I’m debuting over at So You Call Yourself a Homeschooler!
I’m writing about homeschooling my gifted middle school daughter, Elizabeth, and our learning journey.
Pop on over and tell me what you think!
Discovery of Deduction Review
March 18, 2013 By 5 Comments
We are very impressed with the products from Classical Academic Press. I am pleased to review The Discovery of Deduction: An Introduction to Formal Logic with The Discovery of Deduction Teacher’s Edition. Elizabeth and I are enjoying it immensely. It’s our special time together when the littles play quietly in their rooms or outside now that the weather is getting nice. I love having this one on one time with my eldest and seeing her brilliant mind at work.
I remember taking a course in my first semester of college called Intro to Logic. I had hoped to sit around like a Beatnik and profoundly discuss Nietzsche and Sartre, but it was rather different than that image. I found it so difficult to decipher all the Venn diagrams and algebraic-looking formulas; I got a C!
This curriculum reminds me of that course, but I’m actually understanding it all now! It’s so well-written and fun to read and offers so much wonderful application to the real world. And my daughter is learning material at age 12, in grade 7/8, that I couldn’t master in college! I am so proud of her.
Philosophy means “love of wisdom.” Yes! We do love wisdom. And all wisdom comes from fear of the Lord.
According to Harvard University:
“Philosophy is a discipline requiring skills in reasoning and writing. Thus, the study of philosophy helps a person to develop the abilities to:
- Read texts closely
- Analyze positions critically
- Uncover tacit presuppositions
- Construct cogent arguments, and
- Explain and argue in clear persuasive writing.
These skills are extremely useful in many other disciplines beyond philosophy—and for a range of careers, such as law, computer science, business, medicine, writing, the arts, publishing, and many others. The abilities to write well and to “think outside the box” are in high demand from employers, and will serve students well in their post-college life…”
We love the history of philosophy in the introduction! Especially the section about the Middle Ages and Renaissance philosophers. That ties into our current history studies perfectly. I love relevant cross-curricular studies. {Be still my thumping heart!} Liz really likes any reference to Latin since she’s studied that language for the past 5 years and isn’t finished yet!
I enjoy the dialogue these “Deduction in Action” sections generate between my daughter and myself. These are at the end of each chapter and help further tie in the relevance of the philosophy to everyday life or historical studies. It’s Socratic Method at its finest! It forces encourages my daughter to think. I like that. For instance, I love the one titled “Examining Your Personal Beliefs” in Lesson 5.6. It has a list of suggested topics that promises a lively and educational and spiritual discussion.
1. We’ve discussed the importance of apologetics and how to play devil’s advocate about evolution and young Earth/old Earth ideas.
2. We discussed how learning logic helps with writing persuasive essays. Or “arguing” with her dad. 
3. We discussed the importance of learning logic to help with math, science, and technology studies. {At the end of lesson 6.4, it even has web links to discuss logic in math!}
And any curriculum that uses Monty Python and The Holy Grail, Garfield, Sherlock Holmes, and Julius Caesar as examples is just awesome in my book!
In Lesson 1.3, the Monty Python “witch” scene is an example to show the method of deductive logic – and it is hilarious. Form is all that matters, not whether it’s correct! lol
We read Socrates’ Apology by Plato together. I have this lovely collection of books left to me by my uncle and I am so pleased to finally get to use them! {I can’t wait to read Euthypro and Crito later in the text!}
So we read through The Apology and Liz made this connection: “Socrates was the wisest man of his time. Sheldon thinks he’s the smartest. I’m smarter than all the kids I know. We should start a club for smart people and no one else can join!” Yes, that’s flawed logic, my dear. but wow. She throws out zingers like these all the time.
What a lesson looks like:
We read through the material in the book together. There are questions at the end of each chapter where students must define vocabulary and answer questions or fill in the blank or matching. There are often dialogues {between Socrates and a boy named Nate, with other characters} or stories that we discuss and apply the exercises which we learned.
Later on, there are translations and the exercises get more difficult, with more application and short answer. Students must create their own logical arguments with those {pesky} Venn diagrams! There are cumulative reviews at the end of each chapter.
The text consists of
- 4 Units
- 9 Chapters
- 2-7 lessons per chapter
- appendices and glossary
Elizabeth and I are greatly enjoying learning logic together. Would you like to learn too?
The Discovery of Deduction: An Introduction to Formal Logic Student Text is $26.95. You can purchase in Kindle or iBook format too.
The Discovery of Deduction Teacher’s Edition is $29.95. I highly recommend the teacher’s manual.
Check out the free extras (at the bottom of the page): Sample Chapters, Logic FAQ, and Suggested Schedule!
