DID YOU KNOW IT’S ALREADY THE END OF MARCH?
Yes, I suppose you knew that.
I knew it too, but it sorta just hit me a few days ago that after March comes April and then it will be May and well…I can’t believe another school year is coming to an end.
If you remember, last summer I posted a list of the books we would be reading through for school this year. Here’s how we’re doing by now:
History: We’ve made our way through the first two Story of the World history books and we’re now reading about ships and how ships were made through history. (Ah, you’ve gotta love reading about those naughty pirates.) (Well, you don’t gotta love it…but my boys sure love it.)
Science: We are taking some time to study evolution vs. creation using the books I mentioned in this post…plus some DVDs we borrowed from a friend called Incredible Creatures that Defy Evolution. There are several books on the list we haven’t touched yet…partly because I took a detour to read these books and watch the DVDs about evolution. If we don’t finish all of the books on the list, we’ll read them through the summer or during the next school year.
Math: I told the boys last week that as soon as they finish their math books…they’ll be done with math for the year. I do believe that was motivating, since Justus started doing five lessons a day…calculating that he could be done in two weeks if he did. Go Justus! Asa’s doing two lessons a day now on his, which is quite an accomplishment since his lessons take longer. Who am I to argue with extra math lessons? Why, with all that extra time on their hands, they’ll be able to fold more laundry.
Bible: Since January, our Bible focus has been the book of John. Asa and Justus are participating in an event called Leadership Training for Christ (LTC). They’ve been working hard preparing writing projects, skits, puppet shows and sculptures. Most importantly, they are learning the book of John inside and out as they prepare for the Bible Bowl. We’ll head to Kansas City in April for the big gathering!
Reading: Elias completed his reading list a long time ago…leaving me forever hopping trying to give him books to read that are on his level. Justus’ books are a little harder to get through, but he’s plugging away. Reading is a little more challenging for him, but he works hard. Asa has finished many of his books too…his just take longer!
Malachi: Well…some days I do some activities with him…sometimes I don’t. FUNNY how he’s learning anyway. I love that. I will tell you a little secret though: I’ve been working for over a year on a curriculum for early learners called “Learn Your Letters…Learn to Serve”. I’m trying so hard to finish it by summertime to make it available for YOU to use in the fall if you’d like…and I’d really like to use it with Malachi too. I think I can…I think I can…
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So, how’s your school year going? If you homeschool…what have you and your kids been up to? If you don’t homeschool…what have your kids been doing in school? I LOVE hearing about what everyone is learning and doing!!!
Janet says
My son is going to be three in November, and he is starting to learn his letters and sounds. I’m here to encourage you to finish your curriculum– I would be very excited to get it! (Ben’s my oldest, but I am planning to homeschool when the time comes.)
Catherine says
So this may be a totally weird and semi unrelated question, but I am returning to being Christian and am wondering if you know good places to start aside from the Bible. I’m reading through Luke right now :) Just some help!
Also on a related NOTE: I am not married, but when I get married and have kids I’d like to homeschool! Are there any resources that are online I could read to see about possible curriculum?
Also I just wanted to let you know I love your site!
The Happy Housewife says
Funny you posted this, because I was just thinking of writing a similar post. This year has been crazy with the pregnancy and bed rest, but we are still plodding away, lol! We have taken a break from Science and SS with the boys until after the baby, but everything else is on track. Of course we school almost year round, so I am not sure what track that is!
Toni
Amanda says
First, let me just tell you that I was dreaming about what to post for your “little green project” last night. Ha! Ha!
Homeschooling has been on my mind SO much lately. I have two of my four children in school (at home). We just had a baby a month ago and yesterday I FINALLY sat down to do my lesson plans. Better late than never?? I can’t believe it’s already the end of March!
Cara says
We are getting close too! And the funny thing is, one of the most exciting parts of that for me is looking forward to next fall. Sure, I love the summer “off” but I can’t wait to crack those new books (and hopefully some are better than some from this year). We are going to combine some stuff for my 2 kiddos next year (one will be 3rd grade and one will be 5th) such as Bible, Science and History. Hopefully that will make the day a little more do-able!
