Brain Diagram

Thoroughly entertained by my eldest's way of incorporating Star Wars into whatever we're doing.

Hangeul

Finally getting around to adding Hangeul (Korean language) to our curriculum...

We're already learning Greek & Latin. What's one more new language, right? Kidding.

:) My goal is simple: to teach them how to read Korean. It's a pretty simple language to learn to read. Teaching them (what little I remember of) Korean is long overdue & I'm looking forward to brushing up on it myself.

Kids are eating it up so far & are having fun showing Halmuni and Halabuji (grandparents) the syllables/ characters they can put together.

Another fun part about learning Korean is discovering all kinds of cute little viddys online. They're quite helpful too.

Here are some we've watched:

I thought this video was a very helpful tutorial for beginners:

Prepositions Song

I asked my kids to help me make a grammar tutorial video for another homeschooling mom in need of help. The oldest two were more than happy to make a quick impromptu viddy... throwing in some harmony too (they kind of blow me away sometimes).

We're sharing this viddy here in case anyone else could benefit from memorizing 52 preposition words in a fun way. As a music teacher, I'm a HUGE advocate for putting everything (esp. memory work) to music! So have fun and sing along! (Tune: Mickey Mouse March)

Cell structure

jello- cytoplasm

grape- nucleus

dried beans- mitochondria

green peas- lysosomes

bag- cell membrane

Diptych

This was a fun hands-on activity.

Roman Diptych (double sided tablet).

Romans did not have public schools. Romans who had money sent their children to either a private school, or were homeschooled by hired servant tutors. (Only boys received academic education.)

They used a hinged double sided tablets made with reusable clay, which they used to write during school.

We got to make these diptychs with a few simple materials, then practiced our Roman numerals on them. Even after 3 days, my kids are still carrying them around, writing/ drawing on them.

Materials used:
Non-drying clay from Michaels
Hinged 2 sided picture frames from the Dollar Store
Play dough rollers to flatten out clay
Stylus made from sharpened chopsticks

This one made me laugh out loud.

Thankful

...for moments like these.

There are many reasons why we love homeschooling.

One of them is getting to watch my crew work & learn together. Yesterday, they were so in the zone (making a Roman map), they didn't stop to immediately devour the snacks like they normally do.

Most of all, I love that they love each other, enjoy being with each other, helping one another, and learning together as a family. 

I'm so thankful we have the freedom to homeschool.
I'm thankful for my children.
I'm thankful for my husband who supports homeschool.
I'm thankful for my life.
I'm thankful for Christ, who gives me strength to do anything according to His will.
Philippians 4:13

God's signature in the smallest things...

Even in the smallest of cells... there is proof of our awesome God's handiwork.

Did you know there are about 250,000,000 blood cells....

...in just one drop of blood??!!

It's mind boggling to see how these tiniest living things can contain so much info, function, purpose... and they all fit and work together to make tissues, organs, systems, an living organism.

To say God is smart would be the biggest understatement ever.

I love that my children absolutely love science,  that it doesn't have to be 'boring' as I remember in school... (although I had a blast in my high school chemistry class, blowing spitwads at friends. Good times.)

We're all so looking forward to learning about human anatomy, astronomy & a bit of chemistry with CC.

Science rocks! God rocks!!

Fruit of thy labor....

Both of the oldest kids got an A on the Greek final test,  but the fruit was especially sweet for my eldest.... as he was the most nervous about the test. I'd say he did just fine.

Can't say his mama could do the same though. ;)

Back to School! First day of homeschool photos...

Meet our newly hired tutor, Alexis, a Greek servant, traveling back in time about 2000 years.

Students with their new tutor, "Alexis", which means helper/ defender.

Miss K rocking the homemade laurel wreath crown. (Made from bay leaves, smelled wonderful!)

A typical Roman snack or meal: fruit, dried fruit, nuts, cheese, bread.

"Rise of Rome", Mr. A summarizing the legend about Romulus, Remus, and the she-wolf.

Timeline: "The Roman Republic"

A friendly battle took place between these 2 sibs, in reviewing the Greek roots from last year. The fierce competition resulted with Mr. A as the boy champion & Ms. K, the girl champion. (These two are competitive!!)

Eagerly waiting for the teacher to call out the next card. Intense!

Dad teaching a lesson on "How Did Bible Come to Us" before bed. (Thank you Jesus for my husband!)

Favorite pic of the day. Melt. My. Heart.

Thank you Lord for a fun filled, blessed first day of school. Apart from You, I can do nothing!
Philippians 4:13.

A little peak behind the closed door...

Balloons, workboxes prepped with fresh new school supplies, a few small gifts for each child, snack pouches replenished,  favorite sweets treats...

...and a gift wrapped Bible (old/ new) for each child, with a personal note from God saying that it's a special gift from God Himself.

As much as it is fun to give my kids other type of gifts, I want to make God's Word the BIGGEST deal, as the best gift we could ever receive. There is power in His Word that is true & living... and what better way for our children to get to know God than through His Word?!!

No Peaking!

My kids were so giddy about the 1st day of school. Then again, t's always more exciting when the school room door closes for several days, and a sign like this appears.

So, my tip of the day is...

No need to do anything to get your kids stoked about the 1st day. Just close the door & post a sign! The suspense alone will drive 'em crazy in wanting to start school NOOOOWWWW!! ;)