Feb. 5, 2009 - New plan
We are finally moved to our new home at Fort Hood, TX. We are still settling in, but we have a wondeful little home on post(base).
So after much prayer and consideration, I have decided to change our direction for school right now. I felt like I was pushing the academics too hard. We are going to slow down and ENJOY our time. I have owned Five in a Row for awhile now, but I've resisted it. Today is a new day and I am going to embrace it. We rowed Katy and the Big Snow last week. M and I were working on some notebooking pages for it on a Sunday evening. She looked over at me and asked,"Is this school, mama?" I said, "Yes, this is part of our new curriculum." To which she replied, "It doesn't feel like school, it's too much fun!". She learned tons last week as we went through Katy. Of course, we still have our battles with phonics and math, but I've taken a much more relaxed approach. More on math later. With C tagging along too, I think this will be a perfect fit. We will also add in First Language Lessons and Wrting with Ease a few times a week because I think it is important to add in grammar and copywork. We will also continue with our Bible lessons. Currently we are using Big Truths for Little Kids and Bible Study Guide for all ages. We will also add in science and history with living books and experiments, but right now it will be delight driven. M is very into science so I'm sure we'll keep busy with that. I'd like for them to have a good foundation in American History, as well, but we will get that through read alouds. I'm thinking of setting aside Saturday mornings to focus on geography. We'll make it more of a family event than a school type thing--country of the week and maybe cook some food together, etc. So anyway, that's the new plan. This week we are rowing Owl Moon and it has been a big hit.
Comments
Feb. 9, 2009 - Sounds like fun
Posted by independence
Glad you've found a good fit, it can be hard to find a good balance. I feel like I'm still working on it all the time!
It must be a relief to be settled in, I hope all is going well on that front.
RightStart has been so great for memorizing math facts without the kids realizing it. I had tried flash cards and math copywork in the past, and L was resistant. Now he is internalizing them effortlessly. Playing the games a lot helps.
I'm not organized or good at planning either, and that has been a learning curve for me with RS. The lessons are scripted, so you don't need to plan the lessons, but it would often call for something I hadn't cut out of the card stock yet. So there was a lot of waiting on me to gather my supplies and set it up. I finally went through and cut everything out at once, so it would be ready when we needed it, and divided things up into plastic sandwich bags so it would be easy to find, and then got a big container to keep it all in. So now I can just get the container out and set it beside us and have everything ready.
The biggest stumbling block for me was how time consuming it is, (the lessons and games), but I decided a sold math foundation is worth it, and so we don't get to history or science on many days; but like you mentioned, it's fine for content subjects to be delight driven and not consistent at these ages.
There's a quiz at RS that helps place you. It told me level B for L since he doesn't have his facts down, and I'm glad we went back to the beginning.
Have a great day!
Feb. 16, 2009 - Good idea
Posted by Anonymous
I love taking a relaxed approach when the children are younger. There is enough pressure when they get older to give them pressure when they are little.
Toni
http://thehappyhousewife.com
Feb. 24, 2009 - HOD
Posted by AprilB
Hi! Thanks for visiting my blog! We absolutely LOVE HOD! We are still liking it but we are a few weeks behind and I am hoping to get caught up before we start school for next year! lol Anyway, I am very happy that we found HOD and we will continue with it as long as we can! :-) Have a blessed day!
http://www.thebrowniebunch.blogspot.com
Mar. 5, 2009 - Love the pics!
Posted by Sheri
Shannon, I loved seeing these new pictures and hearing about your journey with homeschooling too. I totally agree with making school fun, relaxing, and enjoying the journey. I want our little ones to LOVE to learn, not just in a "school setting." And, I have wanted to purchase "Galloping the Globe." What do you think of it?
I will also pray for you whenever the Lord brings you to my mind regarding new friendships, a church home, etc. I wish I could just give you a hug dear friend! Military life certainly isn't easy(I totally understand), but I know the Lord has great plans for you at Fort Hood. I am sure that you are growing in new ways and that God is preparing you for an even deeper walk with Him during this time. Again, I will pray for you my friend and I look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Mar. 22, 2009 - FIAR
Posted by Anonymous
Hi- I saw your comment over at Song Of My Heart. We are just starting FIAR with our 4 yr old too. We also have a 7 yr old. I'm been struggling with feeling that our school days are too regimented also. I want a more relaxed and fun feel so I'm trying out FIAR.
BTW...we are a military family too... Air Force. We were last stationed in San Antonio and loved it. We hope to get back there soon. Deployments are hard...you have our well wishes and prayers.
Stop by for a visit some time:
http://oursunnyside.blogspot.com
