Thomas Jefferson Education’s - This Week in History (a TOS review)

 

 

Because I have this thing about honesty.  The thing where I always have to tattle on myself.  To my own hurt, my mom used to say.  Because I have this thing about honesty…

 

 

I must confess right up front that I was totally unprepared for just how much I was going to LOVE…

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was definitely some “like I really need someone to do this for me” inward eye rolling happening.

 

 

I mean, I have Google.

 

 

And an iPad.  Surely there’s an app for that.  Right?!

 

 

The thing is…

 

 

This Week in History (Thomas Jefferson Education’s subscription program; $9.99 month) is just so darn AH-mazing and rich and well done and…!  I was totally not prepared to be so twitterpated!  I left my homeschool mommy heart unguarded and I just keep falling more in love!  Read some samples before you snicker at me too much!  Or how about Thomas Jefferson Education’s 7 Keys of Great Teaching article.

 

 

AH-mazing, right?!

 

 

  Once a week, I gathered my kiddos (ages 5, 7, 11) on the couch with the iPad and we scrolled through This Week in History’s email digest together.  Learning together.  Enjoying classics like Louie Armstrong together.  Imagining what it would be like to be Neil Armstrong or climb the hills of San Francisco together.  Found ourselves feeling cultured by listening to Fiddler on the Roof together.  Or discussing the heaviness of the life of young Anne Frank together.  Our favorite…laughing at the humorous stuff together.  Serenading each other with poetry together.  Pretending to be Annie Oakley together!

 

 

One of my very favorite things about keeping my children at home is the beauty of learning together!

 

 

This Week in History makes learning together so rich, interactive, beautiful and easy (gosh, I need easy)!   Also, there is just something exciting about knowing that really cool stuff happened on this very day many, many years ago.

 

 

I know it may be a bit on the pricey side for some of us homeschool moms.  We live on a single income too.  But when I think about all the printer paper and ink (and precious TIME!) I’ve wasted trying to make up my own version of This Week in History?  I might actually save money!  Maybe think about just subscribing for the summer break?  It would be a fun and unique way to keep learning!

 

 

What can I say?  I’m in love with This Week in History!

 

 

 

 

 

…danielle

 

 

**This is my little space to disclaim that I was given a This Week in History subscription in exchange for my honest review shared on my blog.  All opinions expressed are my honest own.  I hope that you enjoyed and found my review at least a smidge helpful.  Because my voice is just one, I highly encourage you to read what my fellow TOS Crew friends thought about this product.**

create better writers (a TOS review)

 

 

 

 

We’re frenemies.  Writing and I.  Clearly, I enjoy the written word what with my blogs and face book status update addiction.  However, teaching my children to appreciate the joys of writing has been a struggle.  And that’s putting it mildly.

 

 

I have run the gamut of trying to find and/or buy the “right fit” to teach writing.  I have at least, half a dozen different curriculums half used around the house.

 

 

But at the end of the day, it’s just been one of those things that’s easier to let slide.  With promises that we’ll work on that writing project after such-n-such.  Only after such-n-such never seems to happen either.

 

 

I was convinced Writing was something I needed to hire out.

 

 

 

So it was with hesitancy that I downloaded the e-books The Homeschool Writing Action Plan (eBook $15.95/soft cover $19.95) How to Write a Paragraph ($7.99 eBook or free with purchase of Five-Paragraph Essay), How to Teach the Five-Paragraph Essay (eBook $17.95/soft cover version $19.95).

 

 

 

 

I found myself being reeled in (against my skeptic will) right from the Introduction.  It’s so well written and comfortingly filled with stories that sound like they could be right from my own home.  Slowly, as we’ve worked through the lessons, I’ve started to feel better about the whole thing.  Like, maybe we can do this thing?

 

 

My going into 6th Grader?

 

 

It’s taking him a little longer to come around.  He likes that I uploaded the PDF to Dropbox which allows us to snuggle on the couch with the iPad for our writing lessons.  I like that there is a system.  A solid, tangible, do this system.  Methods that he’ll take with him all the way through college! 

