Inspiring people in my homeschooling journey

I knew that I wanted to homeschool long before our oldest was "school age" and it was because of my aunt and uncle. They truly were the only people that I knew that homeschooled, but it just made me want to be involved. They lived across the country from us, so we rarely saw them and I only heard how they homeschooled through phone calls and letters. When our oldest was about 18 months we went to spend Thanksgiving with them. I remember going to the thrift store and my aunt showing me a cassette tape from Rafi that she thought we'd just love. We bought it and were never disappointed. The way they introduced learning into everything they did truly inspired me. Just those type of things inspired me to reach out to my husband about homeschooling our oldest. We are about to graduate our second child and even though my aunt and uncle live so far they have always been huge supporters for us.

When we actually started homeschooling we joined a charter school in California because it seemed like such a great idea. Within a few weeks of joining I realized that with this place being so new it was not a great fit for a new homeschooling family. I was at a mom's night out dinner and was telling the other moms and they told me they had just the person I needed to talk with about our issues. She was a teacher for another charter in our area, but she was also a homeschooling mom and gave great advice. We got together and she was so easy to talk to and was able to help me with some of my struggles. I ultimately switched to the charter school she worked for and she was our teacher until she left to start a new career. All those years that she worked with us was not only a teacher/parent relationship, but a friendship. I could talk to her about anything and keep up with her to this day even though we live in opposite sides of the states.  She truly helped shape and guide me in some ways during those early years and I'm so thankful for her.

Another lady that I think has truly inspired me I didn't meet until we moved back here to NC. I saw a post on a local group where she was starting a co-op in our area. It seemed a great way to meet other homeschooling moms and let the kids be around other kids. From the day I met her I was totally at ease with her. She's such an amazing person who truly would give the shirt off her back to anyone that needed it. She'll invite you into her home, hang out with you for hours, yell at your kids if they need it, and start and run any new programs the kids want. We graduated our first kids together and this year are graduating our second kids together. Even though I met her through homeschooling an amazing friendship came from that as well. This lady is truly the lady that when she walks in the room everyone is yelling her name because they love to see her.

There have been so many people that I've met and friendships that have been formed over the years of homeschooling. I feel that I learn something from every single one of these people. Some I haven't seen in years and some I have the best memories with and wish that I could turn back the clock.  I'm so thankful for our years of homeschooling and feel sad to thing that we are closer to the end of our journey than the beginning. I wish I could turn the clocks back and do it all over again. There are so many things I would change and do different, but at the time I was always doing what I thought was best.  I'm truly thankful for all the wonderful people that I've met on this journey and thankful for all their love and support.

All About Me!

In this day and age of parenting and homeschooling moms don't typically get tons of "me" time. I've been a missing in action lately, so I thought I'd write a fun little post reminding everyone who I am :) My name is Teresa and I've been married to my husband for 23 years in June.  We have three children.  Our oldest is 20, married and in the Army with our second grandchild on the way.  Our middle is 17 and will be graduating next year.  Our youngest just turned 12 and will be going in the 7th grade next year.  We usually are identified by our spouses or children, so that should sum up all about me that you need to know! :) Just kidding.....

I have loved reading for as long as I can remember and more often than not when I have free time you'll find me with a book in my hand.  I enjoy doing crafts and was taught by my grandmother at a young age to knit and do needle point. I've been teaching myself how to crochet over the last few years with the help of YouTube and friends. I really enjoy it, but have found the last several years that I can't do that type of activity for long because my hands start to grow numb :( We homeschool our children, so another passion of mine is reading on the internet about what curriculum other families use, fun projects and pretty much anything to keep my kids from complaining about doing their school :) I'm very active in our local homeschool co-op as well as being on a group to help reach out to those with undiagnosed and rare disease.  I'm a huge Dt. Dr. Pepper and Dt. Cherry Pepsi fan which I know I need to stop, but they are just SO good! I do enjoy a cold coffee especially when it's full of lots of sweet goodies.

Someone asked why I started blogging and I'll tell you it all goes back to the books! I had debated about starting a blog mainly for family and friends that aren't near us to see what we were doing. Then I learned that you could get FREE books just for writing your opinion about them. That hooked me and that's been one of the biggest parts of my blog. I enjoy talking about homeschooling and reviewing products which I'm able to do being part of the Timberdoodle Blog Team.  What's better than free products just for using them and giving my thoughts? :)  Our youngest has some special needs and a rare genetic condition, so the blog gives me a place to reach out to others in similar situations as well.


