faith

Time to Get Serious!

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Toward the end of each school year, I write a long list of assignments they must complete to be finished for the year.  They have the option to complete all of these in a week or so (if they work pretty hard), or take the recommended three weeks to complete it.  They also, could take longer if they desire, moving their school year into the hot, perfect for swimming months of June and July.  I give them this choice for them to work on their level of self-motivation. During the rest of the year, we go through most of the work together, so I know where they are and what they are reading and learning.  But at this special time, they have the option to finish early and savor the first sweet hints of summer.  This is not about speeding through and not digesting what they’ve read.  They have to be able to narrate the story to me.  Many times, I read the books too, because they are very entertaining and I always learn something.

What do you do to finish the year strong? Post a comment!

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In the Weeds

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Sophie-girl with a shovel in the back 40

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So pretty. Getting ready to have a birthday!

2-2012

Well, we have moved, gotten all settled in, figured out how to take care of the pool, the well, and the septic system, and now spring has sprung!  Well, at least the weeds of spring….they are popping up all over my 1.1 acre, and that’s A LOT of ground to cover with weed killer!!  Makes me think of God trying to weed stuff out of my life.  As I am squirting the weeds down, I am being ever so careful to not hit actual plants.  I notice also that good stuff and bad stuff can grow out of the same place.  Hmmmm..

Ok, so we are thinking that next year we will consider putting the kids into a 2 day a week co-op type program.  I am thinking about one that is just down the road, that I have never heard of, and where Sydney would be the highest grade they have.  I am also considering one that I have heard of that has lots of experienced people teaching and is a bit further away.  And so here are the complexities that come along with homeschooling….knowing when to give away some of the reins to someone else, and how to do it.  Praying to see God’s best for my children in all of this…..

To Add or Not to Add?

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Green Apple on Books

 

 

11-2010

Wowwee!  There are lots and lots of things to choose from in the realm of curriculum!  It is a beautiful, amazing world, full of possibilites…..but can also be COMPLETELY overwhelming to a homeschool newbie like myself.

When I strode into my first homeschool bookfair, I thought there’d be about 10 things to choose from.  I’d buy the best of the ten choices and be on my way.  Little did I know, I’d manage to find my way to the door hours later with a pounding headache and little to no idea of what I’d like to use!  It’s important to know that you absolutely do not have to buy anything when you go to these bookfairs – they are all on-line and appreciate your business either way.

I spent time looking over all of the literature, reading on-line reviews, and praying over my decision.  I ended up choosing a very good curriculum for our family and still wander from it from time to time, just for fun.

So now, I keep adding things and moving things around and massaging every detail.  Day to day doesn’t look too different from last week, but sometimes it is.  I am adding a keyboarding program for Sophie, who really hates writing.  I know that she will have to write sometimes in life…..or will she???  I am changing up math for the 3rd time.  Math has been difficult for me to get a bead on, but I think this new program is going to be IT (I always think that!).

All of my changes are relative to the things I am learning about my children.  As I learn more, I change things up to suit them and we keep on a-movin!  After all, isn’t that exactly the reason why I began homeschooling in the first place?  I wanted to zoom in on their special-ness and nuture it.  I wanted to make sure that they didn’t have to put up with the frustration that goes with a teacher who goes too slow or too fast for their taste.  All-in-all, they are better for it.  I am still adding and taking away and massaging, but I am also learning.  I am learning all about the special gifts that God has given my girls, and the special gifts He has given me by allowing us the time to do this……