 

 

I think the key (for me) is realizing that there is no magic bullet that’s going to make writing “fun” for the kiddo that isn’t naturally drawn to it.  Writing is never going to be giggles and gumdrops for us…but it doesn’t have to be tears, fears or letting it slides either.

 

 

I happen to really really like the Create Better Writers program a lot and plan to keep using it through next year.  I just love that it’s just so darn practical and simple.  All the frills and cutsie stuff (why am I drawn to that drivel, anyway?!) is cut out.  That allows us to focus on the main stuff.  If you’ve tried it all and/or you’re looking for a frill free practical step-by-step writing curriculum…I would recommend exploring Create Better Writers.

 

 

…danielle 

 

 

**This is my little space to disclaim that I was given this product in exchange for my honest review shared on my blog.  All opinions expressed are my honest own.  I hope that you enjoyed and found my review at least a smidge helpful.  Because my voice is just one, I highly encourage you to visit this link and read what my fellow TOS Crew friends thought about this product.**

no-nonsense algebra (a TOS review)

 

 

 

I’m sitting here thinking – he’s heading into 6th Grade this year…

 

 

Yikes!

 

 

It’s time to start planning for things like…Algebra!

 

 

Double yikes!

 

 

When I informed him that our School Lite (as I like to call our summer studies) would include a sampling of higher level math.  Ahem…Algebra!

 

 

He was less than enthused.

 

 

And really can I blame him?  Because isn’t Algebra like the big scary monster hiding in the math closet?

 

 

I know it was for me when I was younger.  And kinda still is.

 

 

As his math has become more and more advanced I have felt less and less confident.  Math is not my thang!  Fortunately, my hubby is a numbers guy.  They have private (dining room) tutoring sessions a couple nights a week.

 

 

Which is great…but I’ve really been hoping to find something that would work for those times when daddy (who works full time PLUS pastors a small church plant) isn’t available.

 

 

Which is why I was super interested to try Math Esssential’s No Nonsense Algebra ($27.95).  The first thing I was excited about was the video instruction!  When you purchase the No Nonsense book you get complimentary online lectures – forever!  Or at least until it clicks and you don’t need them anymore. There is no expiration date on the online access.  I love that! 

 

 

Random side note.  The teacher’s voice reminds me so much of one of my favorite college professors!

 

 

I like that the book isn’t intimidatingly huge.  The lessons look manageable and are designed for just 20 minute sessions - which helps to set the math mood (so to speak).  Being a lover of mastery and reps…I was happy to see that each day’s work included reviews of topics already covered.  I haven’t done it yet…but I would recommend having the binding removed at Staples.  It’s inexpensive and lets you keep the answer key out of temptation’s way.

 

 

  Each lesson (there are 10 chapters but many more lessons) starts with an online video where the student is encouraged to follow along.  Since the speakers don’t work on our PC and he needs to watch it on the TV, I set my going into 6th Grader up with a mini-white board. 

 

 

This is a picture of him actually showing me (of his own volition!) what he’d learned in that day’s lesson!

 

 

We made it through a good handful of lessons and I have to say…I’m really impressed! I really really like this curriculum.  I don’t think we’re quite ready to dive fully into Algebra but…

 

 

this is how he felt by time we done with our review!

 

 

I’d say this curriculum is a keeper and definitely worth exploring if you’re moving into the Algebra phase of Mathematics!

 

 

Actually, Math Essentials believes in their product so much that they offer an…

 

 

“UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE

Use Rick Fisher's Mastering Essential Math Skills for 20 minutes a day as directed. If you don't see what you feel are dramatically improved math test scores, send us a note saying so. You'll receive a prompt, complete refund - no questions asked!

THERE IS NO RISK”

 

 

Can’t beat that!

