We officially have our first week of homeschool down in the
books. It is something I am always
anxious about and not quite knowing how it will go, but it always turns out in
the end, which is good for me!
books. It is something I am always
anxious about and not quite knowing how it will go, but it always turns out in
the end, which is good for me!
The week started off strong, the kids were ready to start
school. Monday morning we started off
with circle time – in order to include Lucy in part of our schooling. It is an easy way to start the day. We lay out a blanket, I pray over our day, we
read a Bible story together (the kids decided we should alternate days), we
sing a song or two (think itsy-bitsy spider and row row row your boat), and
then check the weather outside. By the
end of the week, Lucy had created a song to alert everyone that it is circle
time “circle, circle, circle, circle” while she spreads the blanket out on the
floor…all day. It was very cute though!
school. Monday morning we started off
with circle time – in order to include Lucy in part of our schooling. It is an easy way to start the day. We lay out a blanket, I pray over our day, we
read a Bible story together (the kids decided we should alternate days), we
sing a song or two (think itsy-bitsy spider and row row row your boat), and
then check the weather outside. By the
end of the week, Lucy had created a song to alert everyone that it is circle
time “circle, circle, circle, circle” while she spreads the blanket out on the
floor…all day. It was very cute though!
After circle time we do our most difficult tasks first. For Jack it is reading, and for Emma it is
math. Jack can read just fine for his
level, but he prefers to read Transformer Rescue Bots books over the readers that I give him.
math. Jack can read just fine for his
level, but he prefers to read Transformer Rescue Bots books over the readers that I give him.
We then finish our seatwork which consists of math, reading,
writing, and spelling (for Emma). At
this point we need a break, so we turn to my favorite way to break up the day –
Cosmic Kids Yoga. Even Lucy is getting
in on it now, very cute.
writing, and spelling (for Emma). At
this point we need a break, so we turn to my favorite way to break up the day –
Cosmic Kids Yoga. Even Lucy is getting
in on it now, very cute.
Next is all the read alouds – history, science, and
whichever book we are reading.
whichever book we are reading.
My hope was to be able to complete all of this work before
lunch time. That is how it worked last
year. But, I underestimated how much
time I would need to work individually with Emma and Jack. I am used to mainly working with Emma, and
then a little bit of work with Jack.
But, having them both need help every day this week…we were not
finishing school until 2!
lunch time. That is how it worked last
year. But, I underestimated how much
time I would need to work individually with Emma and Jack. I am used to mainly working with Emma, and
then a little bit of work with Jack.
But, having them both need help every day this week…we were not
finishing school until 2!
Of course, by the end of the week, I knew that I had already
planned too much work for us, and I will know better for next week. And I was pleased to accomplish all that we
did. The kids slept well all week, I
think because I was working them to the bone!
planned too much work for us, and I will know better for next week. And I was pleased to accomplish all that we
did. The kids slept well all week, I
think because I was working them to the bone!
The evenings were spent at the football field running around
in the sprinkler, and mainly getting rid of all the extra energy.
in the sprinkler, and mainly getting rid of all the extra energy.
I am definitely going to take some time to consider how much
I expect everyone to accomplish throughout the day. I’m happy I have the opportunity to re-work
our schedule and to lighten the load a bit – a huge benefit of homeschooling.
I expect everyone to accomplish throughout the day. I’m happy I have the opportunity to re-work
our schedule and to lighten the load a bit – a huge benefit of homeschooling.
I am actually quite excited about the year. The kids did “first day of school”
interviews, and I expected that I would have to help them, they did them
completely on their own, wrote out their own answers and everything. I was very impressed. My favorite part was when they read their
interviews to me.
interviews, and I expected that I would have to help them, they did them
completely on their own, wrote out their own answers and everything. I was very impressed. My favorite part was when they read their
interviews to me.
“What is one thing you want to do this year?”
Emma: “I want to read 19 books!”
Jack: “Math.”
Sounds like the start of a very good homeschool year to me!
