[What are your educational priorities?]

I know lots of families the educational priorities may change from year to year but for us they are quite consistent. 

I want my kids to:

be able to spell well

read a variety of books

write clearly

have a creative outlet

do basic math

know how to research/find information. 

The "extras" are what my kids want to learn for the year. Handwriting, typing, languages, coding

What are your priorities? 

[Like magic tree house but at a higher reading level]

I just discovered the Secret Adventurers Series. It looks great but for my 5yo it's above her level but could be good for your 8yo. 

 

[I don't like Birkenstocks]

I hate them too despite everyone saying they did wonders for their flat feet. I am a Blundstones and Skechers gal. 

[What I wouldn’t give for a med spa here.]

I have seen a similar model at a Toronto women's hospital because my mom used to go there. I am not sure its still  a thing though. She would get blood work, bone density, endocrinologist, mammogram and ECG all in one day. I think it was based on medical history and what your genetic concerns were. 

[Do you ever think of what you would have been like had you made different decisions in your life?]

Nop! I remember in Gr. 12 we had to write a paper about where and what we will be doing when we are 27/28. Everyone wrote about these exotic dreams. I wrote that I will be married to my now husband living in a log cabin with our 5 children. I didn't know about homeschooling yet but I can imagine I would have wanted to do it too. 

I don't live in a Log cabin nor do I have a desire to but my dreams are my reality. 

 

[Petty whine: nonprofit marketing]

The Canadian Blood Services is exactly the same way! 

I delivered a baby in August and I have been getting Mail from the hospital quarterly asking me to donate money. 

[June and July K-2 Chat]

12 hours ago, Momof3sweetgirls said:

Has anyone used ETC Get Ready for the Code with their preschooler? DD 3yo knows all her letter sounds and likes doing school like big sister so I thought it might be a fun way to reinforce until she understands blending

We started right with Level 1 since she could tell us all the letter sounds but couldnt blend more than cvc words. 

[For Fun: Baby names you liked but never used]

The only name we hadn't picked before the baby was born was our first and last.

For my first I wanted Matilda because I loved the book and I loved how it sounded with our last name. My husband wanted Elizabeth. She for sure is not a Matilda or an Elizabeth. 🤣. We went with another M name. 

My 9mo girl was going to be Ivy Elyse but then I saw her on the 20 week ultrasound and I was convinced her name was something else and surprisingly my DH was on board right away. 

[For Fun: Baby names you liked but never used]

Since I've come to the realization that 6 kids is enough for me I have been thinking about names we liked but never used for any of our kids. I would love to hear your names you never used for your kids.

Boys: Mason, Graham and Liam

Girls: Ivy, Charlotte and Poppy

 

 

[Not Consumed Reading Journal]

Does anyone know if this can be easily made secular? Or a similar Journal that is secular? 

[June and July K-2 Chat]

My 5yo is obsessed with Explode the Code. She finishes like 3-4 pages a day. Will this teach her to read? I am not sure but she is blending much better. 🤷‍♀️

She is also obsessed with the Unicorn Diaries and Elephant & Piggie series so she's motivated to read. 

[Poor air quality WWYD]

I am so sorry! We are dealing with it here to in Ontario. I don't have any suggestions other than stay inside. 

[June and July K-2 Chat]

9 minutes ago, BusyMom5 said:

I know it doesn't look like I have this many kids, but I did homeschool 5 for years.  My older ones are graduated now, and doing well in college.  My tips-

1.  Be realistic with your time.  You are one person and you cannot do everything for everyone.  I would write out a schedule,  just like a public school teacher would, and plan out who I would be helping at each time.  Rotate as needed.  For years I would spend 3 hours of my day on math.  Every day!  But my kids really needed someone to teach them individually,  so that's what I did.  Since I knew math needed me, I tried to pick more independent LA.  I would write out weekly checklists for each kid, so they knew what to do.  For science and history,  I combine when I can.  You will probably need 2 different programs going, depending on their ages and grades. History I read aloud or we watch a movie.  Occasionally Map work, but usually discussion.  Science- once I had high schoolers I did spend about an hour a day on science.  If the Littles can join in, great!  If not, Magic School Bus, Usborne books, or other picture books.  My 7th grader has probably had the most hodge-podge science ever bc of her age and abilities.  She's 3.5 years behind the next kids, so it's often hard to bridge.  She has done tons of experiments with them, but doesn't have the depth.  She has a lot of general knowledge,  though!  She has read soooo many science books, and even enjoyed a few textbooks. It's okay to let these subjects drop a bit with the younger ones.  They pick up a lot from watching the older ones, being involved in experiments, and watching videos. 

2.  Stay organized.  This is so much more important,  the more kids you have.  Pick programs that are easy to move around the house as needed.  I would keep each kids stuff on a file size tub, so I could easily bring it to another room or outside.  I pull out about a months worth of stuff, so I'm not lugging everything.  Try to keep up with paperwork as it comes in, bc it piles up quickly!  I try to do the high schoolers at least every weekend or two,  so I can keep up with their grades.  Younger ones, I just don't grade.  If you have to track stuff legally, stay on that every week.  I try to finish school by noon on Friday, grade.  Then on the weekends I'll take a few hours to look over my next week and get everything organized and planned.  It makes such a big difference in how my week goes!  

Best of luck! 

Thank you! My 5yo wants to be a big kid so bad. I'm hoping to do a morning Basket for kindergarten since I know I can find 20min to read a book, talk about it and have her draw a picture. Just trying to figure out all the moving pieces along with not short changing the big kids. I usually organize myself on Fridays when the kids are with my MIL. 

