5th Grade Schedule

I just finished up our template schedules for the year. Each year I plan out the weeks for the kids the Saturday or Sunday before the school week. I grid it out in a simple table with the subjects and days of the week. In each cell I write the assignment for the day. The kids receive the schedule on Monday morning and can plan out their week accordingly. Once I have the template and first week assignment done, it is easy for me to modify each week. I save each week under a different filename (typically the Monday date) and at the end of the year we have a complete record of the work they did, it is pretty handy for record keeping.

My kids like this system because it gives them some control and a visual depiction of where they are in their school week. I also add in sports, field trips and outside activities so they can plan accordingly. The younger ones like to color in the boxes they finish and I always let them work ahead if they want but not fall behind more than one subject per day (and it must come out even at the end of the week) I can easily check their schedules when they request play dates or special privelages and see where they are at.

This year I am adding in an extra step, I am going to place a check in the box after I have reviewed the work to try to keep my accountable and so I don't fall behind in checking their assignments either. It is very easy to do and I find my kids appreciate it and school runs smoother when we have it.

This is Maria's schedule for 5th grade. It looks neater in the actual format, with pretty boxes etc. I abbreviate the different textbooks and include page numbers or lesson numbers where needed. Also we typically work on a 4 day work week and leave friday for activities, field trips, coop and any leftover work they have not finished.

SUBJECT Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Bible devotional memory devotional memory coop
PE swim circuit jogging walking swim
Math lesson 7 lesson 8 lesson 9 review 1 lesson 10
Writing lesson 2 letter to family
Grammar lesson 14 lesson 15
Spelling 15 mins 15 mins
Science weather experiments
History lesson 46 lesson 46
Geography continents review mapping
Art art class picture study
Music mozart guitar guitar lesson guitar guitar
Foreign Language french latin
Blogging 3 posts this week
Logic lesson 2
Handiwork
Literature door in the wall
Activities swim swim church beekeeping field trip swim

That gives you a basic feel for a week of her schedule. Ciaran has a similar schedule with a few less subjects and some topics we only do once a week for him. In general all the kids do PE, math, reading, handwriting, and language arts every day and alternate all the rest of the subjects through the week.

Maria's Top 50 Books and Series - 4th Grade

Maria decided to make a list of her favorite books from her 4th grade reading to share here. Often she included entire book series as a single entry.

Brisingr - Christopher Paolini
Eragon - Christopher Paolini
Eldest - Christopher Paolini
Princess Bride - William Goldman
Star Wars Saga - all 6 original movie books and the extended universe

The Warrior's Saga - Erin Hunter (20+ books
Guardians of Ga'hoole series - Kathryn Lasky (12 books)
Charlie Bone series - Jenny Nimmo
Caddie Woodlawn - Carol Ryrie Brink
Spirit Flyer Series - John Bibee

The Royal Diaries Series - Scholastic Press
Harry Potter Series (1-3) - JK Rowling
The Fellowship of the Ring - JR Tolkein
The Hobbit - JR Tolkein
Mysterious Benedict Society - Trenton Lee Stewart

Nancy Drew Series - Gertrude Chandler Warner
Peter and the Starcatchers Series - Ridley Pearson and Dave Barry
Samantha an American Girl Series - Susan Adler
Anne of Green Gables series - Lucy Maud Montgomery
The Sword Bearer - John White

Wizard of Oz series - L. Frank Baum
The Magic Thief - Sarah Prineas
Chronicles of Narnia series - CS Lewis
The Toothpaste Millionaire - Jean Merrill
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler - E. L. Konigsburg

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
Ramona Quimby series - Beverly Cleary
Gold in the Water - PH Mullen
Spies: The Undercover World Of Secrets, Gadgets And Lies - David Owen
Island of Blue Dolphins - Scott O'Dell

The Black Pearl - Scott O'Dell
Mr Poppers Penguins - Richard & Florence Atwater
On the Banks of Plum Creek - Laura Ingalls Wilder
Shark Life: True Stories About Sharks & The Sea - Peter Benchley
Andrew Clements Books (Frindle, Room One, School Story, Week in the Woods, etc)

Seekers series - Erin Hunter
Mandy - Julie Andrews Edwards
Dragon Rider - Cornelia Funke
InkHeart - Cornelia Funke
Daring Book for Girls - Andrea J. Buchanan

Bully Be Gone - Brian Tacang
The Kid Who Became President - D. Gutman
Animorphs series - KA
The Boxcar Children Series - Gertrude Chandler Warner
Harriet the Spy - Louise Fitzhugh

Tuck Everlasting - Natalie Babbitt
Marley: A Dog Like No Other - John Grogan
Indian in the Cupboard series - Lynne Reid Banks
Kaya an American girl series - Janet Shaw
Chrissa an American girl series - Mary Casanova

My Day at the Capitol By Maria Age 9

When I first went to the capitol I was amazed. Our tour guide was great. I had a lot of fun being with my friends and learning some new things. On our way to the capitol I could not wait to get up those great marble stairs. Once I was there I could not wait to get inside. I ran in and waited for the rest of the group to come and meet the tour guide. When we first went inside I got really excited I just couldn't wait for the tour to be over because a)I had already been on the tour multiple times b) we were meeting our local representative, this was going to be an interesting day.

Inside the capitol my two favorite things were: the governor's room, it was cool and the golden horses one of my favorites symbolizing nature. There were four horses they symbolized fire, ice, water and earth. When we were done with the tour we got to meet our representative, he was very nice. I sat in a democrats chair on the Minnesota House floor. We asked all kinds of interesting questions about the room, about his job, lots of things. It was an amazing experience and I can't wait to do it again.

On the drive home I thought really hard about the things I learned. I learned who founded the capitol, his name was Cass Gilbert. I thought about some reasons why no woman had ever been a governor which stinks. Personally I am on the womans side. I want to become a page when I grow up because they get some real experience on how to govern things and they get to live in a luxurious hotel with a pool. The bad thing is you can only be a page for two weeks. Maybe someday I'll get to be the first woman governor of Minnesota. If I decide to be a page I'd get some first hand experience.

