tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69776041772697108562024-03-13T23:07:21.146-07:00My School JewelsHollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17690605084188188075noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977604177269710856.post-19328407795263967532012-03-08T20:17:00.000-08:002012-03-08T20:17:33.631-08:00The Beginnings I cannot wait for <a href="http://beginningspublishing.com/version2/colors.htm">the colors</a> to come out so I can look at it. <a href="http://beginningspublishing.com/version2/rainbow.htm">The high school science</a> is very intriguing to me...I am posting this as a pin for me to remember later :)Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17690605084188188075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977604177269710856.post-20710145988330073422012-03-08T13:45:00.000-08:002012-03-08T13:45:00.910-08:00One Year Adventure Novel<a href="http://www.oneyearnovel.com/about.html">This</a> looks interesting :) I want to remember this when we get to Eighth grade...My FIAR friend Heather REALLY recommends it...and I REALLY respect Heather...love her...love <a href="http://blogshewrote.blogspot.com/2012/03/adventure-novel-update.html">her blog</a>. So, if you are homeschooling a child in 8-12th grade...maybe you should check it out NOW!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17690605084188188075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977604177269710856.post-69706846610115835942011-10-03T13:51:00.000-07:002011-10-03T13:55:19.388-07:00Mathtacular Giveaway!Now, I have been looking at these videos for a long time...and I am finally about to take the plunge and get them! I think they would be perfect for Pooh and Cheetoh while Tig and I work on SWR. And...for Tig while I work with his little bros....What do you do when you NEED one on one time with one kid?<br />
<br />
Here are my ideas so far:<br />
<br />
Miniluk<br />
Mathtacular<br />
Art (specifically for Cheetoh...he loves drawing and it will keep him busy a long time)<br />
Just playing in their rooms quietly<br />
<br />
If you are interested...Go to<a href="http://livingsolagratia.blogspot.com/2011/09/mathtacular.html"> Living Sola Gratia</a> for an awesome giveaway on one Mathtacular Video...which I SOOOO HOPE I WIN! :)Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17690605084188188075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977604177269710856.post-25756953980761277072011-07-30T15:57:00.001-07:002011-07-30T15:57:12.042-07:00Lego Unit StudyCheck <a href="http://www.walkingbytheway.com/blog/?p=714285">this</a> out!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17690605084188188075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977604177269710856.post-82011103164720253092011-07-30T15:56:00.000-07:002011-07-30T15:56:10.092-07:00Astronaut Adventures One reason I named this blog "My School Jewels" was to have a place to post ideas I see that I want to try in our school...my version of Pininterest I guess! (I can't do Pininterest bc I don't have a facebook or twitter account--which is a bummer...bc I think I would be a fanatic! Well, then maybe it is good that they won't let me on, lol! I don't need to be wasting time doing that stuff, lol)...<br />
Anyways, <a href="http://www.walkingbytheway.com/blog/?p=714152">here</a> is a mini-unit study that I think would be fun to do with the kids...maybe next fall when we study space at the beginning of MFW K??!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17690605084188188075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977604177269710856.post-29326152867777446342011-07-28T07:27:00.000-07:002011-07-28T07:27:21.871-07:00Rest For Weary Homeschool Moms...See my post on <a href="http://achazia-me.blogspot.com/2011/07/rest-for-weary-homeschool-moms.html">Achazia-Me</a>!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17690605084188188075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977604177269710856.post-88738380420638984612011-07-27T13:04:00.001-07:002011-07-27T13:04:51.742-07:00I want to be an ABIDING MOM! How about you?<a href="http://abidingmom.blogspot.com/2010/02/abiding-mom-vs-supermom.html">Abiding Mom Vs. Super Mom</a>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17690605084188188075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977604177269710856.post-87529442893032070312011-07-27T12:47:00.001-07:002011-07-27T12:47:55.985-07:0010 Things To Do With Your Child Before Age 10<a href="http://www.triviumpursuit.com/articles/ten_to_do_before_ten.php">Bluedorn's 10 Things To Do With Your Child Before Age 10 article....</a>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17690605084188188075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977604177269710856.post-16240809618869480762011-07-27T11:57:00.000-07:002011-07-27T11:57:25.236-07:00Gearing up for the FALL!! How about you?! Even though we technically school all year round...we have been on a more relaxed schedule for the summer. I am getting really excited as I plan for next year! Have you put together a schedule? I am working on ours and I will share it with you when I get it all figured out...<br />
<br />
If you go to my post on curriculum you can see what we will be using this year! I plan to post about our MFW Adventure week and our FIAR stuff...and maybe some on our field trips too. My plan is to lightly start school August 22...and spend those two weeks perfecting my planning and organizing our school room a bit...During the first two weeks we are going to lightly row My Blue Boat and The Yellow Ball...and we are going to participate in Mission India's Passport to India. I also want to do a kickoff the school year party on the first day...Then...I plan to start our full out schedule Sept 2nd. (We are starting on a Friday since we will be losing the Monday to Labor Day...and most of my stuff is set up for 5 days a week...)<br />
