Showing posts with label Living Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Living Books. Show all posts

Monday, August 20, 2012

Mountain Born


We finished this book up over the summer. It is about a boy that lives on a farm. He helps his Dad with the sheep and saves a little one. This book is a read aloud for Sonlight Intro. Into World History Part 1. 

We found this book very slow moving. Still good. Just slow. The writing is a different style. I'm not sure how to explain it but I did have to explain what things meant to Chris (7yo). 

Here's a paragraph for an example:
"The sun passed its zenith and the tiny leaves cast their shade at the base of the trees. The sun moved slowly on its course while the shadows of the leaves reached eastward down the slope. A lamb baaed; a sheep stirred. One by one they rose and shook themselves and moved across the pasture to the stream. Snuffing the water in their fussy way, they touched their noses to it. The cool, clear stream was its own assurance. The sheep drank fastidiously, and the lambs baaed curiously at other lambs whose faces look up at them from the water." 

As you can see, it's well written and slow moving. With every other paragraph like that, it really called Chris up in his comprehension. Needless to say - we took a few months on this one. So there were a few read alouds we didn't get to this past school year. That's ok. 

We both cried at the end. 

Do I recommend? Yes - to a mature 1rst grader, or 2nd grade +. The back of the book says ages 9 - 12. 

The book should be linked to amazon. 

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Homer Price


We absolutely loved this book! This is a read aloud for Sonlight Core 1. I just can not rave enough about it! Seriously it is that good! My husband is not a big reader (i being his wife have my own theories on that LoL) and he fell in love with this book! My son, Chris, who this reading is technically for loved it as well. I can safely say that this is by far his favorite read aloud ... so far!!!

I'm not going to lie - some mornings I woke up and while making breakfast, couldn't wait for after dinner! My husband was quick to grab this book b4 anyone went anywhere to start reading after dinner. And not so much because he wanted to have this family time of reading but more so because he had a need to see what was going to happen next!

IT IS THAT GOOD!!!

*pic. is linked to amazon page.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

** 2011 - 2012 Curriculum **

I'm so excited for this years curriculum! I've had lots of time to look over (&over) tons of resources and have spent some time thinking & praying. I'm so thankful for all the resources available and the work that is made ready for me!

Chris ~ Grade 1: I basically followed the CM Curriculum Guide (i seriously love that site btw) while changing up some things.
It's a lot and that's why I left out quite a few subjects suggested on CM. We had such a lackadaisical curriculum last year that I didn't want to throw us in shock and accomplish nothing! The Poetry, Nature Study, and Picture Study will be weekly. The Science is 3 days a week.

I still have quite a few ideas spinning around in me head and I'm trying to figure out if they will work or not!

Zack ~ Preschool:
  • 6 Montessori based Trays
  • Raising Rock Stars Preschool - we will being joining to have access to the power points as well
  • Reading Time each day
  • Joining Chris for Poetry, Nature Study, and Art
  • His own Personal Development program using the same resources I'm using with Chris
Nate ~ Toddler: ohhhhh how I don't like the thought that he will be a toddler during this school year! He's still a baby in my head so squishy, juicy, and lovey! And I know he still will be all those things, I just really like the idea of him being a baby cake!
  • Some form of Tot School mixed with some CM & Montessori applications
I'm working on a schedule and trying to figure out how we can work everything with as much ease, comfort, and fun as possible.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

January Reading

What we've been reading this month:

Chris -
I'm so proud of Chris. He started out reading the Blues Clues (5stories), Puppy Tales (6stories), and Ready Readers (10stories). By the end of the month he is reading Levels 3 & 4, and Nate the Great!! So he has read a little over 34 books this month! All at his own leisure. None of it was forced. I'm just so happy and proud of him!

Zack - I've been reading to Zack out of this. Zack isn't too crazy about reading. These are great stories that capture his interest and are just long enough to challenge Zack to sit through the last 2-3 pages. Me - I try to balance fiction and non fiction. I usually average two books a month unless there's a reason to read more or less. Like one book has significantly more pages than my usual, has a lot of information to digest or sometimes more if I'm having a bad health month and have to rest more.

The last three books are Amazon linked if you would like to look at them.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Gifted Hands

I've wanted our oldest to watch this movie for sometime but it's always so expensive (usually between $18 - $20). I've never paid more than $10 for a movie and $5 is my average. So we don't own a lot of movies and that doesn't bother me a bit. Recently our Hollywood Video went out of business and guess what my husband got for $1?? Yes!! Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story!!

Sunday evening we put it in and WoW! Did he love it!! He asked so many questions that evening and then more came with breakfast the following morning. It opened up so much conversation. We talked about anger (something he struggled with), not controlling our anger, where depression comes from (something his mother struggled with), God's provision and protection even in the midst of our sin, the affects of TV, use of our imagination, God's will for our lives, and a few other things. What's the best is that it all stemmed from his own thoughts. We didn't force these conversations on him! Yesterday he wanted to listen to classical music pretty much all day! (Ben Carson listens to classical music while he operates)

Just such amazing conversation and influence this had on him. As I was poking around I found this children's version of his biography and was able to read a good bit of the sample and I think it will be great. I'm going to order it as soon as possible and it will be our next read aloud! I'm so excited about this. :)