 9
• Hieroglyphic Note

Kindergarten 2013-2014

Here are most of Capricio's kindergarten plans for the year! I want to stress that K5 is completely optional in our house.  Capricio is chomping at the bit to improve his reading and work on writing, but he is free to come and go as he wishes.

Phonics/Reading

• Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading

We started this toward the end of last school year at his request, and he's doing very well.  Clavier used OPGTR very successfully, but I wasn't sure it would suit Capricio. Clavier started reading at five and a half and we didn't do lessons daily until he was six. In contrast Capricio just turned five a week ago!

I'm adding some Explode the Code here and there too as he enjoys workbooks (unlike Clavier at that age!).

Handwriting

• Handwriting Without Tears K & 1

Capricio is in the middle of the kindergarten book, and I expect him to move on to the next soon.  Once he does I'll add in some other copywork.

Math

• RightStart Math A

Math for Capricio has caused some debate.  I love RightStart Math, but Capricio has followed along with Clavier as he completed levels A & B. He is a very math inclined child, and is just about at the same level as his older brother.  We are going to buzz through RightStart anyway though, since he is so young.  If he balks, I'll bump him up as appropriate.

Geography

• Evan-Moor Beginning Geography

One of my favorite resources!

History and Science

• Following along with his brother in my history mash-up (details soon)
• Animal and Their Worlds with his brother

Literature

• Great books from our home collection and library. I'll share these as we go along!

Daily Learning Notebook

• Details coming! I'm still finalizing plans.

Second grade plans here. 

Clavier's Spring Piano Recital

Clavier had his first year of formal piano lessons during the last school year.  He worked very hard, and has quite a love of music!

Second Grade 2013-2014

I sent my Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) off to the school district today! It isn't detailed, but provides a rough overview of the year to come. (Yes, all these subjects are required by the state.)

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Arithmetic

Cotter, Joan A. RightStart Mathematics Level C. Hazelton, ND:
     Activities for Learning, Inc., 2001. Print.
Singapore Math. Challenging Word Problems 1. Singapore:
     Marshall Cavendish Education, 2011. Print.

Reading
  
Holzmann, John & Sarita. Grade Three Readers Schedule and Study
     Guide. Littleton, CO: Sonlight Curriculum, Ltd., 2012. Print.
Norris, Jill. Read and Understand with Leveled Texts 2.
     Monterey, CA: Evan-Moor Educational Publishers, 2010. Print.

Spelling
  
Rippel, Marie. All About Spelling Level 2. Eagle River WI: All
     About Learning Press, 2012. Print.

Writing
  
Retzer, Carol Ann and Eva Hoshino. A Reason for Handwriting:
     Transition. Siloam Springs, AR: The Concerned Group, Inc.,
     2010. Print.
Verstegen, Lori. Bible Heroes: Writing Lessons in Structure and
     Style. Locust Grove, OK: Institute for Excellence in Writing,
     2013. Print.

English Language
  
Shurley, Brenda. Shurley English Level 1. Cabot AR: Shurley
     Instructional Materials, 2001. Print.

Geography
  
 Johnson, Sandi. Daily Geography Practice Grade 2. Monterey, CA:
     Evan-Moor Educational Publishers, 2013. Print.

United States History
  
Brooks, Kaeryn. The American Story 1. Grand Rapids, MI:
     WinterPromise Publishing, 2013. Print.
Hillyer, Virgil M. A Child’s First History of the World. Hunt Valley,
     MD: Calvert Educational Services, 1997. Print.
Miers, Earl Schenck. A Child’s First Book of American History. San
     Luis Obispo, CA: Beautiful Feet Books, 2013. Print.

Science
  
Brooks, Kaeryn. Animals and Their Worlds. Grand Rapids, MI:
     WinterPromise Publishing, 2012. Print.
Larson, Nancy. Science 1. Old Lyme, CT: Nancy Larson Publishers,
     Inc., 2007. Print.

Health Education
  
Bunting, Fleming, et al. Harcourt Health and Fitness 2. Orlando,
     FL: Harcourt School Publishers, 2007. Print.

Music
  
Clavier will participate in weekly piano lessons and regularly perform in concerts throughout the year.

