Hospital stay and More

Hey everyone!  No, I have not abandoned this blog... just been an interesting summer.  I've been busy figuring out the changes to Canadianize our AO for next year (and the next few years...) - which has me busy reading a new (well, old) Canadian History book.

But - just to make the summer more interesting - I ended up in the hospital for over a week because of a very bad infection in my leg.  I'm better now, and back home.

It seems like there are a million little details I'm trying to work out - because I'm someone that just works better if everything is worked out in advance.  The kids have been spending a lot of time outdoors - but also way too much time in front of screens.  It will make an interesting transition.

All of this means that we have not already started (like I had originally planned) - and will probably not start until September, although I'd like to take some time to run through a couple of days worth of school (probably taking about 4 days to do 2 days of school) to find details I don't have prepared, help the kids find out how things are working so they can be more independent, and to just work out a few kinks.

I'm also planning on going to the "Teacher Appreciation Days" at Staples - probably later today, or maybe next week.  They give some free gifts to teachers, plus we get a % off on that day (I think 25%?)  I'm just not sure what supplies I need.  I love going to these supply stores, hoping, I guess, to find something.... not sure what.... that will be just perfect.  Of course, whatever that "something" is - I want it to be inexpensive too!  I really can't think of many supplies we need right now....  some paper maybe (but I think we have a bunch) - a couple of binders?  We could use more crayons and pencil crayons while they are on sale... but not much else!

Computer Desk? Dresser? What is it?

To me, it seemed like a big problem... but it wasn't one to Mike.  We needed a desk that wasn't falling apart for the school computers - and I had a dresser that had some broken drawers, that I wanted us to get rid of. Mike did a bit of rearranging of the drawers, to provide leg space.  There are a couple of chairs that go in front - they are stacked at the side when not in use...  And the 2 school computers fit right on top.  It is a little taller than the desk was, but not by much.

May Have Found It?

For quite some time, I have been looking for a good Canadian History "spine" book for Elementary aged students.  I wanted something that was a good "living book", that covered at least most of the time period from discovery to at least the 19th century, would be available to me for free (or very inexpensive), and wouldn't put me to sleep when I tried to read it.   This combination hasn't been easy to find.  The closest I have found so far was "The Story of Canada" by Janet Lunn, which I can borrow from my library.

By the way, I swear the most common name of Canadian History books is "The Story of Canada", followed closely by "Canada's Story".   I have found several by these names.

Well, I think I have found one that fits!  It is called.......  "The Story of Canada".  You just knew it, didn't you.  This one is by E. L. Marsh.  I'm not sure of the date of original printing - it looks like it is around 1912 or so.  The first 2 chapters have been quite engaging, and it is free on Archive.org - it also has been reprinted (a scanning from the looks of it) and is available on amazon - for those that like to hold a paper book in their hands.

Over the next while, I am going to continue to read it, to determine if it is going to be a replacement for the Lunn book... but so far it looks promising.  Of course, it doesn't cover the last 100 years or so...   I also have to admit that I was hoping for something that would be as extensive as the U.S. book "This Country of Ours"... to make figuring out the future plans easier.

I just hope that my kids can get to enjoy Canadian History.  I didn't as a kid, and I think the reasons were brought out well in the book "Who Killed Canadian History?"

Hymn Rotation

I have loosely based this rotation on the AO Hymn Rotation.  I went through the AO selections, and any identical hymns (or at least named the same), I have kept.

Next, if the AO hymn wasn't also an LDS hymn, but gave me the thought of another hymn (similar theme), I put in the one of which I thought.

Finally, I have added in popular LDS hymns.

I hoped by doing this, to get a wide selection of popular LDS hymns, as well as some that might not be as well known.

Sorry if I missed your Favourites!

* - scheduled in the AO rotation (or a hymn named the same).

