Woodhaven

Everyday Graces-A Child's Book of Good Manners

by Karen Santorum.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1932236090/sr=8-1/qid=1154184511/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-9690532-3799913?ie=UTF8

I have looked at this books a few times and passed it up-to be honest.  It looked kinda long...I just didn't think my kids would like it.  However, I like Rick Santorum! He is running for re-election in Pennsylvania's Senate race.  The Santorums are a devoutly Catholic homeschooling family of 8.  Karen is a nurse and also an attorney. I decided that I would give it a try.  I borrowed it from the library in case the kids didn't really care for it.  And...I am pleasantly surprised!  The kids love the book. I bought my own copy.

Karen uses stories and poems to teach good manners, respect and morals.  It is not a list of "don't do this".  It is pieces of literature that illustrate honor, kindness, manners, compassion and good sportsmanship.

I keep it in the car and read a portion of it whenever we are waiting (like when my husband runs into Home Depot for "just a minute"-yeah right).  My 4 year old is the one who asks me "read me about George Washington again".  I am completely surprised that it is not too hard for her or "over her head".  Sometimes we really do underestimate what our children can learn and understand.

My recommendation is to give this book a try!

Ping!

This week we are reading Ping and studying China.  The annoying part (for me) about using living books is that they are all over the house and when I want them, I can't find them. 

Someone on the www.fiveinarow.com boards posted about making a basket of items that relate to the story and getting the child interested in the theme.  I decided to just put all of the books that we will be using in the basket and keeping the basket in the place where we will be working-usually the living room.  So far, so good.  It has been one week and the books are all returned to the basket.  I even found the kids sitting on the floor flipping through the books-probably because they were easy to find and grab.

   

I think I need to organize a bit

Yes, this once was our school room and now it is a messy pile of books and stuff.  Maybe if I post it publically I'll get it done sooner???

A Request...

for an updated baby picture...

Our License Plate Game

We have been trying to learn the states and their location.  As we know, this is a lot of memorizing.  I decided to play the "License Plate Game".  I originally printed up a list of the states and was going to have my son (7) check off which states we spotted and then find them on a map.  It didn't quite work-the papers kept falling on the floor.  Then, while browsing through Dover Coloring Books at Barnes & Nobles, I came across a United States Coloring Book!

Inside, there is all the information that you need to play an educational version of the License Plate Game.  Here is a picture of the inside.

He higlights what license plate we have found and then reads me all of the info.  He'll be coloring them in if he wants.  I'm more interested in the other "stuff" that he is learning while riding along in the car.  So far, he has found 28 states!  Not bad!