Homeschooling Helps: weekly planner pages

well, I wanted to have my new apron up for linking to WFMW clothing themed week, but I haven't finished yet! so, instead...

Homeschooling Helps

For the first ever edition of the new series, I would like to share a weekly planner that can be printed out. It has: space for planning a homeschool schedule for two children, full meal planning spots, and includes a weekly bible verse. Page 1 Page 2

I hope to include more pages as I get them up, and by mid August I plan to have the full year planner available as an e-book or printed planner for sale. Subscribe to our all-new newsletter and be notified when new downloads come out. Plus, all newsletter subscribers will recieve a discount off our planner!


I am happy to share this at We Are That Family- WFMW.

Homeschooling 2011 Curriculum

Well, I am super excited to begin my first year of "official" homeschooling, even though Big Boy is only 4 years old! I realized I wasn't doing enough activities with them, and he loves to work on different things. After much back and forth, I have come to a plan that mixes 1/2 Charlotte Mason, 1/4 classical, 1/8 Montessori, and 1/8 us!
I have tried to pull together different curricula that will allow me to keep the boys together for the most part, and many of the items we will be continuing with for the next year or two after this one. So for Year 1, we have:

Winter Promise Ready To Learn; Shiller Math 1 (Montessori based program); Mudpies to Magnets; various other science books including Science in the Creation Week; Phonics Road 1 (just the first few lessons); Story Of The World 2 (just as a family reading book, and including some very simple recommended readers from TruthQuest); probably TruthQuest too!; and Song School Latin.

I know it looks like too much, but rest assured, it will be handed out in tiny doses, and mixed with a large amount of homemade playdough (recipe coming soon!) outside dirt piles, and even some Beatrix Potter "Peter Rabbit and Friends" dvd's (gasp! TV! yes, I still succumb to it...)
We are also working on a heaping amount of character training (for them and for me) using Charlotte Mason techniques. One of my favorite resources this year has been Laying Down the Rails, although I found it used, after reading through a small bit I completely think it is worth the brand-new price (and I rarely say that about anything.) Truly, it has opened my eyes for my own training, which is even more helpful than the knowledge on training for my boys. Because you have to know where to go before you can lead anyone else there.

On the subject of used books, check out my favorite spots: homeschoolclassifieds, well-trained mind forums, vegsource homeschool. I have also found great deals at Ebay, and on the forums for various currciculum providers. Another top resource is The Old Schoolhouse, and they are having an awesome deal right now on packages which include copies of back issues, worth over $100 for only $25!*

I wish you all the best with your homeschooling plans, and would love to hear what you are doing too!
I am happy to share this at Classic Housewife, check out all the great posts!

Please help with an adoption!

A friend on Etsy is planning an adoption, and has created a fun auction to help defray some of the costs. There are lots of great handcrafted items to choose from (including a gift certificate to my eco-friendly shop) so head on over to check them out and place your bids!

Simply Simon Sisters

Later this week, the first in the Spring Cleaning series.

Shelley

Faith and Prayers for Japan

Well, going through my blog stats last night, I have discovered that I have some readers from Japan and other Asian countries. It is odd for me to think that someone on the other side of the world is listening to me, and I wanted to take this time to try to offer a little comfort for those of you affected by the recent tsunami and earthquake.
I had hesitated to write on this topic, as I don't know anyone personally who is there.
However, I would like everyone to know that I, along with everyone else, is truly concerned for all those who live or have family in Japan. You and your families are in our prayers and thoughts.

For anyone who can help, please visit World Vision to donate.

Shelley

Relevant 2011!

I am so excited! I am going to Relevant! I really think that this will impact me in my walk, and I can't wait to hear all of the lovely ladies speaking! Being on a tight budget, I am hoping and praying for sponsors to help with my costs.
I am also trying to offset the admission and hotel costs with my Etsy shop. I am having a sale starting tomorrow, thru the 19th. Use coupon code WBDAY for 15% off. And remember, I donate 40-50% of all proceeds to charity. This month is Gospel for Asia, see my Green Handcrafts store blog for more information.

Up soon: an update of my Spring and Summer seasonal menu planning, and two new series: Spring Cleaning and a Spring 'Greening' series!

P.S. I also would really like to share a room with someone else to defray costs, so if anyone reading is going and would be willing to share a room, just leave a comment or email me! Bonus if you're also a Real Foodie, 'cause I'll be bringing lots of sourdough bread and pastured butter and we could share!

