School Related | For my children

2014-2015 Homeschool Class

Another year older, another year ahead for learning!

My second grader…I have a true second grader to teach again! Teaching second grade in the public school system was my last paying job before this young man entered my world in May of 2007.

My kindergartener, by law she is an official student ready for everything.

My pre-preschooler, in “tot school” following her brother and sister!

I have my work cut out for me!

She’s not so sure.

I wonder myself…..

Wish us luck!

My thoughts…

I taught in the public school system for thirteen years as a first and second grade teacher. I have been trained to support a strong foundation in educating children. Most importantly, I have always felt it was my duty to inspire a child to explore learning as a joy, thus creating a lifelong learner.

I had never intended to leave my public teaching job. After having my first child, I then found myself needing to take a one year leave to care for his very colicky needs. One year turned to two after having my second child eighteen months later. Later a third child joined our family and my soul discovered the path and goal was educating my own.

I quickly found teaching them was the biggest blessings I had ever experienced. Not only was it a blessing but a responsibility. Many things pertaining to the pace and expectations from the public schools, as well as the lack of guidance spiritually, helped me finalize my plans to educate at home. My children have been homeschooled for their whole life. Connecting a knowledge of God to our learning and everyday life skills has been the guidance I needed for each of their lives. Starting with life skills, moving on to preschool skills, and now the complete process of education, we are learning and truly enjoying our choices. In our home I am able to maintain high expectations, yet exercise flexibility to each of their unique needs and learning styles. Educating at home also allows me to guard their innocence. Each of my children are thriving at home, in social settings with others, in church, and most importantly in their hearts.

My husband and I feel completely blessed to facilitate the joy of learning for our three children. The connection they are having to the world around them and for the love of their family is priceless. Leading them to love God, learning, and one another has brought our family full circle.

Our schedule for homeschooling is primarily year round, continuing throughout the summer. However for the 2014-2015 school year, we officially began on August 4. We homeschool five days a week for about five hours spread throughout the day. We meet monthly with the Kodak Homeschool group for field trips and socialization as well as attend weekly readings at our local library.

We realize our blessings all around us and know we are living the dream.

September 16, 2014
Categories: Photos, School Related . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Question Me Please…9/2014

My silly birds that I love so much.
We completed our fun little interview that we do at the start of each new school year. Isabela didn’t answer some of them so I left them blank or answered a couple with my thoughts. Jackson and Abigail’s answers are evolving a bit more as they mature. I love adding this insight into the story I am trying to tell of their history.

“My name is…”

J- Jackson Sawyer
A- Abigail Julienne
I- Isabela Jolie Hall (Isa-belwa)

“I am…”
J- 7 years old
A- a girl that is 5
I- a baby

“My favorite color is…”
J- dark tree green
A- pink
I- purple

“The best thing about school is…”
J- Math
A- Reading
I- crayons

“My favorite book/s is/are…”
J- “Sports Illustrated Big Book of Who Football” and “Magic Tree House”
A- “The Little Duck”
I- “Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See”

“Something that frustrates me is…”
J- the girls walking over my cars when I am playing with them
A- Jackson being mean to me
I- (mommy says) not getting my way/being tired

“My favorite thing to do is…”
J- ride in the truck to church
A- play with puppy and ride my bike
I- play baby dolls

“The best place to go is…”
J- swimming at deep pools
A- the beach
I- Target

“My favorite foods are…”
J- pizza and carrots
A- peaches and bananas
I- green beans and frozen fruit

“I don’t enjoy eating…”
J- quinoa or mushrooms
A- mushrooms or Bojangle’s spicy chicken
I- meat

“My favorite TV show is…”
J- “Wild Krats”
A- “Peter Rabbit”
I- “Daniel Tiger”

“Something special for me to do is…”
J- kayak on the lake
A- play with my ducks
I- water flowers

“I am really good at…”
J- throwing a football and cooking
A- hoola-hooping and singing Bible songs
I- flipping and playing

“When I was little I used to…”
J- ride on my battery powered four wheeler
A- suck on my pink tiger binkey
I- ………..

