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Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Frustrations

There are one or two subjects every day that have been a source of frustration. It's wearing me out and we are only on our sixth day. There has to be a change. So, I'm going to be the change I want to see. I believe the Word and what it says. I believe I have the things that I say. My children are taught of the Lord and great is their peace. They are wise and recieve correction. I train them up in the way they should go and when they are older they will not depart from it. I'm also going to make a daily confession for them to say. Things about them being trainable and teachable and receptive of that training and teaching. My oldest is a bit of a perfectionist and very very literal. If she does't know EVERYTHING right away, she feels frustrated and stupid. I hate that learning makes her feel that way. I've tried explaining to her that correction is part of learning. It hasn't worked, so I'm turning to something that WORKS, EVERYTIME. I praise God for is Word and that he keeps his promises. I praise God that he has given me the opportunity and ability to homeschool and a husband who completely supports it and the means to do it. (It aint cheap :) What a wonderful opportunity and gift I have in teaching my kiddos.

Monday, August 27, 2012

The First Day

Okay, so the first day has come and gone and I only wanted to quit once. I only said the bad word (public school) once. In all reality I wouldn't quit homeschooling for anything. I love it. Good days and bad. We got our problem worked out and are ready for a new day tomorrow. I love being in a new routine. Hopefully we can keep it up. Here it is:

6:00 am I wake up and exercise, read my Bible, write out my goals for the day, start breakfast, and shower. My goal is to be out of the shower by 7:00 am. Didn't quite make it this morning, but I'll work on it.
7:00 kids get up and shuffle slowly into the kitchen to eat.
7:20 (ish) we start our morning routine: get dressed, brush teeth, make bed, chores.
8:00am Exercise, this time the kids join in, then Bible Time, then school starts.
10:00am snack time and more school
12noon Lunch.
1:00 School projects (all the 'extras')
After that is done: finish chores, if applicable, and FREE TIME. This is when the kids can watch an episode of TV, or play the Wii for a little bit, and just play.
Toddler takes a nap at 2 and I RELAX.
5:oo clean up time.
Then dinner, free time, showers, and bed at 8:30!
I try to be ASLEEP at 10, or at least in bed.
And now what you've all been waiting for... FIRST DAY PICTURES!





Monday, August 13, 2012

Curriculum 2012-2013

Last year (our first year) I did a box set curriculum. I didn't know what  I was getting myself into homeschooling, and I thought it would be a right fit for me. For me it was: no prep, just workbooks to work through. For my daughter: HORRIBLE. We made it through the year, only having to switch to a different math. But this year I decided to do something different. I have a very eclectic choice of curriculum. No two subjects are from the same publisher. So here it goes:

For My Girl: (8, Grade 3)

Bible: Grapevine Studies (New Testament Overview)

English: BJU English Grade 3

Handwriting: Handwriting Without Tears (cursive)

Spelling: Sequential Spelling

Literature: Charlotte's Web (and other books, not sure which one's yet, study/lapbook from Confessions of a Homeschooler)

Math: Math U See Gamma

History: The Story of the World-Volume 1
.
Science: Apologia's: Exploring Creation with Zoology 3

Geography: Confession's of a Homeschooler's: Expedition Earth

For My Older Son: (4 1/2)

He will be listening and joining in on activities with Grapevine Studies, Science, History, and Geography. I'm going to very lightly introduce 'formal homeschool' to him. I know he's young, but he's interested, so I'm going to take this opportunity to teach him.

Reading/Phonics: Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons

Math: Math U See Primer (I'm probably going to start this about half way through the year, or when he's ready and will continue it next year. He's not quite ready for it, but will be soon.

Handwriting: Letters and Number for Me (Handwriting Without Tears)

I'm also possibly going to add in: Confessions of a Homeschooler's K4 curriculum.

My Younger Son:

Working on Colors and singing the ABC's. Lots of playtime and reading books.

I noticed that CBD has a lot of the above for the cheapest prices I could find. I HIGHLY recommend Confessions of a Homeschooler. I love love love her curriculum and she has been such and encouragement to me especially when I was starting to think about homeschooling. And that's it. For now. I'll let you know how I like them all.


Thursday, May 17, 2012

AND... We're done.