Here's a recent picture from when I was in Boston to meet with my fellow PEER members. I'm the one in the tropical looking shirt :)

I hope this helps give you a little glimpse into my life and who I am. Feel free to ask questions and I'll be more than happy to answer them!. 

First six weeks of school is in the books!!

We have completed the first six weeks of school and I feel like we are doing pretty good. This might be our best start yet! It never seems to fail that we make a few changes and tweak what we are doing, but that's part of homeschooling. As the years have gone I've learned that I need to go with the flow more and not stress so much if something isn't working. Sometimes things just don't work with certain children and it's better to drop it than push through. Sometimes we should push through and that's been one of my biggest struggles is knowing when to stop and when to push through.  I guess by the time I graduate our youngest child I'll finally feel like I know what I'm doing (LOL) This year marks our 15th year homeschooling and I often still don't feel like I know what I'm doing. I've realized that being in charge of your child's education is stressful and not wanting to make mistakes can cause a mom to do crazy things (LOL)

This year our middle child is in the 11th grade. The plan was to start out with Abeka American History. My daughter enjoys the Abeka history books and has been using them for a few years now. I try to order used when I can, so that's what I did, but this year it was problematic :( I didn't pay much attention to what arrived in the mail until it was almost time to start. Then I realized the reader and answer key didn't match :( I don't mind a little older book, but I do mind when I don't have a usable answer key. That's one of my favorite tools for homeschooling is to have an answer key for everything! A friend used the same program and was able to loan me hers, so we now have the more current book AND answer key. Makes grading much easier. I debated about English and ultimately went with the American Lit from Bob Jones. When I was flipping through it I was pretty sure it wouldn't work out for us, but again I got it super cheap and so we tried it. About two weeks in my daughter came to me that she was struggling. We decided we'd drop that program and go back to picking books to read and doing comprehension questions and some writing. Her first book that I picked was The Giver by Lois Lowry. I had grabbed this one day at the library and thought it was something she'd like. I figure we'll have an interesting mix of books read by the end of the year.  We are always open for suggestions! :) For Science we are doing something new for us. We are using a free Anatomy & Physiology program from Guest Hollow.  She's really enjoying this and it's usually the first subject that she turns to each day. 

For our youngest we are also using a free program, American History Year 2, from Guest Hollow as well. I had heard about this site from another homeschooler, I wish I could remember who told me, and I had bookmarked it to check out. It's working great for us this year and both of them seem to really be enjoying them.  I recently wrote about how we are using this history this year.  Issac is continuing to use A+ Math that we were given last year to review. He used to be ahead in math, but once multiplication and division came into play he has struggled since.  We are just continuing to work through some of the basics to try and strengthen his foundation.  We are throwing some health this year.  I figured we could easily add things on for our science.  Just recently I was given the chance to review Science in the Industrial Age and I'm loving it after just one lesson! We jumped back into First Language Lessons 3 this year. Issac has trouble remembering basic parts of speech and we are more often than not reviewing and stopping other programs due to his memory. I decided that these programs had worked great when he was younger, so we'd go back to it. I'd rather have a good basic foundation for him than trying to push ahead on things that I don't think are necessary for him.  We have been reading some of the longer chapter books from our history as our English and I've been finding comprehension questions and vocabulary to use. We also just received Mosdos Press Literature-Pearl to use. I'm not sure why I went with this level because Issac is usually behind at least one level. I went through and skipped the longer stories and we started with the smaller stories. We are going to attempt to modify it to make it work for us :) 

Usually by this time I'm feeling SO behind. Issac has been doing so great for the last 2 or so weeks. Not arguing about doing his work. Getting up early and wanting to work before appointments and not complaining if we were late some days. It's really made this year much more enjoyable and I'm hoping it continues!

The kids are also continuing to do their drama classes as well as Issac is doing a space themed class and one where they are reading The Adventures of Rush Revere-The Revolutionary War. I highly recommend these books! This company is wanting to get these books into children's hands and get them to develop a love of history. They have been VERY generous with our co-op in helping supply books. 

