Simple Woman's Daybook - April, May, and June 2017

I am participating in a Simple Woman's Daybook for April, May, and June 2017.

Outside my Window...it is presently a cool overcast day.  It is a great day to home-school.  I usually don't turn the fireplace on in April...but I did today for a little while.  I think we have global cooling in Maryland because it is June when I type this next sentence and it is still cooler than usual. 

Finally, today: June 13th, we are having some sunny hot weather. A wonderful home-school father and his sons are putting in a new back deck for us.  I might have to give them some popsicles later to cool them off.

I am Thinking...that I hope the Lord guides the progress of my children.  

Colin/26 - Receiving his Ph.D. in Engineering and this fall going to live with some Franciscan Monks in New York to help serve the homeless for a short period. He expressed that he does not want to become a priest nor has he given up on girls.  Therefore, we will see where the Holy Spirit leads him! 

Brandyn/25 - Living at home to finish up his Nursing Degree at the local community college. Also working part time at University of Maryland in Baltimore Hospital. 

Kristen/21 - Just transitioned from University of Maryland to Montgomery College to finish up her Nursing Degree.  She will be going on a mission trip this summer to Latin America and working as a lifeguard sub at the local pool.  

Claire/17 - Attending University of Nebraska in the fall to begin her degree program in early childhood education.  We are currently attending her high school graduation celebrations.  She is on swim team and life guarding at the local pool for her summer job.

Patrick/10 - Continuing to finish up 5th grade home-school lessons and participate in swim team and soccer.

I am Thankful...for the deacon at our local parish as he communicated with my brother who has colon cancer to see if the Church can assist him in any way while he is getting treatment. That was in April.  Now it is June and they should offer him Prayers of the Sick sacrament.  

I am also thankful that my fifth grader was able to speed up his completion of his fourth quarter home-school material. Now he is basically finishing up just reading and vocabulary.  He is working on a book report about Saint John Bosco by Catherine Beebe.  He said that he may choose this Saint for his Confirmation name. Right now he is outside at recess playing with a neighbor.

In the Kitchen...We had pork chops, mashed potatoes, and corn on the cob.  That was in April.  In June, Brandyn helped me make up my own seasoning for the pork chops.  It turned out very good.  

Last night, June 12th, my hubby barbecued chicken and potatoes.  I love the way potatoes taste when they are barbecued. Although I didn't have dinner last night as my stomach did not feel so good. 

I am Wearing...Black sweats with a blue tee and grey and pink jacket.  Cozy clothes to snuggle indoors on this rainy day.  That was in April.  Now (in June) I'm wearing black jeans, short sleeved blouse, black sweater, and flip flops. Today, June 13th, I'm in shorts as it is very hot today.

I am Creating...a simple craft to have for my journal writing class and a yummy dessert for the end of the year celebration for our home-school coop. That was in April.  

In June, I am continuing to develop ideas for my journal writing class.

I am Looking Forward to...sunny and warm weather with the swim team starting up for our two youngest children and life guarding positions for my daughters.  The swim team pasta dinner is this Friday evening.  I am making Creamy Pesto-Chicken Casserole.

I am Hearing...three of my kids and the dog fooling around and playing in the background with hubby talking on the phone about college to my daughter at University of Maryland.  That was in April.  

Now it is June and I was the first one up today.  It is 8:00 a.m. and I hear a couple others beginning to rise. Today, June 13th, I hear the men and boys working on the deck.

Around the House...In April, we finally cleared out much of the clutter in our basement, got new walls and new floor with some book shelves too.  It looks much better.  We will be getting a new air conditioning and new deck in June.

I am Praying...for my brother who has colon cancer. I am also praying for my mother who is very worried.  I am also praying for myself that I do not have any setbacks or recurring issues with my illness as I have recently. I am currently receiving some treatment. I am also praying for my oldest son who is over in Sweden for his career.

One of My Favorite Things...was celebrating Easter with the family and taking a weekend trip to Ocean City, Maryland.  That was April.  Now in June we are busy with Claire's graduation celebrations.  Here is a pic to share:

A Few Plans for Next Week...finish my craft for my journal writing class and turn in religious education registration to Mother Seton Parish.

