Mad Libs - What the in world are they??

We have always used a Language curriculum until this year. The reason why we haven't this year is because I just can't seem to find one that I think really teaches the kids what I need and want them to know. So this year half way threw I just stopped using the one we was trying. I just was tired of the kids not understanding what we was learning and I was tired of repeating it, and no fun involved at all.

So we have used:

Lifepacs

Abeka

Easy Grammar

Looked at Bob Jones, to see it looked just like Abeka

So with that being said, when I decided I was going to take a break from an actually curriculum I posted some questions on the best board/forum around, Homeschool Share. Man those girls are something! I love each and everyone of them. All though I have never met them - it doesn't matter because all our hearts are at the same place! I go to them for almost everything since I found them. After posting several times on this topic, I got told to try Mad Libs. I was like umm I've heard of them but don't have a clue what they are. So still after I was explained this I was still like umm alright.

That of course started my search for them. I looked online to find the average price between 3.99 - 5.99 each book. So with 2 children needing them and I had no clue how long they would last, I was a little concerned with what the cost would add up to. That week on my lovely "go where I want to Friday" my husband took me to one of my favorite stores 2 hours away. I have talked about it several times on my blog for my normal readers... Ollie's Bargain Outlet! So in I went not really expecting to find any Mad Libs, never had seen any before(probably because I wasn't looking for them and didn't know what they was! lol). Along browsing the wonderful book section they have, Guess what I found??

Mad Libs!!

LOL I loved what I saw!! Loved the idea behind it, thought my kids would enjoy it too!! Man oh man have I been right!! This is 3 months later and wow. They really beg for these books!! They love them! My daughter will take one with her EVERY TIME we are in the car to go anywhere!! She is going to break me up on buying these books! However they are fun and entertaining to them, so of course I am going to supply them. Best part of that is at Ollie's I have only paid .99 per book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a deal right!!

I have since also found whats called Beaver Tales at the Dollar Tree!! They are fun too. Same thing just a knock off of the Mad Libs! The kids have went threw almost 6 books so far and I enjoy listening to what they come up with. They are very eager to share what story they made up. I think Mad Libs are fantastic! I am so glad for the girls at Homeschool Share for sharing their knowledge with me!

So if your like me and wanting a break from NORMAL Language curriculum, try the Mad Libs out. They teach writing skills, story skills, adjectives, nouns, verbs, etc! In a wonderfully different way! Give them a try!!

After we finish up what I have bought this time, We are going to start trying 2 new Language Curriculum.

~ First Language Lessons for the for the well trained mind...

&

~ Language Lessons by Sandi Queen

Hopefully one of these will fit our style. The are both not the "typical" way of learning so I think maybe that's what we have been needing the whole time :)

Also HERE  is the site for Ollie's to see if a store is near you!

Wordless Wednesday Week 31

The big pool is not ready yet :)

Today is my husbands birthday! Happy Birthday my dear husband!

Weekly Wrap Up Week 30

WOOHOO -- And another one bits the dust! LOL just had to say that!! Glad this week is over because I have a 3 day weekend!! My husband and I had a special event Friday evening. My mother called to see if she could take the kids out and I said "sure". Kevin and I had a wonderful date night. It was wonderful. I took him out for his birthday, which is April 27! It was a great night with some well deserved alone time with my wonderful husband!

We had a wonderful Earth Day study and Easter Study this week. We learned a lot and had a blast doing so! I have something really cute and sweet to say about Friday. Here we was sitting at the table talking about Good Friday and about how the events took place for Jesus that day... Kyle said " Mom, that's why there is rain today, the sky is cryin..." I looked at him and said " you know Kyle, I think you may be right..." I love that God has my children's hearts and minds. I just pray it stays that way.

Together:
I have to honestly say I didn't get half what I wanted to complete this week in Geology (mad face). I will try HARDER next week!!

