Home Educating: The New Plan

I've been reading about homeschooling since I learned I was pregnant that first time.  (Ok... longer than that really since I wrote a paper about it in college.)  I read books, I read blogs.  I read.  And read.  And read.

Then I dream.  I put all those things I like together and I plan.  I'd picked our math curriculum before Tornado was 1, I'm sure of it!  Then I change my plan.  And change it again.  Then I actually try out what I have planned and change it some more.  Last summer I made two different plans for the whole year before finally changing it to a third... and then not really doing it either.

I'm so glad I'm doing so much learning about what we don't want to do now, while I'm not even legally required to be "doing school".  I've learned a lot through the pre-school years about what sort of homeschooler I am and what sort of helps I may need to get things done (anyone want to clean my house?)  And I'll tell you something... I will surely make more changes, especially when Sweet Pea is officially ready to start up.

So what am I doing now?  What is this "new plan" I keep talking about?

Well, I mentioned that I don't care much about grade levels (I'll probably have a post about that one of these days to explain it in more detail), but I'll have to use them at some point when working with the districts.  For that reason I'd dubbed this last year "kindergarten".  But looking back at the year in February, I saw much left to do.  Still, my boy was reading at a second grade level or higher at the time... I didn't see another full year of kindergarten in us.  So instead, I decided to start over then (at the end of March) with what I'm calling K-1, to continue through this next school year.

So what does that actually mean?  Nothing.  It makes no difference to us at all.  It's just a title.  Let me tell you what we are actually doing.


The three "Rs"
Arithmetic (math) is one of our three focuses.  We purchased curriculum and started it not long after Belle was born this past March.  We homeschool year around, so this makes it possible to miss days and even whole weeks when things are a bit crazy (think newborn, think Lyme Disease, think life).  We've completed 7 of the 30 lessons in the "alpha" (first grade) math book.  This past week we spent on review because of how little math we've done in the last couple months.  I don't know how long it will take us to work through the remaining 23 lessons, but if we average one a week with a couple weeks off here or there, we'll probably finish it by the end of January.  Let's say end of February for a more realistic view.  :)  Whenever it's done, we'll start the next book.  If we find a concept he's not ready for or that takes a while to get, we'll wait on it and pick back up when he's ready.

Writing is another of our three focuses.  Each day that we do math, we usually do "handwriting" as well.  For now, we're working through a letter a day.  If I'd been disciplined, we'd be done with that by now.  Instead, we have 11 letters to go.  I'm not worried about it.  He's 5!  He already knows how to do most letters in a way that is legible.  We're just trying to learn this script and to make them look nice.  When we've finished with going through each letter (and numbers, we did that first so he could start his math book back in March), we'll start copy work of some kind to practice.  I'll have to share more on that later.  So far I haven't decided on any special plan other than to have him write something.

Reading is the last of our three focuses, and it really encompasses almost everything else we'll cover in our "homeschool".  Tornado began reading about a year and a half ago and has become quite a proficient reader since finishing Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. He is now reading somewhere around a fourth grade reading level (depending on which scale you look at and what the book is).    He loves to read.  He reads... I read.  He loves it all!

The question is, what are we reading???  We read everything.  We read picture books and chapter books.  We read books about missionaries and history and science.  Musicians, historical figures, and places.

Really, this next bit about what and how we read and when and how I plan for it is enough for it's own post.  So... consider this post the introduction to "the new plan" and look for the next post soon! :)


Joining in here:

Labels: Homeschooling 2011-2012, Homeschooling 2012-2013

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 6:00 AM 2 Comments

Curriculum

A few weeks before Belle was born this past winter, My Beloved determined that it was almost time for Tornado (5) to start on a math and handwriting curriculum.  He needed something more.  Something official.  Something to keep me accountable to doing it.  Something to help us look back and see real progress.  I don't know that all our children will begin such a thing at this age, but I agreed with My Beloved.  Tornado was ready.  If only I could bring myself to do it.  Consistently. 


In continuing with our completely rational and non-defensive discussion of this whole topic that day last February, I was able to share with him some ideas I had to fulfill his wishes.  As it turns out, I'd thought about it already.   I simply hadn't made any decisions on when to begin.


I'd already done a bunch of research and had determined that, when it was time, I wanted to use Math-U-See for math.  I liked the look of the program, loved that it went all the way through high school math, and the price is reasonable.  I just didn't realize that it was time.