 

 

…danielle

 

 

**This is my little space to disclaim that I was given No Non-Sense Algebra in exchange for my honest review shared on my blog.  All opinions expressed are my honest own.  I hope that you enjoyed and found my review at least a smidge helpful.  Because my voice is just one, I highly encourage you to visit this link and read what my fellow TOS Crew friends thought about this product.**

school lite: the one where we listened to Fiddler on the Roof and pinned the capitals

 

 

Every Fall I convince myself I’m a year round school kinda girl. 

 

 

Then every Summer…I totally change my mind!

 

 

I’m so wishy washy!

 

 

I just can’t mentally handle year round hard core school.  But.  I also can’t handle being bored.  Boredom just begs for bickering.  And I can’t handle bickering either!  And since we’re broke and can’t buy our way out of boredom…School Lite it is! 

 

 

We don’t do anything crazy heavy though.  While Trevy is off to Summer School (he goes three days a week during the month of July) for a couple hours we might…

 

 

Listen to Isaac Stern’s Fiddler on the Roof violin solo.  But don’t be too impressed cause it wasn’t my idea…it’s just something we’re reviewing!  I have to say…it was a beautiful way to start the day!

 

 

We’ve also been talking about and reviewing the 50 States.  As postcards come in from the swap we’re participating in…we talk about that State and fill in the corresponding page of a coloring book I picked up from Target in last year’s dollar bins.

 

 

The kiddos take turns reading the info on the back.

 

 

We’re hanging the postcards on the wall as we study that state.  To review, I wrote the capitals on little sticky notes and hid them around the house.  I then asked the kids review questions and if they answered correctly they could go find a sticky note and stick it on the correct state!

 

That was fun and we’ll definitely do it again!

 

 

We work on a little Math.  Toby fractions.  Bristel addition/subtraction review.

 

We might watch Lets Make a Deal and probably wear our jammies most of the day.

 

Yesterday Toby read from Character Sketches.  Bristel never did read at all.  Oops.

 

 

But she did make Miss. May May (Trevy’s school aide) a chocolate sprinkled pretzel.  An idea she gleaned from flipping through my current Tastefully Simple Magazine.  It was all her own inspiration and she even modified on her own.  I didn’t have chocolate chips to melt so she asked if she could use frosting instead.  She’s totally gonna own a bakery or something someday!

 

 

We played a super fun Solar System review game and (I wanted to read a chapter too but we) had an impromptu play date.

 

There was a lot of down time!  Which was wonderful…

 

 

 

That’s how we did Summer Lite at our house yesterday.

 

 

…danielle

 

linking up to

 

exploring astronomy: solar system race to the sun hopscotch review game

 

 

I snuck outside while they were watching tv and drew the solar system on our driveway.

 

 

 

She noticed that I’d excluded Pluto and was highly offended.  Oops.  Guess she’s decided not to subscribe to the Pluto isn’t a Planet team.

 

 

I had a couple ideas for ways to use our chalk solar system. 

 

 

Race to the Sun review game.

 

I like to have them pick a number between 1-20 to decide who goes first.  It’s easy peasy and has eliminated the griping.  I’m a big fan of less griping.

 

 

Whoever wins the number pick gets the first review question.

 

Each correct answer means a hop to the next planet.

 

 

I know his feet positioning looks like he’s ready to run the other way…but he really enjoyed this game a lot.  Even if the eleven in him won’t let him admit it!

 

 

We also just hopped forwards and backwards down the solar system naming the planets in order.  In the direction we were going, of course. 

 

 

Another way we’ll play (an impromptu play date interrupted us though) is to use a squirt bottle to erase random planets and see if we can remember and name the missing one.

 

 

Just a little fun School Lite stuff we did today!

 

 

Other Solar-y System Stuff:

Space Rocks a Chapter by Chapter review

2 Super Fun Asteroids Games

My Solar System Pinboard

 

 

…danielle

jeepers peepers plus a special coupon just for you (a TOS review)

 

 

Allow me to introduce you to Jeepers Peepers.

 

 

What exactly, you ask, is this Jeepers Peepers?

 

 

Only, like, one of the best games ever!