Here are some recent pics to share of one of the graduation events my family attended for my daughter:

Typical Homeschooling Day

My fifth grader is homeschooled and here is a record of a typical homeschool day from yesterday.  Yes, it was halloween but we still were diligent in doing our work.  Afterwards, my son went out with his big brother for an hour before he got dressed for trick-or-treating with the neighborhood kids.  Neighbors gathered in our court for a potluck and fellowship.

Religion:  Study and discuss two paintings of the Nativity and Coronation

Math:  Converting Units of Weight and Mass (Saxon 65 - second edition)

English:  Exercise on Nouns of Prepositions

Handwriting:  Cursive

History:  Complete chapter review on Andrew Jackson and Map Skills (Latitude and Longitude)

Reading:  Read stories on the Wright Brothers and the Israelites and answer questions

Phonics:  Work on dipthongs

Science:  Complete review quiz on brain and nerves

Spelling:  Spelling Test

Vocabulary:  Exercises on passage containing words and writing the definitions, circling the correct word used in the meaning of a sentence, synonyms and antonyms

Nucleus of Life (Journal)-picture above: Write first draft paragraph of story about a character who displays virtue.

Science Coop work:  Stinging, Crawling, and Squirming Animals - Read chapter, complete worksheet, and make vocabulary cards

Physical Education:  Patrick has his last soccer game this Saturday.  He will be taking an Upward basketball program over the winter.

Art/Music:  He is learning from some wonderful teachers at his Coop.  We attend Coop once a week.

Simple Woman's Daybook (September)

I am participating in a Simple Woman's Daybook.

Outside my Window...it is going to go up to 94 today in Maryland according to this mornings weather report on WMAL.  It is currently pleasant in the morning as we just returned from walking our dog, Bella.  She attracted a couple of our neighbors' dogs.  It's so funny how she gets so excited when she first sees them at times...and...suddenly...a couple minutes later...she doesn't even know the other dogs are there.  Why is her "doggy world" like this?

I am Thinking...I am very concerned about my 24 year old son.  His heart is breaking as he just helped his girlfriend move three hours away to attend grad school.  His girlfriend is studying to be a physical therapist and they just tacked on three more years of study for this degree.  I do not see the need for this.  I think people (likely liberals) are specifically making it harder for young people to start families together.

Son and Girlfriend

I am Thankful...for the interview I had with a local Catholic school to possibly be a substitute teacher in the future.  In the meantime, I might be able to help with after school care.

In the Kitchen...We barbecued chicken last night and had mashed potatoes and fresh green beans.  I also made some yummy Buffalo Chicken Bites for our next tailgate at University of Maryland football games.

Dinner last night

Yummy Tailgate Food

I am Wearing...pink shorts, grey tee, and black flip flops.

I am Reading...My son's book on Thomas Becket with him.

I am Creating...Two crafts for two different journal classes I am teaching.

I am Looking Forward to...going to the Penn State game with Maryland in Pennsylvania with my hubby, other son, girlfriend, and her parents.  It will be the first time we meet her parents.  She is a beautiful girl my son met on CatholicMatch.com.  I've heard about 1/3 of couples are meeting online these days.

Son and Girlfriend

I am Hearing...the quiet in the house while my son is doing his religion. He studies three separate religion books, including the Catechism and Bible History.

Around the House...I just watched the ending of the "Lord of the Rings" with my 5th grader last night.  It was so good that I could hardly take my eyes off of what was going to happen next!

I am Praying...for my children and our country/military...always...always...always!

One of My Favorite Things...was seeing my 5th grader double up on some of his work this year so that he does not fall behind.

A Few Plans for Next Week...attend Back-To-School night at my daughter's Catholic school in Virginia.  I always look forward to meeting her teachers.

Here is a recent pic to share:

Family at the Beach 2016 Summer

The Homeschool Mother's Journal - September 2, 2014

I am sharing the beginning of our homeschool journey this year 2014 and posting to The Homeschool Mother's Journal. and Weekly Wrap-Up.

