Rome to the Reformation (RTR) Week 1

We just completed our first week of using our new curriculum My Father's World Rome to the Reformation.
In the past I have been a "piece it together" type of person working off my own handwriting lesson plans.  Using a pre-planned lesson grid has been a bit of a visual challenge to me.  It seems that writing plans out helps them sink into my brain so I am having to reread the grids and notes multiple times to let them sink into my brain.

 *** Note *** As I am writing the above sentence it occurred to me that my pregnancy fog is not helping matters with reviewing the lesson plans.  I suffer from an extreme case of pregnancy brain.  I consider it extreme because normally I am a very organized and fairly intelligent person.  I would never dream of misplacing my car keys or forgetting an important document.  However in previous pregnancies I have left my ATM card in the bank machine (mortifying to me) and didn't realize this until the bank called.  I also lost my engagement ring for several months because I decided to put it in a safe place while under the influence of pregnancy hormones.  This pregnancy is so far disaster free, but I do feel like I am living in a constant haze and I did ask my husband "What date is Christmas?"

Ok back to MFW... overall I think we had a successful first week.  I did over-schedule myself and unfortunately had to leave the house every day for field trips, doctor appointments and play dates.  This is not really doable in the long term, so I will need to adjust my schedule and try not to over-commit for the remainder of our school year.

The positives:
- my kids really liked the simple hands on projects we did this week
- I really liked the simplicity of the projects
- I also enjoy the "Book Basket" which gives me 15 minutes to regroup my thoughts midway through the day

The negatives:
- so far I find the history to be pretty dry.  Last year we used History Odyssey and our main spines were Story of the World, Usborne Encyclopedia of World History and A Child's History of the World.  We found those to be very engaging.  This week the majority of our reading came from Streams of Civilization and I find it to be written for an older audience.  My kids are 9 and 7 and the younger one, especially, has that glazed look in her eyes.  They do use more than one book for the history reading so I am hoping those hold our interest more.  We really loved history last year and I want us to continue to be excited.

“Not” Back to School Blog Hop: Curriculum Week

Since we already started school for the year, I guess I can post our curriculum choices.  I am a curriculum hopper so this year we are starting yet another new program.  I am hoping this will fit our needs and we will continue on for the future.

Maggie and Tyler are both using My Father's World (MFW) Rome to the Reformation (RTR) this year.  MFW recommends if you are new to the program, starting with "Exploring Cultures and Countries" (ECC)  However we decided to go against their advice.  First, we were studying Ancient History last year and wanted to continue on where we left off.  T was excited about studying the middle ages and I was in agreement.  Second, all of MFW incorporates science and the science included with ECC was a study of animals and ecosystems.  We did that 2 years ago and I could not stand the thought of going thru another Zoology unit study this soon.  I am a little concerned that RTR will be too advanced for M, but we will have her do what she is able and reevaluate at the end of the year.

So, here is our curriculum for the year.

• Teacher's Manual, Second Edition
• Student Sheets (purchase one per student)
• How the Bible Came to Us
• The Roman Empire
• Augustus Caesar's World
• Galen and the Gateway to Medicine
• The Story of the World, Volume 2
• Medieval World
• Trial and Triumph: Stories from Church History
• The Human Body for Every Kid
• The Body Book
• First Encyclopedia of the Human Body
• The Wonderful Way Babies Are Made
• Exploring Creation with Astronomy
• Introduction to Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven - 7 CD set
• The Story of Beethoven in Words and Music
• The Best of Beethoven: The Beethoven You Love
• The Story of Haydn in Words and Music
• The Best of Haydn
• The Story of Mozart in Words and Music
• The Best of Mozart (2 CDs)
• Read-Alouds for Rome to the Reformation
• The Bronze Bow
• Dangerous Journey
• The Door in the Wall
• Twice Freed
• Starting Chess
• Make a Castle

In addition Maggie will be using

and for Math, we will be finishing up

And Tyler will be using

and for Math, we will be continuing with

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY Tuesday August 2, 2011

Outside my window... my husband on his morning run

I am thinking... about how exhausted I am from my overbooked week and remembering why I try not to plan more than one thing a week

I am thankful for... the fact that playdate is at my house this Friday and I can actually stay home :)

From the learning rooms... School started yesterday with a lesson from a Greek Slave who was brought to Rome to tutor the children.  At lunch we partook of a Roman Feast (at a Greek restaurant) and then retired and celebrated the day with a movie and ice cream.

From the kitchen... leftover Cowboy Chili from yesterday

I am wearing... pajamas

I am creating... an irregular income budgeting list

I am going... downtown to see a play.  I am debating on if I should try to rush home and finish a day of school or just plan another educational activity while I'm out to get the most of my drive time.

I am reading... The Ocean Between Us by Susan Wiggs (I haven't made much progress since last week)

I am hoping... that Maggie's doctor's appointment today is quick and I have enough energy to make a quick stop at Wal Mart after

I am hearing... Quiet!!  For some reason my kids slept in today.  Shocking

Around the house...  I really need to sweep and mop my floor, but since it is my most dreaded job I have been putting it off.  Maybe I can motivate myself like N by putting on my apron?

One of my favorite things... my kids actually sleeping in this week

A few plans for the rest of the week... Shakespeare Theater, PE Class, VBS, Playdate and possible Art Co-Op

Here is picture I am sharing...
Our Roman Feast

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY Tuesday July 26, 2011

Outside my window... sunshine and heat 

I am thinking... about the disturbing bizzare dreams I had last night.  I don't mind the bizarre part, but dreaming about your kid accidentally burning down someone's house is no fun.

