The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

No.21: What We’re Reading in August

There’s always room for a story that can transport people to another place. – JK Rowling

ASHLEY

MARK

D (age 8)

SOPHIE (age 4)

TJ (age 2)

No.20: 20 Things I Love – A Gratitude Journal vol.2

brand new sharpened pencils
the mama and baby turkeys that visit our backyard in the morning
big boys flying around the driveway on their bikes
Amazon boxes on the doorstep
the feeling of accomplishment after a sweaty run
the Ergo (fussy, teething babies are no joke!)
the fire pit that the kids spent all day creating in the yard
braiding Sophie’s hair
texts with pictures of my sweet little nephew
peaceful rainstorms at dusk
deadlifting over 100 pounds for the first time
packing Big White Farmhouse orders to wonderful customers
wearing a dress to church that was way too tight two months ago
laughing with my sister
a freshly mopped floor (so strangely satisfying!)
watching Mark mow the lawn
Friday family movie nights with Mark’s homemade pizza
starting a favorite book again after many years
peanut butter toast with sliced bananas on top
the first day of a new school year – wish us luck!

No.19: Our 2017-2018 Homeschool Plan – Term One

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This year will be our fourth year homeschooling.  I’m doubling my students and will have kids in fifth, third, first and kindergarten!  I am really thankful for our public school experiences, but also excited to see how they grow back at home.  This time around, I have much more confidence in my abilities as a teacher.  I’ve been chipping away at this all summer, picking up books (I got probably 75% used) and marking up lots of blank calendars!  Planning is my jam – now to have the discipline to complete it.

As anyone who has ever even dipped a toe into homeschooling has seen, there are A LOT of amazing choices out there and it’s really tempting to try all.the.things.  My personal goal for the school year is to be confident in the curriculum I’ve chosen and not compare/question my decisions when I see the next shiny new thing.  That said, I am also allowing myself the option to add a few things as we go: Shakespeare, maybe a foreign language, a few extra-curricular activities (martial arts?), a coding program for M, etc.  We don’t have to begin every single thing on Day #1.

Below is the plan for Term One, or the goals of the first twelve weeks of school.  We may complete all of it or maybe just some, but it’s helpful for me to see it all laid out in bullet form.  

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TERM ONE: August 21-November 10


 MORNING BASKET


FIFTH GRADE HISTORY
Spine: Beautiful Feet’s Modern and US History program
I’m stretching this guide out a bit and estimating that it will last us over a year, maybe two.  We’re spending our first term entirely on the Civil War!
Books, Field Trips and Projects:

K-THIRD GRADE HISTORY
Spine: Beautiful Feet’s Early American History program
I’m stretching this guide out too and hoping to complete in two years.  Term one will focus on early explorers and Columbus.
Books and Projects:

MATH

BIG KIDS LANGUAGE ARTS & WRITING


 LITTLE KIDS READING & PHONICS

FIFTH GRADE SCIENCE
Spine: Beautiful Feet’s History of Science program
Books:


 K-THIRD GRADE SCIENCE

RELIGION
The three big boys will also be attending religious education at our parish.


 GEOGRAPHY
We are focusing on the continent of Africa this year, learning about one country a week.  As a family, we will be completing a notebook of all we discover.
Spine: The Africa Book and the Discover Africa Notebooking Packet
Term One Countries: Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Senegal, Mali, the Gambia, Sierra Leone, Morocco, Sudan, Egypt, and Ethiopia
Books and Projects:

ART APPRECIATION


 POETRY TEATIME
The plan is to bake something delicious on Wednesdays and have special tea (or hot cocoa!) time in the afternoon.  For term one, we’re going to learn about different poem types, enjoy them aloud and maybe even create a few ourselves.  Very low-key and (hopefully!) fun.
Spine: Child’s Introduction to Poetry: Listen While You Learn About the Magic Words That Have Moved Mountains, Won Battles, and Made Us Laugh and Cry


YEAR OF PLAYING SKILLFULLY
This preschool-ish (it’s for ages 3-7) curriculum is primarily for S and TJ, but I think J will be interested in some of the activities too.  I’m having my big boys help with the games.  I’m really hoping this will be the catalyst to making many memories as a family.