 

 

 

[June and July K-2 Chat]

On 6/6/2023 at 12:11 AM, BusyMom5 said:

Welcome all who still have Littles!  I started this thread to build community and share new curriculum and ideas.  Come in and tell us what you are doing, what's working, what's challenging,  and what you are working on!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'll start.  I am behind in planning, but June is The Month to get everything ordered.  I'm working on it!  Next year mine are 1st, 6th, and 10th.  They all feel worlds away from each other in terms of understanding and interests.  

Plans for the 1st Grader:

Phonics- I have AAR2 and LoE B out right now.  LoE seems to be her favorite, but AAR is providing a lot more exposure to words and reading.  Planning to go at her pace, so we will see!  

Spelling- Moffatt Girls 1st Grade, and it's all printed out!  My mom likes to help, so I sent it to her. She did each week a different colored paper, laminated all the word cards- this just looks awesome!  My DD can't wait!

Handwriting- McRuffy Kindergarden, has a few words and a sentence or two each day. 

Math- Saxon 1, we started a few weeks ago.  She loves math, and a lot of this is review, but she needs the handwriting practice.  

Games- looking for suggestions!  We have some, but open to new ones!  She's been playing Volcano Island (adding and subtracting within 20) and I can already see some things sticking!  She uses an abacus or beaded string.  She also plays Monopoly Jr and knows her doubles from that, lol!  

She told me today that she wants to do science like the big kids.  I know I won't have time to do what I want (DIY unit studies with crafts, books and movies).  Anyone know of anything like Weekly Readers?  Maybe a magazine?  My Pals are Here?  Something easy for me, that makes her feel like she "has science" too?  We've done Usnorne sticker books, and I have a lot of science books we will read.  I think she wants a workbook or something that looks schooley.

Very seriously considering Write Shop B.  Anyone used it?  Thoughts?  Wait a bit?  

You asked about WriteShop B. I have used D & E and it got my reluctant writers to write! It was helpful because even telling some of my kids that they can tell me a story and I will write it down was too intimidating. It helped my natural writer realize eith a bit of planning it can make stories better. It's definitely a middle ground between Brave Writer & IEW. I am thinking about using it for my upcoming kindergartener in a few years.

 

[June and July K-2 Chat]

I am trying to wrap my head around schooling 5 and not 4. We only consistently did Math with preschooler. Writing and Phonics were every other day. She wants to do the other subjects like her siblings so I might buy a few unit studies that she wants to learn about do them when we both feel inspired to do more than the basics but I'm still not sure they will even get done since I find it really hard to change routine. 

[My body hurts-- where to start?]

I would also rule out Celiac disease. It can cause joint pain without having arthritis. If you have one autoimmune disease you're more likely to have another. 

[Curious - How much would 20 acres cost in your area?]

Empty acreage goes for anywhere between $300,000-$3,000,000 depending on how close you are to the city. We bought acreage - 2 acres no house or anything, 25 minutes outside the city for $350,000. We bought from a family friend and we know we got a deal because the same size lots usually go for $650,000 in the area. 

 

 

[How do you announce a pregnancy after 4+ children?]

My family and friends have been very excited for us, each and every pregnancy even if they wouldn't want our life. We always tell the kids first and they always spill the beans quickly! I have had rude comments in public but I usually bite my tongue and say nothing because to me those people are probably feeling bad about their life. I always imagine it's a grandma who doesn't get to see her grandkids because of distance  so she lashes out or maybe it's a man who secretly wishes he had a better relationship with his kids so he could see his grandkids. I am very secure in my decision to have children and the proof is in the Pudding. My kids are clean, well-behaved, educated and taken care of. No one can say anything negative about my family size. 

 

[Mayonnaise with French Fries]

I love mayo on fries. I usually prefer it to ketchup but I will still eat ketchup with fries. 

[2023/2024 Read Aloud Picks]

My big kids loved Nims Island and the Book Wanderers Series. 

[S/o, what strange thing did you crave while pregnant?]

Every pregnancy I craved Fruit and despised eggs. Each one other than that has been different.

My first I craved cereal. Any cereal would do.

My second I craved sour candy and ice.

My third pregnancy I craved burgers, ice and spinach dip. Surprise surprise I became anemic.

My 4th pregnancy I craved mayonnaise. I would dip raw vegetables, pickles, french fries or even a burger into it. 

My 5th pregnancy I craved cold crisp apples and Pizza. 

 

 

[What does Read Aloud time look like in your house?]

Our fiction reading is for Breakfast. I have done audiobooks for the past few years but I would eat before my kids and Read out loud to them. It's just our routine and it also allows me a bit of "quiet time" before the craziness of our day starts. 

When my kids were little we did Tea & books. They would cozy up on the couch with a drink and we would read. I did find it much noiser and we stopped many times. 

[What is the first thing you ate after you gave birth?]

I promise this post isn't sponsored by McDonalds but my first two births it was thr only thing open because I gave birth in the middle of the night and then it became tradition 

1st kid: Egg Mcmuffin

2nd kid: Mcdonalds strawberry milkshake and French fries

3rd & 4th kid: chocolate milkshake

5th kid: strawberry milkshake and French fries

6th kid: Egg mcmuffin made with two hashbrowns instead of the English muffin 

[June 2023: What are you reading?]

Reading The Hidden One by Linda Castillo and Echo of Old Books for book club. 

[Do y'all miss your little kids?]

I am currently in this weird phase where I have a teenager, preteens, little kids and a baby. My oldest turns 13 tomorrow so I am feeling extra sentimental. 

I am still in the thick of things but I miss a few aspects of having a lot of little kids is our duvet days. We would pile into my bed and Read books and watch movies on dreary days. 

I miss their little kid voices. I can already see the change in my 5yo. She is not even one ounce the same person she was when she was a baby. I am finding myself snuggling my 9 month old more because she is my last and I am still not ready for that chapter to be over no matter how crazy my life is.