This is an attempt to create a schedule for our homeschool this year. This isn't written in stone -- LOL

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Bible	Bible	Bible	Bible	Bible
Memory Verses	Memory Verses	Memory Verses	Memory Verses	Memory Verses
Math-U-See	Math-U-See	Math-U-See	Math-U-See	Math-U-See
Reading *	Reading *	Reading *	Reading *	Reading *
Handwriting	Handwriting	Handwriting	Handwriting	Handwriting
Spelling *J	Spelling *J	Spelling *J	Spelling *J	Spelling *J
Konos Unit	Konos Unit	Konos Unit	Konos Unit	Konos Unit
Physical Ed	Music	Choir @ Church	Physical Ed	Art/Handwork
Nature Study	Life Skills	Nature Study	Life Skills	Nature Study

As clarification our Bible will consist of me reading out loud from the Psalms, Proverbs and the Gospels to the boys.  We will also be using the K5 curriculum from Positive Action. org. Once we finish that, then we'll move to 1st grade.

We are finishing Math-U-See Primer. Joshua is on lesson 18. Due to the long summer break, we are starting at the beginning with Caleb. Once he does some instense review, then he'll be on lesson 9. When they finish with the Primer, then they will move to Alpha.

Reading - Caleb is using Headsprout.com -- excellent program. It is all online and is phonics based. As part of the program, there are flashcards and stories. Because Joshua has  completed this program, I already have the flashcards and stories ready to use. The flashcards will help to reinforce what has been learned.

Reading - Joshua is working his way through the A Beka 1st grade readers. Right now he is reading from Stepping Stones. He has already finished Fun with Pets and Tiptoes. I'll also supplement with different easy to read books from our home library and the public library. Of course he will also be reading to Caleb from the First Steps Bible and other easy readers.

Handwriting - We use Handwriting without Tears. We'll be starting with the Kindergarten and then moving to the 1st grade.  Also part of our handwriting is practicing any scripture we are trying to memorize and our numbers for math, . Joshua is reasonably good about writing his numbers. Whereas Caleb really needs a lot of practice.

Spelling - Joshua will be doing some simply spelling of words. He has been trying to spell different words for a bit now. So we are going to start out very easy with him and see what happens.

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??!!