A day in the Life 07/28/2014

In case you ever wonder what a day on the life of a homeschooling family is like- here you go!

I have three kids, 8, 7, and 4. And don't forget our newest addition should arrive in December! We cover 3rd, 2nd and pre/k.

Today is Monday and will be the second night of VBS, the second VBS we attend every summer. On Saturday, the we took the kids swimming, out to eat, let them pick out something VERY SPECIAL  and then to a birthday party. All this, with VBS, let's just day the kids are content to stay home for the afternoon. :-)

We wake up, have breakfast, and start right in with school.

I always start with math. My third grader is working on MENTAL triple digit addition. My second grader is doing a review. Then they go right into their language arts assignments. These two subjects take about an hour to get through so we all need a break! My four year has been playing Legos at the table while we work, but he could use a little one on one time.  While the girls now play Legos, he and I begin our letter -of-the-week curriculum. We chant the sound of 'A' and do a coloring page. Later today, we use train tracks to build the letter, and then we make homemade Applesauce. The three littles and I then gather on the couch for story-time. Today I read Clown of God  by Tomie Depaloa. Stories always lead to welcomed discussions.

 My 8 year old wanted to make lunch. She gets out the "school trays" and feels each with a little something. She makes Cajun chicken sandwiches, grapes, yogurt and cucumber slices.

The girls have now had a long break and can tolerate more 'table' learning. I read to them about Christopher Columbus while they work on pages for their history notebooks.  Discussing Columbus lead to discussing and reading about Leif Erikson, so history takes over an hour today. Next is art, we learn about OILS and do several drawings of fish.

Subjects covered:
Math
Grammar
Spelling
Handwriting
Lego/ creative building
Life skills
History with Geography
Art instruction
Free art

We leave for VBS and actually arrive on time. A family meal is served - yeah-no dinner dishes!!

The next time I write a 'Day in the Life' post, I will try to do it throughout the day so I can remember how we incorporated the chores, meals, workouts, showers. etc

Peace, Love and Homeschool On!

Long time, No Post! An update.

I opened this blog in December of 2012 and here it is July 2014 and I haven't added a single post!  I feel so bad because I wanted this to be scrapbook for my kids. They may never know all the amazing stuff we do together!

In the time that has passed, a few big life events have happened.

On Labor Day weekend 2013, we bought and moved into a new family home.   We bought our last home as a couple and moved out as a family of five! We will cherish the memories there of new babies, many holidays, every day fun and chaos, and lots of FIRSTS.   First baby foods, first experiences, first injuries, first lost tooth, first kid-vomit (I mean, that is a real experience for parents!) first bikes, first family vacations, first Christmas'. Many, many , many more FIRSTS!

In April 2014, we learned that a new baby would join the family in December, Christmas Day to be exact!!!!  Up until this point life has been a blur of nausea, fatigue, and tears. Now, at 16 weeks, I'm feeling better and getting more and more excited.  At 13 weeks pregnant, we found out that baby will be another boy! This will be nice, a set of sisters and a set of brothers!

Much more fun to come!

Curriculum 2012 / 2013

Peaches  (7 yrs old, 1st grade)

Mathematics
Sinapore Primary Mathematics, 1B - Will start 2A when finishes
Life of Fred, Elementary Series

Language Arts
All About Spelling
Copywork that coincides with our literature, using Writing with Ease as a guide.
Modern Curriculum Press Phonics for extra practice.  We usually alternate this with spelling,    otherwise it is just too much for a young 7 year old.


Precious  (5 yrs old, Kindergarten)

Mathematics 
We are using a mix of Saxon, Spectrum, and card games to learn math skills.  She will begin Singapore Math as soon as she is ready.

Reading Instruction
Teach your Child to Read in  100 Easy Lessons /
Ordinary Parents Guide Combo

Spidey. (Almost 3)
Legos
PlayDoh
Climbing high surfaces to jump off, ect

Together
Ambleside Online Year 1:  This covers Literature, History, Nature Study, Artist Study, Poetry, hymns, Folksongs.   This is really our 'core' and keeps us very busy.
Science:  We read lots of science books in addition to our nature studies.
History: we are doing a year unit covering Native Americans, inspired by Kaya the American Girl.

Activities
Homeschool gym
Homeschool Swim
Hip Hop Dance Class
ECHO - Our homeschool meetup group
Co-OP - current classes include: gym, art, zoology
Frequent library and metro park visits.  We also frequent the Columbus Museum of Art and COSI.