How I Plan Homeschool Days with LifePacs

I have found a successful planning technique and because it is working so well for us, I thought I'd share it with you. I am a planner (I'm working on a post for that, too) and I like old school paper-style planning. I love pens and paper, so this is best for me.
Nikolas uses LifePacs from Alpha Omega Publishing for second grade. I don't have him do a set amount of pages per day or week. I look at the pages and plan it out by they day, some days are heavier in language arts, some in history... But it is usually about the same amount of time it takes every other day. When he finished a LifePac and does well on the test, I let him skip that subject the next day.

This is the way I was doing it and it was working out really well. I just wrote out each day's work on a sticky note and he'd cross it off when he finished it. This was a 4-day week. I just wrote the page numbers next to the subject, easy. I kept these in his notebook where his handwriting practice also is.

This is how we started planning. Instead of sticky notes that just get thrown away, this is more of a record as well. I list out each subject just like before and he crosses them off as he finishes them. I make notes at the bottom for the book he needs to read for the week.
The book is a super cheapy composition notebook, that I already had. So there was zero investment. LOVE IT.

Alpha Omega Publishing
LifePacs
These links are for reference only.

Half Way Homeschool Update

You know that one time you had everything all planned out and then... you ended up throwing most of it out the window? Ya, seems like this happens a lot, to me, anyway. This was my original plan for this year. And it has definitely changed. For the better, and for the simpler.
Joshua is using the five subjects available with Monarch from Alpha Omega Publishing. Bible, History, Language Arts, Math, and Science all in one spot and one format. It is too easy for me and he really is learning a lot. He uses free cursive handwriting worksheets that I found here. He has daily reading practice and I bribe reward them both for reading a certain number of pages. We do most of our reading on the Kindle App. Joshua doesn't have much interest in art or music right now. He is super into video games and I'd love to find him something to teach him how to start basic programming or something.
Nikolas is using four subjects of LifePacs from Alpha Omega Publishing. Bible, History, Language Arts, and Science in a streamlined workbook format. He uses A+ Tutor Soft for math online. Nikolas is using the handwriting book from Horizon that is transitioning him into cursive. He also reads daily for a reward. He also really enjoys doing art videos from YouTube, including Southern HodgePodge and Doodle Draw Art. See the Light has also hit the DVD player recently, I'm hoping he starts using those more because they are really good.
We also learned about Harry Potter and did some fun learning before our trip to Orlando. I wanted them to enjoy that part of Universal Studios.
We use a bunch of different learning apps on their tablets.
Here is a list of their top ten favorites, in no particular order:

• Stack the States
• Stack the Countries
• Presidents VS Aliens
• Tower Math
• Bible for Kids
• Wild Kratts
• Kindle (this is my favorite)
• Mathblaster
• Mercer Mayer interactive books from Oceanhouse Media
• and the winner is Minecraft, no surprise there.

We use other apps but these are the favorites. Minecraft is used as a reward. I will post more about the other apps that I have them use for learning, that may not be favorites but they do learn from them.

Such focus.

 

Student Weeklies

I made workbooks for the boys for the first quarter of Mystery of History and I also decided to make them a weekly book that will span the same nine weeks as MoH.
Here is Joshua's. He is eight and entering third grade. He prefers a weekly layout of everything that needs to be done rather than a daily. He chose a red cover and will help me bind it. There are nine weeks of planners, daily drawings, gratitude journals, word searches and cursive practice.

from Money Saving Mom

from 1+1+1=1

I made this in MS Publisher

sight word-search from k12reader.com

from Confessions of a Homeschooler

 Nikolas will be seven in October and is starting second grade. He likes knowing what he needs to do each day, so he has a different style planner. His weekly includes copywork and daily drawing, as well as the gratitude journal. He loves to draw and he designed his cover.

from Motherhood on a Dime

from 1+1+1=1

I made this in MS Publisher

from Copycat Books

Getting Organized for the New School Year

I am a big planner and I love being organized but... I have a hard time sticking with the plan. Anyone else? I have purchased a lot of planners and printed a ton of free printable ones. This year I am doing something a little different though. My boys are becoming more independent and will have their own planners (that will be another post), so I will only be planning our group learning which will include (read about our curriculum choices here):

• Mystery of History Volume 1
• We Choose Virtues
• Zeezok Music Appreciation
• Supercharged Science

I am a planner addict and this is the planner [they are available at Staples and Office Depot just added a new line! also for a super nice version, check out Levenger] that I use and love, with my Frixion (ERASABLE!) pens and washi tape. Those are the 3M tabs that you can write on, I use those on my dividers because I like to be able to move things around. 

I have a weekly section that has areas for my life, blog/business, health, and (my) school; I got it from Polka Dot Posie. But the newest addition to my planner is a homeschool section. I have always used, or tried to use, a separate planner for homeschooling and, clearly, that was not working. Like my other planner, it helps to have everything in one place, and always with me. I looked all over the internet and pinterest and etsy to find one that I liked. I am lazy and I really didn't want to make my own. Why try to reinvent the wheel? I got the weekly planner here. I printed the weekly calendar on one side, and their note page on the other side, cut them in half (they are junior size, which is half a regular sheet of printer paper or 8.5" x 5.5"), and punched them to go in my planner. Here is a picture of how they look:

I have started filling them out and if all works out we should finish the first quarter of Mystery of History before our vacation in October. YAY! Well, that is my homeschool planner. I think I finally found something that will work. I love the note section next to the week, and also the small Sat/Sun at the bottom so I can remind myself of any prep work that I need to do. Off we go to year four of homeschooling!

