Wednesday, September 30, 2020
St. Jerome and the Lion
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Celebrating Michaelmas
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I tried adapting our Michaelmas Blackberry Cobbler recipe using Cassava Flour and Coconut Sugar... Didn't turn out wonderful but I enjoyed having a refined sugar-free treat! |
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St. Raphael, St. Michael and St. Gabriel from Naturally Catholic • Ostheimer Dragon |
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St. Michael Saints 'N Stitches from Waltzing Matilda |
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All decked out to celebrate his patron saint! St. Michael Socks • St. Michael T-Shirt from Catholic T-shirt Club • St. Michael Coffee Mug |
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The special little gift I purchased hasn't arrived yet... but the younger kids were so excited when this Special Edition Saints Around the World Box arrived! |
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I was just (unsuccessfully) looking for our copy of The Great Battle for Heaven! Perfect timing. |
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St. Michael Statue, another My Holy Cards Holder, and all sorts of other goodies too! |
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The Great Battle for Heaven |
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The Children's Book of Angels |
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Blackberry Bubly and Izze Sparkling Blackberry Drinks |
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I had planned to make our Apple Chicken to serve with Angel Hair, but changed my mind after seeing Ruby's Chicken Scampi... Yummmmmmmmm! |
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Our annual Michaelmas Cupcakes are always a favorite! Devil's Food Cupcakes with swords for "stabbing the Devil!" |
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3 Archangels Saint Block Set from Almond Rod Toys • Playmobil Swords |
Sunday, September 27, 2020
Tooth Trauma {Take Two}
If you've been reading along for awhile, you might remember the Tooth Trauma we had way back in 2012... Well, this past week, as we were getting started on the first experiments for Zoology 2 (the first time we've revisited the topic since 2012-2013... So ironic!) I joked with the children saying "Let's not break any teeth this time!" On Wednesday night, after I was tagged a couple times in a Christendom post featuring one of our boys, I also joked in a comment saying "Such good looking students!" ;)
Sigh... I know better than to joke around like that!
Thursday night, after soccer practice, I received a text message with the following photo...
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"Soccer practice" |
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"A true Christendom intellectual" |
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Meanwhile older brother was making plans for this year's Costume Dance... |
She did an amazing job putting the tooth back together! It actually looks better than it did before. Eventually he will need a crown, but hopefully this will hold for another 8 years...
And no more soccer without a mouth guard!
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Our 2020-2021 Curriculum
- Excerpted from a speech originally given by Fr. John Hardon, S. J.
Technically she only needs to take Chemistry+LAB, Theology, and just one elective to complete the requirements for the Summa Cum Laude diploma from Kolbe Academy!
Our Moral Life in Christ
with Our Moral Life in Christ Student Workbook
Science: (1 Credit + LAB)
Exploring Creation with Chemisty (2nd Edition) plus Solutions and Tests
Chemistry: Essential Practice for Key Science Topics (The 100+ Series)
Student Lab Notebook, Lab Kit and Kitchen Scale
Muse on the Loose: Survey of Greek Literature in Translation (Fall)
Muse Re-Loosed: Survey of Latin Literature in Translation (Spring)
She has really loved taking Dr. Fisher's Latin 1 & 2 the past two years (completing Wheelock Latin) but, rather than move on to translating, decided to take her Literature course this upcoming year.
Additional English/Literature: (1/2 semester each)
The Illiad by Homer with Joseph Pearce
The Odyssey by Homer with Joseph Pearce
using the recorded courses at Homeschool Connections
Mathematics: (1/2 Credit)
Foundations in Personal Finance (Fall)
Possible dual credit Math course in Spring 2021, still undecided
History: (1 Credit)
Government, Democracy, and Citizenship with Ed Rivet (Fall - 3/4 semester)
American Elections:Democracy in Action with Ed Rivet (Fall - Audit Class Oct 1-Nov 5, 2020)
Economics as if people matter! with Philip Campbell (Spring)
using the recorded courses at Homeschool Connections
Fine Arts: (1/2 Credit)
Choir
High School Golf (hopefully competitive!)