<br />
For MFW, like I said above, I am going to be using the Adventures curriculum. I am so excited for U.S. History and Geography. Looking through it is making me so excited!<br />
For FIAR, we are going to be going back and forth between FIAR and Before FIAR since we still have some little guys...Here is the list of books I plan to do this next year:<br />
<br />
<div><div><br />
</div><div>Fall 2011:</div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yellow Ball (BFIAR)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">My Blue Boat (BFIAR)</span></div></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Night of the Moonjellies (FIAR)</span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Harold and the Purple Crayon (FIAR)</span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Down Down The Mountain (FIAR)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Quiet Way Home (BFIAR)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Little Nino's Pizzeria (FIAR)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Red Carpet (BFIAR)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Angus Lost (BFIAR)</span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Prayer For A Child (BFIAR)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Very First Last Time (FIAR)</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Owl Moon (FIAR)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I Am An Artist (BFIAR)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Wee Gillis (FIAR)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Salamander Room (FIAR)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The Runaway Bunny (BFIAR)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The Little Rabbit (BFIAR) </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Truman's Aunt Farm (FIAR)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Play With Me (BFIAR)</span></div><div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Summer 2012: </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Blueberries For Sal (BFIAR)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Make Way For Ducklings (FIAR)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jenny's Surprise Summer (BFIAR)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Daniel's Duck (FIAR)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear? (other Jesse Bear Books) (BFIAR)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">We're Going on a Bear Hunt (BFIAR)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">ABC Bunny (BFIAR)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Duchess Bakes a Cake (FIAR)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ask Mr. Bear (BFIAR)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">If Jesus Came to My House (BFIAR)</span></div></div><br />
<br />
Except for the first two Before books that we are doing this summer to kick off our school year...I plan to take two weeks per title since we only have 3 days a week to work on FIAR in our schedule...that will give us about 6 days per book. I also plan to re-row as many as we can in a few years...and also do occasional review sessions...or one lesson/one read session of a FIAR book...on a lighter Before FIAR week...if that makes sense!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17690605084188188075noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977604177269710856.post-61443424188427172862011-07-23T11:58:00.000-07:002011-07-27T12:06:52.232-07:00Check List Record Keeping I have been mulling over what exactly to do for record keeping this year...since I actually have to now! (Tig is turning 7)<br />
My dear friend Candace has a simple yet brilliant plan that I am totally going to steal and make my own! Check out <a href="http://candacemercyisnew.blogspot.com/2011/07/checklist-planner-easiest-lesson-plans.html">her blog</a>...(and really...sit and read her blog for awhile...bc it is honest, heartfelt...and fabulous really!) I will create my own on excel that has our subjects and schedule in it...but I am really excited about this.<br />
I also like her idea of writing the days schedule on a white board and we can rub it out as we go (for the kids, since the check list one is more for me for record keeping purposes)...Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17690605084188188075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977604177269710856.post-47589666239168660872011-06-27T12:17:00.000-07:002011-07-27T12:20:05.718-07:00Life of Fred Beginner Series is AVAILABLE!<a href="http://ztwistbooks.com/oscstore/index.php?cPath=21">Life of Fred</a><br />
<br />
I AM SO PUMPED! I plan on just reading the books and doing them orally...like the author suggests...what a fun supplement!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17690605084188188075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977604177269710856.post-10835730415211603542011-06-25T21:04:00.000-07:002011-07-27T13:23:04.373-07:00Our CurriculumOkay, so I feel like this is a constantly changing post, lol...but here is where we are right now. I feel happy with these choices for our family :)<br />
<br />
OUR CURRICULUM (this does not include our daily character and Bible studies):<br />
<br />
3-4 year old (any time I have kids this age): Critical Thinking Company workbooks, Bambinoluk, SWR, Before FIAR (introducing phonograms and numbers), Booklist (I will EVENTUALLY post this...it is a combination between Sonlight, Ambleside, MFW, FIAR, HomeschoolShare, Hearts of Dakota, Tapestry of Grace, and any other random books I thought should be on it!)<br />
