Our 9th Grade Curriculum for 2012-13 School Year

First off, let me state what will become obvious: I spent a lot of money on curriculum this year. I've been hoarding gift money and spent all of it on curriculum. I am chronically tired and I really wanted my hand held this year as I navigated our first year dealing with high school. So, we went with Winter Promise "Quest for the Ancient World." We are using their history curriculum, as well as their Language Arts, which includes some writing, grammar, and novels that tie into what is being studied in History. 

Here are a list of the core books for Senior High: (copied from the Winter Promise website:

http://www.winterpromise.net/product_info.php?cPath=21_38&products_id=1260&osCsid=a04e76d6cecfd1c891d6aa66c77b7b94)

The Mystery of History - 2nd edition
Encyclopedia of the Ancient World
Great Ancient China Projects
Holman Bible Atlas
Archaeology for Kids
Unwrapping the Pharaohs & DVD
Story of the World, Vol. 1
The Riddle of the Rosetta Stone
Ancient Greek Challenges
Ancient Roman Challenges
Tools of the Ancient Greeks
Tools of the Ancient Romans
Augustus Caesar's World

I am excited to be using Mystery of History!

Here are the novels he will be reading:

Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt
The Golden Goblet
Victory on the Walls
The Iliad
Bronze Bow
Gladiator
Hittite Warrior
God King
Adara
The Odyssey

In addition, he will read these novels for La. Arts:

Mara, Daughter of the Nile; Shadow Hawk; Hadassah; Archimedes & the Door of Science; D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths; Galen & the Gateway to Medicine; The Ides of April; Beyond the Desert Gate; Ben Hur

In addition to history, reading the novels, and grammar, he will also be reading from this:

For Math, he will finish up Math-U-See Algebra 1 (the last 9 weeks to be exact; Math was a struggle last year and we detoured a lot.)

After he finishes this, we will move on to Life of Fred Geometry:

For Vocabulary, he is beginning SAT prep. We are using this book because he is a visual learner:

He has to do two words per day. He has to copy the words into a notebook along with the definition and a "hook" (either a picture or a phrase based on the info in the book).

He has additional Bible work each day, and will work through this book: (The Most Important Thing You'll Ever Study)

A special thanks to this website, which I will use as a reference for lesson plans for this book:

http://homeschoolblogger.com/wdworkman/bible-lesson-plans/

He will do Spanish twice per week; he will continue with Rosetta Homeschool Spanish.

For the other two days (we do a 4-day week due to co-op), he will do an art appreciation class for this workbox. I got my lesson plans from here:

http://harmonyfinearts.com/section/rhetoric/

It uses these books:

Another of his workboxes is Music Appreciation. I am using the free curriculum also found on harmonyfinearts.com. Here are the main resources:

For Science, he is using Apologia Biology.

I buy the curriculum from My Father's World so I can use their lesson plans, which are already typed up and bound so I just include that in his box. He also will be doing interactive notebooking and lapbooking with science. I want it all to be in a big 3-ring binder, so instead of using a regular notebook, I am printing off pages that look like this:

from this website: http://www.printablepaper.net/

It is lined paper that runs the long way instead of the short way. I will fold each piece in half and then open it up so it is divided into a clear left and right side. On the right side, he will take notes. On the left, he will apply the information in a creative way. I've given him a list of things to choose from, some of which are ask ?s, draw a picture, create a chart or mini-book, or do a chart/graph to help remember the material. Usually this is done in a spiral notebook (search for "interactive notebooking" online), but this way, I can punch holes in it and include it in his Biology binder so everything is together. Later in September, some other moms and I are going to try to start a Biology co-op so we can do the labs together. 

I am using lapbooks from http://liveandlearnpress.com.

He will also be doing some spelling. We will do a combination of All About Spelling and the suggested words in Winter Promise. 

I think that is everything! Here's hoping for a good first year of homeschool high school!!

Not Back to School Day!!

