tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29051135652595999912012-01-06T16:17:29.658-08:00The Bixby Family's journey with Lord lead learning at the foot of His cross.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114429993456108279noreply@blogger.comBlogger91100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905113565259599991.post-59682858821338186742011-08-21T17:16:00.000-07:002011-08-21T17:16:00.204-07:00Monday: Angelo gave up his title as New Brighton Stockyard Days Junior Ambassador 2011. Abigail attended as current 2012 Northeast Minneapolis Jr. Ambassador. Was up til 5am celebrating! lol No official school. <br /> <br />Tuesday:School day. Rich stays overnight at job site. (Yeah....work came in!) <br /> <br />Wednesday: School day. Kids and I went to the 100 year birthday celebration of Xcel Energy Riverside Plant. It was sooooo fun! They had a safety fair, dinner, and tour of the facility. Plus a fun bus ride! lol <br /> <br />Thursday: School day. Did school outside in the front yard. Used our portable shelter (LOVE that thing!) Abigail attended a formal tea party for NE Royalty. Dom and I discussed some restructuring of his academics and came up with a plan. <br /> <br />Friday: School day. Watched video of a giraffe giving birth. Joey applied for a job at our local Menard's. Dom heads off to Jerry's with Lainey, Mylee, and Abby going along for the drop off ride. <br /> <br />Saturday: Parade with NE Royalty in Lino Lakes. <br /> <br />Sunday: Abigail attending Lino Lakes coronation. Adults have Viking concession and manager training to work the Dome. :) <br /> <br /> <br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2905113565259599991-5968285882133818674?l=bixbyblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114429993456108279noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905113565259599991.post-38703820282359254712011-08-19T11:02:00.000-07:002011-08-19T13:51:48.444-07:00Using TOG in a 3 year cycle (and science) <br /> <br /> <br />YEAR 1: Ancients/Early Middle Ages....Biology/Earth Science <br />YEAR 2: Middle Ages/Early Modern.....Earth Science/Chemistry <br />YEAR 3:Early Modern/Modern....Chemistry/Physics <br /> <br />Children are folded into each as they become that age. So right now we are in YEAR 3 and have dsbaby ;), dd2 (both Lower Primary), dd4 (Upper Primary), ds6 (Lower Grammar), dd9 and ds11 (Upper Grammar). <br /> <br />PRIMARY LEVELS: Goal is EXPOSURE. <br />Lower Primary (0-3 yrs.) Play and add in as wanted or able. (Honestly....people can say all they want about not doing anything, but my kids feel left out. Even Colton age 6 months, joins us for activities. He even played in the Oobleck the other day :D ) <br /> <br />Upper Primary (4-6 yrs) Start the 3 R's as able and IF interested. NO PRESSURE! Working mostly on habit training, character, Bible, phonics (using Phonics Road first 5 or so weeks), and number play (Primer MUS, MEP, CSMP, Miquin, and Early Singapore options....mix with what we have :) ) <br /> <br />History Focus: Where? Focus mainly on location of events. Working on basic map skills and land forms. As we go through stories, they are NOT expected to remember ANYTHING! :) The goal is simply to expose them to the stories so that it is easier later to make connections. Color sheets and projects are used as well to make this fun. We "row" books for this age group...rereading as they wish and making connections to science, Bible, character, etc as we go. <br /> <br />Science Focus: VERY BRIEF intro as they move through cycle. Main goal is to connect the science to the things around them. Example: Mammals and animal traits/behaviors.....we will really watch our pets (cat and dog) or go play outside and take pictures or video of as many mammals as we can find. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />LOWER GRAMMAR (6-9yrs) Who? Connecting with the PEOPLE of History. Goal is EXPLORATION. <br /> <br />History Focus: Real getting to know the people that have shaped the world we live in. Continue Geography and work on memorizing countries in each continent. This will continue through out all cycles so we take our time and enjoy the process. :) <br /> <br />Countries: <br />Yr1: Asia and Africa <br />Yr2: Europe and N.America <br />Yr3: S.America and Australia <br /> <br />Also United States states and capitals. <br /> <br />Science Focus: Exploration and playing with ideas and things to learn. Working on memorizing specifics that will make science easier in future such as: cell parts, classifications of animals, types of simple machines, types of clouds, etc. <br /> <br /> <br />UPPER