Mathematics: (1 Credit)
Saxon Algebra 2 Solutions Manual and Homeschool Testing Book
English: (1 Credit)
Elegant Essay (Fall)
Live Online Class through Stylistic Scibe
Portable Walls for the Essayist
Speech Boot Camp (Spring)
English/Literature: (1 1/2 Credits)
Mansfield Park, Oliver Twist and North and South
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis (Fall)
using the recorded courses at Homeschool Connections
History: (1 Credit)
Additional literature chosen from Connecting with History, Volume 2 - The Arrival of the King and His Kingdom, New Testament and Early Medieval History:
One Hundred Saints, Their Lives and Likenesses Drawn from Butler's Lives of the Saints and Great Works of Western Art
A Graphic Life of Jesus Christ
Penguin Historical Atlas of Ancient Rome
The New Penguin Atlas of Medieval History
Lives from Plutarch
Mythology
Unit #1: Julius Caesar, Ben Hur (audio)
Unit #2: The Spear: A Novel of the Crucifixion
Unit #3: Story of the Last Days of Jerusalem from Josephus, Quo Vadis
Unit #4: Eagle of the Ninth, The Silver Branch
Unit #5: St. Athanasius, St. Monica, Beowulf: Illustrated Edition, Confessions of St. Augustine
Unit #6: Two Lives of Charlemagne
Unit #7: Hamlet, The Ballad of the White Horse
History Through the Ages Record of Time - Timeline
Chemistry + LAB with Mrs. Taylor over at Taylor Science
Exploring Creation with Chemisty (2nd Edition) plus Solutions and Tests
Chemistry: Essential Practice for Key Science Topics (The 100+ Series)
Student Lab Notebook, Lab Kit and Kitchen Scale
Foreign Language: (1 Credit)
Latin II using Wheelock Latin, 7th Edition
Live online class, Lukeion
Fine Arts: (1/2 Credit)
Choir
Physical Education: (1 Credit)
High School Golf
Religion:
The Highway to God: Highway to Heaven Series Book 7/8
with Practical Problems in Religion
Additional Reading Assignments/Saint Stories
Mathematics:
Saxon Algebra 1/2 with Solutions Manual and Tests
Mastering Algebra John Saxon's Way: Algebra 1/2 DVD Set
Language Arts:
Phonetic Zoo, continue Level B
Writing Our Catholic Faith - Grade 8 Cursive Writing
Literature:
The Chronicles of Narnia, Part One and Part Two with Kevin O'Brien
using the recorded courses at Homeschool Connections
Chronicles of Narnia Book Set
History & Geography:
Light to the Nations, Part One
Additional literature chosen from Connecting with History, Volume 2 - The Arrival of the King and His Kingdom, New Testament and Early Medieval History:
57 Stories of Saints
Famous Men of Rome
Famous Men of the Middle Ages
Roman Britain
Augustus Caesar's World
A Graphic Life of Jesus Christ
Unit #1: Julius Caesar, Ben Hur (audio)
Unit #2: The Bronze Bow, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Unit #3: The Ides of April, Beyond the Desert Gate
Unit #4: The White Isle, Galen and the Gateway to Medicine
Unit #5: Beowulf the Warrior, St. Helena and the True Cross, The King's Thane
Unit #6: Fingal's Quest, King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table, St. Benedict: Hero of the Hills
Unit #7: The Story of Rolf and the Viking Bow, The Sword of Clontarf
History Through the Ages Record of Time - Timeline
Various Mapping Assignments, Activities, Puzzles and Games
Exploring Creation with Physical Science (3rd Edition)
with Solutions and Tests and Student Notebook
Golf
Mathematics:
Saxon 5/4 with Solutions Manual and Tests/Worksheets
Saxon Teacher Math 5/4 Lesson and Tests CDs
Language Arts:
Fix It! Grammar: The Nose Tree (Book 1 Teacher/Student Combo)
Writing Our Catholic Faith - Grade 5 Cursive Writing
Supplemental Readers and Additional Literature
Literature:
The Chronicles of Narnia, Part One and Part Two with Kevin O'Brien
using the recorded courses at Homeschool Connections
Chronicles of Narnia Book Set
History & Geography:
Additional literature chosen from Connecting with History, Volume 2 - The Arrival of the King and His Kingdom, New Testament and Early Medieval History:
57 Stories of Saints
Famous Men of Rome
Famous Men of the Middle Ages
Roman Britain
Augustus Caesar's World
Ancient World (Usborne)
Spend the Day in Ancient Rome
Twelve Bright Trumpets
A Life of Our Lord for Children
The First Christians
Unit #1: Cleopatra, City, Ben Hur (audio)
Unit #2: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Mary My Mother, Good St. Joseph
Unit #3: City of the Golden House, St. Peter the Apostle, The Apostles of Jesus, St. Paul the Apostle
Unit #4: The Roman Colosseum, Gladiator, No Tears for the Bride: A Story of St. Perpetua
Unit #5: St. Helena and the True Cross, Beowulf: A Hero's Tale Retold, St. George and the Dragon, Word to Caesar
Unit #6: St. Benedict: Hero of the Hills, The Silk Route, Life in Celtic Times Coloring Book, Color Your Own Book of Kells, Bring Me and Ax: A Story of St. Boniface, King Arthur: Tales from the Round Table
Unit #7: Beorn the Proud, Hide the Children: St. Bernard of Clairvaux, D'Aulaires' Book of Norse Myths
History Through the Ages Record of Time - Timeline
Various Mapping Assignments, Activities, Puzzles and Games
United States Elections Unit Study
Science:
