It's new in our school . . .

Last week I shared our proposed curriculum for the year ahead. It was so encouraging to write out a list of our year ahead and plan.

This year there are four new things we are adding to the mix. My aim is to add more Fine Arts study to our weekly rhythm.

I learnt the hard way last year not to add it all into the mix at once or it soon gets left on the sidelines and forgotten.  My aim this year is to slowly add in one thing at a time.  We follow a five week learning cycle (four weeks school one week rest).  I will be adding music appreciation / study in cycle two and then Nature Journaling in cycle three.

SQUILT

A few months back Mary over at Homegrown Learners released her first eBook SQUILT.  I am really excited about this product because it's written for every day mom's at home who have no classical training or personal understanding of the classical genre. SQUILT stands for Super Quiet UnInterrupted Listening Time.

Volume 1 covers composers/music from the Baroque era. Over the course of working through SQUILT we will be learning about 5 types of instruments, dynamic, rhythm, and tempo.  There are plenty of links sprinkled through out the eBook to help you explore the music more fully.

It also contains note booking pages for you to print and use.

World's Greatest Composers

This unit study has been compiled by Erica over at Confessions of a Homeschooler.  We will be using the parts of this that coincide with the composers from SQUILT Vol I.

Each composer covered has approximately 10 lessons available in it.  Once we have completed SQUILT we shall finish the balance of the year using this and compiling a lapbook covering The Orchestra and Composers.

This study uses the books by Mike Venezia to complete the study.  I am looking forward to completing this study.

You can see a few pictures of the completed lap pack over at Erica's online store. There is also a full list of all the composers covered in the pack.

Classical Composers Monthly

I Have a little bit of a love affair with online resources and sometime spend too much time on YouTube trying to find just the right clip to enhance our learning.

I discovered this gem of a site via Pinterest and have purchased a couple of volumes.  Each volume covers 12 composers. There are currently three volumes available.

For each composer you are supplied with a few YouTube clips, links to FREE resources, down loadable music links, Fun activities and notebook printables.  You can see a FREE sample of a study: George Fridric Handel.

Each Volume is purchased separately for $14.95 and you have lifetime access to the resource purchased.

ARTIST Study
I really would like to settle down and complete Vol I of The World's Greatest Artists this year.  I had so many good intentions but alas they never came to pass last year.
Recently Monet's Garden came to Melbourne which inspired some in depth artist studies.  Sir N and I had such a wonderful time learning together that I am really keen to keep going.

We explored the life and work of Claude Monet and did some great art following his style.

This unit study is available for FREE from Confession of a Homeschooler.

Nature Journal

I have a total love affair with the very idea of Nature Journaling after reading Karen Andreola's chapter on Nature Journaling in the Charlotte Mason Companion.

So much so in fact that I collected a whole page of resources and a stack of books (Nature Journals, Keeping a Nature Journal  and The Decorated Journal ) to help me get started.

Well this year is going to be the year that I take the plunge. Our books are purchased and the digital camera is ready.  We will wait about a month by then spring should have arrived and we will take the plunge and attempt to journal our way through nature...I will keep you posted.

These are a few new resources to me.  I would love to hear what you are using that is new to you.

Blessings
Chareen

This week

• Bernadette   A Room of My Own
• Julie  Our Schoolroom - Highhill Education
• Savannah shares Learning Nook
• Lucinda  5 Steps to an Organised Homeschool Space 
• Nicole  Our Home: A Training Ground

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Curriculum and our year ahead 2013/14

Welcome back to the Homeschool Help Series. For the next six weeks six homeschool bloggers from around the globe will be your host.  Today we will be sharing the curriculum we are using for 2013/14.

I have been home educating for  15 years and really love quality literature with a Wholehearted Child / Charlotte Mason Approach.  This year life has become rather busy and as much as I would like to put together my own curriculum I find I just do not have the energy to pull through so I am using a Sonlight Core B as my spine with a few eclectic things added in.