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2011-2012: Critical Thinking Company workbooks, Math Mammoth, Life of Fred, Miniluk, SWR, Booklist, MFW Adventures (and all that comes with it), FIAR, Before FIAR, and Easy French<br />
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2012-2013: Critical Thinking Company workbooks, Math Mammoth, Life of Fred, Miniluk, SWR, Booklist, MFW K, FIAR, Before FIAR, Easy French, and Apologia Zoology 1<br />
<br />
2013-2014: Critical Thinking Company workbooks, Math Mammoth, Life of Fred, Miniluk, SWR, Booklist, MFW 1st, FIAR, Easy French, and Apologia Zoology 2<br />
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2014-2015: Critical Thinking Company workbooks, Math Mammoth, Life of Fred, Miniluk, SWR, Booklist, MFW ECC, FIAR, Easy French, maybe Rosetta Stone French too, Apologia Zoology 3, IEW videos, and Write Shop<br />
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2015-2016: Critical Thinking Company workbooks, Math Mammoth, Life of Fred, Key To Math, Miniluk, SWR, Booklist, MFW Cycle, FIAR, Easy French and Rosetta Stone, continue with Elementary Science from Apologia, Write Shop combined, Grammar and Poetry from MCT?<br />
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2016-2017: Critical Thinking Company workbooks, Math Mammoth, Life of Fred, Key To Math, Miniluk, SWR, Booklist, MFW Cycle, FIAR, French, Latin, Apologia, Writeshop, Analytical Grammar<br />
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A note on math: If in the future my kids are not "getting a topic" I will look into the Key To series...as I have heard great things about it...I just can't stomach doing ANOTHER math curriculum when I already have 4 I am doing, lol!<br />
<br />
A note on science: I also plan to add in Apologia Anatomy...just not sure which year yet...but I want to cover all their elementary science books :)Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17690605084188188075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977604177269710856.post-87710975929405435952011-05-28T20:50:00.000-07:002011-05-28T20:50:45.745-07:00Scripture Memory <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> I have decided to look into getting some resources to help me and my kids learn scripture. There are some great places out there that have put scripture to song . . . which sounds GREAT to me!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">For scripture memory, we love </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/steve-green/hide-in-your-heart-volume-1/pd/CD64300" style="color: #0000cc;" target="_blank">this</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009OMCXK/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_3?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000008G7W&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0R2R0J3TZBXXVQQ9PB7B" style="color: #0000cc;" target="_blank">this</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">...I am interested in getting music from </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><a href="http://www.seedsfamilyworship.net/" style="color: #0000cc;" target="_blank">here</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> as well. I am also considering starting a system like </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><a href="http://simplycharlottemason.com/timesavers/memorysys/" style="color: #0000cc;" target="_blank">this</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> and going over it at one of our mealtimes.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> <a href="http://scriptureadventures.com/memory.html" style="color: #0000cc;" target="_blank">This</a> also looks very interesting! Hope this will inspire you as well to write scripture on the hearts of you and your kids!</span></div></span>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17690605084188188075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977604177269710856.post-36515068918451996522011-05-28T20:11:00.000-07:002011-05-28T20:51:43.787-07:00Quiet Time for Kids Character training is the most important life skill for me to teach. I've been pondering this a lot lately. I want my kids to understand the importance of spending time with the LORD each and everyday. I want this to be a habit in their hearts from the beginning. This is what I am planning for my kids. I hope it will inspire you to develop something similar in your family!<br />
Every morning I already do <a href="http://myschooljewels.blogspot.com/search/label/Character%20Training%3A%20Character%20Bible%20Study">character Bible studies</a>, right before breakfast. As the kids eat breakfast, I am planning on then reading my little one's Bible (the picture ones that even my littlest kids understand). Then, after breakfast, I will do one of the following activities for about 10 minutes:<br />
1. Pray for the nations (research different people groups and pick one for the day to briefly talk about and pray for.)<br />
2. Go for a short walk outside and appreciate God's creation.<br />
3. Turn on some worship music to dance to . . .<br />
4. Turn on some worship music to soak to . . .<br />
5. Paint to worship music . . .<br />
Then, every day . . . carve out a small amount of time . . . maybe 20 minutes . . . and separate the kids into their own special quiet time place. I am going to give them each their own journal where they can listen to God for visions or what He is speaking to them and ask them to draw, or write when they are proficient in writing. I want them to learn to talk with God . . . but also to listen to God.Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17690605084188188075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977604177269710856.post-52853726613811106392011-05-28T13:55:00.000-07:002011-05-29T17:50:26.642-07:00The Meaning Behind Our School Name The following is an excerpt from one of my favorite books, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Torch-Sword-Final-Quest/dp/1929371918/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1306611875&sr=8-1">The Torch and the Sword</a> by Rick Joyner. After reading it, you will hopefully have an understanding of why we named our homeschool <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Walk With God Academy</span></b>!<br />
