I love you UPS man!

As we gear up for the finishing of this year and starting of next year, i went ahead and got another Rainbow Resource Hardship Scholarship. YAY for $500! Seriously, these people are blessings! I got my first order yesterday. Some things were on back order (like our 12x12 scooters, which im SUPER excited about!!! Can we say GYM class?!) but most things came and im excited. I put the things away but i cant help but want to sharpen the pencils and get out the paint!

So what did you order Jennnifer? Well, I'm glad you asked! Here is what the WONDERFUL RR and UPS man are bringing me:
 White Washable Tempera Paint 
 Black Washable Tempera Paint 
Beyond the Code Book 1 
 Triangle Handle Acrylic Paint Brushes set/6 
Beg Arithmetic Revision Grade 1 Wrkbk Part 1 
 Beg Arithmetic Revision Grade 1 Wrkbk Part 2 
Enjoying God’s Gifts - 1st Grade Stdt Manual 
Just Thinking and Choosing Workbook 
No-Spill Paint Cup with Lid 
 Primary Writing Paper (All Lined, Lt. Blue) 
 Intermediate Writing Paper (all lined,lt.grn) 
 Sidewalk Chalk - 60 pieces 
 Slate Chalkboard 
 Dustless Colored Chalk - 12 Count 
Dustless White Chalk - 12 Count 
 Black Lead Refill 
 Paper Mate TuffStuff Jumbo Ersrs Mech Pncl/2 
 Paper Mate Infinite Lead Mech. Pencil 0.5mm 
 Dust Muncher Chalkbrd Eraser & Screen Cleaner 
 Yellow Washable Tempera Paint 
Red Washable Tempera Paint 
 Blue Washable Tempera Paint 
 Green Washable Tempera Paint 
 Construction Paper Pad 9" x 9" (40 Sheets) 
 Scotch Magic Tape 3/4"x1000" 2 Refill Rolls 
Block Printing Ink set of 6 
Brayer 2" 
 Prang 8-Pan Watercolor Set 
Scooter Link(connects one scooter to another) 
Hexagram Metric Weights - set of 54 
Elmer’s Glue-All 1 1/2 oz. Bottle 
 Foam Printing Plates 9" x 12" pkg 12 
 Reason for Handwriting C Student Workbook 
 Sketch Pad (9" x 12") 
 Elmer’s Dispprng Purple Glue Stck 2cnt .21oz 
 Math 2 Home Study Kit - Qty:1 
 8’ Jump Rope - Confetti Black 
 X-ACTO Mini Buzz Battery Pencil Sharpenr-Asst 
 ARTistic Pursuits Early Elementary K-3 Bk2 3E 
 Scotch® Single Roll Tape Dispenser - Black 
All-Purpose Spackling Paste - 8 oz. 
 Plastic Putty Knife - 2" wide 
 Math Journal 
Prang Fine Line Washable Markers-36 Color Set 
ESV Scripture Planner Middle School 8/13-6/14 
 Reading Helper Blue Wide 
Reading Helper Pink Standard 
Reading Helper Purple Standard 
12" Scooter with Round Handle(Assorted Color) 
Fine Point Expo Low Odor Markers card of 8 
 Flat Stack Stapler Assorted 
 Astronomy Junior Notebooking Journal 
 Adventure Bible for Young Readers Rev Ed (sc) 
 Watercolor & Marker Pad 
 Toobaloo - Green/Blue 
 Toobaloo - Purple/Red 
Moo Pro Eraser - Large 
 ArtEmboss Tool Set 3-Piece Wooden Stylus Tool 

Not Back To School Blog Hop (Student Photo)

Here are the proud Poynter-Alexanders :-)

 Nathaniel (3rd grade)

 Candice (2/3rd grade)

Lana (2nd year K/1st grade)

Not Back To School blog Hop (School Room)

Not much has changed since last year really. We still school at the kitchen table. The supplies have shifted from the wardrobe to the china cabinet though. To give you an idea the china cabinet holds: basic supplies, paper, math manipulatives, extra curriculum, used curriculum. Its pretty stuffed! We still also use the workboxes! They were such a HUGE HUGE HUGE hit! I need to get another set for Lana this year! Hopefully I can find them. Not really sure where Ill put them though?

Not Back To School Blog Hop (Curriculum)

Well its time for the Not Back To School Blog Hop! Its Curriculum this week so lets get started!