2014-15 Curriculum Choices

>>Together:

{History, Geography, Bible}
Mystery of History Volume 1
The Picture Smart Bible (K-3)

{Nature Study}
Geology focused (delight directed)
Unit Study from Amy Payson
Unit Study from Noah's Ark Homeschool Academy
Resource List from Eclectic Homeschool Online

{Character}
We Choose Virtues

{Foreign Language}
To be determined

{Art & Music}
Zeezok Music Appreciation
Daily Drawing, Nature Drawing

{Unit Studies-delight directed}
Nikolas-Roller Coasters
Joshua- Digital Photography

>>Joshua: Age 8, Grade 3
Bible: Monarch
Math: Monarch
Language Arts: Monarch
Social Studies (History and Geography): Monarch
Science: Monarch
Health: Horizons
A Reason for Handwriting: Transition Book {continuing}
-Extras
Blog
Music Lessons (hopefully)
Note about Monarch: We will be using Alpha Omega's new 1 Year Individual Plan, which saves $50!

>>Nikolas: Age 6.5, Grade 2
Bible: Lifepac
Math: A+ Tutor Soft
Language Arts: Lifepac
Science: Lifepac
Social Studies (History): Lifepac
Health: Horizons
Handwriting: Horizons and Copywork
-Extras
Art: Chalk Drawing
Drawing

All links in this post are for information only, no referral or affiliate links.
This post has been edited from its original version. 8/4/2014

The Homeschool Mother's Journal

In my life this week… School, school, and more school. It is the last week of the term and I am trying to get it all done.

In our homeschool this week… Spiders and pigs! Charlotte's Web unit study!

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share… It is okay to put down the curriculum and do something your kids are excited about.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing… This weekend {hoping for good weather} we are going hiking with friends/Cub Scouts. 

My favorite thing this week was… Making spiders. I love watching the boys working so hard and being so focused on something but also how much they enjoy creating.

My kiddos favorite thing this week was… Making spiders and webs!

Things I’m working on… Schoolwork. Not to sound redundant but it is my life right now.

I’m cooking… A birthday cake!

I’m grateful for… My husband {did I say that in my last post?} because he is really awesome. 

I’m praying for… The U.S. government.

I rewarded my kids this week by… Extra time on the XBox.

Something I am ogling or have my eye on… An art journaling class from Julie Fei-Fan Balzer.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)… 

Yep, that is snow! 

Read more: http://www.soyoucallyourselfahomeschooler.com/homeschool-mothers-journal/#ixzz2h5r0RXxa

A Homeschool Mother's Journal: Back to School Edition

We officially started school this week. To read more about what we are using this year click here or hit the Homeschool 2013-14 tab above. Here is the Homeschool Mother's Journal for this week!

In my life this week… Some tears, some joy, some exhaustion, some peace.

In our homeschool this week… School began!

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share… Give yourself a break!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing… Anywhere! Praying we get our car next week so we can leave the house.

My favorite thing this week was… Sharing art with the boys.

My kiddos favorite thing this week was… Joshua says Teaching Textbooks, Nikolas says Art.

Things I’m working on… Patience and getting a routine down.

I’m cooking… nothing! But hubs ordered a dehydrator, food saver, and meat slicer. 

I’m grateful for… My amazing, supportive, and incredible logical husband.

I’m praying for… My husband. 

I rewarded my kids this week by… Having peach tarts with ice cream.

Something I am ogling or have my eye on… boots. I need some brown boots.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)… Here are the photos of the week!

Love all that highlighter because that means we're done!

A fabulous books for children, that goes great with MFW Adventures.

Making name necklaces.

Nikolas and his art. "I Can Do All Things"

Joshua enjoyed using these to guide him with drawing.

Learning about our names. 

Wearing their name necklaces.

Nikolas tangraming.

Joshua doing Teaching Textbooks!

Joshua reading John... by choice, all on his own.

Joshua making cursive "J" over and over.

Nikolas. A self portrait.

Back to School! 

First day breakfast.

Mom's planning explosion.

Read more: http://www.soyoucallyourselfahomeschooler.com/homeschool-mothers-journal/#ixzz2ellkeyRc

The Homeschool Mother's Journal 6SEP2013

In my life this week… Lots of piles or books, papers, binders. 

In our homeschool this week… We are slowly getting started. Waiting for our curriculum to arrive so we can officially begin.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share… Don't be too hard on yourself.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing… Not many because our car is not here yet.

My favorite thing this week was… The long weekend but only because Hubs was home for four days and I also got a great workout in on Monday.

My kiddos favorite thing this week was… Joshua losing teeth and making money.

Things I’m working on… Organizing and preparing for the school year. College work. Trying to balance.

I’m cooking…New foods that I've never seen before.

I’m grateful for…Click here!

I’m praying for…focus and consistency in my prayer life.

I rewarded my kids this week by…having a PJ day!

Something I am ogling or have my eye on…

I want the one on the right for my new bedroom!

A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)… 

Read more: http://www.soyoucallyourselfahomeschooler.com/homeschool-mothers-journal/#ixzz2dzsOEORd

Fall is in the Air.

I can't believe it is September. I can feel fall in the air but fall is much shorter here. I heard that is snowed in late September here last year. Yikes. I just hope our household goods are all here before the cold sets in. Our car should be here this week but when we will be able to drive it depends on customs. I ordered our school supplies and curriculum but made some changes to the plan (of course I did). We are waiting for that to all arrive. In the meantime, we are doing math, reading, copywork/handwriting, and some geography just to get warmed up for the real deal in the next few weeks.

Nikolas drew this picture of him and I together. 

Our Russian lessons from DinoLingo have arrived.

I've been busy with school!

Only with Legos could Harry Potter and a ninja ride in the same vehicle.

Riding the train to Legoville?

Joshua's beautiful handwriting.

Joshua is finally losing some teeth. 

Nikolas loves his bed and asked me to take this picture.