On the way come we had Cosettas for lunch, they were giant pizzas but it was a great ending to a great day. The End.

*Rhiannon has changed her name to Maria...

Rhiannons Story

My First Trail Ride Ever by Rhiannon

I received a great birthday present for my 9th birthday, a special day with my dad. When my dad woke me up Saturday morning he said "Get dressed, we're going on a trail ride!" I said Yippee and ran down the hall to get ready. We took an incredibly long car ride and my dad got lost. When we finally got there we met a woman with a clipboard and she directed us to where the horses were waiting. I got to ride Kassie, my dad got to ride a very fat horse named Dolly. Our trail guides name was Elise. She said everybody saddle up and volunteers came along to help us get up on the horses.
The trail ride was 2 hours. We saw butterflies, ducks and turtles. We walked, trotted and cantered the horses, dad and I even broke into a gallop (even though we weren't supposed to). We had to go up a steep hill and Dolly almost slipped. When we were finally at the top I said "Anyone who runs down that hill would be an idiot." The trail guide told us that she had mountain boarded down that hill. "I told her she was nuts."
When we finally got back to the barn I dismounted Kassie and my knees were as weak as Jello. We said thank you to Elise and got into the car and drove off. On the way home we got lost again. When we got home I unlaced my boots, got into bed and said I am not getting out again for the day! The End.

Rhiannon Third Grade Reading List

These are the books she read between September 2007 and May 2008. The formatting may not be ideal and there will be repeats as this data is collected and exported from Book Collectorz. The basic format is: Title, Author, Number of Pages

