Homeschool Mother's Journal - July 2

In My Life This Week:
I am doing a big house overhaul and working out my personal organization/productivity.   In January I decided that instead of doing big yearly resolutions (which are always scary), I would make quarterly goals, revisiting and revising at the end of each quarter.  July is the beginning of the third quarter.  The last month or so has been less than productive, so I am looking into ways to flexibly plan my day so things get done.  The other thing that has marked my life this week is an abundance of frustration with Zippy.  I feel like I am at the end of my patience, to the point that we are thinking about school next year.  Zippy really wants to go back and apparently has been telling everyone this for some time.  I am in constant prayer over this, I feel so torn. We are taking a two week vacation from homeschooling, hopefully that will give some clarity. 

Places We are Going:
We are on the bikes going everywhere. Everyone is enjoying these family outings.  The Little Dude is always bringing me the bike helmets to tell me that he wants to go for a ride.  

I am Grateful For:
As frustrated I am with Zippy I am so grateful that there are several choices, we are not trapped into any one situation. 

A Homeschool Question:
I'm sure you saw this coming, but...
When is the time to quit homeschooling?  Is there a time to quit? 

A Picture:

 

{linked up to: The Homeschool Chick and Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers }

 

 

      

Homeschool Mother's Journal - June 19

In my life this week...
Three words: Vacation Bible School.  I love the week of VBS, but I am always so tired when it is done.  This year's theme was "Spend a While on the Nile" and focused on the story of Joseph.  I helped out here and there as needed.  Zippy enjoyed the first two days (the end of the week was spent in band camp).

In our {summer} homeschool this week...
I tried, really I did, but school just did not happen this week.  Between VBS, band camp, my need to mow the lawn, and two unexpected social invitations for Zippy, it was just too much.  We did watch the movie, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief (review coming soon), as part of our Ancient Greece unit. 

My favorite thing...
Seeing the Little Dude have such a good time playing with the other children.  He is not yet old enough to go to VBS, but the church has a nursery for the children of the volunteers.  Between that and getting to play on the playground, he was so happy. 

Thought, quote or photo to share...

After a busy morning, all tired out.

 

{linked up to: The Homeschool Chick and Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers }

Homeschool Mother's Journal - 6

In my life this week..

It really feels like a Michigan summer.  Early in the week we hit temperatures in 90s but yesterday it was only in the 60s.  Last Saturday was the annual neighborhood garage sale. I got several things including clothing for both of the children, it was a good day.  The school year for the public/private wrapped up.  Now I don't feel so odd taking my school aged child on errands during the day. 

In our homeschool this week...

We finished The Hobbit.  It was interesting.  The ending was not what I was expecting, but that it what makes a good book.  Zippy really liked it, now she wants to go on to The Lord of the Rings.  I am putting that off until September, it is a much, much longer book.  For the summer we are doing The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and probably another book.  I want to extend the learning a bit more, so Zippy will be completing this lapbook which has some guided questions that go with each chapter.  I really, really like that it points out some of the Christian subtexts of the book.

Places we're going and people we're seeing...

This year, thanks to budget cuts in our city, the Libraries are going to have their summer reading program only at the main branch.  This is a couple of miles from our house and a vehicle is not available.  Yesterday we endeavored to bike there.  Now the distance is not really the biggest issue, the biking on a main road is, but there was sidewalk (and a decent amount of grass between us and the actual road) for most of the way, so it is definitely doable.  Zippy was fine with it, so I think we will be able to the program in full.  On the day that we picked to try out our bike ride there was rain predicted.  I checked the weather and it looked like the rain was way out by Kalamazoo (hours by car) and thought we had plenty of time.  We got to the library just fine, but on the way home we had to take shelter outside a school for about 45 minutes, while the storm blew by.  Fortunately, we attempted our trip at the end of the day so my husband a.k.a. my knight in shining armor came by with the van and picked us up on his way home from work.  It was quite the adventure.

My favorite thing this week was...