I'd been thinking through handwriting too.  My big hang-up over starting was that I hadn't decided which manuscript to teach.  I didn't really *love* any of them.  Then I found BJU's Precursive New... downloadable!  I liked the look of their manuscript and their curriculum.  Perfect!

When My Beloved brought this up, it's entirely possible that he meant for me to be thinking things through for the next "school year".  I'm really not sure.  I never asked.  Instead, (with his blessing) I started a new plan.

I mentioned already that I wasn't as consistent with our 2011-2012 year as I'd hoped.  Various stages of pregnancy helped with that.  My own lack of discipline and organization were a part of it too.


What I don't think I've ever mentioned is that I intended this past year to be an unofficial kindergarten year.  I don't care much about grade levels anyway, and I figured that, if need be, next year could be "real" kindergarten.  Tornado has always seemed ahead of the curve, and while I don't intend to push him into academics (I really like the delayed academics approach in general), I also want to follow his readiness cues.

So I set to work figuring out a new plan.  I purchased the Math-U-See "Alpha" level curriculum and, having already spent the money on math, designed handwriting worksheets for each of the letters and numbers.  (With My Beloved's blessing of course!) 


Next Week:  The plan

Labels: Homeschooling 2011-2012, Homeschooling 2012-2013

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 6:00 AM 2 Comments

A{nother} Change in our Homeschool Plan

Being a "mouse trap" with felt cheese

In my review of this past school year, I mentioned several places that I would share more later.  Well, here is one time I'm actually going to follow through with one of those promises!

The five of us were all loaded in the car one day in February.  Well, six of us if you include Belle, who was sharing my seat belt... and my body for that matter.  We run our errands together.  The whole family.  And this was one such outing.

"You know," My Beloved started as we turned passed the house that always counts down Christmas, "it's probably almost time for you to get a curriculum for Tornado."

I went hot.  He continued.

Toilet Paper Roll Pilgrims and Indian Craft at Thanksgiving

"You're not going to be able to be consistent enough on your own."  

We'd had conversations about curriculum half a dozen times or more over the last couple years.  But this was the first time he'd said that last part.  The first time he'd had some solid evidence.  The first time I knew he was right.

I wanted to argue.  Like every other time he'd mentioned curriculum.  I don't like curriculum.  We don't need curriculum,  I wanted to say.  I was tempted to dive into my heated explanation about how "homeschooling doesn't have to be just like a classroom."  To explain that I could come up with my own plans.  But I didn't.

I've been realizing that communication is always something that needs to be worked on...even in a happy marriage.  Out of no where it occurred to me that I should make sure I knew what he meant by "curriculum" before I got offended and upset at the notion.  When he said curriculum, I imagined he meant some all inclusive every subject and everything spelled out for me kind of curriculum.  He didn't.  I'm so glad I asked.

Planting flower seedlings

My initial burning was forced out as I started cautiously, measuring my words for calm.  "What do you mean by curriculum?"  There.  That was a normal conversational question.  Not an attack.  Not defensive.  Not as defensive as I was feeling anyway.

And I'm so glad I did.

Turns out, he didn't mean an all inclusive, take away my flexibility and creativity in educating the children kind of curriculum.  He didn't mean structuring our home school day like a classroom.  He meant math.  And handwriting.

That's all.

Math and handwriting.

"Oh," I said, shocked.  Is it possible that this is what he's always meant when mentioning curriculum in the past?  I have no idea.  I try not to think about it too much.  "I can do that."

So there you have it.  My Beloved, the leader of our marriage, head of our home, and official "buck stops here" guy of all things children, thought it was about time to start Tornado on an official math and handwriting program.  Now that wasn't so hard after all.  I didn't completely disagree.  More than that?  It was such a relief to have "permission" to "cop out" of designing the whole program from scratch.  And I can still do what I've been planning for the other stuff.


Next Week:  What came of this decision.



An aside:  There are a lot of great curriculums.  I don't mean this post to be an attack on curriculum, or on those of you who use it.  I know it is a great tool.  I simply mean that I've never wanted to use it and have always pictured myself coming up with my own stuff.  I hope I haven't offended anyone.  If you love pre-made curriculum... go for it!

