FREE Continent and Country Study Packet

I am so excited to share with you what I've been working on for my family! I've been hunting high and low for a country & cultures study for my 5th and 8th graders to do together and its been rather frustrating. I found a few that might work but they cost an arm and a leg. Plus, I would still have to tweak them for our grade levels. Other studies lacked the cultural depth I wanted to cover. Finally, I decided to just bite the bullet and make my own.

Once I actually sat down and figured out what I wanted the kids to study, it was only a matter of assembling it. One of my "must haves" for our Country and Culture Study Packet had to be ease of use. I want the ability to access one file to print out as many packets as required to cover a term's worth of countries. Adaptable to multiple resources, is another must have. We enjoy using living books, textbooks, videos, and curriculum. I wanted a packet that could work with any philosophy.

I'm sending this packet to Staples for a bulk printing for the rest of the year. Then I will only need to print 2 maps to complete the packet as we come to whichever country we've decided to study. One is a regional map, showing border countries, and/or bodies of water. The second is a map of the country itself, the kids will mark key cities and geographical features on this one.

We plan to travel through all the continents and visit the commonly known countries, beyond that I haven't decided. This Country and Culture Study Packet is going to save me hours of work and I hope it helps you too!!

Best Middle School Math Help Ever

I found it! REAL MATH HELP.

Pearson Education operates a website called "Virtual Nerd" and it's fabulous! The site has been around since 2008 but Pearson acquired it in 2013 and expanded upon the creator's already amazing resources.

They cover several courses of math and I see us utilizing this site for many years to come! The entire site has over 1500 videos! Clicking a course, grades 6-8 for example, directs you to their middle school page which has 413 tutorials organized by topic. Pick a topic and you have sub-topics to choose from. The videos are short, clear and to the point. The only thing I need to provide my student are the practice problems.

I feel like I've hit the jackpot and I want to shout from the roof tops "math help is here"! Go and check it out!

www.virtualnerd.com

Pre-Algebra, Ratios, Proportions and Unit Rates

Let me be really honest right here, I FAILED pre-algebra in school. I'm not sure that it was a lack of understanding, as much as it was a lack of interest. Okay, misplaced interest, in boys. If only I knew then what I know now. Anyway, I never really grasped the whole algebra scene until I hit college and had to take a remedial math. I actually enjoyed that class and finally began to understand the complexities of Algebra.

Fast forward nearly 30 years and now I'm trying to help my 8th grader acquire the skill of algebraic thinking. It's been tough. Winding our way between homeschool philosophies, and a  variety of curriculum hasn't helped matters any.

We are revisiting Math Mammoth this year. We had tried it once before a couple of years back but I think we stopped in order to follow a more living (Charlotte Mason) approach. Math Mammoth has been "okay" for the most part. The text speaks directly to the student which works until it doesn't. The lessons get tiresome as the author tries to incorporate a variety of methods to solve a problem. I don't remember her earlier curriculum being common core aligned but it is now and she is continuously trying to cover all her bases. It's easy to get bogged down with it all.

We are at that point right now with Ratios, Proportions and Unit Rates. I had to find a different resource to help her understand what she was doing, the steps she needed to take and find plenty of practice problems (with answers!)

I found a Pre-Algebra book on the Internet Archive that provided examples, guided practice, practice problems and answers in the back. We like it's set up.

To increase fluency and remove "Mom" from the equation I also found these videos on YouTube by Tyler Dewitt:

Understanding Conversion Factors
Converting Units with Factors
Converting Units using Multiple Steps
Multiple Conversions (Part 2)

Tyler has a couple of more videos in this playlist about using unit conversions with area and volume, and converting metric units of volume. When we get there we will watch those too.

I also printed out "How to Convert Units of Measurement" posted by Stan Brown at his website BrownMath.com We like how he gives step-by-step instructions. In fact, he has a ton of teaching tips and a couple of free math texts (statistics and trig) on his site, you should go check him out.

Well, it's time for me to go tackle some algebraic thinking!

