Homeschool Mom's Journal

.I'm a new follower and reader of Sue at The Homeschool Chick and I'm so excited she is sharing so many wonderful ideas and creating a community for homeschooling families to come together on! I'm thrilled to take part in this Friday-Sunday meme about the ups and downs of homeschooling. I look forward to doing this weekly in time. I've needed something to help me journal here! I hope more of you join in!!! Also...if you scroll down my sidebar, I've added some buttons that lead back to Sue's pet projects of support!

In my life this week…

     Well - this week I have been dealing with various stages of sickness. I've been mildly dealing with a sore throat, and now our youngest daughter (who was supposed to have her 2 year old end of preschool program tomorrow) has a fever. I was supposed to go to see a dear friend, but she is sick as well - so in a way - it all worked out. This weekend we will focus on rest!!

In our homeschool this week…

      We are wrapping up our 1st year! I can't believe it! We ended today because I thought tomorrow would be busy at Valiant's school program, but the fever changed things. So, we'll just start vacation early! We could use it. We're not fully stopping homeschooling this summer, I have plans. You can read about them here. 

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

      For the next week, we are staying close to home - but we will hit up places like a local play gym, state parks, hike, watch movies, nap, and read! We may see friends, but otherwise, we could just have a "staycation" for a few days.

My favorite thing this week was…

     Seeing Lovely's excitement for learning, even knowing the thrill of summer vacation was just around the corner. 

What’s working/not working for us…

     In reflecting on our 1st year (which will probably be a post of its own) I would say what worked for us this year was our fantastic materials that came on the recommendation of "The Well Trained Mind". I loved all our materials and the challenge. We spent the whole year on some books that usually are semester books, but that may be because I assessed Lovely more advanced than she was. This was in her reading, and in Singapore Math. Now, I did a lot of the activities in the reader, so that lengthened its use, and when doing Singapore Math, I was stretch out the lessons, and create more reviews, than the text and activity book had. We will actually go into the summer with math so we can do Level 2A in the fall. We started this past fall in 1B. Our phonics book was also a "B" book (meant to last all year - MCP Phonics) and I really liked the materials, but they were a challenge for Lovely to read, but I think they really helped her learn with me. I also got behind on our Charlotte Mason dictation and writing - but we will continue that this summer. I hope to really hone in on these areas next fall!

     
     Highlights of this year also included working outside, nature hikes on a whim, art class, gymnastics and taekwondo, and being together as a family. I loved being a part of all the lightbulb moments! Other highlights have been improved parenting skills, me working on my patience, and Lovely and I learning to work together and like it. I feel very blessed in that area, so far...  


Homeschool questions/thoughts I have…

     I would love for anyone to chime in on this post. Do you have any opinions on k12, staying on track, etc?  


A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Spelling Games!

I look forward to meeting so many of you!!! Thanks Sue!