Wish me luck! Tomorrow (Monday, August 6, 2012) is our first day of our new homeschool year!!

It was supposed to be last Monday... nothing like messing up the pre-planned school year first thing, but I have had a major mental block concerning our school. I have tried to do small steps, but have mainly felt completely overwhelmed. I know the main reason is that we are basically doing all new curriculum for all but 2 things (and there are 20 regular subjects between my two boys). Also, my oldest is NOW A 9TH GRADER. Thinking about transcripts, the SAT, high school course credits, etc. makes me want to go and consume large amounts of chocolate protein to get through the stress.

Here's our set-up for tomorrow for my 9th grader:

We are not numbering the boxes this year, but just labeling them by subject. The labels have to go sideways on these boxes. I got my subject cards here:

http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/blog/2012/02/workbox-school-subject-cards.html

I will do a separate post on his curriculum.

Here is my 5th grader's boxes (I finally splurged on the IKEA Trofast system:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30171123/

with these boxes/bins: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60094072/#/80089239)

He has 10 boxes (which I will explain in a different post). Again, subjects and no numbers. The first 3-4 boxes will be the "Work with Mom" boxes so we can get to those at the beginning of the day, with his independent work for the afternoon. (You can see my 9th grader's boxes in this picture also; they are right beside each other). The bit of red you can see at the top of the photo is a bag that I taped on that contains 10 laminated tags that say "Finished!" Each box has a velcro dot on the far right. When he is finished, he just adds the "Finished!" label. This way, he still has a visual for what work he had completed and has yet to complete, but I am not dealing with stacked boxes everywhere. Also, this way he can just remove the contents of each box instead of the entire box if he chooses (which presumably he will then return to the correct box!)

Last week, while we didn't officially begin our new school year, we did a mini-unit on the Olympics and finished up a few things from last school year that my extreme fatigue prevented me from enforcing. I also typed up and went over a "Welcome" letter to try to make things more official and hold ALL of us more accountable. It includes our subjects, schedule, and a few other things.

Here is that:

WELCOME TO J & J ACADEMY 2012-13 SCHOOL YEAR!!

Jason- 9th Grade    Joel- 5th grade

SUBJECTS:

Bible

History (Ancient World)

Spelling

Math (Jason: finish Algebra 1 and begin Geometry)

Art and Music appreciation (composers, artists and their works)

Science (Joel: Zoology, Jason: Biology)

Vocabulary

La. Arts (Grammar, Writing, Reading)

Others may include typing, Spanish, PE, Logic, Handwriting

In History this year, we will be learning about the cultures of ancient peoples from the beginning of history to the Roman Empire. We will study these civilizations: Mesopotamia, the Egyptians, the Israelites, the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Persians, the Greeks, and the Romans. Time lines and time line cards will be a key component, and our novels will reinforce what we are learning. 

Notebooking will be used in many subjects. Notebooks should have a table-of-contents for the first few pages. Take notes on the right-side page, then go back and apply that information on the left-side. You can draw pictures, ask ?s, do a chart, or any other creative thing you can think of to help you learn and remember the information. You can also print things off of the Internet or do mini-books.  

DAILY SCHEDULE (usually 4 days a week plus SEEK)

School from 10-12 and 1-3, with a one hour break for lunch/ free time.

REQUIRED: a daily conference with me. We will go over what you've done and learned that day, grade anything you've completed, and prepare workboxes for the next day. You can choose to do this when you finish for the day (before 3) or in the evening after dinner (and before 8:30 PM).

You will be given a responsibility grade based on completing your morning routine and this conference. Grades will also be assigned for each subject.  Corrections are expected; you will earn back half the points taken off for each correction corrected correctly. 

Note: SEEK is our co-op. I am very excited about using "Interactive Notebooking" in a few of the subjects. I think it will really help my 9th grader get ready for note-taking in college. You can search for this and find lots of ideas online. 

