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Return to Sender

Thank you for your interest in my homeschool blog! I found maintaining two blogs to be too much for me. I am now including thoughts on home education in my other blog, Harvester, which covers all areas of my life. My plans are to soon post more in regards to our Adventures in My Father's World. Please stop by Harvester for a visit.

Summer School

We have been taking it easy for the past month. We finished our first grade curriculum at the end of April. We've been doing a unit on Canada since then, with math and Bible included in everyday. The further we get into summer, the more relaxed our school time has become. Gabriel seems to think that since the high school we work for is finished, so are we. He's in for a big surprise tomorrow morning. Then again, he may not realize we're still in school. Reading books and playing games is just part of a fun day, right? By mid August we should be back into more structured studies.

There is a reason for my year-round school philosophy. My children have a strong need for routine. Although a year-round schedule increases the retention of information, my biggest concern is keeping my sanity. Last week, for example, we only had one day of school work. With extra family in town, the graduation festivities of several family members, and the wrap-up of a school year in the dorm, keeping routine was next to impossible. Half way through the week, people began to ask if my kids were tired. I'll say! They were tired of not knowing what was going on. They were tired of feeling insecure. As a result they were grouchy, rebellious and down right hard to get along with. (I am soooo ready for tomorrow!) Year round education allows us to keep a routine in our home that provides the kids with a secure environment and makes my day more peaceful.

In mid-August, we will officially begin a new school year. Despite my desire to branch out on my own, I purchased another curriculum kit. I chose to stay with the company I've used since Gabriel was in kindergarten. My Father's World really is a quality program. (I will spend more time explaining this in another post.) This year we will use Adventures in My Father's World,be a year of American history. I am very excited about the books we will read and the projects we will do through out the year. I've had the books since May. I've gone through each one several times and have prepared a shopping list for supplies. I can hardly wait to get started!

In Need of Some Down Time?

There is currently a discussion regarding family activities taking place on a yahoo group I belong to. This idea, which is not neccessarily just for summer, was sent out this afternoon. I think it is a marvelous idea. I plan to use it when my three start to get weary of each others company, hopefully before the arguing begins.

And for "downtime" anytime of year that my 5 kids (ages 1-9) are getting chaotic, we have "station" time, where I grab 5 different toys or activities (puzzles, playdough, the dollhouse with furniture, watercolor painting, blocks, etc.) and each child has to stay at that "station" until the timer beeps (15-25 minutes, at mom's disgression), then we rotate stations until I'm ready to be done or we've gone all the way around. One of the stations can even be "mom's helper" Works really well most of the time since the kids are happy to have a toy to themselves for a set amount of time, and looking forward to the next station too.

An idea I often use for giving the kids downtime is the book basket. (an idea from the authors of MFW curriculum) This is different from the organized basket I posted pictures of earlier. This basket contains books from the public library, as well as our own, centered on subjects we are studying that week. Whenever I need the kids to sit quietly for an extended period of time or if I need to do guided work with one while the others wait, I tell them it's book basket time. Surprisingly, this is always met with cheers. Typically, I play a CD of the composer we are currently studying as they "read" the books.

What's in our book basket this week? Books on Canadian provinces within the Appalachian region, Canadian seek and find books, and Canadian photography books. This week the basket also holds books about wildflowers, plants in Canada and even a book on poisonous and injurious plants. (Boys dig the poisonous stuff!) I like to include Arch Books to go along with our Bible readings for the week. This weeks Arch Books are about Zacheous, The Last Supper and Thomas. I must not forget to mention books about our current composer, Mozart!

So Fickle

Alas, I have changed my mind once again about curriculum. I will wait until my plan is complete to announce my decision. I reserve the right to change my mind again!

The Bible As a Reader

“. . . should not the Bible regain the place it once held as a school book? Its morals are pure, its examples captivating and noble. The reverence for the sacred book that is thus early impressed lasts long; and probably, if not impressed in infancy, never takes firm hold of the mind . . . In no book is there so good English, so pure and so elegant; and by teaching all the same book they will speak alike, and the Bible will justly remain the standard of language as well as of faith."

Fisher Ames, 1801