I must confess; I haven't always been a dedicated reader to my children.  Sure, we've always had books (our own and library books) and I have read them, but it wasn't something I really loved or something I put a lot of thought into.  Perhaps it was because I didn't know how or what book to choose.  It's funny because I love to read and I knew I wanted my children to love to read too.

So I did some investigating into Sonlight (and many other curriculums).  The very IDEA appealed to me and made me want to learn more.  I realized I could get book lists and create a curriculum with great books, without much expense.  However, I know myself and I knew that if I was going to succeed with homeschooling, I needed a plan - and NOT a plan that I had to spend hours putting together!  I'm not a natural born teacher, by any means.  Growing up I always said there is ONE profession I could not do.  I could NOT teach kids! 

LOL!  The Lord has His way of giving you tasks that you cannot do, so you have to rely fully on Him, huh?  It was the same way with children - I didn't even give the idea of children much thought, because I didn't like them!  And look at me now - married for 7 years with 4 young children.  And loving it - most of the time!

So anyway, now that we have finished our first week with Sonlight, I am so pleased to report that it is going well with the children.  For a few weeks beforehand, I had been purchasing the Core P3/4 (Core A) books and reading them to the children, and they loved it.  When the big box arrived, they didn't think it was unusual at all to have tons of books in the living room shelves!  Now the only problem is that they want to read ALL of them, every day!  Thankfully that means the TV is sloooowly getting pushed aside ... slowly.  Aaron is still clinging to his "kid shows".  We're weaning him from that!

All that said, here are some pictures I took today.  Serena had been reading to Maria as she was lying on the floor (P4/5's Family Time Bible).  I asked Serena if she wanted to sit on the couch with Maria and she could keep "reading".  I placed Maria next to Serena and then Aaron and Alayna hopped up with some books too!  Before long, they all were listening to Aaron read, "Katy and the Big Snow" (Mike Mulligan and More) from P3/4.

Precious, huh?!

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Posted by prayingforgrace

I too LOVE Math U See! And to see your littlest one checking out the book! So cool!

I don't always comment on your blog...(sorry) but I really love it. I check in about every week...so keep your post coming.

Your little girl (baby) is so cute! She makes me want to have another one...LOL! But I won't...can't actually.

Have a great weekend!
Susan

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Posted by Anonymous

Better send those pics into Sonlight for their catalog next year!! =) Super cute!! I can't wait for our new box to arrive for our new of schooling. We have a couple weeks to finish up on what we are on now and then I will put in an order while we take a little break. Eric keeps saying how amazed he is, after using SL, with how much our kids just LOVE books. Rarely is our TV on now just naturally. Most mornings I wake up to see the kids all in their own little corner or snuggled up on a sofa with a book in their face. I too said all growing up that teaching was NOT a gifting at all for me. Thankfully for SL they have made that aspect easy for me and my kids are learning despite my lack of teaching abilities.

Have fun with all those precious SL moments. I could look at those pics all day! I bet if I show my kids they will all be shouting out, "I remember when we did those stories!" =)

Don't you just love the family unity that this type of schooling brings about? You certainly have captured it here.

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Posted by Anonymous

Above comment was from me, Sarah (raiah). I forgot to sign it before posting.

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Posted by jennab

Doncha love literature based learning!!! Love those pictures!! That Maria...I could eat her with a spoon.

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Posted by TeamBettendorf

That is me above, not jenna!!

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Posted by UnlikelyMother

Susan - thank you! So far we're loving MUS. The only thing that bothers me is making sure EVERY SINGLE block is put away! In it's place! I am pretty picky about organization ... and my children aren't. ;-)

Raiah - Yes, I should send that in to the SL catalog! I also need to email you ...

Jenna/Katie - stop commenting on my blog. Doncha is NOT a correct word. :-p

And yes, I have found my "style" of teaching/learning. It makes so much sense! That's how I remember basic things - by reading enjoyable stuff, not textbooks.

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