Sunday, August 9, 2020

First Day of School 2020-2021

We are ready and excited to start another school year!  It certainly is a strange time for education with the COVID-19 and we are feeling really blessed that we have our comfort of homeschooling as we go into our 8th year!  The boys are growing leaps and bounds both in size and in knowledge!  As I have gotten more comfortable and relaxed with homeschooling the boys have really been able to help lead our schooling with their interests and strengths.  We are excited to spend our year studying American History this year and the boys have picked out unit studies for science including birds, insects, and Human Anatomy. The boys all thrive with math and I am to the point that I have to look ahead to remember how to multiply fractions and do pre-algebra!  They love to study music and art and the four oldest boys are all enjoying piano lessons.  We have been studying Spanish and enjoy learning a new language together.  Most importantly we love reading!  Peter is learning to read this year and we spend a lot of time reading together and individually! We have a special year with lots of sacraments coming up; Confirmation for Ryan and First Reconciliation and First Communion for Luke.  We love the opportunity to practice our Faith and learn more about the Church and the liturgical season and Saints throughout our days.  


Ryan



Age: 10 1/2 years old
Grade:  5th/6th
Favorite Subject/s: Science, History and Geography
Future Occupation: Medical Helicopter Pilot and Scout Master


Connor


Age:  8 1/2 years old
Grade:  4th/5th
Favorite Subject/s:  Math, Art
Future Occupation: Doctor



Luke



Age: 7
Grade: 2nd
Favorite Subject: Science and Geography
Future Occupation: Paleontologist


Peter 


Age: 4 1/2
Grade: Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten
Favorite Subject: Art/Reading
Future Occupation: Police Officer


Simon


Age: 2 1/2 years old
Grade:  Nursery School
Favorite Subject:  Art / Reading
Future Occupation:  Farmer or Fireman


Andrew

Age:  10 months
Grade:  Nursery School
Favorite Subjects:  Music / Reading
Future Occupation:  ??
 

Sunday, July 19, 2020

Our Curriculum Choices 2020-2021


Curriculum Plans for 2020-2021
Morning Basket (with Everyone):
Reciting the Morning Offering Prayer
Saint of the Day & Once Upon a Time Saints / Around the Year Once Upon a Time Saints
Read Aloud Book of Bible Stories/Catholic Mosaic
Baltimore Catechism with Angel Food Stories
Days of the Week/Months of the Year/Season/Weather


Ryan (10-11 years old) 5th/6th Grade

Mathematics:
Teaching Textbooks 7
Saxon Math 7/6

Religion:
Faith and Life Series: Following Christ (6) - (Online Faith and Life Resources)
History of the Church (TAN)
Catholic Mosaic
Catechesis of the Good Shepard Level 3

English/Spelling/Writing:
Language of God: Level E
My Catholic Speller: Level E
Typing without Tears
Writing and Rhetoric: Books 4/5/6

Reading:
Memoria Press Fifth/Sixth Grade Literature Novels and Guides
·         The Adventures of Robin Hood
·         King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table
·         The Twenty One Balloons
·         The Door in the Wall
Treasure Trove of Literature 2 (CHC)
·         The Wizard of Oz
·         Madeline Takes Command
·         The Borrowers
·         Misty of Chinocoteague
·         The Magicians Nephew

Geography:
Map Skills F  (CHC)

Science/Health:
Catholic Schoolhouse Tour 1 Science
Mammals/Insects/Birds -Memoria Press

History:
Catholic Schoolhouse Tour 1 History
(US History)
The Story of Civilization: Vol 4 – US History (TAN Books)
(Textbook/Audio book, Video Lecture Series, Activity/Text books)
Living History Books

Spanish:
Spanish for Children Primer A

Art/Music/Enrichment:
Exploring America’s Musical Heritage
Ever Ancient, Ever New: Art History, Appreciation, Theory, and Practice (CHC)
Weekly Piano / Guitar Lessons


Connor (9 years old) 4th/ 5th Grade
Mathematics:
Teaching Textbooks 7
Saxon Math 7/6

Religion:
Faith and Life Series: Jesus Our Guide (4) - (Online Faith and Life Resources)
History of The Church (TAN)
Catechesis of the Good Shepard Level 3

