Julpost
09-19-2008, 09:34 PM
I need advice. My 3 kiddos are back home after 2 years in ps. I think I was a little optimistic when I considered homeschooling them w/ a 3yo and 1 yo at home. Not only are we strapped financially but I feel like we're always just on the edge of chaos. Only by God's grace has it not taken over yet. So right now, this is what we are doing:
Bible-a chapter of proverbs in the morning
Math-one chapter of Saxon 8/7 and 6/5 respectively for the older two. The second grader just does a page or two out of her math book until I get her MUS program together.
Writing-a worksheet on some aspect of grammar and writing and then a writing prompt. Today it was descriptive sentences and personal narratives. They are each writing a short story also. I also have my 12yo writing a summary on a biography that he has just read. They are using the writing steps outlined in a Write Source book.
Reading-I assign them each either a biography, a historical fiction, science, or fictional book to read for about 30 min./day. They usually read much longer. I haven't had them write summaries or reports yet.
History-My 9yo and 7yo are reading a chapter or two a day to catch up to the 1600's so we can start our SOTW reading and activities in Oct. or Nov. I'm centering everything around my 7th grader right now, I'd like him to start over w/ancients in 9th grade so having him in Renaissance this year and Modern next year. I figure my younger 2 will have YEARS in ancients and medieval history.
Foreign Lang.- 12yo and 9yo are studying Spanish online w/Live Mocha and 7yo is studying French. I let them choose what lang. they're interested in.
Health-7yo is using Abeka Health and I'm going to order Abeka Health books for the 9yo and 12yo as well.
P.E.-Right now, they are playing running games like tag outside or running on the treadmill if it's raining. My 9yo wants to start running w/me and we're planning on starting to swim together at the local pool.
Geography-Each child spun the globe, closed their eyes, and picked a place to research. They each write a report using online resources as well as Encarta.
We haven't started art or music yet. My son sings w/the youth orchestra chorus chorale and takes chorus at the ps. We listen to a lot of classical music at home but haven't started any sort of study yet. My 9yo loves to play the keyboard and is always teaching herself new songs or figuring out how to play the songs she likes. I know she should have lessons but we just can't afford it right now. Are there any affordable DVD lessons out there? I found a site that has songs as well as the written music, I thought I could show her that and I know she'd teach herself to play but I'm worried about her developing bad habits. My 7yo would love to play and 9yo teaches her, using her first books from when she had lessons years ago. It's the same thing though, I wanted to buy her Kinderbach so that my 3 yo could use it when she gets a bit older but it might have to wait until Christmas. Art...my girls love art. I just print out random projects from online sites, we haven't been able to work them in. Maybe we should try making Sat. or Sun. art day.
So that's it in a nutshell. Seems very disjointed to me but I hope it'll all come together. No spelling yet, although I was thinking of using that Wordly Wise website someone on these boards recommended. Writing the vocab. words and their definitions on 3x5 cards and using techniques I learned my their ps teachers. Writing each word in a sentence, alphabetizing them, and then let them play the games associated w/the lesson on the website. And it's FREE! That's the best part!
What am I missing? Logic...I'd like to buy the book SWB recommends. What else? I'm nervous, middle school is a leap from elementary school. Although. I guess these days, 6th grade is considered middle school. I'd like to get back to Latin at some point. I don't want to short change the kids just because I'm overwhelmed and having a hard time buying more curriculum.
I'm also typing up "to do" lists for the kids so they can see what lessons they have for the day. I mostly keep the 1yo and 3yo out of their hair while they do most of their own work. I help out here and there when they have a question, but they mostly just get their instruction from their books. I know when we start science and history more seriously that will have to change. I'm trying to use weekends to grade their papers and write suggestions for re-writes and corrections on their work. They grade their own math and make the corrections. That seems to be working well.
Any advice ladies? I feel like I'm missing something. I know I should be using the time when my 1yo is sleeping to teach but I've been using it to clean up the house, cook, and sometimes even nap. I took a 2 hour nap the other day because I was so exhausted.
Bible-a chapter of proverbs in the morning
Math-one chapter of Saxon 8/7 and 6/5 respectively for the older two. The second grader just does a page or two out of her math book until I get her MUS program together.
Writing-a worksheet on some aspect of grammar and writing and then a writing prompt. Today it was descriptive sentences and personal narratives. They are each writing a short story also. I also have my 12yo writing a summary on a biography that he has just read. They are using the writing steps outlined in a Write Source book.
Reading-I assign them each either a biography, a historical fiction, science, or fictional book to read for about 30 min./day. They usually read much longer. I haven't had them write summaries or reports yet.
History-My 9yo and 7yo are reading a chapter or two a day to catch up to the 1600's so we can start our SOTW reading and activities in Oct. or Nov. I'm centering everything around my 7th grader right now, I'd like him to start over w/ancients in 9th grade so having him in Renaissance this year and Modern next year. I figure my younger 2 will have YEARS in ancients and medieval history.
Foreign Lang.- 12yo and 9yo are studying Spanish online w/Live Mocha and 7yo is studying French. I let them choose what lang. they're interested in.
Health-7yo is using Abeka Health and I'm going to order Abeka Health books for the 9yo and 12yo as well.
P.E.-Right now, they are playing running games like tag outside or running on the treadmill if it's raining. My 9yo wants to start running w/me and we're planning on starting to swim together at the local pool.
Geography-Each child spun the globe, closed their eyes, and picked a place to research. They each write a report using online resources as well as Encarta.
We haven't started art or music yet. My son sings w/the youth orchestra chorus chorale and takes chorus at the ps. We listen to a lot of classical music at home but haven't started any sort of study yet. My 9yo loves to play the keyboard and is always teaching herself new songs or figuring out how to play the songs she likes. I know she should have lessons but we just can't afford it right now. Are there any affordable DVD lessons out there? I found a site that has songs as well as the written music, I thought I could show her that and I know she'd teach herself to play but I'm worried about her developing bad habits. My 7yo would love to play and 9yo teaches her, using her first books from when she had lessons years ago. It's the same thing though, I wanted to buy her Kinderbach so that my 3 yo could use it when she gets a bit older but it might have to wait until Christmas. Art...my girls love art. I just print out random projects from online sites, we haven't been able to work them in. Maybe we should try making Sat. or Sun. art day.
So that's it in a nutshell. Seems very disjointed to me but I hope it'll all come together. No spelling yet, although I was thinking of using that Wordly Wise website someone on these boards recommended. Writing the vocab. words and their definitions on 3x5 cards and using techniques I learned my their ps teachers. Writing each word in a sentence, alphabetizing them, and then let them play the games associated w/the lesson on the website. And it's FREE! That's the best part!
What am I missing? Logic...I'd like to buy the book SWB recommends. What else? I'm nervous, middle school is a leap from elementary school. Although. I guess these days, 6th grade is considered middle school. I'd like to get back to Latin at some point. I don't want to short change the kids just because I'm overwhelmed and having a hard time buying more curriculum.
I'm also typing up "to do" lists for the kids so they can see what lessons they have for the day. I mostly keep the 1yo and 3yo out of their hair while they do most of their own work. I help out here and there when they have a question, but they mostly just get their instruction from their books. I know when we start science and history more seriously that will have to change. I'm trying to use weekends to grade their papers and write suggestions for re-writes and corrections on their work. They grade their own math and make the corrections. That seems to be working well.
Any advice ladies? I feel like I'm missing something. I know I should be using the time when my 1yo is sleeping to teach but I've been using it to clean up the house, cook, and sometimes even nap. I took a 2 hour nap the other day because I was so exhausted.