Labels: As it happens..., Homeschooling 2011-2012, Life Lessons for Mommy, Prince Charming, Raising Children

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 6:00 AM 2 Comments

The "End" of a School Year

New Lego set

 In my state, June 30th marks the end of the school year.  That is the date all official records and portfolios must be submitted to our district.  Really, I guess that means that some day before June 30 needs to be the "last day of school" so I can get all our paperwork together, we can be assessed, and the portfolio can be submitted.  But, thankfully, none of this is necessary for us until Tornado is 8... or really, because of his December birthday, 9.  Still, I'm trying to get my feet wet with how things are *supposed* to go.

This past year would have (in a government school setting) been a preschool year for Tornado (he turned five in December)... but he was already reading, so I decided to do my own thing. In my opinion, after all, grade levels don't matter much... progress does.  So I made plans.  And I made goals.  And today you'll see just how bad I am at follow through... and how I actually did with my goals.

In my defense... I was pregnant.  And tired.  I know many of you do school much better than I do while pregnant and tired.  Still, they were goals... and goals are not always set in stone.  So let's see how it went:  (See my original goals here, below are the goals as I revised them in Jaunary.)

Finger print Hyacinth for first day of spring.

Discipleship Studies

1. memorize at least 25 verses/passages of Scripture.  18-19 worked on... still reviewing
2. work on memorizing the catechism  made a lot of progress early on... will continue
3. daily Bible reading  off again, on again.  Did it a lot through the year.
4. learn at least 5 new hymns (1-2 verses of each)  Maybe one or two, as well as some praise songs
5. learn about the Bible (how we got it, names of books, etc.)  He knows all the Old Testament books and has begun the New Testament!

Reading Beatrix Potter on his own initiative.

Disciplined Studies

1. practice reading aloud most days (he does this without me asking him)  Done!
2. read good literature together  Done!
3. learn vocabulary from reading, pause to learn and practice using during the week  did this as part of life... not much pausing and practicing.  But he learns it!
4. handwrite personal notes and stories (he asks how to spell and I tell him... letters are how he does them)  Some of this
5. begin practicing handwriting skills (focusing on letter formation) sometime  we started... more on this later.
6. introduce copy work???  not yet
7. dictate letters, stories and summaries to mom (focus on sentence formation) - at his level  not much
8. learn to tell time  only as he figures it out himself... can do hours sometimes.
9. learn money  nothing official, but he's gleaning
10. learn to add and subtract numbers up to 10, with manipulatives  working on this, more on it later

Discussion Studies

1. read good literature together  Yes!
2. read about and discuss ancient civilizations and the Old Testament  ahem... started, but took a different direction.  More on this later.
3. read missionary biographies One or two
4. explore geography through history and other reading and life  Yes
5. explore 2 different artists and their work  Not so much
6. explore 2 different musicians and their work  Yes... Mozart and Vivaldi.  Very fun!
7. read and enjoy poetry together  can't find poetry I like for this... any ideas?
8. memorize 3-4 poems  Nope... see above

Hanging a bird feeder in our backyard

Discovery Studies

1. allow time to explore drawing with different mediums  Not really
2. basic art introduction.  Not at all
3. build with "Wooden Logs", Legos, wooden blocks, etc.  Yes... Yey!
4. provide opportunites for creative play  in the way of giving time to do it themselves.
5. observe and read about seasons/weather  yes... toward the end.  Details to follow later.
6. make a scrapbook of several common wildflowers with leaves (naming them, describing, etc) - in the spring  Started this, but never did anything with it.
7. do the same for leaves and flowers of several forest trees (fall and spring)  Again, started, but nothing.
8. observe birds around us... know 6 birds by song, color and shape we know 2 birds by song and look, for sure... and several others by what they look like.  Still doing this one!
9. go on nature walks and keep a journal of observations (dictated to mommy) and drawn himself  Not at all.

Horse shoeing demonstration

Discretionary Studies (the extra things we want to work on)

1. care for own hygiene (teeth, bath, hands, etc.)  He does pretty well when he isn't eating the toothpaste out of the tube.  I still help with bath, but I probably don't have to.
2. sweeping with a broom  learning
3. spreading with a knife  learning
4. peeling vegetables (supervised, of course)  learning
5. cutting with a knife (supervised, of course)  learning
6. grating cheese (supervised, of course)  learning
7. stirring without making a mess  Haven't practiced much... I let Sweet Pea most of the time instead.
8. cleaning bathroom sink/counter/mirror  Sweet Pea's learning instead
9. planting own garden - in the spring  they potted flowers... and now all but one are dead.  :(
10. piano lessons???  no piano... :(

So there you have it... Not a complete failure.  Much of the Fall I felt successful that I got our Bible time in.  And they learned a lot during that time.  In the new year, with my pregnancy getting further on, we were less faithful.

