Homeschooling: History

Homeschooling. We've been at it for 12 years now. Yikes!
Never in my wildest imagination did I ever think I would be a homeschooling mother.
Not me- I was excited to see my little ones off on the big yellow school bus, lunches lovingly packed, new school clothes donned, and school supplies carefully chosen.

Fast forward a couple of years and suddenly I was considering a 'crazy' alternative.

Disillusioned with the school system of more than one state, and feeling a tug that said I wanted my children closer, wanted to be involved in what they were learning, wanted something... else, I began to hear about home education.

After meeting a really neat family who taught their kids at home; and seeing something different and special about their kids;
I became inspired and we made the leap.
And a scary leap that was!
Each of my children are so very different. I have those that are very self-directed learners and those who need to be directed- all the time. My oldest began college classes at 15, but I also have one or two with mild dyslexia. Enough differences to really keep me on my toes.
I have had to educate myself- like crazy!

Throughout the years, I've used a lot of different curriculum. I've found that although a certain text or program may work great for one child, it may be horrible for another.
And, sometimes I just get tired of the same-old-thing.

I present to you a couple of items for the subject of History. Items that we really like:


The Story of the World, by Susan Wise Bauer.
This year we are studying The Middle Ages. Knights, castles, feudalism, plagues.....good stuff.

The set consists of the main text, which is written in an engaging way and even my older kids enjoy it, the activity book with maps, coloring pages and learning games, and the test booklet.
To keep them on their toes.
(For older kids, we give other assignments, more to their grade-level.)



Sample page from text book:


Sample pages from the activity book:





The test booklet:

These great history book sets can be found at:







I also appreciate very much the work of another homeschooling mom, Amy Pak.

She has created these wonderful 'History Through the Ages Record of Time' books.
Not only that, but offers CDs featuring over 1,200 images of people and events throughout history. Images that you can print out at varying sizes for either your timeline book or a larger timeline.





These are quality materials!

After the children have learned about a person or event, they cut out the image and paste it in their books.
It makes a meaningful keepsake. And, I believe, school work should be meaningful.
I tell them that someday their own children will see these.

I don't believe there is any one perfect way of educating children. I'm just doing the best I can for the children I've been entrusted with.

My mother: A birthday tribute.

Today is my mother's birthday. My mother. A woman full of grace, beauty and laughter.

grade school



high school




With sparkling brown Irish eyes, a witty and, okay, sometimes naughty sense of humor;

with her brothers- 1979?




with her brothers- 2009



Who shows unconditional love for us all, is an amazing cook and has a way of making any house a home.
And this barely scratches the surface of the wonder that she is.

It can't possibly describe the warmth she exudes, the patience she shows, the unique and innovative feats she performs, the crazy laughter she laughs, or the stories she tells that has us doing the same.




Here's to you, Mom. What a lucky girl I am.
Happy Birthday!

New Arrival

Look what just walked into my life.

Okay, maybe meandered, plodded or shuffled are more apt words.
Because this little guy doesn't prance, skip or sashay- that's for sure.


But he does melt your heart into a puddle. Doesn't he?



I mean, just look at those ears! And yes, they feel just like they look.


Don't you just wanna gobble him up?
Or at the very least make him smile? Tell him a joke or stand on your head or something?


Or just stand there and watch him sleep.... Hush, puppy.

I've wanted one of these for about a year and a half. But The Man of the House didn't think it was the time. Life can be busy, you know. And we do have other animals. But, we also have plenty of children to love on them. So we waited until the time felt right.

And it finally did.
Meet Chuck.

Jessica Cooks! Chicken Parmesan

Cooking is, inevitably, a part of my daily existence.
My children and The Man of the House do help at times- and are excellent cooks themselves. But typically, I am the cook around here.
I try to keep the family dinner hour somewhat sacred. There is enough in this world tugging at family time, and studies have shown that children who consistently have dinner with their families, at home, are more successful in life. I'm doing my part to make that happen.
Sometimes that means changing the dinner time and some days we rush out the door as soon as dinner is finished, but we do sit down at the table together at least five nights a week.
I love it!
And, because I have this fun blog to write on, I'll take you along with me as I cook for my family.
Because it makes cooking more fun.
Because sometimes I don't want to cook.
And because my older children might appreciate the step-by-step instructions someday.




