Life gets busy, it gets hard. I cry, I worry. I am normal!
It is normal to feel anxiety as a parent and even more so as a mom who is in charge of my children's education at home. It isn't easy but I wouldn't change anything!
I would love to attend a conference for mothers and come away refreshed! Reading Sally Clarkson's Seasons of a Mother's Heart was instrumental in my knowing that I could homeschool and that it was the best choice for my family.
To attend her conference would be such a blessing. To attend for free would be even better! Today, The Kindle Crew is giving away a free ticket! Plus, the conference is over my birthday weekend, wouldn't that be fun?
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Plugging right along....
We just began our 4th week of school! My how time is flying by!
So far, everything is working, no major changes are really needed but I have made a few tweaks here and there. I planned a 5 day school week that we usually finish in 4 with a couple things left over for Dad on the weekend.
This year, I am more sure of our decision to homeschool. Things are a bit easier, I am more confident. I can see the results in just 4 weeks with David's improvement in handwriting and reading skills. I am also very happy and grateful that I am able to stay home and school my children. They are thriving with activities like baseball, ballet, tap, and Cub Scouts! Field trips abound and most of all, we have the time together for them to learn the values we want them to carry forward.
What we are really enjoying:
Road Trip USA from http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/ I really love that it was one stop shopping except for the photocopying bill, lol! But, it is EASY to use and the kids really like it. My focus is on learning the 50 states and their capitals. We are using this song from Anamaniacs and it is fun to sing! I like Road Trip and will probably use it again in a few years and teach more of the history as my little ones don't quite grasp it all. But, hey, 1 price and I will use it for 2 years, at least!
Math U See is really making math fun for David. Last year, I learned that David is a tactile learner and Math U see fits the bill! He is not just memorizing like last year but actually understanding the concepts. We had to move a bit slow at the beginning while we both adjusted to the program but now, he looks forward to math!
Repeating Sonlight K Science has proved to be a very smart move for us! David is getting so much more out of it this time around. And, since he is working on his handwriting, he is able to write the answers himself as I spell them out. I think this is reinforcing the concept. Still haven't quite working in the experiments but I think our schedule change will help that.
Starting Rachel in school: She doesn't always do her work every day but, she has workbooks and lessons incorporated right along with David. She is doing great at Road Trip and Science and has her own LA< writing, and math.
What we have had to tweak:
Schedule: My kids don't function at 8:30am when I wanted to start school. Now, we start at 9 and that is working great. But, I try to stick to 9 because they also don't like to return to the table after lunchtime. But, usually we do finish by 12:30 and David has only a bit of reading work to finish up in the afternoon. He doesn't mind because I sit and let him read aloud to me.
Naomi: Yeah, homeschooling with an almost 2 year old, not so much fun, AT ALL! But, we will make it through and next year, she will be able to sit at the table and work with us. In the meantime, I have racked my brain and come up with some things to keep her occupied. And, they DO, but, for only about 5 seconds.... Anyway, I have started putting her down for a short nap at 10:30 so we can get through the tough subjects that need me to focus with the kids. Although this screws up our afternoon routine of 3.5 peaceful, quiet no Naomi hours, but, gotta do what you gotta do!
Order of the week: I have changed our experiment day to Friday, that way, if no one wants to do it or we don't have time, I still get in all the crucial work. The experiments are something that I really need to step up on, but, I am getting there!
School:
So far, everything is working, no major changes are really needed but I have made a few tweaks here and there. I planned a 5 day school week that we usually finish in 4 with a couple things left over for Dad on the weekend.
This year, I am more sure of our decision to homeschool. Things are a bit easier, I am more confident. I can see the results in just 4 weeks with David's improvement in handwriting and reading skills. I am also very happy and grateful that I am able to stay home and school my children. They are thriving with activities like baseball, ballet, tap, and Cub Scouts! Field trips abound and most of all, we have the time together for them to learn the values we want them to carry forward.
What we are really enjoying:
Road Trip USA from http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/ I really love that it was one stop shopping except for the photocopying bill, lol! But, it is EASY to use and the kids really like it. My focus is on learning the 50 states and their capitals. We are using this song from Anamaniacs and it is fun to sing! I like Road Trip and will probably use it again in a few years and teach more of the history as my little ones don't quite grasp it all. But, hey, 1 price and I will use it for 2 years, at least!