Candice: (2/3rd grades)
Bible: Positive Action Bible 2
Math: Saxon 2
Reading: Beyond The Code 1-4
Writing: A Reason For Handwriting C
Spelling: A Reason For Spelling B
Art: Artistic Pursuits 2
Science: Apologia Astronomy
History: Story Of The World 1
Music: Guitar

Lana: (K/1st grade)
Bible: Positive Action Bible 1
Math: Rod And Staff 1
Reading/Phonics: Rod And Staff 1
Writing: Rod And Staff 1
Science: with Candice
History: with Candice
Art: with Candice

 Everything is pretty set and Im over all happy. The only thing we are completely changing is Reading for Candice (from ETC) and Writing (from AOP Horizons Penmanship 2).

UPDATES

Here is the latest and greatest around here!

Candice is reading and reading and reading and reading! The library has a "Button Book Club" and they give the kids Buttons if they finish the books and then 3 buttons gets you a pizza. It worked! Candice read books, got a pizza, a new book and a bookmark because she read her first book! Its SOARED since then! Shes do so much better at everything! We are done with Bible for the year and are almost finished with Math. She is so creative wit her writing.

Lana is doing great too. She can write her first and last name now. She knows her letter sounds and can write most of her letters. (We are working on other Psychological issues that may be slowing her down). She got GLASSES too! Its been GREAT! This has really been helping her. I wish we had done it sooner. She doesnt even want to cut and paste anymore, shed rather write. I really believe its because of the glasses.

We have not done our end of the year stuff. I need to get on it because my teacher buddy " AKA Cat" is moving! Its good for her though because she finally gets the teaching job shes been wanting for some time.

As for next year? We are working on getting another Rainbowresource.com scholarship (search for it here on the blog). Im not sure how much we will get but it will help get next years stuff. Here is the way I think we are leaning:

Candice (3rd grade)-
Bible- Positive Action Bible 3rd grade
Math- Saxon 2
Reading- Gruffys Readers OR just reading on her own.....
Writing- ??? Something w/Cursive
Spelling- A Reason For Spelling B
Art- Artistic Pursuits 2
Music- ?? Guitar again maybe?
History- Story Of The World 2
Science- Zoology 1

Lana (K/1st grade)-
Bible- Positive Action Bible 1
Math- Rod & Staff OR Saxon 1?
Reading- Rod & Staff OR Explode The Code
Writing- ???
Spelling- A Reason for spelling A
Art- Artistic Pursuits 1
Music- ???
History- Story Of The World 1 (or 2 WITH candice)
Science- Zoology 1 WITH Candice

Rainbowresource doesnt have Rod & Staff so it will matter on if we can get it through the R&S site.

Catch me if you can

Its been slow progress here. Candice is having trouble with her doubles (7+7, 8+8, etc) so we are not moving on in Math until she gets them down. The book will move on to subtraction when she does get the facts down. She has really taken off with reading. I just wish shed find a book that REALLY drives her!

In other news- Candice is looking for a new Scout group if anyone knows of one. For a few reasons we pulled her out of the troop.

As a family we started attending Crossroads and they have a MOMS group there, much like MOPS. Its more biblical but still a good group. Im not leaving MOPS though, in fact im hoping to become a DGL next year! Im sad it will be our last year. I know Candice and Lana have really enjoyed it.

Whats In The Bible REVIEW!

Thanks to 1+1+1=1 I have been wanting to try Whats In The Bible? Its from the maker of Veggie Tales and its a great curriculum for Bible. The problem is that its expensive! At the MOPS sale last week, I saw a DVD and had to get it since it was only a few dollars! Here is my review:

While it is cute and informative with cute music and characters, its a bit old for my girls at 5 and 6 years old. Not that they couldnt make any sense of it, but there were some longer words and references that were above their age level. They have watched it several times and do get the point of it.

I think its safe to say, im glad i paid only a few dollars. I will save WITB for when we are past Veggie Tales.

Worrier Wart

This is not our first year. I swear by it. You'd never know it because of all the worrying I do. Is Candice behind? Is Lana learning enough? Do we need 20 sets of Ten Base? Lately though it has been about our first time with End Of The Year Assessment/Testing. VERY stressful! I know Ill look back next year and say " What the heck was I so worried about? " but right now Im worried! im freaking out!
I thought we would do the portfolio and we are but then I wonder what her "ability" is? I wonder how my teacher looking over it will see things (Thank you catherine!). I wonder if i need a 2nd opinion? Then I thought, maybe I should do the IOWA test so I know WHERE Candice is? Should we move on to 2nd grade? Go back to Kindergarten? The problem is the slow progress. Im not going to lie, we dont do school every day 9-3 BUT we also dont skip days on end and never learn anything. Candice does not know how to skip count, which would be covered on the IOWA.
So what do I do? I have no idea! I have to do something. I am leaning towards doing the portfolio and testing her but testing her to just see where she is and not worry about it. If she flunks it, then she does. If she surpasses my expectations, than great! Im not turning in the results. Of course I want the results to say shes at LEAST on level 1.7 (which is the max level for the test shed take) but in my heart Im not sure. Id honestly say 1.1-1.5 if i had to bet money on it. Only because I think she will actually do better on the reading than math. 1.5 for reading and 1.1 (or lower) for Math. It goes as low as K.7).