Our 2019-2020 School Year Plan 5th & 8th Grade

We are 5 weeks into our school year and I'm hoping it's safe to post this! We always end up tweaking things as we realize what works and what doesn't. We have made changes already this year but this should be our final plan. We have such a great time so far!

This year we have a 5th and 8th grader! It is time to buckle down and get our 8th grader ready for high school. This year she will learn the skill of note taking, studying and taking a test. She will also work on the mechanics of writing papers and continue working through her Pre-Algebra course. Our 5th grader's goals include improving spelling, progressing in math and improving his writing dexterity.

I also wanted to keep them both together as much as possible in order to keep things simpler. I will show you below how we did it. So here's the plan.

BIBLE (together)

• 10 min  Bible  4x/wk
• 15 min  What Every Christian Ought to Know 4x/wk
• 15 min  Trial and Triumph 4x/wk

The kids requested we continue Bible study as a group. My oldest reads her devotional before bed, my youngest isn't there yet. He would if I pushed but I really want that to be a personal choice for him. Our church is following the Gospel Project in Sunday school and that's what we are following at home. We read the selections throughout the week along with the Scripture from their Sunday school books. It's made for some wonderful discussions at home and church.

We are also reading "What Every Christian Ought to Know" by Adrian Rogers. The kids enjoy his writing style and it teaches key points of doctrine.

On Friday's we don't read Adrian Rogers, instead, we read a short missionary biography from Trial and Triumph. The book is laid out chronologically so we started in the last section for our "modern" time period.

HISTORY (together)

• 30-60 min  America's Story/Civil War Study  5x/wk
• 30 min       Historical Biography/Fiction read  1-2x/wk

Originally, we planned to stick with 3 history streams; American, World and Ancient. After looking ahead to our 8th grader's high school plan, we decided to change course. We are only doing American history (1861- present) this year. If we can get it all in, the plan is to study the Civil War in depth and work our way toward today. It's a lot of ground to cover but I like the way Angela O'Dell has it all laid out in her history series, America's Story. We still read aloud together as a family, the kids still narrate and then they have their individual historical biography/fiction books they also narrate. I'm debating whether or not to add some type of writing component for my 8th grader later in the year. 

The Civil War is an important part of our Southern history and its important to us that it is taught in an objective and accurate way. We found a wonderfully detailed unit study from Homeschool in the Woods specifically about the Civil War. We don't do all the projects because they require a lot more time than we have. Since we are a military family, the kids have really enjoyed the "military" projects. We usually do all the copywork, labeling of maps and timeline. 

We also chose some books off of Guest Hollow's American History list to read as a spine, specifically for the Civil War. Once we are past the Civil War, America's Story texts will be our spine.

SCIENCE/NATURE STUDY (together)

• 30-45 min Curriculum  4x/wk
• 30-45 min Nature Study  1x/wk
• 30 min Science Biography/Reader  1x/wk
• 30 min Special Studies Reader  1x/wk

God's Design for Science from Master Books is geared for grades 3rd - 8th and since I'm all about simple this year, we decided Olivia could participate as well. She completes the "challenge" sections, experiments with lab reports and takes the exams to ensure she is getting what she needs. 

**Curriculum Update** We stopped using God's Design after completing a term of Chemistry. The lessons were to short and dense for the information being taught. My students were unable to retain the material. They loved the experiments but I wanted them to understand and retain the concepts. We switched my youngest to ABeka Science and my oldest is reading through the John Hudson Tiner series with added supplements. You can find information on her schedule here at Middle School Science. 

As I pointed out in earlier posts, most of her science would fall under a general science scope. This year I wanted her to focus on physical science using Apologia. When viewing the curriculum my science loving girl was rather deflated. So, in order to "fit in" the physical science portion she is going to read Joseph Tiner's "Exploring the World of Physics" book. It's a short but dense book with only 14 units. We are scheduling it once a week (in place of her special study) over her 2nd and 3rd terms.

