Thank you all so much for sharing your thoughts and routines for school and life with me in the last thread. I've been mulling things over for the last few days. Jean in Newcastle, your point about 5 days school for the sake of keeping the routine in place really got me thinking. My kids are good to go as long as they can look at the to do list every morning to see what's in store for the day. They love to come back to check things off the list. If the day shifts to accomodate something unexpected, they flip out. I, however, can't stand for all our days to be the same. I need variety. I have worked well in the past on a weekly routine in which every Monday has the same tasks, all Tuesdays are alike but different from Mondays and so on. So I think I'll try that again. I also have concluded that the kids would veg in front of the TV if I was cleaning and not providing them with some sort of structure. Here's what I've jotted down so far: Mondays school lessons after breakfast (2- 2.5 hrs) bike ride after lunch quiet time 4 loads of laundry through the day including ds' bedding clean out fridge and trash out to curb Tuesdays school lessons after breakfast bike ride after lunch quiet time prep for all errands to be done on Wednesday crock pot dinner evening out of the house activities Wednesday weekly menu/ shopping list before kids wake up school lessons after breakfast errands and shopping after lunch late afternoon quiet time dinner at in laws Thursday school lessons after breakfast bike ride after lunch quiet time 3 loads of laundry through the day including dd's bedding 4pm-7pm babysit nephews freezer meal for dinner Friday independent school morning with file folder games and activities, math games, educational apps, etc. clean house during independent school 3 loads laundry through the day including my bedding and dh's work clothes from the week bike ride after lunch play date at our house 1:30pm-5:30pm family movie night/ game night rotating weeks So what do you all think? Do-able? My biggest concern is cleaning the whole house in one shot in the morning. I don't know if I'll have enough time to get it all done. I guess I'll try it for a week and report how well its going... or not. ;)

So NOTHING educational happened here today. I feel like homeschooling is a full time job. Fine. But one of the benefits of being a sahm is my chores get done before dh gets home and not on the weekends, giving us plenty of quality family and couple time. This doesn't actually happen during the school year though. Anyone ever operate on a 4 day homeschooled week, freeing up the 5th day for housework and errands?

Oh, boy! Its been a long day. We did everything but read alouds this morning then went to a late morning orthodontist appointment for dd which took waaaay longer than usual so we were starved by the time we got out of there. Fortunately, they gave us coupons for free McDs shakes since we had such a long wait. So we had a super healthy McDs lunch!;) Then my aunt (she's actually the same age as me) popped over for a while. Then furniture shopping, dinner at the in laws and we are finally in for the night. Sneakily, I slipped dd's read aloud to grandpa and had him make her do it while dh and I were furniture shopping so it got checked off after all! I am so grateful for supportive grandparents that don't bat an eye at what we DIDN'T get done and are willing to jump in and help. Tomorrow, my number 1 goal is to accomplish the read aloud myself rather than passing it off to someone else. That and... laundry... those might be tied for number 1 goal! Ha! Have a great night everybody! (Soror- "family bonding time" I love it!!!)

Hey everyone!! I'm back! I've been buried under moving boxes for the last few weeks and am finally resurfacing for air. All moved into our new house and reasonably unpacked. Nothing on the walls yet, which makes me a little nutty bit it'll get there. We officially started 2nd grade yesterday. Dh brought doughnuts for a special breakfast and after lessons and lunch, we took our bikes to a park trail. With a teething baby, it wasn't a totally smooth day. Dd had to do her reading aloud to dh in the afternoon while I did errands and I didn't do my read aloud til bedtime. But grammar, writing, math and science got done before lunch! Woo hoo! Spelling and history are on their way in the mail. I also did some preK activities with ds on a food theme. We just got a theme bag from the library with books and activities all put together. LOVE those. My computer crashed a few months ago and I got a new one but we are having a hard time getting the data off the old computer. Guess whats on the old computer... Math Mammoth. grrrr. So I'm being forced to be creative until we get the computer thing taken care of. Dh's weed eater is in the repair shop this week so it could be a while before its the computer's turn. I made a unit on measurement for this week and next and I'm mulling ideas for a unit on money. Personal finance specifically. Save, give, spend concept. I kind of wonder how long we could go without the math curriculum. Hmmm... Have a great Tuesday everyone!

I am worried that I worry too much, go figure. :glare: ​I w​ant to trust the process soooo bad but I am a natural worrier and its a huge struggle to just chill and go with the flow. This thread has actually helped give me some perspective. So, thanks everyone!

