Organization, Planning, and Goals for Next School Year

 I admit, our days should go smoothly next year. I have put hours into organizing, planning, reading over our goals, and filling in cracks. 

Here are some things I've updated to our school year. 

Bible. We love Not Consumed studies. I am planning on using her "Keep your Heart" study. Her other curriculums look great as well-- and we will probably be adding more that's not on the list from Not Consumed into our school days as we continue during the year. 

(I always add things in and tweak our work if we need more or less). 

1. -------Also, I wanted Avalyn to have a year long Bible curriculum that will cover solid theology. I found it. Thank you Master Books! Master Books is an amazing publishing company and well known in the Christian homeschool community. 

Here is their statement of faith: https://www.masterbooks.com/about

Also, here is the curriculum I picked for her. It is systematic theology for her age level, will challenge her, will teach her about the creeds and catechisms, and will teach her to combat heresy. I fell in love with this curriculum after searching and searching for a workbook that we could do daily. 

"For Ages 12-18

Foundations in Faith is a homeschool curriculum designed to teach Bible doctrine to teens and preteens. Your students will learn the basics of what Christians have held true as they study Scripture along with the creeds, confessions, and catechisms used over time to instill biblical truths. These helpful tools have been written to help Christ followers cling to the authority of God’s Word and avoid the pitfalls of believing heresies promoted within the culture and possibly even the church.

This one-year course is conveniently scheduled so a student can complete 20-30 minute lessons five days a week."

2.---------Further, we are doing IEW Ancient History Writing to match CC Cycle 1. I also have ordered IEW Mowgli and Shere Khan for grammar and editing for her age level. These two books should be great, but I still needed something to add to spelling, vocabulary, and reading. 

Low and behold, I found free lesson pages from a mom of 15! Your child can use these with the McGuffey readers or for older kids, any chapter book they are reading. They are blank Charlotte Mason planning pages where the student finds words in the literature they are reading to write down and spell, find definitions from, complete paragraphs of copywork, write narrations, and draw about their reading. It looks excellent and I printed this out. 

Here is the free link and short description from MomDelights.com. 

https://momdelights.com/index.php/2016/08/30/free-lesson-sheets-printables/

Here is her example with her child copying words for spelling, copying sentences from the book, drawing what the page is about, and more. There are further sheets for writing vocabulary out (spelling and definitions) and narrating, and  copying large lengths of the literature your child is reading. 

3.-------I created checklist planning pages for each week. Every day, Avalyn my 7th grader, will check off each lesson/subject. This is a broad checklist, but will guide her daily and track attendance. Also, work will have to be completed and she will see what needs to be done, managing her time and day. 

There are 36 weeks in s a school year, so you print off 36. You can also start with half to see if the system works. Here is our example. These are stored in a file folder for the year. 

Gather Round is GR. This will be her unit studies. These cover ancient history and living off the land, which is early American history and some extra science in homesteading. We plan to complete projects with GR on our end like candle making, soap making, sewing, etc. Basically, I am incorporating unschooling methods to our school next year to stay hands-on, creative, and fun.

4.-----The best part----- my planner! I am looking on Etsy for an all in one 24/25 homeschool, homemaking, life planner (preferably Christian based) that is coil bound and shipped. A planner is a big deal in my house. I have a lot of people to track, appointments to make and keep, and plans to record, etc. 

I'll share when I find one. 

5. Large Family Meals in my iPhone Notes

I have written down some simple and easy dairy free meals to make throughout each week. My crockpot is my best friend, especially when feeding a large crowd. 

