Do You Remember...

When you first started reading?  This year's main focus has been learning to read for Zephyr. Mrs. Jana (fellow Texas homeschooler & blogger) told us about The Well Trained Mind . I agree with the author's suggested use of literature to teach Zephyr and Saenz. 

We have also used: Hooked on Phonics, Reading Eggs, Reading Rabbit, McGuffey's, migratory flocks of primers, and sight word flash cards. 

The lovely thing is one afternoon we got my WALKING DEAD: Compendium 1  delivered and Zephyr realized he could read the words.  Mind you! He did sound out an expletive but, I was just so happy he connected his past lessons into actual reading. PHEW! I feel like I have done my job as a teacher.

Now Zephyr is reading whatever, he gets his hands on and has the confidence to tell me (SSSSSSHHHH) it is his turn.  Plus now I have been looking for movies with subtitles in English to help his fluency.  So this year we will be ordering Sonlight Multi Core C (2nd grade) plus more readers for him at 3rd reading level. 

http://www.sonlight.com/homeschool-curriculum.html?type=grade&grade=2&tab=multisubject

So let me invite ya'll to do a happy dance.

We have a new reader in the chicken coop!
Happy Easter to All who pass here.
Mal

I Am A Reader So...

After reading some articles I wanted to pass on to all of my readers.  I am really incensed after watching the Republican debates.  Yes, I do watch them because I want to know who is being set up at the sacrificial lamb (figure head) to led the free world. 

Mind you, I am not happy with President Obama nor did I vote for him in 2008.  I feel he just gives too many concessions to our GOP leaders.  In this I believe he was being a patsy up until; he started signing Executive Orders to right some of America's economic ills.  Thank you Mr. Obama for finally finding your voice and standing up to the 'NO MORE TAX INCREASES,' edict issued by Grover Norquist and signed many 'elected Republican officials.'  

And before you all consider voting for a Republican or say Libertarian just go look in many sources until you are comfortable with your candidates voting stance -- that is all I am saying.

By the way Mr. Cain, we do not purchase any oil from IRAN for the record.  LOL I almost passed out over that gaffe.  Also, if our candidates applaude or sanction water boarding or other torture techniques then, they are saying they are okay with the torture of our military or civilian abductees.  Just saying be careful of whom you are voting for because when one finger points three are pointing back in return.

Why I can not vote for a Republican this go around:
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/how-the-gop-became-the-party-of-the-rich-20111109?link=mostpopular1

One of the many reasons I can not ever indorse Mr. Perry:
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/rick-perry-the-best-little-whore-in-texas-20111026

The Libertarian Party website:
http://www.lp.org/

On the divide for those who serve in the military and going back to civilian.  It is not easy:
http://battleland.blogs.time.com/2011/11/10/an-army-apart-the-widening-military-civilian-gap/

The entire Republican debate on foreign policy; brace yourselves it's long.  The one of foreign policy usually seals my vote since, the LOCK BOX and condensending tone of Al Gore's .  I just imagine the TO BE President talking to a hostile foreign leader.  If I can't see a war started right there then maybe:
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7388072n&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CBSNewsVideo+(News+Video%3A+CBSNews.com)

My books for the last week:

THE HELP by Kathryn Stocket (excellent read)

NIGGER by Dick Gregory (Excellent read and will use this in our curriculum.)

A MIGHTY HEART by Mariane Pearl (Excellent read and I cried for Daniel Pearl's family again.)

WISHFUL DRINKING by Carrie Fisher (Love her sense of wry humor and outlook dealing with her upbringing.)

DISPATCHES FROM THE EDGE by Anderson Cooper (Well written, sometimes people shock me too and the absurdity of the human condition in given disasters.)

I leave y'all to a wonderful week in your slices of heaven.  We are so fortunate and are still acknowledging our blessings as a family. 

Stay informed,
Mal

Complete Debate coverage online videos:
http://www.2012presidentialelectionnews.com/2012-debate-schedule/2011-2012-primary-debate-schedule/

My Chaotic Peace: Here is the list of links

Jen, As I said I would here is the compliation of links for resources I use to homeschool our boys.  It is funny to think just how much you inspired me.  Over a year ago, I was wrestling with the ideal or dream of home schooling Saenz and Zephyr.  I read your blog and journey through life and knew home schooling was going to be our path.  So with many thanks I have put together this list of links or internet places we use. 

http://pipes.yahoo.com/pipes/pipe.info?_id=6725af53063e87a7ab0ba036c9bc4c1f
http://www.khanacademy.org/ (love love love this site)
http://www.hslda.org/
http://www.homeschooldiner.com/subjects/main.html
http://www.mightybookjr.com/Catalog_A_F.php
http://www.kids-science-experiments.com/
http://www.sciencelearningspace.com/getting-started/syllabus-schedule/
http://www.learningpage.com/main/home.html
http://www.asm.org/index.php/education/classroom-activities.html
http://teachers.net/
http://homeschoolercafe.blogspot.com/
http://leading-learning.blogspot.com/
http://arlenkern74.blogspot.com/
http://homeschoolingintexas.blogspot.com/ (love Jana and have met her & family)
http://confessionsofahomeschooler.blogspot.com/
http://www.learningthings.com/blog/index.php/homeschool-curriculum-offers-great-benefits
http://www.guesthollow.com/blog.html
http://runofthemillfamily.blogspot.com/ (story of the world)
http://www.tanglewoodeducation.com/
http://store.doverpublications.com/index.html
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/index.htm

