Mom's Education

Background: As a homeschooling Mom I am pretty much learning new things right along with my children. When I went to government schools, I tuned just about everything out. It was so boring; I thought. By the time I got to high school I didn't care anymore. I didn't even try to make good grades. I remember being rather shocked when I was told I was going to graduate on time. I'm not really sure how that happened?

After school is when my love for learning actually began. I suppose my sense of autonomy helped spark a thirst for knowledge. I always loved to read, but I used to read "teen dramas" and "fan fiction" nothing beyond that. My love for classics began when the movie Lord of the Rings came out. I wanted to read the books, too! After reading the rich language of these books I couldn't go back to what I was used to read. I tried reading a Star Trek fan fiction book and remember thinking it seemed so elementary. Ever since, I started reading any classics I could get my hands on!

Flash Forward: I just recently discovered the book The Well-Educated Mind. Not to be confuse with the book written by the same author The Well-Trained Mind (I never read this, by the way). I am so excited to get this book! This book teaches you how to read the Great Conversation.  You learn the process of understanding, evaluating, and expressing an opinion. The niftiest thing about this book is the list of books to read in chronological order in different genres. (Find the list here) They include: Fiction, Autobiographies, Histories, Dramas, and Poetry. I have already read many of the books in the fiction list; I don't mind reading them again to possibly get a new perspective. Oh, by the way, the very first book in the fiction list is DON QUIXOTE!! One of my favorite books, EVER! Can you tell I'm excited?!

Right now, I'm reading the beginning chapters. I Can't wait to get into the reading list!

Khan Academy

I want to talk about how much I love  Khan Academy Math!

I have been thinking about getting Teaching Textbooks for Little Lady for awhile now. I just have not been able to bring myself to pay for it. She struggles with math, and I needed something to help me out in teaching it because I'm not the greatest at the subject myself.

Then, comes in Khan Academy. I have heard about it before but never actually looked into it. I was reintroduced to it while reading through Freely Educate. So, I decided to give it a try. We have been using it for a week or so now and I think I have it all figured out.

You watch videos that explain the concept you are working on. Then, you do the exercises. Once you do 10 correct in a row you are considered proficient. You can now move on to the next concept. What I really like about it is the knowledge map. It shows you what exercises you have become proficient in, which exercises they suggest you do next and it also suggests reviews of previously completed exercises.

It may not be exactly the same thing as Teaching Textbooks but if you would like an onscreen "tutor" to help your child with math without a hefty price-tag this may be what you are looking for.

Knowledge Map

Review: God's Promises for Boys

God's Promises for Boys By Jack Countryman & Amy Parker

God's Promises for Boys is a children's book directed to boys, hence the title, though my daughter  enjoyed it also. The appropriate age for this book would be anywhere between 4-8 years(depending on how mature your child is) This book has 127 pages of God's promises as found in the Bible. There are many different subjects that pertain to a young boys life. Each subject has several bible verses to implement that part of the book. There are also cute pictures throughout the book to peak your child's interest.

My son who is 5 has enjoyed looking through the pictures(he isn't a reader yet). I have been reading to him and he doesn't seem too interested in what I am reading. On the other hand when his sister read this to him they sat on the couch soaking everything in for about 45 minutes. I like the strong scriptural references in this book. They show how the Bible has answers and solutions to every day life. Even for a little boy! The only frustration I have with this book is that the translation of the Bible verses are from "International Children's Bible"  we are King James readers and my kids get a little confused by the different wordings.

I think this would be a great reference tool for all growing boys. This is a book that may not stay on the bookshelf.

I received this book free to review, as a member of BookSneeze.