In my life this week...We moved my daughter into her college dorm as a freshman at University of Maryland.  It was good to see her roommate and meet her parents.  My daughter and her roommate knew each other from the youth group at our church and decided to room together at college.  My two sons attending the same university came to help my daughter move in to her dorm.  The entire family was there wishing my daughter the best of luck at college.  She is majoring in nursing.  Her roommate is majoring in journalism.  I am so excited for her.  She seems to be adjusting well.

We also attended the first University of Maryland home football game.  All three of our college children came to our tailgate to visit us.  It was so good to see them again.  I finally saw where my two sons live.  I call there room a little bungalow.  It is a house off campus with eight young men sharing the space.  My two sons have a nice quiet room on the top floor.  There laptops are on a table facing a nice window.

In our homeschool week...we were able to make a cell for science with jello which is the cytoplasm. The malted milk ball is the cell's nucleus, raisins represent mitochondria, and colored candies are vacuoles.  Then for plant cells we added green olives for chloroplasts.

 We also started our writing for the fable stage where my son wrote a paragraph on The Ant and the Chrysalis.  He is in third grade this year and is doing very well.

Places and People...We started our Classical Conversations Homeschool Coop and it went very well.  There are five girls and four boys in Patrick's class. They studied/memorized part of a historical timeline, geography of five states and capitals, science for four types of tissue, a historical fact about Christopher Columbus, times tables for math, four Latin prepositions, Infinitives for English, drawing using shapes and lines for art, and a bible verse.  They also each did a short presentation in front of the class.

My favorite thing...Was definitely tailgating with my children at the Maryland football game.  Unfortunately, I could not stay for the game because I did have a headache and had to come home after tailgating.  At least I was there for the fun part...even though I didn't feel quite up to par.  I just thought the loud game would make my headache worse.

A photo...Here my daughters and I are at the end of swim team season this summer.

Harcourt Science for Second/Third Grade

We finished the first Harcourt Science book in first grade and now we're advancing to the second book in their series.  Kolbe Academy splits the book between third and fourth grades.  Therefore, we will be doing half of the book this year for second grade.  This is because I have my second grader taking on new subjects for Latin and Spelling.  We are also participating in a co-op once a week.  We will not have the time to finish the entire book in one year with these other subjects and activities.  There are 18 chapters in the book and we will be doing 10 of them.  Each chapter comes with a manageable experiment.  Our science will consist as follows:

Life Science

Living Things
-  What Are Cells?
-  What Are Animals?
-  What Are Plants with Seeds?
-  What Are Fungi?

Animal Growth and Adaptations
-  What Are the Basic Needs of Animals?
-  How Do Animals' Body Parts Help Them Meet Their Needs?
-  How Do Animals' Behaviors Help Them Meet Their Needs?

Plant Growth and Adaptations
-  What do Plants Need to Live?
-  How do Leaves, Stems, and Roots Help Plants Live?
-  How do Plants Reproduce?

Human Body Systems (Health)
-  How Do the Skeletal and Muscular Systems Work?
-  How Do the Respiratory and Circulatory Systems Work?
-  How Do the Nervous and Digestive Systems Work?

Earth Science

Earthquakes and Volcanoes
-  What Are the Layers of the Earth?
-  What Causes Earthquakes?
-  How Do Volcanoes Form?

Fossils
-  How Do Fossils Form?
-  What Can We Learn from Fossils?
-  How Do Fossil Fuels Form?

Physical Science

Matter and Its Changes
-  What Are Three States of Matter?
-  How Can Matter Be Measured and Compared?
-  What Are Some Useful Properties of Matter?
-  What Are Chemical and Physical Changes?

Heat - Energy On The Move
-  How Does Heat Affect Matter?
-  How Can Thermal Energy Be Transferred?
-  How is Thermal Energy Produced and Used?

Sound
-  What is Sound?
-  Why Do Sounds Differ?
-  How Do Sound Waves Travel?

Light
-  How Does Light Behave?
-  How Are Light and Color Related?

or Nancy Larson at http://www.nancylarson.com/science1.html

Seven Quick Takes Friday

It is time for Seven Quick Takes Friday at Conversion Diary. 