GRAMMAR (9-12yrs) When? Connecting with the Timeline to History. Goal is EXPAND. Expand on what you already know. <br /> <br />History Focus: Real getting to know the the time frame and order that things occurred. Continue Geography and work on memorizing countries in each continent. This will continue through out all cycles so we take our time and enjoy the process. :) <br /> <br />Countries: <br />Yr1: Asia and Africa <br />Yr2: Europe and N.America <br />Yr3: S.America and Australia <br /> <br />Review United States states and capitals; learning Canadian and Mexican provinces. <br /> <br />Science Focus: Expand knowledge of topic areas. Continue working on memorizing specifics that will make science easier in future such as: cell parts, classifications of animals, types of simple machines, types of clouds, etc. <br /> <br /> <br />LOGIC/DIALECTIC (12-15yrs) Why? Start asking questions. Pull apart the details and figure out the ins and outs of how it all happened. What, where, who, why, how, and when. <br /> <br />History Focus: Making connections based on what they have been learning. Looking more in depth based on their interests. <br /> <br />Science Focus: Really exploring why ____ does what it does <br /> <br />RHETORIC (15-18yrs)How it is/was and What we can do about it. This is the Understanding and Application phase. Focus on social issues and what we can do about them. <br /> <br />History/Science Focus: USING what we have learned. Community service work/projects. <br /> <br />QUICK TIPS FOR 3 YEAR CYCLE: <br /> <br />1) You make the program, the program do NOT make you! Use it so that it WORKS. Make it your own. :) <br /> <br />2) Work within students level. Sometimes we get too eager or don't push them enough. I am big on leaving them in each of the TOG levels or DROPPING a level. Still with me? ;) I believe TOG is that strong! <br /> <br />3) Be willing to let some things go. TOG is MEATY! You don't have to do it all. For me, it means leaving the dishes and the laundry! :D <br /> <br />4) Do what works. Don't like a book? Sub it! Want more videos? Add them guilt free. <br /> <br />5) Shop at home FIRST! Look through what you already own to se if you can ave money or time. <br /> <br />6) Become friends with your librarians. :) If you plan on using them to do TOG, set up a tour for kids and teach them how to use the library. Staff should be supportive and helpful. <br /> <br />7) Use TOG to help YOU as a teacher. You don't have to use it as written for your kids. You can use it as a skeleton of your studies. I am using a few things and using some of the books as a "book basket" option. Make it your own. <br /> <br />8) Make purchases/substitutions/eliminations based on YOUR STUDENTS preferences. It is easy to make a plan based on what other peoples children love, but then watch your children's eyes glaze over with boredome. Hurts! lol Let your children be your guide! <br /> <br /> <br />Any questions??? :D Hope this helps!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2905113565259599991-3870382028235925471?l=bixbyblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114429993456108279noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905113565259599991.post-19231570352166264362011-05-03T20:15:00.000-07:002011-05-03T20:17:17.047-07:00Register for a contest to win owl pellets for your homeschool! :D So gross! lol<br /><br />My kids would love it! ;)<br /><br /><a href="http://ritsumeithoughts.blogspot.com/2011/05/owl-puke-pellets-giveaway.html">http://ritsumeithoughts.blogspot.com/2011/05/owl-puke-pellets-giveaway.html</a><br />Enjoy!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2905113565259599991-1923157035216626436?l=bixbyblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114429993456108279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905113565259599991.post-75846571069603703142011-02-24T15:18:00.000-08:002011-02-25T11:10:18.309-08:00Just checked out library to see how many we could get. The results?<br /><br />Lower Grammar: Out of 24 books<br /><br />We own:2/24<br />Famous Men of the Middle Ages<br />Usborne Internet Linked Encyclopedia<br /><br />Library has:13/24<br />Aladdin and the Enchanted Lamp<br />Brigid's Cloak<br />Days of Knights and Damsels<br />Francis, the Poor Man of Assisi<br />Kitchen Knight<br />The Making of a Knight<br />Marco Polo<br />Marguerite Makes a Book<br />Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland<br />The Renaissance<br />Saint Valentine<br />The Tomten<br />You Wouldn't Want to Work on a Medieval Catherdral!