Read Aloud - We didn't finish this like I thought we would, however its not biggie, I am in love with Soft Rain and her family. Its gotten very sad so far. The last 3 chapters we have read I have actually cried! However its part of my history as well as my children's. I do have Cherokee Indian in my blood. My grandfather and mother have enough to live on the Reservation.

Kyle done wonderful this week, his favorite thing this week was the Daily Geography from Evan Moor. He is really enjoying this book! AAS was great for him too!

Lexi had some issues with math this week. However its nothing that we can't work on. She is really loving her Mad Libs and its helping her write better! She is actually trying to write silly sentences!

Zac loves doing his school, just has to be changing things alot to keep his focus. I hope that changes as he gets older. I have to divide his activities alot more than I ever did with Kyle. But again Zac is just Zac!! He loves math anything to do with numbers and he has fun! He is still doing great with Ziggy from AAR.

Happy Good Friday

"It is accomplished; and bowing his head he gave up his spirit."

I praise my savior today!! I mourn what he went threw for me, I didn't/don't deserve it. I love Jesus and all he has done for me. Enjoy your Good Friday!

Greatest man in history, named Jesus, had no servants, yet they called him Master.

Had no degree, yet they called him Teacher.

Had no medicines, yet they called him Healer.

He had no army, yet kings feared Him.

He won no military battles, yet he conquered the world.

He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.

He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.

All About Reading Update

Zachary loved Ziggy from our freebies. Read about earlier posts here. 

So this is week 3 using the product and I can say how wonderful he STILL loves it. I was concerned that he wouldn't enjoy it after the "new" wore off, however I am pleasantly surprised how he still is in love with Ziggy!!

He enjoys listening to the silly short stories on cd that I got for free during the first week release! Free and he loves it. That can't get much better.

(Here he is doing the lesson for "C". C was for cookie, cat and cream. He painted the cookie with finger paint then took black paint with an eraser and made it a chocolate chip cookie. He really enjoyed playing with the finger paint.)

I love how he is happy about learning thew this program. My olders love All About Spelling from the same publisher. I just worry that with this we are going to move along faster than most because of his age and he already knows his ABC's. My worry is that they will not release the next level when I am needing it. So I am trying to make sure I am incorporate everything I can with the lessons. The lessons are helping him with skills he wasn't used to.  He is doing wonderful with rhyming and its not being "fake" words anymore! He is really using that brain to get to thinkin' of real words!! He is enjoying the 20 mins daily we spend reviewing this subject!

(Yes we really do school on the trampoline.He is doing AAR.)

The overall review for this product is still 5 *****.

My worry with the program is that it will delay me in moving forward because its new and I will be waiting on release of the next levels! I wish that AAR would hurry so I can use this wonderful program with my olders too!

If your interested in this product please go on over here.

Wordless Wednesday Week 30

April Sensory Box

So a little late as normal, however better late than never! LOL...

This months Sensory Box is themed for Spring and Easter. We love the holiday of Easter because it shows that our Savior is indeed whom He said He was! Spring is one of our favorite times of the year because everything is starting a new! What beauty out God gave us to enjoy!

Contents:

Easter Grass(shreds, less messy)

Butterflies(3)

Glitter Easter Eggs

Glitter Crosses

Every day I add a small bag(about 20) Jelly Beans for them to enjoy while playing.

I hope that you like our Fun Box as the kids call it. They sure love it! Every month they really look forward to what is going to be in the box next. I keep it a secret just because they enjoy it so. Kyle my oldest is still enjoying this much more than I expected. I really thought when I started it, It would be just for the 2 smallers... So to my surprise my older likes it too!

Week 30

Wow its hard to think we are already on week 30. We are over complete with everything I hoped for, earlier than expected! Normally we do not finish anything until May. This year with the help of my wonderful Workbox System I am complete with it ALL!!!!!!!!!!!! And have been since the beginning of April. Man oh Man that feels phenomenal!! We are going to start over for the year in July. Until then we are going to do reviews, supplements, unit studies and lapbooks.

