Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Winter Term and Beyond

So, if you are anything like me, you might qualify for a straight-jacket with "Home School Mom" written on the back directly above your unique and special inmate number.

"Hi.  My name is Laura; I am a Home School Mom, and I am insane."

For me, this means I'm always thinking about the next term, the next year, high school transcripts, and college graduations.  I mean, as soon as I pray a plan into action, I'm onto the next term's books: reading, pencilling and making tentative lists.  Term breaks are never really breaks for me, but instead they are always spent organizing and scheduling our next academic adventure.  And summers???  Let's forget all about summers.  Please.  I've many months to enjoy before summer threatens its return.

Anyone with me?

If not, it's okay.  I'm used to talking to myself.  It's just another Home School Mom thing.

So, today I finally finished our schedule for winter term.  The kids have their term's books, copywork, catechism and memory verses, and reading checklists.  We're ready. 

? ! ? ! ? ! ? ! ? ! ? ! ? !

But, during this break, I've been think a lot about next year, when my Newshound 'bout Town will read all about the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece and Rome.  I know I soon need to start pulling together a booklist to peruse, but I was wondering if any of you, having covered these subjects with your own children, found a particular resource or book undeniably rich and necessary for the journey?  Is there something we should just not miss?  Is there a spine you particularly loved? an author who inspired? internet links that brought it to life? free maps?????

Hey, I'm just trying to get a summer break this year.  ;-)

4 comments:

  1. I especially enjoyed "Thor" by Marvel Comics, if you're going to have Livers dive into the Greco-Roman world. Then again, Thor's Norse mythology, which has precious little to do with Greek or Roman anything, except the color of his eyes and hair.

    If you need a free map, Jonah draws them all the time, but they don't quite lead anywhere to anyone but Jones...

    Sorry. Fresh out of actual help.

    --JMH

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have been trying my hardest not to be thinking of the new term and every time I have any free time I feel like I should be. I think secretly I quite like making lists and planning! I had a look at the book list for our curriculum and they use Ancient Egypt (Eyewitness) then as novels The Golden Goblet by Eloise McGraw, Mara Daughter of the Nile E McGraw, The Midwife's Song by Brenda Ray. There are lots more but we haven't got that far yet. We are SO slow! I hope you have lots of fun!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yeah, Thor's not working for me right now, but might be good for summer reading after the fall of the Roman Empire...

    Personally, I love Jonah and his maps, which I found indispensable when lost in the land of Nod.

    Love you, too, JMH.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi, Philippa!!!

    Thanks for the books! I forgot you were covering a lot of this ground right now. You'll have to tell me what you loved as summer approaches.

    Oh, and I need to try that secret thinking. It might keep me out of the cuckoo's nest in future. ;-)

    ReplyDelete

I'm gonna shut up now. Please, tell me what YOU think.