My main, easy dinner meals are :

Dinners for the Week: 

1. Crockpot --shredded chicken with salsa , taco seasoning , 

and 1/2 C lime juice for shredded chicken tacos--- with cilantro, rice, and sour cream plus avacadoes and tortillas

2. Crockpot ground turkey meat sauce with canned pasta sauce ---hunts garlic tomatoe 

3. Green Chicken Chile or Green Pork Chile --this is made quite often with chicken in our house

4. Chicken Pot Pie Bake with Crescent Rolls 

5. Taco Salad Bar- gr beef or turkey, beans, salad, canned corn, cilantro, onions , dressing , tortilla chips

6. Large Pot Green or Red Chicken or Chickpea Curry
7. 
   
8. Burrito Bowls - flour and corn tortillas with cilantro lime rice, corn, beans, dairy free sour cream, salsa, lettuce, cilantro , avacado

8. Sloppy joes in the crockpot 

9. Slow cooker bbq shredded chicken or pork sandwiches with pickles and salad 

10. Diced , peeled Sweet potatoes and black bean chili or tacos with rice 

11. Vegetarian Spaghetti - cook chopped zucchini, onions, grape tomatoes , mushrooms, and diced broccoli in oil and garlic salt, pepper. Stir in spaghetti. 

This is how I've planned to organize some of our family's needs next year :) Hope this helps as an example to you and your bushel of blessings! 

Blessings,

Briana 

Christian Montessori @ Home/Primary Day in the Life & Spring Educational Ideas

 Am- 

After breakfast, we do some chores and have free play. 

For writing strength today, she chooses to make shapes in her book with the Montessori metal insets. 

Also, this includes her choosing to color out of a book that depicts a boy named Henry. He is a happy boy who loves the Lord Jesus. His parents also love him. She colors a picture of Henry with his parents.  Milestone Books.com has the sweetest coloring books that are devotional based for this young age. My older kids completed activities like these mostly every morning we did lessons-when they were homeschooled and the fruit I've seen in older times is incredible. Most coloring books are created by Rod and Staff publishers or Christian Light Publications (Each is a solid biblical and Mennonite company creating affordable curriculums and lesson extensions.)

Here is Archie's texture matching puzzle- Addi loves it too.

Our small flower garden to water. We are also growing onion seeds and will be growing okra as well.

We read a Bible story with our curriculum. Right now we are continuing to go over the story about Joseph and his brothers. We read about Joseph's coat of many colors.

After we read this story, we make Joseph's coat of many colors with playdough. We listen to a song about Joseph's coat and circle the correct answers in our workbook. The workbook also depicts forgiving others. This is a theme with these lessons-forgiveness.

Once play dough time is finished,  Addi chooses another learning area. I have three centers set up. Writing with chalk on a slate, playing the 7 continents cards matching game, or working with other Montessori continent cards.

Shelves are set up with learning toys, musical instruments with desks bells now to play etc., and there is also her block table, her toy kitchen, and her dollhouse. Puzzles and practical life activities are provided. She can practice pouring water into a funnel and a bottle, polishing wood with a sponge and oil from our kitchen, folding dish rags with her toy laundry set, or buttoning and snapping mini clothes with her activity board. We are also practicing to spray and wash/wipe off a table. These centers can be visited each day or asked for.

PM- 

At lunch, she helps season carrots with salt and garlic powder to bake. She also pours the carrots in a baking pan with avacado oil. These bake and are eaten as a snack later. -Most days, there is outdoor time, and she plays on her small playground with her trampoline and waters her flowers. 

(We will be working on more food prep with little hand tools, such as cutting cucumbers, seasoning foods, and making our own peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, etc.) She will also work on serving her own plate of food.

Around bath time and getting dressed (hygiene is important), she then puts on her ballet outfit and watches a preschool class at home. 

To finish some solid instruction for the evening, we have her watch a seven continents song clip on Youtube and will read from our Abeka phonics reader. 

Usually, daily worksheets are sporadic at this age of 4, but she completes the front and back of an Abeka k4 handwriting page and is really sticking to the lines now. She usually completes a simple math worksheet as well. 

We review CC songs on Youtube. 

At bedtime, she will be read some story books. 

--------------------------------

Activities we will be completing for Spring:

Water flowers in our small garden, drawing flowers on chalkboards, and drawing sketches of our flowers.

Reading Spring picture books. I created a free guide. 

We ordered an affordable laundry toy and a washboard. She will scrub rags outside by hand on the washboard with soapy water. She will rinse them in a clean bowl, and wring them out. We will then hang her little clothes up on her play clothesline. 

