Today I Learned About...

Every night when Daddy gets home from work, he asks Joshua what he learned in school today. Joshua's response is always "I don't know" and Daddy has to ask a hundred questions to pry it out of him or Mommy has to remind him. So I decided to make a "Daddy Sheet" for Joshua to complete as we're doing his lessons throughout the day. As soon as we complete a lesson, I ask him what one thing he'd like to share with Daddy about what he just learned. In the box for that subject, he can draw a picture, write words or numbers, or do both. We don't do every square everyday because we don't do all subjects everyday. Joshua likes it because it's easier for him to share with Daddy what he's learning, I like it because it helps keep me accountable, and Daddy likes it because he gets to see and talk about what Joshua's learning everyday. Here is an example:

If you would like to download this sheet, click here. Here is another form without the subjects listed in the boxes so you could write in your own.

How do your students share what they're learning with others? Please share any ideas!
This post has been submitted to Helpful Homeschool Hints.

Review: Time4Learning

Our family had the privilege to try out Time4Learning, an online home education program, for 30 days in exchange for a candid review. When I initially heard of Time4Learning, I didn't look into it too much because I figured why pay for online educational games when there seems to be plenty of free ones out there. (The program costs $19.95 a month for one child and $14.95 a month for each additional child.) What I didn't realize, however, is that there is much more to this program than any typical computer game. It can be used as an entire curriculum for preschool, elementary, and middle school students. The student typically begins by watching an animated lesson on a particular concept. Then there are interactive activities to help him learn and review the concept, followed by a quiz to assess his understanding. What I love most about the program are the parent reports that I could print out to see how they were doing.
My oldest, Joshua, began with first grade level math and language arts, but we realized quickly that he needed to move up to second grade language arts. It was easy to move the kids up or down a grade level once we realized where they needed to be. Ella really enjoyed her preschool lessons. Both of the kids love working on the computer and would ask me every morning if they could do their "computer school." Since we already have a curriculum for this year, I used it as a supplemental program. Instead of telling them which lessons to work on, I just gave them free reign to move through the lessons at their own pace. I knew I could check the parent reports later to see if they were really answering the questions correctly. It was a great way to make sure the kids were doing something productive with school when I couldn't give them one-on-one time, such as when I was working with another child, doing laundry, or feeding the baby. I would most likely not use it as a core curriculum for our family because I tend to lean more towards classical homeschooling. But all in all, I and my two little brainiacs were very impressed with the Time4Learning program and highly recommend that others check it out to see if it would be a good fit for them.

Disclosure: I received a free month trial of Time4Learning in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are entirely my own.

E-MEALZ- Easy Meals for Busy and Frugal Families

I overheard a couple of friends talking about E-MEALZ Easy Meals for Busy and Frugal Families, so I decided  to give it a try. This program does all the work for you in menu planning each week by providing easy meal plans and shopping lists based on what's on sale at your grocery store. I'm all about saving time and money! I just signed up for it tonight so I'll let you know how it goes.

Field Trip - Children's Museum of Atlanta

In September on a visit to Atlanta to see family, we got to go to the Children's Museum of Atlanta. The kids had such a great time playing in all the exhibits. I highly recommend going if you're ever in the area. First we went to Fundamentally Food to see how food gets from the farm to the table.

Joshua milking the cow

Brooke in the orchard

Joshua and Ella riding the tractor

Then the kids enjoyed playing in the molding sand table.

Little artist

Plenty of train tables

They enjoyed fishing in the Leaping into Learning exhibit.

We learned about conserving energy.

Ella liked spinning the handle fast to make the light shine

In the Tools for Solutions exhibit, the kids used the six simple machines to move the balls around.

Time4Learning Review

 I’ve been invited to try Time4Learning for one month in exchange for a candid review. My opinion will be entirely my own, so be sure to come back and read about my experience. Time4Learning can be used as a homeschool curriculum, for afterschool enrichment and for summer skill sharpening. Find out how to write your own curriculum review for Time4Learning.

In the Distance - Great Homeschool Devotional

This is a devotional from the Alpha Omega Publications Daily Focus. It spoke to me so much (especially the part about the 3 year old in diapers :) It doesn't always feel like it, but our kids grow up so fast and the time we get with them is so short. We need to appreciate and enjoy every moment we have with them, even the chaotic ones. I just had to share this. I hope it speaks to you as well. Enjoy!

Daily Focus - In the Distance

CSN $80 Gift Card Giveaway

Here's another great giveaway on Two of a Kind, Working On a Full House. Just read the post and enter to win an $80 gift card to CSN Stores. Hurry, this contest ends on August 30th!