My sister-in-law and I hashed out our plans for two of our children who will be making their First Holy Communions next spring. I'd like to thank some online friends who shared their ideas with me. We are really excited to do this "main lesson book" style. I think the children will enjoy it and their notebooks will be a keepsake to look back on. Since I feel like I always "glean"(read: 'swipe') so much from other blogs, I would like to be able to give a little bit back. So, for what it is worth, I have shared our plans below:
First Holy Communion Notebook 2009-2010
1. Ultrasound picture w/bible verse, Psalm 139:13,14 copywork
2. Name Acrostic
3. Patron saints – color pictures and narration (Samuel and Peter)
4. Baptismal certificate and picture of Baptism
5. Seven Sacraments – cut construction paper, glue as ladder, see First Communion Baltimore Catechism pg. 35.
6. First Penance – 10 Commandments – cut out construction paper ‘tablets’, blue into notebook. Glue pre-cut strips of commandments in order on the tablets.
7. First Penance – Steps of Good Confession pg. 41 BC (glue strips in order) Color and glue Gentle Examen for Children (CHC) on opposite page
8. Act of Contrition – illustrate and glue into notebook; make bookmark (see Catholic Heritage Curricula second grade lesson plans)
************** Save page for pix of First Penance**************
TAKE PICTURES OF MASS KIT OBJECTS for next three lessons
9. Mass kit presentation – Set up altar and credence table, take pix of objects, have kids cut, paste and label
10. Mass kit presentation – Consecration I from Home Catechesis Manual, label and glue
11. Mass kit presentation – Consecration II from Home Catechesis Manual, label and glue
12.The Weight of a Mass read and narrate, place illustrated narration in book
****Take home Precious Life books and read this week****
13. Precious Life books – draw Chalice and Host picture (narrate child’s understanding of the True Presence depicted in the picture)
14. Passover and Last Supper(This lesson may take 2 sessions)—read stories from a children’s bible and have child narrate back. Point out symbolism and comparisons between:
a. Blood of the Lamb & Blood of the Lamb of God (saved its people)
b. Bread of Freedom becomes Body of Christ (Jesus used unleavened bread at the Last Supper/Passover meal)
c. Freedom from Slavery & Freedom from Slavery of Sin
15. John Paul II’s For the Children – picture of John Paul II holy communion with quote (cut and paste)
16. Anima Christi (prayer after Communion) illustrated
17. Pictures of First Holy Communion with child’s impressions of day
We will be reading the St. Joseph First Communion Baltimore Catechism, Little Nellie of Holy God, and perhaps Bl. Imelda Lambertini (a Windeatt book) to round out the curriculum. What a great way to prepare for the Sacrament!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Our Visitor
A curious visitor
A face only a mother could love
Watch out, honey! We discovered it was a snapping turtle!
High-tailing it outta here!
moving so fast, the picture blurred :)Tuesday, June 9, 2009
The Highlight Reel
The boys asked me to take pictures of them as they attempted bicycle kicks. It was pretty fun to watch, but a little painful for them, I would guess. Enjoy
Monday, June 8, 2009
Here's MY homeschooling success story
Haggard-looking teen son upon returning from taking his SATs:
"Well, I will probably be able to get into clown school."
"Well, I will probably be able to get into clown school."
School's out Daybook
FOR TODAY Monday June 8, 2009...
Outside my window...
the sun is shining and it looks like another beautiful day! We have been having some wonderful weather lately! The hot, humid weather has not arrived yet, thank goodness. We are enjoying these sunny, warm, clear days.
My 'Thinkers'
I am thinking...
of new summer routines, purging, purging, purging and new approaches to old problems
I am thankful for...
little girls' dance recitals, middle sized boys' soccer games (he scored 4 goals, team still undefeated!), big boys' soccer games, and the gifts and talents with which Our Lord has blessed these children
Cousins!
