Our School Year 2009-2010
School has been up and running for a few weeks, so I thought I would finally write a post about it :). I had lots of apprehension going into this school year. I think it was a combination of things, such as a house that needed organization, too many grades and papers to go through and organize from last school year, the reading of too many wonderful ideas to ever be able to implement, and I think a little bit of fear. I was scared to start homeschooling with 5! Then, one day, I realized that I had actually homeschooled with 5 the majority of last year! After all, the baby was born in October :). I figured out, though, that I was more anxious about teaching with 4 along with an active/mobile little one (newborn ones are relatively easy--they just eat, sleep, & coo). I finally got over myself, because I had to, bit the bullet, and just started.
For whatever reasons, there are some curriculum choices that are very difficult for me to make every year. I definitely use an ecectic approach...a little Classical, a little Charlotte Mason, a little "traditional" classroom (whatever that is :), etc. I sound like a teacher with multiple personalities! I think that part of the difficulty I have in making decisions is just the variety of learners we have in our home! Jonathan definitely is the hardest for me to decide on each year. I will be honest in telling you that I feel a lot of pressure to use the best I can find that matches his learning style. I want him to grow into adulthood with every opportunity and every piece of knowledge I can drill into that brain of his :). But, I really feel that way for each of our kids.
I have rambled on too much, so now I will give you a brief list of what each child is doing :). First, let me say that we start each morning with Bible and are going through Grapevine Studies Old Testament Overview. We love it! Basically, it is stick-figuring your way through the Bible. To be honest, everyone is doing
Level 1. Obviously, I know that Trey, our oldest, could handle the upper level study, but I wanted something that we all could do together. I do expect more from him out of the lessons. It is simple, yet really great. Benjamin, who is almost 4, sits at the table with us and colors in a notebook with us. I cannot get over how well Jonathan & Rebekah are doing with their stick figures!
On Tuesday mornings & during naptime for Benjamin & Elizabeth after lunch on Thursdays, I am doing Apologia's Elementary Botany with Jonathan & Rebekah. I purchased Jeannie Fulbright's (author) notebooking journals and really like the fact that all the papers I need for the lessons are in those notebooks!
During Monday, Wednesday, & Friday naptime, Trey, Rebekah, & Jonathan are doing Mystery of History Year 3. I love Mystery of History and Linda Hobar's writing style. I also plan to implement reading lists from a company called BiblioPlan that provide lists to go along with MOH. This will cover Literature for us.
This post has gotten waaaayyy too long, so I will stop here, with my next post discussing individual subjects that I do with each child.
I hope I did not put you to sleep!
For whatever reasons, there are some curriculum choices that are very difficult for me to make every year. I definitely use an ecectic approach...a little Classical, a little Charlotte Mason, a little "traditional" classroom (whatever that is :), etc. I sound like a teacher with multiple personalities! I think that part of the difficulty I have in making decisions is just the variety of learners we have in our home! Jonathan definitely is the hardest for me to decide on each year. I will be honest in telling you that I feel a lot of pressure to use the best I can find that matches his learning style. I want him to grow into adulthood with every opportunity and every piece of knowledge I can drill into that brain of his :). But, I really feel that way for each of our kids.
I have rambled on too much, so now I will give you a brief list of what each child is doing :). First, let me say that we start each morning with Bible and are going through Grapevine Studies Old Testament Overview. We love it! Basically, it is stick-figuring your way through the Bible. To be honest, everyone is doing
Level 1. Obviously, I know that Trey, our oldest, could handle the upper level study, but I wanted something that we all could do together. I do expect more from him out of the lessons. It is simple, yet really great. Benjamin, who is almost 4, sits at the table with us and colors in a notebook with us. I cannot get over how well Jonathan & Rebekah are doing with their stick figures!
On Tuesday mornings & during naptime for Benjamin & Elizabeth after lunch on Thursdays, I am doing Apologia's Elementary Botany with Jonathan & Rebekah. I purchased Jeannie Fulbright's (author) notebooking journals and really like the fact that all the papers I need for the lessons are in those notebooks!
During Monday, Wednesday, & Friday naptime, Trey, Rebekah, & Jonathan are doing Mystery of History Year 3. I love Mystery of History and Linda Hobar's writing style. I also plan to implement reading lists from a company called BiblioPlan that provide lists to go along with MOH. This will cover Literature for us.
This post has gotten waaaayyy too long, so I will stop here, with my next post discussing individual subjects that I do with each child.
I hope I did not put you to sleep!
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