First Form Latin (a TOS review)

 

I must confess that I did not choose First Form Latin.  Nope.  First Form Latin choose me. 

 

 

:: smile ::

 

 

Part of the reason I didn’t choose this curriculum was because it looked soooooooooo overwhelming.  And I’m cravin’ me some underwhelming at the moment.

 

 

 

 

 

This is where I make another confession.  It just so happened we had family staying with us when the FFL bundle arrived in the mail.  All neatly packed and crisp.  Looking ever so clever.  Which is exactly why I opened it immediately.  So I could look ever so clever and possibly impress (the snot outta) the visiting family.  Because sometimes I have and follow those kinda whims.

 

 

 

 

I felt smart casually flipping through the pages (making sure to situate myself in sight of any company) of the teacher’s manual and student work book!  And with each turned page…couldn’t wait to dig all the way in.  I felt like I was holding a new college syllabus and since I’ve always been a bit of a book worm –  I liked.  

The Nitty Gritty

 

• First Form Latin is geared for grades 5 and beyond
• It’s also geared for those with no Latin background.  Shew…cause that’s me!
• The $55 kit comes with the Teacher’s Manual, Student Text, Student Workbook, Tests & Quizzes, and Pronunciation CD.  You can purchase the plus kit which includes more teaching tools.
• I thought everything was very neat and organized.  Neat and organized usually = teacher friendly.
• The lessons are meant to be around 30 minutes daily. 
• As a bi-lingual(ish)ist…I loved the grammar first approach.  Both my husband and I didn’t realize just how important a solid grammar foundation is until we spent six months learning KiSwahili.  Trust me…grammar first is good. 

First Form Latin Taste Test compliments of YouTube

 

 

The Real Deal

 

Impressed.  That was how I felt right from pulling the package out of my mailbox.  First impressions matter.  The material is all well made and pretty.  And let’s not forget…ever so clever looking.  Which comes in handy should you happen to have visiting company to impress.  I really loved everything about it. 

 

 

For me. 

 

 

For the kids…I think it is just too much to handle right now.  My 5th Grader is more a Math Guy than a Language Guy.  Which is to say, he was neither impressed nor interested.  It was all a little overwhelming for him.  Maybe next year he’ll be ready for an intensive Latin?  Or maybe I should purchase Latina Chistiana I – which is the prequel to First Form Latin.  That way I can have both the 1st and the 5th grader work together.  I’m a big fan of together work.  And I’m seriously contemplating trying it out next year.     

 

 

Would I recommend First Form Latin?  Yes.  I think I would.  Although, I personally feel it’s a better fit for older students.  In the meantime, I’m very tempted to recommend First Form Latin as a Small Group class at our church!  And if I do all my homework…maybe I can lead it.  Looking ever so clever while I do! 

 

 

This is where I disclaim, as part of the TOS Crew, I was given First Form Latin Plus in exchange for my honest and timely review.  All thoughts expressed are my own.  I received no other compensation.

 

 

…danielle  

 

   

her 1st grade workboxes

 

It’s peek in the workboxes day again.  I wasn’t sure I’d have time (or energy!) to get it done…but somehow I managed.  Yeah…just call me Super Mom.

 

 

Math

She’s learning skip counting by 5’s

 

The Hundreds Chart has helped A LOT!

We’re using Abeka’s Arithmetic 1

 

So far so good.  She’s really getting all the math concepts.  I’m very impressed. 

 

Music

Daily piano practices and weekly lessons.

 

Language Arts

Her Language Arts binder includes…

Abeka’s Letters & Sounds

 

I’m surprised that reading isn’t coming easy peasy for her.  Abeka does tend to be hard core and very auditory.  She’s more like her mommy – Kinesthetic. 

 

Sometimes I’ll have flashes of inspiration.  Such as this fun way to practice her special sounds annnd work in a little cardio…

 

 

She LOVES it! 

 

Spelling

 

Blah.  Abeka again.  This is just not working for us.  I hate to give up when I already purchased the curriculum.  But she’s flunking all her spelling “tests”.  And that’s even with me using a multitude of ways to practice the words. 

 

I’m not sure if it’s just not connecting and if we stick with it – it eventually will click?

