• Jan. 25, 2009
Brittany's First Cake
Brittany's First Cake! She was so proud!
I think we need to have more practice with decorating LOL!
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• Jan. 23, 2009
End of our first week!
WE DID IT!!!
We made it through our first week. Brittany did extremely well, although she has requested that I challenge her a little more LOL. I took it easy on her this week, just trying to get a feel of her pace, however I took it maybe a little TOO easy. Next week I stepped things up just a bit. It will take me awhile to get it right I'm sure. Did anyone else go through the same thing at the beginning?
Today Brittany is sick with a cold, so we just did some baking. She is 14 years old and does not know how to cook or bake, I think it is time she learned. I started her easy, we baked a cake from a box. I made her do it on her own, with me just helping her along the way. The cake turned out great, and now we are just waiting for it to cool. Eventually I would like to teach her how to bake from scratch. ( I guess I could use some practice here as well!) Any fun (easy) recipes would be appreciated!!
I just want to say Thank you to everyone who has welcomed us with open arms and given support through our first week! We need all the help we can get! I will post pics tonight of Brittany's finished cake! I think next time we will try a double layer cake (from the box).
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• Jan. 21, 2009
Day Three
Today went great. We are LOVING the feedom of schooling at home!!! Brittany is understanding so much more already just by having things explained to her in a way that SHE understands instead of how a teacher THINKS she should understand. I worked with her on long division (writing it out instead of doing it on a calculator) and she understood it right away. We are going to practice more with it for the rest of this week and next week, and longer if need be.
Brittany is also finding out that she can actually ENJOY learning things she did not enjoy so much at school. She loved The Diary of Anne Frank video, and has even asked us to purchase a copy for her! Now that was a SURPRISE!!! She is also really interested in learning about the Dust Bowl!
Things are going great! My only regret is that we did not do this alot sooner!
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• Jan. 20, 2009
Day 2 of first week
Day two is over, it was another great day. I actually had time today to make my kids a decent breakfast (something we normally only do in the summer) and a nice dinner! I always knew that it took alot of time to take Brittany to school and pick her up (getting the twins ready, and out to the van) but I never realized HOW much time!! Of course I have a little more to do at night, such as going over her work, and planning planning and more planning, but it is well worth it!
Here is what we accomplished today:
Brittany worked more on Kansas History (we will be alternating between Kansas and World History). She started reading a book about the Dust Bowl which I am reading along with her. We also did a review on the video she watched.
Spelling: Worked on our first list of grade appropriate spelling words. She looked up and wrote the definitions as well as wrote sentences for each word.
English: Read more of Anne Frank, she will be reading this for awhile.
Family Values: Brittany spent time with me and her brothers as well. She is also going to be doing an hour of chores a day which she started yesterday.
Things I got accomplished today:
Read parts of the Home School Manual that I have checked out of the library and ordered a copy for myself. I also looked into HSLDA, and filled out an application, I am still a little unsure if I will sign up or not, but I am leaning towards it. Started next weeks schedule for Brittany, and ordered a Math and a Writing book from Amazon. Made worksheets for Brittany to work on.
A busy but good day :)
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• Jan. 19, 2009
Our First Day
Our first day homeschooling was AMAZING!!! Despite having to go to the school to pick up Brittany's things, and to drop off her school books, we were still able to stick to our schedule. We even had extra time to visit the library for some educational videos!
I was astounded at how natural it felt to teach Brittany myself even though she has spend most of her school years in public schools. The idea of homeschooling Brittany didnt emerge until the twins were born and I decided that I had come to my wits end with public schools, and that I would teach the twins at home. At first Brittany thought I was crazy, and that homeschooling was for "weird people", but over time she came to terms with the decision, and slowly but surely I would hear her voice her wish to school at home as well. I told Brittany it was a decision that she would have to think seriously about, and make herself. When she came to me and told me she wanted to school at home I couldnt have been more happy!
So our first day is over, and I couldnt be more sure that we have made the right decision. I am sure some tough days are ahead, however, there were tough days with Brittany in public schools also. Here is what we got accomplished today:
I tested Brittany in Math to see in what areas she needed some review. I found out that she does not know how to do even simple division without a calculator! I guess we will be working on division.
Brittany watched The Diary of Anne Frank, and read parts of Chapter one of the book for English.
For Science Brittany chose to check out a video on earthquakes and a book as well.
And last but not least, Brittany watched a video about the Dust Bowl for Kansas History. (I did as well. I did not grow up in Kansas and knew very little about this) We checked out another video for this subject and a book as well.
All in all, we got ALOT accomplished for our first day, and I am proud to be able to officially say that we are homeschoolers! 
