School Ramblings {August 19, 2016}

Pictures were taken by Scott during a nature walk last Sunday at our typical place. The above mushroom was found under our backyard pine tree. There were many of those this year.
 
We are in full swing of the new school year. Our friends in public school are back at it too so summer break is officially over. We are enjoying a 4 day school break due to a fishing trip.

What's in the Afternoon Basket? A favorite book has been The children's Plutarch-Tales of the Greeks by F.J. Gould. We have tried Plutarch in the past but either we didn't understand the translation or we didn't like the writing style. This book reads easily and is delightful. All three of us are finding it entertaining and narrations and discussions are readily taking place. We've finally conquered Plutarch!

Caleb's Favored Book~ I'm not sure which one he is enjoying at the moment, but when asked if we needed to drop a book (because it's not all getting done) he decided that he didn't want to drop any of them even though he feels like his schedule is too full. I'm taking that as a very good sign!

What's this? (improvement needed)~ I think we are all needing to work on giving our full attention to school work during school time. This has a lot to do with starting back early and summer break going on all around us. That should not be a problem anymore. I had some discussions yesterday about learning to ignore distractions in the house and keep at task. Sometimes we think a 5 minute distraction isn't a big deal, but they add up and then you realize your way behind and your work hasn't been that great either.

We've got this! (improvement made)~ We actually got through Afternoon Basket every day this week! I did some rearranging and some how it all fit together beautifully. I did drop one book, moved Shakespeare to the morning, and moved another book to their independent reading time. I also got Little House in the Big Woods on CD. These were all good changes.

Looking ahead (teacher duties)~ I worked on another schedule edit last night and it came out beautifully. I just needed to change independent work before Afternoon Basket in our afternoon schedule. I also needed to take out science, that Caleb and I were working together on first thing in the morning, and move it to later. I'm not sure who thought that was wise to do, lol!

I'm also working on adding things to French to make it worth a high school credit. I need to watch some DVDs from the library to see if it work for "French culture".

I started putting together two blog post on the books we are using this year/term but I have not been able to finish it. That's on the plan this weekend and I should have those published next week.   

Clicking Around~
Summons to the Sacred: On Palestrina "Kyrie" from Circe Institute-excellent article that would count for high school music study.

Why I Sabbath from Plumfield and Paideia-We have been working on doing something similiar. I was able to connect with Sara online to ask her a few questions and it was helpful in figuring out solutions to our problems with Sabbath.

Mason's Streams of Science from Sabbath Mood Homeschool-Her visuals were very helpful! I'm looking forward to next's weeks post. This is how we do science.

 

6th Annual Curriculum Sale Blog Hop

 Updated 8/16/16-The Curriculum Sale Blog Hop is now over. Thanks to everyone for taking a look and to everyone that contacted me with sales. I didn't sell everything, but I'm out of boxes. If you purchased from me please let me know that you got it.

UPDATED 8/10/16-I still have a lot for sell. I've reduced some prices and I will take offers if you are wanting to purchase several items.

I'm taking part in Shower of Roses 6th Annual Curriculum Sale Blog Hop. I've taken part in the past and have been successful in selling some books. First, please read Jessica's introduction post listed above. Then take a look at what I have to offer. Ask questions if you have them through email or comment below. If you would like to purchase please comment below or send me an email. If you comment, please leave your email so I can contact you. tending pumpkin patch (at) gmail dot com is my email.

I plan to ship out books within a week using media mail through USPS. I will charge (the same as Jessica) for shipping: a flat rate to help cover the cost of packaging, media mail postage, and any Paypal fees of $5 for 1-3 items and $7.00 for 4+ items (sets count as 2 items).

My books are in good condition (some look brand new while others have a little bit of shelf wear). 

I'll accept paypal for payment. Jessica mentioned Amazon e-card as an optional payment and I'm fine with that too. Payment is due within 24 hours of finalizing order or it will be relisted to sell again.

Thanks for looking!