 

Or if I just need to bite the bullet and buy a different spelling program?

 

And Abeka’s Language 1

 

Now…see…this she totally rocks.

 

Penmanship

Abeka’s Cursive 1

 

Reading

Abeka’s reading. 

 

I have THREE copies of A Handbook for Reading…but somehow didn’t notice that I was missing TipToes!  The next book in our curriculum.  Ugh.  I’m using old readers to supplement while I try to decide if it’s worth buying another copy of TipToes or not.   I just know if I do…Murphy’s Law will sneak in and hide it plain sight though!

 

 

Computer

 Keyboard Town Pals which we’re test driving.  Review coming soon.

 

Creative Writing

She has a cute little book with writing prompts, space to draw a pictures and a few lines to write her thoughts.

 

 

Not in the Workboxes but on the School Menu anyway

The Tale of Despereaux as a read aloud with both kiddos – it’s possible I’m enjoying this book even more than them!

Apologia’s Exploring Astronomy

 

 

And that’s her 1st grade workboxes today.  I’m sharing them with…

I hope you share yours too.  Because I like to be nosey in my spare time. 

 

 

…danielle

the best five dollar pun-kin field trip ever

 

 

It was a beautiful day for a  Simcock Farm field trip.

 

I’ll be honest.  I don’t usually do field trips with all three kids.  Or rather without a Trevy Helper and all three kids. 

I went a little crazy this time.  Not only did I bring all three kids minus a Helper…I also invited a friend for Tobes!

 

But five dollars for a hay ride, corn maze, pumpkin and ice cream? 

 

Well…that just invites crazy, right?!   

You have no idea how fitting the Trevy Monster is! 

 

Unless you have a Trevy for your own, anyway.

The kiddos had SO much fun. 

 

They just love being around friends and exploring nature. 

Except Trevy.  He’s in this weird phase where he’s scared of everything.  My best guess is it’s some Sensory Processing funky business.  Meanwhile hoping in my heart there’s not some seizure storms brewing under the growing back in curls.  And there’s the rub with having a Non-Verbalish kiddo.  He can’t tell me what’s going on.  I’ll be chatting with his OT about it at our next appointment.  He was having a sensory day and everything was freaking him out.  He’d be okay for a few minutes and then it was cranky city.  And the only thing that made him happy was mommy cuddles.

Thank goodness a girlfriend was there to help out!

 

Seriously, Jen, I couldn’t have done it without you!  Or at least I couldn’t have done it without having a mommy melt down the whole way home without you! 

 

I refuse to do any field trips without you ever again!

While I schlepped a cranky Trevy…

she helped schlep the pumpkins! 

Have you ever tasted pumpkin ice cream?

 

Yummo!

And really…

 

 

it was a beautiful day for a Pun-kin Picking field trip.

 

 

peek at other homeschoolers field tripping fun

 

…danielle

two fer

It was very sweet that two different blogger mommy friends gave me bloggy awards on the same day! 

Thank you, Mama Mountain, for giving me the Versatile bling.  And thanks, Jen, for thinking I’m stylish!  You both made me feel all warm n’ fuzzy.  And if I wasn’t already subscribed to your blogs – I totally would have done so ASAP!  (hint hint those of you not yet following these girls ) 

The Rules

• Thank the person(s) who nominated you and link back up them.
• Tell Readers 7 things about yourself.
• Pass this award onto your favorite newly discovered bloggers and let them know.

Seven Things About Me

Be forewarned…I’m really not that interesting! 

1 – I can speak Swahili because I used to live in The Bush.  And by The Bush, I mean Tanzania, East Africa where the wild things are.  Okay…so that’s kinda interesting.  I figured I’d add this nugget first to hook ya!  

2 – I swore I was never going to homeschool my kids.  God winks, right? 

3 – Speaking of kids.  I always thought I wanted 10.  Turns out the first was more than I could handle and it’s pretty amazing that we went for number two – who was such a peach that we just had to go for number three!  And even though some (or is it most?!) days I wonder what the heck we were thinking – there is also at least one daily moment in which I feel completely fulfilled and know that our (imperfect) family was Perfectly put together.   