Continuing the math discussion. I haven't even allowed myself to look up CLE. Like was said, the wind changes around here every so often. MM is working so we'll leave it be. Just funny how there's always something else around the bend that *might* be better! Also, all this art talk has me inspired to try to increase my creativity. Dd asked me to draw something the other day and my attempt was no better than hers!!! I think its in me, I just need some training. I can sew, I have a pretty good eye for color. I have been pinning artsy ideas these past couple of days. I'd like to see if I can make my own wall art for our new house. Critter- nothing like the library to turn around a crummy day! Today is library day for us. No check outs though until after we move. I don't want to loose any library books. So we'll probably be there 2 hours rather than our usual one hour. Today, dd is going to do her reading lesson at the library. I will probably also let her choose a topic in science, history or geography then I'll grab some books off the library shelves and we'll read through them and discuss. We'll do a math lesson when we get home and call it a day. Have a great weekend everybody!!

Good morning! Yesterday wound up being very different than what I'd planned. The kids were outside playing, I was packing in the garage and Pa-Pa pulled up and offered to take the kids for the day and dh and I could bring them home after dinner that we'd already planned at their house. Awesome!!! I got tons of packing done!! Here I thought that what was slowing me down, was having to stop to feed the baby every few hours and stopping for random diaper changes. Nope! Apparently, its the constant requests for food from the older 2. :glare: Today, we will do the lessons we didn't get to yesterday. I think I may have dd follow me around the house and read out loud to me as I get things picked up and organized. She is reading material that is just above her reading level so I have to be on hand to correct any mispronounced words. Which, by the way, I'd like to see what her reading level really is, just for grins. Can anyone recommend a reading assessment? TIA! I think that will do it for today. The kids seem really tired from their exciting day yesterday so we'll probably take it pretty easy today. Critter and sorror- hope you all are feeling more well rested today!! Heidi and Arliemaria- its interesting to see you discussing CLE and MM. I bought MM somewhat because so many were saying they liked it better than Singapore Primary (which I was overwhelmed by just looking at). Now I keep seeing people say they like CLE better than MM!!! I can't win! :svengo:

Shamelessly quoting myself because for the first time I'm pretty sure EVER in my life I got done everything on my list!!! Now, the question is was it all because of this awesome accountability you all provide? Or is it because I am really trying to set reasonable expectations and not try to accomplish everything in a day? Nah! That can't be it! :lol: Having the kids spend the morning outside while I pack worked really well yesterday so I'm going to try it again today. This afternoon, we'll tackle reading, math and some science thing dd found on a box of cereal. She was jabbering about it so fast that I didn't really get it but I guess I have to look up some info about penguins. That was all I got. So I guess I need to take a closer look at that. Oh, and we have a piano lesson and dinner at the in-laws. So glad I already have the grocery shopping done. That is a huge task off my plate for today. Aurelia- I don't know how you juggle such a busy schedule!! I can barely make it to 1 weekly piano lesson!! You've got it together more than I do!

Today's plan: kids play outside all morning while I pack boxes. Check! After lunch, kids get baths for plans we have tonight. Reading, math, set out the learning baskets/ quiet time. Dh will be home early so I'm going to take advantage and dash to the grocery store kid free even though my normal shopping day is Wednesday. Dd is doing really well with her math. What I thought were large learning gaps have turned out to me minor. I don't remember being taught more than one way to solve math problems. I looked at this multiple ways thing being taught now as a huge hurdle. So far, I'm being proved wrong! Dd actually said "oh, I get it!" yesterday! Meanwhile, I'm thinking, "really?! I barely get it!"

Happy Monday, everyone! And what a beautiful Monday it is here!!! I did some errands this morning and when I was done, the baby was sleeping so we went to the park and I sat in the car and read and watched the kids play while the baby napped. I am loving this weather! Can't get enough of it! This afternoon we have done math and reading. They are back outside. When they come in I want to do science. Writing/ penmanship for today will be thank you cards they need to make. A family friend gave them very nice little gifts. Dd will have to write hers out but I'll let ds use the ABC stamps. They love to decorate cards with glitter pens, stickers, stamps and the like. They are usually pretty... loud, wild, intense. Not sure what word best describes them. But every time they've given their handmade cards to someone, I could tell they appreciated the effort the kids obviously put into them. I read through everything up thread and all I can remember is Critter's Sunday afternoon in the enchanted forest. Sounds like it was a lovely time.

