What my Kindergartener is doing this year...

Starting Bean in Kindergarten was a lot easier since she is following in her big sister's footsteps.  She gets to learn from my past mistakes!  Here is what we're going with for this year.

SPELLING: All About Spelling- Level 1 to make sure we've got all the basics covered thoroughly.  She could use the mastery of the phonograms so this will be a great building block for her.

HISTORY: Story of the World: Volume 1 Ancient Times- She will be doing this right along with her big sister.  She loves the story of it all.  We're also using the Activity Guide (for the maps and coloring sheets as well as some good hands-on activities) and the testing booklet (for oral review).

HISTORY READING: The Classical House of Learning Literature- There's a beginner version of her student guide!

COMPUTER: Time 4 Learning- Great tool for reinforcing the basics.

HANDWRITING: A Reason For Writing: Level B- Scripture-based handwriting practice? Yes, please!

READING: Ordinary Parents Guide To Teaching Reading- This has been on my shelf for a while, so I think I'll dust it off and see if will help build Bean's confidence.

MATH: Horizons K- Heard nothing but great reviews.  We'll give it a whirl.

SCIENCE: Basic animals.  Starting with the ones in this book.

ART: World's Greatest Artists Study- Erica from Confessions of a Homeschooler has provided yet another fantastic FREE printable curriculum!  So far my girls are loving it.

What my 2nd/3rd Grader is doing this year...

This year we decided to change it up a bit.  There were a few subjects that just weren't working last year and some that we just wanted to try something different for this year.  Here is what we came up with:

SPELLING: All About Spelling- This one is new this year, so we are starting at Level 1 to make sure we've got all the basics covered thoroughly.

HISTORY: Story of the World: Volume 1 Ancient Times- We started this last year and really liked it.  This year, we are doing it again, but definitely more thoroughly and with a bit more fun thrown in.  We're also using the Activity Guide (for the maps and coloring sheets as well as some good hands-on activities) and the testing booklet (for oral review).

HISTORY READING: The Classical House of Learning Literature- Laura Lund has taken all the work out of it for me!  She prepared EXACTLY what I was looking for.  Our literature selections will back up our history spine (SOW) and expand on those events.  One of the other benefits?  She's provided this awesome guide for FREE!

COMPUTER: Time 4 Learning- My kids love the fun and I love that they learn at the same time!

HANDWRITING: A Reason For Writing: Level B- Scripture-based handwriting practice? Yes, please!

MATH: Teaching Textbooks: Math 3- This was an area that needed improvement.  She actually giggled doing her lesson yesterday!  I think anytime an 8-year-old ASKS to do math, it's a winner!  (And the content is good, too.)

SCIENCE: This subject is still up in the air.  Any suggestions?

ART: World's Greatest Artists Study- Erica from Confessions of a Homeschooler has provided yet another fantastic FREE printable curriculum!  So far my girls are loving it.

First Day of School!

I'm going to kick off this blog with the first day of school!  After a crazy summer, we just started school yesterday.  I wanted to make sure that I had all of my plans finalized and curriculum ordered and school room rearranged and... you get the idea.  All the planning in the world and I never feel quite ready.  But, alas, I have to start sometime.

We kicked off the morning with a good breakfast and some snuggling on the couch.  It was raining and gloomy and it was so nice to be able to cuddle with my kiddos and listen to the rain.

After getting dressed (and redressed for the potty trainer), we headed down to the school room.  (I'll post pictures soon.)  They were so excited!  I'm happy I could give them some of the anticipation that accompanied my first day of public school each year.

This is my first year homeschooling 3 kiddos at the same time.  Wow.  We still have some "kinks" to work out, but I love that we all have a structure to our day.  And I love that we get to start it off praying and exploring God's word together.

Do you have any "First Day of School" traditions?

New Blog!

Hey there!  Welcome to my blog giving you a glimpse into the wonderful world of homeschooling... as we know it, anyhow.  Feel free to check it out and let me know if there is anything you would like to see.

Thanks for stopping by!