. . . If You Grew Up with George Washington,Ruth Belov Gross; McCully; Emily Arnold,64
. . . If You Lived At The Time Of Martin Luther King,Ellen Levine; Rich; Anna,72
. . . If You Lived When There Was Slavery in America,Anne Kamma; Pamela Johnson,80
. . . If You Sailed on the Mayflower in 1620,Ann Mcgovern,80
. . . If You Traveled On The Underground Railroad,Ellen Levine; Larry Johnson,64
A Picture Book of Benjamin Franklin (Picture Book Biography),David A. Adler; Wallner; John C; Wallner; Alexandra,32
A Pocket in My Heart,Marcia Hoehne,160
Abigail Adams,Wallner; Alexandra,32
Abigail: The Breeze Fairy (Rainbow Magic: The Weather Fairies; No. 2),Daisy Meadows; Ripper; Georgie,80
Addy Learns a Lesson: A School Story (American Girls Collection),Connie Porter,68
Addy's Surprise: A Christmas Story (American Girls Collection),Connie Porter; Connie Rose Porter; Melodye Rosales; Renee Graef; Dahl Taylor; Jane S. Varda,65
The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes: With A Discussion Of Curiosity (Values In Action Illustrated Classics),Kathy Wilmore; Arthur Conan; Sir Doyle; Doyle; Arthur Conan; Butterfield; Ned,
The Aesop for Children: With Pictures by Milo Winter,Milo Winter; Aesop,
An Algonquian Year,Michael McCurdy,32
Alison Rides The Rapids (Magic Attic Club),Nina Alexander,80
America in World War I: America in World War One (Wars That Changed American History),Richard Worth,48
America in World War II: America in World War Two (Wars That Changed American History),Michael Burgan,48
The American Story: 100 True Tales from American History,Jennifer Armstrong,368
American Voices from Reconstruction (American Voices from),Adriane Ruggiero,103
The Ancient One,barron,367
Archer's Quest,Linda Sue Park,176
The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln (Cornerstones of Freedom. Second Series),Brendan January,30
Beck Beyond the Sea (Disney Fairies Chapter Books),RH Disney,128
Betsy And Tacy Go Downtown,Lois Lenski,180
Betsy-Tacy and Tib (Betsy-Tacy),Maud Hart Lovelace,160
Bobbsey Twins 00: Sun-Moon Cruise GB (Bobbsey Twins),Laura Lee Hope,
Book Of Dragons,E. Nesbit; Millar; H. R; Fell; Herbert Granville,180
The Boxcar Children (Boxcar Children (Turtleback)),Gertrude Chandler Warner,154
Bully-be-gone,tacang,216
The Burning (Guardians of Ga'hoole; Book 6),Kathryn Lasky,224
The call to vengeance,watson,134
Capture (Guardians Of Ga'hoole),Kathryn Lasky,240
Chloe The Topaz Fairy (Jewel Fairies),Daisy Meadows; Ripper; Georgie,80
The Civil War (Wars That Changed American History),Deborah H. Deford,48
The Civil War: American Tragedy (First Book),Alden R. Carter,64
Cleopatra VII; daughter of the Nile,gregory,221
The Climb,Gordon Korman,160
CLUE FLEW AWAY #3 (The New Bobbsey Twins; No 3),Hope; Tsui; George,
Clue That Flew Away,Laura Lee Hope; Tsui; George,84
The Coming of Hoole (Guardians of Ga'hoole; Book 10),Kathryn Lasky,224
Contemporary's Amazing Century: Book One,Contemporary Books; Contemporary,5
Contemporary's Amazing Century: Book Three,Contemporary Books; Contemporary,5
The contest,korman,137
Corpses; Coffins; and Crypts: A History of Burial,Penny Colman; Penny Coleman,224
Dear Mr. Henshaw (rpkg) (HarperClassics),Beverly Cleary,160
Death on Naboo (Star Wars: Last of the Jedi; Book 4),Jude Watson,160
The Declaration Of Independence (We The People),Michael Burgan,48
The Declaration Of Independence: Foundation For America (American History American Symbols),Jon Wilson,24
The Dog With Golden Eyes,Wilbur; Coyle; Mark,160
The Double Horror Of Fenley Place (Nancy Drew),Carolyn Keene,160
Eleanor: Crown Jewel of Aquitaine,Kristiana Gregory,190
Election Day (Holiday Histories),Mir Tamim Ansary,32
Ella enchanted,levine,232
The Emancipation Proclamation: Hope of Freedom for the Slaves (Let Freedom Ring: the Civil War),Michael Martin,48
The Enchanted Castle (Puffin Classics),E. Nesbit,304
The Encounter (Animorphs#3),K.A. Applegate,176
Eragon (Inheritance; Book 1),Christopher Paolini,544
The evil experiment,watson,144
Fairest,Gail Carson Levine,336
Fairy Diaries: Annie's Journey (The Fairy Diaries),Louise Bradley,119
Fairy Haven and the Quest for the Wand,Gail Carson Levine; Christiana; David,208
Fairy Realm #1: The Charm Bracelet (Fairy Realm),Emily Rodda,128
Fairy Realm #3: The Third Wish (Fairy Realm),Emily Rodda,128
The Fall of the Berlin Wall: The Cold War Ends (Point of Impact),Nigel Kelly,32
The False Peace (Star Wars Jedi Quest Series #9),Jude Watson; Alicia Buelow,158
The final showdown,watson,151
Fira and the full moon,herman,
Firefly and the Quest of the Black Squirrel (The Fairy Chronicles),J. H. Sweet; Chang; Tara Larsen,128
First Collier (Guardians Of Ga'hoole),Kathryn Lasky,208
The First Four Years,Laura Ingalls Wilder,160
Five Children and It (Wordsworth Children's Classics) (Wordsworth Children's Classics),Edith Nesbit,192
Five Smooth Stones: Hope's Revolutionary War Diary (My America)(Book One),Kristiana Gregory,112
For the Last Time; "Who's There?": Thousands of Jokes for Absolutely Everyone,Michael Kilgarriff,480
The Fourth Of July Story,Nonnast; Marie,
Freaky Friday,Mary Rodgers,176
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler,E.L. Konigsburg,168
Future (DK Eyewitness Books),DK Publishing; Michael Tambini; Inc. Dorling Kindersley,72
George Washington; Spymaster: How the Americans Outspied the British and Won the Revolutionary War,Thomas B. Allen; Harness; Cheryl,192
The Gettysburg Address (Cornerstones of Freedom. Second Series),Kenneth G. Richards,32
The Girl; The Dragon; and The Wild Magic (Rhianna #1),Dave Luckett,128
The Golden Tree (Guardians of Ga'hoole; Book 12),Kathryn Lasky,208
The Great Depression (We the People),Michael Burgan,48
Great Expectations,,
Great Women Of The Civil War (We the People),Lucia Raatma,48
Hans Brinker (Great Illustrated Classics),Mary Mapes Dodge,240
Happy Birthday; Addy!: A Springtime Story (American Girls Collection),Connie Porter; Luann Roberts Smith; Connie Rose Porter; Renee Graef; Bradford Brown; Geri Strigenz Bourget; Dahl Taylor,60
Harriet Spies Again (Edgar Allen Poe Award. Best Juvenile (Awards)),Helen Ericson; Louise Fitzhugh,240
Harriet the Spy,Louise Fitzhugh,320
Harry & Hannah: The American Adventure (Herrington; Chris. Adventures of Harry & Hannah.),Chris Herrington; Jean Ahern Lubin; Jorge M. Pacheco; Jorge Pacheco; Lubin; Jean Ahern,72
The Hatchling (Guardians Of Ga'hoole; Book 7),Kathryn Lasky,240
The haunted clock tower mystery,Soileau; Hodges,137
Henry And The Clubhouse,Beverly Cleary,224
Henry And The Paper Route,Beverly Cleary,192
The Hobbit: Or There And Back Again.,JRR. Tolkein,
Home on Stoney Creek (Sarah's Journey Series #1),Wanda Luttrell,208
Horse and Pony Care (Kingfisher Riding Club),Sandy Ransford,64
House of danger,montgomery,108
How to Eat Fried Worms,Thomas Rockwell; Emily Arnold McCully,128
If You Grew Up With Abraham Lincoln (If You.),Ann Mcgovern,80
If You Lived 100 Years Ago (If You.),Ann Mcgovern; DiVito; Anna,80
If You Lived At The Time Of The American Revolution (If You.),Kay Moore; O'Leary; Daniel,80
If You Lived At The Time Of The Civil War (If You.),Kay Moore; Matsick; Anni,64
If you lived in colonial times.,Turkle; Brinton,79
If You Lived In The Days Of The Knights (If You.),Ann Mcgovern; Andreasen; Dan,80