By the way, I prefer to cook barefoot. Just thought you should know.
READY?


This recipe feeds 10-12 people. Sorry folks. I don't really know how to cook in small amounts. I've been feeding an army for a while now. And we have company pretty often.


You'll need 6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves.



1/2 cup italian bread crumbs
1/2 cup parmesan, plus extra parmesan for topping
Spaghetti noodles- I'm really bad about estimating the amount of pasta needed for this dish. For 10-12 people, I cooked about 48 oz. And had too much.

2 29 oz. cans tomato sauce (This is for the sauce. I also use store-bought spaghetti sauce occasionally. Use whichever you like.)
Also for the sauce:
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1/4 bell pepper, finely chopped
1/2 to 1 teaspoon dried, crushed red pepper (to taste)
1 teaspoon italian seasoning
3/4 to 1 Tablespoon granulated garlic (to taste)
( I also used fresh garlic when I'm feeling especially energetic)

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated pepper
2 teaspoons parsley
salt- if needed


Mozzarella cheese: about 3 cups, shredded


First, get your water on the stove for the pasta. Bring to a boil.
Preheat oven to 375*.


Slice chicken breasts in half, lengthwise.


In a gallon- sized ziploc bag, mix together 1/2 cup parmesan & 1/2 cup italian bread crumbs.


Place pieces of wet chicken into bag and shake to coat. Lay chicken on greased, foil-lined cookie sheet. Bake at 375* for about 20 minutes. Until no longer pink in the center.
When you place the chicken in the oven, this is the time to cook your pasta. They should both be done in 20 minutes or less.
Of course, I'm at an altitude over 6,000 ft. - so time your chicken and spaghetti noodles according to the length of time it takes to cook them at your house. The chicken can wait if done first. The pasta can't.



Finely chop your 1/2 onion


In a large skillet, saute onion in 1-2 Tablespoons olive oil


While the onion is beginning to cook, get your bell pepper ready


Add the bell pepper to the onion and saute until the onions begin to look clear. You don't want the vegetables soft and mushy, but with a little crunch.
Unless you detest crunchiness in a spaghetti sauce. Then you'd better cook them longer.



Pour in the tomato sauce.




Add your seasonings. Taste as you go to get the flavor the way you like it!


Simmer on low for about 20 minutes.


While the sauce is simmering, the chicken baking and the pasta boiling, consider organizing your seasonings.
The Man of the House made me a nice shelf over the stove to hold my most frequently-used items.
Only, it usually looks like this if I've been cooking a lot.
Oh my dear friends; garlic, olive oil, cinnamon, chili powder and cumin. I couldn't live without you! You make the world a better place.

So much better. Now they're all standing at attention. Not milling about, talking amongst themselves.

Okay, at this point everything should be ready. Drain your pasta. I don't rinse it for this dish as I want the sauce to stick to it. Plus, I add the sauce quickly so the pasta doesn't stick together.

See- I always end up with too many noodles!


Okay, here is my platter with pasta.


Now, pour 2/3 of your sauce over the pasta and mix it in a bit.

Add about 3/4 cup mozzarella.

Now place your cooked chicken over the top and cover with the rest of the sauce.




Spread the rest of the mozzarella over the top, then sprinkle liberally with parmesan cheese and a bit of parsley.


Broil for about 5 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.


Yum!
Can you hear the kids setting the table? Calling everyone for dinner?
Getting ready to bless the food?
Can you see The Man of the House's smile as he walks into the house and smells the wonderful aroma?
Can you hear Abby, our dog, sniffing at her dog chow while tears of unfairness drop into her bowl?


I like to add a green vegetable with this dish. Today I chose lightly steamed broccoli.
But a nice garden or caesar salad would be perfect.


Enjoy!