 

 

 

 

Because any game that involves silly glasses and the whole family is a double thumbs up winner in our house!

 

 

(FYI: Trevy told me I look cute in my glasses.  I just thought you should know.)

 

 

The Jeepers Peepers Nutshell

 

• Jeepers Peepers is an awesome family (or class, playdate, anything involving people big and small) game!
• It includes 6 pairs of glasses, Cue Cards, 101 photo cards, spinner, bingo chips and instructions.
• $29.95 (shhhhh…I have a special offer just for you at the end of this post!)
• Super Duper Publications has gobs of other great looking games and resources. 

 

 

Tell Ya What We Really Thought

 

 

 

As soon as we opened the box we were in L-O-V-E…love!

 

 

 

I just adore everything about this game.  The glasses are silly-licious and fairly sturdy!  Trevy has attempted to break them every time we’ve played and so far no casualties.  The picture cards are simple enough that Trevy can play but complex enough that we can make it more challenging for the older kiddos.  We don’t use the bingo cards just because Trevy is in a very oral phase right now…but I’m sure they add to the fun. 

 

 

 

 

The first time we played we were laughing and having SO much fun that daddy couldn’t resist joining!  Especially when Trevy used his words to ask him!

 

 

I double dog dare ya to put the glasses on and NOT make a silly face…

IMPOSSIBLE!

 

 

 

We’ve played Jeepers Peepers often but my favorite is when Trevy asks for us to play during one of his home based therapy sessions (cause I get to snap pictures and clips)!  He always cracks us up with his peeking cheater ways and hints that are really answers! 

 

 

 

I really can’t say enough about how wonderful this game is and how much we love it!  I’ve been blessed with the chance to review lots of wonderful curriculum and products this year.  If I had to choose a favorite – Jeepers Peepers would definitely make the top of the list!  I highly recommend adding it to your Christmas Wish List!

 

 

Or just go ahead and buy it now with this special offer just for my readers:

Use Coupon Code:   BLGJP30

and save 30%

but it expires 8/31/12 so you’d better hurry!

 

 

…danielle

 

 

**This is my little space to disclaim that I was given Jeepers Peepers in exchange for my honest review shared on my blog.  All opinions expressed are my honest own.  I hope that you enjoyed and found my review at least a smidge helpful.  Because my voice is just one, I highly encourage you to visit this link and read what my fellow TOS Crew friends thought about this product.**

board games that Trevy can play which means I think they’re worth buying (or gifting) and I’m cheapskate, soooooo….

 

 

We have gobs of board games. Too many if you ask me! But the Hubs is a fan…and he’s encouraging the development of little board game fans. The thing that’s tricky about board games though – is that it’s often really hard to include Trevy. A little Trevy backstory: He was diagnosed with catastrophic epilepsy at 7 months, lived with hundreds of uncountable seizures daily until he had almost his entire left hemisphere removed at 2 1/2 and is doing extraordinary now – but still struggles with developmental delays. He is chronologically 5 but functionally closer to 3. While it’s not realistic that he gets to do every.single.thing his siblings do - at the same time I like to have options that work for all of us. Many board game rules are too complicated. Also, those dang ants in his pants. If you think ADD is an imaginary disorder…I dare ya to keep Trevy for a day! He’ll convince ya!

 

 

:: wink ::

 

 

So I know this post would be great at Christmas time but I figured we’ve had lots of rainy days around here and maybe you have too. These games have been sanity savers while we’ve been stuck inside! Plus, we’ve used all three of these games during in home therapy sessions. I just know I’d love to stumble across a post like this…so I wrote one instead! Oh…and Trevy needs lots of supervision and help while playing these games. I usually don’t play myself but function as his helper…verbally coaching him and physically helping him participate. The great thing is – with help he totally can play these games!