“My best friend is…”
J- my sisters and Elijah
A- Isabela
I- daddy

“What makes me the happiest is…”
J- playing Stack the States and Countries on IPAD
A- playing with Mommy
I- holding my blankie

“What makes me the saddest is…”
J- losing privileges
A- not having my ducks anymore
I- not getting my binkie

“My favorite song is…”
J- “Am I Wrong”
A- “All Things Bright and Beautiful”
I- “Fancy”

“Something that scares me is…”
J- tornados
A- bears and other wild animals
I- thunder

“My favorite animals are…”
J- ducks and horses
A- ducks, puppies, and kitties
I- all kinds

“Jesus…”
J- helps me when I’m bad or sad
A- loves me!
I- was a baby

“Three words that tell about me are…”
J- wild, silly, smart
A- funny, happy, and loving
I- (mommy says) sweet, spunky, fearless

“Someplace I hope to visit one day is…”
J- Alaska
A- The Bahamas
I- the beach

“When I grow up I want to be a…”
J- logger and a football player
A- vet doctor and a photographer
I- a mommy that is a mam

“This year I hope to learn about…”
J- multiplication
A- playing the piano
I- (mommy says) being patient and writing an “s”

I can’t believe how fast they are growing!

Football time in Tennessee!
I love to watch them play, giggle, and talk.

True happiness and excitement leading into a new year for learning!

September 14, 2014
Categories: Abigail's Work, Isabela's Work, Jackson's Work, Moments of Joy, School Related . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

2014-2015 School Curriculum

We are starting another year of educating at home. This year will take some trial and error as I decide what each needs. Also it will take a bit of manipulation, teaching, as well as keeping three occupied with substance for learning all that we can.

A second grader, a kindergartener, and a tot/preschooler

Jackson will be registered as a second grader. Since much of last year I exposed him to second grade work, I will start the year out reviewing many of our units in both math and reading before starting third grade level skills. I do not feel as a seven year old he is fully ready for the independence required for all third grade work just yet, however he will need challenged as we go along and I will learn to be more flexible with him.

SPELLING, daily
Scott Foresman Everyday Spelling, Grade 3

READING, daily
All About Reading, level 3
ABEKA levels 2-3
Continue with Magic Tree House Series

PHONICS, daily
Continue Steck-Vaughn level C

ENGLISH, Monday, Wednesday, Friday
First Language Lessons, level 2
DOL

MATH, daily
Harcourt math, units 4-6 grade 2
We will review and finish up Geometry, Time, Money, Measurement, Fractions, and an Introduction to Multiplication Concepts.

SCIENCE, twice weekly
Continue with Biology for the Grammar Stage- Study of the Life of Plants
Harcourt Science-continue with level 2
Little Scientists Hands On Activities
We will continue to observe the life around us where we live and in the vineyard and recognize what things share this space with us.
Jackson will also work to complete portions of the Junior Ranger Program of the Great Smoky Mountains National park ages 7-8

SOCIAL STUDIES/GEOGRAPHY, twice weekly
Investigate the Biographies of Famous Americans
Study Native Americans
Study where things come from. Explore the concept that things we use must be grown or manufactured.
Continue to name, identify, and locate the 50 states and their capitals.

BIBLE, daily
90 Devotions for Kids
100 Bible Stories by Stephen Elkins
We will continue with our character study using We Choose Virtues. Lessons and Vocabulary will consist of PERSEVERANT, PATIENT, SELF-CONTROLLED, OBEDIENT, CONTENT, FORGIVING, ATTENTIVE, DILIGENT, KIND, GENTLE, HELPFUL, and HONEST.

We will be working with Literature Pockets Aesop’s Fables grades 2-3. Fables included will be The Tortoise and the Hare, The Lion and the Mouse, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, The Milkmaid and Her Pail, The Miller, His Son, and Their Donkey, The Fox and the Goat, The Fox and the Stork, The Cat, the Rooster, and the Mouse.

Abigail will be registered as a Kindergartener. Since she began reading this past winter, some of our educational plan will not be the typical kindergarten study. Although we will continue with cutting, coloring, better letter formations, sharing, socializing five year old skills, we will be working ahead in some first grade areas as she needs the challenges.

