My recipe book

In a previous post, I contemplated my online versus paper quandary.

I’ve collected a bunch of recipes (some from friends and relatives, but also my own) that I would like to pass down to my kids someday. The question is: What format should I keep these recipes in?

Currently, I have my main recipes in Microsoft Word, which works just fine. Word will give me a table of contents and, with a bit more work, an index. However, another possibility is to use Microsoft OneNote. I found this post about using OneNote to organize recipes. I must admit, it looks pretty good. You can even search according to ingredient. (I can do this in Word, too, but OneNote will show you a list of the recipes that contain the ingredient.)

[I really hesitate to use online recipe things where you use a host, because it’s someone else’s property and if the web site goes down, my recipes disappear with it.]

With OneNote, I’d be able to use my own software on my own computer, and if my computer crashes I lose it all (unless I do the smart thing and back up my computer on a regular basis).

So, my current dilemma is: paper-based or computer-based recipe “book”?

With paper-based, I can make a traditional hard copy–I can bind it and give it to my kids. I can make one for myself and add pages as necessary. (I currently love Circa!) It’s safe and comfortable. I can get the pages dirty or wet without being too concerned—I heard somewhere that the dirtier your recipe pages, the better.

With computer-based, it’s new, it’s now. I can easily add recipes. I don’t have to print anything out, which would save paper, toner, and time (after the initial time investment in putting the recipes into OneNote). However, it would require that I have a computer in or near the kitchen so that I can refer to the recipes as I cook, and certain types of spillage would be bad for the computer.

Although the idea of using OneNote intrigues me, I don’t want change just for the sake of change. I guess I have to think about this some more…

My new Bible

I recently bought a new Bible. Why? Did I lose my old one? No. Was the binding so worn that the pages were falling out? Nope. Did I just want a different translation? No, sir. I bought a new Bible because I could barely read my old one! The bifocals barely help, and I found myself having to take my glasses off in order to read the small print.

Yes, that’s right. I bought a new Bible because the lettering is too small for me to read. Or, more correctly, my eyes have gotten so bad that I can no longer read the lettering. I’m old!

My old Bible was a nice, smallish, easy-to-carry size. The new one, because of its large print, is heavy! Maybe I’m on my way to becoming a buff old lady, lugging around my hurkin’ big Bible. But at least I can now read the text without having to adjust or remove my glasses. For now, at least…

Math curricula

People often ask me what curricula we use in our homeschooling. Well, we’re eclectic, mainly because I keep changing my mind about things. But here are my current top picks for math, in no particular order. Please keep in mind that each child’s learning style (and parent’s teaching style) is different, so some may love these math programs and some may not.

Rod & Staff

• Grades used: 1 – 3, 6
• Pretty basic, traditional textbook. Student book(s) and Teacher book(s) with answers included. The teacher’s book also includes sort of a “script” for teaching the course in a classroom. I don’t use the “script,” but I do scan through it to see if there’s anything I can use when teaching my kids.
• What I like: Traditional, drills the facts. Rod & Staff also provides free samples of their graded curriculum.
• What I work around: LOTS of drills and review–I just assign fewer problems (e.g., I’ll assign even or odd, or even just a smattering of problems, depending on how well my child “gets” it).
• Where to order: I order directly from Rod & Staff (1.606.522.4348). You can also order the free samples by calling that number. There are also a couple of online stores that sell Rod & Staff curriculum, and one of them provides the samples online.
• Aside: Rod & Staff is a Mennonite company. I don’t find it to be preachy (but then, I don’t mind preachy), but if you don’t want your child solving problems about Brother So-and-so reading Bible books and the like, this may not be the curriculum for you.

Primary Mathematics (a.k.a. “Singapore Math”)

• Grades used: Pre – 4B
• This is the math program that used to be taught in Singapore, where test scores were very high. The program has now been updated in Singapore, but many homeschoolers still use Primary Mathematics, which has also been updated for U.S. audiences (to include English-based weights and measures, as well as U.S. money).
• What I like: Very inexpensive, helps the child understand concepts.
• What I work around: Lack of explanations (they use pictures and thought bubbles), lack of drills (although, if you get a home educator’s guide, it includes answers to all problems in the textbook and workbook, and it includes teaching tips, drills, and mental math).
• Where to order: I usually order through Singapore Math (they have samples online, and they also have a forum if you have questions on any of their curricula). You can also find this through Rainbow Resource Center or Sonlight.
• Aside: These books (U.S. Edition) use some Singaporean first names, as well as fruits you would find in Singapore. I think it’s cool, but I really should find a pronunciation guide for those names.

Teaching Textbooks

• Grades used: 7, Pre-Algebra (goes from grades 4 through Calculus)
• This is a computer-based course that comes with a textbook and DVDs.
• What I like: It’s almost completely self-study (I’ve only needed to help a couple of times; the solutions CD is very helpful if the student has questions), there’s self-checking, and in some levels there’s automatic grading.
• What I work around: Some people think this curriculum is below grade level. That doesn’t bother me; the benefits are worth it.
• Where to order: I order directly through Teaching Textbooks (they provide samples of both textbook and CD content, as well as placement tests). You can also find it through Timberdoodle.

