From PreK to College

Amazing Minds

2009-10-12T10:54:00.000-07:00

I am in awe everyday of the things that my children know. Sometimes they learn something in our homeschool coop that I never learn about until they come across it in everyday life. Then they just tell us the information like it is something they have known forever and it's no big deal. Effortless teaching... gotta love it! Kids are definitely like sponges. They have inquiring minds and are just waiting for someone to fill their empty void with knowledge. I want my kids to learn as many things as possible effortlessly. The things they learn from living life that just stick. This is a definite plus to homeschooling!

Time of Change

2009-09-15T18:35:00.000-07:00

I know that with the new president he is attempting to make changes that in his opinion will change our country for the better. Well there are a few things I definitely disagree with. One of them being the Health Care Reform. I sent an email to my senator today encouraging them to oppose H.R. 3200. I am asking those of you who feel the same way to do so as well. Here is a copy of what I sent to my Senator:
“Please oppose H.R. 3200, the ‘America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009.’ In a time of economic hardship, the federal government should not take on a program that will double our national debt. I am also opposed to H.R. 3200’s creation of home visitation/early education programs through grants to the states. Parents, not federal or state officials, should make child-rearing decisions for their young children. Additionally, H.R. 3200 will expand the federal government’s role and will interfere with medical decisions between me and my doctor, as well as use my tax dollars to pay for someone else’s abortion.”
You can find more information on this at the home school legal defense website. we have all got to start speaking out for the sake of our kids and our country.

the Art teacher

2009-09-01T16:09:00.000-07:00

Well the first day of our homeschool coop went well. So well in fact that tomorrow will be week 2 of coop. The days seem to be going by more quickly now that school has started back up. It seems as though the day is nearly over just as soon as it has begun. The only thing that seems to drag by is my art lessons. I have to be quite honest in saying that I am not enjoying teaching art. I am definitely not the artistic type. I think art in all forms is beautiful; don't get me wrong. But I haven't got the slightest clue as to what famouse artist drew what picture and what I can use that picture with to teach the kids. Example: The other lead art teacher last week taught about shapes in art. She used a picture from Picasso to illustrate the shapes in art and also abstract art. She did an excellent job of getting the point across to the kids. She is teaching the lesson this week as well, but next week is on me. I am supposed to each primary colors. So I'm thinking ok... the color wheel, and... ugh it's not going well. I will keep you posted on this as the year goes on. All I can say is pray for better understanding of art on my part (for the kids sake).

Houston, I think we have got it

2009-08-18T13:10:00.000-07:00

The last two days have been such a relief for me. The princesses reading skills finally seem to be coming together. They have been able to sound out words for a long time now but each time the words seemed new; like something they had never seen before. They just weren't retaining it! Therefore, the reason I ordered the McGuffey readers for school this year. It sounded like it had a much better phonics grounding and so far is proving itself to be true. In 3 short weeks we have graduated from 1 and 2 letter words to 3 and 4 letter words. Hooray if we keep up at this rate the princesses will be very fluent readers by the end of 1st grade. I'm so proud of them!
I am also considering moving them from print writing to cursive this year. Their handwriting improved dramatically over the summer on its own and I feel that the challenge of cursive would be welcome to them. I'm still contemplating this and wanting to make sure I don't leap too fast for their sakes.
Today we got back into addition (which we haven't done since early spring). With the Ray's Arithmetic system we are using they teach in sentence form instead of jumping in with number problems right away. This also seems to be much more natural to them. For example: 2 and 1 are 3. They seem to understand that it says the same thing as 2+1=3.
And to brag just a little more on them... The princesses have learned 3 obediences verses from the bible and are working on their 4th. They are Ephesians 6:1, Colossians 13:20, and Hebrews 5:9. The new one is Hebrews 13:17. It seems like memorizing these and talking about them regularly has also helped to remind them of the reasons that they are to obey. Thank you Lord for reminding me and them!
Oh and don't let me forget... my sweet little man! He has learned the letters Aa, Bb, and Cc (by site). he also knows the 1st 2 memory verses. He is growing and learning so much. How wonderful a learning mind can be!

We just got started...

