Friday, September 20, 2013

Homeschool Mother's Journal/Weekly Wrap-Up September 21


In our homeschool this week:

What a busy, yet fun-filled and wonderful week it has been!  :-)

Sunday, a family with whom we have become friends, invited us over to watch our football team's home opener.  They have a lovely home and are just the best people.  We all had a great time.  The photo below shows the dads and sons all playing football themselves during halftime.



Monday was a pretty uneventful day, with the kiddos working on different subjects.  Kiddo #3 in the photo below is working on a game where the player decides which "to, two, too" to use in each sentence.  Kiddos 1 and 2 had their English and Algebra online classes.



Tuesday was my birthday and was a great day!  It started with being treated to a delicious takeout breakfast by my parents.  Kiddo #4 made me a skirt in sewing class to match her own!  I was happy to wear it for the day.  :-) The Kiddos, some very dear friends (the same that had us over on Sunday) and I then headed to the Sights and Sounds Theatre in Lancaster, PA for their production of "Noah."




Before the show, we had our own little picnic lunch on the theatre grounds and my sweet and thoughtful friend then took out homemade cupcakes and sang to me for my birthday.  Isn't she just wonderful?  I was so surprised and touched by her kindness.


There are no words that would give the show the justice it would deserve.  It was such a powerful and touching performance.  The sets were mind-boggling and the animals added a beautiful touch.



The day ended with me being spoiled with nice gifts and my odd choice of a birthday dinner: Make your own ice cream sundaes!  Hey, you're only 45 once, right?  :-)



On Wednesday, we had our first day of co-op.  I wasn't sure what to expect, being brand new and not knowing anyone.  My children and I were all a bit apprehensive.  Everyone was very friendly and welcoming and the kids felt comfortable and really enjoyed themselves.  They had art, music, gym and religion classes, in addition to lunch and recess.  I helped out as an "assistant" in various rooms.  Much relief here, that's for sure.  :-)  And, we are all looking forward to next week.

Thursday was another relatively uneventful day, trying to get lots of schoolwork done, since we were definitely not "home" schoolers this week, lol.  I did have to share Kiddo #4 working on her newest creations, her Rainbow Loom bracelets.  She has mastered all of the "beginner" styles and took it upon herself to view videos to learn how to make the intermediate styles.  They are NOT easy, let me tell you.



On Friday, we headed to Cherry Crest Adventure Farm for the last day of their homeschool week.  Wow.  What an amazing place!  When they say that there are 50+ activities for kids to do and enjoy, they aren't kidding!  And, of course, there is the 5 acre corn maze.  Yes, 5 acres!  :-)  I am going to write a whole post on the trip in a few days, so stay tuned, but I couldn't write of our week without including it even a little.





Hubby is actually off from work on Saturday (that is VERY rare.  In fact, it probably only happens a couple of times a year), so we are planning a surprise for the kiddos.  I can't divulge anything else since they are my most devoted readers, but I will definitely write about it (and share photos) in the next few days.

My posts this week:
Try a New Recipe Tuesday (there are a lot of wonderful recipes shared.  come take a look!)
Hearts for Home Blog Hop (there are always inspiring and creative posts shared)
Field Trip Friday Blog Hop (wonderful memories are being made.  lots of field trips shared)
My Review of PeopleKeys

What we are looking forward to next week:
Bethany Beach.  Kiddo #1 and Hubby attend the NASCAR race and the other kiddos and I enjoy the area and do some sightseeing.  :-)

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  God bless!  :-)

Linking up today with:  Homeschool Mother's JournalWeekly Wrap-UpNOBHShow-Off FridayLearn and Link and It's a WrapFriendship Friday and Friday Connection and Family Fun Friday and T.G.I.F. Linky Party and Let's Homeschool High School

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Thursday, September 19, 2013

Field Trip Friday- September 20

It is time again for Field Trip Friday!  I love seeing all of the wonderful places that you visit with your families.  :-)  I am happy to be joining my friend Jen at Chestnut Grove Academy for her wonderful linkup.  Also co-hosting with me is Misty from Mimi's House.  Be sure to visit their blogs, as well!  :-)




There were such wonderful posts shared last week.  They included everything from unscheduled tea by a lake, to a visit to a D-Day landing ship to a trip to a national forest and an underground cave.  What amazing memories you all are making with your children!  I love it!  :-)




This blog hop is designed to share 'FIELD TRIP' related blog posts (does not have to be a homeschool field trip.  It can be ANY trip to ANY place with your children!  :-)


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Hearts at Home Blog Hop- September 19

Welcome to the Hearts for Home Blog Hop!  I am thrilled to be a co-host!     :-)


The most clicked on post from last week was:


(WOW!  I am honored!  Thank you!)

A few of my favorite posts were:





Were you featured this week?  If so, congratulations and help yourself to one of our "I was featured" buttons to display on your blog.




