Guiding Light Homeschool

22 May 2013

{More} Investigating Charlotte Mason

So my investigation of Charlotte Mason and her methods has been continuing since my last post (Investigating Charlotte Mason) and I have some more things to share!

Several good books to check out (literally…from the library!). I checked these three out and loved them so much I have my own copies on the way (NONE of the links provided are affiliate links):

A Charlotte Mason Education by Catherine Levison
More Charlotte Mason Education by Catherine Levison
Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola

More helpful websites and blogs:

Charlotte Mason Help
Higher Up and Further In
Jimmie’s Collage

Some books I am investigating (from the library) to use with P:

Family Math by Jean Stenmark
Come Look With Me Series (art) by Gladys Blizzard
Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv

A new book I am VERY INTERESTED in for our youngest is Language Lessons for Little Ones Vol. 1.

Some books I am getting from the library for me:

Books That Build Character: A Guide to Teaching Your Child Moral Values Through Stories by William Kilpatrick
Mrs. Sharp’s Traditions by Sarah Ban Breathnach
The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden

I have this book coming from the library that cover “book lists”…keep in mind there is NO ONE BOOK LIST for CM style learning / teaching. The Homeschooler’s Book of Lists by Sonya Haskins

Penny Gardner’s Charlotte Mason Website has a page FULL of many different links: Charlotte Mason-Friendly Sites.

I will be continuing my research and I’m sure I will be sharing more.

Here’s praying you have fun learning!

Dawn | No comments | Tags: Charlotte Mason, Homeschooling

21 May 2013

Homeschool • Memes • Personal • Pictures

Simple Woman’s Daybook ~ 5/21/13

Simple Woman's Daybook

This post is linked to The Simple Woman’s Daybook

FOR TODAY:

Outside my window…it is almost bedtime so it is dark outside. It is cool enough outside that the windows have been open all day.

I am thinking…the Lord still has much work to do in me.

I am thankful…damage to our area wasn’t worse due to the storms last night.

In the kitchen…nothing…dirty dishes still from supper, if that counts? *grin*

I am wearing…bed pants and t-shirt.

I am creating…chaos.

I am wondering….if or when hubby will get a job for the Fall.

I am reading…The One Year Bible.

I am ~~hoping~~ praying…for those affected by the tornado in OK.

I am looking forward to…some day when I get a long break from running constantly.

I am learning…about Charlotte Mason methods.

Around the house…need to clean / wash the floors.

I am pondering…why our country cannot seem to get it…money and things will never fully satisfy.

A favorite quote for today…No matter how many steps you take away from God, it only takes one to get back.

A few plans for the rest of the week: work, school, Tae Kwon Do for the boys, church…the usual.

A peek into my day (yesterday)...took the boys to TKD and went to work…typical Monday. *grin*

Any picture…the little guy and the bigger one next to him (closest to the camera) are my two boys. This is Tae Kwon Do class. They LOVE it!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Dawn | No comments | Tags: Homeschooling

20 May 2013

High School • Homeschool • Schoolhouse Reviews

Schoolhouse Review ~ College Prep Genius #hsreviews

We had the opportunity to review High School Prep Genius offered by College Prep Genius. This 440 page book is jam-packed FULL of helpful information for students mainly in High School (but can be used as early as 7th Grade).

The purpose of this 7″ x 10″ book (taken directly from the text) is:

to help shape students’ personal and academic development by giving each student the tools needed to succeed.

The book is broken down into three sections: Personal Success, Academic Success and Future Success. Each section is six chapters. It is suggested that a “College and Career Notebook” be made in which sample charts and tables are provided in the text (although I would personally need to make my own based off of what is in the text as they are not large enough to simply copy, in my opinion). The charts are wonderful items to get parents and students alike thinking about the importance of each action and each event that is going to be taking place. What role does the student need to play? Leader, or follower (as both skills are important to learn)? Summer jobs and learning to be dependable. Test preparation. The list goes on and on.

The “Introduction” actually is where a breakdown BY MONTH is suggested for ninth graders thru seniors. EXCELLENT handy tool!!