From the learning rooms...
standardized testing is complete and mailed in, still plugging along in math and french, contemplating making a reading list for the boys for summer...but, do I need a list? We go to the library every week or so and they pick out new books every time. The books are not necessarily "classics", but they are reading. My ten year old is on a "Calvin and Hobbes" kick. I can't blame him. I loved that comic strip. He was inspired to create his own comic book. It's pretty funny! I am reading "Little House on the Prairie" to them to wrap up our history lessons.
From the kitchen...
frustration at trying to keep the older people (and some of the younger ones) in this house full! I grilled steak the other night, made mashed potatoes (everyone's favorite) and had fresh sliced veggies. Meat and potatoes, right? Stick to your ribs stuff! Well, soon after dinner, someone, who will remain nameless, was in the kitchen making himself a sandwich! Are you kidding? I know the males in this house are very active, but it is next to impossible to get them filled up! Which would explain the problem with the grocery bill.
Still pushing the fruits and veggies, and am so thankful that they are popular with this crowd. We need a WAY bigger garden!
I am going...
to make chocolate chip cookies with the younger ones today...I promised them last night and my 3 year old woke up chanting "cookies, cookies, cookies!" She doesn't forget anything!
I am reading...
Little House on the Prairie to the kids, A Father Who Keeps His Promises by Scott Hahn, and I just finished Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The Potter books are very quick reads (almost disturbingly so) and I am working on a separate post about them, but I am thinking I might just read all of them before I give an opinion. They do change, and some of the criticisms I have read about the books happen in the later ones, so I want to do all my research first. I don't think there's anyone out there waiting with baited breath for my critique anyway :)
I am hoping...
that an opportunity that presented itself unexpectedly last week works out in accordance with God's Holy Will
I am hearing...
Sam and Annie listening to books on tape....sounds like Cinderella this time.
Around the house...
Cleaning, purging, cleaning, purging....and paperwork, portfolios, phone calls, ugh
Oh yeah, and those Chocolate Chip Cookies!
One of my favorite things...
10 year old's birthday parties that are as fun for the grown-ups as for the kids!! Thanks, Emm for turning 10! We had a great time!
A few plans for the rest of the week:
co-op meeting tonight, the last baseball game, soccer games, portfolios, cleaning, purging...
things are slowing down...
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
Outside my window...
the sun is shining and it looks like another beautiful day! We have been having some wonderful weather lately! The hot, humid weather has not arrived yet, thank goodness. We are enjoying these sunny, warm, clear days.
My 'Thinkers'I am thinking...
of new summer routines, purging, purging, purging and new approaches to old problems
I am thankful for...
little girls' dance recitals, middle sized boys' soccer games (he scored 4 goals, team still undefeated!), big boys' soccer games, and the gifts and talents with which Our Lord has blessed these children
Cousins!From the learning rooms...
standardized testing is complete and mailed in, still plugging along in math and french, contemplating making a reading list for the boys for summer...but, do I need a list? We go to the library every week or so and they pick out new books every time. The books are not necessarily "classics", but they are reading. My ten year old is on a "Calvin and Hobbes" kick. I can't blame him. I loved that comic strip. He was inspired to create his own comic book. It's pretty funny! I am reading "Little House on the Prairie" to them to wrap up our history lessons.
From the kitchen...
frustration at trying to keep the older people (and some of the younger ones) in this house full! I grilled steak the other night, made mashed potatoes (everyone's favorite) and had fresh sliced veggies. Meat and potatoes, right? Stick to your ribs stuff! Well, soon after dinner, someone, who will remain nameless, was in the kitchen making himself a sandwich! Are you kidding? I know the males in this house are very active, but it is next to impossible to get them filled up! Which would explain the problem with the grocery bill.
Still pushing the fruits and veggies, and am so thankful that they are popular with this crowd. We need a WAY bigger garden!
I am going...
to make chocolate chip cookies with the younger ones today...I promised them last night and my 3 year old woke up chanting "cookies, cookies, cookies!" She doesn't forget anything!