Our Year Ahead

Language Arts

• Explode the Code Book 2 and Book 3
• Spelling Workout A by Modern Curriculum Press.
• We are doing copywork from Favorite Poems of Childhood.
• Poetry: Favorite Poems of Childhood
• A Reason for Writing Book A

Readers

• I Can Read It! Book 1
• I Can Read It! Book 2
• I Can Read It! Book 3
• Put Me in the Zoo
• Little Bear
• A Fly Went By
• The Cat in the Hat
• Green Eggs and Ham
• A Big Ball of String
• The Bravest Dog Ever
• The Best Trick

Read Alouds

• Charlotte's Web 
•  Henry Huggins
• Gooney Bird Greene 
• The Wheel on the School 
• The Year of Miss Agnes 
• Homer Price 
• Greek Myths for Young Children 
• Mr. Popper's Penguins 
• Mountain Born 
• Understood Betsy 
• Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle 
• Detectives in Togas 
• Little Pear 
• Owls in the Family 
• The Case of the Gasping Garbage 
• It Could Always Be Worse 

History / Geography

• The Usborne Time Traveler
• Tut's Mummy Lost & Found
• Houses and Homes
• Peoples of the World
• George Muller
• Archaeologists Dig For Clues
• The Greek News
• The Great Wall of China
• Roman Diary
• The Usborne Book of World History
• A Child's History of the World
• The Geography Book
• We will continue on occasion with Expedition Earth

Science

•  Pasteur's Fight Against Microbes
• Space 
• Discover & Do Level 1 DVD 
• First Encyclopedia of the Human Body 
• See How It's Made 
• What Makes You Ill? 
• Science Activities, Vol. 1 
• The Magic School Bus at the Waterworks 
• Why Do People Eat? 
• The Usborne World Of Animals 
• Night Animals
• Science Activity/Notebooking Pages

Math

•  We will play with Pattern Blocks and work our way through Patternables and Pattern Block Cards.
• Exploring Arithmetic 3 by Rod and Staff.
• CalcuLadder 1 and 2 These are part of the Learning Vitamins series.  I love these math drill work packs.

Bible

•  For our devotional we will be reading through Leading Little Ones to God by Marian M. Schoolland.
• Listening to Sing the Word: A New Commandment, Hide 'Em in your heart Vol 1 and Vol 2 by Steve Green.
• Praying through Akebu to Zapotec
• Reading Missionary Stories with the Millers
• Studying God's Word Book C and Book B

Fine Arts

• Music Appreciation: SQUILT Vol 1 Baroque Era (Super Quiet UnInterrupted Listening Time) This is a digital product written by Mary from Homegrown Learners and covers ten pieces of music along with notebooking pages, musical term definition and musical history.
• I will be using The World's Greatest Composers by Confessions of a Homeschooler.
• The Classical Kids Collection Vol 1 & 2. These are produced by The Children's Group and cover the lives of eight famous composers.
• Classical Composers Monthly as a supplement to whichever composer we are studying.
• We will continue with The World's Greatest Artists Vol 1 in which we will cover eight artists.  We have already studied Monet and will continue and learn about the other seven artists in the unit.
• We did Shipwrecked earlier in the year and really enjoyed it so we will work our way through Bible Stories by See the Light

What will you be using this coming year for your homeschool ?  If you are in need of some inspiration don't forget to pop on over to see what the Homeschool Help bloggers are planning for 2013/14

Blessings
Chareen

This week

• Bernadette over at Barefoot Hippie Girl: Radical Changes
• Julie from Highhill Homeschool: Curriculum 2013-2014
• Savannah from Hammock Tracks shares New Curriculum - A Grammar Year
• Lucinda over at Navigating by Joy Making Up Our Homeschool Curriculum 
• Nicole over at One Magnificent Obsession : Somethings Old, Somethings New: Curriculum Edition

Sonlight in a Nutshell

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My Favourite Apps and Websites for Learning

This week's Homeschool Help topic is Your Favorite Apps (iPad or Droid) or Learning Websites.   I'm on the fence with on line learning. At heart I am a pencil, pen and paper girl.  I love the look and feel of a new or old book.

One of the things I have noticed with all the all new approach to schooling using Internet and app learning is that the new generation of learners have no understanding of information storage or how to learn. Using real books and the library is a natural way for students to learn how to find information accurately. This in turn empowers students to use Google more efficiently.