English/Spelling/Writing:
Language of God: Level D
My Catholic Speller: Level D
Typing without Tears
Writing and Rhetoric:  Book 4/5/6
Reading:
Memoria Press Fifth/Sixth Grade Literature Novels and Guides
·         My Side of the Mountain
·         The Adventures of Robin Hood
·         King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table
·         The Twenty One Balloons
·         The Door in the Wall
Treasure Trove of Literature 2 (CHC)
·         The Wizard of Oz
·         Madeline Takes Command
·         The Borrowers
·         Misty of Chinocoteague
·         The Magicians Nephew
Geography:
Map Skills F (CHC)

Science/Health:
Catholic Schoolhouse Tour 1 Science
(Zoology, Weather, Human Body, Electricity and Magnetism}
Mammals/Insects/Birds -Memoria Press

History:
Catholic Schoolhouse Tour 1 History -US History
The Story of Civilization: Vol 4 – US History (TAN Books)
(Textbook/Audio book, Video Lecture Series, Activity/Text books)
Living History Books

Spanish:
Spanish for Children Primer A

Art/Music/Enrichment:
Exploring America’s Musical Heritage
Ever Ancient, Ever New: Art History, Appreciation, Theory, and Practice (CHC)
Weekly Piano / Guitar Lessons


Luke (7 years old) 2nd Grade

Mathematics:
Teaching Textbooks 3
Life of Fred:  Edgewood/Farming

Religion:
Faith and Life Series 2: Jesus Our Life (Online Faith and Life Resources)
Preparing to Receive Jesus-CHC
Catholic Mosaic
Catechesis of the Good Shepard: Level 2

English/Phonics/Handwriting:
Language of God: A (CHC)
All About Spelling Level 1
Typing without Tears
Handwriting without Tears

Reading:
All About Reading Level 2&3
Little Stories for Little Folks
Memoria Press Second Grade Literature/Guides
·         Tales from Beatrix Potter
·         Animal Folk Tales of America
·         Prairie School
·         The Courage of Sarah Noble
·         Little House in the Big Woods



Science/Health:
Catholic Schoolhouse Tour 1 Science
(Zoology, Weather, Human Body, Electricity and Magnetism}
Behold and See 2: More Science with Josh and Hanna (CHC)
Living Science Books to Enhance Study

History:
Catholic Schoolhouse Tour 1 History -US History
The Story of Civilization: Vol 4 – US History (TAN Books)
(Textbook/Audio book, Video Lecture Series, Activity/Text books)
Living History Books

Spanish:
Spanish for Children Primer A

Art/Music:
Exploring America’s Musical Heritage
Weekly Piano Lessons

  
Peter (4/5 years old)- Kindergarten

Mathematics
Little Folks’ Number Practice (CHC)
MCP Mathematics Level K

Religion
Catholic Mosaic Booklist and Activities
Who Am I? -Kindergarten (CHC)
Catechesis of the Good Shepard Level 1

English/ Phonics
All About Reading Pre-Primer & Level 1
Handwriting without Tears

Reading
Before Five in a Row Booklist and Activities
My Book House: Story Time
The Adventures of Peter Cottontail
Aesop’s Fables for Children

Science
Catholic Schoolhouse Tour 1 Science
(Zoology, Weather, Human Body, Electricity and Magnetism}
Behold & See K:  Exploring Nature with Stories, Activities, and Nature Walks
Living Science Books to Enhance Study


History:
Catholic Schoolhouse Tour 1 History -US History
The Story of Civilization: Vol 4 – US History (TAN Books)
(Textbook/Audio book, Video Lecture Series, Activity/Text books)
Living History Books

Spanish:
Sing Song Spanish 1

Art/Music
Catholic Icing - Catholic ABC's Crafts
Making Music Praying Twice
Weekly Piano Lessons
Memoria Press 1st Grade Enrichment /Art Study


Simon (2years) - Tot School

Reading Stories, Cuddling, Playtime and hopefully taking a few naps so that we can have some time to focus on more structured lesson time!

Andrew (1 year) -Nursery School
Cuddle time, Napping, Eating!