 

 

Where is Sock Monkey

 

(photo credit)

 

Uncle Nathan and Aunt Tiffany bought the sock monkey game (at Target, I think?) just for Trevy and it’s so great that I would totally spend the mulah myself!  We all have fun with this one!  One person hides the monkey and the rest of us draw cards with picture prompts.  Example:  Picture of a couch means you ask “is the monkey in a room with a couch?”  There are yes (green) and no (red) spots to put the card to help you remember what is in the room where the monkey is hiding.  If you draw a Go Look card you get to race the sand timer to find the monkey!  Bonus goodie – no small pieces just beggin’ to be chewed!  Trevy is addicted to chewing things and he has chewed the sock monkey!  This is a great game for sibling bonding, problem solving, answering yes and no questions, remembering, following directions and just plain ol’ having fun!

 

 

Don’t Break the Ice

 

(photo credit)

 

I snagged it at Target on Black Friday for, like, three bucks or something crazy like that.  Don’t Break the Ice is a great turn taking, fine motor and problem solving game.  If you’ve never played it before, the idea is pretty simple.  Hammer out chunks of “ice” while trying NOT to knock down the skating bear.  While Trevy does enjoy this game, he also needs hand over hand help to be gentle with his hammer.  Otherwise he’s gonna crash the whole sha-bang in a blink!  He doesn’t really get (or like) the idea of NOT making everything go boom…but he does enjoy the hammering and even the setting up.  Bonus goodie – while these pieces do beg to be chewed they’re all plastic and non-choking hazard sized!

 

 

I Can Do That! 

(photo credit)

 

I get all sappy whenever we break this game out.  That’s because a very sweet-special friend bought it for Trevy as a get well gift after his surgery.  (If you’re curious about Trevy click here)  This is a great game for sibling bonding, wiggle worms (lots of movement), turn taking, following directions, simple math, problem solving, fine and gross motor play!  You have to pick three cards.  Each card has a prompt (direction) to follow. 

 

 

Example:  Put the cake, behind your back and hop on one foot

 

 

It’s fun and silly and we love it!

 

 

Hint:  could be a great gift for a speech therapist – especially if that speech therapist happens to practice therapy with your child!

 

 

If you have a Trevy in your house, I totally recommend adding these games to your toy closet!

 

…danielle

IXL (a TOS review)

 

 

Am I the only home school mommy ever on a quest to find the perfect online Math program?

 

 

 

That quest led me to a trial of IXL. 

 

 

 

 

The IXL Deets

 

• IXL is an online Math program that supports PreK – High School.  They are also in the process of developing Advanced Math and Language Arts studies as well.
• Membership gives you access to all levels of study.  This is a nice feature for kids who are advanced or may be struggling.  It allowed my 5th Grader to get his feet wet with Algebra…just because he was interested and my 1st Grader to fiddle around with Kindergarten work just for the warm fuzzies it gave her! 
• IXL is aligned to and offers State Standards references. 
• One of my favorite features about computer based learning is the immediate feedback!  Progress reports can be accessed immediately online but are also emailed weekly.  I loooooved this feature!  It even tracks minutes your child spends working on the program!
• The student works for “rewards”.  Personally, I thought it was a little cheesy.  But my kids were SO motivated by the little stickers they were earning!
• You can subscribe to monthly ($9.95) or yearly ($79) plans.  Click here for more membership information. 

 

 

 

 

Our Review

 

 

We have really enjoyed our time with IXL.

 

 

We’re already in the habit of spending 15 minutes a day doing Math-y stuff on the computer.  So we just slipped IXL into that 15 minute slot and wah-lah.  

 

 

The graphics are cheery.  My kids liked that they could choose a little avatar to represent their accounts. 

 

 

 

 

Both of the big kiddos surprised me with just how into the awards they were!

 

 

 

               

 

 

  Every time they won a new sticker in

their squares there was joy in the camp!

 

 

They also enjoyed the liberty of choosing which skills they wanted to work on.  When you click on the grade level you’re interested in a whole slew of study links pop up like so:

 

 

 

 

You then practice the skill of your choosing until you reach 100%.  Points are earned with correct answers and lost with incorrect. 

