Gabe and Sam perform with the Festival of Praise Group at Church

From the Learning Rooms

Outside my window...

Rosie and a new-found friend.  Rosie makes friends pretty much wherever she goes!




From the learning rooms...
Gabe and Noah

• New Testament Survey  from Homeschool Connections  was completed - now on to an Old Testament Survey also with Homeschool Connections



• Rosetta Stone Latin 2.  



• Saxon math for Noah, Algebra I Gabe.



• Apologia Science General for Noah and Physical for Gabe.  Noah took a test yesterday and moves on to Chapter 5 (noting that he already did the end of that book last year).  Gabe will hopefully take a test today after he wakes up from last night's gig. 



• William Bennett America: American History.  Which is hands down the best history book I've ever read for my kids!



• Writing Institute assignments, Spelling Power. 



• Gabe is almost done with his Vocab book!



• Also reading 

Izzy

• Saxon Math 67



• Apologia Creation Science Anatomy and Physiology - nervous system.



• Diane Craft right- brain training for language arts and reading. 



• History with Gabe and Noah

Rosie

• Pathway Readers



• Saxon Math



• MCP Phonics

Also got our California Achievement tests back.  They both got passing composite scores for the state of Ohio, (which is only 25 so that's not much of a stretch) but I had a hard time figuring out their score results.  For example in vocabulary and math, there were 20 questions and he got 18 correct.  On vocab he is considered above average and math at average.  I'm trying to figure that one out - unless they are comparing him with the other test takers - but I thought that is what a percentile does.

Overall though I will say that of all the overachieving homeschoolers that take the California Achievement Tests, my boys are in there to keep those percentiles down to earth.  You're welcome.

have all worn one shoulder dresses at some pretty important functions.



Picture I am Sharing

From the Learning Rooms

Outside my window... Cold and wet this past weekend - but the soccer players stay warm enough while playing!

 From the learning rooms... Gabe and Noah

• Theology of the Body Course from Homeschool Connections  was completed - now on to an Old Testament Survey also with Homeschool Connections
• Rosetta Stone Latin 2.  
• Saxon math for Noah, Algebra I Gabe.
• Apologia Science General for Noah and Physical for Gabe.
• William Bennett America: American History.  Which is hands down the best history book I've ever read for my kids!
• Writing Institute assignments, Spelling Power. 
• Gabe is almost done with his Vocab book!
• Also reading 

Izzy

• Saxon Math 67
• Apologia Creation Science Anatomy and Physiology - nervous system.
• Diane Craft right- brain training for language arts and reading. 
• History with Gabe and Noah

Rosie

• Pathway Readers
• Saxon Math
• MCP Phonics

From the Learning Rooms

 Outside my window... ! From the learning rooms... Gabe and Noah

• Week seven of  Theology of the Body Course from Homeschool Connections . 
• Rosetta Stone Latin 2.  
• Saxon math for Noah, Algebra I Gabe.
• Apologia Science General for Noah and Physical for Gabe.
• William Bennett America: American History.  Which is hands down the best history book I've ever read for my kids!
• Writing Institute assignments, Spelling Power. 
• Gabe is almost done with his Vocab book!

Izzy

• Saxon Math 67
• Apologia Creation Science Anatomy and Physiology - nervous system.
• Diane Craft right- brain training for language arts and reading. 
• History with Gabe and Noah

Rosie

• Pathway Readers
• Saxon Math
• MCP Phonics

Picture I am Sharing

From the Learning Rooms

  




From the learning rooms... Gabe and Noah

• Week seven of  Theology of the Body Course from Homeschool Connections . 
• Rosetta Stone Latin 2.  
• Saxon math for Noah, Algebra I Tabe.
• Apologia Science General for Noah and Physical for Gabe.
• William Bennett American History.
• Writing Institute assignments, Spelling Power. 
• Gabe needs to finish Vocab book.

Izzy

• Saxon Math 67
• Apologia Creation Science Anatomy and Physiology.
• Diane Craft right- brain training for language arts and reading. 
• History with Gabe and Noah

Rosie

• Pathway Readers
• Saxon Math
• MCP Phonics
• 
  
•  Picture I am Sharing Sleeping Sisters

Outside my window...










From the learning rooms...
I am now thoroughly convinced that for our family of church musicians - we need two weeks of spring break- one to prepare for Easter, one to recover!  And since we homeschool through the summer, I don't feel guilty about it either.  That said, I am planning a field trip this week and Mr. Pete is going with us, so I feel excited about that.



You can see it being carried below in procession - with the choir (including Sam, Gabe, Noah and Izzy) singing the Hallelujah Chorus as the recessional.

From the learning rooms... I decided to take all of this week off (except for reading with Izzy and Rosie) and then Easter Monday.  I just need the break. And while my kids are telling me that the regular school teachers are tougher because  they are all holding out until Friday for break to start, I realize they have no idea what it's like in regular school just before spring break. So I have no guilt, none, for taking this week and part of next week off. That said, Gabe and Noah did finish Moby Dick last week and we even watched the movie to celebrate.  We now start on the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. I did take a lot of time over the weekend to get my transcripts done for Sam, start transcripts for Gabe and even Noah  and it feels very good to have that all done.  After listening to Lee Binz's free webinar over the weekend, I just decided it was time to pull all of those loose ends together. I had purchased her Total Transcript Solution a while back, read all of the literature and listened to her MP3 downloads as well as doing a lot of my own research,  so I felt confident that these transcripts are of good quality, fair and accurate.