Poppins Book Nook
March 5, 2013 By 3 Comments
I am so pleased to announce a new book club: The Poppins Book Nook!
Join us each month for a new theme of books and activities will be posted (on the last Monday of each month)…
Check out this fun schedule!
Here’s the list of participating bloggers:
Enchanted Homeschooling Mom – Royal Baloo – 3 Dinosaurs – Monsters Ed -Chestnut Grove Academy – Growing in God’s Grace – Royal Little Lambs (me!) -Life with Moore Babies – Teach Beside Me – The Usual Mayhem – Mum Central -Fantastic Fun and Learning – Kathys Cluttered Mind – Play Create Explore – Two Big Two Little – Toddler Approved -Growing Book by Book -Adventures in Mommydom – B-Inspired Mama – The Fairy and The Frog -Edventures with Kids- Learning & Growing the Piwi way – A Gluten Free Journey – Rainy Day Mum – Mom to Crazy Monkeys
~Our first month’s theme is Royalty~
(Knights, Princesses, Castles)
Here’s a sneak peak into my selections…
I hope to maintain this idea of a book for each reading level…
Bubba, The Cowboy Prince…for my Alexander Bubba! He’s 3.
Pocahontas…for my early readers, Tori (7 on Sunday!) and Kate (6 in May).
A Carolyn Meyer Young Royals novel…for Liz (age 12)…she’s read lots of these!
Ain’t No Party Like a Time Lord Party
January 15, 2013 By 3 Comments
Cuz a Time Lord party is not bound by typical temporal parameters and thus cannot stop.
The kids and I are quite the Whovians, much to the chagrin of my husband. I have the T.A.R.D.I.S. text tone and 10th Doctor theme ringtone on my T.A.R.D.I.S. blue iPhone. My minivan is T.A.R.D.I.S. blue and really needs some stickers and a cool license plate cover (hint,hint). I have T shirts and other geek paraphernalia on my Pinterest and Amazon wish lists. Hoping I get some for my birthday or something, ya know? (That’s in March…)
So, after seeing a post on Star Trek and homeschooling, I thought I better add my sonic screwdriver bit to the Interwebz.
I think Doctor Who is a cross-curricular mega lesson, folks. It’s got a little bit of everything, and with a sexy British accent, too! It just doesn’t get much better than that!
So, let’s break it down for how we can teach the little ones using the new Doctor Who episodes. (Because, to be honest, I need to ramp up my efforts on watching the old episodes myself.) Now, some episodes are wee bit scary. Use caution. Always watch episodes before letting your kids loose in a dark basement to watch Daleks and Cybermen and other monsters wreak havoc in the universe. And always converse with your children about the show. We love discussing the what if moments.
So here are my ideas for a Doctor Who unit study. I break it down by subject.
History: Pompeii episode, one of our favorite episode series is during the London Blitzkrieg and Part II, another episode of WWII with his buddy Winston Churchill – “Victory of the Daleks,” killing Hitler (or putting him in the cupboard), The Great Depression (an American episode!), kissing Madame Pompadour in The Girl in the Fireplace.
The Doctor is called “Caesar” in the episode “The Pandorica Opens.” makes sense, no?
The fictional history of Gallifrey. a list of historical instances (fact and fiction) in Doctor Who episodes
Math and Science: lots of technology and physics, relativity and time travel, astronomy, science…yet he struggles to simply count to 4…listing of science topics mentioned in Doctor Who episodes
Religion/Philosophy: alien life, the devil, aliens with god complexes, Lazarus scientists, The Ood, angel statues, The Silence…it all sparks conversation no matter what your belief system. We like to talk ‘round here and I am not afraid to introduce philosophy and discuss what other people believe and why. Apologetics at its finest!
The Time Lord Victorious as a god?
(Source: ThetaKoshei)
Here are two interesting articles here and here discussing this inner turmoil and the ramifications for the universe. I don’t necessarily agree with everything here, but it’s interesting nonetheless.
(Source: mockingheartbeat, via devianta)
The Doctor’s nickname is Theta Sigma, used in the New Testament Greek as an abbreviation for God.
(source: Pearsecom)
The Master vs. The Doctor. ‘nuff said.
The Doctor as a Messiah figure? Read this article.
He regenerates and wakes from his coma just in time to save the day in the “Christmas Invasion.”
And look at this scene from “Voyage of the Damned.”
(Source: fiftyshadesoftennant, via mcelise)
“The Impossible Astronaut” (2011) kicks off series 6 with a pretty big and obvious allegory: the last supper.
- Doctor Who invites all his most trusted “disciples” to a last evening meal
- prominently featuring wine
- and then insists that they do not intervene in what follows
- His death is even attended by two women and a centurion!