If You Lived With The Cherokees (If You.),Peter Roop; Connie Roop; Smith; Kevin Warren,80
If You Travelled on the Underground Railroad,Ellen Levine,
In Grandmas Attic (The Grandma's Attic Series),Arleta Richardson,138
In Their Own Words: Pocahontas (In Their Own Words),George Sullivan,128
India The Moonstone Fairy (Jewel Fairies),Daisy Meadows; Ripper; Georgie,80
Inkheart,Cornelia Funke; Bell; Anthea,560
Irish Myths and Legends,Ita Daly; Bee Willey; Bea Willey,96
A is for Abigail: An Almanac of Amazing American Women,Lynne Cheney; Robin Preiss Glasser; Preiss-Glasser; Robin,48
Island Of The Blue Dolphins (Illustrated),Scott O'Dell; Lewin; Ted,192
Jahanara: Princess of Princesses; India; 1627 (The Royal Diaries),Kathryn Lasky,186
John Adams Speaks For Freedom (Ready-To-Read. Level 3),Deborah Hopkinson; Craig Orback,32
Josefina's Story Collection (The American Girls Collection),Valerie Tripp; Tibbles; Jean-Paul; McAliley; Susan,406
The Journey (Guardians Of Ga'hoole; Book 2),Kathryn Lasky,256
Julie: An American Girl (American Girls Collection),Megan McDonald,
Just So Stories,Rudyard Kipling,210
King of the Wind: The Story of the Godolphin Arabian,Margueritte Henry; Marguerite Henry; Wesley Dennis,192
Lady Of Ch'iao Kuo: Warrior Of The South; Southern China; A.D. 531 (The Royal Diaries),Laurence Yep,300
The Lemonade Trick,Scott Corbett; Paul Galdone,103
Life On The Underground Railroad (Picture The Past),Sally Senzell Isaacs,32
A Light in the Attic (20th Anniversary Edition Book & CD),silverstein,176
Lily's Pesky Plant (A Stepping Stone Book(TM)),Kirsten Larsen; Clarke; Judith,128
Little Town On The Prairie (Little House),Laura Ingalls Wilder,303
The Long Winter,Laura Ingalls Wilder,
Louisiana Purchase (Cornerstones Of Freedom),Gail Sakurai,32
The Magic Half,Annie Barrows,224
Maine (Welcome to the U.S.a.),Ann Heinrichs; Kania; Matt,40
Mandy (Julie Andrews Collection),Julie Andrews Edwards,320
Marie Antoinette: Princess of Versailles; Austria-France; 1769 (The Royal Diaries),Kathryn Lasky,238
Marigold and the Feather of Hope; The Journey Begins (The Fairy Chronicles),J. H. Sweet,120
Marley: A Dog Like No Other,John Grogan,208
Mary; Queen Of Scots: Queen Without A Country; France; 1553 (The Royal Diaries),Kathryn Lasky,202
The Master of Disguise (Star Wars Jedi Quest #4),Jude Watson; David Mattingly; Alice Buelow,288
Meet Addy: An American Girl (The American Girls Collection Book 1),Connie Porter,69
Midnight On The Moon (Magic Tree House 8; paper),Mary Pope Osborne; Murdocca; Sal,80
The Missouri Compromise (We The People),Michael Burgan,48
Molly Learns a Lesson: A School Story (American Girls Collection),Valerie Tripp; Payne; C. F,67
Molly Saves the Day: A Summer Story (American Girls Collection),Valerie Tripp; Backes; Nick,69
Mr Poppers Penguins,Atwater,
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH,Robert C. O'Brien,240
Mummies Made in Egypt,Aliki,32
My America: Our Strange New Land; Elizabeth's Jamestown Colony Diary; Book One (My America),Patricia Hermes,109
My brother Louis measures worms,Robinson; Barbara,10
My Side of the Mountain (Puffin Modern Classics),Jean Craighead George,192
Mysteries of the Mummy Kids,Kelly Milner Halls,72
The Mystery in Lost Canyon (Home School Detectives ; No 7),John Bibee,121
The Mystery of Alligator Swamp (Boxcar Children Special),Gertrude Chandler Warner; Hodges Soileau,128
The Mystery Of The Haunted Boxcar (Boxcar Children Mysteries),Gertrude Chandler Warner; Soileau; Hodges,122
Mystery Of The Jade Tiger (Nancy Drew 104): Mystery Of The Jade Tiger,Carolyn Keene,149
The Mystery of the Mixed-Up Zoo (Boxcar Children Mysteries),Gertrude Chandler Warner; Charles Tang,1
The Mystery of the Widow's Watch (Home School Detectives; Vol 8),John Bibee,122
The Mystery of the Wild Surfer (The Ladd Family Adventure Series #6),Lee Roddy,152
Nathan Hale: Patriot Spy (On My Own Biography),Shannon Knudsen; Shannon Zemlicka; Craig Orback,48
Nellie the Brave: The Cherokee Trail of Tears (1838) (Sisters in Time #10),Veda Boyd Jones,144
Nzingha: Warrior Queen of Matamba; Angola; Africa; 1595 (The Royal Diaries),Patricia McKissack; Patricia C. McKissack; Pat McKissack,136
Olympic Dreams (High Hurdles #1),Lauraine Snelling,155
The Only Witness (Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice; 17),Jude Watson; Cliff Nielsen,118
The Outcast (Guardians of Ga'hoole; Book 8),Kathryn Lasky,224
Outside and Inside Woolly Mammoths (Outside and Inside (Walker & Company)),Sandra Markle,40
Painted Warriors and Wild Lions (The Adventures of the Kerrigan Kids #1),Gilbert Morris,120
Peril at King's Creek: A Felicity Mystery (American Girl Mysteries),Elizabeth McDavid Jones,163
Periwinkle and the Cave of Courage (The Fairy Chronicles),J. H. Sweet,128
Peter and the Starcatchers,Ridley Pearson; Dave Barry; Call; Greg,464
Peter Pan (Book and Charm),J. M. Barrie,240
Peter Pan in Scarlet,Geraldine McCaughrean,320
Pilgrims (Magic Tree House Rsrch Gdes(R)),Mary Pope Osborne; Natalie Pope Boyce; Boyce; Natalie Pope; Murdocca; Sal; Osborne; Mary Pope,128
Pinky Pye,Eleanor Estes; Ardizzone; Edward,272
Pippi in the South Seas,Astrid Lindgren,125
Planet Earth (Oxford Children's Reference),Jill Bailey; Catherine Thompson,160
Pocahontas; 1595-1617 (Blue Earth Books: American Indian Biographies),Liz Sonneborn,32
Prince Caspian (Narnia),C. S. Lewis,256
The Princess Bride: S Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure,William Goldman,416
Pygmalion,,
Racso And The Rats Of Nimh,Jane Leslie Conly; Lubin; Leonard B; O'Brien; Robert C,288
Ralph S. Mouse,Beverly Cleary,176
Ramona And Her Mother (Ramona Quimby),Beverly Cleary,224
Rani in the Mermaid Lagoon,Lisa Papademetriou,128
Rebekah in Danger: Peril at Plymouth Colony (1621) (Sisters in Time #2),Colleen L. Reece,144
Remember the Ladies: A Story About Abigail Adams (Creative Minds Biography),Jeri Ferris; Beier; Ellen,64
Remember Valley Forge: Patriots; Tories; And Redcoats Tell Their Stories (Remember Series),Thomas B. Allen,64
The rescue,lasky,197
Rescue (Guardians of Ga'hoole; Book 3),Kathryn Lasky,208
Revolutionary War On Wednesday (Magic Tree House 22; paper),Mary Pope Osborne,96
The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader (Star Wars),Ryder Windham,208
River Of Wind (Guardians Of Ga'hoole),Kathryn Lasky,224
Robinson Crusoe: With A Discussion Of Resourcefulness (Values In Action Illustrated Classics),Sean Price; Landgraf; Kenneth; Defoe; Daniel,190
Safety Around Strangers (Living Well (Child's World (Firm)).),Lucia Raatma,32
Samantha's Story Collection (American Girls Collection),Susan S. Adler; Maxine Rose Schur; Valerie Tripp,365
Samuel Adams: Father Of The Revolution (Our People),Ann Heinrichs,32
Sarah Witcher's Story,Elizabeth Yates; Unwin; Nora Spicer,95
Sarah's New World: The Mayflower Adventure (1620) (Sisters in Time #1),Colleen L. Reece,144
Scarlett The Garnet Fairy (Jewel Fairies),Daisy Meadows; Ripper; Georgie,80
Secession: The Southern States Leave The Union (Let Freedom Ring: The Civil War),Judith Peacock,48
Secrets Of The Jedi (Star Wars),Jude Watson,208
Shark Life: True Stories About Sharks & the Sea,Peter Benchley,208
The Shattering (Guardians of Ga'Hoole Series #5),Kathryn Lasky,176
Shiloh,Phyllis Reynolds Naylor,144