From the Learning Rooms

From the learning rooms...
 I am SOO READY FOR SPRING BREAK!!!! But the kids want to wait until their friends have spring break which is Good Friday onward - I hope I can hold out that long!

Gabe and Noah

• Theology of the Body Course from Homeschool Connections .



• Rosetta Stone Latin 2



• Moby Dick is DONE!!!  This week hopefully start on the Autobiobraphy of Benjamin Franklin via -  Lightening Literature.  Also writing project from Writers Intensive. 



• Gabe  Unit 8 in Apologia Physical Science and Noah Chapter 4 General Science. (I should mention that Noah already did the last 8 chapters in General Science so he really is just going back to do the chapters he skipped the first time. 



• Saxon Math - Algebra I for Gabe, Pre-Algebra for Noah who is on lesson 79

Gabe Izzy and Noah - Revolutionary War. I bought some lectures on American History from the Great Courses and have down loaded a few of them.  Not sure I would have paid over $700 for them (the normal price)but for an $89 download for 84 lectures, I think I got a pretty good deal.

Izzy:

• Daily reading exercises and curriculum via Diane Craft.  She is on her forth pack of Snap Word Cards and is reading with much more ease. These cards include" Over 300 words, including all the Dolch high frequency words and the Fountas & Pinnell 100 most frequently recurring words.

and  These images have proven to be the turning point for children who had not made progress through any other means.  This certainly has turned out to be true for Izzy.

• Saxon 6/7 - three more lessons and then starting Saxon 7



• Anatomy and Physiology Creation Science  Start unit on Circulation 

Rosie:

• Pathway Reader and workbook - half way through her first reader!



• MCP Phonics



• Saxon math 1 - almost ready for the second part of the course. 

Around the house...
we are just keeping on with the silence and simpleness of Lent.

Picture I am Sharing

Someone lost another baby tooth.

Izzy the Cake maker

Faure Requiem

Sam, Gabe, Noah and Izzy learned, rehearsed and performed the Faure Requiem with the Parish Choir with a full orchestra. I was only able to (covertly) record a portion of it but I think you can hear how lovely it was!

From the Learning Rooms

 Gabe and Noah

• Theology of the Body Course from Homeschool Connections .
• Rosetta Stone Latin 2
• Moby Dick - literature/English FINISH THIS UP!!! and also the written work with Lightening Literature. 
• Gabe  Unit 8 in Apologia Physical Science and Noah Chapter 4 General Science. (I should mention that Noah already did the last 8 chapters in General Science so he really is just going back to do the chapters he skipped the first time. 
• Saxon Math - Algebra I for Gabe, Pre-Algebra for Noah who is on lesson 76

Gabe Izzy and Noah - Revolutionary War.

Izzy:

• Daily reading exercises and curriculum via Diane Craft.  She is on her third pack of Snap Word Cards and is reading with much more ease. These cards include" Over 300 words, including all the Dolch high frequency words and the Fountas & Pinnell 100 most frequently recurring words.

and  These images have proven to be the turning point for children who had not made progress through any other means. This certainly has turned out to be true for Izzy.

• Saxon 6/7 - three more lessons and then starting Saxon 7
• Anatomy and Physiology Creation Science  Start unit on Circulation 

Rosie:

• Pathway Reader and workbook
• MCP Phonics
• Saxon math 1

Noah and the Bell Choir Lord of the Dance

From the Learning Rooms

I am thinking...
about the very busy weekend we just lived through.  On Friday night, Noah was confirmed.

and Sam was his sponsor.



On Saturday night, I played the flute for an Irish Dance Performance and on Sunday I performed again with The Peace Together Choir, a very full weekend indeed.

I am thankful for...
For Noah- the freckled, dimpled, blue-eyed boy that I never could have imagined. What a total gift he has always been to me.



From the learning rooms...
 Gabe and Noah

• Theology of the Body Course from Homeschool Connections .
• Rosetta Stone Latin 2
• Moby Dick - literature/English FINISH THIS UP!!! and also the written work with Lightening Literature. 
• Gabe  Unit 8 in Apologia Physical Science and Noah Chapter 3 General Science. (I should mention that Noah already did the last 8 chapters in General Science so he really is just going back to do the chapters he skipped the first time. 
• Saxon Math - Algebra I for Gabe, Pre-Algebra for Noah

Gabe Izzy and Noah - Revolution.

Izzy:

• Daily reading exercises and curriculum via Diane Craft.  She is on her third pack of Snap Word Cards and is reading with much more ease. These cards include" Over 300 words, including all the Dolch high frequency words and the Fountas & Pinnell 100 most frequently recurring words.

and  These images have proven to be the turning point for children who had not made progress through any other means. This certainly has turned out to be true for Izzy.