<br /><br /><br />Either through interlibrary loan or have to purchase:9/24<br />Caedmon's Song<br />Chanticleer and the Fox<br />Joan of Arc:Heroine of France<br />Knights<br />Johann Gutenberg and the Amazing Printing Press<br />The Minstrel in the Tower<br />Squire and the Scroll<br />The Vikings<br />You Wouldn't Want to be a Crusader!<br /><br />Upper Grammar: Out of 15 books<br /><br /><br />We own or can read online: 3/15 (plus versions of 2 more)<br />Famous Men of the Middle Ages<br />The Story of the Middle Ages<br />Trial and Triumph<br />The Adventures of Robin Hood (have some versions)<br />Tales of King Arthur (have some versions)<br /><br />Library has:10/15 <br />The Adventures of Robin Hood (one suggested)<br />Castle<br />The Door in the Wall<br />Fine Print<br />Knights and Castles: 50 Hands on Activities to Experience the Middle Ages<br />Leif the Lucky<br />Marco Polo: Overland to China<br />Mecca<br />Tales of King Arthur (suggested version)<br />Viking (Eye Wonder)<br /><br /><br />Either through interlibrary loan or have to purchase:2/15<br />The Middle Ages<br />Story of the Crusades Coloring Book<br /><br /><br />DIALECTIC out of 17 books<br /><br />We own: 5/17 (plus versions of Arabian Nights)<br />Famous Men of the Middle Ages<br />Aladdin and Other Tales from The Arabian Nights (have some versions)<br />Men of Iron<br />Our Island Story<br />Stories of Beowulf Told to the Children<br />The Story of Europe<br /><br />Library has: 7/17<br />Aladdin and Other Tales from the Arabian Nights (suggested version)<br />The Ancient Celts<br />The Byzantine Empire<br />Canterbury Tales<br />Marco Polo<br />Morning Star of the Reformation<br />Son of Charlemagne<br /><br /><br />Either through interlibrary loan or have to purchase: 5/17<br />The Art of the Middle Ages<br />The Church in History<br />Medieval Myths, Legends, and Songs<br />Medieval Times<br />Usborne Encyclopedia of World Religions<br /><br /><br />RHETORIC Out of 20 books.<br />Pretty much have to buy them all. I think library has maybe 2. <br /><br />That at least gives me a guideline for planning. Now I know what books to focus on searching for and getting used. :)<br /><br />Off to plan some more!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2905113565259599991-7584657106960370314?l=bixbyblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114429993456108279noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905113565259599991.post-63583954038192008432011-01-26T12:22:00.000-08:002011-01-31T12:40:16.674-08:00Ok...I admit. I LOVE looking at various curriculums and methods. It is my favorite hobby! :) What is even better, it is part of my job as a homeschooling mama! LOL<br /><br />So some changes that are occurring:<br /><br />-We will be adding <a href="http://www.thelatinroad.com/"><strong>The Phonics Road to Spelling and Reading</strong></a>. Dominick (11) and Abigail (9) will be accelerating through the program. Angelo (6) and Mylee (4) will be starting SLOWLY! Joey (18) will be my assistant with the Little Crew. That will brush up on his skills and give him some experience with patience. :D<br /><br />-We are starting <a href="http://www.tapestryofgrace.com/index.php"><strong>Tapestry of Grace</strong></a> Year 2! I have the DE and am waiting for my actual print version to arrive in the mail. It is really beautiful! At first, I was panicked by the cost, but for a curriculum that lasts for 13 years EACH student.....it is a steal!<br /><br />-My Primary Students will be starting <a href="http://www.heartofdakota.com/"><strong>Heart of Dakota</strong></a>. It is a beautiful program. I will be tweaking a lot and tying them into our history and science rotation, but this is a great jumping off spot for us.<br /><br />-We will still be using a lot of what we were already doing. I am not dropping anything in particular. I just feel that these programs will tie together a lot of what we have been doing into a much more mainstreamed package.<br /><br />I am excited to see how this will work for our family. I am trying to really fine tune and save as much money as we can. May seem ironic since these programs are considered "expensive" by many, but as a mama to so many.....I think in the long run this will save us a TON!<br /><br />God bless,<br />Angela<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2905113565259599991-6358395403819200843?l=bixbyblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114429993456108279noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905113565259599991.post-75023161806428734412010-10-19T09:15:00.000-07:002010-10-19T09:19:49.886-07:00We have had a BUSY year! So many wonderful changes have taken place. <br /><br />One...Joey joined our family in March, 2010. He has been a wonderful addition to our family!<br /><br />Two..In June, we found out that we were expecting a little one due Jan 29, 2011! We are so excited!<br /><br />Everything else is still moving along. So now we have DS18 (12th grade), DS10 (5th grade), DD8 (3rd grade), DS5 (K), DD3 (K....she is crazy! lol), DD18months (trying to do what everyone else is doing!), and Baby Bixby due Jan 29.<br /><br />Here is to health and happiness to all of our families as we move forward in our homeschooling journeys!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2905113565259599991-7502316180642873441?l=bixbyblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114429993456108279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905113565259599991.post-86823797674695391252008-12-08T11:44:00.000-08:002008-12-08T12:34:11.506-08:00<center><a href="http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Mother-and-Child-c-1885-Posters_i377172_.htm?AID=423786166" target="_new"><img src="http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/HAD/7649.jpg" border=0 alt="Mother and Child, c.1885 by Francis Coates Jones"><br>Mother and Child, c.1885</a></center><br /><br />We have been having a lot of heart issues lately in our home. Attitudes have gotten out of control and thankfulness has been left behind for selfishness and me-me-me!<br /><br />As a family, we have decided to make this our top priority. We are reminding each other to follow Christ's example. :happy:<br /><br />Things we have accomplished today:<br /><br />We read about <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17162/17162-h/17162-h.htm">THE FLOOD</a> and <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17162/17162-h/17162-h.htm">THE TOWER OF BABEL</a>. <br /><br />We listened to devotionals <a href="http://www.cbhministries.org/kfk/home.php">Keys for Kids</a> and <a href="http://devos.kids4truth.com/">Kids 4 Truth</a>.<br /><br />We also watched some music videos on YouTube and talked about learning lyrics to songs that inspire us to do God's Will.<br /><br />I truly feel that establishing a better routine will help with a lot of the issues we are facing. It helps to know what to expect.<br /><br />Lord....please guide us as we build our lives to better serve you!<br /><br />God bless,<br />Angela<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2905113565259599991-8682379767469539125?l=bixbyblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114429993456108279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905113565259599991.post-78503737840658797582008-03-27T10:18:00.000-07:002008-03-27T10:30:32.834-07:00Hope you enjoy it! Nicole is a very talented artist.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gFmu1eUouaA&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gFmu1eUouaA&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />Lyrics:<br /><br />Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning?<br />Who told the ocean you can only come this far?<br />Who showed the moon where to hide 'til evening?<br />Whose words alone can catch a falling star? <br /><br />Well I know my Redeemer lives<br />I know my Redeemer lives <br />All of creation testify <br />This life within me cries <br />I know my Redeemer lives <br /><br />The very same God that spins things in orbit <br />He runs to the weary, the worn and the weak <br />And the same gentle hands that hold me when I'm broken <br />They conquered death to bring me victory <br /><br />Now I know my Redeemer lives <br />I know my Redeemer lives <br />Let all creation testify <br />Let this life within me cry <br />I know my Redeemer, He lives <br /><br />To take away my shame <br />And He lives forever, I'll proclaim <br />That the payment for my sin <br />Was the precious life He gave <br />But now He's alive and <br />There's an empty grave <br /><br />Now I know my Redeemer lives <br />I know my Redeemer lives <br />Let all creation testify <br />Let this life within me cry <br />I know my Redeemer, He lives<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2905113565259599991-7850373784065879758?l=bixbyblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114429993456108279noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2905113565259599991.post-23440620642288510342008-02-13T10:25:00.000-08:002008-02-13T10:27:26.385-08:00My ramblings are at www.bixbyblabs.blogspot.com<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2905113565259599991-2344062064228851034?l=bixbyblog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114429993456108279noreply@blogger.com0