SPELLING, daily
We will start the year using Zaner Bloser Spelling Connections. There are 35 units I will mix in some of the ABEKA list as well as some sight words from her weekly readings.

READING, daily
Continue using ABEKA K as well as completing All About Reading Level 1

PHONICS, daily
Scott Foresman grade 1 workbook.
Also, finish the second half of the year using The Complete Book of Phonics Ages 4-8 by American Educating Publishing.

ENGLISH, Monday, Wednesday, Friday
First Language Lessons for the Well Trained Mind, Level 1
DOL determined by me

Math, daily
Combination of grade 1 Harcourt and Scott Foresman workbooks
Math fact drills numbers to 10 and numbers to 20. Abigail will complete writing her numbers to 1,000 by Christmas and then begin writing backwards to one in the Spring. We will work on patterns, comparing numbers, and simple addition and subtraction.

SCIENCE, twice weekly
Elemental Science Level 1 Exploring Science with Science Play Beginning Discoveries. We will observe the life around us where we live and in the vineyard and recognize what things share this space with us.
This year Abigail will also work to complete portions of the Junior Ranger Program of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park ages 5-6.

SOCIAL STUDIES/GEOGRAPHY, twice weekly
ABEKA K
We will also study the various American holidays and celebrations, as well as start exposure to locate and name some of the fifty states in the USA.

BIBLE, daily
My First hands-On Bible
Playful Songs & Bible Stories for Preschoolers
The Beginner’s Bible for Toddlers
Memorizing The Lord’s Prayer, The Ten Commandments, and other bible verses.
We will also be working on character using We Choose Virtues. Lessons will cover perseverant, patient,self-controlled, obedient, content, forgiving, attentive, diligent, kind, gentle helpful and honest.

HANDWRITING, daily
Determined by me including copy work, dictation, and creative writing.

We will be working with Literature Pockets Nursery Rhymes. Weekly, we will learn a rhyme as well as complete activities with each rhyme. The first 12 rhymes will be A Little Bird, Little Miss Muffet, My Black Hen, Jack and Jill, Little Bo Peep, I Caught a Fish Alive, Pease Porridge, Rub-a-Dub-Dub, Sing a Song of Sixpence, To Market, To Market, One, Two, Buckle my Shoe, and Diddle Diddle Dumpling.

We will complete Draw-Write-Now, A Drawing and Handwriting Course for Kids, Book 1, On the Farm, Kids and Critters, and Storybook Characters

Sweetness here will hopefully continue learning to recognize her alphabet, at least the letters in her full name, as well as her numbers to 5. We will finish writing her first name, work on address and phone number, and continue with life skills. Isabela will join our Science, Art, Nursery Rhymes, Character study, and Bible lessons. She will mostly just learn through playing and watching, experiencing life’s blessings all around her.

September 6, 2014
Categories: Abigail's Work, Isabela's Work, Jackson's Work, School Related . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Work in Progress

Jackson finished another book in his series.
Moving on now to the final book in Level 3

A letter sent to Amy Jo as part of our thank you letter study.

By Abigail, a drawing of she and Isabela on a spring morning

By Isabela, a flower under rain

I wasn’t too pleased with his first “quick/rushed” attempt at writing a summary. After sitting together and discussing, his next try was much more satisfactory.

Second tooth lost!

Sad that we couldn’t find the tooth but at least I still get my smiley girl.
She was satisfied because the fairy left her a note saying she liked the tooth drawing that was left in place of the real tooth.

Abigail gave these to Papaw

Love Jackson, even though he mispelled “friend”

Jackson chose to describe the steps of planting peppers for a Language assignment.

An example of one of Abigail’s Spelling test.

Photographs by Abigail, enjoying her study/observations of the sky and clouds

Puzzle by Abigail

Proud of his completion to his new Smoky Mountain puzzle. Over 500 pieces, it took him about two weeks to finish. One missing piece…

His idea for playing in Papaw’s building and having cake!

Jackson has memorized all of these prepositions! He can quickly recite them. Now we wait to see if he uses them in his writing.

Happy Earth Day.
We even planted seeds!

Over the past week Abigail had started ABC order as well as trying to put together a sentence with five words.

Spelling test, actually not a 100, Maine is not correct.