Math U See is really making math fun for David. Last year, I learned that David is a tactile learner and Math U see fits the bill! He is not just memorizing like last year but actually understanding the concepts. We had to move a bit slow at the beginning while we both adjusted to the program but now, he looks forward to math!
Repeating Sonlight K Science has proved to be a very smart move for us! David is getting so much more out of it this time around. And, since he is working on his handwriting, he is able to write the answers himself as I spell them out. I think this is reinforcing the concept. Still haven't quite working in the experiments but I think our schedule change will help that.
Starting Rachel in school: She doesn't always do her work every day but, she has workbooks and lessons incorporated right along with David. She is doing great at Road Trip and Science and has her own LA< writing, and math.
What we have had to tweak:
Schedule: My kids don't function at 8:30am when I wanted to start school. Now, we start at 9 and that is working great. But, I try to stick to 9 because they also don't like to return to the table after lunchtime. But, usually we do finish by 12:30 and David has only a bit of reading work to finish up in the afternoon. He doesn't mind because I sit and let him read aloud to me.
Naomi: Yeah, homeschooling with an almost 2 year old, not so much fun, AT ALL! But, we will make it through and next year, she will be able to sit at the table and work with us. In the meantime, I have racked my brain and come up with some things to keep her occupied. And, they DO, but, for only about 5 seconds.... Anyway, I have started putting her down for a short nap at 10:30 so we can get through the tough subjects that need me to focus with the kids. Although this screws up our afternoon routine of 3.5 peaceful, quiet no Naomi hours, but, gotta do what you gotta do!
Order of the week: I have changed our experiment day to Friday, that way, if no one wants to do it or we don't have time, I still get in all the crucial work. The experiments are something that I really need to step up on, but, I am getting there!
School:
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
First Day of School
Yes, mine were probably the only kids in America doing school yesterday, a national holiday. But, it was as good a day as any to start given that Daddy was home to help wrangle Naomi so we could get a good start.
It was a wonderful day, a fall like day, a day to enjoy together, a day to learn! And, that is what we did! David told me he really enjoyed Math U See and both kids enjoyed listening to our memory verse for the week.
No snag, but, I know they will come. Hopefully, we can get a few good weeks under our belts before they do. But, when the day is tiring or long or no one is in the mood, we will have options. Slow down, switch gears, take a day to play. But, the way our days come will be ours to manage. I love that!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Why we homeschool....
First, I know it is not for everyone and that is okay!
We are all the stewards for our children. We make the choice that is right for our family and one day, Dave, as the head of our family will answer to God for our choices and decisions with regards to our children, their education, and general upbringing. We prayed and prayed then prayed some more. Right now, we feel that God wants us to homeschool.
Second, it is hard!
We are not homeschooling because it is cheaper or easier. Homeschooling is flexible, but that being said, I still have the responsiblity to teach my kids everything they need to know. That takes time, we can sleep in, start school later, take time off for a vacation. But, that means we may have work to finish over the summer or when the neighborhood kids are riding bikes. I have spent countless hours this summer developing a full year curriculum and buying everything needed to bring it to fruition. But, I get to choose the best teaching method for each child. I have the ability to slow down, repeat, or move forward as needed.
Third, kids today grow up so fast!
We want our kids to have the laid back easy going childhood that we had. They don't need hours of homework. We don't want them to face pressures prematurely and before we have provided them a firm foundation. We belive this takes a long time. Our children won't be faced with 8 hours away from home when they are 6 but, when we feel they are ready.
I could list a hundred more reasons. But, I read a great article this morning that perfectly sums up all our reasons: Being a Homeschool Mom I encourage you to read it and then spend some time praying over your child as they begin the school year, at home or down the street.
We are all the stewards for our children. We make the choice that is right for our family and one day, Dave, as the head of our family will answer to God for our choices and decisions with regards to our children, their education, and general upbringing. We prayed and prayed then prayed some more. Right now, we feel that God wants us to homeschool.
Second, it is hard!