1)  Our dog, Bella, sometimes doesn't like to do her business in the brush of our backyard sometimes.  During the school year she will have to because I am in my jammies half the time when I take her out.  Maybe it will be dark enough if she pulls me into the front yard to walk down the street in the winter to go in a public grassy area.  If I'm still in my jammies, I can use a flash light.  I have to drive my girls to school early and the sun will not be up yet.  Oftentimes, she has to be pulled into the back yard to go.  She likes to patrol the neighborhood in the front.  She is like a watch dog for the neighborhood.  She'll just sit or lay in the front yard and look around.  I don't like to leave her off the leash because our neighbor's dog doesn't like her and attacks her.  She is pure joy to have and take care of but she has to remember that it is o.k. sometimes to do her business in the back yard.  Here is are sweet pup:

2)  My daughter has to babysit for an hour early in the morning twice a week for a young mom to go swimming in our local pool.  She forgot one morning and I'm very pleased that she apologized to the parents for over sleeping.  It shows she cares about her responsibilities and the people she helps.

3)  I'll be visiting my friends children today while she takes her husband to have shoulder surgery.  She doesn't even know how long it will take.  Her husband is in the service and the place where they are going said she had to bring her own food while she waited for him to recover.  This is ridiculous.  Too many cuts are being made in our military.  Someone is trying to make it miserable for our service men. 

My children are very good friends with her children and they will be able to hang out together today for a little while.  I am privileged to help a military family out.

4)  The other day I accidently took the keys to the other car with me when my son's car was in the shop.  He was supposed to pick my daughter up from teaching swim lessons to little ones.  I had to pick her up 45 minutes late.  I am so glad she had a good attitude about the whole incidence.  She was not angry at all for my carelessness.

5)  I've decided to cover half of my son's science book in homeschooling for second grade this year rather than try to finish the whole thing.  This will give us more time for Latin, Spelling, and a co-op group once a week.  He will be studying Harcourt Science and we'll do ten chapters with a simple experiment for each lesson.  The schedule is as follows:

Life Science

Living Things
-  What Are Cells?
-  What Are Animals?
-  What Are Plants with Seeds?
-  What Are Fungi?

Animal Growth and Adaptations
-  What Are the Basic Needs of Animals?
-  How Do Animals' Body Parts Help Them Meet Their Needs?
-  How Do Animals' Behaviors Help Them Meet Their Needs?

Plant Growth and Adaptations
-  What Do Plants Need to Live?
-  How Do Leaves, Stems, and Roots Help Plants Live?
-  How Do Plants Reproduce?

Human Body Systems (Health)
-  How Do the Skeletal and Muscular Systems Work?
-  How Do the Respiratory and Circulatory Systems Work?
-  How Do the Nervous and Digestive Systems Work?

Earth Science

Earthquakes and Valcanoes
-  What Are the Layers of the Earth?
-  What Causes Earthquakes?
-  How Do Volcanoes Form?

Fossils
-  How Do Fossils Form?
-  What Can We Learn from Fossils?
-  How Do Fossil Fuels Form?

Physical Science

Matter and Its Changes
-  What Are the Three States of Matter?
-  How Can Matter Be Measured and Compared?
-  What Are Some Useful Properties of Matter?
-  What Are Chemical and Physical Changes?

Heat - Energy On The Move
-  How Does Heat Affect Matter?
-  How Can Thermal Energy Be Transferred?
-  How is Thermal Energy Produced and Used?

Sound
-  What is Sound?
-  How Do Sounds Differ?
-  How Do Sound Waves Travel?

Light
-  How Does Light Behave?
-  How Are Light and Color Related?

or Nancy Larson at http://www.nancylarson.com/science1.html

6)  I am so proud of my youngest daughter too as she is vice president of her class next year.  We were really surprised at this because she is rather quiet sometimes.  It must be her red hair.  The president of the class came over to work with her on ideas for next year.  They were both very diligent in accomplishing and planning good things for their class next year.  I am very proud at how well they worked together.  Here are my two sweet daughters being silly:

7)  I am trying to loose weight by recording the things I eat and the exercise I get.  I keep bouncing back and forth like a yo yo five pounds or so.  Up and back, Up and back, Up and back.  I can't seem to keep loosing.  Therefore, I will have to give up eating my hubby's fattening dinners.  He brought subs home last night and of course I ate mine.  Of course he said, "You didn't have to eat it."  Therefore, I'm going to have a 150 calorie Lean Cuisine for dinner every night.  Hopefully this will help me.  Cutting out this late heavy meal should help me.