Smoking (My Health),Alvin Silverstein; Virginia B. Silverstein; Laura Silverstein Nunn,48
Snowbound Mystery,Gertrude Chandler Warner,128
Son of the black stallion,Menasco; Milton,330
The Spanish-American War (America Goes to War),Kerry A. Graves,48
Spiderwort and the Princess of Haiku (The Fairy Chronicles),J. H. Sweet,112
Spies: The Undercover World Of Secrets; Gadgets And Lies,David Owen,128
Star of Light,Patricia St.John; Mills; Mary; Rees; Gary,160
Staying Safe (My Health),Alvin Silverstein; Virginia B. Silverstein; Laura Silverstein Nunn; Silverstein; Virginia B; Nunn; Laura Silverstein,48
Strawberry Girl,Lois Lenski,208
Sunset of the Sabertooth (Magic Tree House #7),Mary Pope Osborne; Murdocca; Sal,80
Surprise Island;,WARNER,181
Susan B. Anthony: Fighter For Women's Rights (Ready-To-Read. Level 3),Deborah Hopkinson; Bates; Amy June,32
Swiss Family Robinson,,
The Tale Of Despereaux: Being The Story Of A Mouse; A Princess; Some Soup And A Spool Of Thread (Tale Of Despereaux),Kate Dicamillo,272
Thanksgiving on Thursday (Magic Tree House #27),Mary Pope Osborne,96
The Anybodies,N. E. Bode; Ferguson; Peter,288
The Battles of Lexington and Concord (Let Freedom Ring: the American Revolution),Judith Peacock,48
The Black Pearl (Newberry Honor Book),Scott O'Dell,112
The Black Stallion,Walter Farley,224
The Black Stallion Returns (Black Stallion),Walter Farley,240
The Boxcar Children: The Mystery Cruise #29,Gertrude Chandler Warner,
The Burning (Guardians of Ga'hoole; Book 6),Kathryn Lasky,224
The Copycat Mystery (Boxcar Children Mysteries),Gertrude Chandler Warner; Soileau; Hodges,137
The Courage of Sarah Noble,Alice Dalgliesh,64
The Death of Hope (Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice; Book 15),Jude Watson,152
The Desperate Mission (Star Wars: The Last of the Jedi; Book 1),Jude Watson,160
The double horror of Fenley Place,keene,158
The Fairy's Mistake (Princess Tales),Gail Carson Levine,96
The first collier,lasky,179
The Forests of Silence (Deltora Quest; 1),Emily Rodda,131
The Ghost in the First Row (Boxcar Children Mysteries),,109
The Ghost of KRZY (Bloodhounds; Inc.),Bill Myers,128
The Great Bicycle Race Mystery (The Boxcar Children Mysteries #76),Gertrude Chandler Warner; Charles Tang,115
The great shark mystery,Soileau; Hodges,130
The Hatchling (Guardians of Ga'hoole; Book 7),Kathryn Lasky,240
The Haunted Bridge (Nancy Drew Mystery Stories; No 15),Carolyn Keene,192
The Hidden Staircase (Nancy Drew Mystery Stories; No 2),Carolyn Keene,192
The Hundred Dresses,Eleanor Estes,96
The Jamestown Colony (Cornerstones of Freedom),Gail Sakurai,30
The Journey of Wishes: A Trip That Changed John Adam for Good (The Spirit Flyer; Book 8),John Bibee,187
THE LAST BATTLE.,CS. Lewis,
The Last Pony Ride (Pony Pals Super Special #6),Jeanne Betancourt,128
The Magic of Oz (Books of Wonder),L. Frank Baum,292
The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood,Howard Pyle,320
The Mystery at the Broken Bridge (Bibee; John. Home School Detectives; 6.),John Bibee,128
The Mystery of the Brass-Bound Trunk (Nancy Drew Mystery Stories; No 17),Carolyn Keene,192
The Mystery of the Campus Crook (Home School Detectives),John Bibee,122
The Mystery of the Cupboard,Lynne Reid Banks; Newsom; Tom,246
The Mystery of the Homeless Treasure (The Home School Detectives),John Bibee,117
The Mystery of the Mexican Graveyard (Home School Detectives),John Bibee,128
The Mystery of the Missing Microchips (Home School Detectives),John Bibee,
The mystery of the star ruby,Soileau; Hodges,120
The Mystery of the Vanishing Cave (Bibee; John. Home School Detectives; 5.),John Bibee,126
The Mystery of the Widow's Watch (Home School Detectives; Vol 8),John Bibee,122
The Neverending Story,Michael Ende,384
The Nobodies,N. E. Bode; Ferguson; Peter,304
The Outcast (Guardians of Ga'hoole; Book 8),Kathryn Lasky,224
The Perfect Star: Becoming Children of the True King (Spirit Flyer Series; No. 7),John Bibee; Turnbaugh; Paul,183
The Radio Mystery (Boxcar Children Mysteries),Gertrude Chandler Warner; Soileau; Hodges,128
The Rescuers,Margery Sharp,
The Runaway Parents: The Parable of Problem Parents (Spirit Flyer Series),John Bibee; Turnbaugh; Paul,164
The Secret of the Fiery Chamber (Nancy Drew No. 159),Carolyn Keene,160
The Secret of the Mask (Boxcar Children Mysteries),Gertrude Chandler Chandler Warner,113
The Secret of the Old Clock (Nancy Drew Mystery Stories; No 1),Carolyn G. Keene; Carolyn Keene,192
The Siege (Guardians of Ga'hoole #4),Kathryn Lasky,224
The siren song,Orpinas; Jean-Paul,122
The Snow Queen's Surprise,Carolyn Keene; Joanie Schwarz; Jones; Jan Naimo,80
The Stolen Sapphire: A Samantha Mystery (American Girl Mysteries),Sarah Masters Buckey,181
The Tail of Emily Windsnap,Liz Kessler; Gibb; Sarah,224
The Tanglewoods' Secret,Patricia St.John; Mills; Mary; Rees; Gary,224
The Threat Within (Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice; Book 18),Jude Watson,130
The Tiger Rising,Kate Dicamillo,128
The Toothpaste Millionaire,Jean Merrill,144
The Trail of Tears (Cornerstones of Freedom. Second Series),R. Conrad Stein,30
The uncertain path,watson,140
The Wild One (Phantom Stallion #1),Terri Farley,224
The Winter Rescue (Sugar Creek Gang Series),Paul Hutchens,112
These Happy Golden Years,,289
Thistle and the Shell of Laughter (The Fairy Chronicles),J.H. Sweet,128
Thresher Sharks (Sharks Set II),Adam G. Klein,24
Time Warp Trio: The High And The Flighty (I Can Read Book 3),Jon Scieszka; Catherine Hapka; Lisa Rao,48
To Be a King (Guardians of Ga'hoole; Book 11),Kathryn Lasky,224
The Trail of the Jedi (Star Wars: Jedi Quest; Book 2),Jude Watson,128
Treasure Island,Robert Louis Stevenson; Wyeth; N. C,273
Tree House Mystery (Boxcar Children),Gertrude Warner; Gertrude Chandler Warner,
Tuck Everlasting,Natalie Babbitt,144
Tut; Tut! (Time Warp Trio),Jon Scieszka; Smith; Lane,80
The Underground Railroad: Bringing Slaves North To Freedom (Let Freedom Ring: The Civil War),Judy Monroe,48
The Usborne Spy's Guidebook (Usborne Spy's Guidebooks),,48
Valley Forge (Cornerstones Of Freedom. Second Series),R. Conrad Stein,32
Vidia and the Fairy Crown (A Stepping Stone Book(TM)),Laura Driscoll; Clarke; Judith,128
Voting Rights Days (Hitty's Travels #3),Ellen Weiss,
The War Of 1812 (Cornerstones Of Freedom. Second Series),Andrew Santella,30
Warriors #1: Into The Wild (Warriors),Erin Hunter,288
We Are Patriots: Hope's Revolutionary War Diary; Book Two (My America),Kristiana Gregory,108
Whales and Dolphins (Nature's Wild; 1),Anton Ericson,
What Your Fourth Grader Needs To Know: Fundamentals Of A Good Fourth-Grade Education (The Core Knowledge),E.D. Jr Hirsch,416
What Your Third Grader Needs To Know: Fundamentals Of A Good Third-Grade Education (The Core Knowledge),E.D. Jr Hirsch,368
When Freedom Comes: Hope's Revolutionary War Diary; Book 3 (My America),Kristiana Gregory,112
You Wouldn't Want to Be a Civil War Soldier: A War You'd Rather Not Fight (You Wouldn't Want to),Thomas Ratliff; David Salariya; Antram; David,32
You Wouldn't Want to Be a Medieval Knight: Armor You'd Rather Not Wear (You Wouldn't Want to),Fiona MacDonald; Antram; David; Salariya; David,32
You Wouldn't Want to Be at the Boston Tea Party! (You Wouldn't Want To... (Sagebrush)),Peter Cook,