 

 

At times, it did seem to get tedious.  But I suppose when you’re working towards mastery there is bound to be tedium. 

 

 

:: smile ::

 

 

For my 5th Grader, IXL was mostly independent.  When he answered a question incorrectly a little box popped up to answer the whys of the mistake.  He was pretty capable of navigating any issues himself.  Understandably, my 1st Grader needed more help when she was presented with a new or challenging concept.  The Preschooler…well…we tried to work on some Math with him but his ADHD got the better of us.

 

 

Overall, we were really impressed with this program and both of the big kids benefited from our time using it!  In fact, it’s on my radar for a great summer supplement to keep them trucking in the Math depot.  Because it’s somewhere in the homeschool mommy rules that summer Math must have cute graphics and surprise reward stickers! 

 

 

…danielle

 

 

 

**This is my little space to disclaim that I was given a six month subscription to IXL in exchange for my review.  All opinions expressed are my honest own.  I hope that you enjoyed and found my review at least a little helpful.  To read what others on the TOS Crew thought about IXL click here.**

creation illustrated (a TOS review)

 

 

 

My hubby laughed when I told him we were reviewing Creation Illustrated.  It tickled his funny bone because his parents had a subscription to it when he was a kid!  Have I mentioned before that he’s a homeschool grad?  His parents are among those who paved the way for us today!  We’re so proud of the legacy they left us.  And I do think it’s pretty cool that my kids are reading the same(ish) thing their daddy did when he was little!

 

 

 

The Creation Deets

• *  Creation Illustrated is a nature journal/magazine.  The pages are filled with poetry, recipes, uplifting stories centered on God’s creation and even a lesson plan page on how to use the magazine in your homeschool.
•  

           (front cover pictured)

*  There are four issues a year. 

*  Purchase one year for $19.95.  Discounts apply when purchasing in bulk. 

*  I’m a sucker for the backstory.  You can read Creation Illustrated’s here.

*  If you’re a test the waters kinda girl like me, you can request a free issue here.

 

(inside view pictured)

 

 

The Review

 

 

I’m a magazine hoarder lover.  I have them stashed in baskets and drawers.  I’ve been known to pick some up from a Freecycle friend.  The new arrivals grace our side tables and the –ahem- powder room.  I love being gifted subscriptions.  And never visit my salon without one of the trendy hairstyle mags in hand.  Course, it might help me stay trendy if I carved out time to visit my stylist more than once a year! 

 

 

So needless to say, I was super excited to sample Creation Illustrated!

 

 

In the spirit of transparency, when the package arrived I found myself feeling let down.  I’m not sure that I can really put my finger on why exactly.  I just was.  I think it felt a little “dry” to me.  The recipes weren’t my cuppa tea.  I just wasn’t connecting.  And I wasn’t really sure how I was going to use it.

 

 

But as we spent time with the magazines.  Flipping through the pages.  Reading the articles.  Something happened – little by little Creation Illustrated grew on me.

 

 

I decided we’d use them as our afternoon read alouds.  And wouldn’t you know, the very first story we read we discovered Machias Seal Island in Maine.  Maine happens to be within driving distance of us!  We could go explore it ourselves if we wanted to.  The kids thought that was super cool!

 

 

And that was the beginning of my heart shifting towards this little creation magazine.

 

 

I do love knowing that information the kids are reading shares the same core values our family holds.  That Creation declares His glory.  Many of the articles that had seemed so “dry” to me on a cursory glance…were really interesting once I was cuddled on the couch with the kids.  Go ahead, call me a snob.  We enjoyed the conversations that flowed from our reading too.  There was just something refreshing and wholesome about it.  A nice change from our typical novels or picture book read alouds.

 

 

But by and far…my favorite part was the front and back cover.

 

 

 

The pictures are beautiful.  The poetry lovely.  The Scriptures poignant.

 

 

It struck me that they looked a lot like the posters my parents used to buy for me at the little Christian book store.  I remembered being so proud of the posters gracing my bedroom walls.