Tiffany says
Thanks for sharing what books you are using and what your kids are learning. I have three girls, ages 5 (almost 6), 4, and 2. I love books and have researched approaches to education and homeschool curriculum extensively. The Lord led us to put our oldest daughter in a local charter school this past year, though, and we are very pleased with it. They are a “community” school and focus a lot on service. They also have a much more extensive (and intensive) curriculum than I feel I could ever hope to cover at home (and that particular daughter is just eating it up.) We read a lot at home, though, and I’m always looking for things to supplement my oldest daughter’s learning and spiritual education, as well as fun, educational things that we can all do together over breaks and the summer. I’ll be doing some more formalized homeschooling with my 4-year-old next year, though. She turns 5 in late August, but we’ve decided not to send her to kindergarten at the charter school yet.
I love your site and I’m excited to see your new curriculum!
Step says
We do not homeschool, but I do consider us “afterschoolers” in that we are very involved with our children’s education and school experience. We review everything that is taught, reteaching and supplementing certain things, if necessary. I can hardly wait for spring break in April and then summer vacation as I love to have my children home with me. Like Tiffany posted above me, we spend our breaks doing all sorts of wonderful, educational outings — museums, farms, orchards, zoos, camping, etc.
Anyway, I have an 11yo in 6th grade, 9yo in 4th, and 7yo in 2nd. Their school years are going smoothly and we just finished up with spring conferences. All three of my children excel in math and I’m sure that has nothing to do with having an engineer for a father — wink! Right now the 4th and 2nd graders are learning about animals and ecosystems in science, area and perimeter in math, economics in social studies, different genres of books and metaphors in language arts, and my 2nd grader is learning cursive. Of course, they have their “specials” of Spanish, art, music, gym, computers and library as well.
Christian Ed is through our church and they are all doing a study of Romans according to their grade level. My 6th grader is also memorizing all of the books in the Bible and my 4th grader’s memory verse for this Sunday is 2 Corinthians 5:21. Two weeks before Easter, I’ll be taking out our resurrection eggs so they can all take turns reading the devotional for each egg before dinner.
So, that’s our schooling in a nutshell. Spring break begins on April 10th and we’re going to the upper peninsula of Michigan to see a large waterfall at peak flow there — YAY!
Marla says
We are actually behind. :( With my husband breaking his back in September and my grandma needing extra attention this year, we are about 3 weeks behind. We have been putting in double duty to get through in time. I can’t wait until summer!! Looking at doing something completely different for school next year.
Simple Country Girl says
Our first year of home education started great (following a schedule, time frames and meeting objectives) and then got off-track with my husband being transferred to a new job 5 hours away. With the shift in duties and responsibilities for the little ranchola to me, home schooling has slacked some.
My son is 5 years old and eager to learn. We mix it up with a Christian curriculum (Christ Centered Curriculum), Bob Books for reading, a money domino game, life-learning (he helps a lot with food preparation…math skills), Bible-reading, and weekday boy’s scripture & lesson (God’s Mighty Warrior Devotional Bible).
Also, we will likely school year round this year as we wobbled for a few months during this transition time. Prayerfully our family all will be together next school year once our place sells and we join hubs/daddy at his new job!
Thanks for the chance to share and read other ideas.
Pam Smith says
I homeschool (DS 2nd grade & DD K) and we also go to a school for homeschoolers. My kids and I (I work at the school in the workroom making copies, ordering supplies, etc.) go to school 2 days a week (Tue and Fri) and school at home 3 days a week (Mon, Wed, Thur). I like the curriculum and love that I don’t have to do lesson plans.
Our kids really enjoy school and have done very well this year. Their quick learning has amazed me and they are right on track.
Our last day is May 15th and I’m looking very forward to a summer break.
Meg says
We started using a little more formal “schedule” in February, right before our oldest turned three – I wasn’t planning on “planning” his schooling, but we moved into our new home in February, and I just felt we needed some structure to go with the new place! :)
I wrote a post with the actual schedule in it – we’re going on 2 months with it now, and it’s STILL going lovely! :) Lots of reading, and LOTS of taking advantage of 2.5 acres of fenced-in dirt!
http://megdickey.wordpress.com/2009/02/01/our-daily-schedule/
Mrs McVay says
http://home.comcast.net/~ngiansante/
This is the website to a leveled reading list, you have to check to see if it’s a book you want your child to read.We are Conservative and I am particular about what my kids read. But you can always check out 30 books in his range review them and chunk the inappropriate ones back into the library bag to return. I just found your site and really like it. Rejoice, Kyle (ma of 3 p’s in a pod)