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Cake

This is Ciaran's birthday cake made by Rhiannon. He wanted a TMNT cake and she wanted to make it for him. This is her second cake she has worked on decorating herself after learning about cake decorating in a recent class. She is 8 years old. Let you know how he likes it.

Our Family

Looking at my sidebar I realized I have not updated our family bio in almost 3 years!!! Some of this will be repeat information for some of you. For the others, welcome and enjoy visiting with our family.


There is Serona (the dad), soon to turn 33. He is a director of product management for a software company. He has two undergrad degrees in Political Science and Philosophy and a graduate degree in Communications, and is also a former debater. His interests are reading, writing and blogging, keeping up with current events, technology and politics, wine tasting, anything and everything Star Wars, and of course his Xbox 360.

Then there is me, Mother Tenn, also 33 and a Stay at Home Mom. I am fairy active in our homeschool co-op especially in planning field trips. My undergrad studies were in Environmental Politics and I have an MA in Communications with an emphasis on Social Movements and Argumentation. My current interests are: reading, blogging and writing,journaling (I maintain 4 journals actively: a prayer journal and a journal for each of my children), research (especially technology, current events and homeschooling), knitting and crocheting and when I find time water aerobics.

Next come the children: Rhiannon, Ciaran, and Sirah.

Rhiannon is 8. She is an avid reader and at times it is difficult to get her head out of a book. She loves horses and her horseback riding lessons. She has recently taken up sewing and 9 patch quilts. She enjoys history and hates long division. She is developing her friendships and doesn't understand why boys and girls don't want to be friends anymore. Her current favorite music is Relient K and Vivaldi (interesting mix). She is a very inquisitive and intelligent child and always keeps life interesting.