 And here is a picture of a Montessori classroom washing station... So this toy is improvising, along with a washboard from Amazon for us. Also, here are the practical life frames children begin to complete that we are collecting.

We will bake. 

We will paint.

We will listen to picture books or stories with figurines. This will make stories jump off the page.

(I am emphasizing using materials for story time.)

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reggio-Emilia-Spring-Extensions-Curriculum-Guide-11428907
 

Preschool is the just the most precious little age! I will always treasure our early childhood days at home. We complete so many tasks around daily life and learning is simple, gentle, and nurturing. 

Healing after Surgery & a Stationary Bike

 

I had a glorious moment today. Maybe not for others, but for myself. Today marks months post op (where my stomach muscles around 5 in, maybe more apart got all sewn back together as normal up and down my entire body. I am so glad I had this surgery. How I had the strength to endure these hours after my last biological childbirth (We could adopt one day, but my hubby got fixed after our number 5 with us knit in peace and prayer) months later, and the recovery, was God's grace. A wonderful mother and step dad, and a great husband and kiddos. My mom lived in with me for 6 weeks. I still remember the drains, the fluid, thank goodness I was knocked out with the blood, the low oxygen,....and the peace of Christ. I had done it. He provided and He held me safely through. My Jesus. My burden of years was lifted.

Today, my scar is better, though hip to hip (it will continue to lighten) and my swelling is healing. It can take18 months for the cut blood vessels to heal and nerves to heal. And I was given a stationary bike by my mother and father in law. I rode it today for 10 minutes. My goal is 30-45 minute increments, but I only had time to hop on it for this during my littles nap, with a normal stomach-permanent coils and sutures for life. 

Thank you Jesus. I am healing. I have also been intermittent fasting 14 hrs (some of my friends do 16) for almost a year! On and off, but I feel great. And, I've severely cut down dairy almost given it up. I feel wonderful.  I drink almond or oat milk, love cashew yogurt, like dairy free cheddar and sour cream, and found great dessert and baking mixes. Reducing dairy or ridding it fights inflammation, helps weight, produces energy, clears skin, and promotes stronger bones. You are drinking milks with 2x as much calcium than cow's milk and eating lots of veggies, plant based snacks, fruits, proteins, and grains. 

My little guy will stay on cow's milk until 3. Little children need the fat for nerve development during this critical time. Peanut butter is good and avocados, but they need lots of fat in their diets.

I've also switched to pure haven soaps and cleaners (my friend at church sells this to the right of my blog) and I also make our own bar soap for face and body at home from goat's milk base.

Basically, we try to be healthy but not make it an idol over Christ. My oldest girl is now gluten free with her health improving. I try to eat whole grains or sourdough and provide this for the rest of us. Lots of crockpot meals and Jeremy grills. We have a smoker now for meats and I make big meals all the time. My area of growth is more homemade pancakes. Measure to Measure gluten free flour is what we use. I have gotten better at eggs in the am and veggies in these scrambles or frittatas.

Anyways, it was a milestone, with my continued peace and joy in my Lord for me today. God bless you and your family.

Briana

A family dinner...

My husband has implemented a family dinner night. This is one night a week. He wants us all to sit around the table .With a baby up to high school age kids,--youth group, sports, after school activities, appointments, and misc. don't usually have time for all of us around the table together. 

This week for our family dinner, Jer made homemade, green chicken curry over rice. It was delicious. 

This inspired me later to create a sauce given from a friend, blending tomato and a can of adobe peppers. You sauté this red sauce over diced chicken in a skillet. You can add chopped, cooked broccoli and potatoes once the chicken is cooked. Dish over rice. Honey and dairy free sour cream or regular sour cream helps the spicy flavor. I like more mild dishes. My husband and kids love spicy foods. 

Indian food is our family's favorite cuisine. Followed by Mexican and Thai. 

Christian Montessori Preschool @ Home

 It's impossible to take a picture of all the activities we do in a day, but here are some. I recently cleaned up my homeschooling areas and printed/laminated signs for different learning centers in our room. I then organized what we have and ordered some more affordable materials to add to our authentic Montessori environment. 