I am reading...
Little House on the Prairie to the kids, A Father Who Keeps His Promises by Scott Hahn, and I just finished Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The Potter books are very quick reads (almost disturbingly so) and I am working on a separate post about them, but I am thinking I might just read all of them before I give an opinion. They do change, and some of the criticisms I have read about the books happen in the later ones, so I want to do all my research first. I don't think there's anyone out there waiting with baited breath for my critique anyway :)
I am hoping...
that an opportunity that presented itself unexpectedly last week works out in accordance with God's Holy Will
I am hearing...
Sam and Annie listening to books on tape....sounds like Cinderella this time.
Around the house...
Cleaning, purging, cleaning, purging....and paperwork, portfolios, phone calls, ugh
Oh yeah, and those Chocolate Chip Cookies!
One of my favorite things...
10 year old's birthday parties that are as fun for the grown-ups as for the kids!! Thanks, Emm for turning 10! We had a great time!
A few plans for the rest of the week:
co-op meeting tonight, the last baseball game, soccer games, portfolios, cleaning, purging...
things are slowing down...
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
Go visit Peggy for more daybooks
Thursday, June 4, 2009
10 years old!
Happy birthday to my lovely niece, Emmalee! Ten years goes by so fast. It seems like only yesterday you and Ethan were babies sitting on the floor. You were half Ethan's size, but you were poking him in the eye and making him cry!
I hope you have a wonderful day!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Almost summer daybook - June 1, 2009
Outside my window...
Bright, clear and sunny...looks like a lovely day
I am thinking...
Of many things: life, choices, love, and what makes life worth living--
very deep!
I am thankful for...
the power of the Holy Spirit, which can renew the face of the earth
and inspire and guide us.
Come, Holy Spirit. Come by means of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved Spouse.
From the learning rooms...
We need to do Sammy's CAT testing this week,
and then its all about packing up this year, putting together portfolios, organizing school supplies, and pulling out and shelving next year's books.
Ethan will continue doing Teaching Textbooks throughout the summer,
and Isaac will keep doing Rosetta Stone French (or else!!)
I am pretty sure I have most of next year's curriculum figured out,
but I keep finding great new ideas at different blogs and websites I visit!!! It's making my job more difficult, for sure. I am still working on condensing all the religion ideas I have found into a workable curriculum.
From the kitchen...
I have been very uninspired as of late. We are trying to add more fruits and veggies to our diet. I find that if I set out a bowl of grapes, sliced cukes or cut up watermelon, nobody whines for snacks. I am going to try to keep something healthy and "ready-to-go" on the counter in the afternoon hours.
I need to work on reducing our grocery bill. Seriously! It seems that I need to treat grocery consumption like finances... we need an "eating budget". This means, though, that I am going to need to prepare all lunches and snacks for everyone, and budget them out so that they are all eating the same thing and I can keep a close eye on amounts eaten. I find that when I allow them to make their own sandwiches, lots of food gets wasted, or someone will see their sibling's lunch and decide that it looks better than their own and want that instead. Too many food choices, around this house anyway, leads to waste, excessive eating, and a distorted view of food. Even though I only have one child with a weight issue, most of them view food in a gluttonous way. This needs to change. I am hoping to see an improvement in our weekly grocery bill because of it.
I am going...
to take my daughter to work in a few minutes, then get to those CAT tests.
I am reading...
finished Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (book two), but I will be posting about Harry separately. I am also reading "A Father Who Keeps His Promises" by Scott Hahn.
And lots and lots of curriculum ideas, books, catalogs, blogs.....
I am hoping...
Sammy doesn't freak out about his first standardized testing experience.
I am also hoping that Isaac does well on his SATs this weekend.
I am hearing...
Guitar Hero being played, when I should be hearing beds being made and morning chores being done...I will have to investigate.....