Speaking of Special Studies, it's a Charlotte Mason thing. Many CM websites have cycles you can follow as the studies rotate over the course of the student's schooling. These are side subjects in addition to their regular science that the student can learn more about. This year my 8th grader is studying mold, yeast, bacteria and hibernation this year. My 5th grader is studying cultivated crops and mammals. This just means we pick up some living books on those topics and allow the children to read through them, narrate and if they can observe in nature.

Nature study, for the longest time, was very inconsistent. I decided to schedule it just once a week and find some sort of "curriculum" to help guide us through it. I went ahead and paid for a membership with Outdoor Hour Challenges and so far it's really paid off. I get a weekly email to keep me on track with what we are studying. The kids are notebooking all their subjects now and Handbook of Nature Study website has loads of printables for their members. 

GEOGRAPHY (together)

• 30 min Living Books 3x/wk

Realizing my children my children had major learning gaps in physical geography, I pulled together a course to fill in those gaps. I linked it below. This year we will finish up with that plan (physical geography/earth science) and move right into people and places (human/cultural geography).

I'm still undecided about Guest Hollow. I think the book choices aren't what they could be for my older than intended students of this curriculum. Master Books has made reference to a surprise geography something in the works in one of their FB videos but I'm not sure if its physical, cultural or what. Plus, I don't know if it will be out in time.

I have found some great supplemental resources; videos, posters, teaching aides, and such. I will link below.

Physical:
  Earth Science: finish out our program

People/Places:  
 Guest Hollow Jr. Geography (parts of)


PBS Series: Families of the World 
I'm hoping to find these at the library! The whole set can be purchased online but its pricey! They even offer teacher's guides. If you provide your email, they will give you a guide for each video. The guides could almost stand alone, they provide great information such as a copy of the script itself, discussion questions, tests and answers. They provide information about the land, climate, plants and animals. They address the culture and history of the people too.

ENRICHMENT (together)

• Folk song, Art, Hymn, Composer 10 min 4x/wk
• Shakespeare 30 min 1x/wk
• Drawing 40 min 1x/wk

This year we picked our composer, artist, hymn and folk song to coincide with out time period. One Shakespeare play per term. We also focus on folk songs and hymns one per term. That gives the children time to learn them. We change our art prints and composer's music every two weeks.

For drawing, I purchased the drawing course, Living Art Lesson from Master Books. It should be in sometime this month!

5th GRADE 

Language Arts 
Rod and Staff for Grammar  30 min  5x/wk
Spelling You See 15 min  5x/wk

Mathematics
MCP Mathematics 30 min  5x/wk

Geography (Physical/Map work)
Beautiful Feet's Tree in the Trail, Minn of the Mississippi, Seabird 1x/wk
      
Readers/Biographies
Literature Classic 1x/wk
Literature Free Read 1x/wk
Science Biography 1x/wk
Special Study 1x/wk

8th GRADE

Language Arts
Jensen's Grammar workbook/DVD 5x/wk 
Getting Started with Middle School Sentence Composing by Killgallon 1x/wk
Rod and Staff Level 8 (writing sections only) 1x/wk
**Update**
ACE Ministries English Paces

Mathematics
Math Mammoth Pre-Algebra 5x/wk
Jacobs Algebra if finishes with Math Mammoth
Algebra 1: Expressions, Equations, and Applications by Paul Foerster alongside David Chandler's Home Study Companion

Geography
Book of Marvels by Halliburton 1x/wk
Current Events 1x/wk
Map Work

Citizenship
Young Citizens Reader pgs. 1-135 1x/wk
(7th grade: 1-68, 8th grade: 69-135, 9th grade 135- end)

Readers/Biographies
Literature Classic 1x/wk
Literature Free Read 1x/wk
Science Biography 1x/wk
Special Study 1x/wk             

Apologia Science was a Bust!

I worked so hard on our Apologia plans, then I showed them to my oldest. She was excited, at first.

After watching the first video it became obvious this wasn't going to work. I thought the videos were great but she couldn't keep up. Even after reading the text, she wasn't enthused. So back to the drawing board I went.

Also, in light of my mother's impending surgery, I realized we really needed a lighter school year. So, I started trimming things from the schedule, seeking out ways to combine them both, and looking for a more open and go approach. That's when I found Master Books!