We actually got done last Wednesday, but I'm just now getting around to posting about it. The school year is officially over. I have survived my first year of homeschooling and will be doing things a lot differently next year. Mainly, the curriculum. I ended up having a strong dislike for the 'package' we chose for this year. Next year will be filled with a lot more lapbooks and activities like that. That's how my daughter learns best. At least now I know.
 For the little boy: This summer I'm going to be doing Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. I will also be reading him lots and lots of books.
For the girl: She is going to do a summer reading program and practice math a few times a week.
For the baby: Teach him the meaning of no. That's my goal.
I am relieved to be done. We've got a lot going on right now, and the stress of everything was wearing on me a little. This Saturday we are having a yard sale. We are thinking of putting our house on the market. It's a lot for me to think about right now, for various reasons. But, there you go. The year is through. Now, I've got to plan an 'end of the year' party for our EKWP group.  Maybe I'll think about that after the yard sale.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Planning

So, I'm not MUCH of a planner, but I've been trying to do it the last few weeks. It has actually helped. I usually just try to keep a mental list, which works, but being able to check things off is so fun. :) So I made myself a weekly planner:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9V8BtcPIlqxMVBVdEZHQW53SEE/edit

Let me know what you think.  I left some lines blank for you to fill out. My laundry schedule I've talked about before. My cleaning schedule: I'm still trying to get that figured out, but at least I've got a plan. And the morning routine: HA! Definitely doesn't always happen like that, but I've got it written down. :)

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

As For Me...

As for Me and My House, We will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15. 

I found these super cute printable ABC Bible Verse cards. It is on the blog I Can Teach My Child. Here is the link for the post about them: http://www.icanteachmychild.com/2011/10/abc-printable-scripture-cards/  
I printed them on cardstock, then got to play with my laminator. again. I love that thing. Anyway, I had the bright idea to do a craft with the first verse. Here it is:
This is the one I made. I love doing little are projects, I think more than my kids! :)

This is what I get when I say, "look at me and smile."

Again, "Look at ME, and smile" :) My little artist.

My Photo-cooperative one. He didn't make a house.
We had fun. It was a fun a different way to start the morning for sure. I had a 'no scissors' rule going on. Only tearing and folding and gluing.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

How its Going

Homeschooling is FUN! We love it. Not every day is perfect. Not every day is easy. But every day is blessed. I am so grateful to God for this opportunity. I've figured out some things that work and some things that don't. I'm planning next year's curriculum choices and I am definitely making some changes. I'm not buying a one size fits every subject. We are pulling things from several different sources. I'm sticking with Math U See. The rest I'm changing. We are more than likely using Story of the World for history next year. For science we are going to use Apologia. BJU for English. And for Kindergarten for my little boy--still trying to figure that one out. These aren't set in stone. I haven't bought anything yet because I'm going to a ginormous curriculum fair in June. I want to explore all my options. I can look at stuff online all day, but I do much better if I can look at it in person. I get a better feel for things.
We've changed the homeschool space several times. Right now its 'okay', but not my favorite arrangement thus far. My daughter doesn't use her desk all the time. She prefers the couch for certain things. (Not everything) I am excited to one day have a specific room for homeschooling. Eventually we are going to buy land and build our own house. We have it all drawn up and ready to go. Our homeschool room right now is in our Living Room/Dining Room/ Kitchen. It's all one big room, which is kinda nice in a way, but I'd rather have a seperate space for school.
That's all the updates for now.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Field Trip

There is an OLD hotel in our town and we took a tour. I didn't take many pictures, but here are a few. There were several presidents that stayed in this hotel. Also Louis Lamour stayed there and wrote the entire Sackett series.
A Pretty Chandelier
Everyone has arrived.

My Boy and I

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Christmas Party

We exchanged gifts and made Christmas cookies--and for the record, this party was back in December--before Christmas. It just takes me till February to post it.



GIVEAWAY!!!

Check out this giveaway--from Candace Cameron Bure's blog--- It's for Confessions of a Homeschooler's curriculum, which you know I'd love to win!!!

http://www.roomag.com/social-media-blitz-giveaway-prizes/

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Thankful

I am so thankful that I get to homeschool. What a blessing from God. It's not always the easiest thing to do and we have had a few 'horrible' days, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I am starting to think about curriculum for next year and that's exciting. It was about this time a year ago that I decided to think about homeschooling. I knew in my heart it was the right thing to do. My head just needed some time to catch up. What a wonderful life I have here, at home, with my 3 kiddos, and a completely wonderful supportive husband. I am blessed.