5th Grade-End of Year Review

Wow, I can't believe that I no longer have any children in elementary grades! On one hand that seems SO cool and on the other it makes me sad. It feels in some ways that just yesterday I started homeschooling and now my 3rd child will be starting 6th grade. It feels like we'll be done homeschooling sooner than I'd like. That said we had a great 5th grade year. Lot of stuff happening and lots of patience required :)

I think we used so many different programs, books, etc this year that at this point I'm not even sure I remember what all we used! I started my second year on the review crew and there are always LOTS of great things to be reviewed. Some of the things that stand out for me are that Issac really loved CTC Math. I had looked at this program previously for my daughter, but for some reason we didn't go with it.  He loved this program from day 1. He's really only used Teaching Textbooks, but he prefers CTC Math and I think we'll stick with it for now.  Issac has really started to develop a love for geography and really enjoyed Lets Go Geography.  Some of the activities seemed young for him because of the grade level, but he still enjoying learning about the countries.

He's also really enjoyed reading books on history.  We read several of the Rush Revere books and he really enjoyed those. We have co-op classes on Wednesdays and he started reading the books on his own because he heard the other kids talking about them! That was a first for him and I was so excited. For him to pick up a book and start reading it on his own after all his delays was such a happy day for this mama!! From there we just started reading any and all books on history we had at the house. One series he really enjoyed was the Who Was Series. We've been reading every one of those books that we own. He really likes hearing about some of the historical figures and how they were as children too :) Issac likes hands-on activities and really learned quite a bit from the Home School in the Woods-Time Travelers WWII


We tried the Wordly Wise Book 4 and I realized those are NOT a good fit for Issac. I thought it probably wasn't going to be a good fit, but it was a struggle. We also worked on grammar a bit this year, but still struggling to find a program that reviews enough for him.  Art has become another "class" that Issac enjoys. A friend did a once a month class that he really loved. They did pottery, painting, seed art etc.

We purchased a home back in November and Issac was really excited due to the land. It's been months of having patience because my husband got a concussion the same month. We have had lots of stressful times and it's been hard on Issac. I keep trying to teach him that family is forever and everyone needs to jump in and help. I'm hoping one day he'll fully grasp that concept :)

I can't believe that it's already early July and I have done ZERO planning for his 6th grade year!! I hope to get some ideas in the next few weeks and start planning. I really want to have a great year and focus on his love for history.

Just another day of school!

This has been a very difficult year for us and truly the last few years have been tough. My husband was injured on the job about 3+ years ago and hasn't been able to work since. We are currently fighting for disability. As those that homeschool know school continues to go on no matter what is happening in life :) The kids and I were at the house the last few days trying to work in the yard. We have almost 6 acres, but most of it is full of trees and shrubs. Our riding lawnmower is not fixable, but thanks to good friends we are able to use their push lawnmower. Brianna worked on mowing while I worked on burning yesterday. Today being a "school day" we packed up the books and went to the house. Issac mostly rode around on an electric scooter we found in the yard the other day and pretty much went in the opposite direction of work that Brianna or I were doing (LOL) 

I decided to work in the back near the house and see how much of the grass I could mow down. Issac and I dragged the last of the wood to be burned to the back, so that I could watch it while I mowed.

 In between mowing and burning Issac and I worked on school. We sat in the covered carport and worked on our new Bible program that we started. We are a bit late in starting it as I had an issue with the post office and forwarding the box to the new house. We started working in the Bible Study Guide For All Ages in the Intermediate (3rd & 4th grade) portion. Issac is actually finishing up 5th grade, but when I looked at the examples there was more writing needed in the advanced portion, so I felt the intermediate would be a better fit for him.  I really love the amazing timeline and maps that we received with this program. 

 We are also currently working in the Hake/Saxon Grammar and Writing 3. Again, Issac is using a lower grade level than he's in, but he's had such trouble remembering parts of speech that I felt this was a better fit. We are still working in the A+ Interactive Math (by A+ TutorSoft Inc.), but didn't have the computer with us. Issac has been reviewing adding 5 digit numbers with 4 digit numbers and 4 digit numbers with 3 digit numbers. I just wrote some problems down on paper for him to work through. He also managed to do a lesson in his Spelling Workout C. All in all a pretty good day for working outside as well as school. When I got home I was SUPER sore from working, so I was able to use the bath bomb my daughter-in-law purchased for me recently. She couldn't believe I hadn't had one of the huge bombs from Lush.  This is the one she picked out for me and it was pretty cool! My water was bluish with swirls of other colors as well. 