Master Books has a Charlotte Mason "flavor" to it but it's all contained within these well written texts WITH teacher's guides!! I so need teacher's guides. We are 5 weeks in and it has been a total game changer. I'll have an updated plan posted soon!

Our Apologia 1st Edition Lesson Plans

I finally laid out my 8th graders Physical Science plans. I planned on making a bound journal similar to what they offer now for the 2nd edition but it didn't work out. Our objective for the journal isn't busy work, instead we want it to teach her how to take notes and learn study skills.

So, instead I've decided to get a binder and divide it into the 16 modules of the book. Under each module she will place the assignments for that section.

Front of Binder
Student Notes
Lesson Plans

16 Module Divider Covers Notes on the reading
Vocabulary
On Your Own Questions
Experiments/Lab Reports
Study Guides
Completed Exams

Back of Binder
review of:
Scientific Method
How to fill out lab reports
How to take Notes from text/videos
blank paper
blank lab reports

Each module will hopefully take 2 weeks to complete. She will begin each reading with an applicable video, read the assigned section, complete the experiments, complete vocabulary and OYOs as she comes to them, and as a wrap up before the exams, she will watch the lesson videos included with the Red Wagon Tutorials. (Mr. Rosenoff includes the links within his pdfs that you can download for FREE at RED WAGON TUTORIALS.) She will then complete the study guide and take the exam. We are planning for up to an hour per day, 4 days a week. If she needs more time she can use the 5th day.

Here's the binder cover and our plans. I haven't made the divider pages yet but when I do, I will add those as well.

 

We do like notebooking pages but I'm not sure if we are going to use them for notes or not. Here are a couple of science note taking links that I've found. I did invest in a TpT note taking module and plan to use it at the beginning of the school year.

Sprouting Tadpoles. She includes outline pages for note taking, research pages and lab forms.

Glencoe has a physical science notebooking journal that I might use pieces of as a graphic organizer.

The Yahoo! Group "Apologia Jr/Sr High Science" still has files up with schedules and resources for all the sciences.

FREE Apologia Resources

It's amazing what you can find on the internet for free. I've been on a mission these past few weeks trying to find free resources for daughters 8th grade science this year.

One huge factor that really pushed us over the edge for Apologia was the fact that they offer 40% off for military. They do have specific requirements but thus far have been terribly slow in responding to emails. I've yet to hear back from them so, I started looking for a cheaper alternative. I heard from the yesterday! (8 days later) They emailed us explaining we have to phone our order in and give the discount code they provided. Since I found all the great resources I tell you about below, I think I will stick to the plan I've made.

After looking around and reading a ton of blogs I decided we would be okay with 1st editions. I bought both, Apologia's Exploring Creation with General Science AND Physical Science,  both 1st editions for less than $10, shipping included on ebay. I don't know if I need the solutions book yet, but I can find those for less than $4 each if I do.

I'm so thankful for all the homeschooling moms and science teachers that have blazed this trail for me and I thank God for helping me find these resources:

YouTube Playlist:
Apologia General Science

Notebooks/Manuals/Lesson Plans
Red Wagon Tutorials- Amazing resource! Steve Rosenoff was an Apologia teacher. He no longer teaches and stopped selling his videos. BUT he has so generously uploaded his student and parent ebooks for public use. These are geared toward the 2nd edition. He has included his own tests and answer keys too. I'm on the hunt for his dvds/flash drives. These have been long out of print but they received such high reviews I'd like to find them.

Science Resources by Debbie Nafzgers is chock full of resources. She was a teacher too and has uploaded her lessons as well. She includes lesson plans and resources, along with study guides and extra worksheets as needed. If you find a broken link try the wayback machine from the internet archive!

Video Resources
Sahm I Am -Marty's blog is a gold mine! She has her schedule listed, videos and notes about her lessons. She also links to her other blog she created specifically for her kids.. Homeschoolers Resources. I will likely use her outline for our own. 


This list is a work in progress and will eventually get moved to a "science" tab at the top of the blog!