Happy Birthday Janice

Papaw gave Jackson the job of finding all of the cities of the March Madness teams.

300-400

By Abigail, she described this as a birthday cake for Jackson. She said she had a hard time getting the seven crayons to all stand as candles.

We took the classroom outdoors working on our Junior Ranger Badges

The ranger signed both of their workbooks at the end of the study.

We learned a great deal of information about the black bear.

April 14, 2014
Categories: Abigail's Art, Abigail's Work, Isabela's Work, Jackson's Art, Jackson's Work, School Related, Uncategorized . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

In Between Snows

“My tooth got loose in my nap!”
Abigail told me this and I almost didn’t believe it. I told her to leave it alone, it would be a while before it was ready. Mommy was wrong! She has her tooth cupped in her hand.

There is her happy smile missing her first baby tooth.
That night as she was eating her salad, it fell out. Without any big commotion she laid it on the table saying, “Here Mommy, my tooth just came out!”

Isabela wonders when her tooth will fall out!

She re-told me what happened and I wrote it down. She copied my sentences in writing time.

Her excitement was sweet. She was happy the fairy thought she had a healthy tooth from eating her crunchy fruits and veggies.

We are proud of her patience waiting on her first tooth, her bravery to let the tooth fairy come in the night, and mostly just her excitement at recognizing a milestone in her life.

Craft time, decorating snowflakes for the possibility of an upcoming snow.

He’s ran all over the house this month yelling plays and throwing passes. A great smile in his favorite jersey.

Teamwork swinging the little bunny

Knight in training

Love this sweet moment. She is holding her favorite possession, Puppy, and they have matching pajamas.

Warm tea party time

She says she is “doing schoolwork”. This is Abigail’s practice booklet.

Of course it was covered with scribbles but also she had made circles, nice circles, around the numbers. She sat for minutes finishing it.

I’m really proud of Miss Abigail. Finally we are not only recognizing some words, she has completed four stories in the Level 1 Reader. Hoping now to see her confidence bloom!

Our favorite story subject at the moment is anything Biscuit!
The not so good thing here that I won’t show in a photo, Isabela decided those famous circles she loves making would look great around the letters inside this book! I think I’m right in saying, she is the first of the three to scribble inside the pages of a book!

Bubbles, bubbles, and more bubbles for mush beards.

I’m happy with his complete thoughts and structure of his paragraph. The negative…we need to work on our handwriting. Pushing him to slow down and hang on to the handwriting I’ve always liked seeing from him.

We have a new hobby…coin collecting.
Ever since I was a little girl I have watched Papaw shine, sort, and add coins to the booklets. Now Jayden and Jackson are beginning their coin collections. Here Jackson is showing his almost completed state quarters. We have slowly started the National Parks and Buffalo Nickels. I must say, Papaw is thrilled they are showing an interest!

Finally, we are in a new reader, beginning our study of the human body, and starting a new Magic Tree House story “Hour of the Olympics” in honor of the winter games.

February 1, 2014
Categories: Abigail's Work, Isabela's Work, Jackson's Work, Photos, School Related . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Writing/Work Samples

I’ve enjoyed tracking their ever changing writing styles. Sometimes I have been so excited to capture their growth in sharpening proper letter formation. Other times I have had to witness their lazy and rushed attitude for just completing the assignment. Either way, I am happy that technology allows me to capture these moments.

After completing our lesson on letter writing, Jackson had to address and send a thank you letter in the mail.

Our topic was to write about “Girls”

Topic, “write about a time when someone helped you”

By Jackson, simple yet priceless with the conversation between “Jackson and Elijah”

This was what Jackson made for Debbie’s birthday.
He used the lesson of Dogs in our “Draw Write Now” Art activities.

Morning writing assignments for Abigail was to make thank you notes for her birthday gifts.

We also sent letters to Aunt Brooke, Uncle Mikey, Jaydie and Elijah, and Nana and Papaw.
Hopefully hand written thank you’s will be a skill they use forever!

