Kristen Blog

Homeschool Math Help - Adding Decimals October 2, 2012 Xander was struggling in her math book this year.  She had been using Spectrum and Evan Moor.  This year, we switched to Bob Jones University Press.  I saw that the “appropriate” grade level 5 was going to be challenging, but I offered her the choice of 4th and 5th.  She chose the challenge. Whew! We started out with some intense place value…including high value (billions, etc.) and DECIMALS!!!!!  Fortunately, I found some math help aids online at http://www.math-aids.com/ .  I added about 5 pages to the two in her book on place value.  She still struggled with certain aspects of the concept, which was evident in her final test, but after a few weeks of pounding the same topic, she needed to move on. AND…we moved on right into the hands of addition with random place values!   So, she needs to be able to recognize place value to organize the ...

We are back in the swing of things, as of mid-July.  In fact, the girls have managed to complete 200 credits already this homeschool year! I felt led to get an early start this year, so that we don’t feel pressured or forced on any particular day.  I assume that allows us to be more flexible to the spirit.  There are days when someone has need, and if I feel pressured to complete hours, I might be tempted to choose homeschool over our mission from God.  That is a continual worldly pull…number and credits and proof, quantity over quality, etc.  I am making a point to fight that, but it is sometimes a fine line.  I do want my children to receive a good education, AND I want them to be focused on God’s work.  The only way to meet both needs is to focus on God Himself and allow Him to guide me step by step and day by day. So far, I’m pretty thrilled with our curriculum for the year.  I noticed that I tend to neglect a few ...

Homeschool Organization March 12, 2012 I recently purchased the cutest calendar on sale at JoAnn’s.  It was a glass frame with a pre-printed blank calendar, which I could fill in with dry-erase markers. The whole concept got me thinking…I’ve always wanted a chalkboard in my kitchen.  I have several friends who have them, and I always notice their sweet messages.  However, I don’t like to shop, and I never saw a chalkboard when I was out. This calendar gave me the idea to create my own.  Here’s how I did it: I found an old frame in the basement.  It’s about an 11 x 13 in, but you could use any size.  This frame was already painted blue.   I loved the color, but I didn’t like the color with the photo in it.  So, it worked well for a re-purpose. I picked out a piece of muslin that I had lying around (also in the basement).  I focused on light cloth without a pattern, so the message would be ...