First of all, I want to apologize that it's taken me so long to get this particular post up. I've been asked several times to share what we're doing/using for home education this year, and though it's been all set since August (when I ordered our curriculum and sent in our ed. plans) it's just taken me this long to put it all down on paper - or should I say, post!
Dear readers, it astounds me to say this is our 12th year of homeschooling! We started back when Bookworm was just five, just after one year of preschool at a nearby church. Our town was going "full day K" - something Bill and I were definitely not "for" - so we made a sharp turn from traditional education and tossed our hats into the homeschooling ring. Fortunately, we found it much to our liking (and we also found wonderful local support) and have never looked back ... and now our Bookworm is in 11th grade!
This year I also have a 7th grader (Crackerjack) as well as a special needs 3rd grader (Earlybird). I'm happy to report, we're enjoying it all very much, but as we've added more outside classes* this year, it's been a bit of a juggle getting used to all the "comings and goings." (And for me personally, it's been a challenge to keep up with my household routines!) I think though, now that we're several weeks into our new year, we're starting to balance things out a little ...
*A bit on the outside classes - this fall we enrolled the boys in some electives at a local homeschool "tutorial" center. Many of our friends have been part of this organization for years ... and we've finally found the time to be part of this wonderful community. It's something like a co-op, but instead of parents doing the teaching, teachers - or tutors, as we call them - are hired to teach our students - or scholars, as we say. Classes range from academic to electives and the children can take one class or many. It's a terrific experience so far. :)
Ok, before I go on any further, here's the curriculum breakdown this year:
Bookworm
~ Home Lessons ~
General: Oak Meadow 11th grade
American Literature
US History
Chemistry
~ Outside Classes ~
High School Art
SAT Prep Workshop
Monthly "Brit Lit" Discussion Group
"Commonwealth Dual Enrollment Program *
(*currently under investigation)
Confirmation classes
Driver's Ed. (Eek! Lol.)
~ Miscellaneous Activities ~
Weekly volunteering at our local branch library
Team Manager/U12 Soccer (CJ's team)
Neighborhood yard work and pet care
*
Crackerjack
~ Home Lessons ~
English
World History
Earth Science
Our Faith @ Home (activities/lessons)
~ Outside classes ~
Middle School Art
Drama
7th grade Religious Ed.
Monthly "Newbury Awards" Book Group
~ Outside activities ~
Fall and Spring Soccer
Altar Server ("under consideration," lol)
*
Now, as Earlybird does not follow one specific curriculum (though I do draw a lot from Oak Meadow) I will write about his outlined "living and learning" year in a separate post. He is registered as 3rd grade, but we work on a K-3 level. His special needs are best met by a carefully arranged approach to academics, life skills, and creative pursuits.
~*ºvº*~
So that's about all I have time for this morning, but before I go, a bit on my bout with the flu this week ...
The good news: I seem to be through the worst of it! And it was classic stomach flu - not the cough and cold variety. Also, EB and I seem to be the only ones to have gotten it.
*knock*on*wood*
The not-so-good-news: I'm completely wiped out! Oh my goodness, I can't get over how wiped out I am!
(And I have such appreciation now for just how badly my EB felt last week - no wonder he was so out of sorts!)
But I really can't complain. Bill was (IS) so awesome, and took the last two days off work to help me here at home. He took over the house and running around with the kids. So thankfully, they didn't miss a thing (save for some home lessons) thanks to Dad stepping in. Also, my mum has been helping out as she can - and she herself is getting over a wicked cold. I realize I'm very lucky (blessed!) to have such support, and I'm sure I'll be 100% again soon.
So my friends, I hope you have a great day ... thanks for all the "feel better" wishes! And thank you, as always, for stopping by.
I'll be back here again just as soon as I can!
:)
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