Visual Arts
  
Clavier’s visual art instruction this year will come from projects related to topics studied in geography, history, and science. He will also participate in a twice monthly cooperative group for art instruction.

Physical Education
  
 Clavier will participate in weekly swim lessons, as well as other activities such as bike rides, hikes, sledding, and baseball with family and friends.
--------------------------------------------------------------------

I plan to share more details about how our day will break down soon. One important piece of our day that isn't listed here is our Daily Notebook.  Last year I created a daily calendar notebook, but this year I've expanded that for Clavier. Capricio has one as well.  Kindergarten plans here!

Meet the Family (Again)

Since I am recommitting to blogging this school year, it seems appropriate to reintroduce the clan.  We have changed a lot in the past year and a half!

First my husband, the best person I know! He works hard to support us all, and does so cheerfully. His passion is music and he is the music director and organist for a nearby church.

Our first born, "Clavier," is now seven! We've chosen that nickname for him because he is such a well-tempered boy. He takes after his dad in so many things, including his love and talent for music.

Our second son, "Capricio." He is a newly minted five year old with a love for music, art, and (in his words) building things. He is always creating a masterpiece!

Accelerando is our joyful two and a half year old son.  His nickname at church is "Smiley," and that describes his personality so well!

The baby is "Vivace." At the time of this writing, he is just over five months old. His real name means "happy," and he is well-suited to it!  A calm baby, adored by all his older brothers.

Not much as changed about me, perhaps a little older, and little more tired. I am still happily at home with my crew, maintaining order (most days), sneaking in a few pages of my book when I can, baking up a storm, and loving our homeschool journey!

Used Curriculum Sale Blog Hop!

Joining up with Jessica at Shower of Roses for this year's Used Curriculum Sale Blog Hop!

Shipping is $3.00 for 1-2 items in the same envelope and $6.00 for a box or three or more items. This covers media mail shipping with delivery confirmation in the Continental U.S.

I accept payments via PayPal. Please email me at zuzu 822 AT hotmail DOT com if you're interested in anything.

Making Music Praying Twice Children's Songbooks and CDs (Advent & Christmas, Lent, Easter, Ordinary Time: Fall, Ordinary Time: Winter - New $40 SOLD

Our Musical Year: Songs of Faith, Freedom and Fun Year 1- New $10 PENDING
Our Musical Year: Songs of Faith, Freedom and Fun Year 2- New $10 SOLD

Real Science 4 Kids Astronomy Pre-Level 1 Textbook- Excellent condition $8 SOLD

Seton Kindergarten Science- Good condition $2 SOLD

Seton First Grade American History- New SOLD

Get Ready for the Code A, B, C- New $2 each or all for $5 SOLD

Handwriting Without Tears Kindergarten Teacher's Guide- New $3 SOLD

Handwriting Without Tears Pre-K Readiness Guide- New $8

Singapore Earlybird Kindergarten Math Standards Edition B- Unused, some shelf wear $5

Miquon Math Lab Sheet Annotations & Orange Book- New $7 SOLD

The Art of Natural Family Planning 4th Edition- Very good condition FREE TAKEN

Thanks for looking!

Hey Girl.

Taking inspiration from the very popular and (very funny!) "Hey Girl" memes, Ginny's started a link-up featuring the guys in our lives! (Way better than Ryan Gosling, who I had never heard of before this!)

(So happy that wallpaper is GONE!)

While the homeschool version is very silly, I think my favorites are Hey girl. I Heart NPR and Hey girl. I like the library too.

Pinning it Down ~ Baptism of Jesus

Our Catholic homeschool group meets once a month for Blue Knights and Little Flowers. My friend and I lead a small group of younger siblings during this time. (I'm planning to share more of what we do with them soon!) While brainstorming for our January session (baptism and the Baptism of Jesus), I saw this fantastic sea shell ornament! It was originally pinned by Lacy of Catholic Icing from Crafolic.

We made a few changes to it...

First, I asked my husband to drill a small hole in the shells for the string/yarn/twine to make the hangar more sturdy.

Second, we used Mod Podge, and mixed the glitter right in!

This is not the easiest project for young kids, but they are a determined bunch and had fun! I ended up gluing the image of the dove and stringing the yarn ahead of time. The kids glued with image of Jesus with a liberal amount of glitter.

