Almost free Homeschooling...

I don't know about you...but I'm tired of spending loads of money to try and meet the needs of our Homeschooling.  There has got to be a more practical way without such or any expense.

So, as of right now, I am on a mission to see if I can homeschool my children without buying any more resources or a least keeping it to bare minimal.  So, the plan is obviously to utilize the public  library more efficiently, free on-line resources and  keep a look out for freebies and give-aways (which I'll post when I find some). 

So wish me luck and I'll keep you posted.

Enjoy the Ride!
Brook

One Thousand Gifts @ an Awsome price!!!

If you ever heard of Ann Vonskamp, you know she is the author of an inspiring book called One Thousand Gifts.  Right now at CBD her book is priced 59% off!!!!  Head over and take a look for yourself...just click the link below:

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are By Ann Voskamp Discover a way of seeing that opens your eyes to everyday amazing grace, a way of living that is fully alive, and a way of experiencing the constant presence of God that will bring you deep and lasting joy. There is purity in simplicity and a breathtaking beauty that can be found even in life's slightest details. Ann Voskamp welcomes you in to explore her grace-bathed life of farming, parenting and writing and encourages you to draw nearer to Him and experience your own life in a deeper way, no matter where you are. Renew your appreciation for the beauty that permeates all creation with the wisdom-soaked pages of this Christian Living treasure.

What's Happening @ Currlick...

 

 

 

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The Homeschool Bus "Book Spotlight"...

This "Book Spotlight" is on the classic Bambi by Felix Salten (Note: My understanding this is not the original but the abridged version.  It appears to be very difficult to locate an original.)

If you are like me, when you think of Bambi you think of Disney's version of Bambi-the colorful whimsical movie we all grew up on and love.  And we can't forget the tearful moments where Bambi loses his mother and the forest fire that convicts all children that hunters are bad-which, I don't completely agree with, because I come from a long line of hunters and for them it was a matter of supplying for their family and survival.

The original Bambi was written intentionally as an adult novel, but it so colorfully written that it intrigues and delights the youngest of readers and listeners.  I was delightfully impressed with the abundance of vivid words and pictures they created-though I had to look some of the words up for clarification.  My children would beg for me to read more as they too were caught up in the imagery of wild life.

The differences between this version and Disney's version is:
An abundance of rich colorful words for description.  It almost reads like poetry.

1. Not sugar coated-it is a literary observation of wild life.
2. There is no Thumper or Flower (Bummer, I know).
3. There is no forest fire. But still a very shocking, uncomfortable, sobering scene that needs adult discretion towards the end of the book.  It's difficult to have to relate such sobering events to children but when done carefully it adds to the value of the story.

Overall, I highly recommend this book as a read-a-loud for the family. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.  And if I'm ever fortunate to find and read a copy of the original I'll post my thoughts.

Enjoy the ride,
Brook

A little help for Moms this Holiday Season...

I'm not a guru on home management or organization.  I'm still learning like the rest of us.  But I have found that a prepared Menu and keeping inventory of the items within our home to be a true blessing in our busy homeschooling days.  So, I have posted a free December Menu and Inventory Chart to the bottom of my "All About Routine" Page. Feel free to take a look and print out for your own use if you desire. 


I hope it is useful to someone.

Blessings,
Brook

For Us Moms...

For some encouragement to all us Moms wanting to be the "Super MOM"...

A 2nd Generation of Homeschooling

Science and Creation and Homeschooling...

For our family, like any other family, our faith and education is very important.  We strive to make sure our children are very grounded in both.  More importantly, we hold God's word as authority and see God in all creation in this world around us.

But just because we are creationists, we do not withhold information of evolution from our children.  In fact, I want them to know it- so that they can know how to defend their faith and think for themselves.  I will check out secular science books for my children to read.  We then discuss the information and then go the bible and creation resources and discuss some more about what we have learned from both sides.

Our favorite tools and resources come from Answers in Genesis.  We receive their quarterly magazine, Answers Magazine  (the children love the kid's section), and use it to help supplement our science lessons.  

As a testimony, Answers in Genesis was one of the first resources that helped solidify our faith by having the answers we were seeking when we were new Christians trying reconcile God and evolution.  Ken Ham helped us see that it's OK to take Genesis as literal history and how it strengthens the faith of a Christian and that science can and does support the Creator.

What resources do you find helpful when teaching science?