Planning it out with Google Calendar

I tried out a couple of homeschool planners this summer.  It turns out that I like a sugesstion another blogger made better. Renaissance Mama reports that Google Calendar makes an excellent homeschool planner.  It makes so much sense, especially, since I already use Google Docs for online notebooks so the kids can submit essays to me and I can mark corrections on the page, and we can go back and forth. 

My method of using Google Calendar so far mostly resembles the way Lora from Simple Homeschool uses it. It makes sense to play around with it and find the method that works best for you.

For end of year transcript I have also found that a simple template from microsoft works does the job. 

I sure many of the homeschool planners out there work fine too, but I am such a Google addict, and I am so familiar with the tools, I figure, why bother with learning something new?






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It's actually about more just the books

You would think from my most recent posts that I am an evil taskmaster trying to force hordes of information into their heads.  For me its about so much more than just books and getting into a top notch college.

In giving my eclectically educated children a stringent curriculum to complete I am also teaching them manage time, meet high expectations, and to do things in excellence.  While a good college is a great ultimate goal, what is the use of getting them into college without strong values and willing to always do their best?

It goes without saying that faith is also an important aspect in our lives, while I probably don't make as big a deal about it in writing about homeschooling as others do.  I am more of a do as I do, not do as I say kind of person.  So the kids see me going to church and participating.  They see me doing for others.  They see me being kind even when they know, I am not feelin' it... faith is important in the entirety of our lives, not a segment of homeschooling....  but because we homechool it is allowed to be a bigger part.

Just wanted to point that out.

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Time for a break

Well as usual, as the summers come to a close, the natives rebel and take a break whether I like it or not.  It is that time. 

We are officially beginning Fall homeschooling on August 9, so this gives them 2 weeks to vegetate.  The kids are going with my husband on a business trip next week, and the following week, I am sure they will just be sleeping. 

All of the summer work is completed... except for my son's trig.  I have adjusted his schedule timeline so he can finish it by the end of September, and then begin Calculus. 

By the way both kids are officially a year older with my son's b-day being yesterday, so I am homeschooling a 14 year old and a 16 year old this year!  I may need prayer. 

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This years Academic Plan for Sophomore Daughter Grade 10

Update on this Years Curriculum for Jr. Daughter


Grade 10:

• Hippocampus Algebra part 2 (equivalent to Algebra 2) with Critical Thinking Algebra Word Problems workbook
• Biology (non majors biology hippocampus) with Inquiry into life textbook
• Virtual Biology Lab
• Spanish 2: Learner.org, Destinos with Destinos listening CDs and Workbook
• Intro to Chinese @ BYKI.com with Learning Chinese the Easy Way
• Skills for Literary Analysis by James P Stobaugh  (taking Analyzing Literature CLEP)
• Review History 1 for CLEP, then US History 2 (Hippocampus) w/ A History of US books
• Electives at Artios Academies for chorus, Christian World View, Musical Theater, Musical Theater Dance (PE), Voice Lessons, Drama Club

Like my son's schedule in the previous post, this looks overwhelming at first glance... but she's had busier years. 

Her work schedule will be 4 days a week for core lessons  and music practice 6-8 hours and all day Tuesday at Artios Academies.

I am also planning monthly Science and Evironmental Museum field trips.

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Update on this years curriculum for Jr. Son

 I gave a preview of this school year two months ago.  I think we have the final schedule down now:

Grade ll:

• Calculus AB1 for AP (Hippocampus.com free online video based program) w/Textbook Calculus,  Early Transcendental Functions
• Non majors biology (Hippocampus) w/Textbook Inquiry Into Life
• Biology Lab: Biology Labs Online
• US History 2 for AP(Hippocampus) with A History of US by Hakim books.(He will attempt the US History 2 CLEP  or AP exam next summer) 
• Spanish 2 (Rosetta Stone) w/ **Rosetta Stone Workbook  (he will attempt the Spanish CLEP next summer)
• American Literature: Encouraging Thoughtful Christians to be World Changers
• Electives at: Artios Conservatory of fine Arts (Tuesday program includes Chorus, Graphic Design, History of Film, Technical Theater and Film Photography)
• Phys Ed:  Keeping and exercise Journal.

oh my... that's alot.   His work schedule is 6-7 hours a day 4 days a week, plus 10 hours on Tuesdays for the Fine Arts Program.

** edit... changed BJ Spanish 2 Book to Rosetta Stone Workbook for continuity.
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When homeschooling blogs go political

I used to love reading a particular homeschooing blog.  Not so much anymore.  The blog has gone all political.  I go to the blog for homechool encouragement, and all I seem to find is how messed up our county is now that Obama is president.

Now I have nothing against political opinions, ... and I am not exactly a liberal, but I followed you religiously because you were a stand out, one of a kind homeschool blog.  Now, you are just another bad political blog.

My rant for today is done.

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Dear Spammer

Apparently, my blog has caught your eye.  FYI.  I love spam.... to delet it that is.

So, if you are commenting for the pure purpose of getting traffic for your list site, online diploma mills, or to sell your stuff...  you can leave comments if you want, but you are wasting your time.

Thanks a bunch.

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Planning as the new school year approaches....

So last Spring I sat down and figured out this school year in advance for my daughter and my son.  In doing so, we outlined the course of study to graduation.  I have been updating those posts regularly as we mull over those decisions, and measure them against what we learn as we tour colleges.

Homeschooler Tours Wesleyan College, Macon

Homeschoolers Tour Auburn

As the new school year approaches (we start school here in August), we are making last minute adjustments and considering taking local classes for some academics.  (The thought of doing biology dissections and tacking Calculus solo is kinda scary.)

Meanwhile, my son insists on doing Trigonometry by himself without a tutor.  He gets low 90's on his chapter tests.  And both kids are finishing up their Spanish programs that they started last year.


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We are having a lazy summer

It has been crazy around here.  An electric storm took out some of our electronics and air conditioning a few weeks ago.  IT IS HOT IN HERE.  So we have been taking it easy.

That doesn't mean the kids are not learning.  Math and Spanish are still daily activities this summer. 

We will be checking out a couple more colleges this summer.


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