Music in the Home

I try very hard to have all the parts of a good CM school in our homeschool - but don't always succeed.   One of the struggles we have had this year has been doing the music things - composer study, folk songs, and hymns.  They just are not happening.

But I was reminded of something the other day.  I had gone to the store to run an errand, and when I came back, Mike had the family dancing to music....  and I reminded myself of the variety of music our children are exposed to in our house....

Here are a few things that played that day (or other days very recently...)

Classical:

• Double Bach Concerto
• Vivaldi's Concerto in A minor
• Vivaldi's the Four Seasons

Folk:

• MANY Stan Rogers songs
• The Capitals Song
• I'se the Boy
• Squid Jigging
• Ketchup loves Potatoes  (Stomping Tom)
• Big Joe Mafferaw (sp?)
• The Crusaders
• The Highway Man
• Canada's Really Big  (Rocks and Trees....)
• It's Not on the Test
• The Pickle Song  (I don't want a pickle......)

Other Instrumental:

• "Noisy Bagpipes"  (this is our family's nickname)
• Royal Canadian Air Force March Past
• Armoured Core March Past

Other:

• Sneaky Snakes
• several country songs

and more!

So - I just have to remind myself what I told Mike a few years ago when he said he wanted us to do folk music in school.......   "Our kids know more folk music than most people just from hanging around you....  do we really need to schedule it?

Still here!

Ok, I realize that it probably feels like I've fallen off the face of the planet.  I do have a couple of draft posts that have been sitting.... but honestly I just haven't had the time or energy.... and I'll also admit to not feeling like I had anything "profound" enough to say.

Either way - I think I'll give you a basic update.   Because of my health issues, as well as a few other reasons - it made sense for me to go with a move towards independent studies for my kids.  However, that hasn't meant that we had to get rid of a Charlotte Mason method.  It did mean that I had to reduce the family studies, however.

I'm pretty sure that I put up a post earlier this fall that we were moving to doing AO again, with Canadian modifications.  That has been working out really well for us (after a stressful first week....).  Delta (9) is doing Year 2, and Echo (7.5) is doing Year 1.  Delta did notice that his lists say Year 2 - but I talked to him about that not being a grade level... and that many of the books are at a grade 6 or so level.  This has not been a difficulty with him.

One thing I did to make things easier to be independent is to download audiobooks from librivox.  I created a webpage (just on our computer) for each student with the links to each chapter in their books so they can easily get to their readings.  So they can go to their computer (thanks Computers 4 Schools!) and listen to their books, reading along with their book or the Kindle.  They come to narrate to me when done.

Each child has their schedule with a planner page, and the list of readings (taken off of the AO website and modified with the Canadian changes).   They follow the schedule - picking the readings.  they cross them off the list.

So, what is their schedule like? Well, it is pretty much the same each day, and is pretty basic....   Scriptures, Copywork, Pick a reading from the list, Rotation (ASL/German/Drawing), Reading from the list / free read, , Math, Reading from list or free read, rotation (picture study, mapping, music study, map drills, timelines) and that is it for now.   I do want to add in the Hymn Study and Folk music - at the moment it is just random listening to it.  I also want to get them back to practicing violin and/or learning the organ (violin has been not happening since we lost our teacher)...  but this is working at the moment.

A few of the readings are not independent, Math (RightStart) is not independent, and Foxtrot is doing a little math and reading with me - and that takes my time - as well as Golf running around...   But if I'm sick - I can just get them started on their stuff, and I can have them play one of the math games for math.

So - motivation for them.  This probably isn't CM - but I created a little race-track for them to compete against an opponent (not each other!).  I used a printout from when we did workboxes, which had 2 rows of 6 boxes - perfect for a 6 week "race".   This was laminated (with map-tak) and velcro added.  I created little character boxes that velcro onto the places.  Every 5 days, the opponent moves 1 spot.  When a student has completed a week of their readings (assuming they are doing the other things), their character moves.   If they win the race against the opponent, they get a light day (a day off, except for family subjects.)

This is working well.... except I have noticed recently that Echo is starting to not want to do the free reads (she'd rather do the scheduled readings and be done the week early...) - I may have to specify a minimum number of free read chapters must be done as well.......

Oh, and was also had a birthday recently!  It is so hard to believe that Delta is 9.  I made him a birthday cake... I think it turned out good. (See picture at the top)

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