Randi, over at I Have to Say, is hosting Back To Homeschool Week - so I am taking part in this week's festivities -Tuesday, August 7---How do you homeschool?Scheduling, classical education, unschooling, getting the kids to help with chores, how to be "mom" and "teacher" at the same time, special needs, teaching an advanced child, how to teach the tough subjects, teaching high school, teaching with babies and preschoolers in the house, budgeting for homeschool supplies, notebooking, etc., etc., etc...
Wow - let's see - since I taught school I kind of formulate my curriculum based on what each of my kids each need. So our curriculum is not from all one company - it is wide and varied!! I lean toward Charlotte Mason ideas (for those of you homeschoolers - you will probably know what that means!!) and using LOTS of literature!!! Hmmm, wonder where that comes from?!?! I also do a lot of letting the boys help each other - correct each others' spelling, give each other flashcard tests, pre-read writing assignments with each other before I ever read them, etc. I also have each of them do some reading/working with Chloe each day - she loves it and it gives me some time for more one-on-one for each of them. Since adding Chloe, I have had the fun challenge of keeping a little one busy during the school time. We have found some great curriculum to use with her - one of my favorites is Little Hands to Heaven by Carrie Austin. This one is set up day-by-day and tells you exactly what to do - learning letters, numbers, etc. Another great one is an all online curriculum called Brightly Beaming. This is another one that has worked well for us and it is set up by a theme each week - then adds letter, numbers, etc. I like their focus on nursery rhymes too - I think that's important and lots of curriculum forget that!
Wednesday, August 8---Getting out there...Extra-curricular activities, community involvement, volunteering, sports teams, music lessons, making sure your kids have opportunities to be social, co-ops, etc., etc., etc...
All of our boys take piano lessons, and we have started guitar with our oldest as well. Our piano teacher is wonderful and involves the kids in duet contests and solo contests. We meet with a couple of other families each week and do some science units, writing projects, etc. This year we are going to be doing an Iowa Unit Study together - I am excited about that and think it will be fun to do together. Another wonderful thing that we have here is a larger group that meets twice a month - they "hire" teachers and do PE, Music, Art and Science together. I like that larger group setting, but yet it's only for a few hours on a weekday - my boys enjoy this as well. All of our boys play hockey too - if you've read our blog for any length of time, you are WELL AWARE of this fact!! They love hockey, but WOW - it does consume our winter months!! It is great exercise though and a wonderful way to learn team sports, etc. Our library also offers programming for homeschoolers - a science class taught by our county naturalist once a month, etc. We try to do all of those things that we can - our kids are very social and LOVE to be with their buddies!!!(So there you go - I squeezed two days into one here!!)
17 comments:
As a former school teacher I also find myself individualizing and leaning very much towards Charlotte Mason style.
Wow, that's cool. I used to teach before I had kids, but don't know how well I would do with my own. I really respect people who choose to do it, and do it well. Hope this school year is a great one. (Mine go to school next Monday!)
wow! sure sounds like home schooling has its benefits. I like hearing about it.
Hmmmm . . . wonder who those winter sports and reading assignments are inspired by???? You do a terrific job with your kids!
it amazes me how you can be so busy yet always be so cheerful.I would be Oscar the Grouch very soon.
Your boys are the most well mannered boys for their age I've ever met.Very grown up and thoughtful.At least around me.
What great posts about homeschooling! Thanks for stopping by -- it has really helped to know that I am not the only one who has struggled with this! :)
This is impressive, and very interesting!
I am not sure I would be good at that.
I read your last post - and have decided that I have MUCH To learn. *L*
Great ideas though - about having the bigs work with the littles. :-)
I've used that "trick" but it's usually play time - but that's because J-man couldn't talk. This year - I may have my bigs work with his therapy words and colors and letters and numbers. :-) We'll see how that goes. I've got a week.
Thanks for the curriculum ideas for your 3 year old. Mine will be four in October and meets the cut off date for our puplic school every day (4 hours a day) pre-k, but I just can't send him...he is still a baby! I love having him learn with us, but want to get him a few things of his own. I am going to check this out. Thanks!
I want some of your energy!! I can hardly imagine doing all of that for one child.
I'm with you on the learning from literature!! That was my FAVORITE thing to do as a teacher.
I would find a book I loved and create curriculum to go with it.
You sound very similar to me in your homeschooling!
That is so awesome, Becky!
I am so happy you decided to shed some light on this subject.
I will definitely be checking into some of that cirriculum for Lily...it sounds wonderful and I have been thinking I really need to be working with her on a lot of these things. I'll e-mail you.
Very helpful post. We just started our second week of homeschooling and I am still feeling a bit overwhelmed. In my heart I know it is the best thing for our son but I am still a bit nervous.
Happy School year
What a great blog! I love the look you have here, all of the flowers, its so pretty. I enjoyed reading your post. We're very literature based as well. Thanks so much for sharing. God bless! :)
I enjoyed reading through your post and perusing through your blog, your children are are adorable!
You have a beautiful blog!
Blessings,
Tiany
I enjoyed reading your homeschool posts...thank you for sharing.
I am 10 years into hsing...this will be our 11th year, and I am still learning the how to's ;-)
thanks again;
Kimmie
mama to 6
one homemade and 5 adopted
come and meet us sometime!
Very interesting posts regarding homeschooling. Sounds like your boys are doing great. I truly respect your decision to homeschool.
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