Elementary Round Up

Our school days have been accompanied by copious amounts of tea.  But the reason why is for another post (a weight loss post).

What have we done?

Legos.  When my mom bought the boys’ Christmas presents at the Lego store they handed her two empty boxes.  We took those boxes to the Lego store this week, and the boys happily filled the boxes creatively so as acquire as many parts as possible.  There inspiration came from The Lego Ideas Book.

Little Passports:  Japan

 Save 10% on Little Passports with code "LPJAN10"!

I will be posting about our trip to Japan in February, but here is a sneak peak at what we ate. 

Handwriting Without Tears

All About Reading Level Pre-1

We tackled one of the suggestions in the extension activities and Gabe made letters in a salt box. 

And while I am on the subject of Gabe, he also did a lot of Grapevine Studies Old Testament Bible Timeline lessons with us.  (Giveaway coming soon! Use code  JANFS to receive Free Shipping! ) He is very proud to be a big boy. 

Play Time:  not a spectator sport (in Gabe’s eyes)

And now for Sir Honey Ezra . . . haven’t heard that name in quite some time.  Sigh.  My boy is growing up. 

Abeka Math K

All About Reading Level 1

We encountered our first road block.  After four days of diligent work, sticker rewards,  and snuggles on the couch . . . we finished the reading page.

My inclination was to try and push him through his lesson the day that we initially began this page.  Maybe I should have.  But I didn’t want to risk damaging his love for All About Reading. 

So we stepped back.  We broke the lesson down into stages. 

And we conquered. 

History:  The Story of the World

We saw how Biblical History easily fit into World History . . .

. . . which tied in quite nicely with that new Bible Wall Timeline we are creating. 

Gym:  Basketball

Let’s pass the ball to Asher.

Bible:  This young man is adoring our timeline study of the Old Testament.

It is really helping to organize all the stories that float around in his head.

We have been plowing through All About Spelling. 

We started at the beginning of the program, so that we were familiar with the program and to make sure that we hadn’t missed any fundamentals.  It isn’t uncommon that we do three lessons in a sitting. I imagine once we move to book two that this will change. 

Teaching Textbooks 3

Of course . . . there were some fun moments.  Lots of tweeting moments while we studied birds with Apologia’s Flying Creatures of the 5th Day.  But you would have to follow me on twitter to hear what bird calls we were checking out! 

This little girl is moving!

Gabe has figured out that Naomi likes to push him.

What a patient basketball fan this girl is!

A busy day is ended with a nice nap in a fort before Awana.

What did you learn last week?

Learn How to Make Healthy Bread

Our household is filled with opposites.  Loud children, quiet parents.  Coffee drinkers verses a man who shakes his head at such indulgences.  Almond butter is dwarfed by peanut butter.  Kimchi advocates eat it by the spoonful and the sauerkraut fans digest it sparingly. 

We all love bread, though.

But not all of us thrive on bread.  This dichotomy creates a weird dance in our household. 

At times I feel like I am shrieking, “No, don’t let him have grain!!!”

Yet, that evening we will dine with family and devour a pizza. 

I find myself regretting that seemingly “easy” road I opted for.

The tummy ache soon follows.  Anger rises and peaks the following day.  Lethargy.  Thumb sucking worsens.  Little limbs are consumed with a continual itch until the grain irritant has made its way through and out of this delicate system.  The ears no longer register what the parents are saying.

Our lesson is learned.  We avoid processed grain for a good week. 

We forget our lesson.  The Engineer and I find ourselves in yet another situation that is easier to compromise on than be prepared for. 

Bread is trump.  Toast in the morning loaded with coconut oil, raw honey, cinnamon. 

A snack?  How about homemade granola with yogurt? 

Dinner on the run . . . sandwiches sure can be a lifesaver.

However, to our family . . . to one special member in our family . . . grain creates a fog . . . irrationality . . . silent torture.

Except when grain is prepared properly.  I have tried my hand at this art . . . this nourishment present since before Jesus.

To see some of the grains that I have fermented please visit the following tutorials:

• Sourdough Starter Part 1
• Sourdough Starter Part 2
• English Muffins
• Sourdough Bread

But to learn from a wise woman . . . I encourage you to join Ann Marie as she teaches a course titled Healthy Whole Grains.

By taking this course, you could easily save $300 a year if you purchase bread at the store (which would more than pay for the course, especially with a promo code . . . like this one:  SPROUT20)

That doesn’t even factor in other grains.  Do you buy tortilla chips?  Crackers?  Cookies?  Pizza?  Store bought pie crust?

 

You will learn many things from Ann Marie’s class. 

I thought I knew a lot, but from reading about her course, I see that I have so much more to learn . . . and with the tools she is going to provide me . . . there is hope that a properly prepared bread may bake in my oven again.

• Make sprouted flour in just 5 minutes per day
• Make delicious bread in just 5 minutes per day
• Make a gorgeous loaf of nutritious whole grain sourdough bread — with absolutely no kneading!
• Save time and effort by eliminating kneading and fussy, elaborate sourdough routines
• Make a perfect pie crust with a lattice crust — you’ll wow your dinner guests!
• Save hundreds of dollars per year cooking from scratch with whole grains
• Make nutritious waffles, cereal, cookies, pasta, pizza and tortilla chips that your children will devour
• Store bulk grains and freshly ground flours to maximize shelf life

The details?