 ~ Well-Ordered Language 1A set with teacher and student books from Classical Academic Press, practically (I bought this and looked over it intensely but in the end decided that this program was great but not the program for us.)-new $25

~ Shakespeare SCM Taming the Shrew-SOLD

~ How the U.S. Government Works by Syl Sobel $1 SOLD   

~The U.S. Constitution and You by Syl Sobel $1 SOLD

~ A Picture Book of series $1 each

Harriet Tubman 

Florence Nightingale 

Anne Frank 

Helen Keller 

~ The 50 States (Don't Know Much About series) by Kenneth Davies $2 SOLD

~ The Pilgrims at Plymouth (Landmark) by Lucille Recht Penner $2

~ Liberty! How the Revolutionary War Began by Lucille Recht Penner $2 SOLD

~ United States Coloring Book (Dover) $1

~ The Elements of Style new (purchased two by mistake) $4

~ The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis $1

~ Stories of the Nations volume 1 & 2 $10-REDUCED $5
 ~ Eye of the Grizzly (Yellowstone National Park-Adventures with the 
Parkers) by Mike Graf $2 REDUCED $1

~ Ridge Runner Rescue (Great Smokey Mountains National Park-Adventures with the Parkers) by Mike Graf $2 REDUCED $1

 ~ Poetry for Young People Animal Poems $1 

~Dover coloring books $1 each:

Great Scenes from Shakespeare plays-SOLD

Life in a Medieval Castle and Village-SOLD

California Missions

~ The Sacrament of Confirmation (new) $5 REDUCED $2 SOLD

~Warriner's English Grammar and Composition Complete Course (older book with more wear, but good spine) $8 REDUCED $5

~ ARTistic Pursuits Middle School Book 1 $20 REDUCED $15 SOLD

Spelling You See Americana  $20 REDUCED $15 PENDING

~ Building Foundation of Scientific Understanding Vol 1 K-2 by Nebel $15 Reduced $5 SOLD

~ CHC Behold & See 6 Text & workbook (couple of pages were completed in pencil and erased in the workbook) $25 REDUCED $15   SOLD

~ CHC's Life Science Text and workbook (workbook has lesson one completed and the answer key is pulled out, but will be included loose) $25-SOLD

~ The Mother Tongue text and answer key (NO workbook) $20 REDUCED $10 SOLD

~ Astronomy for all Ages $5 REDUCED $2 SOLD

~ The Book of Trees student and teacher set (student had two pages completed in pencil and then erased) $8 set-SOLD

~ The Tree Book for Kids $5-SOLD

~ The Seaside Naturalist $4 REDUCED $2

~ Book of Gratitude (Seton Faith & Freedom 5th grade reader) $2 SOLD

~ A Book of Friendliness (Seton Faith & Freedom 8th grader reader) $6 REDUCED $3  SOLD

~ LifeWork Finding Your Purpose in Life by Rick Sarkisian $4 REDUCED $2  SOLD

~ CHC Middle School Years Lesson Plans (5-8th grades)-this is out-dated and I really would just like $5 to cover the shipping cost (it's heavy!)SOLD

~ CHC 8th Grade Daily Lesson Plans 2014 edition $2 SOLD

~ CHC 5th grade Daily Lesson Plans 2010 edition $2-SOLD

~ Classical Composition Fable Stage Teacher Guide $10 will sell both fable and narrative together for $10

~ Classical Composition Narrative Stage Teacher Guide $10 

~ Famous Men of Rome (from Memoria Press) $5

~Famous Men of Rome student & teacher guides-this is an older set and it comb-bond (some writing in student) $2 for both (FREE if purchase Famous Men of Rome)

~ Famous Men of Greece $5

Science books created by Basher and written by Dan Green $2 each 
ALL SOLD

~ Rocks and Minerals

~Astronomy

~Chemistry

~Physics

~ Men of Science by Dorothy Haas (this is an older book with more wear but spine is still solid) $2 

~ The Story of Inventions  2nd edition by Frank Bachman $4 REDUCED $2 SOLD

~ Christian Liberty Nature Reader Book 5 $3
REDUCED $2 SOLD

~ The Art of Catapult by William Gurstelle $3 REDUCED $2 SOLD

 ~ Spanish for Children Primer A DVD set, answer key, and reader $35 REDUCED $30

School Ramblings {August 6, 2016}

We have just finished our second week of the new school year. We've been easing in with half days. I'm really not looking forward to full days as the half days have been perfect. I might have to look over the calendar one more time to see if we can afford a few more half days. ; )

Last spring I started doing these post called School Ramblings and I plan to continue them this year. It will be a look into our homeschool. I probably won't get them done every week.