We are not homeschooling because it is cheaper or easier. Homeschooling is flexible, but that being said, I still have the responsiblity to teach my kids everything they need to know. That takes time, we can sleep in, start school later, take time off for a vacation. But, that means we may have work to finish over the summer or when the neighborhood kids are riding bikes. I have spent countless hours this summer developing a full year curriculum and buying everything needed to bring it to fruition. But, I get to choose the best teaching method for each child. I have the ability to slow down, repeat, or move forward as needed.
Third, kids today grow up so fast!
We want our kids to have the laid back easy going childhood that we had. They don't need hours of homework. We don't want them to face pressures prematurely and before we have provided them a firm foundation. We belive this takes a long time. Our children won't be faced with 8 hours away from home when they are 6 but, when we feel they are ready.
I could list a hundred more reasons. But, I read a great article this morning that perfectly sums up all our reasons: Being a Homeschool Mom I encourage you to read it and then spend some time praying over your child as they begin the school year, at home or down the street.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Getting Ready for 1st Grade and Pre-K
While most moms are braving the stores and looking for clothing deals, arguing over lunchbox choices, and checking off their child's teacher produced supplies list, we are facing a whole different set of challenges. Our family has chosen to homeschool and I should probably write a post on why we do it, for now, I am focusing on curriculum.
This will be our second year homeschooling. Last year, we used Sonlight and I quickly discovered that David is a visual, hands-on learner. Rachel on the other hand, can hear something once and has it committed. This year, I decided that I would put together our curriculum. So, a little bit of this and a little bit of that. I enjoyed making the choices and nearly slept with the 4" thick, 10 pound Rainbow Resource catalog. Finally, the choices were made, the items purchased. I mapped the year out. Labor Day to Memorial Day my children will learn the 3R's. First, they will squeeze every last drop out of this hot Texas summer as kids should.
So, here is our curriculum:
David, age 6, 1st Grade
Math: Math U See Alpha
Phonics: Explode the Code books 1-3
Handwriting: Handwriting Without Tears
Bible: Sonlight K (We are repeating this from last year)
Science: Sonlight K (We are finishing this from last year)
History/Geography: Road Trip USA
Reading: Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons (finishing up from last year) and Reading Eggs
Rachel, age 3.5, Pre-K
Math: Brain Quest Pre-K (Math U See Primer second semester)
Phonics: Brain Quest Pre-K (Explode the Code A second semester)
Handwriting: Handwriting WIthout Tears - Get Set for School
Bible: Sonlight K (Right along with David)
This will be our second year homeschooling. Last year, we used Sonlight and I quickly discovered that David is a visual, hands-on learner. Rachel on the other hand, can hear something once and has it committed. This year, I decided that I would put together our curriculum. So, a little bit of this and a little bit of that. I enjoyed making the choices and nearly slept with the 4" thick, 10 pound Rainbow Resource catalog. Finally, the choices were made, the items purchased. I mapped the year out. Labor Day to Memorial Day my children will learn the 3R's. First, they will squeeze every last drop out of this hot Texas summer as kids should.
So, here is our curriculum:
David, age 6, 1st Grade
Math: Math U See Alpha
Phonics: Explode the Code books 1-3
Handwriting: Handwriting Without Tears
Bible: Sonlight K (We are repeating this from last year)
Science: Sonlight K (We are finishing this from last year)
History/Geography: Road Trip USA
Reading: Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons (finishing up from last year) and Reading Eggs
Rachel, age 3.5, Pre-K
Math: Brain Quest Pre-K (Math U See Primer second semester)
Phonics: Brain Quest Pre-K (Explode the Code A second semester)
Handwriting: Handwriting WIthout Tears - Get Set for School
Bible: Sonlight K (Right along with David)
Science: Sonlight K (Right along with David)
History/Geography: Road Trip USA (Right along with David)
So, here we go.......
First Post
Document, document, document......
These times they are a changin'......
Write it down or you will forget.....
All these thoughts have been going through my head lately.
So much is happening it our life: growing baby, losing teeth, and beginning our homeschool year again. It is time that I document for me, for our family so far away, for my kids as they grow.
Here we go......
These times they are a changin'......
Write it down or you will forget.....
All these thoughts have been going through my head lately.
So much is happening it our life: growing baby, losing teeth, and beginning our homeschool year again. It is time that I document for me, for our family so far away, for my kids as they grow.
Here we go......
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