We have another book to Review today, but this one is a little different. We had the opportunity to read Captain Absolutely from Focus On The Family. This book is different for a few reasons. One, it's a Graphic Novel and two it's Faith Based. So, that means clean language, appropriately dressed characters and a little Biblical Wisdom. Sounds like a win win situation to me. We have loved Adventures in Odyssey since the kids were young so this was going to be fun to add to our family library.
Not a week goes by that I don't question myself in some way regarding my Homeschool. I worry how I'm going to teach next year's Math, will they be able to write beautifully in Cursive. That's surface stuff....I worry are they getting what they need to be productive people in this world? How am I going to solve World hunger when I need to get Mahala's transcripts updated for her Senior year? Do you ever feel overwhelmed, I can't be the only one....right? Obviously not, because this next Review Homeschool Rescue from Only Passionate Curiosity is a New Self-Paced Program that is designed to throw us Mamas a life raft! So, if you feel like you have been sinking or even floating around in those waters, this may be just what you have been praying for.
Kaden is a huge Sensory Seeker...all day every single day. As long as he is in control, if we walked into a room with loud music and strobe lights we would be in for a long meltdown. But, I have seen him roll around on the floor for over and hour with his blinking light thingy we bought at Disney last year and have absolutely no problem with it.
These days I'm pretty happy with my Autism Mama Skills these days. Long ago are the days when I tried to squeeze a typical day out of not so typical kid. And we are all much happier for it. I used to go by the seat of my pants and do a workbook approach with Skylar who was public schooled through 6th grade. He was very much used to workbooks and taking tests. Mahala has been homeschooled since the end of 2nd grade. I did a laid back unschooling approach and we worked on Mastering subjects. We used a rough outline with Sonlight. We focused on Good Books and burning through each grade level. This way burned her out a little, because I think it became mundane and not fun or exciting.
But, this was also the Season of life we were living in. From the time Kaden was 4 ears old until he was a little over 8 we had people in our home 40 hours a week doing ABA therapy with him. And before that we were in over our heads and didn't know what we were going to do. We did the best we could during that time. This past year has been a huge difference in so many ways. I'll share some of the changes later this week, but here is what my little Sensory Seeker has been up to this week.
Of course reading is a Major thing for him.....he reads constantly and always 2-4 books at a time. I should share Kaden's reading List.... :)
Any time he can get into water he takes the opportunity. Add a little essential oil and or bubbles and you have one happy boy. We have recently been combining water beads and Homer to his trampoline time too. Homer provides pressure and company as Kaden soaks in the sun. And the water beads are a texture treasure in his eyes. We do this also while we read, practice math facts, do oral spelling tests, narration and listening to audio dramas.
What do you think a Battle Quail eats? What exactly is a top knot? How fast do you think Mumfrey can run? Can you eat goose eggs? I could go on and on with the questions Kaden asked while reading the 4th book from Ursula Vernon's Hamster Princess Series. I'm not quite sure why he Loves this book so much, I take that back.....I know why. First the vibrant glittery cover caught his sensory seeking eyes and drew him in immediately. Kaden usually doesn't relate well with fairy tales and I was a bit shocked he continued reading after recognizing the story line from Jack and the Beanstalk. But, I finally figured out that I think it's because the characters are animals in this series and not people. In Kaden's world of Autism he has always been drawn to animals rather than people. And this story captured his heart and sparked his imagination.
"Mom I'm going to go upstairs and write," said my daughter. What? Yes, you read correctly. Mahala has been writing her little heart out since we discovered the High School Essay Intensive from Institute for Excellence in Writing. I couldn't have been any happier when I found out that we would be able to use and review this program in our Homeschool.
Recently Kaden and I have been reading the most adorably silly, over giggly book written by Charlotte Gunnufson. We were able to receive our own copy of Prince and Pirate a few weeks ago and I can't wait to share this little "fish tail" with you.
I have another Lamplighter Publishing book to share a Review with you today. This one is called The Secret Bridge written in 1899 by Amy Le Feuvre. I know I was all crazy eyes over the other Lamplighter books, but this one honestly I have Never seen another book like it. It is covered in a buttery soft, aqua colored faux leather. The image on the cover looks like it was carved into it...the detail work is breathtaking. And at the bottom is the title etched into a gold embossing. I love filling our home library with books from Lamplighter because their mission is to help develop Christ-like Character one Story at a time. They do this by carefully editing high quality Literature and reprinting strong Character stories with integrity and good morals.
I have Reviewed for ArtAchieve before and I was so excited to have the opportunity to try another level. This time we were given the Entire Level IV and I planned to do it right along with Mahala. Like I've said many times I love to draw and paint. I'm more of a free spirit and just start with a blank space and let paint fly. Mahala is the opposite and usually stays away from creative projects to a degree. But, recently she has surprised me.....a lot! We have both been enjoying these Art Classes and I can't wait to fill you in on why this is perfect for Busy Homeschool Moms, but first let me tell you how to get started.
