A few months ago one of the blogger I read wrote on reasons why their family homeschool, and, I could totally relate with their reasons. So instead of rewriting such a post, I thought I would simply direct you to her post, as it is very well writting and explained.
This weeek was a regular week, with no major happening except for the normal usual regular learning.
We've moved on in our Geography. Zachary has been enjoying Daily Geography Practice, Grade 1 , where we are learning about maps, lands, oceans, rivers, plains, canyons, deserts, plains, cities, directions. These days that is his favorite subject along with Science and, what is supposed to be a weekly subject, has become almost daily, and he always wants to do it first.
In Science we have moved on to learning about the next kingdom, Plants, after learning about the animal kingdom last week. We have also learned some things about electricity, as Zach had been interested in that. I was able to finally get some books from the library on the subject, and he has been reading them, as well as watching a few videos on the topic.
Math and Reading went on as planned.
In his Singapore Math he has reached subtraction within 100 and that has been more of a challenge, but he is getting there. We are just going through it, and will be done with the book probably by Easter, at which time I am planning to do review and games to solidify all the concepts he has touched on.
Singapore math is a fast pace curriculum and emphasizes mental learning and calculation. It fits Zach very well who is not a hand-on learner so much, although I do pull out the abacus and some manipulatives from time to time to illustrate the concept, or when he is having a hard time figuring it out. But the problem is sometimes you are not sure of how well he actually gets it. I looked up what the concepts will be in the next series of books and realized that they do come back over the same concepts. Overall we really like it.
For some reason he is not as excited with the First Language Lesson as he used to at the beginning, probably because it is becoming a bit more technical and he does not like details, but he still enjoys it somewhat. We've been covering contractions, the different kinds of verbs, which includes going through all these helping, linking verb lists, and have started on adjectives. We have also started dictation, which of course he is not thrilled about, since he really does not like writing, but I can see the potential. To minimize the amount of printing he has to do I have been skipping the copywork part.
We also have been doing some spelling using Natural Speller, by writing out words or short sentences made up of words from the grade 1-2 list.
Another subject he has been doing is handwriting using Manuscript Writing ! by School Zone. And he actually does not mind doing these.
Johann has also been doing some math and phonic worksheets and playing lots of games.
Yesterday we had a great time going to a concert put on by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, where we got to listen to great music and fun ones like a paper bag quartet concierto, and a typewriter concierto (which was my favorite). The concert ended with a piece called paddywalk where the lead musician was a tapdancer. The piece was based on This Old Man musical idea; it was pretty cool.
The rest of the time this week was filled with lots of free pretend play (give it a guess), lots of reading and computer time, and of course our regular circle time with lots of singing.
Today I would like to share with you all a great resource that came to my attention. It is a compilation of great resource links for your homeschool. Make sure you check it out:
Before the cross I kneel and see
The measure of my sin
How You became a curse for me
Though You were innocent
The magnitude of Your great love
Was shown in full degree
When righteous blood, the crimson spill
Rained down from Calvary
Chorus
Oh, the precious blood
That flowed from Mercy’s side
Washed away my sin
When Christ my Savior died
Oh, the precious blood
Of Christ the crucified
It speaks for me before Your throne
Where I stand justified
And who am I that I should know
This treasure of such worth
My Savior’s pure atoning blood
Shed for the wrath I’d earned
For sin has stained my every deed
My every word and thought
What wondrous love that makes me one
Your priceless blood has bought
Bridge
A crown of thorns, pierced hands and feet
A body bruised, and Mercy’s plea
Another Friday is upon us. For some reason it seems that January is going slower that previous months. It could be because I have been trying to make our homeschool run more smoothly than it has been, and also because I have a list of things that I would like to do that seems to remain untouched.
How was our week? Well it was overall a good week.
We've gone through our regular subjects: Math, English, spelling, science, geography and even Reading.
Zach has been resisting reading from his reader,s (BJU, which I really love), because he does not like fiction for one, and because he finds it too long. So I have not been forcing him too hard because he reads plenty of other things and because he reads very well. But sometimes I try to still make him and have him do some form of narration about it.
This week we did something different for our science as I was not able to print out the next unit of the classic science that we use.
We kept on with our circle time as well, (the post on it got finally done). Sometimes it ends up being when we do our morning devotion ritual, which normally happens at the breakfast table.
This week we also had a trip to the Science Center which was compounded with a playdate with friends.
This week I have also finally followed through something I have been wanted to do which is having a time of audio book listening. I had scheduled it before dinner, while or after clean up time, but somehow it never seemed to be happening. Finally this week we've done it. They've listened to and enjoyed: I Stink! Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel Choo Choo Caps for Sale
Here are some more pics of what they have been up to:
Building an apartement building Building a house Some art:
Our police station and jail:
The hospital:
Some train time
The kids new addiction on top of everything else, is Legocity.com which they found on their own.
I finally come around to write this post on our new homeschool addition: Circle time
Reading different blogs I came across this concept of having the kids doing some learning time together with mom. This often took the form of a circle time.
So here is how it goes. Before we go into our formal school subjects, or in the case of Joho, to his activities, we gather on the sofa and do the following:
Sing a song - I use you tube where they can see the words and sing along.
Read either a poem, a bible story or a classic read-aloud
We go over house rule, or discuss a character trait
Study and practice some french
Here is how I schedule these activities for the week:
So far it has been going pretty well, although sometimes Joho is not cooperative, but in the whole it has been a nice addition. We have been learning and discussing quite a few things that sometimes get missed during the day. Zach likes this time together and he gets to talk and say what is on his mind regarding the things that we read.
This is a late post but we are still in January so I think it is ok.
I am not much of a resolution person, but I think having some goals and plans is a good thing. So here we are.
What I am hoping to accomplish this year:
For myself:
Be more in the Word of God.
Be more consistent with the kids, and by this I mean, not give up on what I am trying to do, especially character wise, but keep my eyes on the long term objectives. Parenting is not as much about the immediate results (although we should get some of that), as much as the long term goal of raising up men who love God and want to live for His glory.
Be a godly example to the kids
Be more of a planner and keeping the house in order.
With my Husband write out a family mission statement
For the kids
Immerse them in godly living, the Word of God, songs of praise, doctrine and Bible verses
Continue to work on character training and household involvement
Continue to nourish their academic minds
Expose them to more subjects
Continue to challenge their interests in new things
Continue to encourage and nurture their interests and gifts
Teach them love and compassion for others
Include more outdoor time and physical activities
I know I can't keep up with these but I know with the Lord's help and grace I can; so above all, my biggest plan of the year is to really be a woman of prayer.
I am a christian wife and mother to 2 beautiful young boys who just started on the homeschooling journey. My desire is to train my children in the ways of the Lord while giving them a good education, all for the glory of our great and wonderful God. The road is not easy, specially when you try to do things God's way but the reward is well worth the effort.
To God be the Glory!
, where we are learning about maps, lands, oceans, rivers, plains, canyons, deserts, plains, cities, directions. These days that is his favorite subject along with Science and, what is supposed to be a weekly subject, has become almost daily, and he always wants to do it first.
, by writing out words or short sentences made up of words from the grade 1-2 list.
by School Zone. And he actually does not mind doing these. 