After that I decided to check my mail and found a cool freebie for Issac.  Sandra from www.realworldlearners.com has this great outdoor scavenger hunt freebie.  This will be perfect for Issac the next time we are at the house. When your homeschooling you have to make adjustments for whatever happens in life. It can be sickness, new babies, moving or just extra fun time. It's all about compromise and making things work for each family. 

Fun printables I found this week.

We attend a TON of appointments and it always helps to have something to keep Issac busy. He usually brings his tablet, but I often prefer something that it's a screen :) We just recently started playing hangman and he really enjoys it. When I was in the Boston airport I saw a really nice hangman set, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to spend the money. It was actually pretty reasonably priced, but I just wondered if we'd use it enough. After I got home I thought surely there has to be something I can print from the internet to use :) I did a quick search and ran across The Puzzle Den . I lucked out and found a printable hangman as well as the dot to dot game. I printed both an laminated them to keep the clean for many uses. Issac and I are already enjoying using these. 

I'm not sure what I was searching, reading, etc., but ran across the Princess Pinky Girl Parts of Speech and math printable. Issac is still having trouble remember facts and parts of speech, so I figured this might be great for him. About 6 months ago when he was still in OT they told me that they noticed he did better focusing when he was in the upstairs room that really didn't have anything on the walls. I've always been one to hang things on the walls for the kids and realized that might not be the best plan for him. I figured he could have these little lists in a notebook and refer to them if/when he needed them. 

This week I ran across The Bible Trivia for Kids Game from The Fervent Mama. This is a neat little freebie right now that looks like would be fun to play with the kids. I'm hoping to get mine laminated this weekend. I was blessed with a laminator as a gift from a dear friend and I'm trying to find every excuse I can to use it :)

I hope you all have a great week and feel free to share any great things you ran across this week :)

Recent school favorites

Recently due to hearing what his friends are talking about in co-op class Issac has decided to revisit the Rush Revere History Series.  I've written about this series a few times, but it really seems to have sparked Issac's interest in history. He's been on a love of geography for well over a year, but now it seems history in general is becoming the favorite. I've mentioned before that Issac isn't one to read on his own, but he's totally picked this series up and has been reading them on his own as well as I've been reading to him at bed. 

We also went through our shelf and found a few great books to go along with his current interest in history. Many of these are topics he's read about in the Rush Revere series.  These books have helped him to get a little more information.  He became very interested in Paul Revere so we read Paul Revere by Jan Gleiter and Kethleen Thompson.  He then chose to read The Declaration of Independency by Michael Burgan.  We've also been reading Heroes of History George Washington. He's been really fascinated by some of the things we read. He was shocked to read that George Washington had once been so sick he had to ride on pillows on his horse and could barely stay on without being strapped onto the horse! That book as well as the Rush Revere series lead us into the following other books:

George Washington's Breakfast

The Winter At Valley Forge

The Bill of Rights

Shh! We're Writing the Constitution

...If You Were There When They Signed the Constitution

Young Thomas Jefferson 

The Story of the Declaration of Independence

Where was Patrick Henry On the 29th of May?

He's also been watching Drive Thru History-American History at SchoolhouseTeachers.com I believe they currently have hundreds of classes that are free with your monthly or yearly membership.  

Last and certainly not least is his interest in Mad Libs Junior thanks to a dear friend.  He's been working on Summer Camp Mad Libs Junior as well as Super Silly Mad Libs Junior.  He's been a busy kid the last few weeks learning history and helping his dad :) 

Review: CursiveLogic

We have been fortunate enough these last few weeks to be able to be working on our cursive through a great program the CursiveLogic Quick-Start Pack.  We've also had some wonderful coloring fun with  The Art of Cursive. Both of these great products are available from CursiveLogic. I think cursive is very beautiful and it makes me sad that so many schools are choosing not to continue teaching the program. When I was growing up we were taught that our signature was cursive, plain and simple. We'd need that signature to get a bank account, buy a car or house and complete any major transaction. We are working on teaching our third child to write cursive.  Our youngest child is 10 years old and has dealt with fine motor issues his entire life.  Learning to write was extremely difficult for him and honestly he's still struggling for others to be able to read his writing. Several therapists have recommended over the years that cursive might be a better method for him. The way the letters flow together and connect might be easier for him to manage they thought. We've tried a few workbooks and printouts, but nothing seemed to click.  The CursiveLogic Quick-Start Pack was really the first official program that we tried for cursive. 