Exploring Creation with Zoology 2: Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day
with Audiobook, Lab Kit and Notebooking Journal
Fine Arts:
Religion:
The Life of the Soul (Highway to Heaven Series Book 3)
Supplemental Religion Books and Saint Stories from Our Monthly Book Baskets
Mathematics:
Math Mammoth- Little Blue Series 3
Language Arts:
Structure and Style for Students: Year 1 Level A
Writing Our Catholic Faith - Grade 3 Beginning Cursive Writing
Supplemental Readers and Additional Literature
History & Geography:
Additional literature chosen from Connecting with History, Volume 2 - The Arrival of the King and His Kingdom, New Testament and Early Medieval History:
Once Upon a Time Saints
More Once Upon a Time Saints
Famous Figures of Ancient Times
Famous Figures of Medieval Times
Time Traveler
Spend the Day in Ancient Rome
A Life of Our Lord for Children
The First Christians
Unit #1: How to be a Roman Soldier, City, Ben Hur (audio)
Unit #2: Mary My Mother, Good St. Joseph, The Miracles of Jesus, Jesus With Us: The Gift of the Eucharist, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Unit #3: Pompeii- Buried Alive, Story of St. Peter, Story of St. Stephen, Story of St. Andrew the Apostle, The Adventures of St. Paul
Unit #4: St. Valentine, Story of Agatha, Story of Cecilia, Story of Cyprian, Story of Sebastian, Story of Lawrence, Story of St. Catherine of Alexandria, Story of St. Christopher, Story of St. Lucy
Unit #5: St. Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland, The Saint Who Fought the Dragon, St. George and the Dragon, Nicholas, the Boy Who Became Santa (DVD), Brigid's Cloak, Story of St. Blaise, The Queen and the Cross
Unit #6: We're Riding on a Caravan, Story of St. Benedict, The Sword in the Tree, Celtic Treasures (CD), Caedmon's Song, Saint Brendan and the Voyage Before Columbus
Unit #7: Vikings: Dress, Eat and Play Like the Vikings, Margaret, Story of St. Wenceslas, Leif the Lucky, D'Aulaires' Book of Norse Myths
History Through the Ages Record of Time - Timeline
United States Elections Unit Study
Science:
Exploring Creation with Zoology 2: Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day
with Audiobook, Lab Kit and Junior Notebooking Journal
Fine Arts:
Meet the Masters
Physical Education:
Self Defense / Martial Arts: Jiu Jitsu
Grace :: Pre Pre-K (Age 3)
Catholic Children's Treasure Box Books 1-10 and 11-20
Feast Day Picture Books
Seasonal Picture Books
Lots of fun learning Toys and Puzzles
Occasional Crafts and Baking with Older Siblings
Nothing formal, yet... basically just living life in a large family!
#1 - Kolbe Academy
Our high schoolers all work towards the Magna Cum Laude Diploma. I love the flexibility offered by Kolbe and that we can continue tailoring our curriculum to our family's preferences and our children's needs. I submit graded samples twice a year and they keep all the necessary records for the transcripts. We have two students currently enrolled in Kolbe Academy.
#2 - The Lukeion Project
Charlotte was the one to introduce us to Lukeion and the live classes my high schoolers have taken have all been excellent. After just completing Wheelock Latin, our eldest daughter is moving on to a Literature Course and daughter #2 is taking Latin II.
To quote Lukeion: "There are many programs now available for younger students. In our experience, however, these programs demand a lot of busy work but deliver very little in the way of learning the functional nuts-and-bolts of Classical languages. Students are not generally prepared to master these languages until they have reached the logic stage. You will accomplish much more in a fraction of the time if you wait until your student is 12 to 15 before you start formal instruction in Latin and Greek. Better still, waiting to start these logic based languages may mean your student will enjoy them more."
#3 - Homeschool Connections
We're still paying the $30 per month for access to all of their recorded classes which the kids can take at their own pace. Middle School favorites have included science classes with MacBeth Derham and history classes with Philip Campbell. For high school we have loved Joseph Pearce, Gregory Pyne, and Eleanor Bourg Nicholson's literature classes, as well as American Sign Language. My high schoolers can't get the "Kolbe designation" on the non-Kolbe courses, but they still qualify for high school credit (the high school level courses do anyway, with pre-approval from Kolbe) and they have worked well for us!
#4 - Taylor Science
My three oldest all loved Mrs. Taylor's biology class. This year the older girls are taking her recorded chemistry class. So awesome!
After taking a couple year break from IEW's Structure and Style writing classes, I'm so excited to get back to it this year! I was just going to dust off all my old materials, but after checking out the awesome new updated versions, we are making the switch!
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Back-to-School :: 2020-2021










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A is for Angel (not Anger) ;) |