 

 

So I decided to make some for the kids by removing the magazine’s cover and laminating the front and back.

 

 

 

I then let the kiddos take turns choosing which ones they’d like to hang in their rooms.

 

 

Evidently, Trevy thinks his is hat!

 

 

:: grin ::

 

 

 

If you’re looking for a wholesome nature journal/magazine or a new hat – Creation Illustrated might just surprise you too!

 

 

…danielle

 

 

**This is my little space to disclaim that I was given 4 issues of Creation Illustrated in exchange for my honest review shared on my blog.  All opinions expressed are my honest own.  I hope that you enjoyed and found my review at least a smidge helpful.  To read what others on the TOS Crew thought about Creation Illustrated click here.**

his 5th grade workboxes (june 2012)

 

 

 

Because I use plastic file totes (rather than more traditional workboxes) I have a mini pocket chart where his schedule lives.  He’s a bird lover so I used free birdies for him.  I opted for vintage birdies for me. 

 

Each morning he can look and see what’s on the docket for that day.

 

 

 

He’s on lesson 46 in his Saxon 6/5 Math.  We won’t finish this book but it will carry over to his studies next year.

 

I have him write in a student notebook rather than in the text book.  Once he completes his Saxon lesson he’ll typically head to the computer where he’ll do his BigIQkids daily drill.  I’m reviewing IXL though…so I’m having him work for 15 minutes on IXL until the review is over.

 

Corrections and any extra instruction needed are handled by Dad when he’s home from work.

 

 

ACE has been a good Language Arts fit for us this year.  He has just a PACE and a half to go in English and took his last Spelling final this morning!

 

 

We’re also using ACE for our History & Geography. 

 

He’s working on his last final right now!

 

 

Two subjects done for the year!  Hooray!

 

 

A peek inside his Social Studies PACE just in case you’re curious.  I did learn to make him highlight his answers in the text to ensure he was reading and not just guessing!

 

 

Speaking of Reading…

 

 

 

The most recent Theodore Boone just came in for him!  I picked it up on Saturday and he’s almost devoured it already!

 

 

We’re also using Reading Street daily for review purposes.

 

 

Another daily reading requirement is to read aloud with his sister for 15 minutes.  I keep a stash of library books in a basket for them to chose from.  My goal is multi-layered.  To give him practice reading aloud.  To give his sister some extra book time.  To build their siblings bonds.  And to give me 15 minutes to get other stuff done!

 

 

Typing is a daily drills online with Peter’s Online Typing Course.  No bells and whistles but it’s free!

 

 

Today will be a PE day because he has baseball tonight.  We joined a different league this year and he’s done great.  He’s fitting in with the boys and girl.  Haha!  I love that he has a girl on his team!  Last year’s baseball season was just so dang hard on his heart.  I have a whole post stewing in my core about it that I will someday write.  The coach was a big dud. Win-at-all-costs kinda guy.  With a passion for kids whose parents are…oh…I don’t know…coaches of high school teams and the sort.  Nepotism in all it’s glory.  His favorite line was, “play with heart!”  To which I used to respond to my hubby, “hard to do when it’s been ripped outta your chest and stomped into smithereens”.  The man has zilcho integrity and quite honestly…tops my list of least favorite human beings.  Evah.  It tore me up watching the light go out of Toby’s baseball loving heart.  Even so, it was not an easy decision to switch leagues.  We’d been in the other for several seasons.  Toby had many friends.  It just wasn’t easy.  But it was the right decision.  And we’re being rewarded by watching the spark return.  He ended last year never wanting to play baseball again.  And listen…his team this year stinks!  Seriously.  They’re the worst in the league.  The Bad News Bears on steroids.  But he loves baseball again!  And that’s what’s important.  Oh and he’s been asked to play on the AllStar team in the new league.  Ugh.  I swore we wouldn’t do that again.  But.  Well.  He’s 11.  And it just means so much to him.  Also, look at that smoochy whoochy face!  How can I possibly say no?!

 

 

 

 

…danielle