- And a mysterious stranger even shows up to help with the disposal of the body
- The stigmata
- The crucifixion position, which I think has been a feature of regeneration since 2005
- here’s a short list of
- in Doctor Who episodes…he’s playing the psychologist in
our Christmas special “The Snowmen
- .”
He was being kind. All the power that The Doctor possesses and doesn’t utilize. Think about this for a moment. He can travel through space and time. All the changes he could make, but he maintains rules that he shouldn’t interfere. He does save people. Ordinary people who won’t disrupt the status of the universe. In The Waters of Mars, The Doctor realizes his potential and it is his downfall.
(Source: queencersei, via tennantsbluebox)
The idea of family. The Doctor needs companions. He’s lonely and they keep him in check. loving Rose. strong and smart Martha. important yet forgetting Donna. ordinary and expectant Amy and powerful romantic Rory. enigmatic Clara. His adventurous “wife” River. His lost “daughter” Jenny. He lives with the guilt of failing. But he must carry on and love the people of Earth.
Humor: great opportunities to teach about sarcasm and lofty British humor. I usually have to explain the jokes to my kids. Perhaps this is why my husband doesn’t like it. He can’t understand their speech or their humor. Oh well.
life lessons from Doctor Who article
Literature: “The Shakespeare Code,” Agatha Christie episode: “The Unicorn and the Wasp;” allegories to great sci-fi lit and shows: such as in episode “The Empty Child.”
He explains he’s like Gandalf in episode “Meanwhile in the TARDIS.”
List of literary characters mentioned in Doctor Who episodes. Mention of real books in Doctor Who episodes. Study the science fiction genre!
Writing: fan writing competition lessons (scripts)
Art: van Gogh episode. Brilliant. “Vincent and The Doctor.” And they didn’t really change a thing. or did they?
(Source: The Ultimate Ginger via Velaroye)
a not very good list of art mentioned in Doctor Who.
Here are some printable Doctor Who foldables and coloring pages here. All sorts of flashcards at Quizlet. made by all kinds of people, so I dunno.
Set your sonic screwdriver sights on these resources:
article 20 historical figures in Doctor Who
definitive list of Doctor Who serial episodes on Wikipedia. or the official BBC episode list here.
Fun and Games from BBC
My daughters said I should make a tot or preschool pack for Doctor Who? Interested? Tell me in the comments what you’d like to see in there and I’ll get busy!
Apps
Middle School is Tough
January 9, 2013 By Leave a Comment
I need to a better job showcasing Liz and her schooling. Middle school isn’t all cute and craft-laden. It’s lots more work than what the littles do. And it doesn’t make for fun pictures.
Except when I get wide-eyed leave-me-alone stares.
Liz loves notebooking with PowerPoint and Notebooking Publisher. yay for technology!
Visit NotebookingPages.com to learn more about their memberships
and their new web-app, The Notebooking Publisher™
I snapped a pic of Liz’s DNA strand. She’s going through Apologia General Science. She does most of the experiments with Dad, so there aren’t usually any pictures since I’m not involved.
Liz is enjoying Tapestry of Grace. We’ll learn about her namesake Elizabeth I next week!
She continues to adore Life of Fred math. She is now on Elementary Physics, a pre-algebra book.
Some of Liz’s favorite things…
New Year Memories Cards
December 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment
I made these cards up for my kids now that they’re older. They can remember and contemplate this last year.
And I’m sharing them with you! I’ve included a blank one so you can write in your own idea too. They’re in duplicate for however you wish to use them – for two kids or print a set and share with a friend! I know you can get creative.
Enjoy!
Click here to download your cards FREE—>New Year Memories Cards<—
Happy New Year.
May it be even more abundant than the last.
May God shower you with more goodness than you can imagine.
You Can’t Make Me Review
December 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment
This book has been a game changer for my husband in me in communicating with our children. I cannot even begin to tell you about all the improvements in our family from communicating the way we learned in You Can’t Make Me: But I Can Be Persuaded by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias.
As a strong-willed child myself, everything written in this book made total sense to me. I have recognized the strong will in 3 of my 4 children. I usually can communicate with all of my children in a way that they do what I want. I get frustrated and it all falls apart at times, of course. Reading this book and applying its principles, I can now be so much more intentional about communicating to my SWC’s in better ways.
The author suggests asking questions since commands are confrontational. Bingo! Asking my two strong willed daughters, “Have you finished that writing assignment?” or “Have you taken out the trash?” or “Have you brushed your teeth?” is so much better than, “Get to your room and finish your work!” or “Go take out the trash right now!” or “Go brush your teeth!” Asking them the questions reminds them to complete the task in a non-threatening way and gives them responsibility for their chores or work rather than my nagging them. My five year old daughter gets irritated with herself when I ask her these questions (usually knowing the answer already or I wouldn’t bother asking). She does the face palm and runs to go do whatever it is that she forgot. It’s just easy!
