I spent most of the summer researching different schooling programs for Logan. Last year we did a pretty relaxed preschool program where we learned to read, did a lot of basic math and had a lot of fun learning through thematic units. This year, I wanted to go more structured, because Logan thrives on structure and because it's important to me that we get into a good learning ethic now so that in a few years when we have to register our schooling with the state we are in a good position.
After much humming and hawing over preschool programs, I spoke with a friend who assured me that I wasn't robbing Logan of her childhood by starting Kindergarten with her. She's more than ready, in fact, going into this year she knew more than several of the first graders I taught when I was working. She was reading, doing some writing, could simple addition/subtraction, could count forwards and backwards to 20 (and can count to 100 with little help). It just didn't make sense to invest in another preschool program that was going to go through the same things (did I mention that she gets bored easily if you're repetitive?). I did a lot of research and while it would have been nice to shell out the cash for a full program that came all laid out for me, I wanted to make sure that Logan has the best opportunities to learn in the styles that she learns best.....I mean, what good is homeschooling if you can't tailor your curriculum to the specific kid that you're schooling?
Anyway, I researched and then found a little gem of a store in town called The Homeschool Gathering Place. It's a teacher's dream! I took the kids there, sent them to the playroom and was able to talk to several other homeschooling parents about curriculums, Logan's strengths and weaknesses and what programs seem to have the best results. We went in not really expecting to buy anything and came out with almost a full load for our Kindergarten year!
This year, we'll be working on reading/phonics with Alpha Phonics and Explode the Code. I've already seen her blossom using these two programs! She's ready to read short books on her own and we've only been at this for about 4 weeks.
We're using A Reason For Handwriting for our handwriting curriculum. It's a Biblical based handwriting program that eventually will have her writing out Bible verses to practice her handwriting. Right now the emphasis is on creation and living things, so she writes letters out and then colors in animals and/or things having to do with the Lord's creation that correspond with the letters.
History is The Story of The World: History for the Classical Child. It's a book that I read aloud to her that details the history of the world. We're enjoying it, though it's taking us a while to get through because there's a lot that has to be broken down for her. We're also reading through the Imagination Station series with her. Each book takes a pair of cousins through different stories in history and gives a good Biblical lesson. We really are enjoying them as a family!
For science we are using the Exploring Creation series. Our book for this year is Astronomy. Instead of taking bits and pieces of science and throwing them together into one big book per year, this series allows you to study ONE aspect the entire year. It's fantastic! Especially for Logan who really likes to dive head first into topics and learn all she can about them.
Our math program hasn't arrived yet, but we will be doing the Math U See program. It's a hands on approach to math and has had a ton of success. We're excited about getting started sometime soon!
For our Bible curriculum we're reading daily Bible stories as well as working through their lessons from church on Sundays. Every month they're given a theme, stories that go along with the theme, a Bible verse to memorize and a main idea to take away. Both kids get the same one since they're in the preschool program at church so we all do it together. This month we're working on the theme "God has a plan for me."
What does Brody do during all of this time? He works right along side us! I bought him a few "preschool" books that he uses to color in and then he and I work together on letters and numbers when Logan works independently.
We love that we can get up, keep our PJ's on and get to work every morning!
Brody and I also work on shapes and colors while Logan works. We use blocks, which he likes to share with his "baby brother."
Logan is THRIVING in Kindergarten. She works so hard and rarely complains (unless we're doing reading drills....but who enjoys that?). I do find that she HATES when something doesn't come naturally to her. So much of the things that we learn do that when we run into something that needs a bit more explanation it drives her a little batty.
Sometimes the kids work together on an old iphone using the letter formation app.
Along with schooling, Logan also started ballet and tap this fall! I was sad to find out that the studio we had been at for the last two years was only offering classes that started at 5:30 this year, and it just wasn't going to work out with our family dynamic. So, I reluctantly moved studios but have been very impressed with the new facility. She's able to take a class that's double the amount of time, it's a tap/ballet combo for the same price we were paying.
(Ballet years 1, 2 and 3)
The other great thing about the studio is they don't require me to stay in the building like the other did. And it's conveniently located about 3 minutes from Chick-Fil-A! So, Brody and I have started having weekly dates there. We go and get some ice cream and just sit and enjoy each other's company.
Brody's taken quite an interest in golf this fall! Mike hasn't ventured out into taking him on the actual course yet, but has taken him to the putting green several times. We went out and bought Brody a kid's putter only to take him out and find that he does all of his sporting activities left handed! Here he is holding a golf bag when we made our purchase:
Daddy also started school this fall! We're thrilled that it's his LAST SEMESTER of seminary!! This journey has blessed us in so many ways, but it's so nice to see an end in sight. Here he is with the kids on his first day of classes:
Logan and Brody like to do "creative activities" during our recess time. Their favorite, right now, is folding paper in half and pretending to be on computers together.
We finished off our homeschool corner (it's just a bookshelf in the corner of our dining room) with a framed chalkboard I made. We put our Bible verse up in it every month to work on. It's nice to sit and eat breakfast and be reminded of God's goodness every morning.
I'll leave you with a piece of Logan's work. Usually I sit with her while she does these exercises in case she needs help, but yesterday I went to help Brody with something and came back to find it complete. She has to identify the picture/word, say it, spell it and write it out. I was very surprised when I walked back in the room and found it all done!
Sorry for the novel. I want to get this all documented so that I can look back and see what worked/what didn't when we start the other kids' out and needed to get it nice and detailed. :) I look forward to sharing more of our homeschooling adventures through the year!!