While we were awaiting the arrival of our books we received a webinar to watch that taught the basics of the program.  That was where I learned that their letters are grouped by shape and they all have connected letter strings. In this program your student will never write a disconnected letter.  There are several groupings that the letters fall into. 
 The first is Orange Oval and those letters are a/c/d/g/q/o. This is where we spent the most time working in during this review period. 
Grouping these letters together helps start this program off in the most successful way possible.  The program also includes "sayings" that the student should repeat each time they are writing. This verbal cue helps the student to write the letters correctly.  For Orange Oval the students will repeat Over Back Trace.  For many children these verbal cues help them to be more productive. It's also suggested to try and write the letters in the group in the color that their group contains. For Orange Oval the student could write in orange while repeating over back trace. This gives them a visual as well as auditory cue while working on their letters.  The student is said to be able to master the program and cursive in ten weeks, but again with any program you can adapt it for your child if needed. 
Issac has had a love/hate relationship with the thought of cursive writing. He's really wanted to learn to write cursive, but felt it was very hard when he tried. I was very optimistic and excited about this program for him.  He really liked that the groups were color coordinated and I think that's because he is a child that often needs those cues to help him be successful. I recommended he write with a marker, but he found that too hard. I tried to suggest he use an orange pencil then, but he really only wanted to use a pen. I have to admit that as early on as I could get away with it I would chose a pen over a pencil any day. He is one of my children that follows my footsteps in that area :) We worked on the "mantras" as I'll call them for the auditory cue in the writing, but he didn't care for them. He said he didn't want to say them aloud, but said them in his "mind", but I can't really say if he did. I usually tried sitting with him and saying it because I really do feel it is helpful.  At the beginning of the book there is an area for your student to write, so that you can later compare their progress. I have to say that we didn't have a ton of progress. That's not to say this program isn't great, but we didn't progress on the level that others might. I feel that Issac needed much more practice and if there were a way to log into an account and print additional pages for practice that would be great for a student like him.  We won't be able to complete this program in ten weeks, but we'll continue to work through it on our level. We often have to slow things down and more often than not need quite a bit more practice and review than the average child. I'll be honest that I'm not sure Issac's cursive will ever look great, but I do want him to be able to sign his name for those important documents that he'll need to sign. 

 This is Issac's starting writing. The program likes the student to write their name and letters. They feel this helps the student see their progress when they finish the program. 

One thing I really love about this program is the spiral spine is on the top. This is great for my lefty. 

Cursive writing doesn't have to be just writing letters over and over again or pages of words.  CursiveLogic has given us a beautiful way to practice our cursive writing without ever thinking of it as work! They have come up with an amazing book, The Art of Cursive, that gives a student or parent a wonderful way to practice cursive while making beautiful art! Issac really doesn't like coloring much of anything and these pages were pretty "busy" for him. I was pretty excited about the book though and thought it was something my sixteen year old would like as well as myself :) I colored several pages in this book and was amazed at how the practice of cursive writing was put into pretty artwork. These are the type of pages you could frame and people would have to look very hard to realize there was cursive writing included in the picture.

CursiveLogic really has worked hard to create the CursiveLogic Quick-Start Pack as well as the The Art of Cursive. They've tried to include things like the webinar as well as a Blogger Guide that was sent to us. They really want parents and teachers to know that this is a multi-sensory approach to cursive writing. They have included the groupings, the auditory and visual cues to help students be successful.  They also want parents/teachers to be successful in the way they teach their students and that's why they've gone out of their way to add all the helpful advice and tips. Here's a little VIDEO that gives some insite on the program and how it was founded.

 Cursive Logic has graciously offered all readers a discount through the end of March.  Use the code CREW2018 and you can save 20% on the Quick-Start Pack, which is the webinar and workbook combo.  

Don't forget to follow CursiveLogic at the following social media sites as well as read how the other crew members used this program. 

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Things I believe before I started homeschooling...

I was reading a blog post at Mom.Wife.Homeschool Life about 8 Things she believed about homeschooling.  It got me thinking that most of us have an idea in our mind about what homeschooling is or how our days WILL go. The reality is we really have no clue until we get into it. My aunt and uncle homeschooled my cousin and that put that little thought way back in the back of my brain when our first child was born. I always did learning activities with him and games as he was little, but it wasn't until he was almost 5 that I realized I already planned to homeschool him, but really had never talked to my husband about it (LOL) We talked, he was for it and life went on. When I think back I realize I still struggle with some of these thoughts I had and they often still creep back.