Around the house...
it doesn't look too bad, after all we weren't here very much this weekend...3 soccer games and 2 baseball games, last day of CCD, Mass, of course, and just because we don't get enough soccer, we went to my nephew's soccer game also:)
One of my favorite things...
hearing my children engaged in imaginative play together, which they are right now.
Love it.
A few plans for the rest of the week:
Clean the car (oh my yes! clean the car!), finish CAT testing, laundry, research health insurance options (yuk), plant flowers at the Church, laundry, soccer, baseball, curriculum planning, laundry, and did I mention baseball?
Teen son just found out that his baseball team made the state playoffs!! Congratulations, Isaac!
Go Cardinals!
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
College girl and teen son hamming it up after our production of "The Tempest"
Isaac is still in his King Alonzo attire.
Love that they can bond over Shakespeare!
Visit Peggy for more daybooks.
Bright, clear and sunny...looks like a lovely day
I am thinking...
Of many things: life, choices, love, and what makes life worth living--
very deep!
I am thankful for...
the power of the Holy Spirit, which can renew the face of the earth
and inspire and guide us.
Come, Holy Spirit. Come by means of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved Spouse.
From the learning rooms...
We need to do Sammy's CAT testing this week,
and then its all about packing up this year, putting together portfolios, organizing school supplies, and pulling out and shelving next year's books.
Ethan will continue doing Teaching Textbooks throughout the summer,
and Isaac will keep doing Rosetta Stone French (or else!!)
I am pretty sure I have most of next year's curriculum figured out,
but I keep finding great new ideas at different blogs and websites I visit!!! It's making my job more difficult, for sure. I am still working on condensing all the religion ideas I have found into a workable curriculum.
From the kitchen...
I have been very uninspired as of late. We are trying to add more fruits and veggies to our diet. I find that if I set out a bowl of grapes, sliced cukes or cut up watermelon, nobody whines for snacks. I am going to try to keep something healthy and "ready-to-go" on the counter in the afternoon hours.
I need to work on reducing our grocery bill. Seriously! It seems that I need to treat grocery consumption like finances... we need an "eating budget". This means, though, that I am going to need to prepare all lunches and snacks for everyone, and budget them out so that they are all eating the same thing and I can keep a close eye on amounts eaten. I find that when I allow them to make their own sandwiches, lots of food gets wasted, or someone will see their sibling's lunch and decide that it looks better than their own and want that instead. Too many food choices, around this house anyway, leads to waste, excessive eating, and a distorted view of food. Even though I only have one child with a weight issue, most of them view food in a gluttonous way. This needs to change. I am hoping to see an improvement in our weekly grocery bill because of it.
I am going...
to take my daughter to work in a few minutes, then get to those CAT tests.
I am reading...
finished Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (book two), but I will be posting about Harry separately. I am also reading "A Father Who Keeps His Promises" by Scott Hahn.
And lots and lots of curriculum ideas, books, catalogs, blogs.....
I am hoping...
Sammy doesn't freak out about his first standardized testing experience.
I am also hoping that Isaac does well on his SATs this weekend.
I am hearing...
Guitar Hero being played, when I should be hearing beds being made and morning chores being done...I will have to investigate.....
Around the house...
it doesn't look too bad, after all we weren't here very much this weekend...3 soccer games and 2 baseball games, last day of CCD, Mass, of course, and just because we don't get enough soccer, we went to my nephew's soccer game also:)
One of my favorite things...
hearing my children engaged in imaginative play together, which they are right now.
Love it.
A few plans for the rest of the week:
Clean the car (oh my yes! clean the car!), finish CAT testing, laundry, research health insurance options (yuk), plant flowers at the Church, laundry, soccer, baseball, curriculum planning, laundry, and did I mention baseball?
Teen son just found out that his baseball team made the state playoffs!! Congratulations, Isaac!
Go Cardinals!
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
College girl and teen son hamming it up after our production of "The Tempest"Isaac is still in his King Alonzo attire.
Love that they can bond over Shakespeare!
Visit Peggy for more daybooks.
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