Group!

There are a few moms at MOPS that Homeschool and after talking to 2 friends at a Book Study, i thought of starting a small group. Even if moms come and we talk about the weather (or make a lesson, haha) then thats ok with me. Im pretty excited actually! Plus I LOVE to host things at my house. (Even though its an absolute ZOO here!).

In Homeschooling news... We are making slow progress here. Reading is slow but everything else is zooming by. Lana is still at a break. It was just to hectic. She does sit in on lessons and we do little lessons but nothing from her R&S. The Convention is coming up and it would be a waste to go because we cant buy anything. I do want to go though! Just for the fellowship.

Pass the blessing

I had homeschool curriculum up for sale but it didnt sell. It just sat around here collecting dust (perhaps the Supply Monster had a part in it?). I decided to just give it away. I posted it on my local Homeschool Groups website and Jennifer emailed me. We met up today and Im so glad I could bless her! I hope you can use what i gave you!
and in the same thoughts, here are a few resources I know for FREE curriculum help:

RainbowResource.com (they will give you a scholarship- search their site for scholarship). I applied and got $500.

thebooksamaritan.com (you apply for what you need and they will send it to you). I applied and they sent misc curriculum.

Thats all that i know for now but i know CHEAP would be Craigslist, Freecycle and even a local Homeschool Group.

The monster who steals supplies!

I cannot imagine a teacher with 28 students how many supplies they go through! Parents must get so frustrated to buy 20 boxes of crayons, as well as 10 more half way through the year! I can relate. I only homeschool 2 children and yet we are constantly missing supplies! Where did the extra glue stick go or how is the blue marker missing? I have no idea. I think there is a monster and he eats them. Thats the only explanation I can come up with. Perhaps the dust bunnies are friends with him and they have a feast?
It doesnt seem to matter if we only have 1 box of supplies or a china cabinet full (which we have), there is something missing. I do what most parents do though, I buy more in hopes of fixing the problem. Then that stubborn monster pops up again and I have to keep buying more. Its never the same thing either. He never eats 2 blue markers in a row. Sometimes he tricks me and completely eats the container but most times hes very selective. Most recently its 2 blocks of our 10 bases for Math. Now why he'd choose those and not something more appealing I dont know. I think he wants the girls to count to 98 rather than 100. Maybe 98 is a better number?

Until this magic monster is found (who by the way is WANTED) I will just have to keep buying supplies. Who ever said its cheaper when Homeschooling must not have this guy at his house.

What are your gifts?

I was at Chick Fil A recently and while eating my food I overheard 2 mothers talking about their children. They were commenting how their children were "gifted" and one made the comment how schools are cutting those programs but they dont cut the "Special Needs" programs and thats not fair. I wanted to jump in and say something but I didnt.

While they have a point, they also dont see the picture. Special Needs children need more help. They need one on one, smaller classrooms, extra materials, etc. Gifted children excel, they dont need the extra help. They need attention but not help. Cutting Gifted may not be fair but it does not deny the child help as it does with Special Needs. SN would possibly have to go to another school if one cut it out or the school might have to leave the child in a normal setting but with a helper.

What exactly makes someone gifted anyway? These mothers said their preschoolers were doing 1st and 2nd grade work. A friend of mine has a grandchild who is in 2nd grade but reading at 6th grade. Myself, I have a 6yr old doing 2nd grade......are any of our children truly gifted then? Are we just on parr and we feel by society they are gifted? Does it even matter in the end?

There was a man in my graduating class. Jared. He has NEVER missed a day of school. He was in Enrichment classes, even in grade school. Everyone wanted to be on his team when we grouped up and everyone wanted to cheat off his homework. He was valedictorian. He went on to the Military. Now where is this gifted man? He is still in the Military. Nope, not a CEO. Not a famous novelist or scientist.

Being SN or Gifted doesnt make you who you are. 

Write me a letter and read me a word

We started Cursive writing. It was rough, very rough at first. We took a break and started back up. It is much better now but slow. Slower than a snail but moving along. I want Candice to make sure she does each letter correctly before we move on to the next. Right now she seems to get the circle down for A but then misses the tail or vice versa.