I’m hoping this works soon with our two and a half year old son. Asking him any reminder questions just ends up with his yelling, “No!” and refusing to budge. It’s kinda funny now, but won’t be in a year or two. or ten.
Cynthia Ulrich Tobias has a website about learning styles. I find that helpful as a home educator and parent. Of course, my kids all learn differently to keep me on my toes!
I highly recommend this book to parents or teachers who work with strong willed children. Don’t kill their spirits. Nurture them. Love them and learn to communicate with them. They are tomorrow’s leaders.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this product through Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.
Have you tried Schoolhouse Teachers yet?
December 7, 2012 By 6 Comments
First of all, I am so pleased that The Old Schoolhouse Magazine offers Schoolhouse Teachers memberships to military families FREE of charge as a thank you for their service.
I cannot begin to describe the plethora of curriculum and activities available. I simply cannot utilize it all to its potential! I do especially like the nod toward classical and Charlotte Mason schooling styles. If you purchase a membership, you really have all you need right here for your full curriculum load! From copywork to math to foreign languages to music lessons and fun electives (that I certainly am not qualified to teach!) – you’ll find it all here!
I will highlight a few of my favorite features that I use or plan to use soon. I wish I could fit it all in our schedule!
For all ages:
I encourage music study for my four kids (perhaps because I never received any formal music training and I want to live vicariously through my children). I love the voice and guitar lessons offered at Schoolhouse Teachers.
Shhh…the kids are getting a guitar for Christmas! Just so we can start these awesome guitar lessons! Tori and Katie have been begging for a guitar (probably to be like Taylor Swift) and I am so excited that I found a great deal on a real one just the right size for kiddies – because I want them to learn to play through this site.
All the core classes are available for elementary through high school: math, history, LA, science…
For elementary students:
A lapbook every month? yes, please! My girls love to do crafty things like lapbooks. I love it that these are simple and all laid out for non-crafty mamas like me!
For middle schoolers:
My eldest is a 7th grader and I just saw this career explorations series that I think she will love! I remember taking a class just like in middle school and it was so much fun! I think it will help her focus and set goals for her future.
As an English teacher in my past life, I feel there is never enough writing! And I love these fun writing assignments as a supplement to our regular academic work. They’re offered for all levels, but I especially use them for my 7th grader who needs more practice right now.
For high schoolers:
Weekly college guidance courses help parents and college-minded students prepare for all those hard choices.
I wish I could’ve taken a course like this in school! A fun elective for upper level students: Film Making! Step by step and a product to show off at the end. I can’t wait until my daughter is a tad bit older and can do these lessons.
For parents:
Schoolhouse EXPO video recordings are available through Schoolhouse Teachers!
If you maintain your membership for even three months, you receive bonus eBooks! They get bigger and better the longer you’re a member! I love these bonus eBooks. It’s a great incentive to keep your Schoolhouse Teachers membership going year after year!
And there’s a bonus free eBook each and every month! I love these eBooks!
Supplemental back issues of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine available if you don’t have enough reading material lying around!
Join Schoolhouse Teachers TODAY !
Join for $5.95 per month!
1st month only $1!
1st month only $1!
Special pricing includes a 1-year membership for only $49 (regular price – $64.26).
In addition to the membership, you also will receive the 2013 Annual Print Book and your choice of the Winter Cranberry or Chocolate Mint tote bag, ABSOLUTELY FREE.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this product through the Schoolhouse Review Crew in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.
Bible reading time
November 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment
I make sure I supply various Bible study options for my children.
We have devotionals and curriculum and concordances and commentaries. We have several different translations of the Bible and apps on our devices.
It warms my heart to see this!
Liz is reading the Child Training Bible to Kate. There were no disciplinary issues. Just reading. I love it.
Autumn Trees and Leaves
October 25, 2012 By 4 Comments
Not many of the leaves have changed completely in the valley yet. I picked a few for the kids to do rubbings. 
I found these fun leaf books and they rubbed different leaves in different colors.
The girls did really well and didn’t need any help!
Tori studied the leaves with a magnifying glass. She loved seeing all the veins and colors up close. 
Liz raked a pitiful pile of leaves and jumped on it!
It was more Alex’s size of a leaf pile. 
Here’s a link to a trees book I made. I got the info from Wikipedia and made the poem posters on Publisher. There are also tree song links for YouTube. Let me know what you think or if you find any errors!
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