We've officially started our 2016/2017 "Homeschool Year", and I figured It was time to give you an updated room tour. Like most homeschoolers, we LOVE that we aren't tied to our space. If we want to study on the road, at the park, or in the nearest cafe with WIFI we are free to do so. But the reality is, we like having a Homeschool Space. Connor and I both like to spread out. Connor prefers direct instruction-often with an Audio or video component. I am a visual learner and prefer to write things on the board when I'm explaining them (even if he doesn't look at my drawings). I like having a dedicated space where I can leave things out we are working on, but I enjoy having it separate from the main living area where I can unwind in the evenings. Having dedicated storage for all of our School Supplies makes it so I spend less time hunting down the things we need, and is less stressful for me. I'm actually pretty hesitant to share my space in some homeschool groups after some horrible comments people have made on "Homeschool Space" posts in the past. I like to think of our space as our Learning Space-and it works really well for us. Finding out what works out best for you and your homeschooler really is the key to creating a space (or not creating a space) that works for you. Don't rush yourself, because the reality is it doesn't happen overnight or even within the same year (You can see an evolution of our space here). And just when you think you have it right, something is bound to change. Maybe you start traveling to your co-op's more frequently (and school on the road more), or do more lessons on line (from a desk), or in our case your basement might flood just after you remodeled your space (Boo for that!). If you've been following me, you know I'm thrifty (or a tightwad as I often call myself). I really dislike purchasing something only to find out it doesn't work for me. One of my "Fails" was using the IKEA desks that I saw ALL over Pinterest. They ended up being WAY too flimsy for us. We prefer these used folding tables that my Husband picked up at a work auction for $10/each. He also brought home the big filing cabinet (Yay Hubby!). For the most part I've moved things around our space, made things myself (check out my portable Map here), or re-purposed items (such as my pot lid charging station below). Every once and a while I splurge on something new-like my Giant Magnetic Dry Erase Board, and some comfortable chairs (I must confess I did have a coupon for the chairs at Fred Meyers). I didn't realize how long this was going to be ... feel free to get up and take a bathroom break as needed. I've had my eye on these Kallax IKEA Shelves for quite a while. Before the flood, I knew they were much too big for our space. But after it was necessary to remodel I knew I might be able to design them into our new space. Not wanting to commit to something that might not work for our space-I thought about it for 8 months. We used the space with just our tables and some very minimal storage. It was horrible for me. I had trouble finding things, I had stuff piling on top of things. It was just a real mess for my type A personality. I can say this month, I finally committed. I purchased 3 Kallax units. One for my Teaching Supplies (left), one unit for our Homeschool Supplies (Office Supplies, Science Tools, etc), and a "Working Unit" that I stock with our current curriculum (and change out as needed). I am "lucky" to have so much space to spread out. The fact is-we actually purchased our home because of this basement space. We were looking for a home for my Home based Childcare Business (and I loved this space). When Connor was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2009, I closed my business, and we started our Homeschool journey. It stayed "Daycare-ish" for a little while. Mostly serving as a space for company to stay during the Holidays. Part of my "moving" on, meant it was time to let go the rest of my Childcare things. I went on a mission to de-clutter the things that didn't bring me joy or that I didn't use. I knew I wanted to make it easier for me to locate our Homeschool resources, so a while ago I purchased a BESTA unit from IKEA. It stores our Language Arts, History, Science, and Math Books and I am able to store our Educational games in behind the closed doors down below. This Summer we were able to sheet rock, and texture our walls down here. Although they are "Good enough" for now, we still have plans to paint, re-do our flooring, and re-install our kitchenette. In the meantime we still have our mini fridge to keep our Drinks, Fruits, and Veggie Snacks cold. This corner is our creation station. You can get a closer look at it before our remodel here. So whether you have a dedicated space, work on the couch, in the backyard or a little of both-make your space work for you! .. and if it doesn't work-mix it up.
Below you will find our Daily Schedule and Supplementary items for this weeks lesson Plan.
This post contains affiliate links for your convenience (What does that mean?)