Read Aloud Books:
·         American Book List:
·         American Tall Tales
·         D’Aulaire Books
·         The Cabin Faced West
·         Sarah. Plain and Tall
·         Little House on the Prairie Series
·         Ben & Me
·         Caddie Woodland
·         Mr. Revere and I
·         The Sign of the Beaver
·         Where the Red Fern Grows
·         Carry On, Mr. Bowditch
·         Chains
·         Johnny Tremain
·         The Witch of Blackbird Pond
·         The Devil’s Arithmetic
·         The Red Badge of Courage
·         Roll of Thunder Hear my Cry
·         A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
·         The Call of the Wild

Extra Books to Read Aloud:
·         Little Women
·         The Secret Garden
·         Winnie the Pooh
·         The Bears on Hemlock Mountain
·         Alice Adventures in Wonderland
·         Black Beauty

Sunday, August 4, 2019

First Day of School 2019-2020


Here we are, ready for yet another school year to officially begin.  We are trying something new this year and that is not joining any formal co-op or taking weekly classes at one of the homeschool facilities in town and instead just truly staying home!  We will definitely join our big Catholic homeschool group for monthly Mass and field trips and have a lot of fun stuff planned for the year.  We love homeschooling for our family and the flexibility that it gives for us to live out our lives within our domestic church!  







Ryan-


Age:  9 1/2 years old
Grade: 4th Grade
Favorite Subject:  Science and History
Future Occupation:  Pilot or Train Engineer 


Connor-



Age:  7 1/2 years old
Grade: 3rd Grade
Favorite Subject:  Math/Science/Music
Future Occupation:  Doctor or Scientist


Luke-



Age:  6 years old
Grade:   1st Grade
Favorite Subject: Science
Future Occupation: Paleontologist or Marine Biologist


Peter-


Age:  3 1/2 years old 
Grade:  Pre-Kindergarten
Favorite Subject:  Art (Painting) / Story time
Future Occupation: Police Officer and Dad


Simon-



Age:  1 1/2 years old
Grade:  Nursery School
Favorite Subject:  Story Time / Music (Dancing)
Future Occupation:  ??


Baby:

Age:  Due October 2019
Grade:  Nursery School
Favorite Subject: 
Future Occupation: ?

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Curriculum Plans for 2019-2020


Curriculum Plans for 2019-2020

Morning Basket (with Everyone):
Reciting the Morning Offering Prayer
Saint of the Day & Once Upon a Time Saints / Around the Year Once Upon a Time Saints
Poetry Memorization from Mr. Mehan’s Mildly Amusing Mythical Mammas: A Hypothetical Alphabet
Read Aloud Book of Bible Stories/Catholic Mosaic
Baltimore Catechism with Angel Food Stories
Days of the Week/Months of the Year/Season/Weather


Ryan (9-10 years old) 4th/5th Grade

Mathematics:
Teaching Textbooks 5 & 6
Saxon Math 6/5
Xtra Math Speed Drills

Religion:
Faith and Life Series: Credo – I Believe (5) - (Online Faith and Life Resources)
Catholic Mosaic
Catechesis of the Good Shepard Level 3

English/Spelling/Writing:
Language of God: Level D
My Catholic Speller: Level D
Online Typing Lessons
Writing and Rhetoric: Book 1-Fable

Reading:
Memoria Press Fourth/Fifth Grade Literature Novels and Guides
Dangerous Journey
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Lassie Come – Home
Heidi
Page One Reading Competition Book Selections
Independent Reading Novels
Treasure Trove of Literature (CHC)

Geography:
Map Skills D  (CHC)

Handwriting:
New American Cursive 2

Science:
Catholic Schoolhouse Tour 3 Science
(Ecology, Geology (Earth Science), Physics (Physical Science), Nutrition and Health)
Exploring Creation with Chemistry & Physics (Apologia) Text/Notebooking/Hands on Labs

History:
Catholic Schoolhouse Tour 3 History
(Modern History)
The Story of Civilization: Vol 3 – The Making of the Modern World (TAN Books)
(Textbook/Audio book, Video Lecture Series, Activity/Text books)
Living History Books

Spanish:
Sing Song Spanish 1 & 2

Art/Music/Enrichment:
Ever Ancient, Ever New: Art History, Appreciation, Theory, and Practice (CHC)
Weekly Piano / Guitar Lessons



Connor (8 years old) 3rd/4th Grade
Mathematics:
Teaching Textbooks 5 & 6
Saxon Math 6/5
Xtra Math Speed Drills

Religion:
Faith and Life Series: Our Life with Jesus (3) - (Online Faith and Life Resources)
Catholic Mosaic
Catechesis of the Good Shepard Level 2