Saying this however I do love using the Internet and am here far more than I aught to be.  I love to discover new helps. I have also been using YouTube clips to enhance our learning and best of all I enjoy finding anything FREE to enrich our home education experience.

I do have a Galaxy Tab which I really delight in using for Pinterest.  I have used it for a few school apps. Here is a list of a few apps I've enjoyed and places I go to find apps if I'm looking.


Math
The first school Apps we used and totally love are The Squeebles from Key Stage Fun. I love these apps because there are no in-game purchasing or web links making them safe for Sir N to use.   They also have a good balance between work/play and a good stats area for me to monitor his progress. These apps are available for your iPhone, iPad, Android and Kindle Fire. Click on a button to find out more

Spelling

I was looking for a spelling app to use with Sir N when my blog friend Princess Warrior Jo told us about Squeebles Spelling.  I ♥ this app because I have total control.  I created the lists and record the words verbally which means that it's my accent he is learning to hear.

I really like the look of Word Wizard for the iPad.  This is a phonics based app that helps children with their spelling.





Handwriting
For Handwriting support I really liked using the Wet-Dry-Try app from Handwriting Without Tears. This app is available for your android and apple device.


Art Appreciation
I really love these apps and have five volumes on my phone. I hope this company makes these apps available for the Galaxy Tab and I really love the look of the updated app that's available for the apple market.

ART vol 1 Early artists - up to 1600s (
Android Samsung Phones

ART vol 2
Baroque and Renaissance
(1600-1700)
Android Samsung phones

Art by ADS Software Group Inc
iTunes App Store iPhone App
ART HD Great Artists Gallery and Quiz FREE iTunes
ART HD Great Artists Gallery and Quiz Full Purchase Version on iTunes

App Schooling Central
I love going over to Ben and Me where Marcy shares her apple app discoveries.

• Planning and Organization
• History and Geography
• Language Arts
• Math
• Science
• Bible
• FREE iEducation

Confessions of a Homeschooler
Over the years Erica has shared some of the iPad Apps she has used with her children 

• Young Learners
• PreK - First Grade
• Educational Apps
• Educational Apps for Pre-Schoolers
• For Moms

Apps for Homeschooling

This site has apps organized by

• Grade/Age
• Subject (19 areas of learning)
• Cost (Free, Lite and Paid)
• Device (Android, HP, iPad, iPhone, iPod, Mac, Nook, Windows)
• Rating (1-5, App of the Month/week/year, Golden App, guest review)
• Giveaway
• News
• Top 10

 Pinterest

Where do you find your apps and which are your favourite?  I'm on the hunt for my one day maybe list.

Blessings
Chareen

This week

• Bernadette declares we are  NOT Techie Home Schoolers despite all the tech around them they still love pens and paper.
• Julie says they needed help with multiplication so her husband designed an app and they discovered Educational Ways to Use an iPad
• Hwee ponders on Technology: A Few Considerations.
• Savannah shares Twenty Free Learning Apps 
• Lucinda ponders Favourite Homeschool Apps - For Kids And Mums 
• Nicole says  the digital world of iPhone and iPad have completely changed the face of homeschooling here are her iWorld of Homeschooling: Favorite Apps!
• Erin speaks on If I Had An Ipad . . . 

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Homeschool Support

Last week we talked about home school Co-ops and what the benefits are for you the home educator this week we are sharing on Support groups.

Support Groups are fundamentally different to co-ops in that they are an informal get together's which can happen weekly, fortnightly or monthly. A support group can be two homeschool families that connect well or a group of mothers connecting on a regular basis.  Most meet together with their children and some meet without their children.

I really enjoyed this statement by Renee Gotcher from Next Generation Homeschool: "When you think about it, homeschool support group is a bit of an oxymoron: We choose to homeschool so that we can independently make decisions about our children’s education, and yet we inherently desire the support of others to inform, encourage and assist us."

Home school support groups are not about education they are about mentoring relationships.  It's for you the mom to access a supportive environment and for your children to know that there are other children out there being home educated.

