Thursday, August 18, 2011

Homeschool 2011~2012


Most of you know that my journey as a homeschooling Mama started last year, and while there were the normal newbie snags {mainly my time management & gusto!}, I'm so excited to say that we've started back up this past Monday with a fresh year! Even though I may not technically be a "brand-newbie" anymore, I sure feel like it. There's a few changes here at home that will make this year more challenging than the last to find "quiet, uninterrupted" time {or heck, just plain time!} for lessons.

Firstly ::: I'm not pointing fingers, but a certain 10-month-old, ahem, has decided to enter toddlerhood early. Full-on walking {yes, walking!}, destructing, attention-pleading...  It's for this reason that the start of our school day is on hold until 9:30ish, otherwise known as morning nap time. :) Morning lessons finish shortly before lunch, and afternoon lessons pick up around 1:30-2ish, otherwise known as afternoon nap time. :)  



Secondly ::: Again, not pointing fingers, but we do have a crazy-cute blond preschooler here still. While there is an afternoon nap break most days from the random "ahoy, mateys" and new-three-year-old meltdowns, morning lessons are a bit boisterous at times. {Also, I will proclaim this 'til my grave, but three is sooo much harder than two. Anyone concur?} But really, Brigham's great for the most part and does like to practice on the dry-erase boards. :)

Truly, I do love my little boys being around and learning from the get-go with the "big kids", and if buckets full of extra patience & prayer is what it takes to keep my kiddos at home learning with me, bring it!  




Here are my two school-aged learners and what we will be using for curriculum this year.

Bella {7 yrs} ::: 

Ultimately, I decided to go with MFW First instead of Adventures in MFW. I didn't want Adventures to get too hard too quickly, even if Bella is a great reader. I'm sure that all there is to do in First Grade will keep us busy and learning enough, as it looks pretty "beefy" so far. Also, she's a young 7-year-old {less than a month ago}, and we'd rather not push too much.  My Father's World First Grade deluxe package also includes the following that we will be incorporating daily and/or weekly with the daily lessons in math, reading/phonics, & Bible.

  • Science using Things OutdoorsScience with Water, & Science with Plants.  
  •  Art using Drawing with Children, Come Look with Me: Enjoying Art with Children, and Come Look with Me: Exploring Landscape Art with Children
  • Music by introducing the orchestra using classical CDs that are included with MFW curricula
Lincoln {5 yrs} :::
 
Lincoln is very excited to be doing school work of his own this year, and I'm pretty excited that I'll be able to teach him MFW from A to Z after just finishing it up with Bella last year. In a way it will be tough to do this program all over again so soon, but I have so much new material with Bella that it will be nice to have something I'm completely comfortable with. Lincoln's pace will also be different than his sister. I am anxious to see everything *click* for him over this year.
 
We still have some kinks to work out, and I'm sure there will be some speed bumps {or sinkholes!} along this long road ahead this year, but we feel so blessed to be home again learning. Even with all the stop-and-go traffic of homeschooling a 1st grader and kindergartner amidst a toddler and preschooler... ;)

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10 comments:

Stephanie Wilson she/her @babysteph said...

Oh how exciting! Your photos are beautiful. I hope this is an awesome home school year!

Steph

trooppetrie said...

I have also said three is harder than 2. Have you heard of Managers of their home. I am making my schedual using that this year. it really helps when you have little ones and big ones

Kate @ Bliss and That said...

trooppetri~ Yes, I've had MOTH for a couple years now even before homeschooling, but never put a schedule together. Funny enough, I pulled it out earlier this week and started reading again, thinking, "it might be time for this" lol!! :)

Tina Hollenbeck said...

TOTALLY agree with you about 3 year olds! Two was always fine for us...but 3, oh my!

I think you made the right choice for your daughter. I love all of MFW through Adventures at least (and I liked ECC), but there is no need to push, especially given her age.

Have a great year!

~Kristin~ said...

Kate~ Just a little not of encouragement if you need it! ;o)

This is only my third year to homeschool, and will be my first with MFW. Every.single.year. I am tweaking our schedule. I also have a 3 year old, little Huckleberry Pie...and Lord have mercy....He plum wears me out. School time works best at nap time, for sure!

These are the best years by far and I don't want to miss a moment...but, I also want to keep my wits and patience in tact as well!

Good for you mama and may God bless you with a beautiful year!
Love, Kristin

Rossie said...

YOu are doing a wonderful job!! I will have 7th, 5th, 3rd, 1st and a preschooler (which is my lovely 3 year old!!) this year along with a toddler and soon to be newborn as well) and am in my 9th year homeschooling...STILL, I make mistakes and am learning so many wonderful things from other fabulous mamas like yourself...I thank God for His grace and Mercy when it comes from homeschooling!! ;)
We also are using MFW this year so I am very excited!! Thank you for this post...it reminds me that we are all in it together!! God bless your year!!

Lenae said...

You know I feel you about having to adjust the schedule constantly and work around... ahem, certain distractions :D But that's the beauty of homeschooling, right? Flexibility! And it sounds like you guys are off to a good start.

Also, Bella and Lincoln look so much older! Wow!

Marla Grace said...

Looks like all is well. Your Family is beautiful. Sounds like you have it all together. Blessings, Marla

Heidi said...

Love reading "back to school" posts! Can't wait until we start...not for a good couple weeks yet.
I'm in a homeschool group with 4 other moms and 3 of them use MFW (and really like it!).
I also agree about the 3 yrs. old being harder than 2...
Hope you enjoy your year!! :)

FilledToTheBrim - Kate said...

I can only imagine how hard it can be with all those sweet little "distractions"! I'm sure you'll do awesome - hope you're having a great week!