Second Grade Curriculum 2013/2014

I though I would put together the curriculum my second grade son will be using next year.  Along with all these items we'll be using many ideas on the Character Training Support Group on the Homeschool Lounge.

**********Religion **********

St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Religious Education Program, Sacramental Year for Holy Eucharist
Book:  Finding God, Loyola Press

**********Reading**********

Story Time Treasures by Memoria Press - Literature Guide Set with Novels and Catholic National Reader

**********English**********

Kolbe Academy Elementary Language Arts/Kolbe English 2/English Grammar and Comp

**********Spelling**********

Spelling Power by Adams-Gordon

**********Latin**********

Prima Latina by Leigh Lowe, Classical Trivium Core Series, Memoria Press

**********Math**********

Christian Light Education, God's Light in Mathematics 2

**********Writing**********

Nucleus of Life Journal Writing, NOL MeetUp

**********Science**********

Harcourt Science, Kolbe Academy or Nancy Larson http://www.nancylarson.com/science1.html

**********History**********

Story of the World, History for the Classical Child, Volume 2:  The Middle Ages/Rainbow Resources Center

**********Art**********

A Simple Start in Chalk Pastels

**********Geography**********

Galloping the Globe


Share your homeschool curriculum with others here.

2012/2013 School Year Plans

School is beginning soon and my two sons will be off to University of Maryland.  My two daughters will be off to Catholic High School.  It will be my first grader at home with me for homeschooling.  I've laid out a tentative weekly schedule for us.  As you will note, I am responsible for some carpooling also.  Our homeschool co-op will be on Thursdays from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and I will be teaching this.  If you would like to follow along with some of the things we're doing please join my facebook page here:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/172588976199529/  

It will be scheduled as follows:

27 Classes
Sept. 13, 20, 27
Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25
Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22-off Thanksgiving, 29
Dec. 6, 13, 20-Christmas Celebration, 27-off Christmas
January - February : Off
Mar. 7, 14, 21, 28-off Easter
Apr. 4-off Easter, 11, 18, 25
May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
June 6, 13

3 Helpers Each Day (rotate)
1) Set up and Clean up Story Circle
2) Set up and Clean up Game
3) Set up and Clean up Journaling

Daily Schedule
10:00 - 10:15/10:30 am:  Fellowship and Eileen and helper Set Up Story Circle

10:15/10: 30 - 11:15/11:30 am:  (On floor in living room)
1) Song w/ Sign Language-Dancing Good Shepherd (average time - 5 minutes)
2) Eileen and helper set up Game
3) Game - Stay Out of the Thorns (average time - 20 Minutes)
4) Story (average time - 15 minutes)

11:15 - 11:30 am:  Eileen and helpers Clean Up Story Circle and Game, Set Up for Lunch, Fellowship

11:30 - 12:00 noon:  Blessing, Lunch, Play, Fellowhip, Eileen and helper set up for Journaling

12:00 - 12:45 pm:  Journal Picture and/or Journal Writing (kitchen table?)

12:45 - 1:00 pm:  Eileen and helper Clean up Journaling, Set up Science, Fellowship, Play


Here are my weekly plans:

Weekly Planner 2012-2013

		Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
6:00		Drive Oakcrest	Drive Oakcrest	Drive Oakcrest	Drive Oakcrest	Drive Oakcrest
7:00
8:00
9:00		Religion	Religion	Religion	Handwriting	Religion
10:00		Math	Math	Math	Homeschool Co-op	Science
11:00		English and Phonics	History	English and Phonics	Lunch
12:00		Lunch	Lunch	Lunch		Lunch
1:00		Reading	Map Skills	Music Class		Math History
2:00		Handwriting	Pick up Oakcrest	Reading	Pick up Oakcrest
3:00						Map Skills Reading
4:00		St. Francis Religious Educ.
5:00			St. John Neumann Confirmation

                                                                                                            Patrick First Grade


Now I can start planning some meals around this schedule.  I pray that all homeschooling mothers find peace and joy in their schedules this year!