Mentoring
A mentor facilitates personal and professional growth in an individual by sharing the knowledge and insights that have been learned through the years. - USC Mentor Program

"Mentoring is to support and encourage people to manage their own learning in order that they may maximise their potential, develop their skills, improve their performance and become the person they want to be." Eric Parsloe, The Oxford School of Coaching & Mentoring 

Mentoring is a developmental partnership through which one person shares knowledge, skills, information and perspective to foster the personal and professional growth of someone else. We all have a need for insight that is outside of our normal life and educational experience. The power of mentoring is that it creates a one-of-a-kind opportunity for collaboration, goal achievement and problem-solving. “Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction.” John C. Crosby (Mentor program)

Caution
While home school support groups offer a huge amount of encouragement and support on your home education journey they can also become a noose around your neck.  For years and years I was a part of two particular support groups and loved learning and growing with these families. I still miss them. What I did not do however was evaluate some of the choices that slowly seeped into the group.  It was not until years later when I moved away and was confronted with asking myself why I was doing some things (dress code, curriculum choices, etc) that I realized that I had taken on an unwritten 'law' from the group that was not healthy for my family.  Now I am part of several groups but I do so with caution and I constantly re-evaluate what I'm doing with who my family is. So when you are part of a network be sure to take a regular time of de-cluttering your mind and spirit and be sure that you remain true to who you are or you might find that who you are becomes lost in trying to fit in.  If you need to work at fitting in you are definitely a part of the wrong group.   

Benefits

Two Sisters by Renoir

There are many benefits in a joining a support group and I encourage you to find a group of like minded mothers. A good support network will be a place you can take a break, enjoy a relaxing cup of tea to recharge, ask questions and have access to real life help.

• Seasoned Homeschoolers to receive encouragement from.
• Encouragement
• Social opportunity for Mom with like minded people
• Help
• Advice
• Supportive environment
• Care
• Networking (knowing who to go to when you need assistance)
• Contacts
• Assistance
• Solutions
• Access to Information
• Guidance
• A place to connect with like minded Mom's

On the WWW

• The Role of Home school Support Groups 
• Why Homeschool Support Groups are Important for Veterans and Newbies
• Benefits of a Home school Support Group
• How to find a Homeschool Support Group
• Mentoring a Neccessity by Sally Clarkson over at I Take Joy

On Line Support
I appreciate that in today's culture we have limited time to invest in meeting together face to face and for many of us the only support we have access to is on the www. Here is a list of place to seek support on line.

• The Homeschool Lounge
• Twitter
• Blogs My Blog Friends
• Pinterest - here are some boards with links to Blogs in different catagories
  Aussie Homeschoolers
  Home Schoolers
  Communal Blogs
  Homeschooling an Only
• Homeschool Forums
  Aussie Homeschool
  Sonlight
  Rockpool Homeschool
  Simply Charlotte Mason
  The Well Trained Mind
• Facebook
  Every Bed of Roses
  Aussie Homeschool
  Schoolhouse Review Crew
• Pinterest 
• Email Yahoo Groups When you visit this page type in homeschool + your country/state.

I pray you find a group of like minded woman who will encourage, inspire and support you on your home education journey.  In the last five years I have been blessed with three beautiful woman who keep me accountable and are not afraid to ask the hard questions.  These woman pray for me and do not judge me.  I feel so blessed to have these three woman in my life and I give thanks to Christ for them every day.

Remember a mentor does not need to be someone older in chronological age just someone older on the journey with more experience and most importantly someone who is still willing to learn and grow and accept you and your family for who you are.

Do you have someone like this to help you ?  Remember A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12

Blessings
Chareen
This post is featured at The Homeschool Village Link up #19

This week

• Bernadette takes a look at being Unable to Commit 
• Julie ponders on Local Homeschool Group 
• Hwee shares some thoughts on Groups - Home Ed and Otherwise.
• Savannah discusses Local Homeschool Support Group - A Breath of Fresh Air
• Lucinda shares Why I’m Glad I Joined Our Local Homeschool Group (Even Though We No Longer Go.
• Nicole says Local Homeschool Groups: This Mom's Lifeline
• Erin notes that It Takes a Community.

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Support image courtesy of Free Digital Photos Stuart Miles
Golden rope courtesy of Master isolated images