RESOURCES
http://www.ldshymns.com/   - unofficial, but has some extra resources
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/ - official website

Rotation 1 (2012-2013 School Year)

September: For All the Saints (#82)  *
October: For the Beauty of the Earth (#92)  *
November: I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go (#279)
December: Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow (#242) *
January: The Morning Breaks (#1)
February: Rejoice, the Lord is King! (#66)
March: Lead, Kindly Light (#97)
April: Count Your Blessings (#241) *
May: All Creatures of Our God and King (#62) *
June: Lo, the Mighty God Appearing (#55)
July: Be Thou Humble (#130)
August: Lord, I Would Follow Thee (#220)

Rotation 2 (2013-2014 School Year)

September:Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken (#46) *
October: Now Let Us Rejoice (#3)
November: Come Ye Thankful People (#94) *
December: How Great Thou Art (#86) *
January: Because I Have Been Given Much (#219)
February: Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah (#83) *
March: Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd (#221)
April: Glory to God on High (#67)
May: I Need Thee Every Hour (#98)
June:  More Holiness Give Me (#131)
July: Welcome, Welcome, Sabbath Morning (#280)
August: Awake, Ye Saints of God, Awake! (#17)

Rotation 3 (2014-2015 School Year)
September: Abide with Me! (#166) *

October: High On the Mountain Top (#5)
November: Press Forward Saints (#81)
December: I Believe in Christ (#134)
January: Have I Done Any Good? (#223)
February: Precious Savior, Dear Redeemer (#103)
March: For All the Saints (#82)
April: Improve the Shining Moments (#226)
May: Should You Feel Inclined to Censure (#235)
June: Let Us All Press On (#243)
July: Redeemer of Israel (#6)
August: How Firm a Foundation (#85) *

Rotation 4 (2015-2016 School Year)

September: What was Witnessed in the Heavens? (#11)
October: There is Sunshine in My Soul Today (#227)
November: Come Away to the Sabbath School (#276)
December: Come, Come, Ye Saints (#30)
January: True to the Faith (#254)
February: Master, the Tempest is Raging (#105)
March: Praise Ye the Lord (#74)
April: Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee (#141) *
May: Come, All Ye Saints of Zion (#38)
June: We Thank Thee O God For a Prophet (#19)
July: Faith of Our Fathers (#84)
August: You Can Make the Pathway Bright (#228)

Rotation 5 (2016-2017 School Year)
September: Be Still, My Soul (#124) *
October: Joseph Smith's First Prayer (#26)
November: God Speed the Right (#106)
December: Once in Royal David's City (#205)
January: The Lord is My Light (#89)
February: The Spirit of God (#2)
March: Did You Think to Pray? (#140)
April: Redeemer of Israel (#6)
May: Jesus, Lover of My Soul (#102) *
June:Praise to the Man (#27)
July: Today, While the Sun Shines (#229)
August:  Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (#72) *

Rotation 6 (2017-2018 School Year)

September: Israel, Israel, God is Calling (#7)

October: Scatter Sunshine (#230)
November: The Lord is My Shepherd (#108)
December: With Wondering Awe (#210)
January: Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words (#232)
February: The Wintry Day, Descending to its Close (#37)
March: Dearest Children, God is Near You (#96)
April: Sweet Hour of Prayer (#142)
May: Do What is Right (#237)
June: Praise to the Man (#27)
July: Choose the Right (#239)
August: Count Your Blessings (#241)

Rotation 7 (2018-2019 School Year)

September:  I Am a Child of God (#301) 

October: Our Savior's Love (#113)
November: God is Love (#87)
December: Amazing Grace  (I felt this was worth keeping)
January: Let Us All Press On (#243)
February: Come Unto Him (#114)
March: We Listen to a Prophet's Voice (#22)
April: Saviour, may I learn to love thee (#220)
May: Gently Raise the Sacred Strain (#146)
June: I Need Thee Every Hour (#98) *
July: Onward, Christian Soldiers (#246)
August: Called to Serve (#249)

Rotation 8 (2019-2020 School Year)

September: A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief (#29)

October: Come unto Jesus (#117)
November: From All that Dwell below the Skies (#90)
December: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks (#211)
January: Come, Ye Disconsolate (#115) * (Beth's favorite hymn in "Little Women")
February: We Are All Enlisted (#250)
March: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (#68) *
April: Put Your Sholder to the Wheel (#252)
May: The Day Dawn is Breaking (#52)
June: Thy Spirit, Lord, Has Stirred Our Souls (#157)
July: True to the Faith (#254)
August:  Carry On (#255)

Rotation 9 (2020-2021 School Year)

September: Who's on the Lord's Side? (#260)

