Favorite Homeschooling Websites

Now that we are a few weeks into our new school year and many others are gearing up for theirs many people have been posting thier favorite websites. I thought it would be interesting to see what I come up with. Many times I go to a site, bookmark and then never return there. Of course, I usually go through my sites and find some that would have been helpful over the last few months.  These are the sites that I do go to on a regular basis.

1) http://welltrainedmind.com/forums/
I love to read the curriculum formus. I don't post much but I am always looking at what others are using. I don't change what we are using very often but it is always interesting to look at what else is out there. Many ideas for our days have come from these forums and some new curriculum options too.

2) http://www.veritaspress.com/
Book lists, oh how I love book lists. This site has given me many great ideas of books I have never heard of for Bryce to read independantly.

3) http://www.sonlight.com/
Another great site to look at the book lists. I actually think this is a great looking curriulum, just to much reading for our family.

4) http://heartofdakota.com/emerging-reader.php
Another book list, only this time for the emergent reader. I have use Hooked on Phonics to teach both Bryce and Micah to read. When they finish that, we then work through this list. I think it is wonderful because the boys started reading Level 2 books and finish reading short chapter books. I have found the transtion of longer books with pictures to short chapter books, a hard transition to make and this list has helped in many, many ways.

5) http://www.abookintime.com/ancients/ancientworld.html
One more booklist site, this is what you get when you are a planner. Lots of lists, then you can find enough quality, reviewed books in the local library.

6) http://www.homeschoolshare.com/
Great FREE lapbooks and unit studies.

7) http://www.learningpage.com/main/home.html
You do need to create an account for this site but it is free. I like to use the Theme Sheets. In fact, we are going to do a space unit in Sept and almost everything will come from this site.

8) http://www.worksheetworks.com/
Great site to be able create free worksheets. I really like that I am able to create different math sheets for review for the boys.

9) http://donnayoung.org/index.htm
I have found the schedules here the most useable for our family. Although, I don't seem to stick to them for long.

10) http://www.fun4thebrain.com/index.html
When I do let the kids online, they are set up here for games that are past the preschool age.

11) www.pbskids.org
My boys favorite site, they love to play games with their TV pals.

Cabin Weekend

For the first time this summer, we headed up to Grandma and Grandpa's cabin. Bryce caught the only fish. Lucy jumped off the dock. She didn't seem to mind swimming but only joined us the one time. Micah and Matthew had fun digging in the "sandbox" otherwise known as the fire pit to us adults.  Derek and I enjoyed lots of time to enjoy the kids and relax. It is amazing how just getting away to the cabin puts everyone in a good mood.

Philistine Warriors

We are currently studing Ancient Israel. Bryce is absulutly loving learning Old Testament history.

Yesterday, the boys made Philistine Warrior Helmets.


Brcye listening to Derek read.

From Philistine Warriors

Matthew as Goliath

From Philistine Warriors

From Philistine Warriors

Swimming at Grandma's

Last weekend, we celebrated Grandpa and Uncle Jim's birthdays.  It was a gorgous day so we headed to the pool at my parent's complex. The kids had so much fun playing in the pool.

Bryce ready to jump.

From Swimming at Grandma's

Micah swimming with a ball - that he didn't want to let go of.

From Swimming at Grandma's

Great-Grandma watching. She is going to run away, we all know it. She sat with all the great-grandkids at dinner and didn't miss abeat. They all were told when they were misbehaving and when they were setting a good example or not. It was great to listen from the other room. All of us adults were laughing quite hard at her comments.

From Swimming at Grandma's

Matthew and Michelle jumping together.

From Swimming at Grandma's

Matthew jumping. There is never enough time for jumping in Matthew's world. Oh and fear, not a concept he has around water.

From Swimming at Grandma's

First Day of School

On July 26, 2010  the boys started thier school year.

Bryce is now a second grader.

From 2010-07-26 First Day of the School Year

Micah is a Kindergartner.

From 2010-07-26 First Day of the School Year

Matthew is a Pre-schooler.

From 2010-07-26 First Day of the School Year

Our first day of school was all done outside. The boys thought it was great to be able to work at their own train table. The highlight of the day was Art. (Guess I need to make sure to do art more often.)  Matthew was so excited to use glue. The boys really enjoyed making picures out of construction paper and then having thier pictures taken. I loved how they were willing to work hard even with the distratiions of being outside.

The Kids of Carssonne

After working hard leveling the first layer of rock for the patio, PopPop and the boys played Kids of Carssonne. This game is wonderful - Matthew can play with little help - while Micah and Bryce learn to use logic and stratiegy.

Micah Playing his first tile.


Bryce's hard decision of where to play his first tile.


Matthew playing a guy on a closed road.


The board in the middle of the game.


A game that both adults and little kids can enjoy.

Kiwanis Scout Camp

Last weekend Bryce and Derek were able to go to Cub Scout camp at Kiwanis. I am really not sure who was more excited, but they were both ready to leave on Friday and both had a great weekend. Bryce chose to go swimming as many times as he could - 4 times in all. Derek now thinks that "Diving is a sport Bryce could be good at," and as soon as Bryce can swim the length of the pool he will be able to take diving lessons.

During the weekend, the boys were able to do many very cool things. They played game with their Den for the weekend.



Learned how to shoot BB guns.




Worked with hand tools to make a little bookshelf.




Completed an obstacle course, ending with a zip line.



And the thing Micah wants to do most, learned to shoot a Bow and Arrow.