The Front Porch is hosting a First Day of School Challenge and it sounded like fun, so here goes. Unfortunately, I read about it AFTER the fact and failed to take pictures. However, I DID take pics from earlier this summer (I'll get to our school day, I promise).

I took these about 10:30 one weekday morning. Though I'm not totally comfortable with the idea of unschooling, I do find that my children tend toward fairly enriching activities on their own.

Brayden did some drawing. Note his leg up on the table. Apparently, that helps with creativity. He'd wanted to draw a skateboarder so we found a Google image that I printed out and he attempted to copy.

Skylar was checking out some US States flashcards. I swear, he pulled them out all on his own.

And Paige was folding clothes while listening to a book on tape. Yes, the folding is on her chore list!

So that was a typical summer day. Now on to "school".

We actually started what I call "school light" this week. Since we had Monday off, I'm still trying to work on the house and I have a meeting in Pendleton on Thursday, we're just getting our feet wet. I bought both Paige and Skylar planners, letting them choose one that they liked. They each have several subjects they'll be doing on the computer or that they can do on their own each day. I wrote these out on the appropriate days in their planners, as well as any activtivities we have coming up.

Both Paige and Sky are using Teaching Textbooks (5 & 7) this year. I set those up and they each did a lesson. Actually, Skylar enjoyed it so much he did two! Works for me.

I also loaded Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing. Paige did six lessons and Skylar did two. Obviously, they liked that as well.

I'm trying a Switched On Schoolhouse Language Arts module with Paige. We set that up and did a lesson. We'll see how it goes. Skylar did a spelling lesson from one of his workbooks.

I worked with Brayden on Saxon Math 1 and Scaredy Cat Reading. (He really likes this)

Then we all played The Farming Game for Kids. I have a lot of great games that I generally don't take advantage of. I'm really going to try and fit them in this year.

Next week we start "real school". I'm using a combination of The Mystery of History and Story of the World. I found a list online that combined the reading from the two. I also found a list that added corresponding Bible reading. I am really excited about this. I've added lots of good read alouds to the program and found 2-3 movies each week on Netflix that correspond to what we'll be learning. Our first book is Adam and His Kin by Ruth Beechick, though it still hasn't arrived. (Hopefully, by Monday!)

We'll also be using Artistic Pursuits once or twice a week and Exploration Science once or twice a week. There are quite a few craft/art projects included in our Mystery of History curriculum, as well as mapping and timeline work. Skylar and Paige will also be doing IEW Writing a couple of times a week.

I'm pretty excited about next week, as are the kids. I see my copy of, "It's Disgusting and We Ate It" is available on hold for me at the library! :-)