Kinderbach

Our first review for this new year is Kinderbach!  Kinderbach is an introduction to music using the piano or keyboard.  There is a free trial, so if you are interested in your child learning music, please go check it out!  If you are interested and want to join, it is a simple $7.99 per month.
 Samantha has been taking piano for a couple of years, and Riley plays the guitar, so the first few lessons were fairly easy for them, but they seemed to enjoy it.
Here is a screenshot of what their lessons look like...
As for my personal opinion of Kinderbach, I don't really care for it.  The webpage is a little confusing for me and it was hard to figure out where I was supposed to go to get them signed up, and it was a little hard to figure out how to sign in.  The lessons are neat, simple and the kiddos enjoyed them, but I just don't think it is something we would benefit from paying for.

*Disclaimer: My family was given this product free of charge to use and form our own opinion of and share with our readers.  The thoughts and opinions expressed about this item are strictly opinions of myself or my children.*

Seeking Beauty: the Arts and Everything that brings Beauty to our World

I admit, this is where we struggle when it comes to what all we do around here!  We do try, especially when it comes to Art, but it never seems to happen... Good thing, we have our weekly co-op & music lessons!  Last semester they were both in art and their teacher did a little bit of artist study. They are taking art again this semester, with the same teacher, so I know it will continue!  Last year, they also were part of music and were able to perform at the Open House.

They both take voice lessons and are currently working on a piece to perform at church.  Samantha does piano lessons and Riley takes guitar.  Something new this year, they have both recently joined Celebration Singers of Central Arkansas Student Choir. They have only been to one practice and I have been to a parent meeting that was discussion of upcoming trips!  Riley is excited about this choir, Samantha- not so much.  I think it's because she doesn't know anyone... I think she will love it when she figures out how much fun she can have - she loves to sing!  She is not crazy about solo stuff, but in a group - she is fine!

Well, that was kinda random, but that is about how our Fine Arts goes around here!  Check out the rest of the Curriculum Fair participants and see how they incorporate fine arts into their days ~

iPhones & Nooks

The kiddos LOVE to play on my iPhone, so I am always downloading (mostly FREE) apps for them to play on.  A few of our favorite apps are:GENERAL CALS (our local library catalog search)dictionary.com - word of the day & question of the day are both great!SAT QOTD - these are a little harder than the others, but make for some great discussionsMATH: (If you watch, McGraw-Hill will run these for FREE on occasion)MH: FractionsMH: DivisibilityMH: Tric-TracMH: SqueezeMaths AcademyMultiplesTrifectaFactrSamuraiSliceItWORD GAMES:ChicktionaryWords With FriendsSpelling DrillsSCIENCE:3D CellMoleculesHuman AnatomnySkyViewSOCIAL STUDIES:Stack the StatesStack the CountriesUS States Flashcards
Since they each got a Nook Tablet for Christmas, they don't play on my phone as much, and have a few of their own favorite apps -Dictionary, WWF & CALS are all on their Nooks, plus they like Animal Zoo Club, Chess, Minesweeper as well!  (Not so much educational, but they still do learn from it, right?)

Goal Planning Monday ~ 2012 ~ week 3

Here's what last week looked like ~


LAUNDRY AREA: Top wire shelf cleaned off, decluttered, purged and organized. That still didn't happen.. maybe this week?


FAMILY ROOM: go through the DVD's and get rid of VHS tapes - nope, not this either...


KITCHEN: Clean out spice shelves above microwave DONE!  And it looks SO nice!!


DINING ROOM: Clean out underneath hutch


SCHOOL ROOM: finish school table DONE (but, how long will it last?)


MAIN BATHROOM: Under sink cleaned out and find a drawer that fits (cleaned out, but still can't find a drawer)


MY BATHROOM: Top shelf in top cabinet ~ didn't happen, 


MY BEDROOM: pajama drawer & get top of dresser cleaned off ~ didn't happen


KIDDOS ROOMS: Go through their coats/jackets/hoodies and get rid of ones that do not fit DONE


ERRANDS: Books back to library DONE


PERSONAL: Work on typing recipes to put in my new binder - goal this week 5 typed, printed and in the binder! DONE, but still need to type more, so leaving this


Here is what I have on the list for this week:


LAUNDRY ROOM: Top wire shelf cleaned off


FAMILY ROOM: go thru DVD's and get rid of VHS tapes


KITCHEN: Underneath microwave cabinet


DINING ROOM: Clean out underneath hutch


SCHOOL ROOM: Clean off computer desk


MAIN BATHROOM:  bottom shelf of top cabinet


MY BATHROOM: bottom shelf of top cabinet


MY BEDROOM: All laundry put away


KIDDOS ROOMS: Bottom bunks out


ERRANDS: pick up deposit slips for Girl Scouts


PERSONAL: recipes & finish January Lesson Plans & menus/grocery lists



Join us at Mamamanuscript and share what you have going on this week!

Exploring Our World

Social studies is such a broad term... how do you fit it all in?  For us, we decided what was most important and went that route with things!  We started in first grade with Story of the World.  It is a 4 year history rotation that takes us from beginning of time until now.  When we finished up the 4th volume, we started All American History, which is a two year American rotation.  Once we finish that up, we will start over and that should take them thru 12th grade.  I chose to go this route because SotW and AAH both incorporate one thing that I think is a very important skill ~ MAPS! We have also (when they were younger) worked our way through map workbooks.
My dilemma now, as we are approaching the end of the 2nd year of AAH, is do we start over with Story of the World? Or do we switch to Mystery of History?  I really like SotW, and I know that during this next rotation, we would dig deeper into things, but I know MoH incorporates much more Bible than SotW.  So, I am currently torn on these two items ~ if you have an opinion on either one, please feel free to share!!

Another thing that is important in the exploring our world area of homeschooling is real life/hands on exploring the world.  We are very involved in the community we live in.  Roger is very active in the fire department and the kiddos have grown up knowing what it means to be a part of the fire department - what it means to help someone out.  We are active in our church, which does some outreach to the neighborhood children.  And finally, we are very involved in scouting - which has taught them both a lot about exploring their world!

Visit others who have joined in and see what it looks like when they explore their world:

Science and Worldview by Beth @ Ozark Ramblings
  Nature Study as Science by Christine @ Crunchy Country Catholic
  Virtual Curriculum Fair Week 3- Social Studies and more Science by Leah Courtney @ The Courtney Six Homeschool Family
  Curriculum Fair–Exploring Our World by Angie @ Petra School
  Paths of Exploration by Jen @ Forever, For Always
  Learning Geography at Our House by Jessica @ Modest Mama
  The Fascinating World Around Us by Cindy Horton @ Fenced in Family
  More Heart of Dakota Praises by Nicole @ Schooling in the Sun
  Our History by Melissa @ Grace Christian Homeschool
  Playful US Geography for First Grade by Pam @ Everyday Snapshots
  Heart of Dakota-The Fine Details-Part 3 History by Lynn @ Ladybug Chronicles
  Exploring Our World Through History & Science by Brenda Emmett @ Garden of Learning
  Two History Must-haves by Letha @ justpitchingmytent
  Learning About The World Around Us by Laura O from AK
  Social Studies and Science - What do we do? by Joelle @ Homechooling for His Glory
  History Chronologically and with Living Books by Debbie @ Debbie's Digest
  Why History? by MissMOE @ Homeschooling While Living the Life of Easier
  Exploring Our World by Christa Darr @ Fairfield Corner Academy