Summer has finally arrived, now to beat the heat

So summer has been a long time coming here in Oregon and especially here in the Willamette Valley. Now that it is here, I don't want to spend a fortune on the air conditioner and I want the boys to enjoy the sun as much as they can so how to beat the heat????
So far our best answers have been clean out the pond and venture down to the river.

When we moved out here 7 years ago, we fell in love with the pond, but didn't fall in love with the weird weed that likes to take over, so about every 3 years we have borrowed our neighbor's backhoe and cleared out as much as possible. This year we let the water level drop in hopes of clearing more out and so far it has worked. The boys worked with Daddy and played in the water while working.

This past week we were introduced to one of the local hang outs along the river and since finding it have spent 3 afternoon/ evenings hanging out and making new friends. I can see this being a place to enjoy the river and cool off during the high heat and even exploring in the early fall when the seasons change the water level rises or fall depending on the water control by the Army Corps of Engineers. It should lead to some fun adventures.

It may not seem like much but having someplace near the river to hang out is something I've always liked the sound of. My hope is that we will make a lot of special memories as a family with our friends hanging out together.

P.S. Check out what the rest of the crew thinks of beating the summer heat by clicking the button below.

Summer school lesson plans

So we are back in school at least last week, this week is VBS so not so much school per-say.
Any way, I think I have our summer session mapped out

Math: Mix of Montessori activities, Math-u-See Foundations, and Math Essentials and Professor B Math (It might look like a crazy mess, but honestly we are reviewing 2 of these for the Crew and depending on how they go will determine if they stay on the radar)
Bible: Apologia Who is My Neighbor , also considering adding a Bible marking workshop for the family.
Reading: McGuffey's along with various other books for Summer Reading Program.
History: TruthQuest, Story of the World volume1, Knowledge Quest Maps, and Greenleaf History of the Old Testament along with various fun bits and pieces as we work our way through Genesis and Exodus over the summer.

I'm still working on a handwriting program for Cameron and putting the finishing touches on my version of Montessori grammar.

IXL helping children excel in Math

With 2 little boys learning math at different levels within their own grade I was so excited to try IXL math. Each child has access to a variety of levels of math. For instance Cameron , my now 4th grader is working on brushing up on 3rd grade skills he struggled with and adding 4th grade skills to the mix. While Nathan my 2nd grader is working on some 2nd grade skills but also stretching and working on a few 3rd grade skills.

There is as ton of flexibility with this program and as the kids work through their various skills they earn virtual awards on their awards page for each of the grades we have worked on.  I really wasn't sure about another math website with "virtual awards" but something struck a cord with both boys and IXL awards are a hit with them. Neither of them mind the different pages for different grades. With the need for a variety of graded assignments IXL is a huge value for us  for a full year program. $79.00 a year for the first child and $20 for the second. I know most of the time it wouldn't seem like I would recommend this as a value, but when my boys are both excited about practicing their math skills even the ones they are struggling with it becomes a value, oh and as the parent I can even practice skills. The parent skills are recorded but still it is good practice especially when you are trying to explain a skill that a child is struggling with.

I am an an analytical person when it comes to figuring out what the boys need to work on so I love the reports the IXL provides the parents. I can see what the boys have been working on as well as where they need improvement and how much time they are spending on the various activities.
Check out IXL on Facebook

Disclaimer: we received a full year membership for both boys at no cost in exchange for our review of the program and as a member of the Schoolhouse Review Crew.

You are welcome to read the rest of the crew's review just click on the banner below.

Hip Homeschool Hop how I've missed you

I haven't done many homeschool hops this year. I'm not sure why, I just haven't. Well this week I'm a little later in the day then I had planned on, but I'm hopping with Hip Homeschool Moms.
Check out Hip Homeschool Moms on Twitter and Facebook  and even Google+
I am always blessed when I read Hip Homeschool Mom posts or tweets, so I would appreciate my friends showing them some love.

God's Creation Illustrated beautifully

Are you looking for a Christian magazine full of the beauty of God's wonder? I have been and I was so glad to finally come across Creation Illustrated. In every issue of this quaterly magazine the editor starts out with 

Our Purpose…is to share the wonders of God’s creation. By revealing fresh insights of His infinite wisdom, gentle touch, undeniable justice, redeeming love, and flawless design, pure truth shall bring renewed peace. Each part of this publication is offered as a reprieve from the daily rigor’s of life so that all can look to the future with unbridled gratitude and hope. 

Something about just that simple statement really spoke to me.  THe magazine is beautiful put together, with amazing pictures and stories that are focused on seasonal elements.  The articles are well written and easy for even my children to read and appreciate with a little help. These make a wonderful family evening activity.  Every detail of the magazine is eye catching. Both my boys were immediately drawn to the covers opening the door for conversations about God's wonderful creation.  I am happy to say that is family magazine is a value at only $19.95 a year. You receive 4 full color issues spaced over the year.  Even better you can get a sample issue simply by filling out a form. 
disclaimer: As memebers of the Schoolhouse Review Crew we received 4 issues of the above magazine at no cost in exchange for our honest opinion. All opinions are that of this blog's author.

Homeschooling on a Shoestring or less

I was asked to present to our Homeschool Moms Group on how I homeschool on such a small budget. To collect all my ideas and thoughts I decided I would post it to my blog and share with everyone.
I love finding things for free even if it is just a sample lesson that I can glean information from.