And I'll let you in on a little secret... Just before the baby was born I came up with a new plan.  So just after she was born, we jumped in with both feet again and started making headway in our new direction.  I told you... each plan I make looks a little (or a lot) different.  More details to come...



How was your "school" year???

Labels: Homeschooling 2011-2012

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 6:00 AM 1 Comments

Field Trip Friday

We were running late, and I feared we'd be missing big things, but when we arrived, they looked like they'd hardly been there.  A group of about 6 fire fighters stood around talking.  This gave some time for the kids to look at the truck.  The boys especially liked it!

The first order of business was to get there with axes and open the walls and ceiling "looking for hot spots in the walls."  We didn't get to go inside with them, but My Beloved asked if he could come in and take pictures.  Since he's an EMT in the same township (and had his t-shirt on), I guess they didn't mind.  This way the kids and I could see what was happening inside.


This guy was showing the others how they can kick into the drywall to make a ladder.  Crazy! 

After the inside was sufficiently damaged, they got their smoke making machine out and filled the house with smoke.  What a great opportunity to show the kids what that looks like.

Then the guys suited up.  Apparently, these guys are certified to fight fires from outside.  Today they would practice the inside stuff.

They made dolls out of fire hose and hid them in the house for the trainees to find.

The kids and I talked about how they take air in with them because they can't breath in the smoke.

It was apparently very dark in there...

and very smoky!   The pictures don't do it justice.

My Beloved took the kids in part way to the kitchen so they could see what it was like in a smoke filled room.  They practiced crawling through it to get outside. Tornado kept trying to stand up and Sweet Pea really didn't like it.

As it turns out, she's woken up twice this week from nightmares.  When I ask her what's wrong, she tells me (in her half asleep voice) that she couldn't see in the smoke.  Ahem.  Who would have expected that to backfire on us???

Still, they have experienced it now.

Little Man, Belle and I stayed outside.

Then, the highlight, My Beloved asked if the kids could have a ride to the top of the hill and back.

Little Man, especially, was thought it was very cool!

This wasn't a public thing and we were the only ones there to watch.  The kids did a lot of running around and even climbed a tree in between having something to look at and watch.

Most people schedule a field trip to the fire house... this was so much better.  I think they are doing similar practices the rest of the month... maybe even using their fire hoses eventually.  Perhaps we'll return!


Did your family go anywhere fun this week???

Labels: As it happens..., Homeschooling 2011-2012, Making Memories

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 4:02 PM 1 Comments

Living Books for Christmas or What we're reading this month!

Much like my desire to read living books with my children for Thanksgiving, I desired to bring in living books for Christmas too.  This isn't to say that we're not reading some just for fun books as well, but I wanted to enrich our reading time.  And to avoid twaddle all together!

So what are we reading???   
 

Mary's First Christmas 
This delightful story recounts the Christmas story as told by Mary to her five year old Jesus!  Precious.  It's written in in four chapters that we usually spread out over four different nights.  Kids love it!

Jacob's Gift
The nativity story related from the perspective of a young carpenter apprentice in Bethlehem.  Obviously fictional, but a fun way to see the Christmas story from a different perspective.  Also a great lesson in sacrifice.

The Crippled Lamb
Another sweet fictional retelling of the night Jesus was born, this time from the perspective of a little lame lamb.  This story reminds our children that we are just as God created us... and that God always has a purpose.

The Gift of the Magi
An old favorite from my childhood.  This story tells of a sweet couple and the sacrifices they make to give to each other one Christmas.

Humphrey's First Christmas
This one is mostly just fun.  My daughter calls it the complaining book (which isn't my favorite) and asks to hear it read constantly!  The story is of a whinny camel on his way to Bethlehem in a caravan.  He's lost his beloved blanket and whines and fusses the whole time because of it and the three ("huge") packages he is required to carry.  A great opportunity to discuss what the Bible says about complaining... not to mention the silliness of Humphrey's complaints!  His heart is changed, however, when he see's the baby and feels compelled to give the only gift he can.  Again, fictional, but a fun story none the less.

An Orange for Frankie
Set in times past, as his family prepares for Christmas, Frankie learns what it means to give selflessly and what it is to be part of a family.  I love the look at what Christmas was like when the most exciting part was a simple orange on Christmas eve!  What a difference from what our children know now.