This type of environment and learning style has taken a lot of observation classroom watching on Youtube, and anyone can do this! And, Amazon has mostly every Montessori material possible; that and Etsy. You can print lots of freebies and make your own Montessori materials at home. 

I do not incorporate any new age teaching with Montessori. We only approach Montessori from a Biblical perspective. In fact, I created a 5 Great Lessons resource taught Biblically, to take back the Montessori sector to Christ. Maria Montessori believed in Jesus and was a Catholic/Christian. Regardless, some types of learning material or publishers you encounter, public, private, etc. will probably have to have some things crossed off your list if you submit to scripture.

Anyways, here are the pictures. I play a lot of instrumental music and let the kids choose their learning activities; on the side of some structure with Bible,  language, math, and reading, and any other core subjects or worksheets we need to complete for the day. 

Montessori has 5 traditional centers. These are Language, Mathematics, Cultural, Practical, and Sensorial.

With Montessori, you are constantly redirecting the child, having them clean up and re-start another learning task, and as a homeschooler---- cleaning up and doing chores around it all :) So, my organized space has helped our learning and enjoyment with academics a lot. I truly agree with educators that hands-on learning is the best way to learn, along with visual learning. 

I wish I could order all of the authentic puzzle maps and control charts! One day... For now, we use a lot of geography printables. And, there are smaller maps you can store in a tub. I have to be careful with small pieces right now, so small objects are stored away and Addi is supervised with these when choosing a learning activity. We then put them away to have a safe baby environment.

I love our little music shelf. I have desk bells for music coming! I really like how children learn the different sounds and rhythm of the bells in Montessori classrooms; especially in European preschools--- this is a big part of curriculum.

These are mini metal insets. The metal insets are for learning to write and developing fine motor strength. This can be blended with art and book making.

We get a lot of file folder games from Ebay. Montessori would present the seasons using hands-on materials like this. 

Some things coming to our room:

Texture Matching Puzzle 

Brown Stairs 

Rainbow Stacker Puzzle 

Chalk Slate Writing Board 

Bells 

Instrument Matching Cards

Truly, Amazon can provide a lot of authentic materials for around 100 dollars. Think about daycare a month, 800-1200 monthly. Yes, you can stay home if you are able or want too, save money, and provide great curriculum and materials for your family on a way cheaper budget. Some budgets are harder for stay at home parents. I understand. We always  put this priority first in our family. 

I also have a lot of materials over the years saved over with my older bunch. We used to do these activities when they were little. Such precious, unforgettable days.

Great Advice

 Devos are not the word of God that pierces through soul and spirit. Saturate yourself in God's word daily, not opinions about it. It isn't wrong and can be beneficial; but when man takes the place of God's word, not good.

I liked this advice. 

God's word stands.

Men's words fall short.

God's ways are higher.

Men's ways are of earth, fallen natures, pride, selfishness, greed, lust, jealousy, and strife.

Jesus and His beloved word:

Matthew 5:2-11

2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons[a] of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Homeschool Curriculum Picks 24/25 (Prek4 & 7th Grade)--with some pictures...

It is going to be a fun year!

K4 - Pre Kindergarten

________________________________________

Classical Conversations as our spine with memory work and extension projects

Math-Master Books K Math , Montessori Math Extensions, & Teachers Pay Teachers Printouts

Phonics/ /Handwriting-

Abeka Phonics Little Books 1-12 

Abeka K4 Manuscript Writing with Phonics 

**********Bible-

Christian Light Publications Bible VBS Workbook K (Part 2)

Hands-On Learning Activities 

Catechism Coloring & Review (Etsy) by: LittleHouseinLeola digital store

Extra Science/History/Life Skills-

—-Living off the Land -Pre Reader/Early Reader Unit - Gather Round

——Ancient History- Gather Round (Connecting CC Cycle 1)

https://gatherroundhomeschool.com

---Green Kid Crafts (Monthly Subscription) Science and STEAM

We ignore secular info...

