Well folks, we.are.crazy.
Yep, I said crazy. At least that's what people keep asking us, "are you guys crazy?"
We've got 3 kids ages; 10, 6, and 9 months. And we've decided to homeschool both of the big kids this year! *warm smile*. I'm not one of those moms who can't wait to get her kids back in school each August.
In fact, I'm the mom who is always thanking God for one more day with my kids. A few years ago I had some unexplained health problems and thought I was dying. I had funeral plans and everything, pretty dramatic, right? Well ever since then I've vowed to live each day as if it were my last. And on my last days, I want to be spending them with my family.
I feel so blessed that I have a husband who provides for our family so I am able to stay home and raise our children. We prayed that we'd be able to afford homeschooling, because it is more expensive than public school initially. God has come through for us on this one in so many random ways. I'll do a post on that another time. :)
I have spent literally years researching what to use for books & doing online training and research for teaching my dyslexic daughter. I have just been too chicken to commit to doing it full time. I'm very appreciative that in the mean time she has had a kind-hearted teacher at the public school who has taken my baby girl under her wing and educated her.
God has gently nudged me for 3 years, and now I hear him telling me that it's time. Each time I tell Him "No God, I can't do this" or "Please God, let me be at peace with sending them to school and see what I'll do with all of my free time" (oh, can you just imagine how quiet my days would be), I hear him saying back "quit making excuses, I've got your back". Well, He hasn't let me down before, and I don't believe that He will now.
I was blessed to meet with two friends this week, who gave me incredible insight on different curriculum options.
So, here's the plan, Stan!
I will update this with links when I have time. Right now the kids are in bed and I am feeling guilty for sitting at the computer while Mr. Awesome is nodding off in front of the TV waiting for some cuddle time. Updates posted!
The Boy, 2013-2014, Kindergarten
Writing: Each morning we start with
our Thankful Journals. Just jotting down
a few things that we’re thankful for.
Math: Essential Math Kindergarten B
. This boy is great at math! The reason I’m starting with the Kindergarten
B is that I want to review with him, before
pushing him on to 1st grade math.
I am confident that he could go right to the first grade level and do
just fine, but math is nothing to mess around with.
Typing: Nothing very formal yet,
although we may give it a try for fun.
The Girl, 2013-2014, 5th
Grade
Writing: Thankful Journals (The bulk of
her writing will be in the First Language Lessons as well, but this is one more way to encourage her to write and have fun doing it).
Handwriting: Handwriting Without
Tears Level 5. This girl loves cursive
so she will be doing both the print and the cursive this year.
Reading: This will be a part of First
Language Lessons as well. But I highly encourage more reading than just what is required in the book. We will be
supplementing her reading curriculum with books from the library, magazines, & really
anything I can get her to read. Right
now she’s really into the American Girl books.
We will do unit studies as well as read books that also have a movie we
can watch afterwards, because that's pretty fun momma-daughter stuff!
Spelling: Yeah…. About that… I know this is a VERY important area. One swipe through Facebook is all the proof you need to know how valuable it is to spend more time teaching our youth to spell. We will start with the level one and work our
way up. I don’t want to start too high,
in case there are things that she has missed.
It never hurts to review anyway.
She will just progress at a much quicker rate than her younger brother
with this subject.
Learning isn’t about being at some certain level, but about making
progress and gaining knowledge. Because of her dyslexia spelling is more difficult, but certainly not impossible by any means.
Both Kids together:
Bible: Dinner Time Devotions as a
family. Each child has their own Bible
that they will be held accountable for reading (the best they can). They do weekly Promiseland at church and we
will do activities that relate to what they have talked about at church, as
well as online Bible games.
Geography: Road Trip USA, I’m pretty
sure. This year we will be focusing on
studying the United states, as well as
the presidents.
Music, Art & PE: We are a musical family, the oldest girl loves art, and the man of the house keeps us all active! But, these subjects
will be covered at the homeschool co-op that we joined as well. I believe
science will also be covered there. We
are going to still look for something to do at home, since we like experiments around this house!
I am most uneasy and confused about making a daily plan. I'm wondering what subjects we will cover when, and what our days will look like. I want to be sure each child gets adequate time with me, but not too much that they aren't learning to work independently.
I know we will get a rhythm and things will fall into place. I am a super organized person, so feeling uncertain in this area is tough. But, I wont let it get me down. We will figure out what works for us and go with it!
If you have any questions, consult Google, because I'm a newbie! Okay, really, if you have questions, post them in the comments. I'd love to hear from you!
Thanks for stopping by!
(I cannot say enough about this book, very low distraction, and the lessons are simple and clear), 
(sometimes we use this one too, just to reinforce a little).
& 
You do need both the workbook and instructor text, but don't fret, the cost is worth it (and not too high, in my opinion). It is very detailed and no additional planning is required, just open the text and go! 
, flash cards, 
, and practical real-life math any time we can.