Calendar: October Schedule

I printed this calendar and posted it in Mavi’s room.  He loves looking at schedules and is looking forward for me to put a star on it once we’ve accomplished something.  So in October our lessons would be:

• Math:  shapes, ordinal numbers, number and shape patterning
• Grammar:  First Language Lessons (we will be using Montessori Grammar Symbol for this)
• ART:  artist study, crafting, random painting activities
• History:  SOTW
• Science:  Human body (organs, skeletal system, teeth), plants, natural environment

Math Curriculum 2014-2015

Sharing Mavi’s Math curriculum for this school year.  In our home math is done as a supplemental study after school.  We don’t exactly do it everyday but I have weekly goals for each scope noand I am making that Mavi accomplish that task per week.  This post also serves as a reminder for me, in case I will look back 5 years from now for Vito’s Math curriculum as well :D

We are still using our Montessori Math materials and still adapting the philosophy.  But I just feel that need that Mavi needs to more forward.  As what Susan Stephenson said in her book Child of the World

“This child nearing the age of six or seven is passing beyond what is known as the sensory-motor developmental stage, when movement and exploration through the senses is a basic need in all learning.  Now he will gradually move to a cerebral exploration, giving up the manipulative materials according to his personal timetable. The years 6-12 are relatively stable, and the main academic work can now be done.”

With Math, I allow Mavi to use manipulative materials (Montessori and other learning materials) if he wishes to.  But I want him to learn how to do mental counting as well. 

• Number Patterns
• Number Bonds
• Addition within 10

• Subtraction within 10
• Shapes and Patterns
• Ordinal Numbers and Position
• Number to 20
• Addition and Subtraction within 20
• Length
• Mass
• Graphs
• Number to 40
• Multiplication
• Division
• Time
• Number to 100
• Money

If you have been following my blog, you know that we’ve done some of it in the past few years though play.  Right now, we’re working on it with workbooks and lots of additional activity sheets(homemade).  

So in times that we don’t work on Geography and Science, Mavi and I are definitely working on serious Math. Oh and yes, we’re using Singapore Maths… literally :D  I ordered a few workbooks used by students in Singapore from Popular Bookstore. Remember that we used to life there so I’m a little bit aware of what kind of books to purchase. And I have relatives living there as well.

Will post more as progress.

Finding Balance

For a healthier me, I've been running/strolling lately and I took the boys with me. Mavi scoots and Vito rides in his buggy.  With less than 3 months of this glorious heat, we're not wasting it at home... we'll grab the opportunity of enjoying this summer heat by spending our afternoons outdoors.  I grew up in a tropical country and I never stayed home when I was their age :) In a nutshell I am an outdoor person and believe it or not I get sick when I am physically inactive. 

That’s what I’ve been showing Mavi and exposing him to mother nature.  As I said , it’s healthier… not just for the physical body but for the soul as well.  Being with nature helps me commune with our Creator and keeps me calm.

But no worries, we’re still doing home “school” activities in the morning so there’s still something to look forward to. It’s just that I have less time to blog and read other blogs as well :(  I will try my best to catch up.

Oh and Mavi will be joining the football camp this summer as we are not yet sure if there’s still a place in the swimming class.  I am so excited for him!

What about you, how do you find balance in your life?

Still here!

Hello guys!!! Have you notice anything?? I have a domain already! Yes! It means I big goodbye to www.pinayhomeschooler.blogspot.com and have my own www.pinayhomeschooler.com.  How cool is that? Well thanks to hubby for convincing me!

You don't need to worry though.  Since I know that you all get used to the old link, whenever you put the blogspot in your engine you will still be redirected to my new domain.

And... you can now access SOME of the free files from my blog.  I've added a page that has a list of my free files. Some have links already so you might want to start downloading them now teehee.   Just click the FREE Files tab under the header to access the page.

Lastly, as promised.... FREEBIES within this week as we have our Arthropods Unit.  So keep on coming back for updates!

Thank you again for the love and support.  Your comments, likes and gestures (online) are greatly appreciated.

Love love!

Serenity at the Beach

Our little family was at the beach last weekend for rest and recreation and to get-away from the four corners of our little house.

It was a beautiful day.  Mavi enjoyed the rocks and sand.   

          

See that hill at the far end of the beach? We went up there.

The view is sooo beautiful from up there!  

And just before we headed home, we saw these swans flocking at the parking lot.  Again, Mavi couldn't be even more happier!

And our little boy, he's happy and contented witnessing all these while in his buggy.

Thanking God for these kids and for my family.

Happy Tuesday!

Book Depository Books!

I just have to post this you will have an idea on what will happen if you order books from Book Depository.

As you all know, I recently join as an affiliate in Amazon UK and Book Depository.  I earn a small amount of commission whenever you purchase materials using the links I share in my blog.  Don't worry, this does not affect the prices of the materials.  I don't usually purchase books as we have  a really really good library here.  But over the years of patronizing our library, there are also some books that my son wishes to read but are not available in the library.