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<b>Chapter Two: The Messenger </b>(The following is a vision type experience Rick had with the Lord and Enoch. Rick is narrating. The parts in <i>italic</i> are the Lord speaking.)<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b> </b>We remained by the burning sea for a long time. The life, energy, and peace I felt continued to grow. It was like a rush of joy that did not pass away, but rather increased toward a certain fullness of joy. I knew there was nothing on earth that could compare to this, yet it seemed vaguely familiar.<br />
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"<i>You are experiencing the joy and strength that man knew before the Fall,"</i> the Lord explained. <i>"You are only beginning to experience what is actually a normal life for man, the way I created him to live."</i><br />
<br />
As the flames of the sea swept over me gently, I began to recognize the feeling. It was what I had started to call "the Emmaus Road burning heart." It is the way our hearts burn when we walk close to the Lord and He personally teaches us. I began to think of Adam, who had walked with God in the Garden, and Enoch, who had walked with God so closely that he was translated straight into heaven.<br />
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The Lord again answered my thoughts. <i>"When I walked with Adam, I taught him about the creation and his purpose for cultivating and maintaining it. I also gave him the freedom to be creative as he cultivated it. He was created to bear My image. To bear the image of the Creator, one has to be creative. In this we had great fellowship.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i> True creativity can only be found by those who walk close to Me. It is a relationship to Me which few have experienced, but that I cherish very much. Some walk very close to Me, even though they do not know My name. They do not know that I was made flesh and walked on the earth. The time has come for all who seek Me and My ways to know My name and to know My ways, which were revealed when I walked the earth.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i> When Adam walked with Me, he was in harmony with the creation and felt the energy and strength you now feel. He was so full of life that he lived almost a thousand years after sin entered him and the discord of sin entered his soul. There is great power in life, but all life will lose its power if it does not stay close to Me.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i> Enoch yearned for what Adam had lost. He walked with Me, and I began to teach him like I did Adam. He discovered the source of life, walking with Me. The life became so great in him that he would have still remained on the earth if I had not brought him up to dwell with Me here. He was too full of life to die, so I had to take him up."</i><br />
<br />
"I am still learning about life," another voice behind me said. <br />
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I turned and there was a man standing far away in a beautiful green meadow. His voice seemed to be much closer than he actually was. He began to walk toward us in a way similar to the Lord's walk- resolute, but unhurried. As he approached I noticed that his face was the same color as the sky, the torch, and the Lord's face. He also wore a garment similar to the Lord's. He walked up and took the torch out of my hand.<br />
<br />
"I must bless you before you go- I must bless the torchbearers. The purpose of every movement on the earth is to compel men to do what I did- to walk with God until they are more at home in the heavenly realm than on earth. Man was created to dwell on the earth with his body while his spirit soars into the heavens."<br />
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"Are you Enoch?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"I am," he said as he reached over and touched my heart.<br />
<br />
"The fire burns, but what you lack is discipline and endurance. You walk adequately for short periods. Now you must learn to walk with endurance. You must resolve to walk each day in the domain over which the Lord has given you to rule. He has given you authority, but you must walk with Him in your domain. Only then will you be fruitful and multiply as you are called. Your domain is your garden. The path of life always leads to unity and harmony- with God first, and then with all that is His. This takes strength and endurance because the whole creation is now in discord and opposes unity."<br />
<br />
Enoch then took the torch and touched it to my heart. It caused a great rush of energy and power and then a joy that almost could not be contained. When he pulled it away, the fire continued to burn inside of me, and the energy continued to surge in waves throughout my body. I knew I had felt this before.<br />
<br />
"The Lord makes His messengers flames of fire. You cannot walk with God, or fulfill His purpose for you on the earth, unless you keep this fire burning in your heart. Lukewarmness is your deadly enemy. You must not let the fire wane by drifting from His presence. This fire which now burns in your heart must be given fuel each day. Its fuel is the atmosphere of heaven, which is the breath of God. What He breathes upon lives, and what He does not breathe upon dies. Seek this life and pursue it. If you do, you will leave a trail of life where the River of Life will break out and flow. If you walk as you are called, you will help restore true life to the earth."<br />