What's in the Morning Basket? Well, this heading is being changed to Afternoon Basket. This year it just works out to do this in our afternoon. Our Afternoon Basket for the first weeks have gone well. We have the following things in the basket that we will be working through this term and some items all year.

Music Appreciation:  SCM Music with the Masters-Beethoven,

 listening to folk songs, learning hymns, reading The Listeners Guide to Music by Percy A. Scholes (can find free online)

Reading the following books: Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham; Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder; Ourselves by Charlotte Mason; A Field Guide to the Familiar by Gale Lawrence; The Forty Dreams of St. John Bosco; The Children's Plutarch: Tales of the Greeks by F.G. Gould.

 We are studying the works of Constable using SCM Art Portfolios. We will be using The Law's Guide to Nature  Drawing & Journaling by John Muir Laws on weeks that nature study isn't possible. 

We are reading poems by Williams Wordsworth and listening to Romeo & Juliet by Shakespeare.

Nature study is also scheduled during this time once a week if weather permits.

Tyler's favored book: Tyler read Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan for free reading and flew through it and enjoyed it. I asked for a review and got nothing except that it was much enjoyed. ; )

What's this? (improvement needed) It has been a struggle to get going in the morning and starting school on time. We've done well, but I really need to work on my attitude. I've been unpleasant and my voice is stern and that really makes everyone anxious. My morning grumpiness is due to low B12 levels and I'm working on getting those up, but I really shouldn't let that show and I need be more loving in the morning no matter what. I hope to work on this next week.

 

We've got this! (improvements made) Caleb and I were really nervous about starting back to math this year. Caleb was just past the halfway point in Algebra I. It actually went really well! I cut back his math to thirty minutes instead of forty-five that we did the previous two years. It seems like we are getting the same amount of work done with less frustration.

Looking ahead (teacher duties): I need to fine tune that schedule and do a little rearranging to fix some bumps we hit during our first two weeks. I also need to work on a post with our book list for the year. I intended to have that post done before now.

Clicking Around (some links I've enjoyed recently):
Do You Plan for Bad Days? from Kortney Garrison @ One Drawer Deep
Not a Math Person: How to Remove Obstacles to Learning Math   
Friday Philosopher: No STEM for CM from Anna @Little Drops of Water

How was your week? 

Mid-July Nature Study {2016}

I'm late in getting this posted, but we did get out to the family farm for a little nature study and blackberry picking two weeks ago.

It's been hotter than average this summer and getting outside in nature has not been a priority. I like nature, but I like my AC too. I'm looking forward to more reasonable temperatures!

Blackberries were abundant this year, but small in size. Wild blackberry plants have grown prolifically around the lake at the family farm. We picked more then we could eat and advised relatives to get out and pick more. Birds and beetles moved in shortly after we picked and made the crop useless after that.

We took the long way around looking for blooming wild flowers and were not disappointed.

Ironweed

I think one of my favorite things about using the same piece of property for nature study is to see the changes from week to week (or month to month when weather doesn't allow weekly visits). Some things are gradual (spring greening up and fall leaves changing) and some things happen so fast (flowers blooming and damage from insects). I will go and revisit places from year to year and sometimes flowers don't reappear or unexpected things appear. It's all amazing.

Queen Anne's Lace

Queen Anne's Lace

Weekend Ramblings {July 8, 2016}

Just a quick check in. It's been a peaceful week around here. Nothing big on the calendar! Pictures are from a recent wedding and the one above I took at family night at scout camp.

Recent Events ~ Our troubles started just over a month ago when our 16 year old Kenmore died. It wasn't worth putting another $300 in it to fix it. We bought a used washing machine from the local appliance parts store that had been very helpful in keeping our old machine running. The used one had all kinds of trouble. We finally had to take it back two days after the warranty expired. They were kind and gave us half of our money back. We then purchased a new GE from Sears. It arrived on Wednesday and did NOT WORK! There is another one on order (with an extra 10% discount) and should arrive next week. Yep! Sometimes that is how it goes. I've been thankful my parents have let me use their washing machine this week . . . . and hey, it has given me some time to blog.

