Copywork Pages for Free Download

I've created some copywork pages for my own children that I'd like to share with you.  One set is quotes and poems, the other is Catholic prayers.  Please enjoy!

God Bless,

Just click on the pictures to be taken to the download.

Catholic Prayers Copywork Pages

Quotes and Poems Copywork Pages

A First Book in American History by Edward Eggleston

I'm offering this book as a free download.  It's a public domain book and I take no credit for it other than formatting it into a pdf to make it easier to save and print.  But please enjoy!  This book is fantastic and a timeless classic for teaching children about American History.

!!Click Here!!

Wanted to share with you my joy!

Say hello to the newest Altar server at St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in West Warwick, Rhode Island.

He was very embarrassed as the priest was standing right to the side.  Oh well, mama needed a picture to remember this moment! :)

Nature Study at the Nature Preserve!

A nature preserve recently opened to the public here in our neck of the woods in RI, and we just HAD to go check it out!  The children absolutely LOVED it!  As did their father and I.  We saw many species of plants trees and insects that I had no idea even existed in RI.  You get the idea.  If you have any sort of nature preserve where you live, woods you can venture through (with lots of bug repellent of course) or anything of the like you simply must visit it at least once.  

    Now, it's true that you can enjoy nature study wherever you are.  Right in your own backyard.  But there is an unprecedented beauty about nature undisturbed.  Since a nature preserve is a quiet, peaceful, calm sanctuary you can view animals and insects that you wouldn't ordinarily be able to view in your yard.  Enjoy God's wonderful, exquisite creation whichever way you can.  But certainly take advantage of the untouched areas you may have available to you.

 This odd little beetle was so beautifully colored.  We'd never seen anything like it before.

 Can you believe that I had NO idea that pine cones started out green when growing?  The things you don't learn about as a child you learn while homeschooling your own children.  When you teach someone, you BOTH learn!

 These two bugs were mating.  Guess it's mating season for these particular beetles. LOL

 My son was amazed by moss.  You don't see this much in the city.  Practically no trees in the city to allow a shady spot for it to grow.

 I am blessed to have a husband that cares greatly about what I'm doing with educating our children, and he enjoys taking part in things that we do.

 This was a chimney from a 18th century farmhouse that stood on this spot years ago.  We were amazed at the skill and craftsmanship that went into building a simple chimney.  We also spotted the hook inside where pots were hung over the fire!

God Bless,

Magnet Letters for the Little's

So, in my planning of the new year that will start in a month or so; I've been gathering some things for my soon to be K4'er.  She's so happy to be starting K, even though she'll do K for 2 years.  So in preparing for the new year I made up some jumbo alphabet letters for teaching her to read (hopefully) and at the very least learning the letter sounds and blends.  Keeping with the giving nature I possess, I'm offering them free as a download.  I printed the letters on letter sized photo paper and then adhered  them to these magnet sheets.

Click the picture to download.

Please enjoy! 

God Bless,

Top 25 Blogs/Circle of Moms...

So, I've been nominated as one of the blogs in the running for the top 25 blogs by the circle of moms.  I'm honored and humbled.  Whichever one of my readers that nominated me, I'd like to say thank you!  It really made my day. So, if you believe that this plain ol' mom can have one thing that's out of the everyday happen to her.  Please vote for me by clicking on the circle of mom's button on the side. Just scroll through and look for my picture. You can vote once per day.  Thanks so much!

Our Own Way of Workboxing

After a discussion on The Well Trained Mind forums about workboxes, I was asked to share my way of doing it.  Rather than clutter up a thread over there, I figured I would share it here.  For everyone to enjoy.

My children each have binders that are color coded to them.  On the inside of the binders are binder pouches that hold their work for an entire week, each pouch holding a days worth of work.

If there is a book or something that doesn't fit in the pouch, the information is on their assignment sheet of what to do.

We school 4 days a week, so each week is preloaded on Sunday night!

When they are finished with thier work, it gets put in the back of their binders in a finished work pouch, which I correct at the end of the school week.

And that's our system!  It's easy, quick, and the kids are in control of their learning.

God Bless,

What Does Nature Study Look Like?

When you hear the words "Nature Study", what images come to mind? 

Do you see hiking trails?

Woods to explore? 

 Perhaps the seashore?

Well, all of those places are excellent.  But they are not the only sources of nature study. Nature study takes place in nature!  Wherever there are natural things around you, you'll find nature.  Go out into your own backyard. The local park, or take a walk down your street.  You'll be sure to find nature there.

When I first learned about the Charlotte Mason method of learning and teaching, and of nature study, I was very nervous.  I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to pull it off. 

How funny right?

Nervous about nature!

Well it wasn't nature itself that frightened me, (well except for the huge spiders!) but I didn't think that I would be able to find enough nature around us. Sounds silly doesn't it, since mostly everything outside your door is nature. Well, I thought that nature study couldn't be done unless trekking through forests, discovering streams and brooks and all the other things you see in lovely pictures.

For all those that think like I did.  That's just not so.

 Let me repeat that.

That's just not so! 

Nature Study can happen anywhere! 

 Walk outside your door, look up, and draw the clouds!  Learn about them! Discover them like never before. Learn about the trees that are around you. What country are they native to? 

You'll be surprised the things you'll find out. 

Most importantly, keep a nature journal.  Not just for your children, but you as well.

  I'm finding great delight in keeping my own nature journal!

Take pictures.  Lots and lots of pictures!

Most importantly, have fun! Nature study is a relaxing, eye opening, bewilderment of God's hand at work!

God Bless,