If you are a homeschooling family, I would really like to hear what you are doing and how you're doing it! Some days I feel we do a really great job in the learning department. Other days I worry that I'm not giving her enough. Today was a great day. This is what we did: 9please remember that I am also juggling the 3 year old who thinks he can do anything "DEET" can do)
Read Proverbs 12 from The Message
She picked out a verse to copy for handwriting practice
Math...subtraction intro and addition review
3 Worksheets and 1 Test
Run through of flashcards 2 times
Chapter book reading
Art
Cutting, Pasting, Tracing activities
Folding Towels (fractions)
Counting by 10's
Playtime outside
Computer game (educational)
This takes us about 3-4 hours to do. I struggle with keeping her busy for much longer than that most days. I am noticing that if I provide her with things to do in her down (not school) time she is grasping for more educational type things...books, computer, crafts and games. This makes me know that she is enjoying learning. Isn't that one of the most important things....that she is a lifetime lover of learning? I hope so!
So, no matter how much I second guess myself on this whole homeschooling issue, I know that it's what God has called me to do right now...for such a time as this.
Let me know what you're doing if you are a homeschooling family. I'd love to hear your ideas and strategies.
3 comments:
Gina, keep running the race. Homeschooling can be a challenge. I have 2-1st grade,3rd grade, and my big challenge is getting one busy enough to have time to teach the next. We're using (for now) Horizons Math, Bob Jones English & Reading, History-Beautiful Feet-Early American History, Science-"How did God do that?"- a great book I found through CBD. Then we add Handwriting and Spelling...the spelling is through Rod and Staff. Usually if I can get Bethany started in Math and English, then while she's doing worksheets I have time to work with Daniel in math. If she finishes early, then I have her do spelling, and then I can turn Daniel loose in his spelling or Explode the Code while I work with Bethany. He sits in on our History reading, and usually plays with math manipulatives while we do science together. For the two of them it's about 4-5 hours. I'm sure there are others who are more efficient than I, and could do it in less. My greatest prayer need is in the area of consistency. I think we tend to be hardest on ourselves, atleast I do. Everyone feels differently about testing, but we will do the IOWA test in May just to see where we are, or confirm where we feel we are. They belong to the Lord. If I teach them to fear and love God and keep His commands, and raise them to give Him glory and live for Him daily, then I've succeeded! Sorry for the length. What curriculum are you using? (looking at mystery of history for next year, possibly NOEO Science as well). Math is the booger for me, and I'm always wondering what I should use. What do you use in Math?
Thanks so much for your encouragement. It's tough finding that balance between personal pressure and the "God calling" I feel with homeschooling my kids.
We use Saxon Math. Someone gave it to me this past year and I really like it. Last year I used Horizon and I liked it too. Our local school district uses Saxon, so I feel like we are right on target if we use that curriculum. I've heard Horizon is one of the more difficult Math curriculums. Savannah didn't have any trouble with it, but that was Kindergarten!
Have a great day!
At the private school I taught at, I really enjoyed the Bob Jones Curriculum in English and Reading.
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