STAR Testing

Remember the Standardized Testing and Reporting (a.k.a. STAR) Test?  I do!  This year was ALW's first year taking it.  I was a nervous reck!  But my sweet son, calm as can be reminds me, "Whatever happens, God allowed it. Right mom?"

Thanks, bud!

To read more on his 1st STAR testing experience, click here. 

"First day of school, First day of school!" - Nemo

Bye, bye summer vacation....hello to a new year of school!

God has graciously allowed us to continue to homeschool our children this year. Our Young Padawan will be in 2nd grade, Princess will start Kindergarten and Little Miss Sunshine will continue with Pre-K.

I'm so excited to start this new school year! At the same time, I fear the many challenges that will come our way. With homeschooling, there will always be challenges. One of the biggest challenges I have is balancing my time. How can I teach the two older children who are in two completely different grades and still manage to give attention to the little one? Two words...through Christ! "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" - Philippians 4:13. Only by the strength that God provides, through His Son, can I take on this task of homeschooling head on.

This year we’re going to start a new curriculum, Five in a Row or FIAR. FIAR is a unit study based on literature. You can find more information about it here. We’re going to try our hand at lapbooking again since the children really enjoyed it. Some of the other curriculum we’re planning on using to supplement FIAR are Saxon Math (K&2), Sing, Spell, Read & Write (1&2), Starfall.com, msnucleus.org, BrainPopJr.com and a few others.

Last year we did an experiment with uniforms. The idea was inspired by the Duggar family who dress their children in colored polo shirts. Having the uniform helps them (and me) differentiate school time with regular home/play time. It worked last year so we decided to continue doing it. Another benefit is that the children are always dressed and ready to step out if necessary. And they look super cute too.

Also, to help keep their work organized, I've given them each a "school work" binder where they can keep all their paperwork. I let them decorate the fronts of their binders with a little bit of my help. OK, I did most of the cutting :) My scrapbook stuff finally came in handy.

It’s going to be a busy year! So my posts will be kept to a minimum but I will try and post new events and adventures that come our way.

Happy Learning!

Colors of the Gospel Lapbook

I've been homeschooling now for 2 years and it's been such a great adventure! Alrick is in his second semester of his 1st grade year. Chloe started Pre-K and so has Mara Jaden. It's been challenging for me since my teaching style and Alrick's learning style is quite different. So this semester Al and I decided that I should try a different teaching approach. This semester we're going to try Unit Studies. I did my research and found so many great sites about unit studies and lapbooking. I've added a couple of links under "Homeschooling" in the left column for you to check out.

Today was our first day attempting to lapbook. If you're unfamiliar with the term I encourage you to click check out this blog: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jaminacema/228122/. She's packed full of info. This is also where I got the idea for the lapbook we made today. We call it, "Colors of the Gospel". It's very similar to a "Wordless Book" (http://www.kidology.org/zones/zone_post.asp?post_id=120). Here are some pics:

The front cover. I made this as an example for the children to follow then gave it to Mara Jaden to personalize.

First thing you see when you open it up is just a black square.

Black represents OUR SIN. I've included a verse an a brief explanation for each color. For Black it reads:

Romans 3:23
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

That is the “Bad News!” Everyone is guilty of sin and must pay for their sin! Just like when someone is lost in the dark, unable to find your way. The same is true of spiritual darkness. Without God, we stumble our way through life struggling to find the Way. We need salvation!

Here's what it looks like when you open the flap.



Red represents THE BLOOD OF JESUS.

1 Corinthians 15: 3-4
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,"

He shed His blood and died to take our place, and rose again to prove His power over death! It is through faith in Jesus and through acceptance of His gift of salvation that man is saved and through nothing else. (Eph. 2:8-9) Jesus offers the salvation we need!

White represents FORGIVENESS (cleansing of salvation).

Isaiah 1:18
“...Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow...”

This is the promise of God, that He will forgive us all our sins! Just like spiritual darkness on the black page, the white can be used as light, or the spiritual sight we are granted once we are saved.

Yellow represents the PROMISE OF HEAVEN.

John 14:2-3
“In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

The Bible tells us that Jesus is preparing a place for us in Heaven to be with Him. Do you believe Jesus came to save you? If yes, is there any reason why you shouldn’t receive God’s salvation through Jesus right now.

Here I've also included a sample of a prayer that someone might sayif they receive Jesus in their heart.

Dear God, I know that I am a sinner and am lost without You. Please forgive me! I believe you sent Jesus to die for me, and that He rose again! I ask Jesus to come into my life and transform me into the person You want me to be. Help me to live for You! Thank You for forgiving me! In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Green represents how you GROW IN YOUR NEW LIFE.

2 Peter 3:18
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”

Green reminds us of things that grow. Grass, trees and plants are green. They all grow when they are given the proper food, water and light. Well, for a Christian, his sunshine is prayer with the Son. His rain is the nourishment of God’s Word, and his soil is the healthy fellowship with other believers in the faith. All three of these must be present in the life of a believer in order for him to live a truly victorious life.

Here I included the ABC's for Salvation:

A - Admit that you're a sinner in need of God.

B - Believe that Jesus died and rose again for your sins.

C - Confess Jesus as Lord of your life.

Here I included some verses:
A - Romans 3:10-23
B - John 3:16
C - Romans 10:9


Then on the back I just traced their hands, made a label so they can sign their name, age, grade and date.



Here are the kiddies with their completed lapbooks.

Not only were these so much fun to make, it gave me an oportunity to witness to my children. To share with them the wonderful news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.