Also, since I need all the help I can get, I am going to pay them for doing their morning routine (make bed, straighten room, brush teeth, get dressed, comb hair, and eat breakfast) and for the conference. Also, some additional $ for a really clean room. I made a ledger so instead of paying cash (which I never have and which has defeated every allowance attempt I've made) I am keeping a running balance and they can either have us buy something for them or cash out when I go to the bank. Here is what the top of that says:

JASON'S RESPONSIBILITY LEDGER

Completing morning chores= 50¢ per day

Teacher conference= 50¢ per day

once a week perfect room= $3 once a week 

Swiffer floor (dry then wet cloth) $2

date morning chores teacher conference perfect room Dry/ Wet Swiffer floor Running Balance

1

2

3

4

5

So, this is how we are beginning our year. I'm sure some of this will change/ slip by the wayside, but this is where we stand now and I am dreaming big!!

Have a great school year other homeschoolers!! 

Do I have to workout AGAIN?

I don't know about you, but I often feel like my life is me vs. me. I am constantly playing mental mind games with myself, setting rules like, "Monday= wash all the towels" or "Exercise for 40 minutes 4 days/ week." (this is only 2 of about 786 rules) Then, once the rules are in place, I try to come up with excuses as to how to get out of them. A lot of wasted creativity goes on.


That said, I know that exercising is important. It makes me feel healthier and I know it helps me to keep from gaining weight. So, I've had to put a lot of safe-guards in place to ensure success. I am striving for "good enough" since I've proven over and over that perfection is not attainable. Here are 10 things that help me:


1.) ENVIRONMENT
My living room is conducive to working out. I have all of my gear stored in my "exercise armoir" including: a step, mats, weights, kettle bells, DVDs, workout books, resistance bands, workouts that have been torn out of magazines, and even SHOES.  BJ's Club often will get name-brand shoes, like New Balance, and will sell them for $20/pair. I buy a pair and they stay in my armoire, which solves two problems: the shoes are right there, so when I'm ready to work-out, I don't fall down the abyss of finding shoes, which would inevitably lead to seeing something else that needs to be done, like checking Facebook. And 2, the shoes are clean because they are never worn outside. I also have no coffee table because when I did, even the simple act of moving it sometimes was enough of an excuse to nix an entire workout.  If you can't devote a piece of furniture to store exercise equipment, then pick the basics and store them in the open. It's your house. People won't judge; they'll be jealous that you work out!

the armoire closed/ inside the armoire in the corner of my living room

2.) FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE
On the days I schedule to workout (which varies by week, but I do aim for 4 days), I have to exercise. We all know that working out in the morning is the best. But if I don't do it then, I have to do it before 4. This also means I don't get to shower until later, which is often enough of a motivator to do it sooner rather than later. I am lucky in that I homeschool, so I don't work outside the home. When I worked, I went straight after work to the gym, and when my kids were in school, I went to the gym right after dropping them off at school.  But now, I embrace the flexible schedule, because if I didn't, the days I don't work out in the morning would mean no working out. Also, I aim for 2 days of cardio, 1 day of strength, and one day of combo (cardio + weights). I do whatever one of those I feel like; I don't set a specific day. 


3.) VARIETY
I run on the treadmill, run/ walk outside in my neighborhood or at local trails, I do DVDs, and I have workouts either torn out of magazines or printed from the Internet. Variety helps! Oh, and even a 10-minute workout is better than nothing.


4.) JILLIAN MICHAELS
Her 30-Day Shred DVD includes 3 workouts that are only 25 minutes. Trust me, you won't finish one and think,"I should have done more." Also, her kettlebell workouts are quick and effective.



5.) RUNNING GROUP
I joined a friendly one (that incorporates walk breaks) that meets Sat. mornings. That, and signing up for races, is a big motivation. On Meetup, you can find groups for all kinds of fitness groups. 


