Well school starts tomorrow morning. Another year on the horizon and things are looking great. My son is excited even though most of his friends don't start school for a couple more weeks.  He is like me in that I also loved going to school. I really enjoyed learning all I could. Yes, I was a geek. LOL But a cool geek, I hung out on the bus ramp. I hope when my son thinks back on his school years he, too, has fond memories of things we did and places we went.

      We begin the 5th grade this year. I cannot believe my only baby is in double digits already. It seems just like yesterday he was toddling around the house getting into everything. And now I hear him having "deep" conversations about Poke`mon with his friends. In this summer between 4th and 5th grade there has been growth in this young man. God is working in his life daily. He has such a heart for God and His Word. He is ready for Awana to begin again. He is looking forward to seeing the book for 5th grade. He has heard it is hard.

       His schedule for this year is full. His schedule will look like this for 2007-2008

 Monday-Thursday  

     Bible, English, Latin, Math, Spelling, Vocabulary, Awana Verses, McGuffey Readers for reading out loud practice.

 Monday and Wednesday only

     History

 Tuesday only

     Health course for 7 weeks

 Tuesday and Thursday

     Reading,Science

  Friday

      Tests for chapters or units completed, Spelling Part E and Spelling Test

This does not include the extra curricular like:  Tone Chimes, Children's Chior, Bowling, Soccer, Homeschool Group Activities, Awana meetings

I really give funny looks when someone says "What about socialization?" With our schedule he gets plenty of social skill work out. I think he is socialized plenty, and with other like minded children who are also Children of God. He does not lack social skills in the least. And it allows dear ole` mom some time with other grow ups.

Enough on that, now onto to fun things I will try out this year in school. We are going to add some lapbooks, notebooking, and a timeline to our studies this year. Mostly in the history and sciences but still it is new to us. I think it will be fun. I have gotten some great free ones from www.homeschoolestore.com and www.notebookingpages.com and bought a few from both of them and from www.handsofachild.com I really cannot wait to try them all out.  I bought one from hands of a child to do in my Sunday School Class on Who is Jesus? I think the kids have had a great time doing it. I showed them my decorated folder today and they were all excited about putting theirs together next Sunday. We have worked on the material all summer. And next week is our last meeting for this term and we will be putting them all together. I can't wait to see how they look. So with this practice under my belt my son and I will begin a new year using some new tools to add a little more to our studies. I hope they create for him some really great memories of our time schooling together.

Well I will close for now. I hope to get back here tomorrow to fill you in on our first day and how things went. Have a great day or evening and Thanks for reading my blog.

Tanya