#1
I thought by homeschooling that my kids would just pick up learning activities on their own or seek out activities that they might not get to do in public school. I imagined my children writing poetry or long stories, building things for hours, wanting to take things apart and LEARN how they work by putting them back together.  Our oldest did spend a few years where he built several things out of wood, but other than that when school time was up the kids were ready to be done with any type of learning.

#2
I thought all our children would LOVE reading for their entire lives and never have any struggles due to all the times I read to them.  Child number one struggled for a few years and to this day hates to read. I've worried and stressed over it for years. Wondering what else I could have done, will he suffer in life, etc. I had to realize one day that my husband isn't a reader. He's always said he reads the Bible and blueprints. Our oldest is VERY much like my husband and I just had to accept that he doesn't enjoy reading. Child number two seemed to learn to read almost on her own and has read more books than I can count. She's funny though because I realized early on that I couldn't pick out things for her to read because she had her own interests. She didn't LOVE the Little House Books like i had hoped, but even at 16 she still loves to read and for that I'm thankful. Child number three comes along and seems to be learning to read well and then things went downhill. It took us YEARS to get him to the point of not struggling to read. Guess what? He hates reading and tries to get out of it every chance he can. Yep, I think I have another child like the hubby :)

#3
I thought all of my kids would enjoy some type of musical instrument.  We tried the recorder at a young age because I remember having such fond memories. The kids liked it ok, but not really enough to want to learn lots of songs. Our oldest did guitar for a little bit and he enjoyed it. I think what he liked most about the teacher was he tried to teach him songs he had heard or knew and that made it interesting. When we moved out of state my son wasn't really interested in trying to find a new teacher. Our daughter wanted to do violin and I was so excited. Someone I've always thought the really smart kids play violin (LOL) She was actually very good at it, but decided she didn't want to do it anymore and eventually we stopped. Child number three hasn't done any instruments at all yet and I'm not sure he will.

#4
I thought my kids would love spending time with each other and not really want to reach out to others so much. I imagined them playing together nicely all the time, doing activities and projects, etc.  The two oldest children are almost three years apart. They got along well until they reached about the ages of 7 and 10.  Then the oldest didn't seem to want to be playing with his sister anymore. The youngest is 6 years younger than the middle and it's always seemed to much. There is too much of a gap between him and the other two for them to really have enjoyed playing too much together. They all go through spurts of how they want to be around each other, but there is a TON more fighting than I ever imagined :)

#5
I thought the house would always be clean because everyone would do their chores without being told, arguing about not wanting to do them, etc. I'm not sure that has happened a day in any of their lives (LOL) Someone is always trying to get out of a chore, put it off on another child, etc.

#6
I thought my husband and I would have these wonderful talks every night about how the day had been. He'd be super involved in finding out what the kids did and were wanting to do. Nope, my husband has worked long hours our entire marriage. I'm not sure why I thought that would change as children came along. My husband is also not much of a talker, so those conversations I saw happening daily happen every once in a while. Long discussions about curriculum don't happen. He says I'm the teacher and should choose what I like. 

#7
I thought any curriculum I liked the kids would like. Not sure why I thought that when my children don't like everything I like (LOL) Many things that worked with the oldest didn't work with the others. I've found that the boys did well with certain programs and maybe it didn't fit my daughter. Not saying that's how it always happens, but that's what I tended to notice.

#8
When I learned that here in NC your children can attend community college in 11th grade and the tuition would be waived I was super excited. There are CLEP tests that can be taken for college credit and I just thought that was amazing. The oldest child had NOT a care in the world about any of that. He wanted to get through his daily work as quickly as possible and work. I finally convinced him his senior year to take a few classes. I was super worried because this is the kid that hates to read, but he figured it all out. He realized it was on him and knew what he needed to do to be successful.  Our middle child really has no interest either, but I'm holding out that she'll change her mind :) Our youngest is only 10, but according to him he's going in the 11th grade and already has everything mapped out to complete his future plans.

#9
I thought with homeschooling that my kids would want to jump in and help me with everything I did. That they'd want to constantly do things together. That happened when they were younger, but as they got older they spent more time in their room, with friends, etc. Apparently I thought they'd magically always want me around :)

I'm sure there are plenty more things I thought and aren't reality, but this is just a few that came to mind :)

First Week of School 8/26/2017

Monday was the first day back to school, so this week has been an adjustment (LOL) I typically try not to schedule anything the first few weeks, so that we can ease back into the swing of things! I had a kitten getting spayed on Monday, so the first day of school I was up and out of the house at 6:30 to drop the kitten off at the clinic.  Came back and we had homeade cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing. I started the cinnamon roll tradition I believe when our oldest started kindergarten.  Some years we buy the tubes from the dairy section and some years I make them. I don't know if the kids care either way, but if I didn't have them they would ask.  It's not a big thing to do, but it's just one of those little traditions that we've done over the years.