• Saxon 6/7 - will be done this week!
• Anatomy and Physiology Creation Science  Start unit on Blood. 

Rosie:

• Pathway Reader and workbook
• MCP Phonics
• Saxon math 1

I am hoping...
Noah and Gabe get Moby Dick THIS WEEK.  They are indeed reading along with Libra Vox.



Picture I am Sharing

From the Learning Rooms

From the learning rooms...
 Gabe and Noah

• Theology of the Body Course from Homeschool Connections .
• Rosetta Stone Latin 2
• Moby Dick - literature/English
• Gabe start Unit 8 in Apologia Physical Science and Noah Chapter 3 General Science. (I should mention that Noah already did the last 8 chapters in General Science so he really is just going back to do the chapters he skipped the first time. 
• Saxon Math - Algebra I for Gabe, Pre-Algebra for Noah

Gabe Izzy and Noah - Finish French and Indian War and move on to the Revolution.

Izzy:

• Daily reading exercises and curriculum via Diane Craft
• Saxon 6/7 - almost done!
• Anatomy and Physiology Creation Science  Start unit on Blood. 

Rosie:

• Pathway Reader and workbook
• MCP Phonics
• Saxon math 1

From the Learning Rooms

From the learning rooms...
 Gabe and Noah

• Theology of the Body Course from Homeschool Connections .
• Rosetta Stone Latin 2
• Moby Dick - literature/English
• Gabe finish Unit 7 in Apologia Physical Science and Noah Chapter 2 General Science. (I should mention that Noah already did the last 8 chapters in General Science so he really is just going back to do the chapters he skipped the first time. 
• Saxon Math - Algebra I for Gabe, Pre-Algebra for Noah

Gabe Izzy and Noah - Finish French and Indian War and move on to the Revolution.

Izzy:

• Daily reading exercises and curriculum via Diane Craft
• Saxon 6/7
• Anatomy and Physiology Creation Science

Rosie:

• Pathway Reader and workbook
• MCP Phonics
• Saxon math 1

From the Learning Rooms

From the learning rooms...
Gabe and Noah  are starting the Theology of the Body Course from Homeschool Connections . They also need to get to work on Latin 2 on Rosetta stone.  Both are doing fine with science and math.  We need to work more on writing.

Sam is still getting ready for CLEP Analyzing Literature. But it's clear this is NOT an easy test for him because you aren't learning facts or memorizing formulas - you have to READ the passage and answer questions about it.  He took a practice test last week and he only got a 44.  But, when we read the answers his guesses were always something like, "although the passage did talk about childbirth, this is not the best answer."  So it was as if he always picked the "almost, but not quite" answer.  He's going to continue practicing this, but also going on to American History I - which is not as subjective.

Izzy is doing great with the Diane Craft method of right-brain training - I can't believe how much better she is doing.  She started the year two years behind in math and by the end of the year she will only be 1/2 a year behind.  I'm very happy with her progress. She is also working on Apologia Creation science Anatomy and Physiology.

Rosie is now in the Pathway Readers and loving it. She  is doing well in Math too  - in fact she picks up very quickly.

From the Learning Rooms

From the learning rooms...
The boys are starting the Theology of the Body Course from Homeschool Connections .
Sam is still getting ready for CLEP Analyzing Literature.
Izzy is doing great with the Diane Craft method of right-brain training - I can't believe how much better she is doing.
Rosie is about to get to lesson 50 in 100 Easy Lessons!

From the Learning Rooms

From the learning rooms...
Gabe and Noah absolutely have to finish Moby Dick this week.  I have the CDs out on loan from the library and they are over due costing me 20 cents a day.  Tomorrow they are going to do a big whale marathon!

Gabe and Noah also need to focus on their courses on homeschool connections including:

•  Latin I bootcamp
• Apologetics

They both have science tests tomorrow too.

I am seeing progress with Izzy and her right brain training from Diane Craft.   Interestingly, Rosie taught herself sight words from Izzy's flash cards.



A picture I am sharing:
 Izzy Art

From the Learning Rooms

From the learning rooms....
I am going to try to mold my homeschool day to look something like this:
Gabe and Noah get up around 7 a.m. , eat breakfast, walk the dog etc. then do an hour of math and and hour of science. Then they settle down for their classes on Homeschool Connections  in Apologetics, Latin Boot Camp and eventually History. While they are doing that, I go through all of Izzy and Rosie's work and then we come together at the end of the day for History.  That would be an awesome day!

From the Learning Rooms

From the learning rooms....
Rebooting homeschool!   Noah and Gabe are diving into Moby Dick.  Gabe did so poorly on his science that we have to do Unit 4 over again - this time with him paying attention.  Also covering the pre-Revolutionary period including the French and Indian War!

A Picture I am Sharing:  

 Rosie found the bean in her king cake - and as the oldest at age 6 - she got to lead the little ones in procession! (Actually Gabe found the bean but he slid it over to his sister's plate without her noticing. She was thrilled!)

Lessons and Carols and the Lavictoire kids