Around the house ~ I've been enjoying my new Erin Condren Life Planner. That is a referral link that will get you $10 off your first purchase and give me a $10 credit. I would greatly appreciate if you used it because I have some accessories I would like to order that the budget won't allow. : ) This is my second year using the planner and I've been pleased with it overall. It's durable and still looks new after a year of use. This is the biggest selling point for me. I also really enjoy the pretty. I'm not a planner decorator, but I have list all over that planner.

Notice the really pretty backdrop at the wedding reception!

In the school room ~ I've been second guessing pondering over all the school plans I made last week.  In the end I go back to them and I'm happy with them. I'm still not convinced of grammar. I think I'm going to go back to a text I have on hand, Our Mother Tongue (Amazon has it too, but cheaper at Rainbow). AO recommends this one. I did get some inspiration from some other sources on how to teach grammar with literature and our own writing and I *think* I can add that into the mix. I do see taking some time to work ahead and be more prepared in this area.

I'm still tinkering with the daily schedule and Morning Basket plans. I haven't gained much ground on those in the past week. I'm struggling to see how our day should be planned out for the upcoming year. I will have more time to spend on this.

Book Basket ~ I really have nothing more to add from last week. I did order a new book for myself and I'm ready to dig in! A Touch of the Infinite: Studies of Music Appreciation with Charlotte Mason I have no idea where I saw this mentioned last week, but I'm very excited to read it.

Upcoming plans~ As I sit at my parent's house (doing laundry) and watching a deer in the backyard I'm reminded that we have not done any nature study this summer. It's greatly missed! Ticks were the first issue! So many!! Then we had nineteen days of 90+ temperatures. It's been raining for about a week now. This weekend is looking mild and dry and perhaps a drive out to the family farm is in order or a nature hike (the hay should be cut and make for easy hiking).

Next week is almost completely clear! I can't believe it! I have one day out of the house and nothing else on the calendar. I plan to enjoy it and get lots crossed off my to-do list. I wish I could tackle some items off the list of those who aren't so lucky with a free week, but I'm sure my list will keep me busy.  ; ) This type of schedule won't last much longer.

What have you been reading? How is school planning going?

Weekend Ramblings {July 2, 2016}

Happy Fourth of July!

Recent Events~ We had a family wedding last weekend (Scott's cousin) and I tried to get some pictures since the grounds of the church were pretty. It was very hot and sunny which didn't work out so well (closed eyes-poor Tyler and glare off glasses). Pictures in this post are from St. Lawrence Catholic Church grounds in St. Elizabeth, Missouri.  

Around the house~ I'm just coming off a week long school planning session. All my boys were away at scout summer camp and I was left home alone with the dog. I very much missed my boys, but I very much needed a week of silence. Before you get jealous keep in mind the dog is high energy, has separation anxiety, and is kind of like having a toddler in the house. So, it wasn't 100% perfect, but we survived and I did get a lot of planning done.

Book Basket~ I've been trying to get some reading done, but I haven't devoted much time to it. I'm almost finished with Dyslexic Advantage: Unlocking the Hidden Potential of the Dyslexic Brain. This is a really interesting book. It actually was helpful in relationships around here because it helped to explain why we do what we do (or don't do) and has made everyone little more understanding. ; ) (Scott has been reading this book too.)

 

I'm about halfway through Charlotte Mason's Formation of Character. This one has been difficult to get into and I really find it out dated. I ended up skipping parts of it, but will finish it because there were some gems. 

I started reading The Innocence of Father Brown by G. K. Chesterton (checked out from the library) to preview for Caleb. I'm not much on a mystery, but I did enjoy the three chapters I read. I decided to purchase The Complete Father Brown Stories and will add it to Caleb's free reading list. I'm not sure if I will read anymore or not.