Next meet Ciaran, 6 and a half. Ciaran is full of energy and has a passion for nature. He still loves frogs with a passion, though his interest in nature has expanded to include other creatures and nature in general. He still prays at night "God thank you for making all things good and for this world you created. He enjoys video games just like his dad. His current favorite is Disney Extreme Skate for his Gamecube. He will do anything for a half hour of video game time. He is getting ready to start basketball and snowboarding this winter. He has a wonderful personality and is always smiling that contagious smile he has.

Then there is Sirah our four year old. She has a personality all her own and a comfort with that. She asks me "Is today a matching day?" She can often be found wearing multi-colored stripes, with a clashing shirt and something sparkly or shiny on her had - somehow it works on her though it would not for so many other people. She is the kind of kid that makes all adults want to have another one like her. But she has her fiesty and stubborn side too that she saves just for me and Serona, complete with hands on hips and sighing. Being a third child she is very content to do her own thing and just be around us. If a disney princess is involved she is all over it. She also loves her sisters horses, fairies, Bitty twins and being read to all day long. She enjoys playing "foods food" where she makes us cookies, tea, etc while we do school. She also really LOVES being my assistant in the kitchen and has the biggest servant heart of the family. She has been known to get up and make everyones bed in the house, or clean a room and then tell us about it. She has a genuine, loving personality and another great smile.

Rounding out our family are our Australian Shepherds, a five year old male and a 3 year old female. They are loving, patient with our children (I am amazed at what they tolerate from them, especially Sirah) though these same dogs are fiercely protective of the kids and very loud barkers. They love to run ruts and spend time in the yard.

We are Christian environmentalists, social justice advocates, vegetarians, right-leaning, techies, outdoors loving, geo-caching, non tv watching, attachment parenting, extended breastfeeding, crunchy granola, readers, researchers, life-long learners, Guinness and wine drinking and sometimes funny and enjoyable to be around. So come get to know us and stay awhile. We love having you.

3rd Grade Curriculum

Since I spent the last few days ordering and pulling together our curriculum for the year thought I might as well post it here for all its posterity and to answer that burning question - "What are you using this year?" Which is a much fairer question to ask any homeschooler since so many change from year to year.

Every year I look at nice boxed packages like Sonlight, My Fathers World, even Calvert and then I run away thinking I will feel too boxed and unhappy and instead take it upon myself to mesh together a variety of unrelated texts and approaches. Maybe one of these years I will change my mind as so many of my friends are happy with those programs. Here is what we are planning for third grade

Math - Singapore 3A and 3B
Grammar/Writing - Voyages in English 3
Handwriting - Cursive Success HWT
Spelling - Spelling Power
Science - Merrill Life Science grade 3 and Christian Liberty Nature Readers
History - Story of the World vol 3
Geography - Geography Matters
Latin - Prima Latina
Art - How Great Thou Art
Music - Ultimate Encyclopedia of Classical Music


In addition we will do our own bible memory verse and devotional time as well as supplemental classes, field trips and activities as chosen. Right now that is shaping up to include horsemanship, various skills learned through Keepers at Home, and whatever classes she selects in our homeschool coop. I am tired just typing it.

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Now playing: Casting Crowns - Stained Glass Masquerade
via FoxyTunes
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Now playing: Sara Groves - Cave Of Adullum
via FoxyTunes

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Now playing: Casting Crowns - Lifesong
via FoxyTunes

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Now playing: Antonio Vivaldi - The Four Seasons: Concerto No.1 'La Primavera' in E, RV 269: I. Allegro
via FoxyTunes

Horseback Riding Lessons

Well Rhiannon has been asking for horseback riding lessons for years now - this year it was all she asked anyone for for her 8th birthday - so guess what she got? Today was her first of a series of 10 lessons and she loved every minute of it. We were very impressed with her lesson, instructor and the facility. Her lessons are supposed to be one hour each but this first one lasted almost 2 hours!

The lesson began with her learning how to place a halter and lead rope on the horse and lead the horse to the crossties. Then learn about the different combs and brushes and had the opportunity to groom and prepare the horse herself. She learned what different parts of the horse and bridle are called. She learned about the different saddles and bits and styles of riding. The instructor decided to begin her in Eastern hunt sea. After walking the horse into the riding area the instructor showed her the proper way to mount and ride and dismount the horse and the proper way to sit in the saddle. Then they went over the difference between walk, trot, and canter and posting in the saddle. She rode around, tried out posting and then did some fun balance exercises - including being able to lay backwards on the horse while her instructor walked the horse around. The lesson ended with the proper horse care of brushing and removing all the gear and leading her horse back to his stall.

Her instructor has a wonderful way of communicating with kids and she seemed to get along quite well. I am glad we waited until now to do this as she is really into and the program we decided to go with requires quite a bit of attention and learning as they realize focus on horse care and the sport in order o ride as well. She was interested and even excited for her homework for next week. She had a great big smile on her face the entire time and now is clearly the right time for this. More to come in the weeks and lessons that follow and look out for some blog posts from her as well.

The Mall of America

Living in the Twin Cities we have easy access to the Mall of America and we go there several times a year, very rarely to shop. Recently I spent an entire day with Rhia and a friend there mostly riding the roller coasters and the various other rides. Correction: the girls rode and I sat on a nearby space of floor or when I could find it a bench and knit as I waited for them on the long lines. I was quite thankful for the knitting as it would have been tedious for me had I not had it. I got a very good star on my newest sock pattern, a sock knit sideways so not in the round (so far it is interesting but I still prefer the other way as I really am not a fan of purling).

The girls had a great time and their stomachs are amazing - only got queasy once after they rode the Screaming Eagle five times in a row. As for me well I did not go on a single ride. My limit is the Hot Air Balloon ride I go on with Sirah. I just am not built for amusement park rides and never have been. I am a great person to go with though because I don't mind waiting with the young children, being the human shopping cart and coat rack and vicariously enjoying it through everyone else. I stretched myself on our Walt Disney World vacation but still drew the line at the rides I knew would push me over. Thankfully the girls had each other and did not mind me sitting on the sidelines holding all their stuff.