Life of Fred

• Grades used: I haven’t used this one yet, but it looks intriguing. It’s aimed at grades 5-12.
• This is an unconventional, narrative-based curriculum that’s about, well, the life of Fred, a young (5-6 year-old) boy who encounters various mathematical adventures. My kids are voracious readers and I think they’ll enjoy the humor in this series.
• What I like: It’s relatively inexpensive and it uses humor to teach the subject, but it doesn’t dumb down the subject.
• What I work around: Well, as mentioned above, I haven’t actually used this yet. When our budget allows, I’m going to use it as a supplement. We’ll see how that goes.
• Where to order: I’m going to order it directly through Stanley Schmidt’s site (which also provides samples), which actually uses a separate vendor that provides free shipping. You can also find this through Rainbow Resource Center.

Journaling – the next generation

We visited Staples yesterday to purchase some school supplies for Big G. Little G began looking at journals with some interest. I told her she could pick out one as part of her birthday present. She gave it a great deal of thought: The ones with patterned pages were cool because she could trace the pictures and write on the pages; the ones with gold edges were cool because they made the journals look like Bibles; the ones with silver edges were a cool alternative to the gold — well, you get the picture. Oh, and she like the ones that had a closure because it was like having a lock.

Finally, she picked out a black one with bonded leather, gold edges, and a magnetic snap closure. I wondered if she would be anything like her mother — I was always afraid to start writing in the more expensive journals (as opposed to plain ol’ spiral notebooks) because I was afraid to “ruin” them.

Well, not my daughter! By this afternoon, she had already set aside pages for her Table of Contents and began her first entry. Way to go, Little G!

The start of a new homeschooling year…

Even though we homeschool pretty much year-round, September always marks the beginning of our co-op year. This year, we’re doing two different co-ops on two different days. It will be interesting to see how it all works out.

We’ve been doing just one co-op for about five years now, and it’s just fine. However, a new opportunity arose for our kids to take classes this year with a great group of kids–kids that Hubby and I want our kids to grow friendships with. (Well, I don’t know all of the kids, but the ones I do know are good kids.) So, we’ve added this other co-op partly for the social possibilities, but also because the teachers teaching the classes are excellent teachers. (Okay, again, I don’t have personal experience with one of the teachers, but she has a great reputation; both kids have had classes with the other teacher and she’s terrific!)

The challenges for me this year will be:

• Getting the kids used to this new schedule. Having two co-ops means two days when we’ll be out and about, so it will be especially important to help the kids get into a routine that helps them finish their co-op homework without neglecting their regular work (and without staying up late the night before classes trying to finish homework last minute).
• Getting me used to this new schedule. We’ll be out of the house for lunch two days a week, so it will be especially important for me to plan lunches for those days. I’m going to try providing the usual kind of lunches we’ve been enjoying the last couple of years, but providing the same lunch for both days. For example, if we have sandwiches one week, we’ll have the same lunch the next day after the other co-op.
• Figuring out some of the details. On one of our co-op days, we won’t have much time for lunch and I’m not quite sure where my kids are going to eat yet, so I’ll need to figure that out on the first day of classes. On the other co-op day, we’ll be eating lunch in between the co-op and Big G’s drum lesson, so I’ll need to figure out where we’re going to go to eat.
• Adjusting to not having Hubby along. Yes, I’m spoiled. Pretty much since our second year of co-op, Hubby’s job was such that he was able to take co-op day off (or at least part of the day off). So, for the most part, he’s been with us during at least most of our day. This year, things are changing for him, so he may not be there. It’ll be a bit more stressful, but I’m sure I’ll adjust. Hopefully, I’ll adjust quickly and won’t turn into a grouchy momster.
• Managing my time. I also have a small part-time job now, so I’ll need to allot a certain number of hours to doing my job. I’m just now starting to learn the job, so it’ll be a challenge to balance homeschooling and work, while not neglecting the other things in my life (Hubby, kids, friends, church, housework, etc.).

Whew! It’ll be quite some year, but Lord willing, we’ll all get through it!

Trust in the Lord

Today… I just wanted to share Proverbs 3:1-12 (NASB).

[1] My son, do not forget my teaching,
But let your heart keep my commandments;

[2] For length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.

[3] Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.

[4] So you will find favor and good repute
In the sight of God and man.

[5] Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.

[6] In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.

[7] Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

[8] It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones.

[9] Honor the Lord from your wealth
And from the first of all your produce;

[10] So your barns will be filled with plenty
And your vats will overflow with new wine.

[11] My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord
Or loathe His reproof,

[12] For whom the Lord loves He reproves,
Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.