4 – I’m desperate to paint every room (and some random pieces of furniture) in my house.  Now to find the time.  We may not have 10 kids…but we do have a Trevy!  For the Kinesthetic readers my two oldest said Trevy could totally be Donnie from the Wild Thornberrys for Halloween.

  Sigh.

5 – I struggle with my weight and self image.   

6 – Once upon a time, when I was young, cute and energetic, I sold cars.  Successfully, even.  It was fun. 

7 – I long to create a peace & joy filled home for my family.  It’ just…well…I’m reminded often that I’m human. Lucky me – there’s Grace.   

Tag You’re It

I’m gifting the following ladies with both The Versatile Blogger & The Stylish Awards because these are blogs I read and enjoy often.  I’m linking their blogs in because I think some of the girls who read my blog may enjoy theirs too.   

• Schooling in the Sun
• Educating Hannah
• Our Homeschool Journey
• The Homeschool Blogger
• Shady Creek Academy
• Life’s Adventures
• Morning Glories and Moonflowers
• Hide & Seek Him

…danielle

filter

Jonathan and I have been chatting recently about filtering out the clutter in our lives.  The things that are requiring too much (time, energy, money…yada yada) from us (and our kiddos) with little to no benefit. 

It’s been talk mostly.

Because it’s hard to filter.  For various reasons.  People pleasing.  Inner conflict.  Stuck in a rut.  Averse to change.  Pick your poison. 

But…

A good old fashioned detox is good for the soul.

It’s easy to get caught up in doing things.  Doing good things.  But not every good thing is the right thing.  And sometimes finding my way through to the the right (for our family) things can be a murky voyage. 

Until there’s clarity.

Clarity comes in an array of ways. 

Hearing over the weekend from a daddy blogger that I’ve grown to deeply admire and care for gave us a burst of clarity. 

A seizure during the night caused their young son, Kade, to stop breathing.  And Kade is now with Jesus and Trevy’s Babu on the true Healing Side.  Where there is no more sorrow – no more pain.  No more seizures.  And complex medical conditions.  I hope you’ll take a moment to read the beautiful Eulogy written by Kade’s mommy and daddy here and offer some words of comfort.  Or wrap their family in prayer.  

That email reminded us anew of what is most precious in our lives. 

It doesn’t squeeze my heart every night.  Especially now that Trevy’s seizures are more controlled.  But once a week or so, the thought will flit through my mind – what if Trevy has a seizure in the night.  When the Tylenol PM is at full effect.  And the white noise machines are buzzing in our ears.  We still use a baby monitor.  On occasion have hem-hawed about buying a video unit.  He used to wake multiple (and by multiple, I mean at least 5) times a night with clusters of seizures.  We haven’t seen any night seizures (though, that doesn’t mean he hasn’t HAD any) post surgery.  But it could happen.  And twice a month or so I wake up in the wee hours of the morning sweating…worried that it did.  And that I slept right through it.  Fear sits heavy on my chest as my heart throbs in my ears.  I’ll hold my breath by the monitor waiting to hear something.  Anything.  Praying that he’ll toss in his sleep and kick the wall so I can relax again.  Life is fragile.  And seizures don’t sleep.  And while it’s true that anything could happen to Toby or Bristel too.  The reality is…anything is much more likely to happen to Trevor.  I’ve read the statistics of those affected by catastrophic epilepsy. 

Those night sweats nights provide clarity too.  Filter out the unimportant from the truly important.  While I’m lying in bed willing my heart to stop throbbing in my ears.  Which she does a little more each time I hear him toss or breath deeply.  It’s easy then…in the still of the night…to weed out the things that shouldn’t matter so much but we’ve allowed to.  Rather than sleep I’ll form cleaning out the Life clutter action plans.  Ready to implement in the am.  And then the sun is working its way up the skyline bringing a new day with it.  Where the grind of everyday life is waiting to murky it all up again.  Funny that.  How things can be so clear in the dark and so muddled in the day.

Anyway.    