Cultivating Patience

Although I can't say much, I can say this: I try to acknowledge my weaknesses. And this is my worst: I am impatient and quick-tempered, even (and sometimes especially) with those I love the most. I have been struggling with learning to develop patience for years now, but have finally found myself making some headway. I will first, of course attribute this to God working in my heart. I am so blessed to be forgiven for my many failings and mistakes by a loving God, who actually helps me when I ask!

For those of us who are just beginning, though, sometimes it helps to see a wiser, more experienced woman to model behavior. And for that I am happy that we have.. TV. Yes, TV! I am talking about one of my favorite shows, 19 Kids and Counting. Michelle Duggar is always an inspiration, and one of the last episodes featured her handling a child tantrum with her well-known grace. I was so amazed by how gently and softly she spoke, and yet still managed to get (and keep) her children's attention. Plus, she actually trained them in this time, when I probably would have blown up.

I was so moved, I determined to harness this for myself, and for once it actually worked! I found myself for an entire week speaking softly to my kids, and gently guiding them. I am so surprised that I can actually do this, as speaking softly is certainly not characteristic for me.  My goal now is to keep up with this as best I can, and stay focused on not losing my temper so easily. Though I have not been as strong on this as I would like, I have still come closer than I would have ever thought was possible.

How do you keep your cool with your family, and is this something you were taught or had to "learn on the job?" I would love for you to share...

Next week: organizing your craft/ project/ work area!

Shelley

Resolutions to Reality

Well, it's almost the end of January, so it's time to review the resolutions I have made. I have said that I really think it helps to look over our resolutions regularly, to make sure we are still on track. This year I made my resolutions, and just a few days ago I stumbled upon this post at Passionate Homemaking, about mission statements. She links to Kat's ebook on creating mission statements. Also, in a similar post Lindsay linked to Ann's (at Harvest Ministry) 2011 Mission Plan. Now, some background- I have read various books on mission statements (I almost went into a business major) and have even incorporated similar ideas into my New Year's resolutions in the past. Still, these resources (which I am not even completely through yet!) has proven to be invaluable to me.

I set my resolutions according to the "SMART" principle, that is that goals should be: specific, measureable, attainable, realistic, and timed. This is meant to ensure that instead of vague, wishy-washy ideas, we make actual resolves (a root of resolutions) that we can achieve. So, here I am thinking I have a good practice set up, all proud of myself. (And this should have been the first sign that something was wrong, since pride is not something I should be taking lightly.) Unfortunately, when reviewing my goals from last year while making this year's, I had to rewrite some of them since they had not been achieved (and that should have been the second sign!) Going through Ann's workbook, however, I have made a large shift in my thinking.

I have rearranged my goals to really focus on what is important to me to do for this year, and to really work on what is important for me to accomplish, to fortify my weaknesses. I have a strong plan for my family, and for the mission work I want to do. If you feel that your resolutions aren't actually pushing and guiding you, or that your life is 'unbalanced' I highly recommend you check Ann's book out for yourself.

One of my favorite parts is the 'Alignment'- this helped me rather painfully become aware of how little progress I was making in some parts of my life. The things I was focusing on, which I felt were the weakest areas, are actually in better shape than other aspects. I feel much more equipped to create a plan that I can use to achieve my goals. I hope you are aiming true on your resolutions this year. Everyone needs help sometimes, so if you feel like these books could assist you, have a look at them. And, I always love to hear from you, so any tips you have for creating or implementing your resolutions please comment!

Shelley

Giving Back

I am so happy to share that I have gotten my Etsy shop fully up and running, and that I have sold my first item (a custom project.) I have had so much fun getting everything set up, and have decided to rework the charity process for my shop. Instead of the ten percent of sales price, I will be giving 40% - 50% of profits, on all items. I hope to incorporate an actual number into the individual listings by next month, so a customer can tell exactly how much money is going to charity.

I will still be choosing a monthly charity, for next month it will be Compassion. I really am being drawn to sponsoring a child, and I hope that this will allow me to do this. Also, since next month is my birthday, there will be some sales and giveaways! Please see Green Handcrafts for more information.

Thanks for sharing this new journey with me. Next up: making your "resolutions" a reality.

Shelley