In the past I have spent many hours taking pictures, sorting pictures, and blogging about our homeschool life. I have realized it’s just not possible to do that anymore, but I still want to record the fun things and have a record of this time of our lives. Plus, I documented Adam’s little life so well, (and will someday turn all those Tot School posts into a book for him), I want to have something for the Abby too. So, taking a cue from some other homeschool bloggers, I’m going to attempt to do Homeschool Highlights posts regularly. I don’t think I need to record the monotony of reading and math lessons anyway.
We officially started our homeschool year on September 3rd! Adam is in Kindergarten and Abby is in Preschool. Caleb is along for the ride, making messes, and demanding the teacher’s attention. We haven’t worked up to our full schedule yet, so this doesn’t include any math or unit themes/activities.
I created these Back-to-School interviews for the kids to document their cute little personalities at this time in their lives.
The printed copies have their cute handwritten names on them.
Circle Time
Each day starts out with Circle Time where we have a prayer, practice a Primary song, review an Article of Faith (on the left), and practice a new Article of Faith (on the right). Then we talk about the virtue of the week using the cards from We Choose Virtues. There is a saying we memorize, a scripture we read, and a cute story to help them understand. We then count up to the date, add it to our calendar, sing the Days of the Week song, and sometimes the Months of the Year song. Then they run to the window to check the weather. We switch off days for the “leader” of Circle Time. That person gets to offer the prayer and put the different date and weather tags on. It is a much coveted role!
Bible
3 times a week, our first subject is Bible Study using Positive Action for Christ’s Preschool program. I saw them at the homeschool convention I attended and was excited about the program. I read a portion of a Bible story, and then do a workbook page that involves coloring, cutting & gluing, etc. It’s perfect for both of their ages. We have discussions about things as they work and I’ve been surprised at how much they retain and can tell Daddy about later. *If you are wondering why on Adam’s interview above, thinks the coolest people on the earth are Adam and Eve, it’s because we learned about them this week!
I have decided to take pictures of each of their workbook pages, rather than physically keep them. I know they will like looking back at these!
Handwriting
I am using Handwriting Without Tears Preschool program, “Get Set for School” with both kids right now. Abby has shown an interest in writing much earlier than Adam, so although she’s capable, I don’t have her do any practicing other than what’s in her workbook.
I love that the program is multisensory! We build letters/numbers with the wood pieces first and then switch off between using a slate with a wet sponge and/or chalk, a magna-doodle type thing, and play-doh to practice. Someday when I get my act together, I want to have them use shaving cream/pudding/salt, etc. to practice.
Then they do the workbook page. I chose to start with numbers so that Adam will be able to write numbers for his math lessons.
I then have Adam practice a few lines of what he learned that day.
These are the pages he did this week:
We decided that 8 was too hard since he hasn’t’ learned the letter S yet.
Abby can choose to do whatever if I’m still working with Adam. This day she chose to play with Boggle Jr. and build words.
Aaannd…..Caleb made a mess.
Science
We are using a book called My Body! published by Teacher Created Resources. We all love it! I read a blurb about a body part, they color that part according to the directions given,, we cut it out, and then paste it up on the outline of their body. So fun and easy! I am also adding in a second day during the week where we do an activity or experiment that goes along with that particular body part. First up, the BRAIN!
I neglected to take a picture of them working on their brains or of their body outlines….but it’ll be in the next issue when we cover the heart.
Brain Nomenclature Cards
They loved this!
We made a Jell-O brain!
Zombie Adam – “I eat brains!!”
Abby refused to touch it.
Adam and Caleb both loved it!
Reading
We are continuing with All About Reading Level 1 and Adam is now halfway through. I really love this program! After I get the other kids down for naps, Adam and I spend about 15 minutes together working on his lessons.
In addition to All About Reading, he reads various readers to me or Daddy. This was his first one and I was so excited to see how well he did! What a wonderful thing it is to see a child learn to read and have the amazing world of books open up to them!
Random Things
Play-doh Number Mats
In this moment, I had my first, “Wow, this is a great life and it’s because we’re all here at home together!” I couldn’t imagine it any other way!
That was our first week! We survived!! In addition to school, Adam has soccer, Abby has dance, they are both still in swimming lessons through the end of September, and we make time to get together with friends to play. It makes the days feel crazy with snippets of school intermixed with other aspects of life. I suppose that’s how it will be with a toddler, meals, lessons, activities, and the regular rhythm of life!