http://www.worldbook.com/encyclopedias/world_book_-_1_year_web_subscription/flypage.tpl.html/www.homeschooltracker.com/default.aspx

http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/teachingtools.html (Love Love Love this site…)
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/cms_sp/1196247623?sp=62867&event=TNRP
http://www.queenhomeschool.com/index.html
http://www.engrade.com/
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Whatsnew.shtml
http://www.rain.org/homeschool/world-history-start-up.html
http://www.nestlearning.com/
http://www.childcareland.com/free.html
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/
http://www.homeschoolmedia.com/gems/contents.phtml
http://www.lessonpathways.com/Pathways/Detail/54523/homeschool-resource-links
http://web.wm.edu/hsi/
http://www.homeschool-articles.com/
http://www.lessonpathways.com/Home
http://www.mathcats.com/index.html#contents
http://www.early-years-homeschool.com/
http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/free-lesson-plans/index.cfm
http://www.hometrainingtools.com/default.asp?bhcd2=1270042053
http://www.ixl.com/membership/family/pricing
http://www.homeschooloasis.com/lab_science_book_pg.htm
http://www.mathtutordvd.com/products/item7.cfm

http://onlineeducationforkids.com/
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/classroom/k-2/math/resources/
http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/explore/sci.htm
http://www.homeschoolingonashoestring.com/science.html
http://www.texashomeeducators.com/
http://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/homeschool-id/
http://www.memorydynamics.com/school_products.html
http://budgethomeschool.com/
http://free.ed.gov/
http://www.tlsbooks.com/
http://www.suite101.com/


http://www.kidzone.ws/
http://www.learn2type.com/
http://www.homeschoolclassifieds.com/
http://www.homefires.com/free.asp
http://www.timthemathman.com/Quizzes/Multiplication_Quizzes/
http://www.aaaspell.com/
http://www.kiddyhouse.com/

http://www.handwritingworksheets.com/index.htm
 (blank or actual sheets to teach printing or cursive)

http://www.childrensbooksforever.com/childrenpages/mission.html
http://www.education.com/
http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm
http://wwwhttp//www.mhhe.com/biosci/ap/saladin2e/student/olc/esp.mhtml.sciencemuseum.org.uk/educators.aspx

http://www.einsteinmontessori.com/ems.php?category=faqs_about_dyslexia
http://www.homeeducationresources.com/FREE1.htm
http://wwhttp//www.microsoft.com/education/teachers/guides/freetools.aspx?WT.mc_id=freetools_pbsw.colormountain.com/

http://jmathworksheets.com/index.html
http://www.c-spanclassroom.org/Teacher-Opportunities.aspx
http://www.donnayoung.org/forms/planners/grade.htm
http://www.secularhomeschool.com/content/
http://www.knowledge-gallery.com/index.php

http://www.shodor.org/featured/DiseaseModel/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+freeK12edu+%28Free+K-12+Education%29

http://www.amathsdictionaryforkids.com/
http://educator.com/
http://www.time4learning.com/ (we are using this monthly service to supplement)
http://www.everythinghomeschooling.com/ (have subscription for lesson plans)
http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page (free books)
http://www.weeklyreader.com/ (have subscription)

Currently, I am reading the The Well Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education plus a few other books to ensure I have left nothing out.  Home schooling is working out wonderful for us because of folks like Grumpy Gramps, Jana, Sobrina, Jen, Melodie, Tricia and others who are there when I have questions.

Thanks,
Talk to you later after our class; we are attending online a free seminar on lasers here: http://www.superchargedscience.com/
Mal

Gardening and Homeschool Lessons: Week 2

How lucky for us that one of Mr. Larry's gifts (Grumpy Gramps) was a subscription to Weekly Reader program with the added Life Pac for science.  So, when I broke open the packet yesterday Zephyr found this issue right off the bat.

Week 1: http://saenzmom.blogspot.com/2011/03/our-garden-seed-project-week-1.html
Planting Day: http://saenzmom.blogspot.com/2011/02/welcome-to-world-boudan.html

Later today, we will water the beans we have already placed in the yard.  And will decide where to place our melons and squash since, they are about ready to put in the garden.  It has been a bumpy road trying to fence the chickens out of the garden area we have next to our house. The feathered monsters keep trying to get to our tender seedlings.  I will take some pictures later of our progress when it is not so cool outside. 

Brrrrr, in the 40s this morning but is around 65 degrees now.  For South Texas it would be a really stellar day if not for the chilly wind. Hopefully this afternoon will be warm enough to take the boys outside for watering and transplanting.  Zephyr woke up with a cold this morning -- thus I am waiting for more heat.

Sad news, one of the turkey poults died late yesterday.  I have no idea why -- they are not over crowded, are dry and warm.  Grrrr, now I understand a bit better why there is a saying:

TURKEYS LIVE TO DIE...... Kinda sad really

No news on my sister yet.  She was still in the hospital yesterday with the staff running a bunch of test.  So far, nothing has shown to be the cause of her strokes.  I firmly believe the science of medicine is really an ART form  instead of science since, each individual is unique.  What will work for a few will not work for others.  Hopefully soon; she will find a doctor who listens to her entire history and is clued in enough to treat her as an individual instead of as a member of the herd.

Okay, off to teach some phonics and hopefully more reading to Zephyr. I hope your slices of heaven are full of blessings.

Mal