Each chapter is written directly to the student, but then also has a parent section. LOVE this! Suggestions are also offered…NICE help for brainstorming when one isn’t even sure which direction to start or go. LOVE this too! Each chapter has a “Think About It” area that causes the student to STOP AND THINK about what they just read, and to then think about applying it to THEMSELVES particularly. LOVE this! For example:

Think about what you have to learn and what you want to learn in high school. Decide what goals you want to accomplish in the next four years and what subjects you really want to focus on. Honestly evaluate whether you can handle all, some, or none of the advanced classes. Research the policies of colleges you are considering toward advanced courses.

I think the only thing I don’t love about this review is that we didn’t find out about this until the end of our 10th Grade year! *wink* What an amazing tool for students. Seriously.

This book is for those planning on attending college – however – I believe it has VERY USEFUL information for those who do not plan on attending college…it is just an overall “adult development” tool.

It sells for $29.95 and can be purchased HERE.

Click to read more College Prep Genius reviews from the Schoolhouse Review Crew

Here’s praying you have fun learning!

Dawn | One comment | Tags: High School, Homeschooling, Schoolhouse Review

18 May 2013

Giveaway

Tupperware Review & Giveaway ~ Quick Shake

I had the opportunity to review the Quick Shake from Tupperware offered by an amazing representative named Jackie Betancourt. Of course we all know the name Tupperware so it is no surprise that this piece of “machinery” is absolutely WONDERFUL! But not only that, but Jackie was a wonderful rep to work with! She got my order in quickly with NO issues. (I *LOVE* no issues, don’t you???)

photo QuickShake_zpsca170467.jpg

So…she sends me the Quick Shake to review and at first I’m thinking, “I will *NEVER* use this thing.” Ahh…but then the Lord brought to mind that we make our own homemade Ranch dressing using mayonnaise, milk and seasoning. That stuff is ALWAYS chunky the first time we use it and we all say, “EWWWW!” (but we eat it anyway). So, the Lord brought to mind to use the Quick Shake and WOW! is all I can say. NO CHUNKS…we are ALL VERY HAPPY about that! Anddd…as if that wasn’t enough…it is also the container I store / use it in. WOOT! Happy does not even come close to what this mama is!

If you want to purchase one for yourself now, you can do so for $16 HERE, or enter my giveaway!

I am REALLY excited to offer a Quick Shake (or equivalent value) to one of my readers. [Since this is one of her best selling items, she wanted to be able to offer this giveaway to even those who already have one!] Enter below…

Dawn | 8 comments | Tags: Giveaways!, Review

18 May 2013

Giveaway

Review & Giveaway ~ A Growing Time Calendar Journal

A Growing Time with Charlotte Mason Calendar Journal is for moms ~ it is NOT a school calendar / planner. I was surprisingly shocked at this wonderful little tool of encouragement for the Charlotte Mason mom (or any mom, really). It is really put together well and DOES provide gentle reminders and encouragement to “keep up the hard work” and that it *IS* worth it!

Each month opens with a page where you can write “Gentle Reminders,” “Prayer Requests,” and “Books I Am Reading.” It then has a two-page spread for the entire month with small squares to write items. Following that are two-pages of Charlotte Mason learning items like: Lessons from Frog & Toad, Pull the Weeds and Too Often Habit is the Frustrator…gentle reminders and encouragement to work on our children’s education and character. It then goes in to a two-page spread for each week of the month. The writing space is about 2 x 4 and is unlined. Each week also has a quote from Charlotte Mason at the top…yet another gentle reminder. Each month closes with an area to write notes.

Currently they have a “school year calendar” (July – June) available but later this year they will have January – December as well. Another thing I am really excited about is the price. AFFORDABLE! Running $17.95, which can be purchased HERE. Or…you can enter my giveaway…

Would I recommend this? Absolutely! Most of the time I just want to purchase the cheapest item I can find…but this…this is not only affordable but it has such wonderful reminders and helps for educating and raising our young ones. To me, it is worth the price to have everything in one place along with some much needed “mom things”.

I am REALLY excited to have the opportunity to give one copy away to one of my readers. Enter below…

Dawn | 5 comments | Tags: Giveaways!, Review

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