I've been enjoying a few different blogs today. A few realizations from reading these blogs today is that I need more "quiet time activites" for the boys. I like to have "quiet activities" available to them upon waking so that there isn't the temptation by either child or adult to turn on that TV for them.  And because I might be working more one-on-one this year, I need to think about some activity bags for Caleb. He really enjoys manipulatives so that is a plus. Whereas Joshua enjoys music, so maybe some stories on tape/cd. Not sure just rolling things around in that open space called a brain. LOL

I was also inspired to begin to really plan at least part of our upcoming school year. We attempted to start slowly last week and I'm sure you heard the "fizzling out" that we did, didn't you???   So I thought that because I do believe and desire for our school to be focused on the Bible and Jesus, then I should start my planning there. It's not much, but here is what I have so far.

From e-Bay I purchased The First Steps Bible, although you can purchase used ones through Amazon. The boys had one of these kids Bibles when they were much younger and unfortunately didn't take care of it. After Joshua finished Headsprout last year, I figured that Joshua would be able to read these stories and he's proved me right. So as part of school this year I want him to begin reading to Caleb. Martin and I agree that this will benefit everyone. We want Joshua to become more comfortable reading outloud. I want this to be a "service" type activity that Joshua can do for his brother - without either of them realizing it right now. Last year we had some issues with Caleb accepting Joshua's help with memorizing scripture. Because of that I am hopeful that Caleb will be more accepting of Joshua reading to him. Of course I want them both to have more reading time and to have more moment when they aren't fighting.

The schedule I've created so far is simply one day Joshua reads a story from the Old Testament selections and the next day it's from the New Testament. I am confident that Joshua can manage to read one of these stories a day to his brother. But we are willing to alter the plan if needed. We'll be starting this Monday and by reading only on weekdays, he'll finish The First Steps Bible by early October.

Even though Joshua is going to have "scheduled" daily Bible reading, they will also be asked to pick a Bible from the curriculum cabinet to read for 5-10 minutes every morning. This is my attempt to bring them to a place of daily quiet time with the Lord.  Unfortunately I still struggle in this area, so we are all learning together. But that's what families and homeschooling do the best, right??!!