October: Now Thank We All Our God (#95)
November: Battle Hymn of the Republic (#60)
December: Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains (#212)
January: Come Fallow Me (#116)
February: Hark, All Ye Nations! (#264)
March: Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice (#21)
April: Before Thee, Lord, I Bow My Head (#158)
May: The Time is Far Spent (#266)
June: God of Our Fathers, Whose Almighty Hand (#78) *
July: Oh Say, What is Truth? (#272)
August: O My Father (#292)

Rotation 10 (2021-2022 School Year)

September: Now the Day is Over (#159)

October: For the Strength of the Hills (#35)
November: Be Still, My Soul (#124)
December: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (#214)
January: O God, Our Help in Ages Past (#31) *
February: Does the Journey Seem Long (#127)
March: Great is the Lord (#77)
April: Truth Reflects upon Our Senses (#273)
May: I Know That My Redeemer Lives (#135) *
June: Tis Sweet to Sing the Matchless Love (#177)
July: Nearer, My God, to Thee (#99) *
August: More Holiness Give Me (#131)

Rotation 11 (2022-2023 School Year)

September: How Gentle God's Commands (#125)

October: The Iron Rod (#274)
November: Come, Ye Children of the Lord (#58)
December: Angels We Have Heard on High (#203)
January: Thanks for the Sabbath School (#278)
February: From All That Dwell below the Skies (#90)
March: Abide with Me! (#166)
April: Where Can I Turn for Peace (#129)
May: Sweet Hour of Prayer (#142) *
June: Rock of Ages (#111) *
July: I Stand All Amazed (#193)
August: Love at Home (#294)

You Don't Say?

Zulu, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Yankee, Golf - after swimming

I was thinking the other day, that I should share a few of the cute things my children have said in the past...  of course, once I thought that.... it was hard to think of them!    But here are a few....

Foxtrot:

Driving in the car near a forest, I said "Forest!"
Most of the kids agreed, "Forest!".
Foxtrot (age 3 at the time) said, "I don't see it!"
I point it out - "over there...."
Foxtrot says "All the trees are in the way!"
I had to laugh, as I said.... "So.... You can't see the forest for the trees?"

Echo:

For a long time, Echo (age 2-3ish) called a telephone a "talkaphone".  hey - makes sense to me!  Some of Charlie's friends still call it that because of her....

Echo (about age 2) - would put a backpack on backwards, and call it a "paint smock"

Foxtrot (originally and still), and Golf (and now all the kids)

7-11 is called a "Slurpee-House".....

Delta:

Not something he said exactly, but when he was young, Mike and Delta went to use a public restroom at the park.  Mike came out reporting that while Delta was in the stall, he started humming "The Bridge over the River Kwai" song.....

Zulu

"We've been driving around and around for hours and hours and hours and maybe even 7 minutes!"

 This is a video of Echo when she was 2 calling the backpack a paint smock

Canadianized AO Year 1

There are some ideas on Canadianizing AO here, but for Years 1-3, we just didn't have access to any of the Canadian History books recommended.  I am still not totally satisfied with the history books we have found - but will make use of what is available.

My general plans for all the years, are available here, (there are some changes) - but this post will give much more detailed information for Year 1, including fitting it in the AO Year 1 schedule.  Note that there are changes from the last time we did Year 1 - so there may be changes in the future.

Most of the year will be based on AO's Year 1

There are some changes listed here which are personal changes instead of Canadianizing....

Booklist Change Summary:

• Remove - Benjamin Franklin
• Remove - George Washington
• Remove - Buffalo Bill
• Add - Hudson - Janice Weaver
• Add - Laura Secord - Janet Lunn
• Add - Alexander Graham Bell - Elizabeth MacLeod
• Add - Canadian Minutes (the Canadian Minute ads from Historica - we watch them online)
• Remove - Blue Fairy Book (We didn't enjoy many of the Blue Fairy Stories selected by the AO Advisory.)
• Add - Rainbow Fairy Book (We bought this at a good price - so our Fairy Stories are from here)
• Add - Selina and the Bear Paw Quilt
• Add - A Fiddle for Angus
• Add - Very Last First Time
• Add - Dragonfly Kites
• Optional in Free Reads- Pocahontas, Red Fairy Book)
• Note - we also don't do Trial and Triumph

Note - I generally tried not to add something without removing something, so as not to overburden the year. I was quite careful to balance out the Rainbow Fairy Books, similar to how the Blue Fairy Book stories were scheduled.