6.) THE INTERNET
Between Pinterest, websites, and Facebook, I make sure I am bombarded with exercise motivators and workouts. I subscribe to the following updates on FB: Runner's World, Experience Life magazine, Shape, Self, and Peak313 Fitness, among others. I subscribe to e-mails, too. It is always in my face and often I'll get new ideas. (You can view my Health and Fitness Board on Pinterest).


7.) MAGAZINES
I get a lot of the same magazines that I follow on various online sources (see above). The photos of skinny people motivate me, as do stories of real-life people leading healthy lifestyles. I also get some workout ideas; one of my current favorite treadmill workouts was cut out of a magazine. 



8.) CLOTHES
I buy cute workout clothes at Wal-Mart or Target. It helps. I put them on as soon as I get up in the morning. Sometimes I even sleep in them.



9.) TREADMILL
This is one of my best excuse-busters. No longer can the weather (too hot, too cold, too rainy, too windy, too sunny) be a hindrance. You can get them on Craig's List or even a used sporting goods stores for a reasonable price. It is worth the money! I keep an old pair of running shoes on the treadmill and tape workouts to it. 

10.) IPOD
I rarely listen to my ipod unless I am working out, so it is a treat. I make play lists like "running" or "current faves" that are up-tempo songs, and it motivates me. I also have purchased a few workouts from itunes where a trainer actually tells you what to do through your headphones. I have run with Serena Williams and Lance Armstrong!


I wish I could use will-power/ should-do alone, but I have to almost trick myself into working out sometimes. I hope that maybe one of these ideas will help you. 

Workboxes on Display- my 8th grader's boxes for Mon. 4/16/12

Here are what his boxes look like:

I have really enjoyed these flat boxes that I got from Walmart last year. He usually stacks 2-3 at a time and brings them to a desk in his room to work. Our two cats often join him (and one like to put herself into the boxes) and he likes the company. He stacks them on the floor of our schoolroom when finished for me to go through each night. I usually include all his assignments for the week in the boxes so I don't have to do much each night to get ready for the next day other than grade, which I loathe. His history supplements are in the magazine holder to the right.

Box 1 is "Words on the Vine"~ Greek and Latin root words. He does one unit per week. 

Box 2 is Apologia Physical Science. He does this once a week in co-op so while we mainly follow MFW's plans (I buy only science from them because it is cheaper than Apologia AND they include lesson plans that he can check off as he goes along) sometimes we have to do more to be ready for co-op on Thursday.  I print out his "On Your Own" questions and we add them to his big three ring binder when he is done with each unit. 

Box 3 is Spelling. We have really liked Spelling Workout. He does a page a day and then on Friday he studies and I give him the final quiz. I like how this book is in units so it is more than just memorizing the words for the "test." For example, last week was words based on French words. They also do latin roots, greek roots, etc. so each week has a theme. 

Box 4 is History. We are using Notgrass America the Beautiful, which we love. It includes novels so it covers reading as well. It also has Bible, timeline, and map activities and even vocabulary. I've shown some of the supplements that don't fit in the box and are instead housed in the magazine holder. 

Box 5 is math. Both my boys hate math and it is my (and their) biggest source of stress. For today, he has to go back and do corrections for last week's work before beginning his current unit. We are using MathUSee this year. He is taking Algebra but we won't quite finish the book and will have 5-6 weeks left to finish at the beginning of next year. This stressed me at one point but he is not a math person so if he is a little behind, so be it! I am not going to move on if he doesn't get it because that would invalidate one of the reasons I think homeschooling is so fantastic: don't move on until it's understood! If he doesn't take Calculus that is fine with me!

Box 6 is Spanish. These are just his resources; he started Rosetta Stone Spanish last week when I finally bit the bullet and purchased it, so this is more for a reminder to go and do that. Our computer for this is in the schoolroom. So far, so good. Fingers crossed : ).

Box 7 is Bible. We were doing this together each morning (and still get together to discuss it once a week) but we begin our days now with videos on the 50 states. I actually like that they are doing Bible individually. We have finished our curriculum for the year and instead of starting a new one, I am filling in with things I have found on the Internet. This week, he is taking a self-assessment on character traits stressed in the Bible. I'm sure he will love it (no!!)