You read correctly.... only 56 Weeks till school is Officially out for my Mahala. We school year round thank goodness so we have plenty of time to get in all that we need to before she rides off into the College Sunset of her choice.
I know I sound all Big and Bad, Cool, Calm and Collected. But, that's because 56 weeks sounds like a long time. On the inside though I know it will go fast....super crazy fast!!!
Over the past few weeks I have been really working on narrowing down what truly needs to be done and what I would still like to learn or do with her. So, today we started with History. I'm kind of going back through what we missed or might have skimmed over. We did a ton of unit studies and reading with Sonlight for History. But, there are little tiny gaps. For instance today we talked about the Salem Witch Trials. I asked her about it, she had heard of it, but didn't have details to go with it. So we spent a little time on it and plan for the same tomorrow with a little more deeper digging on religion, Puritans and the the Geography of Salem. Is it a big deal to know all this? No, but I want her to have knowledge of it. She doesn't need to know the exact number of trials conducted or memorize the names of the people that were accused. But, I do want her to know about this moment in time, like so many others that we will be exploring for the next 56 weeks. Most likely I will be only doing narration when it comes to testing her knowledge. Except I do have about 10 research reports and a handful of essays peppered throughout the next 56 weeks.
Later this week we will be stating a Founding Fathers series.....after going to mount Rushmore last year I'm super excited about this one!
Other subjects on the books for now....Science these days are relaxed. But, starting next week we will be adding Chemistry in our rotation. Three days a week we have Chemistry and two days a week she will be doing a Critical Thinking Course along with Nature Journaling with Kaden. I like when they do things together. Oh, and speaking of together....they also do Geography three days a week. We are doing Africa right now!!! :)
I know this is kind of long....sorry! For English she has 36 books to read, totally doable for her I will probable have to add. Right now she is reading Pride and Prejudice and Uncle Toms Cabin. I know crazy combo!!! She is practicing cursive 3 days a week, working on her writing program 5 days a week and alternating Poetry and vocabulary work every other day. Math is just reviewing Geometry and possibly after the Summer starting Algebra 2. She is completing a Health program she started earlier this year and will be alternating Yoga and meditation daily along with herbal studies.
As for the Fine Arts....twice a week she creates with her hands, the other three days are filled with a Composer and Artist study, Art Piece, Composition or Style study. And she practices Piano and or her Ukulele.
Have you ever used something in your homeschool that you absolutely fell in love with? You know when you look in your neatly done planner, list on a napkin with crayon or whatever it is you're jotting on these days to keep your life in some kind of order.... and you see that special something and you can't wait to do that thing first with your kids. Because for one thing it's enjoyable and you actually learn right along with your kids. So, in my whole homeschooling life of 10 years this has happened only twice. Drive Thru History® is my Favorite homeschool product that I have ever used. I'm talking mouth opened, starring at the screen... slowly eating popcorn... while learning a whole lot more then I ever did in High school. So, what is my next Review? Drive Thru History® – "The Gospels" from Drive Thru History®. And I'm dancing on the ceiling over this one!!!
This Boy and his Dog are so precious!!! Homer has been so amazing for not just Kaden, but our whole Family. No matter how overwhelmed Kaden gets a snuggle from Homer changes his mood.
When Homer does the Pressure command he gives Kaden just enough pressure from his weight being placed either across his back or legs. This allows Kaden to come back in the room sort of. Before this he would beat himself in the face and head either with his hands or by ramming the walls. Kaden feels pain differently then typical children. When he feels overwhelmed he goes into fight or flight....both are dangerous. Having Homer helps his episodes to where 70% of the time they are under an hour long. Since we have added medication he has improved even more. It's a process, not just one change can happen and everything be typical. Our lives will never be typical....I get that and accept it. But, I do want his life to be as enjoyable and as safe as possible. My Boy is Awesome!!!
What do you think a Battle Quail eats? What exactly is a top knot? How fast do you think Mumfrey can run? Can you eat goose eggs? I could go on and on with the questions Kaden asked while reading the 4th book from Ursula Vernon's Hamster Princess Series. I'm not quite sure why he Loves this book so much, I take that back.....I know why. First the vibrant glittery cover caught his sensory seeking eyes and drew him in immediately. Kaden usually doesn't relate well with fairy tales and I was a bit shocked he continued reading after recognizing the story line from Jack and the Beanstalk. But, I finally figured out that I think it's because the characters are animals in this series and not people. In Kaden's world of Autism he has always been drawn to animals rather than people. And this story captured his heart and sparked his imagination. 
I have another Lamplighter Publishing book to share a Review with you today. This one is called The Secret Bridge written in 1899 by Amy Le Feuvre. I know I was all crazy eyes over the other Lamplighter books, but this one honestly I have Never seen another book like it. It is covered in a buttery soft, aqua colored faux leather. The image on the cover looks like it was carved into it...the detail work is breathtaking. And at the bottom is the title etched into a gold embossing. I love filling our home library with books from Lamplighter because their mission is to help develop Christ-like Character one Story at a time. They do this by carefully editing high quality Literature and reprinting strong Character stories with integrity and good morals.