Cotton candy, ice cream, pop, crepes for dinner. Our day was filled with sugar, fast rides and fun. We spent 8 hours at the mall and the girls could have kept going but mom was ready to leave much to their disappointment. I honestly enjoy the mall as long as I don't have to spend any time in the stores. Walking the hallways, riding the rides, even the Underwater Adventures is fine with me. For the past several years we have had an annual scavenger hunt throughout the mall that is loads of fun. People watching is always an interesting thing to do there as well. For all the good I can see in the mall I honestly can not understand why it is a tourist attraction. Perhaps it is because in a lot of ways I am the anti-shopper, spending as little time in as few stores as I can (unless of course it is a book store).

Yesterday was a new experience for Rhiannon and me as we went into some of the "little girly" stores neither of us have ever been in. I literally felt like the skin was going to crawl off my body when I was inside stores like Limited Too, Claires and just walking past Libby Lu. I wanted to scream at the marketing toward this young group of girls and the consumerism being pushed at them, the horrible choices they are offered and the way it is all made so appealing to them. Rhia was overwhelmed and I could not move us through them fast enough. It started because we went past one and our little friend shared it was her favorite store could we please go in. I relented and regretted it. Okay maybe I don't regret it because I have a pretty good idea what they are about now and what I don't like about them and to steer my girls clear of them. Of course I had that gut instinct before and thus we never went in before. Anyway I digress - just confirmed for me that I can't stand shopping and I am thankful for that gift I have been given - if only it had carried over to books, homeschool curriculum, and new tech gadgets!

Still I am trying to get my head around why people want to travel to see the Mall of America? A bunch of stores all together and an amusement park in the middle. Okay the indoor full size amusement park is kind of cool during the winter in Minnesota but would I travel to see it? I don't think so. I just don't get it. I guess it is a shrine to our consumerism and a conveinant place for a marathon shopper to go. So why do we spend any time there? As a Minnesotan it is conveinant for me sometimes and so we go. We go to walk miles when it is lousy weather (hot, cold, snowy, etc) we go their to people watch, to take the kids to the amusement park or visit underwater adventures and we are often found their on Father's Day (perhaps one of their emptiest days). We typically avoid it like the plague around Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter as well as rainy or super hot days in the summer because the crowds are ridiculous. I guess I am glad we have it nearby for what we use it for and from time to time I have made purchases there usually at the book store or the Disney store but I just don't get the hype.

Happy Birthday Rhiannon

Rhiannon is 8 years old now and will be heading into 3rd grade this fall. Everyone always told me the years and time flies by in the blink of an eye but I have not felt that way with my kids so far, maybe some day I will. It has not felt too fast or too slow but just right. For her birthday card this year we printed out a sheet of pictures one from each year - as I looked at the pictures and reflected on our lives together I could not help but smile.

In her 8 years she has lived in three states and seven homes. For not being a military kid that is quite a bit. She is a fairly flexible child and used to change. She adopts our "One never knows what this crazy clan will do" philosophy with enthusiasm and seems to enjoy it. I looked over the picture and I see variety yet some consistency as well.

Rhiannon loves reading, horses, fairies, American Girls, reading, rocks and fossils, gin rummy, art, reading, swimming, biking, fort building, creating plays, dress-up, oh and reading.

She has brought us so much joy over these years and I love having the opportunity to homeschool her and be the one to share her learning with her. To be the one to watch the light bulb go and and see her get excited about things. I selfishly love all the time we have together as mother and daughter and as a family.

This year I have watched her introduced to things from my childhood like the Bobsey Twins, Nancy Drew, Spirograph, Anne of Green Gables, Little House on the Prairie and several other things that she enjoys now that I recall enjoying as a girl her age. I get to discover new things with her and watch her passion for them grow. Things like the Disney Fairies, American Girl historical characters, rock collecting and horses. It is so much fun to see her grow and to be such a part of that.

Happy Birthday Rhiannon and thanks for all the memories

Locks of Love

Today Rhiannon donated 10 inches of hair to Locks of Love which provide real hair wigs for children who need them. These pictures are from the receipient gallery of the website.

Rhia had been thinking about it for awhile and today made the final decision to do it. There were a few tears this morning but we encouraged her that we supported whichever decision she made and this was completely her decision to make. She decided to do it and was happy with her decision.

Outside of the salon the kids and I gathered together and prayed for Rhiannon and prayed over her hair that it would bless the child who received the wig from her hair. It was a lovely prayer all of us together and then we went inside and took pictures through the whole proccess.

Rhia thankfully loves her haircut. So not only did she do something to help out a fellow child but she enjoyed the way it turned out. She is thankful that her hair will be less knotty, easier to care for and cooler for the summer as well. I was very proud of her. This decision was made entirely on her own and while she had some concerns about cutting her hair and how it would turn out she really wanted to do it to serve someone else and decided to and feels great about the result.

It is always encouraging when kids find ways to serve others themselves.

Playlist for Rhiannon

As I type this I am putting the finishing touches on a CD for Rhiannon. This is based off of some of her favorite songs and some songs with special meaning for us.

I Can't Wait - Sara Groves
Fatou Yo - Toure Kunda
Little Bitty - Alan Jackson
Help Pour out the Rain - Buddy Jewel
When New York Was Irish - Andy Cooney
Awesome God - Rich Mullins
I Want to Know You - Serengeti Trek
Let Us Pray - Serengeti Trek
Star Girl - Serona
No Matter What - Beauty and the Beast
My Little Girl - Tim McGraw
Prayers for this child - Sara Groves
Must Be Done in Love - Serengeti Trek
Station Wagon - Sara Groves
Have I Told You Lately That I Love You - Van Morrison
Jesus Take the Wheel - Carrie Underwood
More Love, More Power - Serengeti Trek
More Than You'll Ever Know - Watermark
Fireflies - Faith Hill
A Lot Like Me - Sara Groves
She's a Butterfly - Martina McBride
Small Piece of You - Sara Groves
In My Daughter's Eyes - Martina McBride
Wish for You - Faith Hill
May There Always be Sunshine - Sarah Pirtle