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 A quick note: Just because we have chosen to homeschool our children does not mean that I am anti-other forms of education.  Not at all!  We were very blessed to have wonderful teachers in public school last year and I’m so grateful for the time, effort (and money!) that they invested in my kids.  Having been on both sides of the schooling coin now, if you are sending your kids out into the world this fall, can I offer one little piece of wisdom?  Don’t let the school have all the fun.  If your son comes home exploding with excitement over learning about the Civil War, head to the library to check out tons of books on the subject.  Offer to take him to a live reenactment that weekend.  Maybe your daughter thinks science experiments are really cool and complains in passing that they don’t do enough in the classroom.  Do a quick Pinterest search and grab the ingredients for your kitchen scientist.  Buy a book on Amazon and leave it on her bed to discover.  In this way, regardless of where our children spend the majority of their day, we as parents still get to give our children the gift of curiosity and wonder.  And time.  In our busy busy culture, I think that’s so important too.

Since this is a blog about my life and my family, I’m sure I’ll have many posts about what we’re learning and reading.  My hope is that it may also help mothers, homeschooling or not, with ideas for their families too.  Instead of writing it off as “Snooze! Another homeschool post.  Doesn’t apply to me!”, I hope you’ll instead maybe use it as inspiration or bookmark a few things you know your kids will enjoy.  I’ll do some of the legwork – you enjoy the memory-making!

No.18: Intentions for the End of August

I am in full school planning mode around here.  We’ve decided to start next week, so it’s a mad dash to pull all of the curriculum, books, and ideas I’ve collected all summer and make them into one coherent outline.  It’s a little overwhelming, but I’m in my element!  It also may explain why I didn’t get to a lot of my previous intentions – oops.  Today’s intentions will actually be for three weeks instead of two, so the list is a little bit longer.  Here’s hoping I’m a little more productive!

Mark and I have decided to financially tighten our belt a little around here.  With a new house, I think it’s easy to want to buy/change/DIY all the things, but we’re trying to focus on gratitude. There will be plenty of time to paint and fluff.  Right now, we’re going to be creative with what we already have and save for boring things like getting dead trees removed, a riding lawn mower and a new washer and dryer.  (Oh and six birthdays and Christmas on the horizon too!)  The other things will come!

INTENTIONS FOR THE END OF AUGUST:

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  • Habit of the Month: HEALTH
  • more green smoothies with collagen peptides – maybe a mid-afternoon snack?
  • no cell phone scrolling right before bed!
  • make three more recipes from my new cookbook
  • bake bread in the dutch oven (100LT #51)
  • be able to barbell squat 70lb.
  • choose a dress/outfit to wear for the blogging conference
  • reorganize the garage
  • buy last few school supplies
  • start new Instagram account for our homeschool
  • celebrate the beginning of school by going out for ice cream
  • take out all of the kids’ fall/winter clothes and see what needs to be purchased
  • make a list of clothing needs for the entire family
  • think about a fall capsule wardrobe (I’m in desperate need of new clothes! #chronicunderbuyer)
  • start reading Anne of Green Gables (part of 100LT #3)
  • read two chapters in my Jackson Pollock book
  • continue Operation Catechism catch-up
  • decide on big gifts for S and TJ’s birthdays and add amount into budget
  • pull out Sophie’s princess cross-stitch and do a few stitches
  • make root beer floats (100LT #97)
  • finish reading Mouse and the Motorcycle aloud to J and watch the movie together
  • finish kids’ chore charts and start new allowance system
  • sign up for cards at our new library 
  • hang master curtains and artwork

PREVIOUS INTENTIONS:

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If you’re reading this on Bloglovin’ or another reader, click through to see what I checked off!

  • lots of veggies in every meal (work on breakfast!) (still need work on breakfast, but getting there)
  • order collagen peptides
  • make three recipes from my new cookbook (2/3: fig jam cookies and Oregon berry crumble – both delicious!)
  • green smoothies for the kids at least twice a week
  • don’t skip weight training even though it hurts! (started Stronglifts 5×5 and love it)
  • wear my new running shoes around (NOT running) to adjust and avoid blisters
  • finish kids’ chore charts and start new allowance system
  • have a tea party in Sophie’s room with real drinks/treats
  • continue Operation Catechism catch-up (didn’t pick this up once!  need to get a better routine started)
  • read Across Five Aprils in preparation for M’s history
  • read two chapters in my Jackson Pollock book
  • start thinking about birthday gifts for Sophie and TJ (found a few fun ideas)
  • make a big batch of taco seasoning to keep in the pantry (100LT #46) (this was way too easy – why did I wait so long?!)
  • organize and prepare the school room
  • register at our new parish
  • sign up the boys for CCD
  • hang master curtains and artwork (STILL on the list – argh)
  • sign up for cards at our new library (STILL on the list – I need to make the time to do this!)

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What about you?  What’s on your to-do list for the next few weeks?

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