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Enoch then took my face in his hands and just looked into my eyes. He was the very definition of graciousness. He seemed to be so saturated with joy and love that I felt he was the most like the Lord of anyone I had ever met. I felt that anyone who saw him would spend his life trying to be like him. I then realized the main reason he was looking in to me was so I would look into him. I did. Then he released me and walked back in the direction from which he had come.<br />
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<i>"Enoch has a special investment in you," the Lord said, as we both watched him go. "He prophesied the coming of the mighty ones who are soon to be released on the earth. From the time he was allowed to see them, he has waited for this time. You are called to help awaken these mighty ones to their destiny. When they are awakened, they will have the heart of Enoch. Their might and strength comes from this torch which Enoch first picked up and other faithful ones have kept alive in the earth.</i><br />
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<i> From among those coming, there will arise many like Abraham, Moses, Elijah, John the Baptist, Peter, Paul, and John. There will be as many as a thousand like each of the great messengers in the age that is now ending.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i> After each of the torchbearers departed the earth, they left their mantles of authority to be picked up by others. These have been divided just as Mine were at the cross. When one has a part of a mantle and comes together with one who has another part, their authority will be magnified. Many of these mantles were hidden and kept for this time. These have been reserved for those who will be My messengers in the last days.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i> It is true that spiritual authority multiplies with unity. One can put a thousand to flight but two can chase ten thousand. The unity that these last-day messengers of power walk in will multiply the authority of the mantles they carry. The earth has never seen anything like what I am about to release through these messengers. They will walk in the fire of all who went before them. So now you must help them find their way and their mantles."</i><br />
<br />
. . . The chapter continues, but that is the part I wanted to share with you. If you have not read the Final Quest Trilogy (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Final-Quest-Rick-Joyner/dp/192937190X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1306616094&sr=1-1">The Final Quest</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Call-Rick-Joyner/dp/1929371896/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b">The Call</a>, and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Torch-Sword-Final-Quest/dp/1929371918/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1306611875&sr=8-1">The Torch and the Sword</a>), READ THEM! These books are the kind of books I visit regularly because they have impacted my life on SOO many levels.Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17690605084188188075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977604177269710856.post-39751337070615890072011-05-28T12:07:00.000-07:002011-07-27T12:15:41.170-07:00About Us Welcome to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b>Walk With God Academy</b></span>'s little home on the web, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b>My School Jewels</b></span>. We are a homeschool family seeking to honor God with our lives in every possible way! I desire for this place to be somewhere I can share ideas I've seen . . . ideas I've used . . . things that have worked for us . . . and just things going on in our homeschool . . . This is my place to record the homeschool the jewels I've found!<br />
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A little on our school name . . . Please visit <a href="http://myschooljewels.blogspot.com/2011/05/meaning-behind-our-school-name.html">this post</a> to read an excerpt from Rick Joyner's book the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Torch-Sword-Final-Quest/dp/1929371918/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1306611875&sr=8-1">Torch and the Sword</a> that explains where we got the name for our school. Enjoy :)<br />
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Okay, hopefully you went and read that post! :) Every time I read one of Rick's books I am challenged to love God MORE! If you read the post, you now know where our name comes from . . . for it is our greatest desire to be one of those like Enoch . . . and truly walk with God. We want to look just like Jesus! Hope you will join us on our adventure!<br />
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And a little about our students and staff . . .<br />
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<b>The Principal~ John</b> (my husband). He stays in tune with the big picture. He makes sure we are staying on track with our goals . . . and keeping the most important things our priority. He is also in charge of discipline.<br />
<b>The Teacher~ Holly</b> (that would be me :) I do the teaching, obviously. I am in charge of keeping things running and doing a lot of the character training.<br />
<b>The Students~ Tig</b> (6.5) He is beginning First Grade this fall.<br />
<b>Cheetoh</b> (4.5) He is beginning Preschool this fall<br />
<b>Pooh Bear</b> (3) He is starting Tot School this fall<br />