 The day went pretty good.  Issac and I are working on a few things for upcoming reviews.  We worked in our An Overview of the 20th Century lapbook by A Journey Through Learning Lapbooks.  Issac is really enjoying some of the information he's learning through this lapbook.  I like these because you can do them as is, add books, add projects or whatever you want.  We are also reading Charlotte's Web and using the Charlotte’s Web E-Guide by Progeny Press.  Charlotte's Web was one of my daughter's favorite books growing up.  Even though she's not doing the study I've noticed a few times she's answered the questions for Issac just because she knows the book so well (LOL) I like this study because there is vocabulary work, some short answer questions as well as some more comprehensive questions. It's been a good intro to more in-depth book studies for Issac.  We've also been reading Imagine. . .The Great Flood by Matt Koceich as our nighttime reading.  This book has really caused Issac to think and has started some great conversations. I think if he had to chose his favorite subject of the week it would be Let's Go Geography. He's really enjoying his venture into studying North America.  He asked me to take school pictures which is another first day tradition. I got ready and then he was "busy", so he said later (LOL) So far the first week is gone now and still no pictures (LOL) He kept talking about his sister taking pictures and she's refusing :( Hopefully tomorrow we'll get some :)

I think my daughter had a good first week. She seems to be enjoying her Marine Biology 2nd Edition Advantage Set by Apologia Educational Ministries.  I think her second favorite subject of the week was probably her World History & Cultures from Abeka or her Wordly Wise 10. Seems like yesterday she was 4 and wanting to do work like her older brother. I included her in whatever she wanted to be a part of and actually started her doing Reading Made Easy because she wanted to learn to read.  I have this picture of her in my head in her pajamas, asleep in the rocking chair holding the Reading Made Easy Book.  Seems not that long ago and yet here she is starting 10th grade and will be graduating in three years. The time goes by so much more quickly than we can every imagine.  This is the first time in quite a few years that I've only got two kids at home.  I'm so proud of my oldest and all he has accomplished.  I know he as well as the other two will go far in life.

Homeschool Philosophies Quiz-What type of homeschooler are YOU?

I recently took the Homeschool Philosophies Quiz that a friend posted about and these are the scores I received.

Score for Charlotte Mason: 12
Score for Classical Education: 9
Score for Montessori Education: 15
Score for Project-Based Learning: 6
Score for Reggio-Inspired:9
Score for Thomas Jefferson Education: 9
Score for Traditional Education: 3
Score for Unit Studies Approach: 12
Score for Unschooling Approach: 6
Score for Waldorf Education: 3

I have to admit that I've NEVER heard of Reggio-Inspired.  I've got to go look that up :) All this fun has gotten me thinking about starting a new year and what changes I would like to make this year.  It prompted me to take some of the other quizzes on the site to get some more information about my homeschooling style :) I also took the What Kind of Homeschool Mom or Dad Are You? and these are my results.  

Score for Creative: 6 
Score for Curious: 3 
Score for Diligent: 3 
Score for Free Spirit: 6 
Score for Laidback: -3 
Score for Neat and Tidy: -3 
Score for Out and About: 3 
Score for Outdoorsy: -14 
Score for Planner: 14 
Score for Playful: 6 
Score for Project Lover: 9 
Score for Storyteller (Read Alouds): 12 

Love that the outdoorsy was a NEGATIVE 14 because that is SO me (LOL) I also took the What Kind of Homeschooler Are You? quiz which is an older version of the first quiz.  It's interesting to see some of the different results.  


Score for Waldorf Education: 3 
Score for Traditional Education: 3 
Score for Unit Studies Education: 6 
Score for Montessori Education: 12 
Score for Thomas Jefferson Education: -3 
Score for Unschooling: 9 
Score for Classical Education: 9 
Score for Charlotte Mason Education: 15 

I need to work on more hands on this year and would love to hear any suggestions of things you all have done that have been big hits :) Would love to hear what your scores are if you take any of the tests :)