The bottom line is…we need to detox.  And detoxing isn’t easy ever.  But it is necessary.  There are things (sports, meetings, therapies, projects, etc.) in our life that are strangling the joy outta us with nothing in return.   And we need to stop adding more clutter.  I’m a good one for bringing in more clutter.  Just yesterday I called a clinic 2 hours away and seriously considered registering Trevor.  Because a 2 hour drive in one direction 3 times a week is realistic.  Right?  Go ahead.  Roll you eyes at me.  I’ll be joining you!  Clutter takes up space and energy that we don’t have to give.  Which means we have little to nothing left to give to the more most important things.  We’re not cutting everything out.  But we deeply believe the choices we make need to be purposeful and fit into our philosophy of Life as a whole.  And we’ve been hashing out together what fits where.  And what needs to go.     

Jonathan made a phone call the other night.  Check.       

To be honest, I’m not really sure why I’m even blabbing all this out loud.  Must be the dreary weather.  It always coaxes the sap outta me.  So does knowing that a family from our Seizure Community is grieving.  If heart hugs can be felt…I hope they feel the squeeze…   

…danielle

it’s great having crafty friends

 

 

Cause they make you look good by making you things like…

 

 

super adorable felt fractions! 

 

 

 

Thanks, Jen!  Love ‘em!

 

 

…danielle

unschooling”ish” moment of the day (er…weekend :)

I was unashamedly spying on the Daddy-Daughter project taking place in our backyard this weekend…

Our pretty new patio is ready just in time for Smores Season!

…danielle

e-mealz (a TOS review)

 

 

I can do a lot of things successfully.  More things than I ever imagined I could, even!

 

 

Which is why it’s so weird that this thing always trips me up.

 

 

I just can’t seem to wrap my mind around it?

 

 

Or maybe it’s because I have no mind left to wrap?  What with being used up in homeschooling and Trevy caring and marriage building and all.

 

 

Meal Planning.

 

 

Phooie!

 

 

For the life of me I just can’t seem to make it work!  And I’ve recently come to the conclusion that I just need a (works for the warm fuzzy feeling of helping a mommy feed her family cause that’s budget-able for us) personal chef!  

 

 

E-Mealz isn’t quite a live in personal chef.  But my month worth of no mind wrapping needed menus and shopping lists came awfully close! 

 

 

The Scoop (according to me):   

 

 

• Firstly, the graphics are all so cute.  Very Pinterest worthy.  And I was sucked right in!  Because really, how could something so cute not be a great find?
• e-mealz is a great tool for moms on the go.
• At $5 a month, it’s affordable too.
• You can choose from a variety of menu specific options including: Walmart, Aldi, Gluten Free, Low Fat, Portion Control and more!
• A main focus at e-mealz is frugality which means all the menus are planned to be as budget friendly as possible. 
• The week’s recipes and shopping lists are easy to read and printer friendly at just two pages.  And they look cute and organized hanging in a page protector on my fridge.   
• I like the variety of each week’s menus.  Here’s a sample of some dinners we tried:  Creamy Parsley Chicken, Baked Spaghetti, Swiss Steak, Chicken Kabobs and Cheddar Broccoli Quiche. 

  

  (sample meal plan printout)

• Con Alert.  One thing that I have come to loathe is the auto-renewal that so many companies use as a marketing strategy.  I am NOT a fan of auto-renewal.  I have been burned one too many times with a forgotten subscription showing up on our credit card bill.  e-mealz does use auto renewal.  You will have to manually change that in your account after you’ve launched a membership.  That was a Con for me.  While I agree it’s a great service and chances are you might not want to discontinue services…I still like to have the choice on my own.

 

 

The Summary

 

I really like e-mealz.  I loved the grocery list component and how organized it all was.  There’s just something so compelling about a neatly organized shopping list and menu!   

 

After hem-hawing for a while…I opted for the Family Plan.  Unfortunately, we don’t live close to any of the store choices so I had to just go with the generic option.  But it worked.  And definitely helped keep me on task at the store!  Rather than my typical plan-less wandering!   

 

While not all of the meals appealed to our family, most of them did.  There was only one week that was a total wash out.  But we’re picky.     

 

Will I keep my membership after our three month trial period?  I’m not sure.  I might still need that personal chef to go with it.  But I would certainly give a girlfriend an e-mealz gift trial for Christmas! 

 

 

Read what others are saying here

 

…danielle

 

This is where I disclaim to you that my family was granted a three month membership of this product at no cost in return for an honest and timely review on this blog