The Legend of the Candy Cane
I'm never sure about the accuracy of the "legend" books, but I enjoyed sharing one more way we can remember Jesus in the Christmas celebration!

The Legend of the Christmas Tree
We read this one last year, and just like it's Candy Cane cousin, it is a sweet way to think of the tradition of the Christmas trees we bring into our home.

The Legend of the Christmas Stocking
We haven't read this one yet, though it is here from the library and waiting it's turn.  I'm let you know more when I know it! :)

The Legend of St. Nick
We haven't even seen this one yet (I'm on the waiting list from the library... hopefully it will make it), but I'm hoping it will recount an accurate story of how this legend started.  We just explained who "Santa" is this year for the first time and I'd love a clear story of how it all started in a picture book format!  Anyone know?

Apple Tree Christmas
Though no reference is made to Christ in this book, it is a lovely view into the home of one family's Christmas in the late 1800s.

The Gift of the Christmas Cookie
This sweet story is set during the Great Depression (a great lesson on what it might have been like back then.)  Again, we haven't read this one yet... I'll update with more when we have!

An Early American Christmas
Another great story set long ago, this time in the beginning of the 1800s.  This story shares how a German family brings the traditions of Christmas from the "old country" to New England where they are the only ones who celebrate at all.  A nice look at early American traditions!

Labels: Christmas, Homeschooling 2011-2012, Living Books

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 3:22 PM 2 Comments

Read Alouds above "grade level"

For a long while now we've been reading chapter books... This past winter/spring we read through the Little House books for the first time.  Now, we're reading them again.  He's almost 5.  He's catching much more this time, and Sweet Pea is enjoying listening to them more this time around. 

Just this past week I'm seeing true evidence of what reading "above grade level" can do for our children...

Monday, we were at work with Daddy.  After going further down the hall to look around without me Tornado informed us that he "journeyed further on without us" to look around.  I could only smile.

Last night, while I was learning how to use my new sewing machine (so cool by the way), Daddy took the kids to Home Depot to shop for a few things (Snow shovels was not one of them, but evidently the entire town was there for those too!)  When they picked me up later, Tornado told me the woes of the "car-carts" being wet in the parking lot, but that there was one "under shelter", so it was dry.

"Under shelter?"  I never talk like that.  That came straight out of those books!

We're reading these books again, because I didn't really have a good chapter book to read when we finished the last one.  And I hate not having one going. 


What "above grade level" chapter books do you read with your kids?  Have you noticed any words and phrases coming out of those little mouths because of it?

Labels: Homeschooling 2011-2012, Little Moments

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 9:05 AM 2 Comments

the 2011-2012 School Year

(Scroll down to see the list and skip all the blah blah blah) 

Plans.  I make them.  And I make them.  And I make them.  (Keep in mind that each time I make them they look different than before.  Completely different.)  It's following through with my plans that I'm not so good at.

I've found over time (Time?  How?  My oldest is four.  Whatever, that's not the point.) that I'm not a big fan of curriculum.  Perhaps it's because it's too structured.  Perhaps it's because I'm not disciplined enough.  Perhaps these two reasons are very good reasons why I should be using a completely pre-planned curriculum.  But I'm not.

I did have big plans to follow the "Well Trained Mind" way of doing things this year.  I got the book again and started making clear notes as to what parts of it I'd implement this year.  I really love the classical approach... especially in history study.  I was so excited.

Then when the Lyme's hit and I spent hour upon hour on the couch with my husband's iPhone, I stumbled on an approach I'd never heard of.  I started to get as excited as I could with the little energy I had.  I read and read and read and read.  Then I read about a book I knew I wanted to read.  But the new and expanded version wouldn't be out till later that month.  Ugh!  "I have time to read now!"  But I waited.  And though I still have a tiny bit left, I absolutely loved the book!

Still do in fact!  And it is this book and what it teaches that I'm implementing as our home school method.  (Husband approved!)  The Whole-Hearted method.  I'm not going to go into to much detail about the method here, but when it comes to homeschooling, they breakdown things into five categories (for lack of a better word).  Discipleship (the foundation), disciplined studies, discussion studies, and discovery studies (these three represent the body of the "house" of their method), and discretionary studies (the roof over the top).

Have I lost you?

Ok... I'll give you a little more information on these five.

Discipleship studies are all the things I would like my children to learn that help to "make disciples" of them.

Disciplined studies are the basics... the "three Rs"... for the most part anyway. 

