The U.S.

As we have been studying the United states my kids have enjoyed learning all the various facts. They love learning about the state animals the most. I try to incorporate fun activities to help them really memorize the facts as we go.

We use the Leapfrog Tag reader pen along with the map of the United States to practice finding the states. It also tells interesting facts that my kids really enjoy. We use the Leapfrog Tag National Geographic Kids cards to review and learn new facts about bird and sea animals as well as land animals.

We use both our globe and our small wall map to review locations of the states we are studying. My kids love getting up and moving while they are learning. It really helps to engage them in studying about the states. We have some puzzle both wooden and regular that we switch out that are The United States. I find the more hands on activities the more they retain the info.

Studying The Word

My husband and I joined our church in a bible study called 40 Days In The Word. We have only been doing it four days and it has already been just what we needed. I have always heard people say God shows you the versus you need to see at the right time, and boy does he. Day 1 Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 Day 2 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Philippians 1:27a This verse is very important to us right now. As my husband had to deal with a situation that we both really prayed about. That God would give him the right words that would be worthy. Day 3 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:13 I feel that God is really working in Both of us with our house situation. We have been called to let go of this house and move somewhere else. At his time we have no idea where we are going and that is usually a very scary thing for me but I have this peace that God is going to guide us were he wants our family to be. Day 4 I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Philippians 3:12b Day 5 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 We we got an offer on our house and lets just say it was not what we had in mind. So we ended up making a counter offer to the people. We are waiting to here back from them but instead of being anxious about it I have this deep sense of peace about the situation. I pray that God uses this bible study to bring us closer to him as a couple and individually. That we continue to have peace about selling our house and that we are listening to what God is telling us.

I thought I would share what we are using this year.
For Buddy who is 10 and in 5th grade
Math: Math U See Epsilon
Language Arts: Life Pac Language Arts

For Chicka who is 8 and in 3rd grade
Math: math u see alpha (she is way behind in math)
Launguage Arts: Life Pac Language Arts

For Bub who is 6 and in 1st grade
Math U See Alpha
All About Reading 1
All About Spelling 1

We are all doing
Bible: Kids Of Intgegrity (Focus On The Family)
Science: Apologia Swimming Creatures Of The Fifth Day
History: Road Trip USA (Confessions of a homeschooler)
P.E.: Swimming 2 days a week

Extra curricular activities

With school starting my husband and I decided that our kids needed an extra curricular activity during the week. So we signed them up for pre competitive swimming. They have really enjoyed it and in the 3 weeks they have been going I have seen some great skills develop. My 6yr old could not swim well all summer. We would not let him jump off the diving board because he would not be able to make it to the side of the pool on his own. So on Labor Day weekend he was finally able to jump off the diving board all by himself. He is swimming so well now that I don't have a fear of him getting to deep to touch. My daughter also enjoys swimming class too.

She was telling everyone that she was going to signup for swimming so she could be in the Olympics. My oldest likes to swim but not so much the way that they want him to. He enjoys recreational swimming more than swimming strokes. I can't wait to see how great they are doing at the end of the semester. What kind of extra curricular activities do you have your kids in?