I have also noticed Candice is reading better. She can now read words (short) randomly. If only we could get there with counting! We were out at Lances eye appointment and she read LAB. Im very proud of her.

We have been under way with Scouts. Cookie sales just ended and Candice sold just about 50 boxes. She is very excited. We also started Ballet again. We even went to see the Cincinnati Ballet down by Music Hall. Ill have to post the pictures I have. I thought it was informative and nice but Candice wasnt a huge fan, which surprised me.

Testing 1,2,3.

Candice got a 47/48 on her Reading test and 10/12 on her Spelling test. She also got 100% on her Math test. Im very proud of her. The mistakes that she did make were simple ones (IE: forgot an extra L or didnt read the correct word). Seeing that she remembers what we do is whats important and Im glad she is remembering! She has stayed consistent with these scores, which is even better.

On another note yesterday I was fighting what I think was the flu so we skipped lessons. The girls watched TV (i know, i know, NOT educational or good). Candice came out after Dinosaur Train and said " Mommy, Did you know we just watched lessons?" and I asked how (i knew but i wanted to see what shed say). She said that they learn about Dinosaurs and thats lessons. :) Ever my smart girl.
Also, Lance broke his hand so Candice has been full of questions about that. How it fixes itself and what the XRay shows. Yet i was worried about not having a Health Curriculum. ;)

Its not Burger King, Its School.

Im sorry Candice, it is not Burger King. You can not have it your way. It is school and you sometimes have to kick and scream but do it my way.

What would school be like if we could " have it your way"? Personally, i know I would of been in Art all day long and never left. I would of never touched a computer class and I would of had Pap Johns Pizza and Mt Dew for lunch most days. I know for Candice that means taking her time, doing ONLY Bible and Math every day and having IHOP every day. We really wouldnt have very good educations but we sure would be experts in being selfish and limited on skills. I know I dont want to raise my children this way.

There are days when school take all day it seems like here and I really have to step away from Candice. There are times when school takes a short time and everyone is happy. I will tell you though, I am a mom and teacher. I am not a Burger King employee. You will do it my way first and then after you can have it your way but show me.

Today this came from math. Candice had to write a number sentence 2+4=6. She wanted to write 6. While I already knew she knew it was 6, that was not what the directions nor I were asking her to do. She wanted to do it her way and the quick way. I needed her to show me HOW she got 6. I told her to listen to the directions and write the sentence and if she did it correctly THEN she can write it however she wanted. Guess what? She did it.

Print it!

I got a printer at the food pantry yesterday. Weve been through a few printers. Either they are too bulky or they dont work right. Hopefully this one works for us! It needs new ink but thats ok.

Lessons today included (no pics)
Bible we talked about Jesus loving the children (Luke 18:16) and she colored a picture.
Reading she did short U.
We skipped writing.
Spelling we reviewed the words and how to spell them.
Math we reviewed how to write # 11-20, then worked on addition.
History we did a Nomad project, so candice had to learn about what Nomads ate.
Science we talked about the Sun and looked at pictures from the library books.
We skipped art today.

Typical Candice

In Candices perfect world, the school day would consist of Bible and Math but nothing else. Why? " Its boring". I have to hand it to her, Bible is pretty easy- its coloring. Im surprised, even still, that she loves Math but she does. Its easy for her too. (She gets that from Lance ;))

Library Day

Today the girls and I decided to go to the library. I needed to get some research books for Science and History anyway. Sadly, they didnt have anything for History, but i did find a few for Science. The girls played with a little girl, who took her first steps today! How exciting is that?! They also played with a little boy and a boy about their age. They played with the kitchen and colored. Candice checked out chapter books and Lana some beginner readers.

Into the groove

Today we dove in and it went well. We did everything but Spelling, Math and Music. I need to re-string Candices guitar. Lance took over History. She seemed to remember most, given our long break.

no pics but Bible we talked about how Jesus went out to find his disciples. Reading we read the story of Zack and did short I and short a sounds. Writing was a bible verse and we are actually almost finished with the book! History we went over the Nomads and she watched a video. BTW- I need an online encyclopedia- any suggestions? Science, we reviewed Astronomy and started reading about the sun.

Art was actually really fun, Candice got to use watercolor crayons, which i have never used and she had to paint an "Imaginative Piece". She did her birthday at my moms house.

We are back!

After a long and much needed break, we are back. Some changes but we are back. I will be putting Lana on hold and focusing on Candice. I am also not going to read to Candice anymore. I dont think im doing her any good by constantly reading to her.

Day 1 is tomorrow and we are going in full force.