Ziipy is working on her Ancient Greece Lapbook.  One day I her find some information on different topics in a book like what did people in Ancient Greece wear etc.  I want her to start finding information on her own, rather than having it given to her.  So I gave her the book and started doing something quiet nearby, so I could be available if she had questions.  A few minutes went by and I heard "Hey Mom, did you know...." I responded and went back to my task.  A few more minutes I heard again, "Hey, hey Mom come look at this." She did this I don't remember how many times, but needless to say I think she learned a little bit more than the questions asked.

What's working/not working for us...

The lapbook format is so wonderful.  We have not yet put it totally together, and have a little more than a week to finish all the components, but Zippy is really responding to the small "bite-sized" format.   I still need to find some planned time to spend with The Little Dude.  I am still working on that.

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have...

Any ideas on individual, quiet, quality activities for a two year old to keep him busy while Zippy learns?

A photo, video, link, or quote to share...

The Little Dude wanted to be part of the math action.

{Linked up:The Homeschool Chick, Weird, Unsocialized, Homeschoolers}

The Homeschool Mother's Journal - 5

In my life this week..

A busy week for sure, every night this week somebody was doing something.  I am continuing to clean, maintaining the progress I've made so far.  Reading 31 Days to Clean has given me a new perspective on homekeeping. 

In our homeschool this week...

Finally, we completed schoolwork five days in a row, and I don't feel like killing anyone.  The flexible schedule and the pared down curriculum have really been the key to success for Zippy. 

Places we're going and people we're seeing...

Softball season is upon us again.  The husband plays for the church team.  Zippy is going to games with her little clipboard to record the stats for the game.  So she is learning about softball and statistics.

My favorite thing this week was...

Crepes.  Tasty and thanks to all the great reader comments Zippy is on top of the cooking world.  Today we are trying a new dish. I'll let you know how it goes.

What's working/not working for us...

The new flexible schedule is definitely working for us. I have spent most of my  time in the last couple of months necessarily focused on Zippy.  I want to try to fit in some structured time with The Little Dude.

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have...

I have been thinking a lot about what homeschool is and isn't.  My idea of "school" is changing from a day away from the world in the classroom learning from books to a day of experiences.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share...

{Linked up:The Homeschool Chick, Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers}

The Homeschool Mother's Journal - 4

In my life this week..

Still getting back in the swing of things.  As with most family holidays, Easter was fun but not restful.  I now realize how important Sundays are.  I intentionally don't plan to do anything on Sunday, and when I do it seems like the week is so much harder.  In addition to this I recently joined Weight Watchers.  My exercise is taken care of with walking the Little Dude, but I am still working out my relationship with food.

In our homeschool this week...

Another schedule change.  We will get this right yet!  I am going crazy trying to teach and manage a 2 year old.  So, we are doing work during nap time and when Dad is home.  It is not the ideal learning time for Zippy, but I am less stressed, so I can be more patient.

Places we're going and people we're seeing...

Greenfield Village is open!  Weather permitting, we are walking over about once a week. A great way to get out of the house, nice exercise, fun and educational. 
 

My favorite thing this week was...

Zippy took her first Latin test and she did great!  It is such a joy to see her learn - and want to learn - new things.

What's working/not working for us...

We need to simplify.  The extra things are not working for us. We need to refocus and concentrate on the essentials.  Once we master the essentials, then we can take on the extras.

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have...

A photo, video, link, or quote to share...

Little Dude's first carousel ride

{Linked up:The Homeschool Chick, Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers}

The Homeschool Mother's Journal - 3

In my life this week..

Insanity.  That about sums it up.  I am getting nowhere near enough sleep which makes getting anything done a challenge.

In our homeschool this week...

We started a new enrichment unit on gardening. I am really excited about this, as it is something completely different.

Places we're going and people we're seeing...

The Library.  Due to the lack of car, we have to walk everywhere.  Fortunately one of the branch libraries is only about a half mile away. We got our gardening books, and Zippy got some free reading books.  It was really nice, because the Little Dude is now big enough that the children's section holds some interest for him, so he was not bored or loud.   
 

