Homeschooling Post Update:
I need to keep good notes about what we are doing in our home for schooling. I have been counseled to do it, so here it goes.
1. I started teaching them handwriting when they were 3. Very slowly. But they were interested. So I started when they were 3. We did letters, we did shapes, we did anything they wanted.
2. Always read books. Everyday. Sometimes only one short book a day. But everyday they had a book in their hands.
3. Computer programs are a friend, as long as you aren't dependent on them. I love the Rusty and Rosy program both Talia and Gabe have used. Love them.
4. I haven't made any sensory bins. I have them go outside instead. Or in the bath. Sensory bins have been too messy for me personally to handle. So I haven't done it.
6. We do 'Academy Time'. That has really helped to separate the time we use for schooling to call it something specific.
7. I am still very new to this. So there are going to be lots of different ways to do this throughout the years, I can already see that.
8. We are using butcher paper A LOT. Anything we draw, I want to get the butcher paper out so we can draw it REALLY BIG. The water cycle. Their bodies. Plants. Animals. Everything.
9. I have tried to really pay attention to what they really love. So far it has helped with unit studies quite a bit.
10. I do listening time everyday when we read a chapter book. Then I ask about 3 questions about each chapter we read to see if he listened. I have been doing this with Gabe at this point. Talia hasn't shown a lot of interest yet.
11. I am so grateful that I have done chores with my kids really young. Gabe is folding his own laundry. It is awesome. He came out of the laundry room the other day with his basket of clothes in his hands and said, "These need to be folded". Then he folded them and put them away. He is 5. It is awesome. Talia can unload the dishwasher by herself already. Taking the time to teach them their chores IS PAYING OFF. I need to remember that a lot of times!
12. I have lately instituted the "Gobbly-Goop Bag". IF they leave stuff out, then Gobbly-Goop gets it. I love this system. Then to earn it back they have to do a chore.
13. I love going on nature walks. We discover something everytime.
14. I want to learn more names of plants to teach them on our nature walks.
15. I haven't done anything fancy to teach them their letters. They get it eventually. I don't stress over the really simple, simple lessons when they are young. They catch on. They will know it simply because it is so simple.
16. I have been trying to talk through everything more so they see the process that happens around us.
17. If I am in a room doing work I insist that anyone who is in that room with me helps me work. Drives me crazy to be the one working and then other people are sitting around. If they don't want to help me, they have to leave. Ironically, because they want to be around me, they stay and help.
18. I have LOVED doing the schooling stuff. IT has been the other everyday mom stuff that has overwhelmed me. Keeping up with my house and everything else I am still trying to figure out. But I can't have a crazy messy house. That drives me crazy.
19. I have been doing 'spelling with your feet" with Gabe and "addition and subtraction" with your feet. I made big number and letter charts that we can put on the floor then hop from letter to letter to spell a word, as well with the math. Gabe LOVES that. Getting his whole body involved like that has been awesome.
20. Everyday we do something to write and something to read. No matter what. Even if it is just 15 minutes, that is an everyday thing.
21. We have been doing the timeline in our wall, starting with the scripture stories. That has been AWESOME. I love that and I will keep doing that for sure. I cut out pictures from ensigns and laminated them for the this timeline. Then everyday for the beginning of academy time we do a prayer then read about the scripture story.
22. I want to institute memorizing the articles of faith and other scriptures in the future. I haven't put pressure on myself about that yet because I am still trying to get everything else down.
23. I love room time. Gabe and Talia have a separate room time everyday so they are alone to play in their rooms everyday. That has been great for a break. We do quiet time everyday as well. That is huge for me. A lot of times I take a little nap as well! I get so tired sometimes!
24. St. Johns Wart. Red Raspberry. I love these herbs and they keep my emotions and stress under control.
25. I still have to be better about scheduling breaks for myself. I need a break every week away from the house and away from the kids. I know other moms who have mentioned this as well. If it is scheduled every week so my own time and individuality is maintained, then my break downs will be less.
26. Park days with other families have been GREAT. I love them. I want to schedule a "friend day" every week where they choose a friend to play with and we set up the play date. I haven't gotten there quite yet. Mainly in the afternoons for that.
I think that is mainly what I have had in my mind about it all up to this point!
Andrea
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