Well, I finally figured out how to do LINKS!!! YAY!! I’m very happy about this.

So anyone who reads (I think there are three of you!), knows we homeschool. It’s been a learning curve for me for sure. Greg just kind of goes along with it all. If he were here more, I would likely insist he be more involved, but being gone 6-6 nearly every day, he arrives home in time for supper, a little wrestling with the kids, and then bed. For various reasons - mostly because he’s been in therapy for most of the day for over two years - I haven’t done much with Luke. He’s “kindergarten” age. Anyway, I have spent a majority of my time this week getting together a plan for next year. And finishing up this year. I think mostly it will stay low-key for the remainder of this year. What with a new baby coming and all, I think I will get overwhelmed if I try to get into much of anything with Luke at this point. Cole is nearly done the learning to read program we’ve been working through.

We had a homeschool meeting on Tuesday. We meet once a month, and have a different topic each time. This time was on curriculum types and styles. It’s so neat to see the variety out there. There really is something for everyone. There is something for every style of teacher and learner from “school at home” to “unschooling”. We’re likely in the middle. I like the idea of unschooling. I’m not confident enough in it to do it. And I guess with the aspect of Social Services having already investigated us once, I want to be able to show them something should they ask again. I also know that my kids so enjoy workbooks, and “school” time. Unit studies were discussed on Tuesday as well. It seems like such a neat idea, but it sounds rather time-intensive for moms, and so we likely will only do those for special things.

So here is my plan for the fall.

Cole: Math U See
ACE English 1013-1024
ACE Word Building 1013-1024
Galloping the Globe
Considering God’s Creation
Ecoutez! Parlez!
Canada, My Country
I Can Do All Things
Searching For Treasure

This seems like a pretty extensive list, but some of these we will be doing every day, but not all. Also a couple of these are three year courses, which is nice to know I won’t have to purchase much for a couple of years. I’ve already bought Considering God’s Creation - second hand, but unused! - and it’s in the mail to us. I’m really looking forward to getting some of these things, and I know Cole is pretty excited too!

Luke: ACE Learning To Read
Math U See Primer

This doesn’t seem like much on paper, but for Grade 1 for Luke, I think this will be fine. I will be getting him to do puzzles and mazes - he loves them, but it is great practice for his brain too. I likely will stumble across a few other things as well. I initially thought I might use a curriculum called My Father’s World. It looks interesting, and had I already bought it and used it for Cole, I likely would, but I’m still figuring out how to teach Luke best, so I think we’ll start as simply as possible. Readin’, writin, and ‘rithmetic.

Brett will be “preschool” age in the fall, so I likely will have some basic things with him. He can already sing the ABC’s, though I’m not sure he’s got them all right. And he can count a bit. I will likely use next year to firm up those things, along with shapes, colors, etc. I’m definitely not wanting to overwhelm him and make him sit for long periods. So it will all be through games and puzzles and songs. Ya know, the stuff preschoolers enjoy!

Probably the biggest thing I’ve had to learn, even more than what curriculum is, where to find it, how to use it, etc., is that our homeschool experience is going to look different from anyone else. In the past I have been easily pressured into doing something because someone else thinks it’s the “best” way. Funny because in school, I was the one student recognized as being someone who didn’t give in to pressure from others! Anyway, I have learned/am learning how to be an individual, even in homeschooling, and do it our way.

It will likely be challenging to be homeschooling two, plus some preschool stuff for Brett, and a new baby. Ellie will be in the mix as well, and she already at 19 mos. loves to sit and “draw”. I may still get into My Father’s World, but we’ll see. Finances can get out of hand if you purchase too much.

I have done up a tentative schedule as well. In order to be able to be successful at this, I’m going to need to up the self-discipline. I don’t like being constrained to a perfect schedule and following the clock, but guidelines are good, and I see for us it being beneficial.

So that’s homeschooling for us!