Wow, it has been awhile since I’ve updated on our homeschooling.
Confession time!!
I’ve been in a funk. Every once in awhile I get flat with schooling. And this is one of those times. So I’ve been looking at how to inflate our school.
HOMESCHOOLING THIS PAST SEMESTER:
One child HATES language arts but does great in math.
One child HATES math but doesn’t mind reading.
One child HATES anything that isn’t video games.
One mom feeling tired and lifeless.
THINGS I’M DOING:
- cursive
Cursive has been so much harder with my younger boys than with any of the other children. They buck and they cry (yes, we’ve actually had tears) and they are convinced they’ll never be able to do it. We tried writing weekly letters to Grandma (“I don’t know what to say!”), writing out the scripture verse they are learning (“I can’t read this so I don’t know what it says!”), writing out fun directions (“It’s taking me too long, I’ll be 147 before I’m finished!” — I’m thinking we have a couple with the spiritual gift of exaggeration).
So, I found and bought this one last try for a curriculum. It’s touted to be 1 year only (HOORAY!) and to teach the children to read various cursive writing as well as write. And it is called (hoping it lives up to its name) Cheerful Cursive! It is not the font I wanted (Pentime has a really lovely style) BUT it was quick and didn’t require teaching from me. Granted it is for 3rd graders and I have 6th, 8th, 10th graders, but I don’t care! It’s quick and fun and I don’t get complaints at handwriting time.
- language arts
We’ve used Learning Language Arts for Literature for the entire 23 years we’ve been homeschooling and I’ve loved it. I still do. BUT my one child who hates language arts needs some help with something different and we will be taking the coming year to do Literary Lessons from The Lord of the Rings. It is a style of book the boys love and I wanted to work through this altogether. So, although it was expensive (for me… I haven’t spent more than $75 a year on homeschool supplies in a very long time), I’m hoping it will help my language arts hater to get past his hump.
- Egypt
We are recycling our history from the beginning once again. We are almost 1/2 way through with our study of Ancient Egypt and then will progress to Ancient Greece.
- science
(Image courtesy of Victor Habbick/FreeDigitalPhotos.net)
Now if only I could find an exciting, dynamic and interesting teaching program for science, I’d be fine. I really dislike science and just don’t teach it fun. And I think my boys would really thrive and learn with better teaching. My older children were very uninterested in science so they handled my blah teaching just fine and learned what they needed to learn mostly on their own (in the junior and high school levels). But I need to up my game for the younger boys. Just wish I knew how. Suggestions?
- bible
We are beginning our recycle of OT history overview to line up with Egypt. This is a curriculum Kevin designed and I implemented years ago as part of a 5 year rotating curriculum.
You may be wondering why I’m starting new stuff in April!?! Well, since we school year round, when we jump into the next year’s books just depends on when we finish. And we’ve finished some stuff and need to change others.
Here we are in a nutshell. I’m praying for energy and renewed focus and joy. And I’m going to take a nap right now to help it happen!
Blogs I might be linking to:
Menu Planning Monday, On The Menu Monday, Erin Branscoms, Marital Oneness, The Better Mom, Multitudes on Monday, Hear it On Sunday, Sharing His Bounty, What Joy Is Mine, Playdates at the Well, Domestically Divine Tuesdays, Time Warp Wife, Funky Planet Frequent Flier Club, Encourage One Another, The Welcoming House, Legacy Leaver Thursday, What’s Up Wednesday, Thought Provoking Thursday, Hearts 4 Home, Thankful Thursday, Thankful Thursdays, Thankful, Thankful Thursday Brown-eyed Bell(e), Big Family Fridays, Faith Filled Fridays, Feasting In Fellowship Friday, Fellowship Friday, Homemaking Link-up Week-end, A Little R&R, Pieces of Amy, Homeschool Mother’s Journal
Kate, I would love to know more about the Bible curriculum you and Kevin put together!
Kate, I think funks are fairly common this time of the school year. I hope you push through it and are victorious! I find this is a great time to review my goals and why I homeschool. I hope you’ll consider adding this to the Homeschool Review link up hosted by HammockTracks.
Thank you! I needed to know that you have a child who hates anything other than video games! I have one of those, too. Unfortunately, the tired and listless mom at my house has allowed too much of that lately. When I’m weighed down with guilt and feelings of failure (and spring refuses to come!) it’s so hard to turn things around. Anyhow, thank you for your honest and inspiring post!
We all get in an occasional funk! Hope you find what you need to break out of it soon!
I know that feeling. 🙂
Have y’all checked out the many many MANY wonderful homeschooling resources and ideas at Pinterest. I could never begin to do a fraction of them. But it’s a great place to head when you want some fresh ideas and inspiration. Definitely a good funk-fighter! 🙂
I am following a ton of homeschoolers and love the grand ideas I find to share with my grandkids. 🙂 If you are there – do give me a shout out – http://pinterest.com/sandwichink/ – And I think it is open to all now, but if not and you want an invite just let me know 🙂
Kaye, I’m following you now. I’ve been on Pinterest almost since the beginning but I find that I really have little time to truly explore it. I look at what others share with me, so feel free to share anything great that you find!!