Speaking of school reading list, I started pre-reading Book of the Ancient Greeks by Dorothy Mills this past week. Caleb raved about her Book of the Ancient World and I can see why he liked it so much. I really like Mills writing style too. I plan to read this one pretty fast and get through it this week (or next). I'm not taking any notes as I feel like it will come back as I get Caleb's narrations.

Next in my to-read pile are Memoirs of a Happy Failure, Teaching From Rest, and the next school book I need to pre-read (not sure which one yet). I will probably add another CM volume to my list after I finish #5.

In the school room~ I think we will start back to school in the last week of July. I like starting back early so that we can take a week off every six weeks. This seems to be a good schedule for us. Keeping summer break short seems to help us not get out of habits and gives us time to work on new habits.

I still have a few items to check off my school planning list, but I think I can get those easily done in the next two weeks. My week of planning went really well. I knew I wouldn't get it all done, but I was hoping for a miracle. That didn't happen, but I did accomplish more than last year so I'm pleased with the progress. I should have our book list on the blog later in the month.

Upcoming plans~ Family gathering this weekend. A few small projects are on my list. Next week looks really nice and I should have plenty of time to tackle the to-do list. Reading and writing are on the top of that list. Most of the summer activities are over and it's time to relax. Caleb does have a week long service project camp coming up, but I still get to relax.  ; )

Friday Seven Quick Takes {June 24, 2016}

 

1) Summer is flying by! It's hard to believe, but our summer break is more than half over. It's been busy, but I've worked hard to stay organized and I think it's been successful . . . . if you don't count keeping up with the blog.

2) There was a request for a family fun trip by a certain boy. We decided to honor that request with a quick overnight trip to our (Scott and I) favorite B&B and free entertainment in the surrounding area. We stayed in Old Bass Lodge at Bass & Baskets and the boys much enjoyed their first stay. It was noted that one night was not enough and someone mentioned a week stay, lol!

Our plan was hiking and touring at Ha Ha Tonka State Park, but the rain that was suppose to be spotty lasted all day. We only got to tour the ruins and then ate lunch in the car waiting for the rain to stop. It never did! We ended up going to Bridal Cave instead and our "free entertainment trip" was no more. If we had a better weather forecast we could have rearranged our plans, so I was a little upset with that.

3) Tyler went to to a day camp at our local nature center. This is the second year he got to attend and it was much enjoyed. If you are local this is something you want to keep your eye out to sign up for in April. They only take 30 kids and they pick through a drawing. I think the ages are 9-12, so most likely Tyler will be too old next year to attend (his birthday is usually around the time of the camp). Highly recommended!

4) Boy Scout camp is coming up soon! This means I have my annual school planning week. I'm working hard to get everything ready. My goal is to be down to the nitty gritty planning by this week and to get it done. A new goal this year is to get the whole year planned. Typically I just get one term done. I have a new plan and I think I will pull it off. Pam @ ed snapshots has been doing a weekly Facebook Live on planning and you can view the past videos on her Facebook page.

5) I have a goal to pre-read 4 of the boys books before the start of school. I'm done with book 1, Kon Tiki: Across the Pacific By Raft and it was an enjoyable read. I've been making notes to help remind me of the story when I hear narrations from Caleb. I will also be reading through a selection of the boys books during the school year. It's impossible for me to read 100% of their books, but I think this plan will work well (and slightly better than last year's plan). I will have to be well organized and keep my notes so I don't have to read Kon-Tiki again when Tyler reads in a couple of years . . . . this is probably going to be a struggle for me!

6) I got to meet Jen @ Wildflowers & Marbles last weekend at the KC Catholic Homeschool Conference. It was wonderful to meet this long time online friend and mentor. I wish we had more time to spend together.

A Boy Scout is always prepared for opening presents.

7)I am putting writing on my calendar so that I have no excuse for not blogging. I think I will do a Daybook, planning updates for the coming school year, and a post on our recent dyslexia discovery. Any other request? It's been very hot here so there won't be any nature hike post because those aren't happening.

Bonus Take!
We celebrated Tyler's 12th birthday a couple week ago. We had dinner, fishing, and camping at the family farm. My brother and his family camped out with us. My parents and aunt did too, but they brought a RV and not a tent. 

Lucy says it's too hot!