Happenings for November and December

Wow, there is so much getting ready to happen around the county, I just have to get it out there and share with you.

Happening now!– Auditions for Adams County’s Got Talent.  Hosted by the Kiwanis of Gettysburg Adams.  This is open to students of Adams County in grades 5-12.  Auditions will be happening 12/27.

Nov. 11th–Veterans Day/Community Appreciation Day at the Gettysburg Visitor Center and Museum.  If you are an Adams County resident you can see the film, cyclorama, and museum for free.  Great if you have a large family like me.  See my thoughts on it here.  Also participating is the David Wills’ house (where Lincoln stayed when he came to give his speech) and the Rupp House.

Nov. 19th–Gettysburg Dedication Day.  See link for details but this commemorates the 154th anniversary of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.

The month of December–An Eisenhower Christmas.  Oh how I want to go to this.  I have yet to be to the Eisenhower farm (shame on me) and I can’t think of a nicer way to see it.

Dec. 2nd– The Polar Express presented by Fun-In-It Storytelling at the Gettysburg Library (this is the story, not the movie).

In other news, this site will soon be moving.  Yep, I’m going to take it to the next level.  I’m very excited about my new site but it’s not ready yet.  As soon as it is, I will let you know.

 

5th, 3rd, and 1st/2nd

Yep, I’m finally finishing up sharing my curriculum choices for this year with you.  And let’s face it, some of you (if anyone reads this) might think I’m cheating by grouping the last 3 together but besides different levels they pretty much do the same thing.

They are all doing LLALT (Learning Language Arts though Literature)-yellow (not the 5th  color but hey, it’s why we homeschool, right), red and will probably go into yellow before the year is done and blue probably going into red before the school year is done.

History and Science they are doing together and we are using Easy Peasy All in One Homeschooling.  We are doing American History and Earth Science.

Math, well now, this is where everyone is using something different.  The 5th grader is using Khan Academy and Life of Fred Elementary.

3rd grader is using Angela O’dell’s Math Lessons for a Living Education and is enjoying it immensely.  Course this is the one child I have that enjoys math period.  So long as it is math and not shapes.  He likes to the the figuring.

The 1st/2nd grader (I really don’t know what grade she is at the moment) is using CIMT MEP, at least for now.  We are finishing up the stuff I already had printed for her and then we may change.  She could care less about math and practically needs me to hold her hand while we do it so maybe she needs something else.  I don’t know yet.

So anyways, there you have it.  All my current curriculum choices for the 2017-2018 school year.  Hopefully I’ll start sharing some of the reading choices I have made for the kids soon too.

Enjoy the fall weather that has finally decided to arrive here in Adams County.

7th Grade and Financial Aid Seminar

Okay, so the two really don’t go together but timing and stuff I just want to make sure to share what I can.  We’ll start with what my 7th grader is using.

Language Arts-  Learning Language Arts through Literature

Math-  Life of Fred, Khan Academy, and Math Mammoth

Science– Easy Peasy  All in One Homeschool Earth Science

History– America’s Story Vol. 2.  She did volume 1 last year (older edition and really enjoyed it)

Spelling Workout because she needs extra help with it.

And she’ll be knitting.

 

Now if you have a high schooler you might be interested to know that Guthrie Library in Hanover is having a Secrets of College Financial Aid Seminar September 25th from 6-8.  There’s no mention of needing to call and sign up.

College and Career Fair and 10th grade curriculum choices

I know it’s super early in the year but the College and Career Fair is being held on September 7th from 6:30PM- 8PM at Gettysburg College.

And if you have a 10th grader you might be interested in the Spring Career Fair which will be held  at Gettysburg College. (I’m still waiting to get more information on this)

Speaking of tenth graders– this is what my 10th grader is using this year

Math-  Saxon math

Language arts- James Stobaugh’s Skills for Language arts

History- Uncle Eric Ancient Rome and The 1,000 Year War in the Middle East

Civics/Economics- Uncle Eric Are you liberal? Conservative? Confused? And Economics for Everybody

Language- American Sign Language

I feel like I’m missing something but I don’t think I am.  And before you ask “What about Science” I can explain why there isn’t a science listed.  Graduation requirements for PA only require 3 science credits and this particular child is behind in math and is focusing on 2 math courses this year allowing her to do science in both her junior and senior year (having gotten one credit in science last year) in order to get her required credits.

Box Day!

Box Day is always so exciting, even this year when at least half of the box is not new to me.  This year’s box contains items for 5 of the 6 kids, yes I’m schooling 6 kids this year.  The new to me (well sorta) items are for #2.  So what’s in the box?

Uncle Eric Books

Learning Language Arts through Literature student books

Spelling Workout

Economics for Everybody

Skills for Language Arts

We had a “mini” box day also which contained America’s Story and Math Lessons for a Living Education both of which are by Angela O’Dell and sold by Master Books.

My goal will be to do a break down of what everyone will be working on in the coming weeks.

 

12th Grade–Yikes

Photo by adrian on Unsplash

This post may have affiliate links which help support my family.

So just saying that I have a senior in high school is such a loaded statement that I’m not even sure how to proceed.  I mean seriously, I HAVE A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL!  I’m sorry -not sorry- for yelling but sometimes it’s hard to wrap my head around this. That means I’ve been doing this homeschool thing for quite some time, that our family dynamics will soon be changing, and dare I say it, I might even be getting old?!  Okay, enough of unpacking that statement.

So instead let’s discuss what this young man of mine is doing this year.  We planned enough in the early stages of high school so that this year wouldn’t need to be a loaded school year.  Due to his work schedule as a junior he only got a 1/2 credit in science so he needs to get that last 1/2 this year.  We are using Erie County Homeschool Diploma Association to get his diploma.  I know that as parents we can now issue diplomas but I’m sticking with the diploma association for now.  I really need to get on the ball to and start getting some things filled out for this.  Sorry,  I was going to tell you what he’s using for his courses this year.