Some of my favorite sites for freebies:
Homeschool Freebie of the Day
Currclick's weekly freebie
Hands of a Child's current Freebie
The Old Schoolhouse Digital Magazine App
DonnaYoung.org
Simple Schooling
An Old Fashion Education 
The Homeschool Buyer's Co-Op
Ambleside Online
Math Worksheets

These are just a few I use.
I also am a big Facebook Fan. I love to follow various curriculum companies on their Facebook pages to learn about deals and samples.

Here are just a few of the purchased curriculum companies I use:
Math-U-See: We are still using the Classical series, but I love to print practice pages for the boys or have the boys do the drills online.
CreekEdgePress: I purchased a set of cards this year that we will be able to use over the next 2 years and then again when we repeat our history cycle
TruthQuest History: We reviewed the American History for Younger Students this year and will be borrowing the Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece Books from a fellow Homeschool Mom. (I'll talk more about that in a moment)
Knowledge Quest Maps: I first learned of Knowledge Quest Maps during an online conference 3 years ago. If you follow her on Facebook or subscribe to her mail lists, she is very generous with freebies and samples.
Amazon.com I watch Facebook for newer freebies as well as their already extensive library of classics.

What about borrowing books?
The library can be a good resource but for my family I have to get creative because we live outside the city limits and I can't afford to pay for the full service library card. Our boys each have a card and can check out children's books and videos so that helps. I am in charge of our homeschool co-op library which has a growing collection of books to loan and has already been a HUGE blessing for our family. My newest borrowing idea stems for the group I am presenting to tonight, sharing among local homeschool families. Many of us have books we cycle through and don't use every year, so sharing with your fellow homeschoolers is a great way to save money, especially for books where you will be buying the consumable components but really can't afford the textbook portion of the bundle.

Other sources of curriculum for my family:
I have been blessed over the past year to be a member of the Schoolhouse Review Crew and have received many great products to add to our library of resources.  I have also found a wonderful network of homeschool families that buy and sell used books among the crew.
That brings me to the next piece, used curriculum sales. This time of year local homeschoolers and conventions all seem to have a used curriculum sale. This is a GREAT way to find pieces you need for you family and save a lot of money.

Supplies???
Yes we buy school supplies. No I don't pay full retail. I stock up during back to school and after (in the clearance section). I watch Goodwill often and I have a teacher card to the local teacher supply stores.I also love the Dollar Tree and Staples  I also have a wish list in my notebook so when family asks what to get the boys I can suggest a few supplies to add to a gift (a pack of pencils makes an ok gift topper)

Field Trips: Local parks are a great place for field trips, deal days at the zoo or children's museum are great especially during the year,  get a group together to get a better deal at local attractions, and check with local manufacturing companies to see if you can get a tour with a small group (tell them you are homeschooling and put together a smaller than classroom size group)

Where else?
I watch freecycle, craigslist, and local Facebook groups so teachers that are retired and wanted to move their stuff. I have been greatly blessed over the last 2 years to find some amazing retired teachers that have given me tons of books and supplies that I then sort and distribute to people I know as well as our homeschool co-op library and our family library.
I also don't follow a specific science curriculum as I can't afford one right now and the boys have had a lot of hands on learning based on kitchen science, gardening, shop activities with Daddy, etc.... I know eventually we will have to add a science set up to our world but since they are still young I'm ok.

A couple other things... Don't be afraid to get creative. If you are a blogger look for blogger groups and review products. If you and a couple other moms get together buy in bulk. I only have 2 kids so I don't need a classroom pack of pencils but if a few moms got together and bought a classroom pack and divided it up.
I will always look for deals but there are a few things I can't bring myself to skimp on.. I only buy Crayola brand crayons and markers (I'm spoiled that way). I don't mind used books and if a textbook has a notebook with it, I will often have the boys write their answers in a spiral or composition book.

So this is just a glimpse, I will share more over the coming months.

What creative ways do you homeschool on a budget?

Staycation, School , and Adventures

Are you staying home this summer?

 Do you school year round?

 Are you looking for adventures this summer?

 If you answered yes to any of the above I'd like to share some ideas for some fun, simple, and some affordable field trips for this summer.
My boys love nature hikes, even ones in our own backyard are fun. If you have a local nature preserve or a nature park these are great field trips especially during the summer, take a notebook and coloring supplies and draw what you see. 
Local museums are always a great thing to check out, but what about your local historical society? Are there interesting local mysteries or myths. Historical society museums are a great field trip and sometime even if you have lived in the same area for a long time you might learn something new. 
Letter boxing is a great summer activity for the whole family. You can search online for local hidden boxes so if you don't or can't travel far you can still have fun. 
Another fun stay-cation type field trip is the local library. We like to make a scavenger hunt or "I spy" game out of it. I will tell them I am looking for a book about_____. and then let them find it, it sounds simple but we have found so many rabbit trails because of this activity. The boys will spot a book while they are searching for the one I asked for and want to read it or ask a question about something the see on a cover.
Check out local children's museums and water parks. Many tourist destinations also have group rates, get a group of friends together and save money on many field trips. 
Play tourist in our own county by checking out all those travel brochures usually found at the visitor information centers in rest stops, you may even find something new.


What are your favorite summer field trip type activities?