Shhhhhhh......

Spring means testing week is here. I ordered four tests but decided to only administer two. My high schooler will be going to a "real" school in the fall. My time will be better spent reading with my second grader than testing her. That leaves my 5th and 7th graders whom I can test together. Only two days left. Testing is quite easy and means I don't have to teach so I actually look forward to this week of the year. It also means we are almost done with our school year, or are we???

I ordered Spelling Power yesterday. Will it be the answer to all my dreams of having children who can spell any word at any time with minimal effort on my part or theirs? Probably not, but it can't hurt us to try it.

I am also planning our next year's curriculum combining all the children into the same history and science so I won't feel so scattered. This will be the first year in the last 14 that I haven't enrolled in the Mother of Divine Grace homeschool. It is just too hard for one person to administer to a crew in multiple grades and I don't want to burn out. There are many beautiful things about the curriculum that I love and will still implement those things, but will be happy for the combined classes.

I also ordered a wonderful school bell! I am very excited about this. A bell will sound so much better than my scratchy voice in calling children to meals, prayers and classes. My little ones will love taking turns being "Bell Ringer" for the day.

Some things we used this year and recommend:
Check out "Visualize World Geography". It uses mnemonics in memorizing the nations of the world. It is a bit corny, but my kids love it and it works.

Teaching Textbooks is math program on the computer. It teaches and grades so Mom doesn't have to! The kids have really enjoyed this and it has saved me hours and hours of time!