Abigail’s angel

By Abigail, this is her with Jackson and Isabela pretending to be angels

Abigail’s three treasures…her puppy, her bunny, and her blankie

For the past month Jackson has started reading “The Magic Tree House” books by Mary Pope Osborne. He has completed books 1-4. These four books are about the mystery of the tree house where the characters travel to the time of dinosaurs, medieval times with a knight, ancient Egypt with a mummy, and with pirates searching for a buried treasure.

At the end of each book he takes a written test.
We look forward to reading all 28 books in “The Magic Tree House” series.

A sample of Social Studies assessment chapter 4

A recent Spelling test of Jackson’s

Abigail is very proud of herself…me too!

Isabela “plays” school with her circles, letter I and X, and a triangle.

School time is a blessed time! The moments are full of sweat, tears, frustrations, and zapped energies…however we are a little more educated, a little more prepared, and a whole lot stronger for it. I love being the teacher of my three!

December 15, 2013
Categories: Abigail's Art, Abigail's Work, Isabela's Work, Jackson's Art, Jackson's Work, Observations, School Related . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Question Me Please… 9/2013

Again for fun, I conducted an individual interview with Jackson and Abigail. Some of their answers have changed, some have stayed the same. I enjoyed watching their thought process before they answered. It really made me smile and feel so lucky to be a part of this new stage in their lives.

My name is JACKSON SAWYER HALL.
I am SIX years old.
My favorite color is RED.
The best things about school are READING and PAINTING DURING ART.
My favorite books are BIG TRUCK BOOKS.
Something that frustrates me is when ABIGAIL AGGRAVATES ME AT BEDTIME.
My favorite thing to do is PLAY TRUCKS and HIT BALLS.
The best places to go are DOLLYWOOD and THE INTERSTATE.
My favorite foods are PIZZA, STARBUCK’S STICKY BUNS, and STRUDLES.
I don’t enjoy eating ONIONS, MUSHROOMS, or COUSCOUS.
My favorite TV shows are MIKE THE KNIGHT and MAX AND RUBY.
Something special for me is GETTING TO HELP DADDY.
I am really good at DRIVING(STEERING) DADDY’S TRUCK AND THE TRACTOR.
When I was little I used to CRY A LOT!
My best friends are ELIJAH, JAYDEN, AND MY SISTERS.
What makes me the happiest is IF I GET A NEW TOY.
What makes me the saddest are TIME OUTS.
My favorite song is CRUISE.
Something that scares me are BEARS.
My favorite animals are BUNNIES, DEER, and TURKEY.
Jesus DIED ON THE CROSS FOR MY SINS.
Three words that tell about me are SIX, JACKSON, FUNNY.
Someplace I hope to visit one day is THE ZOO.
When I grow up I want to be A LOG CUTTER.
This year I hope to learn ABOUT BONES AND THE BODY.

My name is ABIGAIL JULIENNE HALL.
I am FOUR AND A HALF years old.
My favorite color is PURPLE.
The best thing about school is COLORING and CUTTING.
My favorite book to listen to is THREE LITTLE KITTENS.
Something that frustrates me is WHEN JACKSON “BE’S” MEAN TO ME.
My favorite thing to do is PLAY DOLLS WITH ISABELA AND MOMMY.
The best place to go is THE BEACH.
My favorite foods to eat are CHEESE and PASTA.
I don’t enjoy eating MUSHROOMS.
My favorite TV shows are PETER RABBIT and PONY SHOW.
Something special for me is ABC MOUSE and COOKING WITH MOMMY.
I am really good at HOOLA HOOPING!
When I was little I used to LOVE MY BINKEY.
My best friends are ISABELA and JACKSON.
What makes me the happiest is PLAYING WITH MOMMY.
What makes me the saddest are THINGS THAT STING, TICKS, and CRYING.
My favorite songs are TREASURE and RUMOR HAS IT.
Something that scares me are BEARS, THUNDER, and YELLOW JACKETS.
My favorite animals are BUNNIES, KITTENS, and PUPPIES.
Jesus TELLS STORIES CALLED PARABLES.
Three words that tell about me are NICE, SILLY, LOVE.
Someplace I hope to visit one day is A PET STORE.
When I grow up I want to be a PHOTOGRAPHER and A VET.
This year I hope to learn how to READ.

You can refer back to the last “Question Me Please” on 8/21/12.