I did end up trying another recipe this week as well. We were suffering from the 4 PM doldrums yesterday, so I quickly mixed up some Orange Dreamsicle Smoothies. Yum!

I halved the sugar, but next time I'd skip it all together. Orange juice is sweet enough that you do not need added sugar!

More Pinning it Down here and follow me on Pinterest here!

{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real} Of Rice and Boys

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~
Every Thursday, at Like Mother, Like Daughter!

{happy}

Finally, more than just an inch or two! Real snow!

The effort to pull Little Brother is just too much. Big Brother is worn out.

{real}

Believe it or not, this is the second time in a week twenty or pounds of rice has been spread aroudn the upstairs!

During a playgroup late last week, the boys and a friend had very a involved sensory experience with our bins of rice in the schoolroom. What started out as scooping and pouring ended in a barefoot, ice skating rink of rice that spread into the hall and Baby Brother's room. Totally worth it! Just wish I'd gotten pictures.

Over the weekend, there was an "accident" and the rice spilled again. It's gone to live in the basement for a bit while I recover!

I originally wrote this post Tuesday to be published yesterday (Thursday), but here's what happened between then and now...

This week has been full of "real" moments, especially yesterday. Baby Brother proved again just how different he is from his brothers while we were at story hour. I was exhausted trying to keep him corralled and quiet!

In the afternoon, Big Brother accidentally destroyed one of the crafts I was prepping for our Blue Knights/Little Flowers meeting today, and then Little Brother was splashed by boiling water!

Some days you can't win for losing, as they say!

Pinning it Down ~ Food, food, food!

I think the majority of what I pin on Pinterest is FOOD! My pinboard devoted to recipes that catch my eye is spiraling out of control. I think I'll have to divide it into several categories!

This week I chose several recipes to try out!

First up were Sugar Cookie Bars. I thought this was a brilliant idea, and I wish I'd thought of it myself. We love sugar cookies, but I find the hassle too much for everyday use. I do occasionally make roll-out cookies "drop" cookies instead, but this is a much better (and prettier!) idea.

Press your dough into a cookie sheet, bake, cut with a pizza cutter, and voila!


The recipe called for a 13x18 pan, but I used 11x17. A smaller size would work too, the dough just might not fit all at once.

I had some leftover frosting in the fridge, so I frosted a few and added organic sprinkles. They were fantastic! I did end up cutting the bars into smaller squares, though, before serving. They are rich!

A few days later we tried a new breakfast idea: eggs in bell pepper slices!


This was an easy way to add some veggies to breakfast, but I did not perfect the "prettiness" of the dish. I think the trick is thin slices that lie flat in the skillet.

The boys loved them, though, and I'm thinking we'll make them with green pepper for St. Patrick's Day!

Find more Pinning it Down ideas here, and follow me on Pinterest here!

Boys' Bedrooms

Earlier in the week, a friend of mine and I were talking about our children's bedrooms. She just moved into a new house and is enjoying painting, setting up, and planning furniture for her kids' rooms. As we were talking and I shared our current solutions, it occurred to me that I never posted about the boys' rooms. I had planned a post since over the summer, Big Brother and Little Brother got a bunk bed and they love it!

(Duplo creation out of reach of a grabby baby!)

They only have one window in their room and although it faces east, it's not the brightest room. The walls are actually a very pretty pale green, although I probably wouldn't have chosen it myself. One day, we'll paint!

Baby Brother sleeps across the hall. We recently moved the play kitchen upstairs to give him and Little Brother more options during school.

Both rooms are a nice size, and I love the hardwood floors in our house! It's hard to believe in four days we'll celebrate one year in our "new" home

All About Baby Brother

Because I missed Baby Brother's birthday here on my blog (he is 14 months this week!), and because he has absolutely no semblance of a baby book and I don't want to forget this stuff, here's some of what he's up to lately!

*He spends approximately 25% of his time on the dining room table. He tries to sample the boys' food (exactly what he gets, by the way), runs laps up and down the length (not my favorite thing), or just sits. Since he's such an adept climber, and will shout the house down if he wants me, "Ma! Ma! Maaaa!" I usually leave him to do his thing. (Except for the laps, those we redirect...)