English/Spelling/Writing:
Language of God: Level C
My Catholic Speller: Level C
Writing and Rhetoric:  Book 1 - Fable
Online Typing Lessons

Reading:
Memoria Press Fourth/Fifth Grade Literature Novels and Guides
Dangerous Journey
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Lassie Come – Home
Heidi
Page One Reading Competition Book Selections
Independent Reading Novels
Treasure Trove of Literature (CHC)

Geography:
Map Skills D (CHC)

Handwriting:
New American Cursive 2

Science:
Catholic Schoolhouse Tour 3 Science
(Ecology, Geology (Earth Science), Physics (Physical Science), Nutrition and Health)
Exploring Creation with Chemistry & Physics (Apologia) Text/Notebooking/Hands on Labs

History:
Catholic Schoolhouse Tour 3 History
(Modern History)
The Story of Civilization: Vol 3 – The Making of the Modern World (TAN Books)
(Textbook/Audio book, Video Lecture Series, Activity/Text books)
Living History Books

Spanish:
Sing Song Spanish 1&2

Art/Music/Enrichment:
Ever Ancient, Ever New: Art History, Appreciation, Theory, and Practice (CHC)
Weekly Piano / Guitar Lessons


Luke (6 years old) 1st Grade

Mathematics:
MCP Mathematics: Level A
Seton Math 2
Life of Fred:  Cats/Dogs

Religion:
Faith and Life Series 1 (Online Faith and Life Resources)
Catholic Mosaic
Catechesis of the Good Shepard: Level 2

English/Phonics/Handwriting:
Seton English 1
My Very First Catholic Speller (CHC)
Catholic Heritage Handwriting: Level 1

Reading:
Little Stories for Little Folks
Seton Pre-Primer and Readers
Memoria Press Story Time Treasures
(Caps for Sale, Make Way for Ducklings, Little Bear, Frog and Toad are Friends)
Memoria Press More Story Time Treasures
(The Little House, Billy and Blaze, Blaze and the Forest Fire, The Story about Ping, Stone Soup, Keep the Lights Burning Abbie, Mrs. Rumphius)

Science:
Catholic Schoolhouse Tour 3 Science
(Ecology, Geology (Earth Science), Physics (Physical Science), Nutrition and Health)
Behold and See 1: On the Farm with Josh and Hanna (CHC)
Living Science Books to Enhance Study

History:
Catholic Schoolhouse Tour 3 History
(Modern History)
The Story of Civilization: Vol 3 – The Making of the Modern World (TAN Books)
(Textbook/Audio book, Video Lecture Series, Activity/Text books)
Living History Books

Spanish:
Sing Song Spanish 1&2

Art/Music:
Memoria Press 1st Grade Enrichment /Art Study
Weekly Piano Lesson


Peter (3/4 years old) – Preschool/Kindergarten

Mathematics
Little Folks’ Number Practice (CHC)
MCP Mathematics Level K

Religion
Catholic Mosaic Booklist and Activities
Who Am I? -Kindergarten (CHC)
Catechesis of the Good Shepard Level 1

English/ Phonics
Little Folks’ Letter Practice (CHC)
Brain Quest – Preschool

Reading
Before Five in a Row Booklist and Activities
My Book House: Story Time
The Adventures of Peter Cottontail
Aesop’s Fables for Children

Science
Behold & See K:  Exploring Nature with Stories, Activities, and Nature Walks

Art/Music
Catholic Icing - Catholic ABC's Crafts
Making Music Praying Twice
Memoria Press 1st Grade Enrichment /Art Study

Simon (1/2 year) - Tot School

Reading Stories, Cuddling, Playtime and hopefully taking a few naps so that we can have some time to focus on more structured lesson time!

Baby (Infant)
Cuddle time, Napping, Eating!


Friday, December 14, 2018

Advent week 2 -2018

Celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Juan Diego

We enjoyed celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Juan Diego this week by reading one of our favorite Tomie dePaola stories The Lady of Guadalupe and also making some yummy Mexican food!  


Visiting George W. Bush Train 

We were lucky that the train in memory of President George W. Bush stopped in our city this week.  It was nice to be able to take a little field trip to be a part of this special history!


Celebrating Connor's Baptism Anniversary

We love celebrating the baptism anniversaries of all of our children.  We bring out their baptism candles to light and say a special prayer and blessing.  They get to choose the dinner for the day and receive a small treat/present.




Advent week #2 was another great week!