Weekly Changes 
(I haven't noted the readings by week that you don't read from the AO schedule for the books that were removed.)

Week 2

• Selina and the Bear Paw Quilt (Entire Book)

Week 3

• Rainbow Fairy Book - The Nightingale

Week 6

• Rainbow Fairy Book - Snow White and Rose Red

Week 8

• Hudson (1/3+)

Week 9

• Hudson (1/3+)

Week 10

• Hudson (finish book)

Week 12

• Rainbow Fairy Book - Hansel and Gretel

Week 6

• Rainbow Fairy Book - Master Cat

Week 15

• Rainbow Fairy Book - Jack and the Beanstalk

Week 17

• A Fiddle for Angus (Entire Book)

Week 18

• Rainbow Fairy Book - The Six Swans

Week 19

• Laura Secord (1/3+)

Week 20

• Laura Secord (1/3+)

Week 21

• Laura Secord (finish book)

Week 26

• Rainbow Fairy Book - Cinderella

Week 27

• Very Last First Time (entire book)

Week 28

• Alexander Graham Bell (1/3+)

Week 29

• Alexander Graham Bell (1/3+)

Week 30

• Alexander Graham Bell (finish book)

Week 31

• Rainbow Fairy Book - Rumplestiltzkin

Week 32

• Dragonfly Kites

Week 36

• Rainbow Fairy Book - East of the Sun, West of the Moon

Canadianized AO Year 2

UPDATED HERE

Well, as you have probably heard, we are trying AmblesideOnline again - which means we need to Canadianize it.   There are some ideas on doing this on the AO site here, but for Years 1-3, we just didn't have access to any of the Canadian History books recommended.  I am still not totally satisfied with the history books we have found - but will make use of what is available.

My general plans for all the years, are available here, (there are some changes) - but this post will give much more detailed information for Year 2, including fitting it in the AO Year 2 schedule.  Note that we haven't done Year 2 yet - so there may be changes in the future.

Most of the year will be based on AO's Year 2

Booklist Change Summary:

• Remove - This Country of Ours.  (Used the D'Aulaire biographies where there is an option.  TCOO is not used at all)
• Add - The Story of Canada  - Janet Lunn (Note that you could also use My First History of Canada / Great Canadian Lives option - I haven't planned out the weeks for that option)
• Add - Canadian Minutes from Historica (these are the "Canadian Minute" ads from TV - we watch them online)
• Add - The Fishing Summer (authors last name is Jam)
• Add - The Fabulous Song (authors last name is Gillmor)
• Add - Owls in the Family (Fawley Mowatt)
• Optional in Free Reads - Abraham Lincoln & Brighty of the Grand Canyon 
• Note - we also don't do Trial and Triumph

Note - I generally tried not to add something without removing something, so as not to overburden the year. For History, that was generally easy, as we were not doing Trial and Triumph, and also removed the US History.   For Literature, I made 2 books optional in the Free Reads - and 2 of the Canadian additions are fairly "light"   I also looked at the number of readings each week, as well as chronology of the history, to determine where to add in the Canadian content.

Weekly Changes 
(I haven't noted the readings by week that you don't read from the AO schedule for the books that were removed.)

Week 1

• Watch the Vikings  Canadian moment on Historica
• Story of Canada - Strangers on the Coast - 1st Section, and "Where was Vinland"

Week 5

• The Fishing Summer (entire book)

Week 10

• The Fabulous Song (entire book)

Week 13

• Owls in the Family Chapter 1

Week 14

• Owls in the Family Chapter 2

Week 15

• Owls in the Family Chapter 3

Week 16

• Owls in the Family Chapter 4

Week 17

• Owls in the Family Chapter 5

Week 18

• Owls in the Family Chapter 6

Week 19

• Owls in the Family Chapter 7

Week 21  (yes, no reading in week 20)

• Owls in the Family Chapter 8

Week 22

• Owls in the Family Chapter 9

Week 23

• Owls in the Family Chapter 10

Week 24

• Owls in the Family Chapter 11

Week 33

• Story of Canada - Strangers on the Coast - Explorers Section

Week 34

• Story of Canada - Strangers on the Coast - St Stadacona Section

Week 35

• Story of Canada - Strangers on the Coast - Fur Traders and Northern Seas Section

Week 36

• Story of Canada - Strangers on the Coast - Rats, Weeds, and Viruses Section