Box 8 (last box) is writing/ grammar. He is finishing up analyzing a poem today. 

These are pretty typical of what our boxes look like! This year I am keeping the order and subjects the same. Next year, I plan to have some subjects he only does a few days a week to add some variety. He is almost too independent while my 4th grader is almost too dependent (on me). My goal is to even them out more next year! (Okay, that's one goal of about 58 but don't want to get off topic).

3.30.12 Quick notes

We are taking our spring break next week and I am very ready! We have had school for 7 straight weeks. We usually only go 3-4 and then take a one week break. Just like last year, I have one foot firmly planted into our next school year when both should be in the here and now. I spend hours researching curriculum. I bit the bullet and purchased Winter Promise Quest for the Ancient World. They have added a lot more downloadable content and are not including as many books in their packages so you can buy them on your own. This should hopefully mean that I can get most of my curriculum in a timely fashion. (The biggest complaint I see on message boards about Winter Promise is that it can take months to get all of your materials.) I have already downloaded a lot of material for my rising 5th grader and could not be more happy with my decision! I also purchased Rosetta Stone homeschool. Another big decision: I am switching math curriculums. I really really like Math-U-See but my boys complain so much that I figure I might as well try something different. I think it's the subject and not Math-U-See that is the problem but it's worth a try. My oldest learned his latest material by using Kahn Academy after failing to learn it with the MUS DVD.

In our homeschool this week, we talked a lot about Alaska for our states study. The Trans-Alaskan pipeline is an amazing accomplishment, but it seems so odd to have such a blatant man-made item against the serene back drop that is Alaska. See for yourself: http://www.alaskaphotographics.com/alaska_pipeline_photos.shtml

In history, we learned more about the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps, part of the New Deal). We learned a lot about the Golden Gate Bridge and how it was built (cost 35 million dollars and 11 men died, which is actually a small number because the general rule was one man usually died per million dollars spent on a project of that magnitude).

On a personal note,  I have successfully memorized the entire first chapter of the book of James for the study we are doing in my Sunday School class. It hurts my brain but it is good for me. I have spent  hours on the computer looking at curriculum. It is like a black hole! On Sundays I don't get on the computer at all and it is a relief.

Homeschool Mother's Journal 3.16.12

In my life this week…Not adjusting well to the time change and some other stresses in my life and thus am staying up entirely too late, sleeping poorly, and then sleeping too late the next morning. We need a break but I am trying to push through for now so we can take a longer break during a scheduled vacation in May. 

In our homeschool this week…Did not do the states curriculum we are working on. We were a little too excited when our co-op was canceled this week due to a bomb-threat to the church where it is held. Obviously the bomb-threat is terrible, but we did enjoy the day off. I finally got new tires for my van and the tire pressure light is off for the first time in months!

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share… definitely check out http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/ where you can get many free/ inexpensive items. I have been printing some grammar things to fill that box.

I am inspired by… confessionsofahomeschooler.com. How does she make beautiful curriculum, clean, cook, and homeschool? My kingdom for some of her energy!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing… Went to the lake this week. The boys share a bike and I run as much as possible. We had some beautiful weather this week and last in NC. The boys are winded and complainy (I am making up my own word) but at least we are outside!

Things I’m working on… I am going to redo my household binder. I have been printing sheets and suggestions for it off the Internet. I love a new organization project and am so thankful for the women who do the work for me and make their printables available for FREE.  My new favorite: organizedhome.com.

I’m reading… the book of James for Bible study and just started a book explaining the Jewish feasts/ festivals. 

I’m cooking…  tonight I made my favorite quick dinner: turkey burgers and tomato/ cucumber salad. I will include the recipes below. 

I’m grateful for… the creativity and hard work of my two boys, parents that live nearby, and a walk in the woods my boys took with their grandma ("Binca"). 

