This week I'm putting together the kids' binders for the first period.  Callie is focusing on the Ancient Middle East and Brent is all about Insects.  Our main resource is the Thematic Units from Teacher Created. They were both downloaded as ebooks, so I can print just what I need.

We are saving money and looking out for the environment by using binders from last year.  They don't have a lot of life left in them, when I do replace them I am looking at getting away from the vinyl.  The Naked Binder makes some very nice ones as does Earth Binder.  Earth Binder is especially great because you can replace the shell only and keep the metal rings as long as they last.  The disadvantage, they are sold in packs of 10.  We are using about 8 right now, so maybe 10 isn't too many.  I have 2 binders, one for yearly records and one for the current period.  The kids have 3 each.  One for the current period, one for the upcoming one (this allows me to get it ready ahead of time) and an annual portfolio binder.  The annual portfolio binder is where transcripts, attendance and samples of their best work is kept.


I'm organizing the period binders by weeks, normally this would be a 6 week period, but we are going to ease into it for the first one.  We will be doing it in 8 weeks.  Both kids thought this was a good idea.  It's hard to start up when you've had so much time off.  This should allow the kids to get back into the swing of things.  The weekly organization helps the kids see clearly what needs to be done each week.  In addition, both kids will be using planners this year to help organize their time.

I feel a little silly.  Trying to save money and get the cheapest edition of James and the Giant Peach that Barnes and Noble offers I accidentally ordered James and the Giant Peach: A Play.  I then had to order the book too, lessoned learned.  Other than that, everything for school came promptly and I'm getting a little excited for school to start.  Next Friday our home school group is having a Curriculum Show and Tell.  I am looking forward to seeing what everyone else is doing.  I'll have to bring my laptop though, I have two ebooks to share.

It's about a month before school starts here.  I have been chatting with the kids trying to determine how we want to approach this year.  The kids and I agree that we've had the most success with thematic units.  Callie especially seems drawn to this and has expressed learning more about ancient cultures.  After much looking and decision making the kids have picked their 6 subjects for the year.

We are dividing the school year into 6 six week periods.  Each period will be focused on one subject.

Callie is doing a survey of ancient cultures:  Middle East, India, Egypt, Rome, Greece, China, Japan and a unit combining Mayans, Incas and Aztecs.  She is also doing Oceanography.

Brent is doing Insects, Inventions, Flight, Amphibians and Reptiles, Money, Spiders, Baseball, Chocolate and Oceans.

We've ordered some of the supplies for the first 6 week period and have scheduled an Insect fieldtrip.  We are also busy updating the website.  The first day of school will be here soon!