This week we are going the following together:

Read Aloud - Soft Rain (plans on finishing this by the end of week)

Geology Unit Study.

Bible Verse - P - Praise the Lord, for it is good to sing praises to our God. Psalm 147:1

Kyle
Math Mammoth
AAS Lev 3 - Steps 4 - 5
Cursive Copywork
Cowboys HOAC LB/US
Daily Reading
Mad Libs
Daily Story Writing
Daily Geography

Alexis
Math Mammoth
AAS Lev 3 - Steps 4 -5
Copywork
Daily Reading
Mad Libs
Daily Story Writing
Daily Trait Writing
Daily Word Problems

Zachary
Math Mammoth
AAR PreLev 1
AAS Lev 1 - Step 1
Copywork
Daily Sentences.
I read to him daily, since he can't yet :)
Reviewing Reconciliation on Numbers up to 100.
Counting to 100.

Marriage Devotional Part 2

If you missed my first post on this please refer back to it here.  This is part 2 of my first post. 2 weeks has passed and all I can say is this devotional is FANTASTIC. It really is helping Kevin and I see more of each others hearts and is helping us understand Gods plan in our marriage and lives daily.

(yes he is still bringing me flowers! I told him he was going to run out of colors and he said that wouldn't be a problem once he ran out he would just start over... wasn't that just the sweetest thing to say!)

I strive to make my husband happy and since we are again making time for just us, no tv or kids it has really gotten that love stirred back up in my heart... Not that it wasn't there it was just tired -- lol!! I enjoy seeing my husband try more as well, it pleases my heart to have him more loving and Godly! I can't thank anything but God for making us open our eyes to know we needed more time together and for each other!

Here are some bible verses that we have been going over in our devotional as well:

Then the Lord God said " It is not good for the man to be alone" Genesis 2:18

A man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become ONE flesh. Genesis 2:24

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. ... Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. Ecclesiastes 4:9 - 12

Now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. I Corinthians 13:13


So the first post talked about the personal set of questions, now here is the marital questions for you to sit down and have a good talk about. Warning once again!!!!!!! Do not fuss over the questions, this is to understand things about your spouse!! Not to judge or make them feel bad. You should never make your spouse feel those things! Remember what you tell your children --- IF YOU DON'T HAVE NOTHING NICE TO SAY DON'T SAY NOTHING AT ALL....

Lets see those marital questions!!

• What are three things that I do that you really like?

• What are three things that I do that drive you crazy?

• What have I done in the past that made you feel loved?

• What have I done in the past that made you feel unappreciated?

• What are three things that I can work on?

• Of the following things, what would make you feel most loved?

             - having your body massaged and caressed for an hour...
             - sitting and talking for an hour about your favorite subject...
             - having help around the house for an afternoon...
             - receiving a very nice gift...
             - hearing encouragement about how appreciated you are...

• What things in the past do you wish could be erased from ever happening?

• What is the next major decision that you think God would want us to make as a couple?

• What would you like your life to look like five years from now?

• What words would you like to hear from me more often?

Week 29 Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday Week 29

Zac's new haircut, He wanted it cut bald like daddy's... I cried!!!!!!!!

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!!

Daily Trait Writing Evan Moor Review

Timberdoodle is a wonderful company that I am honored to be part of, I have posted 2 other reviews about books from them so far. This is my 3rd and final for a while. This review is again about Evan Moor and the book is Daily Trait Writing Grade 2 from Evan Moor. So this book was geared toward Lexi.