Are your kids getting
ready to go back to school? Or have they
started already? What are they most
excited about in the new school year?
ready to go back to school? Or have they
started already? What are they most
excited about in the new school year?
Reesa Lewandowski says
November 2, 2016 at 1:34 pmI have friends that home school just simply because they want to be in charge of what their kids are learning and how. I love that you have everything put together in the binder like you do.
Robin Rue says
November 2, 2016 at 1:34 pmYou look so organized and put together with the home school thing. There have been so many times that I thought that I could do it but then had second thoughts.
Yona Williams says
August 19, 2016 at 8:27 amMy nephew starts school next week…not sure he is as ready as your kids are. I like the idea of circle time. Good luck with your daughter reaching her reading goal!
Tough Cookie Mommy says
August 18, 2016 at 9:48 pmI've always wanted to homeschool our boys. Unfortunately, it has never been in the cards financially but it definitely would have been my preference.
jillconyers says
August 18, 2016 at 8:47 pmMy daughter is back to school this week. She's excited and it may have something to do with the fact that she's a senior.
Kiwi says
August 18, 2016 at 8:07 pmMore and more parents are homeschooling and I am all for it. You look organized and your kids look like they are enjoying it!
Rose Sahetapy says
August 18, 2016 at 6:39 amI always curious about homeschool, and now I have a little peek through your home school activity. Your kids must be excited doing homeschool. The pictures of your daughters are so cute.
ana de jesus says
August 17, 2016 at 9:10 pmWow I admire anyone that can homeschool their children because that takes guts. I hope it goes well!
Amanda Love says
August 17, 2016 at 2:37 pmI admire parents who are able to handle homeschooling and still manage to maintain a household. Looks like you're doing awesome during the first week! I hope it runs smoothly until the end of the school year!
Paula says
August 17, 2016 at 7:01 amMy son is starting kindergarten this year, and I'm trying to figure out how to juggle things since his school is only 2.5 hours a day. Best wishes with your school year!
Sona Sethi says
August 17, 2016 at 4:22 amHome schooling is very very tough. It is challenging and can get very demanding at times. Wish you all the best.
Dawn McAlexander says
August 17, 2016 at 4:01 amHomeschooling is tough, so I don't envy you in the least. I wish you the best of luck with it. Hope your daughters do great at it!
Moda Addicted says
August 17, 2016 at 2:45 amEmma seems like a girl with great ambitions! 19 books!! too cute <3 Wish you the best during this year of homeschooling
Kelsey M says
August 17, 2016 at 12:45 amWow- after reading your post, homeschooling seems like quite a lot of work- especially with two kids of different ages! It seems like there's definitely a learning curve to it!
Debra Hawkins says
August 16, 2016 at 7:54 pmI kind of love this! I would really love to homeschool my oldest, but she really struggles to learn from me.
Kimberly Stroh says
August 16, 2016 at 7:53 pmI can't blame Jack for wanting to read about Transformers instead! That sounds like my son too. Great job on the 6 week mark!
Rachel Langer says
August 16, 2016 at 7:06 pmI really wish I could home school but I have to work full time. You do such an amazing job – your kiddos are so lucky to have you!
Author TP Keane says
August 16, 2016 at 6:52 pmMy hat goes off to you. I honestly have great respect for anyone who homes schools. I'd be terrified of missing something in their education, or something similar. You're so orgainsed.
Rebecca Bryant says
August 16, 2016 at 4:43 pmI've always wished I was smart enough to homeschool my son but I know I am not. He has been doing college work since 9th grade. I can't keep up.
Heather says
August 16, 2016 at 5:08 pmWay to go for your son! What a great job!
Luke Holzmann says
August 16, 2016 at 1:41 pmMay the joy of learning together continue to grow as you get back into the full swing of things. Keep up the good work and may you get the sleep you need [smile]!
~Luke
Heather says
August 16, 2016 at 5:07 pmI'm doing much better in the sleep department this week, thank you! We are really enjoying our time together and are definitely getting into the groove 🙂