Well, we start actively home schooling tomorrow. We won't be doing anything too different then normal however we will be actively schooling. If that wasn't redundant. (Which I'm often told I am.) Today we went to
Half Price Books to see if we could find some good books to 'work' with. For here and now, or for the future.
There are a few in specific that I'm looking for, such as:
Shakespeare Can Be Fun, which looks to be illustrated by kids... for kids! (Also written to be understood!)
The Story of the World volumes one thru four. These little gems tell the story of the world... as things happen. In other words... CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER! Who would have thought of such a thing. To actually teach history in the order for which things happen. I just MIGHT have understood it then! They say: "To teach is to learn again." So here's to second chances! Anyways these books start in first grade, and are used in through eighth grade. $280 for the complete "set". Each set includes a student book, teacher book, a test booklet, and an activity booklet. I don't assume these books are THAT up to speed, including recent events such as the Oklahoma bombing or 9-11. However, those events are all very fresh in my mind, and the internet is an amazing wealth of information.
While there I did find... what looks to be, a good program for Math, English, Science etc. All the core basics. It's called SRA. What the SRA stands for I'm unsure as of right here, right now. However, here is the link for SRA's
website. I've contacted a rep in hopes of getting more information.
The prices are a bit up there, as are most prices on packages such as those. The don't seem totally unrealistic with all the things included... I don't think. Then again, I don't know, since all this is so new to me.
Aside from blog stalking other homeschooling parents, I'm unsure of what to look for in a program. I'm unsure of what books would benefit us as opposed to others, and I don't have the money to spend on whatever book sounds like fun! Though it's a great thought, isn't it!?
Anywho, we didn't find exactly what I was looking for, however. I did find a great wealth of books! Tons of classics, written for children like "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" or "Huckleberry Fin." All the R. L. Stein books, as well as Anne of Green Gables.
We purchased: "I am a nature reader." It's six stories in one book- I am a leaf, a rock, a star, an apple, snow, and water. It's a level one reading book so it will be easy for Gabriella to read when the time comes.
We got a book about the rain forest. It is part of a series of twelve other books (give or take). I picked this one in specific because the kids really enjoy going to the aquarium and the zoo. In flipping through the book I saw something about Harpy Eagles, which we have at the zoo. So why not learn about the animals we see at the places they love to visit. Easy enough.
Because Gabriella has an interest in airplanes, I thought we would play off her interest and get a chapter book about shipwrecks and pirates. (Kind of the opposite of planes... don't know what I was thinking to be honest! haha) This one is called Shipwreck on the Pirate Island. The pages are written to bring attention to certain words. Some words are also replaced with pictures.
I'll take pictures tomorrow (or later today) and post them.
Well I'm off to bed, as it is nearing one am, and I've got three little ones who will be awake by seven. Oh how I love my little 'lovers.'
