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Sam is working on his Wolf Achievements. The other day he made us breakfast, lunch and dinner. He is quite helpful in the kitchen. I had to leave for 'Recipe Club', so Skip stepped in to navigate Sam through the chicken cooking and the Macaroni making. Everyone enjoyed his delicious meal.
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Sam is also excelling in his reading. He was reading a Curious George story to Blake and Claire the other day and getting almost every word all by himself { I feel like we have jumped over one hurdle and are flying!} The problem came when Sam guessed at a word. Claire, then corrected him and she was right. She didn't even seem to be paying attention. She was kicking her legs about and humming a tune {probably "Popular"}. You see, Claire has heard these stories over and over again at her nap time. She knows them by heart and you can not change the words or she corrects you!
We started school this week and we are having a little bit of a struggle to get into the groove. The boys are doing well though, I think the structure does something for everyone. I feel, just a bit more in control. I love my kids so much and want them to grow up happy and confident.
I have been watching as my friends send their kids off to school and sometimes I second guess my decision to keep them at home. It is hard because you feel this enormous pressure to educate them on a high level, plus you feel like all eyes are on you and your kids to see if they are normal and SOCIALIZED{ I despise this word}. I make every effort to get my children involved in all sorts of groups and sport activity's. Does this help them know how to deal with their peers? Maybe. I feel that my example as to how I deal with them and others in life is the best teacher. { I need to stop shouting}.
Home schooling is a big life changing choice. A friend of mine e-mailed this article to me and it was pretty much on target for how I feel about home schooling. Read it if you dare. I hope our house is full of the love of learning.
http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/why-some-kids-arent-heading-to-school-today/
YEA!!! 'Whole Foods' is here in town. Blake and I went on a little outing to by produce, blue corn tortillas and chick peas. We had fun. "Trader Joe's" will be opening in the next month. I will keep you posted. Maryann come and visit, better yet move here.
I was grinding wheat for bread and when I turned around someone, I am not sure who left a calling card of sorts. I guess they are happy about the bread?
My good friend Beth had her baby. We went and visited. The boys thought the baby was so cute. As we were about to leave and I was gathering the kids up. Claire piped up and said," Let's take the baby home." I said,"No, this is not our baby. Say Good-bye." She was not happy.
Time is passing way to fast. It seems like it was just Saturday and now I am pushing on Thursday's door. I have been busily working out lesson plans and getting curriculum together. We started out on Tuesday doing some of the basics; Math, spelling ,grammar, vocab and writing. The boys are somewhat enthusiastic about school. Jack did mention as he worked on his spelling that he was glad we were back doing school, because now he wasn't so bored. At least that is something. Sam is doing his work, but not with a smile on his face. Blake is happy to be working on reading and is doing well. Claire thinks the whole thing is great, wants a pencil all the time to be like her brothers and is wondering when the big yellow bus is coming. Sorry about the let down Claire.
We will be adding biology, genealogy, and modern history next week. The boys love science with all the experiments, the problem is that this is all they want to do. We will be working on separate blogs for each of them. They will be writing their personal history and other little tidbits about school. Jack is especially excited about this.
I hope this will be a great year!
I hope this school year will be a great one. Time will tell!
I knew the first week home would be tough. I was right. First of all Claire has been sleeping right beside me for the past month and while I love Claire, it is time to cut the cord. Skip has the unending job of running up and down the stairs to a weeping child that continues to scream. "I want my MOOOOOOOM." She doesn't want me to leave her side. Tonight she said,"YOU stay with me, Daddy will take Sam to scouts, okay?" OK. . . I think we will get her back to normal. It will just take a while.
The boys are fighting quite a bit {I am yelling quite a bit} and having a hard time going to sleep at the right time and waking before 9:30 am. Weird. They are usually early risers. Chores and piano, not to mention any school work is like pulling teeth. Any sense of order is gone. I've given up on the school work for right now.
I jumped right back into life by teaching RS on Sunday and making sure our July enrichment is going to come off well. I messed up times on a meeting yesterday and was late, but it all worked out.I also went out with a good friend for her birthday and had a great kid free time. I didn't get home till midnight, good times!
Skip and I went out on a date and saw " The Incredible Hulk" I loved it. I saw "Iron Man" too, loved it. What can I say I love super hero's. Look any guy that can fly, pick me up, and save the world. . . I like it. I don't know maybe it's the plot and all the irony in the story line. . . .nope!I also saw WAll-E with my kids and Maryann's kids and I have to say, I loved it. That is more movies than I have seen in three years at the theater. I don't go much. Kind of fun though, to go.
Now my focus is on School plans for next year and figuring out a way for my kids to make money and how we can save the world. I am trying to raise super hero's you know!
Most people know I home school my kids. I get asked frequently, why do you do it? How long will you do it? Are you afraid that your children won't know how to socialize? { Basically they will be weird}. I also get told there is no way I could do that.
To the latter I say most anyone could do it. It is all about your mind set. If you decide to run a marathon you train spend time and do it. If you decide to go back to school you sign up for classes, study and you do it. We all can do anything if we put our minds to it. Is it easy? No Way! Nothing worth having in this life ever is. It takes hard work, determination, and a sense of humor. When you fail on something, which we all do, you get up dust yourself off and start all over. I have to do this sometimes when what I have planned doesn't gel with the kids.
There are different approaches for home school, Some do unschooling where they let the kids figure out what they want to study and let them take the reins. Some people do 'unit studies'. Some the "Thomas Jefferson Approach" I like structure and find my kids thrive with it. So we have a mix of the basics of Math, spelling , grammar, and writing. Then I throw on top of that unit studies for Science, history and literature. We top it off with group and personal scripture study. We study as a group whatever book of scripture the seminary program is on, then they study the Book of Mormon on their own keeping a journal of what they have studied about that day.
It usually works out pretty good. Sometimes we get behind, but I can catch up pretty fast because I have just three students. I feel confident in their progress. I test them with the 'Iowa basic' and Jack is way beyond grade level. Sam has some learning difficulties and is testing at grade level in most areas, above in some and below in others. Blake really hasn't been tested because he doesn't start kindergarten till next fall.
It has been a learning experience for all of us. I do get frustrated at times and have to work on my patience. I do love to be around them and see them grasp new concepts. I enjoy teaching.
Some would say that I am sheltering them to much, I say to that there is plenty of time to be out in the world. They are involved in sports, scouts , chess, we have a group of about 30 other kids that we meet with every week for classes like sign, drama, and cooking. It changes every semester. The church also provides opportunity to serve and socialize.
Why do I home school? There are many reasons why, but the main reason is prayer. I have prayed and this was the answer. You may wonder why do you have too, why not me? The only thing that I can think of is that we all have a mission on this earth. While it may be the same mission, the path we take is personal and individualized. Designed by the Lord for our own growth and betterment.
Another day with Christmas still up, But I did do four loads of laundry{folded on my bed} We did a little Pilate's{ which Claire is of no help} I don't think I got much benefit, but it's the thought that counts..Right? We have accomplished Math and study of the Old Testament, reading with Sam, Writing with Jack, and letters with Blake I continue to try to get all subjects in, emphasis on try. I still need to work on the syllabus for a drama class I will be teaching in Our co-op group, and the dishes need to be done.
Claire is finally asleep{with much protest..I am in the final stages of weaning her, I am a little sad but 22 months come on} Blake and Sam are playing their endless game of Lego's "Mission to Mars" { Good but I'm not always sure what they are really doing, maybe trying to take over from me} And Jack is reading. Now I will gather them up and study a little bit of chemistry... Fun!
