I’ve long been a fan of unit studies.  I like delving into a topic and taking time to explore.  Over the years, we’ve tried to have multiple studies going at once–usually a history study and a science study.  What I’ve often found, however, is that often we get overwhelmed and I drop the science, or we constantly adjust the curriculum.  I’ve been toying with the Waldorf idea of main lessons for a long time, and I think we’re finally going to just give it a try.  I plan to have daily math, language arts and reading.  I’m also going to add Latin in to our daily routine.  And then we’ll have one main focus for each month.  Here’s what I’ve come up with so far:

January –  Science focus - Human Body

February - Geography focus – Russia

March - History focus – Middle Ages

April – Science focus – Oceans/Tide Pools

May – Geography focus – China 

June – History focus – Renaissance/ Reformation 

These will of course be literature based, but since we’re only working on one main study, we’ll have time to add in projects, experiments, art, music,  recipes, etc.   I’ve just finished up the Human Body lesson plans, and I’ll be posting them soon.

Here’s my menu for the next week.  I don’t plan out breakfasts and lunches, because those are usually “fend for yourself” meals.  Typically we eat either pop tarts, cereal, instant oatmeal, eggs or yogurt for breakfast.  Lunch is often leftovers, frozen pizzas or sandwiches.   My kids and I are grazers, and we have lots of fruit, granola bars, nutrigrain bars, crackers and cheese and yogurt for snacks between meals.

Saturday- Shepherds Pie and Salad

Sunday- Turkey Pasta Primavera

Monday- Meatloaf, squash, stuffing and peas

Tuesday- Hot dogs, french fries, veggies and dip

Wednesday- Tuna Noodle Casserole, Applesauce jello

Thursday- Turkey Stir Fry and rice

Friday- Homemade Pizza, Caesar salad

My 2009 reading goal was 50 books.  I am currently at 49, and I doubt I’ll be able to finish another book before the New Year.  I’m slightly annoyed by that, but I am pleased that I was at least close.   Here’s a meme from The Homeschool Library about my reading this year.

What was the best new (to you) author you discovered this year? Charlaine Harris

What was your favorite new (to you) series? Probably the Sookie Stackhouse books, even though I’ve only read the first two and a book of short stories.  I got the box set for Christmas, so I’m excited to read all of them this year.

Book that made you cry? A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

Book that made you laugh out loud? A Touch of Dead by Charlaine Harris

Book that totally changed your perspective on something? What the World Eats by Peter Menzel. It really made me think about all the food we waste and I am more careful now about not just tossing out leftovers.

Best homeschool(ing) book? You Can Teach Your Child Successfully by Ruth Beechick

Worst book that you managed to finish? Ugh, I read a few really bad ones this year–the Maximum Ride series was pretty awful, but I read all 3 as prereads for dd. 

Most disappointing Book?  Definitely Inkheart.  I had heard good things, and the premise was so intriguing.  But it was just badly done all around.  Even the movie was boring.  

Best book-that-was-better-than-the-movie? Memoirs of a Geisha I saw the movie first, but the book was just so much better.

Most over-hyped book of the year? My gut reaction here is Twilight, but I think read that last year.

Best feel-good book of the year? Pride and Prejudice

Best childrens/young adult book of the year? Wrinkle in Time trilogy  

Book you’ve been meaning to read for years and finally got to? Probably The Green Mile by Stephen King. I’ve had it on my bookshelf for at least 5 years and never read it til this year.

Read aloud that the family enjoyed the most? From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs Basil E. Frankweiler

Best non-fiction? You Can Teach Your Child Successfully by Ruth Beechick

Best religion/theology/doctrine/philosophy? The Story of the Church by Alfred McBride

All-around best story of the year? Agincourt by Bernard Cornwell

Book that you feel is SO INTEGRAL to your library……you’d even pay full price for it? Africatrek: A Journey by Bicycle Through Africa by Dan Buettner. My kids LOVED this book and I think we all learned a lot about Africa. I even purchased another of his books, Soviet-trek to read this year.

And the Award is Presented To……………..Charlaine Harris and the Sookie Stackhouse series

The kids and I have been on vacation from school all month now and it’s been a nice and very much needed break.  This month we’ve accomplished quite a bit though.  The twins made their first Confessions, they built bird houses for cub scouts and went caroling at a local nursing home.  We’ve baked a TON of goodies and we had a wonderful Christmas.

I decided that since we’re beginning a new year, I needed a new online space.  I really hope that in the new year, I can dedicate more time to my blog.  It’s often been neglected (mostly because I didn’t much care for the format over at homeschool blogger).  Hopefully that’s something I can change this year.

Review from Nov. 22, 2009
I recently received a copy of Awakening by Claudia Cangilla McAdam to review from The Catholic Company.   This was such a great little book!  I’m always looking for new books for my bookworm daughter, and I suspect she’s going to love this little gem.  

