What's Happening?

The Academic Angels have been extremely busy memorizing science, english, and history sentences, multiplication facts, Latin words, and much more.  We are excited for our animal study.  Weekly we are studying a different animal and this week's animal is a peacock.  

We are excited to learn what they eat, where they live, what colors there feathers grow, and other fun facts.  Stay tuned for pictures of our Peacock lapbook.

In addition to learning about animals we are reading numerous books together.  Some are being done as read alongs and others are books she is reading to me.  We are almost finished reading A Hundred Dresses together and we are undecided if we should do a lapbook to help us remember what the book is about.  

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Gerbil Lapbook

 My granddaughter has requested to learn more about animals.  She wants to know where they live, what they eat, which ones are good as pets, what they eat, where they live, and more.  We are already using Animal Science PACE booklets to learn letters and sounds of letters.  There's a some information provided for each animal in the Animal Science PACE but she'd like to learn more.  

We are creating a lapbook this week on gerbils since Gg is our letter.  It will be fun creating the lapbook as it reminds me of a scrapbook or junk journal.  What's a lapbook?  A lapbook is a simply a file folder that has been folded hot dog style to the existing middle and filled with mini books and foldables.  The lapbook is a hands-on approach to teaching multiple topics.  It can include pictures, drawings, timelines, graphs research or anything else that assist in teaching a subject.

What is the benefit of creating a lapbook? A lapbook is a hands on educational tool.  I meets the various learning styles which are visual, auditory, reading/writing and kinesthetic.  According to classical education style of learning children learning in three phases which are grammar, logic or dialectic, and rhetoric.  Creating lapbooks help with all learning styles and phases of learning.

After searching the web for a lapbook template that I could purchase for the topic of gerbils, I could not find one.  Being a designer I took the next step and designed my own.  Below is a link to the gerbil lapbook we will be using.  It is free for personal use in your family only!  For commercial use and licensing please contact Heavenly Designs.

Download for personal use only

Gerbil Lapbook

Books to Read

When is the right time to start reading with your child?  It is when they are unborn or infants.  How?  By read alouds!  You can read anything to babies and you are guaranteed not to hear any complains.  Any book is a possibility but the best story ever told is the Bible.   

The best way to raise a reader is to be an example.  Begin by reacquainting yourself with books.  Make time for reading!  There are so many books available where do we start.  Here's a short list of 20 books to read this year.  Remember exposing children to diversity in books will help prepare them for a diverse world.  

1. The Beginner's Bible Timeless Children's Stories by Zondervan
2. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
3. Oh the Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss
4. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
5. Mary, Did You Know? by Mark Lowry
6. Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena
7. Stone Soup by Marcia Brown
8. The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes
9. Uncle Wiggily Story Book by Howard R. Garis
10. Petunia by Roger Duvoisin
11. Fantastic Fox by Roald Dahl
12. The Hundred Box Penny by Sharon Bell Mathis
13. Henry's Freedom Box:  A True Story from the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine

This is a very short list just to get you started.  As you read different books take some time to create a reading log that  is your personal Autobiography.  Also your book log can become a resource for other people.  Share your favorite books in the comments below.

• Here's a free book log you can use to start your reading list.  Enjoy!

Homeschool Curriculum for 2020

Education is very important for everyone but especially for our young learners.  Our children are our future.  This year has wielded many changes and at the top of the change is the opportunity to homeschool my granddaughter something that she has desired prior to attending public school for kindergarten.  This is an opportunity that we aren't taking lightly and much prayer has gone into the decisions made for her schedule, curriculum, read-alouds, activities, etc.  Why so much prayer and thought?  Because every home is different, every child is unique in their own way.  What works best for your family may not work well for us nor may it be the will of God for us at this time.  I encourage you, if you are still undecided on how to precede with your child's educations, pray.  Ask God to direct and order your steps in the way that you should go and be ready for the direction you receive.  

As I became more and more aware of the vast number of curriculums available both free and available for purchase I looked at the content as well as read reviews.  I want the best for my granddaughter and I am sure you want the best for your children.  Take time and prayerfully consider all of your options and and allow God to lead you and he will.

