5 Good Things: All the Books!

We’re taking it a day at a time here.

Schoolwork, housework, music, basketball (things are slowly opening up for limited practices), getting together with a friend or two. We are coming out of this crazy funk, but somehow things still aren’t quite “normal”.

Our official school year is FINISHED, but we’re taking the time now to read ahead for next year, start the online Drivers Ed course, and pursue an interest or two.

We have ZERO plans for this summer. What we did have planned has been canceled. We are truly winging it.

And - maybe that is the lesson in all of this. Flexibility. Patience. Discernment.

There have been an abundance of opportunities to discuss the pandemic with our children. Where do we get our news? Who is our authority? Can we view this crisis through our lens of faith? Are we exercising judgment? Are we living joyfully, and not controlled by fear?

I imagine I will come back to this post in 5 years and the world will be a very different place.

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Because I have been reading so much - I decided to dedicate this 5 Good Things post to books - books I have enjoyed, a summer reading list with prizes, and a great online story resource.

Reading has been my escape in all of this - so I hope you enjoy today’s post and that it might allow you to escape a bit, too!

Enjoy!

• Storyline Online

  Have you seen this amazing resource of videos? I can’t believe I’ve not seen it yet. A reader sent me the link to the Trombone Shorty story - which is wonderful! And, there are so many great stories to watch and listen to. Enjoy!

• Jane Eyre

  I have been re-reading Jane Eyre this week. It is included in my son’s Challenge II curriculum, and I wanted to have it fresh in my mind to discuss it with him this year. Let’s be honest: this is a hard book for a 15-year-old boy. So, I am seeking ways to help him connect more with the story. One thing a friend gave to me was this Jane Eyre graphic novel. It’s great!

  Additionally, I want to try out the Jane Eyre BBC miniseries, and I heard there is a 2011 movie that is good, too. If you have any suggestions for me, please let me know in the comments!

• Elizabeth Berg

  This recommendation is purely for moms. Elizabeth Berg is one of my favorite authors. Her books are sweet, humorous, timely, and literally bring a smile to my face while I am reading them. I just finished The Confession Club on audio - which was such a treat because it was read by the author! If you just want an escape, read the three books in the Mason series! (I use RB Digital through my local library for audiobooks - any time I can read for free is great!)

• The 2020 Minimalist Summer Reading Guide

  I’m a big fan of Anne Bogel (Modern Mrs. Darcy). She just released her summer reading guide, and I always enjoy the minimalist version of that guide! Reading has been such a great way for me to escape, broaden my horizons, and be a better teacher for my children. I get most of my recommendations from Anne Bogel!

• Veritas Summer Reading Contest

  This is a simple summer reading contest with several good recommended book lists, too. It also includes a printable to track your reading.

Do you have a book recommendation for me?

Leave it in the comments below! I want to add to my summer reading list!

5 Good Things: Helps for the Worn Out Mom

The struggle is real.

It is the end of the homeschool year. It is the end (somewhat) of a very strange time in our world.

Kids are tired of being inside. Parents are worn out from the constant uncertainty and juggling of responsibilities.

I think it is fair to say many of us are just WORN OUT and ready for a change.

When you have teens it’s not so much about being worn out, it is more about lacking motivation and inspiring motivation in your kids.

My son is still finishing math, taking Spanish lessons online a couple of times a week, piano lessons once a week, and reading aloud with me. Our drawing materials for starting Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain came in today, so we will start that in earnest next week.

I started reading Thunder & Rain this week, too - I love anything by Charles Martin. This book has truly been an ESCAPE - I highly recommend!

Back to the good things and worn out moms {wink}…

I stumbled upon one really good video performance this week (that had, alas, expired) - but it inspired me to find some other good things for you.

Have fun!

5 Good Things for the Worn Out Mom:

• Learn About Peter & The Wolf

  This performance of the well-loved classic by Prokofiev is very well done. Your elementary-aged children will enjoy the story, performance, and identifying the instruments. (Couple it with the instrument flashcards I have at SQUILT Music and they can learn A LOT from this performance!). For fun, follow up with this Disney read-along - so old fashioned and fun!

• Math Tic Tac Toe

  This is a new to me math game. My son always enjoyed playing math games - especially near the end of our school year when attention spans were diminishing.

• Short Ride in a Fast Machine

  Have you done this FREE SQUILT LIVE! lesson with your kids? Use the password HAPPYBIRTHDAY to access the video lesson and lesson packet.

• A Book and A Movie

  A good read-aloud can be just what the doctor ordered. My Side of the Mountain (which I cannot believe we never did homeschool all of these years) is such a wonderful adventure story. My 15-year-old is reading it aloud to me right now, but it’s great for ALL ages. And, there is a movie to go along with the book, too.

• Fun Card Games For Kids

  We go through phases in our house of card playing. I put some of our favorites in this post - but I think Salute the King is our favorite!

I hope things are slowly returning to “normal” in your neck of the woods.

I hope you’ve used the past couple of months to grow closer to your family, evaluate what truly matters, and maybe get a few things accomplished around the house, too.

Thanks for reading 5 Great Things!