https://www.greenkidcrafts.com

Reading Picture Book Fiction to Connect CC Cycle 1 Subjects-

The Story of Salt by Mark Kurlansky

The Story About Ping by Marjorie Flack

Zinnia’s Flower Garden by Monica Wellington

From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons

The Big Book of the Blue by Yuval Zommer

When the Giant Stirred by elia Godkin

Gopher to the Rescue by Terry Jennings

Down, Down, Down : A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea by Steve Jenkins

Extracurricular

Swimming

Ballet

Possibly starting violin lessons (Her instrument of choice)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Basket Both Girls:

"We draw to Learn" cc cycle 1 etsy -sketch journal by: WeDrawTOLearn digital shop

milestone books activity pages- art with music (milestone books.com) - Addi's morning work also

7th Grade CC Cycle 1 plus Essentials Language Arts and Community Weekly Program

_______________________________________________________

Bible - Westminster Catechism Copwork Book Cursive- Etsy by:AlongsideThem digital store- book is shipped and spiral bound

            Not Consumed Bible Studies- Middle School -Keep Thy Heart 

Main Bible Curriculum: Master Books

Master Books’ Foundations of Faith provides a study of the foundational truths of the Gospel for preteens and teens so they can confidently articulate what they believe and why. This overview of systematic theology uses Scripture as the ultimate authority with creeds, confessions, and catechisms as helpful tools to understand the primary doctrines taught and believed within the Church today and why they were chosen.

Math- Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra (Online and Self-Correcting!)

Science- Apologia General Science -core of science for high school prep

We will be doing a monthly science or history subscription for crafts. Currently, History Unboxed looks great.

                Classical Conversations Science Memory Work and Weekly Hands-On Experiments 

Gather Round Unit Middle School- Living off the Land Planning a Homestead and Projects with Seatwork 

Unschooling Projects- Soap Making, Candle Making, Tea Making and Foraging, Learning to Garden, Prepping for Winter, etc. with devotionals

History/Reading- Tying in With Classical Conversations Cycle 1- Ancient Civilizations 

• Gather Round Ancient Civilizations Unit-Middle School
  
  
  
  
  
  
• CC Book List-  Chapter Books to Read

-YouTube, Mapwork, Projects

Language Arts:

Classical Conversations IEW (Institute of Excellence in Writing) Ancient History 

Essentials Class CC (Diagramming and Sentence Structure and More)

Grammar: (Institute of Excellence in Writing) Fix it Grammar- Spiral Bound

Mowgli and Shere Khan

Keyboarding and Typing:

Gather Round-Typing Book Level One

—-CHEC homeschool registration --- We are registering with a Christian umbrella organization for legal protection and accountability with the state---

Reading : Fiction/Literature Projects  Connecting CC Cycle 1 Themes

Not all pictures listed, but these are the chapter books for required reading next year...

Adara- Ancient History Beautiful Feet Books Fiction 

Home Fires Beneath the Northern Lights - Milestone Books Fiction 

Rescuer of Precious Gems- Amy Carmichael 

Nims Island- Science Fiction and a Movie

Underground to Canada plus Gather Round Unit Study (Canadian historical fiction)

Volacano Adventure by Willard Price

Filling in gaps: Charlotte Mason English Lesson Sheets are Free Here... From a Homeschool Mom of 15! Your child uses these sheets for spelling words, copywork, definitions and vocabulary, creating art out of grammar, and writing narrations. These are sheets that can be used with any book your child is reading. They use their fictional chapter or picture book (or McGuffey Readers) to fill out these sheets. I placed these in a folder and Avalyn can use sheets on certain days for extra English activities that she chooses. 

https://momdelights.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Charlotte-Mason-Style-Lesson-Sheets-for-the-McGuffey-Readers-and-Other-Literature.pdf

Projects for Each Book to Choose From:

Clay model or Shoebox Model 3d of a Favorite Scene

Poster or Book Report

Short Chapter Novel Summary- Book Format with Pictures 

Story Quilt, Pictures Glued from Different Scenes onto posterboard with explanations