Discussion studies... basiclly literature, history and fine arts.

Discovery studies... nature, science, creative arts, and other interests.

Discretionary studies are anything else we (the parents) think should be included.  You'll see below what we've decided to include for this year.


There... does that clear things up a bit better? 

So what does this look like for us?  Ah... I thought you'd never ask.  But I was going to tell you anyway.  Don't worry.

At first I wasn't sure.  The thought of turning all those concepts into some sort of weekly schedule was daunting.  And what first trimester pregnant woman with 3 kids 4 and under has the energy or time to deal with something so huge.  I was beginning to think we were never going to start the "school year" simply because I didn't know what or how to plan it out.

Then the idea came (from someone else I'm sure).  No lesson plans and curriculum... goals!  And not weekly ones either.  Goals for the year.  What would I like to say we did when we arrive at next summer.  Or at least what would I like to say we worked on doing. :)  Low expectations are my friend!

That said... let me introduce you to my insane looking list of goals for the 2011-2012 "school year" for my 4 year old (five in December).

Discipleship Studies

1. memorize at least 25 verses/passages of Scripture (one down!)
2. work on memorizing the catechism
3. daily Bible reading
4. learn at least 10 new hymns (1-2 verses of each)
5. learn about the Bible (how we got it, names of books, etc.)

Disciplined Studies

1. practice reading aloud most days (he does this without me asking him)
2. read good literature together
3. learn vocabulary from reading, pause to learn and practice using during the week
4. handwrite personal notes and stories (he asks how to spell and I tell him... letters are how he does them)
5. begin practicing handwriting skills (focusing on letter formation) sometime
6. introduce copy work???
7. dictate letters, stories and summaries to mom (focus on sentence formation) - at his level
8. learn to tell time
9. learn money
10. learn to add and subtract numbers up to 10, with manipulatives

Discussion Studies

1. read good literature together
2. read about and discuss ancient civilizations and the Old Testament
3. read missionary biographies
4. explore geography through history and other reading and life
5. explore 4 different artists and their work
6. explore 4 different musicians and their work
7. read and enjoy poetry together
8. memorize 3-4 poems

Discovery Studies

1. allow time to explore drawing with different mediums
2. basic art introduction
3. build with "Wooden Logs", Legos, wooden blocks, etc.
4. provide opportunites for creative play
5. observe and read about seasons/weather
6. make a scrapbook of a dozen common wildflowers with leaves (naming them, describing, etc) - in the spring
7. do the same for leaves and flowers of 6 forest trees (fall and spring)
8. observe birds around us... know 6 birds by song, color and shape 
9. go on nature walks and keep a journal of observations (dictated to mommy) and drawn himself

Discretionary Studies (the extra things we want to work on)

1. care for own hygiene (teeth, bath, hands, etc.)
2. sweeping with a broom
3. spreading with a knife
4. peeling vegetables (supervised, of course)
5. cutting with a knife (supervised, of course)
6. grating cheese (supervised, of course)
7. stirring without making a mess
8. cleaning bathroom sink/counter/mirror
9. planting own garden - in the spring
10. piano lessons???

Looks a little crazy for a four year old, doesn't it???  Keep in mind that we're not going to do all of these every day.  Or even every week.  For example... we grabbed a leaf from a tree at church the other day.  One of these days we'll look it up.  :)  And then one day we'll put it on a piece of paper.

Also remember... this is looking back from the end of the year.  And if we don't do it all, I don't really care.  If he doesn't want to learn to write correctly yet... we'll wait.  Mostly, we're going to read.  And read.  And read!  Together.

I'd love to hear if you have questions about any of this.  I'll be more than happy to share specifics in a future post.  And if not... I'll just talk about what I want when I want to.  :)  Either way, our school year has "officially" begun, without grandeur, without ceremony.  We're just learning together... some days.  Other days we just play and clean.  :)  We really need to clean!

Labels: Homeschooling 2011-2012

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 7:25 AM 3 Comments

Vocabulary

This is our vocabulary list from today.  For my four year old.

It's not what you think.  We don't memorize these words, and we're not getting them off a list.

Starting today, as we come across words they don't understand in our reading, we take a moment to look them up, talk about them and write them down.

Would you ever guess that this list came from Genesis 1???  I mean, if you had no idea. :)

(I let the kids take turns picking the colors we used to write them out.  They liked that part!)

Labels: Homeschooling 2011-2012

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 10:29 PM 1 Comments