Our First Day of Koinonia Cooperative Academy

Back to school - 2010-2011

I can't believe we are beginning our 9th year of Homeschooling!!!!
We joined a Co-op this year (0ur first experience with this type of learning...) The kiddos were so excited to finally have backpacks and lunchboxes.

What a wonderful group of families we are blessed to be a part of. Our first day went well (even Esther had a great time!)

Now, back to lesson planning...

Peterson Directed Handwriting

It's time for another installment in my Product Reviews for The Old Schoolhouse Review Crew. I was not paid for my opinions (still looking for that paying job...)

I was selected to review Peterson Directed Handwriting.

Here's how to find them:

http://www.peterson-handwriting.com/

I specifically looked at Handwriting for 2nd Grade - $15.05 for the set.

Their products are very homeschool friendly, available as downloadable Ebooks. This was a feature that jumped off the page at me right away. I love being able to print what we need, when we need it, and multiplied by as many times as I need it! A very economical choice for families.

I must say, Handwriting is not a favorite subject in the "Bentz Academy for Gifted and Talented Students"... But, it is one that we have been in need of assistance with for some time. Unless all your children are planning on becoming Doctors (we have several in our family, so this is said in love...) You probably need some help with it too!

Peterson's approach is what makes it so unique. Instead of focusing on "drawing" the letters, you teach your child several simple strokes with a corresponding voice chant, which make up most of our letter formation. But, the goal of this program is not to just draw the letters, using your visual processing... It it to create fluency with legibility.

One thing I found particularily helpful with this program was the throughness of explanation. I must say, I had never really focused on handwriting as a process - more of an outcome. This program breaks the teaching (or coaching, as they call it) into very managable steps. Directed practice using the child's voice to create rythym and fluency is a whole new approach for us.

The program comes with everything you need, but if you want additional information, more help with how-to teach this approach... The website is full of helpful and useful items! Even an Information Directory with links to many training videos that you and your child can watch together.

All together, this is a very comprehensive Handwriting program. But, in my opinion, even more than handwriting is being taught with this method. Cognitive processing in every area is increased with their approach. They claim improved spelling, grammar and reading as well. Based on experience going back to 1908 - I'd say they can back up the research.

I can't say that Peterson Directed Handwriting moved our handwriting up to the "favorite -subject-of-the-day" spot.... But, it did give me some very specific, measurable ways of directing my children's progress in this area.

Check out what the other members of the Review Crew had to say at

www.homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolcrew

My First Official Review!

Guess What?! - I have been chosen to be on the 2010 Review Crew for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine!

So, from time to time - I'll be posting some reviews of curriculum they send to me. I do NOT get paid for this, and these are my opinions only... (Matt was delighted to hear I had found a job - but slighly disappointed to hear I don't get paid).

My first product is:

The Old Schoolhouse Travel Kits - A Simple Way to Bless Others by Donna Rees

E-book.

Available online from : http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/

Cost: $12.45

I was so excited to get this ebook! The timing was perfect, since my family was about to leave on a 15 hour road trip. Let me clarify... 15 hours, in a passenger van (3 rows deep...), no DVD player, and 8 children - ages 1 -12. See why I couldn't wait to dive into this book?!

This 93 page book did not disappoint! It has chapters covering everything from the basics, presentation and distribution, making gifts for others and even suggestions for snacks and how to prepare your vehicle for the trip. It is full of useful inspiration, testimonials and how-to's.

I especially enjoyed the chapter on presentation and distribution. Individually wrapping those "goodies" may be more time consuming before you go...but, they love the un-wrapping along the route! Be sure to keep those garbage bags handy!

I found so many new ideas for making our trip more enjoyable: games, snacks, stories. But, one of the truly great chapters expanded the usefulness of this book past just "travel". You'll want to be sure to check out the chapter "Variations on a Theme" - just to see what I mean! I'll be using those ideas all year around.

For anyone planning some travel with children this summer, this is a must-have resource.

Here's a couple of testimonials of my own... aren't they cute!

Be sure to check out all the reviews available on The Old Schoolhouse Review blog at: www.homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolcrew

Family Camp 2010

Sam got Baptized! My biggest moment of Family Camp... my wonderful, almost 13 yr old son being baptized in the river by his Dad! I had major tears of joy... and such a full heart!

We had an awesome time - and I'm happy to report that I've been delivered from the temptation of EVER tent camping! Heat, snakes, floods (not while we were there - thankfully) but - I guess I'm way too much of a suburban girl to go for that kinda of suffering...'er family togetherness.

We also won an award - "My family's bigger than the Tufu's"... I was starting to wonder when another family with 6 kids won the "big family award"... But, we were "next"! They even had a golf cart just perfect for us...

Memorial Day 2010

We had a wonderful Memorial Day! We went hiking at Petit Jean Mountain State Park. It was breathtaking (in more ways than one...)

The view was amazing, and Matt keep the children on their toes by climbing out to the very end of the drop off. When did my children develop a "sense of caution"... they never seem to use it when I'm watching!

After a nice lunch, some more hike, and a downpour of rain - we went home for a nap. (yes, all of us :-)

Naptime was done too soon, so we loaded up and went to the Pool. It's a great family place, it feels like you're stepping back in time... it's old-fashioned fun - just like it was when I was a kid (except we never went to pools - I just dreamed it would be like this!)

We splurged on the family season pass, so I sure the kiddos will want to go everyday!

Happy #15 Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to the Best Husband in the whole world!

I am so blessed to be married for 15 YEARS to an amazing man! You make my life so rich and wonderful.

Here's my top 15 reasons I'm glad I married you...

15. You are an amazing father (and you have "goals").

14. You make me laugh.

13. You never remember some things (hey, it's our anniversary - by the way), but you never forget others (who won bobsled in the 1920 Olympics...)

12. You read great books - and play Authors! (want a game?)

11. You visited the Corn Palace as a kid, and were as disappointed it was just a "building" as I was.

10. Sleeping with Darth Vader can be kinda adventuresome.

9. Grill Baby Grill!

8. You work harder than ever to take care of all of us.

7. You give great backrubs.

6. You're so patient with me and my OCD.

5. You love God more than you love me.

4. You're great at finding new houses online (let's not try that again for awhile!)

3. Our kiddos all look like you (with a little red here-and-there).

2. You go to homeschooling confrences with me for "romance".

1. You bring out the best in me, and everyone around you.

I love you more each year... Happy Anniversary Wonderful Husband!

Essie's ONE!

How did one year fly by so fast?! I would never have believed all the changes that could happen in just one short year...

From Minnesota to Arkansas, pregnant to NOT (for those of wondering... really - NOT), from 7 kids to 8 kids, from cold to hot, from full to empty and back again.

Wow - to just consider the handprints of God all over our lives. Truly, it is Grace and Glory in the most mundane of minutes.

Happy #1 Essie! And many, many more! We had a wonderful celebration - Matt grilled up a masterpiece (Whole Hog just lost their #1 status...) He actually can give these southern BBQ fans something to talk about! Our new friends helped us celebrate, and life is good.