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<embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F103137333564285599795%2Falbumid%2F5611875373994969153%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCI2X-N-at7j10QE%26hl%3Den_US" height="400" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="600"></embed>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17690605084188188075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977604177269710856.post-86933207621902803112011-05-15T20:29:00.000-07:002011-05-28T19:53:29.383-07:00Daily Picture Journal I just have to share this idea from a close friend, Sarah. I have planned on doing a similar thing with nature journals . . . I don't know why I didn't think BIGGER like my friend . . . but I didn't, lol! I guess that is one reason we have other mommies . . . to help us see great things when we are blind to them! So, here is the idea. Get an unlined notebook, or just white printer paper with a binder and page protectors . . . Then, at the end of the school day, maybe while you are cooking dinner, have each kid draw a picture and journal one thing they learned that day. For little ones that can't write yet, you can ask them to dictate to you what the picture is about and write it down for them. Then, date it, and put it in your binder (if you are going with the binder/page protector set up) . . . and voila. At the end of the year you have a wonderful portfolio of your school year. I can't wait to get started! I personally think I will go with the page protector route . . . bc that is pretty much how I set up everything these days, lol! I really like the freedom of easily adding in and taking away. I will post some pics once I get this show on the road :)Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17690605084188188075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977604177269710856.post-51021736588279227582011-05-12T20:59:00.000-07:002011-05-15T21:03:10.918-07:00Homeschool Buyers Co-op I love that site! Seriously. I can't tell you how many times I have gone there to search for an online coupon before buying some curriculum etc...and found a great one! <br />
I also love the free homeschool ids. I have used it to get discounts at bookstores, JoAnn Fabrics, and online when I ordered a bunch of stuff from Adobe. I save $1,500 on the Adobe stuff for being a homeschooler!!<br />
There is also a great list of field trip ideas for each state. Fabulous resource. Fabulous!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17690605084188188075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977604177269710856.post-21641536570506565572011-05-03T21:06:00.000-07:002011-05-28T19:56:11.159-07:00Spell To Write and Read Okay, I am seriously in love with the stuff I am learning from this program. I had no idea our language made so much sense! If you are looking for a reading and spelling curriculum that will truly help you unlock the code of our language . . . and leave your little one with very strong reading and spelling skills . . . I would check this out! Definitely join the SWR yahoo group to answer any questions . . . and follow Liz Fitzgerald's <a href="http://www.swrtraining.com/id26.html">Getting Started</a> program!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17690605084188188075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977604177269710856.post-44303470058104067182011-05-01T20:46:00.000-07:002011-05-28T20:00:37.967-07:00Book Lists I have been focusing on reading aloud during tot school time and meal time (mostly lunch.) We have really been enjoying a wide variety of books so far. <br />
I put together my own book lists from a number of sources:<br />
1. <a href="http://www.fiveinarow.com/">Five in a Row</a><br />
2. <a href="http://www.sonlight.com/">Sonlight</a><br />
3. <a href="http://www.mfwbooks.com/">My Father's World</a> (our spine curriculum)<br />
4. <a href="http://www.amblesideonline.com/">Ambleside Online</a><br />
5. Random books I have come across that weren't on one of the previous lists, but I knew I wanted to read them to my kids.<br />
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Then, I divided my big list into 6 smaller lists by category . . .<br />
1. Christian Books<br />
2. Fairy Tales/ Tall Tales/ Nursery Tales<br />
3. Poetry/ Nursery Rhymes<br />
4. Picture Books<br />
5. Chapter Books<br />
6. Nonfiction Social/Science Books<br />
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Then, during our reading time, I rotate between the different lists . . . For example, I read a chapter from our current chapter book, then a picture book, then a poem or two etc. I am making a binder with evaluation sheets for each of my kids. Each evaluation sheet will have a column for books read, and then different columns to evaluate the book. For example, if the child understood the book and was listening (my baby doesn't understand or even pay attention to many of the older books) . . . I will note if the child liked the book, if there was anything I skipped over bc I thought it was inappropriate . . . if I think it should be revisited for that particular child . . . etc. I plan on having a separate evaluation sheet for each of my 6 booklists, and separate ones for each kid . . . so that gives me a total of 18 sheets for my 3 kids.<br />
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This is a system we have just begun . . . but I am hoping to report success!<br />
Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17690605084188188075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977604177269710856.post-32869274845445934352011-04-18T20:43:00.000-07:002011-05-28T20:52:20.702-07:00Character Bible Study<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> I think teaching character daily is extremely important. I have been searching and praying about the best way to go about this with my family for awhile. I wanted to share the resources that I have found . . . because I am super excited about them!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> First, I am using <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Childs-Book-Character-Building-Growing/dp/0800754948/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1306640544&sr=8-1">this</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Childs-Book-Character-Building-Growing/dp/0800754956/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1306640544&sr=8-2">this</a>. It includes a godly character trait to study for each week, and coloring pages for each day of the study. Also, there is a memory verse to go with each character trait.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> After I finish the above bible studies, I am thinking of doing <a href="http://www.doorposts.com/details.aspx?id=57">this</a> or <a href="http://www.doorposts.com/details.aspx?id=105">this</a> or <a href="http://www.doorposts.com/details.aspx?id=81">this</a> or <a href="http://www.wholeheart.org/our-24-family-ways-family-devotional/">this</a> or Pictures From Proverbs sets found <a href="https://www.thelearningparent.com/products.asp?pagecontrol=1&cat=29&product=51">here</a>. Eventually, I would like to go through <a href="http://www.doorposts.com/details.aspx?id=15">this</a> resource too! They all look great! </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> My plan is to do the study first thing in the mo</span>rning while I make them breakfast. (Best way to start the day in my opinion!)<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> If you are looking for great resources for character training, my favorite sites are:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> 1. <a href="http://www.doorposts.net/">Doorposts</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> 2. <a href="http://www.thelearningparent.com/">The Learning Parent</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> 3. <a href="http://www.titus2.com/">Titus 2 Ministries</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> 4. <a href="http://www.wholeheart.org/">Whole Heart Online</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> Some other character resources I came across are </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><a href="http://www.hem-of-his-garment-bible-study.org/Christian-character-education.html" style="color: #0000cc;" target="_blank">this</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><a href="http://www.characterbuildingforfamilies.com/" style="color: #0000cc;" target="_blank">this</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><a href="http://www.characterjournal.com/" style="color: #0000cc;" target="_blank">this</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><a href="http://www.pearables.com/index.html" style="color: #0000cc;" target="_blank">this</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> that might be worth checking out :)</span></span>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17690605084188188075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977604177269710856.post-40211136778426211602011-04-15T20:40:00.000-07:002011-07-27T12:50:46.296-07:00Classical Conversations I am super interested in <a href="http://www.classicalconversations.com/">this</a>! I REALLY want to do this with Tig this fall . . . still in the researching stages though! I would LOVE to know if you have any experience with it!!! If I get to participate, I will update this post with a review :)<br />
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Update: Well, as of now I don't think I will be doing CC this fall. I am looking closely at another co-op that has many things I am looking for as well. I might still buy the <a href="http://www.classicalconversationsbooks.com/fobo.html">Veritas Press cards</a>...and cds...and teach them to my kids...but I'm not sure. I think it would be useful...but there are so many great things out there. I need to be wise with the time we have each day. If I am going to focus on memorizing stuff...I would like to focus more on scripture memorization. Maybe someday I will look at CC again. I know so many people LOVE it!<br />
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Some things that I am going to incorporate into our year from CC:<br />
Show and Tell (public speaking)<br />
I also might read some homeschooling books on Classical Education. It is really interesting to me...and I know that MFW (our main curriculum) has a classical flavor to it.<br />
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<a href="http://www.fiveinarow.com/forum/showthread.php?t=89406">This</a> thread on the FIAR boards has sparked my interest...I own the Well Trained Mind book (haven't read it yet)...but the Bluedorn's book and the List of 10 things mentioned...REALLY intrigue me!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17690605084188188075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6977604177269710856.post-36742338782184220742011-03-19T21:03:00.000-07:002011-07-27T12:26:05.083-07:00Mammoth Math I have tried SOOO many different math curricula...and this baby is my fav! I think I just had to figure out my teaching niche...and well...I like straight forward...I like worksheets...with a little game type fun thrown in every once in a great while...but NOT every day... I like that it has the strong mental math focus like Singapore... Who'd of thunk it!? I highly recommend it... <a href="http://www.mathmammoth.com/">check it out :)</a><br />
Also, <a href="http://www.homeschoolmath.net/">here</a> is a great website written by the author.Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17690605084188188075noreply@blogger.com0