1776

We were up until 10:45pm with Madeleine doing her homework! I can't believe the amount of homework that girl has - then again, she is very detailed and makes sure everything is done to perfection.

Although it was was too late to be up for a 5th grader doing homework - I started to think how much I love the curriculum that she is learning here. From my observations on what she brings home for homework and talking to the teachers, there is a balance to what is being taught...and finally and thankfully Madeleine is receiving real Social Studies lessons. In fact - they get it in double-doses each day. Madeleine sits with Mrs. Moore for the first half of the day with their homeroom class - they are taught Reading/Writing, Spelling/Vocabulary & handwriting (all Language Arts) and Math. In the afternoon the two 5th grade classes switch teachers, and Madeleine's class goes to Ms. Ross who then teaches Social Studies & Science. This is also the time when twice a week the students divide up and attend their extra classes - orchestra and gym.

I can't express how much I love that although her workload is heavy and she has so much to do each evening - Madeleine is really studying the history of this country. The classes have a reader that goes through stories from history - so even in Language Arts their stories are history based (this is cross-curriculum teaching which I assumed every school did....but the NYC schools, or at least ours, was severely lacking in their Social Studies instruction as well as their Language Arts....they wrote stories ALL the time, but there was no focus on spelling and making sure children were understanding rules for grammar. I had no idea how much we were lacking in this area until we moved here!). The class right now is focusing on the beginning of the American Revolution - Madeleine has written persuasive papers on being a Loyalist or a Patriot. She draws and composes bulletins that show sides to both the Americans & the British, and her spelling and vocabulary words each week are full of words from history.

They are within a few weeks of finishing up the Revolution and then starting on how the government was established - which is part of the Declaration of Independence and learning why 1776 was so important.

I love history. It's incredible to then see your children learn and love history. We have lived in some very significant places where history was made in this country. I'm thankful that we've had the opportunity to visit these places as our family - and now I'm so thankful that Madeleine is learning more about the facts and why these places have such an impact on our lives and the story of America.

And, on a different important not about 1776....check out this bounty that I got at the store --- all for $17.76.  No kidding....I laughed when the total came up!

I am not an extreme couponer by any stretch of the imagination....however, I have been working to buy things that are advertised specials & if I can get a coupon to bring down the total that is double fantastic.

This deal above was to buy the Stauffer's Lasagna and then the bread, salad and a liter of Coke product was free (THAT is what is missing...my 2 bottles of Fresca!  How did I forget to put them in the photo?!).  The best part is that I have remembered that you can price match when you shop at Wal-Mart, so instead of running to different stores (unless I am driving by one and can go in) and taking extra time & gas I shopped at Wal-Mart this week and I was excited about the results!  This meal deal then got better - before I left I remembered reading about a coupon that Facebook put out for Stauffers....a few clicks later and I had two $2 off coupons for the lasagna.  Then when I got to the store and reached into the freezer to retrieve the lasagna I noticed that each box had a sticker on for a free package of cookie dough when you purchased a Stauffer product.  Hurray - that would come in handy for our FHE treat that night! :)

This deal is not free, and it's not even below $10 for everything...which I'm sure is against the rules of Extreme Couponing!  However, I was excited for what I found and that I was able to work with a sale and use the coupon...and throw in that cookie dough (yummy!).  The best part is that when I added up all of the items that I got - and even adding up what it would cost if I make the lasagna on my own....I came out ahead with this purchase!  And I love knowing that I have 2 lasagnas sitting in the freezer for a day when life gets too busy, or a time when I need to take dinner to someone...I say that really saves the day!