What curriculum did we opt to use this year for our rising first grader?  I'm glad you asked.  We will be using PACE's with Ace and Christi along Song School Spanish 1 and Classical Conversation Foundations.  Given the state of our country due to COVID-19 it is not the right time to join in the CC community this year; however, we do want a classical Christian education for our granddaughter.

What is our schedule?  Mornings will begin with  bible reading and devotional followed by memory work and read-alouds (she loves books) daily.  On Monday and Wednesday Animal Science, Word Building, Social Studies, and writing.  On Tuesday and Thursday Math, Spanish and English.  Fridays are reserved for fun learning which will include experiments, games, STEM projects, and tea time with poetry (once a month).

Yes our schedule is full; however, we get through our day fairly quickly some days.  Quickly you say, yes!  Homeschooling allows for focused one-on-one attention.  We are finding that learning continues long after the books are put away which is a powerful example that we should be ever learning.  Our schedule did not come together without a little trial and error; however, a daily schedule is what is working best at this time.  Once our day is complete she is able to do crafts and play.

It is important for us to have a schedule because scheduling plays an important part in curtailing boredom, frustration, confusion, etc.  It is just like planning as a teacher in a public or private sector school.  When I entered my classroom with a plan we had little problems to arise and it is the same thing in our homeschool classroom.   Benjamin Franklin has been accredited to saying "if you fail to plan you are planning to fail."  

We walk boldly into this new opportunity with excitement, open mind and a readiness to learn together!  Our prayer for you is that you will have the best school year possible in whatever that is for you and your family.  May you be encouraged and strengthen for the journey!

A video of our homeschool haul will be posted on our youtube channel Academic Angels.  Come back to our blog weekly so that you may share in our first grade homeschool year!

Resources to Help in Time of Need

Are you a reader and your library is closed or has limited options for checking out reading materials? Check out these online options for readers: 

Internet Archive: Digital Library

Hoopla

Wide Open Schools

KidsRead2Kids

Monkey Pen

Project Gutenberg 

Story Line 

Oxford Owl

Need some skill building worksheets check back for links.... 

 

 

Renaming of this blog....Academic Angels

Previously this blog was named Access College Programs.  As a high school college advisor I began creating this blog so parents and students could find information, needed for college.  My life has taken several turns from college advisor, teacher, tutor, to social worker which brings me to where I am today, a mother of two beautiful young ladies, grandmother and an active member of my church who is embarking on a new journey of homeschooling my granddaughter, whom you'll get to meet on our YouTube channel.

I am renaming this blog Academic Angels as I start a new chapter in my life, as a homeschool teacher of a beautiful, smart 6 year old who calls me nana.  I am blessed to be able to homeschool my granddaughter this year who is entering first grade and we are truly looking at this opportunity as a blessing.  I am reminded of a well quoted scripture that says, "And we know that all things work together for the good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Our local school system has decided along with many around the world not to reopen school for classes this Fall of 2020.  Instead of fretting about the state of our country or the impact it is having, we are setting out to embark upon homeschooling from the comfort of our home.  In spite of the coronavirus the education of our children must continue!  Many parents are left in a state of unknown, while others are heading back to school with their children.  Many parents do not know where to start to find curriculum or resources to teach their children and many feel overwhelmed by the public schools stacks of packets being provided.  

Homeschooling comes with many curriculum choices, homeschool groups, online education, and many more choices.  Let me just say that homeschooling your child or children does not have to be  expensive nor are groups necessary especially with social distancing in effect around the country.  

This is a perfect opportunity before us and  I am truly grateful for this opportunity.  We are embarking on an educational journey utilizing a Christian based curriculum called PACES, Song School, and several others for our science and social studies units.  My granddaughter will be learning spanish, latin, conducting hands on science experiments, learning coding, and more for first grade.  We'd like you to share in our journey through this blog as well as on our youtube channel  Academic Angels   

Why start a blog when there are so many already out there?  Academic Angels is not just another blog but a place where you can follow a family who is transitioning from the public school sector to homeschool using a Christian based curriculum and the classical educational model.  

Academic Angels is a resource for parents and students during COVID offering tips, resources, tutoring (online), and more.  Come join us and share this blog with your family, friends, and loved ones who may need a little guidance and encouragement during these difficult times!  God bless you!