My favorite thing this week was...

We found the dictionary.  I knew I had one somewhere, but we needed it for Zippy's grammar lesson this week.  It is her dictionary and she was glad to see it. 

What's working/not working for us...

What is not working is my not getting enough sleep.  I am going to have to be more rigorous about getting the Little Dude up when he needs to be up so he can go to bed at a good time, so I can go to bed at a good time.  What is still working for us is the Zippy run schedule.  This still amazes me that she is doing so well with it.  Maybe because I have a hard time of letting go of control, or that I have planned out her life so completely it surprised me that she can do this.

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have...

Do you homeschool through summer?  What kind of breaks do you take?  I am really struggling with this one, I know we need breaks, just don't know when.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share...

Little Dude Picnicing on the floor.

{Linked up:The Homeschool Chick, Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers}

Homeschool Mother's Journal - 2

In my life this week..

Ended the first quarter of the year and set some goals for the next quarter, even breaking some of them down into bite sized pieces. I really want to regain the focus in my life.

In our homeschool this week...

We started reading The Hobbit. This choice came as a suggestion from Zippy's Dad, who is reading it as well, sometimes with her, so it is a great bonding time for them.

Places we're going and people we're seeing...

We took a walk to Bigbys on Friday for a cup of Chai. I walk every day, but Zippy doesn't usually want to come. It was a nice walk, and we had a lovely conversation.
 

My favorite thing this week was...

Zippy spelling. We use the All About Spelling books. This week she was struggling with a word, then she had the "aha" moment and spelled it out. I did the happy dance!

What's working/not working for us...

I'm still not thrilled with out space, but it looks like our room will be staying the same for some time to come. What is working for us is our schedule. I gave it completely over to Zippy. I told her what she had to complete in a week and she has totally taken ownership of the doing. It is not perfect, but she looks at the schedule, then looks at the day, decides when she wants to do what, and when she sits down, she is ready to do the hard work.

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have...

When do you start planning next year? How many plan long term, like years?

A photo, video, link, or quote to share...

{Linked up:The Homeschool Chick, Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers}

Homeschool Mother's Journal - 1

I found this great link-a-long over at the Homeschool Chick and thought this would be such a lovely way to wrap up the week.  So here goes...

In my life this week...
Lots happening in my business. I was accepted into a great sale set to happen in 3 weeks.  I am super excited, but I have to get busy and make great glass inventory.

In our homeschool this week...
Trying to find some balance, order and discipline.  I am a teacher and it is hard for me not to define the "school day" as Monday through Friday 9:00 - 4:00.  This week I decided to try fewer hours per day, more days per week.  Working with the Little Dude in tot time with sorting puffballs. 

Places we're going and people we're seeing...
In history this week Zippy visited ancient Assyria.  She thought Ashurbanipal was especially interesting.  He is on the list for possible projects.
 
My favorite thing this week was...
Building houses for the crickets.  The Science experiment for the week was whether the crickets prefered houses with one door or two. The best part of the experiment was finding the materials and being creative in building the houses.  The crickets seem happier too with more shelter in their environment.

What's working/not working for us...
Our space is not working for us. My goal for this weekend is to make our living/dining area more of a discreet learning area, and put our entertainment (TV etc) in another room.  The schedule change...I can't say if it is working yet or not.  The time change really threw us for a loop so our mornings are difficult right now.  I switched school to the afternoons, but only for a day.  It was a good day.

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have...
How do I break the hold of "school" on myself and my child? We both seem stuck in that mindset of education is a "must" not a "want". Zippy's default attitude of late is "Do I have to? I don't want to." Yet when she is doing a lesson I know she finds satisfaction in the learning.

Has anyone else had this problem? If so did you find a good solution?

A photo, video, link, or quote to share...

I keep taking pictures of Zippy reading, because I think it is just the most beautiful thing. She thinks I'm weird.