Recently, I convinced myself to try Book Depository and purchase a few books for the boys.  The goodnews about this is that IT'S FREE DELIVERY! Yes! Try checking out your country if they offer FREE DELIVERY to your place!  After 10 working days, the books arrived and behold!

I was so surprise to learn that they pack each book individually!! How cool is that??

And they pack it in a way that the book is really secured and protected.

 

Look at my boys!! They're so excited to see what's inside those brown covers :)

And another thing that made me so happy are these free bookmarks!! They're so cute! They come in each book you purchase. 

I'm so happy with Book Depository.  This is where I'm going to purchase books from now on (so I can collect the bookmarks hihihi) and for other materials and books that are not available in Book Depository, I'll have it with Amazon.

PS. This is NOT paid post.  I am writing this because I am happy with their service (FREE DELIVERY and books arrived promptly!).

***For the information on the books that we're using expect a link to Book Depository or Amazon.

Happy Sunday!

Go out and enjoy nature!

The weather was really really good this holiday weekend so we spent most of our time in the park.  We're so thankful that we have this wonderful park just 10 minutes away from our place.  The park is HUGE and lots of areas to explore. 

If you skim through my blog... this is where we usually go when the weather is good.  I am an outdoor person and was an adventurous kid growing up. I grow up in a tropical country and our house is near the beach so imagine all the adventures I have there. And my boys experience this as well.  But living in a cold country has a lot of limitations especially here that we seldom have Mr Sun.

So in a time like this we just have to go out...

... and play with the trees!

.... and check the pond for tadpoles and other insects breeding!

.... and see how the clear water flows in the creek.

 

Starting Montessori Grammar

We're about to finish our Green Series in Language Arts soon and we will be moving to grammar after.  I like the Montessori Grammar Symbols and Reading Analysis materials, and knowing my son, he would love it too (he loves using symbols and objects).  So after much research here are my thoughts on the preparation of materials.

Language Arts Album.  I  will be using Montessori Research and Development Language Arts Vol 1.

Grammar Symbols.  I am still contemplating whether to purchase this or not.  I really wanted to make my own using foam crafts but I still have to check our local craft store if they have the available colors used in the grammar symbols.  Also, I have to look for the perfect storage to keep the symbols.  If these fails, I might need to purchase from here.  Purchasing will save me a lot of time, but it's a little bit pricey.

Grammar cards, sentences and materials.  Will be looking for this around the net, or if I will have the luxury of time will create our own materials to use.

As of the moment, these are the materials I need to prepare. I just need to write it down to get it off my mind. We won't be starting until March.  If I miss something, please do leave a comment.

Afterschool Activities for January

When it comes to planning for our home schooling, I make it a point that I don't put too much on the amount of activities we need to achieve in a week. 

So what I do is to allot one goal per subject in a month and if we finish early and still have some spare time, we would just revisit our past lessons or start the next month's lesson.

We only have a few more weeks left and I wish to finish these all up.

LANGUAGE 

• Reading analysis using a workbook which I bought locally.
• Blue Series

We are wrapping up our Blue Series review using moveable object and our tracing and spelling worksheets.

MATH

• Montessori Tens and Teens

We will work on this for the entire month including word association and more.  Will talk about it on my next post. 

 

SCIENCE/THEME

We are currently doing an Arctic and Antarctic theme.

 

ART

I have to admit I have no idea on what to do next on this subject.  Right now, we're just reading the Katie series book which my son and I love.  These are wonderful books for introducing artists and their works for little children.

Because I am still contemplating on what to do, I will be using these books for planning our monthly Artist Study.

 

FAITH FORMATION

We are using this book which I read at night.  Homeschool Creations has a fabulous printable packs that is in line with the book. I have to find time to download and print those!

My son attends a Catholic school so I'm happy that what we're teaching him at home is in line with the learnings he receives in school.

 

And these are the things we're doing as of the moment.  Will be sharing my plans (and online resources) for the month of February next week. Stay tuned!

Math and March

For this month, we will be doing more Math activities.  I admit that I’ve been neglecting it for awhile but I realize how much I miss doing it with my son while I looking at some of our previous activities.  We do Math using Singapore Math workbooks which a friend has sent me, but working with worksheets aren’t my son’s favorite thing to do.  So for March, we’ll slow down with Geography and other themed activities… instead we’ll revisit our bead works, skip counting, measuring activities, practice writing numbers, practice counting and more :)

I may pop a few artist study along the way and some painting activities.

We’ll also be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day… we might go down to the city to watch the parade :)  And we’ll be observing Lent as well, learning more about the love of Christ and how He dedicated His life teaching the word of His Father.

Have a blessed Sunday everyone!