Posted in School

Our "official" school year is over, as we've reached and surpassed the required 180 days.  We're on homeschool "lite" for the summer, just doing fun things like Ancient History (yes, the kids like it!), Shiller Math, reading about missionaries, and perhaps starting science. 

Yesterday the kids dutifully practiced their writing - something I am still requiring until they complete their books - my son actually did a whole bunch so he could be done.  When I thought we were done for the day, my daugher begged to study verbs - apparently she enjoyed the lessons I was haphazardly throwing together as I attempted to sneak some First Language Lessons in.  I had to let the secret out, and she still wanted to study verbs, so out came the book.   My son is also enjoying the lessons, though he has only just started the book - he asked for his Language lesson a couple days ago as well.  It looks like I'm going to have to teach Language over the summer, at least as often as they request it!  LOL!

Honestly, I'm so pleased we have found curriculum that's easy for me to use and fun for the kids.  I am hoping that Considering God's Creation will be that way for science.  I have an older teacher's guide which doesn't include the student pages or music CD.  After looking through it and the publisher's website, I decided it was worth it to purchase the updated curriculum package and use this curriculum over the next year...or 3, depending on how fast we move through the material.  I was pleased to see it's designed for 2nd - 7th grade, as my daughter is 3rd grade age (but works above grade level), and my son, although only 6, can work at least at a 2nd grade level.  Both love science - I'm the one who is "science-challenged."  It's not that I don't enjoy it or know a lot about it, but it's hard to pull together the materials for experiments and actually take the time to do them, especially while taking care of a toddler and 2 babies.  Of course, now that we have a nanny, that shouldn't be so challenging either.

There's been a question in the back of my mind of when to start schooling my 2-year-old, and how much...but I think I'm going to let her continue to learn what she wants to on her own with my encouragement and direction.  And then when she turns 3 we'll probably start working on learning to read using short lessons - one of the several programs I have on hand.  She has amazed me by knowing how to count at least to 20 (very seldom skipping a number), counting to 10 in Chinese, recognizing all her colors and most of her shapes, and even recognizing some letters/sounds and numbers.  For now I'll continue reading to her and folowing her interests.

And what about my 4-month-old twins?  Well, I figure I'll give them at least a year before we do anything formal!  LOL!