We have been homeschooling for eight years and I sometimes forget that what we do isn't the same for others. So, I decided to try adding a monthly homeschool recap to this blog to demonstrate one way (there are so many methods out there!) that homeschooling can work.
We use an eclectic method of homeschooling that leans very heavily towards the Charlotte Mason method of teaching. Without going into too much detail about this method, it can be described as very literature-heavy. We read and discuss A LOT of books. We don't spend a lot of time on workbooks, worksheets, etc., We have gravitated toward this method over the years and found that it works very well for our learners and family lifestyle.
Here are some items that we have read, listened to or watched during the month of February:
The Jesus Storybook Bible*
Kirby McCook and the Jesus Chronicles by Stephen Arterburn*
Jonathan Park Audio Adventure Series #1 & 2*
VeggieTales DVD
The New Answers Book by Ken Ham
Tuttle Twins Podcast
Tuttle Twins and the Little Pink House by Connor Boyack
It's up to You, Ben Franklin by T. Hirschfield
Where in the World is Carmen San Diego? DVD*
Richard Halliburton's Book of Marvels - The Occident
The Care and Keeping of You 1 by V.L. Schaefer
The Story of Inventions by M.J. McHugh & F.P. Bachman
Our Island Story by HE Marshall
Fearless Girls, Wise Women and Beloved Sisters by K. Ragan
Don't Let the Barber Pull Your Teeth by C. Bredeson
Trial and Triumph by R. Hannula*
This Country of Ours by HE Marshall
Carry a Big Stick by G. Grant
George Washington Carver by David Collins
Beware Princess Elizabeth by Carolyn Meyer*
The Landing of the Pilgrims by J. Dougherty
Imperfect Union by S. Inskeep
Abraham Lincoln's World by G. Foster*
American Tall Tales by A. Stoutenburg
On the Banks of Plum Creek by L. Wilder*
Prince Caspian by CS Lewis*
The Red Fairy Book by Andrew Lang
Disney's Prince Caspian DVD
The Heroes by Charles Kingsley
Everybody Bakes Bread by N. Dooley*
To Kill A Mockingbird DVD
Parables from Nature by Margaret Gatty*
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart by Kate Riggs
Play, Mozart Play by Peter Sis
Then There Were Five by E. Enright
Reading Rainbow DVD
You Can be a Paleontologist by Scott Sampson
Herb Fairies Book #7 by K. Gallagher*
Dinosaur Fossils by N. Hyde
Diplodocus by S. Lee
Wild Animals I Have Known by E.T. Seton
Secrets of the Woods by W. Long
Long Necked Dinosaurs by D. West
Digging for Brachiosaurus by T. Holtz
Spinosaurus by J. Gregory
Oviraptor by J. Zeiger
Plated Dinosaurs by D. West
Stegosaurus by C. Lennie
Homemade Wanderlust episodes on YouTube*
My Patients and Other Animals by S. Fincham-Gray
Helen Hunt Jackson Poems
Word World DVD
*Books marked with an asterisk are my personal favorites and highly recommended.
Here's a list of more "formal" curriculum products that we have used during the month of February:
Beautiful Feet Books - Teaching Character Through Literature
Story of the World
Song School Latin
Critical Learning Company - Building Thinking Skills
Critical Learning Company - Mind Benders
Basics of Critical Thinking
Life of Fred
Right Start Math
Young Explorer Series: Exploring Creation with Zoology 3
English Lessons Through Literature
Fix It Grammar
Writing & Rhetoric
Here are online classes that we have enjoyed:
Chalkpastel.com Art Classes
Intro into Microsoft Excel
Foundations in Personal Finance for Middle Schoolers
Here are a few games/activities that we have enjoyed:
Ticket to Ride
Cross stitch project
Chess
Rush Hour, Jr
Twister
Checkers
Nature Explorer's Activity Worksheet
Sibley Bird Bingo
Wildcraft
Here are a few field trips/activities that we have participated in:
The kids spent some time with their newest cousin.
We introduced a new member to the animal portion of our family. Duke is a mixture between a Great Pyrenees and black lab. He's such a sweet little boy and is fitting in quite well.
We discovered that our goats are naturals for Goat Yoga. Who knows? We may even consider offering classes in the future.
We met up with friends for a day of fun and relaxed education. First, we had coffee and games at The Black Goose. Then, we gathered at a friend's house to enjoy her hospitality and to be educated on their snakes. Finally, we grabbed a really late lunch at Buffalo Wings & Rings before heading home.
We joined a group of friends for an afternoon of fun and physical activity at Defy indoor trampoline park.
The oldest assisted the hubby with insulating the solar kiln and taking inventory of the wood being dried.
The hubby and kids spent a fun-filled evening with friends cheering on the Bengals for the Superbowl.
We witnessed our first creek flood at our new home.
The girls spent a night out with the hubby at the Daddy-Daughter Dance sponsored by Vineyard Church.
The boys attended the Mercy Me concert with their grandparents.
I am excited to experience all that March has in store for us!
In case you are interested, here are some links to the places/items mentioned above:
(308) Homemade Wanderlust - YouTube
Home - You ARE an ARTiST! (chalkpastel.com)
Middle School Foundations in Personal Finance | RamseySolutions.com
DEFY Florence, Kentucky - Defy Trampoline Parks
Busy busy life indeed and I am amazed at your dedication. You both are doing great.
What a super busy month !!! Cheers to March !