Lots More to Say!

I know I should probably do the "7 Quick Takes" Fridays, but I'm not that organized and don't always have lots to say! (at least I don't think I do)


This book "Betsy-Tacy" is Ballerina Rosie's first book for her mother-daughter book club through our homeschool group. The first meeting is tomorrow and we just finally got it at the library yesterday!! My Que was 3!! We've already read 4 chapters and hope to read another 5 today. It's a real treasure! This is the first of a series of books written about these sweet characters. The writer is from MN and said she had such a wonderful childhood that she had to write about it! I'm so glad we found this series and can't wait to read more! Ballerina Rosie is 6 and the youngest in the group, but she's very excited!

This is our stairway last year, but this is how it will look this afternoon, minus the pink truck. We do the Glory Stories Stations for Children, I love it and it gives me goosebumps and tears everytime we do them! The kids love following along and sitting on the stairs in between stations!

I started doing large letters for Mary and Babycakes, we are only up through C. They both really love doing it though! I see I might need to bring some different colors for D!

We won't have enough room for the whole alphabet (or 2 whole alphabets) in our school room so we'll have to put them in the basement!

Now, this is your homeschool advertisement warning: I am going to give a big push for homeschooling and a anti public school push. So, I don't want to offend anyone, I just am very obviously pro-homeschooling, so you might choose to skip this part, until the next group of pictures!

Jedi took his state test at the library this past weekend and I am only mentioning this because it shows how poor public schools really are. I think he's smart, but not that smart, and I certainly am not. This test is what the schools take and when people ask "why do you homeschool?" I want to pull this out and say "why would I not homeschool?" The middle row of numbers shows what grade equivalency he is at for each of those subjects. For example, total reading, he's at an 8th grade level in the first month of school. Keep in mind he's in 3rd grade. This compares to public school kids. Are public school kids really that dumb? What are teachers teaching them? Obviously not very much. Sorry this picture is so blurry (dumb camera), but the first subject is Science, Social Studies and Art. The person who tested him said it's a wide range of topics like Shakespeare (which he does not know), but he got every answer correct for Science. If I sent him to public school, he would be so bored. I've talked with other homeschool moms and they get basically the same results and are amazed at what the public schools are not teaching. This makes all the hard work so worth it.

While Jedi was taking his hour and 1/2 test, I had plenty of time to look for books for me! I found these wonderful books!! I used to get the bi-monthly Mailbox magazines when I did daycare and get so many of my craft ideas from those. Mine are so old though, these are current yearbooks, that have all the magazines in one book! They have crafts, songs, snacks, circle time, and so much more! This was all I could carry without my book bag....I'll get more next time!! The shamrocks yesterday, I got that idea from one of these!

There! I think I'm done for now.

I'm back!!! *****I must add something more about homeschooling. I truly believe that in order to do homeschooling and do it successfully, you must be called. By God that is. I really feel that call and when have my doubts (often) remember that calling. I do not believe everyone is called to homeschool and think the world needs all kinds of educated people (children) for a lot of reasons. I am in no way trying to make anyone feel guilty for not homeschooling. You must know though, that us homeschoolers are pretty strong in our convictions. We have to be in order to do what we do. I just think if you are on the fence about doing it or not, maybe these test scores will help. If you are homeschooling and feeling overwhelmed, look at those test scores and be relieved that you are doing a great job!*****

****Also: The state of MN does require yearly testing done on homeschooled children, after the age of 7. There are a few different tests to choose from. We chose (last year too) the Peabody test or the Piat (Peabody Individual Achievement Test). With this test, it is oral, and the tester (not the parent) asks a series of questions in each subject until 3 questions are answered incorrectly, then that is where they stop in that subject. It is compared to public school kids not parochial schools.******The test costs $45 and the state does not check back for the results, I know, dumb, huh? It's required though, so we do it, just in case. It is a good tool for the parents to see though.