The basic synopsis is that Ronni has a big fight with her mother about going to spend Easter Triduum on a ski trip with her friend.  She suddenly becomes ill, falls asleep and wakes up in 33AD 2 days before Jesus is crucified.  She thinks she’s sent back to stop the crucifixion for happening and makes several attempts to stop it.   I would go on, but I don’t want to spoil too much–obviously we know how the story ends, but I think the way Ronni is entwined with all the “characters” from the bible–Joseph of Arimathea, Mary Magdalen, Veronica….it was very well done.   I especially appreciate that everything Jesus says in the story is straight out of the bible.  

I thought this was a very well written, moving story.  The only qualm I had was the romance aspect between the main character and Mark.  I could have done without that and felt at times that it took away from the main storyline.  I think this would make excellent Lenten reading children ages 10+.   In fact, I’m definitely giving this to Sarah to read during Lent.  I think she’s going to really like it.

Review from Nov. 3, 2009

I recently received The Shadow of the Bear: A Fairy Tale Retold by Regina Doman to review.  I was excited to read it, because I adore her picture book Angel in the Waters and love retellings of fairy tales.  I was not disappointed.  This is a retelling of Snow White and Rose Red.  I have to admit, I’ve never read the original Grimm’s fairy tale.  I must seek it out now so I can compare.  

The inside cover of the book says:
Once upon a time in New York City…

Review from Sept. 24, 2009

I, like many Catholic homeschool mothers, like to have lots of books about saints around the house for my children to browse.  I hope that they will find some heroes of the faith to admire and emulate.  So when I received Christians Courageous by Aloysius Roche, I hoped to be adding another gem to the collection.  This is a wonderful little book about Catholic martyrs.  I tend to think of martyrs as only being in the early church, but this book covers from Rome up to the late 1800s.   There are 14 stories in all, and their from all over the world.   When I asked dd what she thought of the book, her words were, “I’m sure the stories are great, but the words are a little too big.” I agree–the stories are great, but I’m going to put this away for a few years, because it is a difficult read.   I think this would make a fantastic companion to a high school world history course.

This review was written as part of The Catholic Company product reviewer program.  Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Christians Courageous.

Review from July 26, 2009

I just finished reading The Story of the Church Revised and Expanded by Alfred McBride, and I have to say, it’s a fantastic book!  It’s divided into 4 sections–Early Church, The Middle Ages, The Reformation, and The Modern Church.  He uses little plays, prose and fictional diaries to keep it interesting.  There are also discussion questions at the end of each chapter, making it ideal for group studies.  And actually, as I read, I kept thinking to myself how well this text would work as part of a homeschool curriculum.  I’m thinking of using it when my oldest gets to around 9th grade, as a spine to teach Church history.

I think what I love most about this book, is that he makes a subject that could easily becoming dry and boring, come to life.  I love history, but worried that this book would overwhelm me.  I was pleasantly surprised that it was so readable.  I highly recommend this to anyone who might want to learn more about Church history.

This review was written as part of The Catholic Company product reviewer program.  Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on The Story of the Church, Revised Edition.

Review from May 18, 2009

A few months ago I received this book from The Catholic Company to review.  I’m sorry to say it took me that long to read it, but with the new baby, things have been hectic.  I was glad to finally get a chance to read it.

I found this to be a really nice quick read–perfect for a mom with a brand new baby at home.    Giacomo Biffi gives us a profile of Jesus–who he was as a man, as well as who he is as God.   

It says in the introduction: 

The intent of this inquiry is to draw people closer to Jesus of Nazareth.  Like those who were with him during his life on earth, we shall first focus on his human side by revealing his personality and character….

We have no photographs, portraits, voice recordings of Christ, or manuscripts written by him.  We do have eloquently phrased and specific information: his words, the testimony of those who were with him and the historical dates surrounding him.

These precious resources have been gathered, organized, compared and contrasted.  The image of Jesus created from them is accurate and truthful.

I highly recommend this book.   I love that it was a quick easy read, and that it paints such a thorough picture of Christ.  I could see this being a great book to give to a new Christian, or even one just beginning their journey.

This review was written as part of The Catholic Company product reviewer program.  Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on The Man Christ Jesus.
 

Review from Feb. 15, 2009

I recently received a copy of Hear My Voice: A Children’s Translation of Gospel Readings of the Catholic Mass for 2009.  I wanted to use it before I reviewed it, and of course, we had a series of weeks where we just couldn’t make it to mass.  

Finally, I got a chance to use it!  The book is set up so there is a nice big illustration (a cute cartoon-like picture) with one sentence from the story.  On the other side is the actual gospel reading, along with the same reading written for children.   I started with the actual gospel, then read the children’s version.  My daughter was so excited that she could actually follow along and understand what was being read during mass.   She was even able to focus on the homily and see the connection to the reading.

This is a really beautifully done book, and I highly recommend it to everyone!

This review was written as part of The Catholic Company product reviewer program.  Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on  Hear My Voice: A Children’s Translation of Gospel Readings of the Catholic Mass for 2009.