The Science behind Root Beer
Fermentation Experiment from Teachers.net
Why is there so much Foam in a Root beer float? from Wonderopolis Mythology
Video 1:
Video 2:
Products we used this week:
For the past 3 years I've been on a mission to let things go. I finally decided that I was tired of spending time taking care of so many things. I joined a minimalist group, participated in the Home Storage Solutions Decluttering Challenge, and started letting things go. It's a journey It doesn't happen over night. In the beginning I was able to easily get rid of a lot of things. Clothes I didn't like, things that were expired, piles of paper I no longer needed. It takes time to get there-but just keep chipping away at it. An assortment of items I got rid of It's a lifestyle After a while it becomes a lifestyle. You really start looking at "Things" in a new light. You start asking yourself internal questions such as:
You will learn a lot about yourself during the process After I got rid of the "easy" stuff-I was left with items that had much more meaning. I really had to dig deep to let some of things go. I noticed I was hanging onto some things because I really thought I "needed" them-but the truth was I really didn't. Decor is really hard for me to get rid of and I worry that I won't find that perfect "piece". What I try to remember is how much I enjoy finding that "Perfect" piece, so if I haven't used it a year it really needs to go. I've held onto "Key Pieces" that I can interchange: such as a Huge apothecary jar that I can change-up by just adding seasonal vase fillers. Set a Goal After you have gotten rid of things, you will have more time on your hands. Less things means: Less Cleaning.. Less Shopping.. Less Maintaining.. Less Organizing.. Less things to try to find.. Use your time wisely! This is your reward, What is your goal? Take up a new Hobby? Travel? For my Goal I wrote: "I started this journey in an effort to spend less time taking care of my stuff, and more time with my family." It will enrich your life Although when you are in the thick of it, throwing away things, and donating things it's hard to see the silver lining. I'm happy to share how I feel minimizing has enriched my life:
It's that time of year again.... Curriculum time!
We have been quite pleased with many of our choices from last year and will continue to use many of them. One of the best things about Homeschooling is tailoring your curriculum choices to meet the needs of your child. This is the same reason, it makes "finding" curriculum difficult as well. You might be looking at a great book-until you realize it doesn't have an audio component for your audio learner. So- if you are a Secular Homeschooling family, with an 8th Grade student, who is an awesome 13 year old boy, who has some learning challenges, prefers direct instruction, and is an audio learner-something in this list "might" work out great for you!
Math:
We are going to continue with Teaching Textbooks (Pre-Algebra). I can't rave about them enough! Connor loves the Narrator of these CD's. Connor is very specific when it comes to the narrator of these types of programs. He is my Goldilocks-Time for Learning (too babyish), Khan (too fast), Teaching Textbooks (just right-for him).
Science:
We are going to continue using our Science Fusion Text Books this year, focusing on the Physics, and Chemistry. I should note: Science Fusion has an Online Component-however it does not appeal to my son at all (see the Goldilocks comment above). We use the textbooks (which are super cheap on Ebay) and just supplement them with Videos and hands on activities (which I post on this site). We need more hands on fun, so this year I am creating a weekly "Science" Box. I will fill them with fun science experiments, inquiries, and projects and link them up to educational videos on our site-Stay tuned for that, I'm excited to share them. Connor requested some Thames and Kosmos Kits so we will be adding those into our year as well.
Computer Science:
I haven't committed yet but we are looking into the Minecraft modding class from Code Kid. It can be ordered onGroupon for a great deal!
Writing:
We are going to continue to use Write with the Best . One of the things I like about Write with the Best writing program is the length of the lessons (they only take about 30 minutes to complete). I also like how they share the works of a writer who is a Master at that specific writing skill, and then focus on that skill in the lesson. I have to admit I am intrigued by Cover Story and may look into it. I've heard conflicting reports on whether it is secular or not.
History:
We are doing the "Unit" approach on History this year. My Son is fascinated with Mythology, so we will start our year exploring Greek and Roman Mythology using this book. We also plan to have unit studies focusing on WWII and the Holocaust.
Geography:
We plan to study the continents and countries of the world through Mythological creatures, and Cryptology this year. If you are interested in following along, I've linked up some of the books we will be using, you can find some resources on our site here. Each week I'll update our site with our Lesson Plan which include the creatures we are learning about.
Spelling & Grammar:
I am a huge fan of Jack Kris Publishing. We will continue with Soaring with Spelling and Growing with Grammar this year.
Electives:
For electives we will explore Cooking, Woodshop, Developing Life Skills, and Entrepreneurship with Connor's Dog Treat Business. Are you trying out new curriculum this year?
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AuthorHi, I'm Melissa.. Mom to Connor. Archives
February 2017
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