*He runs sprints from the powder room door to the sliders in the playroom. Up and down, up and down, making a point to slam his hands into the door on either side of this route. This week he also added a loop from kitchen through dining room, living room, and up the hallway back to the kitchen to his daily regimen.

*He dances by bobbing his head while turning in circles. I have it on video, and it's the most adorable thing we've even seen. The older boys didn't dance so early, and we all love to watch him.

*A close second is the way he carefully blows on his food before sampling. Now you know we're not giving a one-year old piping hot soup but evidently he's not so sure. Better safe than sorry!

*A few weeks ago he worked out how to use a spray bottle. It takes two hands: one to hold the neck of the bottle and one to press down on the lever, but it works. He has pretty good aim.

*He makes very accurate motoring noises, roars, waves, nods yes and no, and has between 4-6 recognizable words. While it's our VERY unbiased opinion (hah!) Baby Brother is extraordinary in terms of motor ability, I sometimes marvel more at his language. It's not "early" or "more" than you'd expect from this age, after two boys you were on the later side for expressive language, I love this!

*For this brief shining moment in time, he'll (usually) follow directions. "Baby Brother, go give this to Big Brother." "Can you throw this away?" How do we bottle this?

*He has the most lovable "squinchy" face. He hams it up for the camera, and makes this face when he wants to be extra cute. He knows exactly what he's doing!


*He can go downstairs lightning fast. He started crawling upstairs at about the same age as the boys (a little earlier maybe), but they didn't go downstairs on their own until they could walk holding the railing safely. I was never able to teach them to slide down feet first on their bellies or scoot down seated. Baby Brother didn't need any coaching. One day well before his birthday, he just opened the gate at the top of the stairs and was downstairs before we noticed he was gone.

*He loves to eat whole, unpeeled apples, but tends to abandon them mid-course. We find half-eaten apples everywhere.

*For all his abilities, there are still moments of minor disaster. He's pulled his heavy, wood highchair over on himself trying to climb into it. Twice. In one day. He's rolled down part of the stairway. He's walked into the corner of the open refrigerator door. Yesterday he bumped his head slipping out of a chair in the school room.

*He loves to play outside. He cries and cries if the boys are outside and he can't go or just isn't ready yet. He's easy-going otherwise and can be distracted, but not with this. He'll sob and refuse all comfort until he gets out there too.

*Rody Ponies are the best! He'll need his own soon.

*Over the summer, he learned to climb the ladder on the swing set. He always slides on his tummy, head first. He does the same thing at the playground.

*He loves to rip the dust jackets of books. We have to remove them now. This is a new one for me, as the older boys weren't rippers (though they both enjoyed chewing board books).

*He loves the water: pool or bath. If you ask him if he wants a bath or tell him it's bath time he's up the stairs and trying to get undressed (he can almost do it!) before you've had time to stand up. Yes, he can climb in and out of the tub on his own, but watching him still makes me cringe. I'm so afraid he's going to slip sometime! Swim lessons can't start soon enough for this boy!

*A love of water also means he's dipped his hands in the toilet once or twice. Also a new one for me! All bathroom doors stay CLOSED now.

*He's been trying very hard for a few months to put on his own socks and shoes. He places his sock on top of his foot then tries to stand up. So adorable!

Every day is an adventure with our littlest guy! Best of all, though, is watching the relationship grow with his brothers. He is a merry addition to their games and adventures.

Pinning it Down ~ Me on the Map

Sarah and Pam are hosting a new Tuesday link-up, Pinning it Down, both to encourage Pinterest users to make their pinboards come to life, and as a way to share all the neat stuff we've all found over the past few months.

I love this idea and truth be told, it's probably part of what motivated to get back to this blog!

Here's our project this week. I originally pinned this months ago as an idea for summer geography studies, but we're starting an overview of early American history this week, and I thought it was the perfect way to help place us on the map. Big Brother has been a little fuzzy about the difference between a state, country, and continent.

He cut out seven circles representing our home, street, city, state, country, continent, and planet.



Then he drew or pasted an image on each circle and labeled them.


We hole-punched (the best part!) then added a ring. Easy-peasy, and he's an expert now!


Although the best part has been showing off his knowledge to Dad and Meema!

Follow me on Pinterest here and for more Pinning it Down go here.