2009-08-17T05:24:00.000-07:00

Good Morning all! Today marks the beginning of 3 weeks of homeschooling 1st grade. It seems to still be going well. Except for the fact that my girls still want to know when they get to start REAL SCHOOL.I know I can't be the only homeschooling parent who gets this question, right? That goes to show how much media plays a role in the minds of our children. We have talked to them about the reason we homeschool, but all they see is that lots of other kids get to leave mommy and daddy (and home) to go someplace else for the day. Plus they got to see alot of those kids hustling about at all the stores buying school supplies and clothes. We bought those things to, but I guess because I wasn't in a tizzy and fretting over why they didn't have enough red 2" binders they didn't get the same experience.
This week will be a short school week for us because the daddy and I will be going out of town for a few days to celebrate 10 years together. Plus grandma will be coming in to take over while we are gone. Then the following week our homeschool coop starts! Every Wednesday we will meet with other homeschooling families to help one another in training/ teaching our children. And the kids will get to make new friends. After reading through a brief of STORY OF THE WORLD VOL. III, I am excited for the things they will be learning in history this year. However, I am asking for many prayers as I feel for all the poor children who will be taking ART under yours truly (the stick figure drawing type). None the less the school year is underway. How are your first couple of weeks going?

School is back in session

2009-08-06T15:33:00.000-07:00

Today was day 2 of 1st grade. The girls seem to be doing just fine (so far) with the Mcguffey method. I hope to have 2 good, strong readers in a few short months. We will be using Phonics Made Plain for the next little bit before switching to the McGuffey readers. I'm excited and hopeful for the year ahead of us. Their handwriting has naturally improved over the summer without practice. Thank you Lord for natural timing! Most of their handwriting practice over the year will be from the bible verses that we will be learning. As we move into the McGuffey readers they will also have writing and grammar practice. Our Bible study this year will come from the "Little Keepers at Home" book. (We also have "Little Contenders for the Faith" for little man this year). We will be using Ray's Arithmetic for the entire year. So far it is a recap of things that we have previously learned, but the year ahead looks promising. I like the progression of learning that is used in this curriculum. We will not spend much time on science or history at home this year. Thanks to a wonderful group of families we will be starting a new coop this year. This will be a new adventure for us and we are hoping to make some lifelong friends for ourselves as well as the kids. The kids will get a weekly dose of "Story of the World- Modern Times", art, pe, and many other things. We start in just a few short weeks. I hope your year ahead is looking to be just as promising- I will keep you posted with little snipits as the year goes on.

The reason's we homeschool

2009-07-29T13:39:00.000-07:00

Did you know that one day you would homeschool your child? I didn't, but I know many mom's who did. We all choose to homeschool for different reasons. Medical conditions such as extreme allergies make some parents aware of the need to keep their kids home. Living in a large city can make the decision for others. I do not live in a big city and have very healthy children. Yet the decision to homeschool was made. Whatever the reason; as a parent we have the right to choose. For us it truly came down to the spirit of our children. Would they have known their Lord and savior as deeply had they gone to school? possibly. Would they have the chance to grow up close to one another? again, it's possible. However, we wanted their spirits to be uplifted... filled with the joy that only the Lord can give them, and we wanted it for them everyday. With this decision comes regret and hesitation as well. Can we really do it? Will we somehow mess them up instead? Not if we let the Lord guide us. But what about sports? Oh how the Daddy and I love sports! We both played several in school and sports are probably what kept us the most grounded in high school. Would our kids regret not getting to do sports? Maybe. But then are we professionals in any sport? No just like many others we grew up and sports fell behind us. Besides what is wrong with community sports like baseball/softball and soccer. Our town even offers basketball and cheerleading. How about there social life... will they be ok socially? absolutely! The homeschooling families I know are almost over socialized.

We owe some of our decision to homeschool to a few close friends who have taken on the responsibility themselves and to the book "So you're thinking about homeschooling" by Lisa Welchel. You might remember her from the tv show The Facts of Life. She is a homeschooling mom and loves to share her heart with others. Whatever the reason is; you should definitely educate yourself. It is always easier to make a decision once you have heard from others in the same shoes you are. And don't forget to pray... this is the best source to combat confusion. The Lord wants us to come to him and he is there to answer!

The time is near...

2009-07-28T12:45:00.000-07:00

Fellow homeschoolers the time is near for us to step into our teaching shoes. For some of us we have been to conventions, organized the schoolroom, bought curriculum, signed up for local coops/groups and started planning out the first semester of school. For others we are still skimming over curriculums- trying to make the decision, maybe still tossing the idea of homeschooling back and forth in our minds, and feel like we will be doing well to have day 1 ready when it gets here. No matter if we are the most prepared/organized or the least; the time is near. So as you wind down your summer I hope you will consider me a new friend. One you can look up when times seem tough, or just someone to share the joy of your child learning to read with. Until then I hope you enjoy my new blog.