I am thankful for... the productive weekend we had and all the errands I was able to get done yesterday

From the learning rooms... Thanks to DH's hard work the school room is officially clean and ready to go for next Monday.  I still have to make copies and finish my own mental preparations.

From the kitchen... we will be trying a new crockpot chicken dish today.  It has pineapple in it, so I am guessing it won't be a favorite of DH.

I am wearing... pajamas

I am creating... organization in my home

I am going... nowhere today.  Yesterday I spent the day out alone.

I am reading... The Ocean Between Us by Susan Wiggs

I am hoping... that the comforter I just stuffed in the washing machine doesn't cause any damage

I am hearing... Tyler turning the pages of his book and Maggie fluttering around the house

Around the house...  laundry and lots of it.

One of my favorite things... Panera's baked potato soup

A few plans for the rest of the week... I need to make a bunch of phone calls and schedule some activities.  We also have PE, my Dr's apt, and some kind of play date on Friday.

Here is picture I am sharing...
Our reorganized schoolroom 

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY Monday July 18, 2011

Outside my window... sunshine and heat (the usual)

I am thinking... that the morning started off good, but is spiraling into kid grumpiness

I am thankful for... the time we enjoyed together as a family this weekend

From the learning rooms... We just bought our new desk for the school room.  The kids are very excited about it and it makes me think we should have waited until the first day of school to put it together.

From the kitchen... fajitas!!  One of my favorite meals.

I am wearing... pajamas

I am creating... Well I haven't technically started yet, but I really need to create a planner for our school year.  My curriculum includes a weekly outline for the main lessons but I need to figure out how to incorporate the Language Arts and Math into a written plan for myself.

I am going... probably nowhere, especially since we were gone all day yesterday

I am reading... nothing.  I did find a new author who is semi-interesting so I am waiting for a few books from the library.

I am hoping... that this headache goes away soon

I am hearing... Maggie trying to steal a bite of Tyler's pancake and now complaining because he ate the last one

Around the house...  lots of housework to catch up on:  laundry, dishes, and Tyler has agreed to clean out his desk

One of my favorite things... sending the kids outside with their Dad while I have a few minutes of silence

A few plans for the rest of the week... possible play date, PE class, Chiropractor, taking the kids to the movies and my first (and probably only) ultrasound

Here is picture I am sharing...

Maybe someday

Being curious...

I'm stealing these questions from N, who stole them from another blog.  

1) What actor/actress gets on your last nerve? I cannot stand Tom Cruise and I have always felt this way.  I never understood why everyone used to think he was so hot.  He totally creeps me out.  Renee Zellwegger also annoys me.

2) What is one thing seemingly spectacular thing you bought as a child with your own money? I have no recollection of buying anything as a child.  We had to use our own money every year to buy our school clothes but I never remember being able to buy anything fun.  I do remember always paying for my own gas while a teenager, something my brothers never had to do.

3) Do you miss anyone right now? My Grandma (Nan-Nan) and also my Grandpa Carl who I don't remember

4) What is something you’d like to change about yourself today? My inactivity and listlessness, lack of motivation.

5) What is the last book that made you cry? I have no idea.  I remember sobbing over a book within the past 2 months, but can not recall anything about the book.  Sad

6) Do you have a scar? How did you get it?  I have lots of scars.  The biggest is when I fell off my bike in the neighbor's driveway.  I was about 9 years old and ended up with 22 stitches in my knee.  It is hideous and obvious I was not offered a plastic surgeon.

7) What was your first car? A Honda Civic hatchback.  I loved that car.  It was my Mom's and then she signed it over to me.  A year later she hit a deer with it and totaled it. :(

8) Can you play an instrument? Yes, the clarinet.

9) Are you currently keeping a secret? Yes.  And, I guess since N is on a self-imposed socializing exile and, I haven't seen her in months,  she is about to learn that I am pregnant from this blog.

10) Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert?  Neither.  I don't watch any late night TV and/or any political talk shows

11) What song do you know all the words to?  Pretty much any 80s power ballad by any hair band

12) What is your favorite musical? Well since I have only ever seen one musical then I will say Rent  although if Grease counts then that would be my favorite.

13) What is something you used to think before you knew better? Everything I believe in parenting are things I used to think people were crazy for doing.  However, I now know from experience that many times co-sleeping, extended breastfeeding, and attachment parenting are deliberate choices made out of research and personal family philosophies. 

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY Monday July 4, 2011
(I tried to post this last week, but I guess it never got posted.)

Outside my window... sunshine and heat

I am thinking... how exhausted I am 

I am thankful for... my coffee creamer splurge

From the learning rooms... Nothing!  Today is our "End of School Year Party"  The kids have a fun day of simple little activities planned.

From the kitchen... make your own pizza night

I am wearing... nice shorts, a blue top and about to put on my sandles

I am creating... checklists of things I need to do before we start our new school year

I am going... to breakfast with the kids

I am reading... nothing.  I seem to have lost my reading mojo

I am hoping... that everyone's bad mood improves so we can have a nice day

I am hearing... the kids giving me excuses about why they can't do their morning routines

Around the house...  a huge pile of laundry I have been working on since yesterday

One of my favorite things... rewatching the entire LOST series on my IPad with my hubby 

A few plans for the rest of the week... celebrating with the kids today, bookmobile, PE class, chiropractor and park day

Here is picture I am sharing...

Maybe later :)