I'm praying for...  the opportunities to meet some new friends who I have something in common with. (Any homeschooling mom with perfectionist tendencies who runs slowly and keeps things real out there??)

A photo, video, link, or quote to share… a photo my son took during this walk!

Recipes

Turkey Burgers 

1.5 lbs ground turkey

2 green onions, chopped

2-3 T Lea & Perrins Marinade for chicken (white wine & herb- tangy and yummy!)

1 tsp garlic salt

1 tsp pepper

6 toasted whole-wheat hamburger buns

Combine all burger ingredients and shape into 6 patties. Cook on indoor grill 6-8 minutes per side. Serve on buns. *I always add a slice of provolone cheese and put honey mustard or mustard on the buns.

My favorite tomato-cucumber salad- 

Crunchy Tomato-Cucumber Salad

1 pint grape tomatoes, halved

4 pickling cucumbers or Persian cucumbers (Trader Joe's) or half an English (seedless) cucumber, chopped

4 oz reduced-fat sour cream

3 T ranch dressing mix

shredded cheddar, sunflower seeds, and chopped green onions, opt.

Combine sour cream and dressing mix in the bottom of a medium bowl. Add chopped vegetables and stir to coat. Top with shredded cheddar, green onions, and sunflower seeds if desired.

Homeschool Mother's Journal 3.9.12

In my life this week…Last week we did all of our eye exams, this week we all went to the dentist. I hate the dentist but as we were leaving, a mom came in with her 8 (!) kids, and she was pregnant! She said her family's last name, and said, "We should have all the appointments for the rest of the day." That's got to be a lot of money, even with insurance! A good reminder that someone always has it worse!

In our homeschool this week…Week 2 of our Unites States tour. Since we have been doing US History all year, I wanted to do a unit just on the states. I want to make sure they can locate them all on the map. I am liking this DVD series:   http://shop.history.com/detail.php?a=77330

I ordered it from History Channel when it was half off. We do 5 states per week. The DVDs have about a ten-minute segment on each state, which includes highlights from its history (great review and the boys know most of it!) to its current ways of life, including crops, jobs, culture, even celebrities and presidents that call that state home! Our schedule goes like this:

M-Find the 5 states of the week on US map and color them. Watch the video on 2-3 of the states.    T- watch the rest of the video. Decide on one state to study in more depth.   W- complete folder on chosen state (I do one too). We use the video, books we own, and 50states.com for our information. We complete a lapbook using this great free resource I found:http://www.classroomfreebies.com/2011/11/state-notebook-freebie.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ClassroomFreebies+%28Classroom+Freebies%29 I love it because it includes a photo of the state quarter and license plate in addition to the bird, flower, flag, etc. I also ordered the State Stamp Set from Mystic for only $2 so we post the stamp in our folders, too. We don't do formal homeschool on Thursday due to co-op, but on Friday we present our information to each other, review where the states are located, and update a travel log to keep record of all the states we've studied. The folders look like this when completed:

My favorite thing this week was…I am enjoying my little 7-yr-olds in the co-op class. I love learning US History with my kids, and relearning about our 50 States. 

What’s working/not working for us…I am not doing writing workshop!! I need some new ways to incorporate writing. 

I’m reading…Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst. http://www.amazon.com/Made-Crave-Satisfying-Deepest-Desire/dp/031029326X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331312207&sr=1-1

I’m grateful for…blogs that offer free printables! My favorite words now are "free printables." I love anything new I can add to our workboxes. SAS Curriculum Pathways is another wonderful site. I had my oldest do Spanish and Grammar this week on their site. It has so much info and activities it would take me a long time to go through. 

I’m praying for…finding a new friend that homeschools and lives nearby. 

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…My cats have decided since I rarely use my bathtub to actually take a bath, that it might as well be used to supply their daily water. I guess it is more like a stream or something where they would naturally get water in the wild (?). So most mornings this is what I see as they patiently wait for me to run some water: