What more can I say than I believe this to be the BEST homeschooling magazine out there. In my house, it's read by both my husband and myself, cover to cover, more than once. Plus, I keep them all. To read again, of course! This would make a great gift for this time of year, or any time, but with their $7.95/year special they're running right now, I'd jump on it.

It is a Bibilically-based periodical that will keep the homeschooling fires burning, and maybe start a few new ones in your own circle of friends.

Preview the link, or go to their website to request a sample issue.

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Special-Announcement-from-TOS-Magazine.html?soid=1101381905269&aid=VuGgVtu53GU


Blessings!

Here is a great link for making an Apple Turkey.

I was looking for a fun activity for the children to do, and Cindy Downes of Oklahoma Homeschool and How to Homeschool Today had this posted on her Facebook Page. Not only is it fun and super cute, it is EDIBLE!

Head on over to A Field Lily for my recommendation of Erskine Family's Homeschool Radio Show called, "The Path of Praise," which is about the history of our celebration of Thanksgiving, served up at no charge!

Thanks for coming by, and may the Lord bless you beyond expectation this Thanksgiving.

Kathy

If I can teach art, anyone can. I am loving the beauty and methodology of Artistic Pursuits art curriculum. They have a way of making you want to atleast "try". Today: Watercolor of a photograph of your choice. My choice: a beautiful sunflower.

For Artistic Pursuits, watercolor means using a selection of watercolor crayons. First you draw your picture, color it in (don't forget to color light or dark depending on how you want your picture shaded.) Then you "paint" over your colors lightly with water from your brush. What a beautiful and relaxing way to learn and enjoy art.

The key to loving teaching art is to find a user friendly art curriculum that brings out the artist in you . Mission accomplished.

Monday:
Accomplished the most important subject of the day first: Bible. We're currently going through a Character Study that uses the Miller Family series published by Rod and Staff, Monday's Character quality was Confident.

As we were working through the page for the day I felt the Holy Spirit tug on me again to daily have my son read through the names of the books of the Bible so that he can know what books are in the Old Testament and what books are in the New Testament. So, that's what we did. I love how the Holy Spirit is not just their teacher but mine too.

With Monday being Bethany's Literature and History Co-Op Day, her academics take priority in the morning, and then I plan to focus on my son in the early afternoon. That will work well when: I'm not fixing a meal for someone coming in the afternoon to pick it up, and when our realtor friend isn't here for two hours rather than the 30 minutes I planned for mentally. In summary, things didn't go as I thought they would. Anyone surprised?

While we did complete most of our subjects each child had one that was a bit overlooked. Overall, my goal is to get through the basics by noon. We're also attempting to begin by 8 rather than 9 or 9:30. Then in January, I'll add our World Culture Studies in. But, stay tuned: things could change!

Tuesday:

This is our first day of beginning by 8. We officially began at 8:15, again, with Bible. Our character quality for today was "Content."

Wednesday:
Another great day in school. Soccer happened. : )

Thursday:
We got together with another family for Chemistry Co-Op. It was a lot of fun. Today we studied molecules, and then made our own: Big and little marshmallows & Toothpicks.

Tomorrow is Park Day and Homeschool P.E.

In Summary: Starting at 8 a.m., or as soon after, seems to be the ticket to a successful week. We were desperate for some structure after a few weeks off for our move.

School begins tomorrow. Four weeks of moving out and moving in draw to a close. I have to say I can't wait!

I was able to do a little bit of planning tonight. Since Bethany has KEYS Co-op tomorrow afternoon from 12-3, I will teach her in the morning primarily, and then Daniel and I will have lots of one-on-one tomorrow afternoon.

Here's what's been happening in school since I last opened my planbook:

Reading: If they weren't playing they were reading. Good stuff: Chronicles of Narnia & beyond good stuff.

KEYS Co-Op: a Phoenix-based homeschool co-op of a multitude of families. Bethany is taking Chronicles of Narnia:Intro to Lit., and History of Arizona. Loving it. All kinds of skills are being learned!

Science Co-op: We began a Chemistry based co-op with another family.

Soccer: Soccer league began last week: the children are loving it.

Bits and pieces: Coloring, Calculadder, penmanship, spelling, cleaning, learning chore habits all over again.

School never really stops, does it.

Each year, I typically choose a Family Bible Verse for our homeschooling year. This year, I am considering this verse:

"Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name." Psalm 86:11 (KJV)

The value of a verse: It creates a bookshelf of sorts upon which our goals would then rest. It provides a lense through which the unpredicatable events are viewed and assimilated. A family Bible verse underscores a core value that Jesus is Lord of our Homeschooling efforts and of our Family, and that we desire His input at all turns.

Family verses are like rare books; once you acquire one, it remains on the shelf for life!

Have you ever had a Family verse?