Lexi has issues when it comes to writing. She is still trying to learn how the proper way is. So this book was wonderful to review. It takes it day by day to learn and understand what the parts are to write. I didn't understand what "Trait" writing was... So I went straight to the website to try to learn if this was going to be a problem this is the answer I found: "Trait-based writing is an impressive method educators have developed to determine if a child's writing is skilled or not. The six traits or characteristics that shape quality writing are content; organization; word choice; sentence fluency; voice; and conventions, which include grammar, spelling, and mechanics. It may sound ominous, but Daily 6-Trait Writing has made it effortless." So then I wasn't nearly as worried I was pleased to have it all laid out for me so that it was easy yet she was still going to get a well established writing book to help me teach her the how to's of writing.

This is how the book is laid out:
25 weeks of instruction cover the following trait-based writing skills:


Ideas
Week 1: Choose a Good Topic
Week 2: Add Details
Week 3: Choose Better Details
Week 4: Stick to the Topic
Week 5: Review

Organization
Week 1: Put Things in the Right Order
Week 2: Beginning, Middle, and End
Week 3: Group Together Ideas and Details
Week 4: Group by How Things Are the Same or Different
Week 5: Review

Word Choice
Week 1: Use Strong Verbs
Week 2: Describe the Action
Week 3: Describe People, Places, and Things
Week 4: Use Exact Nouns
Week 5: Review

Sentence Fluency
Week 1: Write a Sentence
Week 2: Write Longer Sentences
Week 3: Fix Run-on and Rambling Sentences
Week 4: Combine Choppy Sentences
Week 5: Review

Voice Week
Week 1: Use Formal and Informal Language
Week 2: Use Different Writing Styles
Week 3: Create a Mood
Week 4: Write from Different Points of View
Week 5: Review

Publisher's Information

Pages: 160
Binding: Paperback
Copyright: 2008
ISBN: 9781596732872
Publisher: Evan-Moor
Made In: USA
Consumable: Yes
Reproducible: Yes

So with it all laid out like that -- It makes a lot more sense doesn't it?
With all this I have learned a lot about what the proper steps are in teaching writing too. This book hasn't only been fun and new to her, its been the same way to me!! Homeschool mother's will never now it all so its wonderful when there are wonderful companies like Timberdoodle to help us with top notch books from wonderful publishers!! Find this book and others here  at Timberdoodle!!

** I received this book free for my honest opinion. I am part of the Timberdoodle Blogger Review Team.**

Weekly Wrap Up 28

This week was great, however we didn't get finished with our lapbook studies this week... I doubt that we finish them Saturday either because the weather here is supposed to be wonderful!!! I am so glad spring has finally sprung! LOL

So hope your week went wonderful!! Here's how ours did...

Together:

We had a lot of fun this week with our geology study... We made a play doh sculpture of the earth so the kids could understand the layers inside!

Unit Studies: Kyle really enjoyed his Detectives LB however again we didn't finish them!

Lexi and Zac will complete The Grouchy Ladybug next week...

We got our Math Mammoth this week from the HS Coop Buy Group... We will start this Monday!!

We also finished our school work Thursday on the Trampoline outside like last year! We enjoy getting outside... Who said that just because its school it has to be sitting at the table or desk?? Not I.

Doing AAS...

Doing AAR...

Now that is the way you enjoy the great spring weather!! No sense in being cooped up in the house!! See homeschoolers are creative!! LOL.

Also on the writing prompts Kyle really surprised me this week, The topic was: Would you rather be a rainbow or rain drop? Why? So he wrote the sweetest story this week about how he would like to be a raindrop(totally not what I expected first off) because that way you could be on a cloud then when time came he could fall to earth and bless the ground with water, then a little further in the story he wrote about how it would be an honor to be a drop of rain for a flower because like the saying April showers bring May flowers... I just thought it was so sweet!!

Kyle made my heart melt this week! With the song he wrote and then that sweet story! I can tell God is really blessing him and I am so thankful!!

Friday we ended the week with a bang!!!!! I have said no many times because I just didn't feel the weather was warm enough for this particular thing y-e-t ...............

WATER BALLOONS!!!!!!!

I hate them and they love them!!!!!!

Everyone had a lot of fun this week and I hope that the weekend blessed even more!