Hearts for Home Blog Hop
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.upsidedownhomeschooling.com/hearts-for-home/" title="Hearts for Home Blog Hop" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/upsidedownhomeschool/HFHFeature_zpse5060e68.jpg" alt="Hearts for Home Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Are you ready to share your posts this week?  Let's go!  Use the form below to enter your links.  Posts can be anything that shows your heart is for your home: homeschooling, homemaking, parenting, marriage, faith, family, crafts, etc.  Please just kindly link back to this blog or display our Hearts for Home button in your post or on your sidebar.




Hearts for Home Blog Hop
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.upsidedownhomeschooling.com/hearts-for-home/" title="Hearts for Home Blog Hop" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/upsidedownhomeschool/HFH150_zpsf22ef64f.jpg" alt="Hearts for Home Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Happy Hopping!  :-)

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Monday, September 16, 2013

Try a New Recipe Tuesday- September 17


This week, I am sharing my own recipe in a separate post and have it linked up below.  :-)


Here are the features from last week.  All of the recipes shared were wonderful!











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Sunday, September 15, 2013

TOS Review- PeopleKeys

Today I am reviewing the Student Strengths Report from PeopleKeys.



Our 15 year old son (Kiddo #1) took their online Student Strengths Assessment.


Almost instantly, we were given access to a report of 34 pages, which explained how he learns best.  It was divided into three sections: Personality Styles, Learning Styles and Cognitive Thinking Skills.  Only several of the pages contained "results" for Kiddo.  The rest were general informational pages that were helpful about each learning, personality and cognitive style.



The questions were easy to complete and he was able to answer them independently.  I sat beside him in case he had any questions.

The report is extensive and reinforced some things we already knew about Kiddo #1, but also provided insight in some other areas.




Although a 30-minute online multiple choice assessment test cannot provide a complete picture of an individual, I think it is a good starting point for parents when beginning homeschooling their children.  Every child learns differently.  Some are visual learners, some are auditory learners.  Others are kinesthetic, or a combination of all three.  Their curriculum needs to be chosen and their education guided according to how they learn.  One size does not fit all.  That is a limitation of traditional schooling and even some homeschool curricula with the 'school in a box' philosophy.

The assessment given even provided feedback on the best setup for a learning environment, including suggestions for layout of their desk and sound. (some students do better with background music, others do not)

The report was broken down into the following sections:

  • Introduction- why learning styles are important
  • Perceptual Style- how you absorb information
  • Learning Tips- based on your style
  • Cognitive Style- how you process information
  • How you think- capitalizing on your strengths
  • Personality Style- strengths and limitations
  • Communication- improving and strengthening relationships
  • Action Plan- applying what you have learned


The online Student Strengths Report can be purchased from PeopleKeys for $20 and is suggested for ages 13-adult.  They have many other products including Career reports that were reviewed by my colleagues.  You can see them by clicking on the image below.

Photobucket



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Friday, September 13, 2013

Homeschool Mother's Journal/Weekly Wrap-Up September 14


Our first week of school has come and gone!  And it went really well.  :-)

On Monday, they were hard at work in their academics.  Kiddos 1 and 2 are doing well with their online classes.  On Monday, it was English and Algebra II.  Tuesdays is Apologetics.  On Monday night, our hometown football team, the Philadelphia Eagles had an amazing season debut.  Kiddo #2 was pretty psyched.  :-)

(my parents' basement has awesome space for us to do schoolwork)




I love seeing the kiddos practice their instruments


and working hard  :-)



On Friday, as a special treat for a week well done, we went out to lunch and to a local park.  They had such a good time!  And, there are still lots of yummy tomatoes coming from our garden.  :-)








One of my favorites of the week:
Our laminator arrived! (and has been getting LOTS of use!)  It was on sale at Amazon for only $24.99.   I used Mother's Day money and what a great gift it has turned out to be!  :-)



My posts this week:
Landmarks Matching Game Free Printable (this is SO much fun.  My kids love it!)

What we are looking forward to next week:
A football party on Sunday with good friends
My birthday on Tuesday and going to the performance of "Noah" at the Sights and Sounds Theatre with my children and good friends
A visit to Cherry Crest Farm in Lancaster County for their homeschool week festivities
(I will be sure to write about our adventures and post photos)

Linking up today with:  Homeschool Mother's JournalWeekly Wrap-UpNOBHShow-Off FridayLearn and Link and It's a WrapFriendship Friday and Friday Connection and Family Fun Friday and T.G.I.F. Linky Party and Let's Homeschool High School


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Field Trip Friday- September 13

It is time again for Field Trip Friday!  I love seeing all of the wonderful places that you visit with your families.  :-)  I am happy to be joining my friend Jen at Chestnut Grove Academy for her wonderful linkup.  Also co-hosting with me is Misty from Mimi's House.  Be sure to visit their blogs, as well!  :-)




There were such wonderful posts shared last week.  They included everything from San Francisco to a farm to a run by a lake.  What amazing memories you all are making with your children!  I love it!  :-)





This blog hop is designed to share 'FIELD TRIP' related blog posts (does not have to be a homeschool field trip.  It can be ANY trip to ANY place with your children!  :-)



Don't miss a thing! Subscribe to Home to 4 Kiddos by Email and get our posts sent right to your inbox!