Two Weeks Until 2nd Grade

I’m not sure if I’m really ready to move Sophie ahead another grade. She’s made her way through first, well almost all of it anyhow.

Our math, RightStart, will continue on through part of second grade. I’ve been doing Singapore 1A with her in addition to RS. Sometime around Thanksgiving we’ll start level C of RS. I don’t know if I plan to continue with Singapore in addition to RS. I had Singapore sitting around and thought I’d just use it.

I’m looking forward to history more than any other subject this year. We’ll be doing the Story of the World again. This year we’ll be going through volume 2 – the middle ages. This includes the renaissance, which is my favorite time to read about.

Science is Sophie’s favorite subject. We will be using R.E.A.L. Earth science by www.pandiapress.com It’s secular and has lots of experiments. I like that it includes notebooking, nature journaling, and read-alouds.

Grammar/English/Spelling is our beefiest area. We will be using many programs that I wish would mold into one giant, awesome curriculum.

Grammar- Primary Language Lessons. This is available in the public domain on google reader, but I’ve purchased a hardcover copy so that we can do it without needing the internet. I really like this version written by Emma Serl. It has a copyright date of 1911, which I think is cool. I never thought I would be utilizing a book that is nearly 100 years old in my homeschool.

Spelling- All About Spelling. I love this. Sophie loves this. It’s hands on and scripted, both are my top priority when seeking out curriculum. I don’t always follow the script, but sometimes it’s nice to have when things go crazy. Usually the script is right on and clicks with Sophie. Whereas Sophie is usually in tears if I try to explain things on my own because I go on and on and on. Too much information without a clear path would be my teaching style.

Handwriting- Handwriting Without Tears. We didn’t use a program when she was younger. Her handwriting was pretty good, but I wanted to really tidy it up before we started cursive. She’s started to teach herself cursive, which I’m trying to discourage, so as soon as we finish up Printing Power (the 2nd grade level of HWT) we’ll be using either New American Cursive or HWT cursive. I haven’t decided yet.

Phonics- Explode the Code. She’s on book 6 and almost finished. We will not be doing books 7 & 8. We like them, but she really doesn’t need them at this point it’s just filler. Well, actually it’s another case of I own it and she’ll use it.

Art will be taught by TDH using Drawing With Children.

Music will be composer study that coincides with history.

I’m anxious to begin. I need to repair the scan feature of my printer and buy a few last minute things and we’ll be all set.

from yarn and sticks to

:: cute newborn sized pants::

:: toddler boy shorts ::

and more on the needles..

i ♥ knitting

What to do about stinky a diaper pail

I recently purchased some foaming bootie wash. It smells wonderful and I love how clean it gets Atticus’s tush. While I was shopping for the bootie wash I saw that they sold something called pail powder. I used to sprinkle plain baking soda in Sophie’s pail, but for whatever reason I’ve never used it in Atticus’s pail. I love yummy smelling things and looked into the powder. The ingredients were so simple — baking soda and essential oil. They were charging about 20 times more than a box of baking soda and a few drops of EO would cost so I decided to make my own. I went to the health food store and purchased sweet orange essential oil at 40% off -hooray for sales- and came home and went to work. I put a half cup of baking soda and 5-7 drops of the EO into a cup and stirred. Then I placed it in a shaker purchased in the catering section of the party supply store. The result is a yummy smelling powder to sprinkle in the pail to keep the stinkies away.

:: you can see my reflection in the top of the shaker. hey y’all::