English– Is a mixture of things as it is his least favorite subject.  Life of Fred Language Arts , with Emma Serl Intermediate Language Lessons and about a dozen or so books of my choosing that he needs to read and write a short summary about.  He’s not doing all the lessons in the Emma Serl book in case anyone thinks I’ve overloaded him with this subject.

Science–  He is finishing up Apologia’s Exploring Creation with Chemistry (although I think we have the first edition)

History– Again, finishing things up.  Mystery of History Volume 4.

And then there are his electives which should be providing him with a base for his career choice of Video game designer.  We found these courses on Udemy.  I really meant to get the exact course titles but alas, I didn’t.  If you are really interested drop me a note and I’ll be sure to ask him.

So there you have it, senior year in a nutshell.

 

Solar Eclipse

Yes, Yes, I know, everyone is talking about the upcoming solar eclipse so I though it only kind to share some resources for this.  After all this is the kind of thing us homeschoolers live for right?  It’s like the humorous story about changing a light bulb when you are a homeschooling family.  So what kind of resources do we have around here.

It may surprise you to learn that we have access to a planetarium right in our backyard (so to speak).  Hatter Planetarium is located at the Gettysburg College AND they are doing a special presentation about the Solar Eclipse!  They will have 3 show times and it’s first come, first served kinda of deal.  These showing are free to the public and will be held on August 13th at 2:30 and 4:00 and the 3rd showing is on August 14th at Noon.  They should last about 40 minutes.

Next, the internet.  Ah yes, the interweb is full of things to do regarding the solar eclipse. My choice option is Homeschool Legacy’s 4 day micro-study.  It’s like a mini astronomy lesson

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If you want to piece together multiple things the good folks at NASA have you covered with various resources

Homeschool Giveaways is offering a free book from Apologia: A day with Two Dawns

Other Homeschooling sites to check out:

The Wired Homeschool

Homeschool Den

Homeschooling Today

Even Lowe’s is getting in on the action and carrying the special glasses, a book, and a map.  I have seen these items at the Lowe’s in Hanover (although the website does say that the book is out of stock at the Hanover  location).

I hope you find these resources helpful.

 

P.S. Did you know we are in for a meteor shower on August 12 &13?

Ford Family Day–August 5th

One of many pictures I took of the cyclorama

Did you know that the Ford Motor Company is sponsoring a day of free educational events at the Gettysburg National Park and Museum?  What a great way to spend a Saturday!  You get to see the Cyclorama, Museum, and film for free, plus they are having other fun activities.

You can read about our time at the Cyclorama here.

Other Activities include:

Civil War Selfies — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Junior Ranger Station — Group Lobby from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Hands-On History Cart —  Group Lobby from 2 p.m. to p.m.

Summer Reading Adventures — We will be reading “The Last Brother: A Civil War Tale” by Trinka Hakes Noble at 10:00 and “Mary Walker Wears the Pants: The True Story of the Doctor, Reformer, and Civil War Hero” by Cheryl Harnessat 12:00 p.m. in the Ford Education Center. Join a park ranger to explore these books and related activities or special guests from the past.

Join the Army — Take your Oath of Allegiance, see and feel the equipment of a Civil War soldier, participate in marching drill, and send out scouts to find and fight the enemy. Two opportunities to Join the Army at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. in the Ford Education Center.

Live Music
Ice Cream Break
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. (while supplies last). Enjoy a free scoop of locally made Mr. G’s ice cream.

Living History Encampment
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Picnic Lunch
A specially priced picnic lunch will be available for purchase between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Have a great family day!

GO Adams County!

This is on the post with the rubbings if you want to know what you are looking for.

A few years ago as part of the library’s summer reading program there was something called “Roads to Freedom”.  The kids and I loved it.  Then for various reasons, they had to discontinue it.  I’m so excited they brought back the same type of program this year; only this time it’s known as GO Adams County (in partnership with Wellspan).  We just completed our first walk.

Starting point for Gettysburg College

For our first walk we went to Gettysburg College.  It was a good beginning walk.  As a note though, the college is doing some work so we were not able to go back the way the directions suggestion.  However, being familiar with the college I had no trouble getting back to my vehicle.  Due to going a different way I’m sure we didn’t get the full .81 miles in but I do this more for the fun than the walk (but the walking is great, don’t get me wrong).

This program has many advantages.  One it can be a great family activity and it’s FREE!  There’s also the exercise.  You might get to a different part of Adams County and find a really cool place.  It can also be a tool for helping your kids build confidence in reading or leading.  Depending on how things are going, I’ll allow a child to be the leader, reading the directions and deciding what they mean.  So have some fun and go to your nearest library and get your booklet with directions and paper to collect your rubbings on.  Program runs until the end of July.

Summer Fun from A-Z

 

A- Appalachian Trail

B-  Berry Picking

C- Caledonia

D- Devil’s den

E-  escape rooms or 1863 Escape

F- farmer’s market

G-  Golf-mini

H- Hollabaugh’s

I- indoor playground at The Street

J- join up with friends

K-kids kingdom

L- Littlestown community pool

M-movies-  free summer movies

N- night life, watch the stars

O- Old Cars–especially motor racing

P- Parks

Q- Quack with the ducks at Oakside

R-reading programs

S- Strawberry Hill

T-  tennis for kids

U-  Utz fun day

V- view the battlefield from one of 3 towers

X- as in strike with kids bowl free

Y- York springs firemans carnival or any of the local carnivals

Z- zip line

 

If you want any further information on any of these please drop me a comment!