Aggravating her big brother

As always, he gives in

Although they list the other as their major source of frustration, they truly are INSEPARABLE!

September 1, 2013
Categories: Interview, School Related . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Our 2013-2014 School Curriculum

I can’t believe another school year is already here! Jackson turned six in May and finished his Kindergarten year. This year I have registered him as an official first grader even though last year I challenged him with a first grade curriculum. I am planning on taking the first four to six weeks to continue with some first grade Math skills. We will review our unit on time, money, and measurement of liquids before starting our second grade curriculum. I will also do the same in Reading, expecting him to work in second grade. I have the flexibility to tweak it as we go along because I just don’t feel as a six year old first grader, he is completely ready for the independence required for all second grade skills just yet.

As with Abigail, she will be an official Preschooler/Pre-K this year. She has mastered both identifying as well as writing all of her ABC’s…on most days. We will focus the year on improving her handwriting and continue to learn the sounds for each as well as blending into words. My goal is to have her reading by the end of the year…we’ll see. In her Math, she can count and write to 100 however from time to time, does forget how to write some of them and lacks a specific confidence I’d like to see. We will also work on patterns, comparing numbers, and simple addition and subtracting. Mostly I will continue to follow her lead. Some days she works very hard and is open to really trying to learn, other days the motivation seems to be lacking. She will also follow along in Science, Social Studies, and other areas with Jackson. I’m looking to expose her to the world of learning at this point rather than expecting complete mastery. With her, I am hoping to see the light click on and her feel the joy of learning something new.

Finally, Isabela is ALWAYS the one that wants school time with Jackson and Abigail. It is no pushing her to come sit with a pencil and paper or crayons. Se will continue to be exposed to life and hopefully love to learn about the world around her.

Our second journey of homeschooling awaits us!

SPELLING, daily
We will be finishing up ABEKA Grade 1, list 20-30
I will then combine list from Macmillan and All About Reading, as well as vocabulary words from other areas in our curriculum

READING, daily
We will be finishing in Grade 1 of Macmillan/McGraw-Hill before moving on to Grade 2
By Christmas I hope to be using All About Reading Level 3

PHONICS, daily
Steck-Vaugn Level C, Grade 2

ENGLISH, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
First Language Lessons of the Well Trained Mind, Level 2
I will also take from Houghton Mifflin and Macmillan/McGraw-Hill
DOL determined by me

MATH, daily
Harcourt Math Grade 2

SCIENCE, twice weekly (Abigail will be included)
Biology for the Grammar Stage, 1 and 2 where we will have 20 weeks of a study of animals, 10 weeks of studying the human body, and 6 weeks for studying plants
Harcourt Science Level 1
We will continue to observe the life around us where we live, in the vineyard, and in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

SOCIAL STUDIES/GEOGRAPHY, twice weekly (Abigail will be included)
Houghton Mifflin 1, Schools and Neighborhoods as well as map skills
We will continue our exposure to naming and locating the fifty states in the USA

BIBLE, daily (Abigail will be included)
Jesus Storybook Bible, 45 story/Lessons from the Old and New Testament
100 Bible Stories by Stephen Elkins, story/verse/song from the Old and New Testament

We will also be completing our character study using We Choose Virtues. Lessons and Vocabulary will consist of learning…I am PERSEVERANT, PATIENT, SELF-CONTROLLED, OBEDIENT, CONTENT, FORGIVING, ATTENTIVE, DILIGENT, KIND, GENTLE, HELPFUL, and HONEST.

HANDWRITING, daily (Abigail will be included)
Determined by me including copy work, dictation, and creative writing

We will be working with Literature Pockets Folktales and Fairy Tales, Grade K-1
The stories and activities we will use are “The Little Red Hen, The Three Little Pigs, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Gingerbread Man, Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, and Too Much Noise”

Also we will complete Draw-Write-Now, A Drawing and Handwriting Course for Kids, Book 1, On the Farm, Kids and Critters, and Storybook Characters

SPANISH (Abigail will be included)
Introduction to Spanish Latin America Level 1 using RosettaStone Homeschool

Wish us well on our exciting adventure!

August 26, 2013
Categories: School Related . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

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