Cost of the class?  $199 $149

Coupon Code?  SPROUT20

Real cost of the class until February 7th? 

$129 (that is $11/class)

You will receive lifetime access to:

• 12 Weeks of Online Classes
• 50 Video Tutorials
• Over 100 Printable Recipes!

Head on over to Healthy Whole Grains to sign up for the class.  I have NEVER been disappointed with Ann Marie’s classes. 

Join me.  Let’s learn how to make healthy bread. 

(All grain photos are compliments of Ann Marie and her photo journal of her Healthy Whole Grain journey.)

Five Minute Friday: Tender

GO

Tender is meat grilled to perfection.  Warm.  Juicy.  Full of rich, earthy flavor. 

Tender are muscles that have been a slave to Bob and Jillian for a week.  Faithfully moving through the pain to improve strength.  Bringing the body closer to being a fat burning machine.

Tender is the heart after a loss . . . a heart breaking surprise . . . disappointment . . . words that you weren’t meant to hear or read.

Tender is a little girl’s emotions as a toy is taken from her hand before it is placed in her mouth.  The first time she is told no – and she understands.

Tender is that heart as it begins to understand who Jesus is and what we have done to Him with our words, deeds, and actions.  Tender is the heart that allows itself to be transformed, renewed, restored. 

Tender is the one who works towards change, overcomes habits, seeks revolution within. 

STOP

Linking up with Lisa Jo over at The Gypsy Mama for 5 Minute Friday!

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Elementary Round Up

The newness of our curriculum switch has worn off . . . but not the fondness.  Because I want to update our curriculum page, this will be a week reduced to pictures.

• Rosetta Stone Spanish
• Wordly Wise
• Teaching Textbooks 3 (an improvement – Asher “allowed” the boys to stand beside him!)

• taking notes with Apologia Flying Creatures of the 5th Day using A Journey Through Learning lapbook.

• Handwriting Without Tears Get Set for School

• More Handwriting Without Tears using wood shapes and Stamp and See Magnetic Screen
• All About Reading Pre-Level 1 (Oh how Gabe loves to do his letters . . . so much so that he will lay out all the books for me . . . and anxiously wait for me to return to the school table.

• Memory Cross ABC Flash Cards

• Abeka Math K
• Oragami Alphapets
• A Reason for Handwriting Cursive Book C

I have way more pictures containing Ezra and his All About Reading Level 1.  It is easy to snap photos because his excitement and feelings of success create the most captivating and precious photos to this proud mom.  (And to those of you who have used my affiliate link . . . I thank you so much.)

• Even Nana’s can jump right in to All About Reading!!!

• Finishing our seals from The Story of the World Activity Book

And some silly moments . . .

Linking up with

• Homeschool Creation Preschool Corner
• Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers Weekly Wrap-Up

Taking Care of Some Housekeeping

Do you have a hard time leaving comments on blogs from your phone? Several times the Engineer has desired to comment on my blog . . . just to stop me from desperately begging him to stroke my pride . . . but he can’t. 

If it isn’t quick and easy . . . well, he won’t do it.  I won’t for that matter either.  He is a busy grad student, you know.  (I’m so proud.)

There might be a reason you can’t leave a comment.

If you want to leave comments on my blog  (or anyone’s blog who uses Disqus) with your phone, you need to install an app for that.  Find it on the android market.  Disqus for iPhone is coming soon! 

Show some love.  Get the app for your phone!

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Looking for a new cookbook?  Sign up to receive The Homemakers Challenge in your inbox and receive an awesome cookbook . . . if I do say so myself.  (I feel honored to be “in” the collection of kitchen secrets!

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Need a new Bible study to do with your kids?  Check out what Grapevine Studies has recently released!  I can’t wait to start it!!!

Introducing Old and New Testament Bible Timelines! 

Beginning with Creation your students will stick figure chronologically through the Old Testament to the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem by Nehemiah.  Students will also count the generations from Adam to Jesus.  Beginning with the Birth of John the Baptist students will stick figure to The Judgment. Your students will draw the major characters and events of the New Testament and learn how the books of the Bible relate to the timeline.

All the timelines will be on sale throughout January.  To receive FREE SHIPPING  on any order until January 31,2012, use coupon code: JANFS

Stay tuned for a giveaway.

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And if you like points, money, and gift cards . . . gear up for the Superbowl and the Swagbucks Spirit Party! 

I wonder if I can get some Swagbucks just by living in the Superbowl host city? 

Get your pom-poms ready, my readers, because starting on Monday Swagbucks is holding Spirit Week!  Every day next week they will be celebrating a different holiday.

Each day will be filled with fun, activities, and surprises.  They'll be announcing every holiday the evening before in the Swagbucks blog.  Make sure you keep track of each day's Swag Codes, as you will need them at the end of the week in order to earn a big, juicy reward.

It's the most fun you can have getting your reward points for free stuff!

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