Where are all these garage sales with educational materials?! I am always hearing/reading about everyone's great homeschool garage sale finds and never find anything educational at local garage sales. The best I've done was a copy of The Giver a few years ago! :glare: We do quiet time here. I am in the same boat as you. DD has come to appreciate it and just today, we were on our way home and she said through tears, "hurry and get home please, I need some quiet time!" Ds, on the other hand, fights it. He does better if he has a snack and a drink which I really hate allowing food in his room but sometimes I'm desperate. Maybe he wouldn't be hungry if we moved it to right after lunch, as you suggested. As it is now, its from 2 to 4 or even 3 to 4 if we are having a long day. Oh, and a book discussion sounds fun! If you start a thread for it, link it here for me so I don't miss it! Thanks!! And, Yay me!! My first MultiQuote!!! :hurray:

I took piano for a year at age 8. It was a disaster. My mom just paid a teen she knew but the girl didn't have any teaching experience. I was so burned by how those lessons went down, that I didn't want to take any lessons. Now, as an adult, I really wish I knew how to play an instrument. So for my kids, they must take piano weekly with a PROFESSIONAL piano instructor. Around age 10 (exact age may vary based on maturity) they can stick with piano, choose a different instrument or drop it. Dd has already declared a switch to flute and ds says when he's 10 he doing drums and guitar. I can't wait to see if they stick with those choices! In your situation, I'd let dd know your reasons for wanting her to learn and see if she would be willing to commit to 3 months of lessons with a new instructor and daily practice then reevaluate. She might find she enjoys it or she might still hate it, at which point you can look for something else to help with brain exercise and artistic expression.

Congratulations!

Arliemaria- do you have a link to that study guide for For the Children's Sake? Love the frames idea and movie making idea! Today I let the kids start the day outside. It's beautiful here again and I want them to take advantage of this weather as much as possible. Plus, the sandbox is sort of built in and we can't take it with us so they are enjoying it as much as possible before we move. Well, ds got 2 splinters in his finger and after an hour of trying to remove them, I gave up and took him to the pediatrician. That was 3 hours total of the day down the drain. I had expectations of what lessons I wanted dd to tackle up on the fridge first thing this morning and we talked about it at breakfast. She agreed to be diligent after playing outside and promised it wouldn't derail her lessons. Well, it did. Lessons were untouched all day. Part of me feels like whatever, it will get done eventually and part of me feels like I am not teaching her a strong work ethic. Balance is hard!

Critter- I added Moon Flute to my wish list! Meagan- dd is asking for spelling here too. She also makes little books and knows when she spells words incorrectly and gets frustrated. I haven't decided on a curric. yet. Glad it's starting off well for you and your dd. Well, I didn't make it here yesterday. Wednesday is my busiest day with lots of out of the house things going. Today we skipped school in favor of going to the park. We were there for over an hour and the kids talked me into going to another park with a lake that we went to a few days ago. I felt a little tug of guilt for not doing lessons until I heard them telling dh that they discovered that pine cones and branches float and rocks sink, which led to a big scientific discussion among the 3 of them about why some objects float and others don't. That made my day!

My ninth grade English teacher walked up to the TV and slapped a file folder on the screen so we couldn't see anything. There was plenty of teasing from the boys in class anyway. :-D

I'm back!! I did pretty good yesterday. Dd did 4 pages of math and did a science lesson and enjoyed it enough that she was eager to do the same today. Probably wishful thinking to hope that attitude continues for more than a few days... I can't wait to get moved and settled so we can start some new routines. Poetry teas and nature studies were hit and miss last year so I'd like to improve on those this school year. Dd wants a real tea set for poetry tea "like they use in Downton Abbey Land." Ummm, okay. I guess I'll look on Amazon??? Jotting down the titles mentioned up thread, thanks ladies!!

This is cool! Thanks for sharing!

Can I jump in here? I've been reading this thread since the first of the year but felt silly posting since I only have a 2nd grader right now. Buuuut... I could use some accountability. We are still wrapping up 1st grade work since we had a hit and miss year with a rough pregnancy and slow recovery. We also sold our house and have about 3 weeks to pack up and move. At first I thought we'd just take a break from school work and start up after we move but that puts us at Sept 14th to start and looking at her materials that are trickling in, she just has too many gaps to jump right into 2nd grade work at this point. Knowing her, she'd be very frustrated. So I really feel like we should keep trudging through and get 1st grade done. Add to that breastfeeding every 2 hours because this monster baby has a voracious appetite, and well... I have no idea how its all going to get done!!! The day's half over already but everyone's fed and I got my errands done. So for the rest of the day I need to address the laundry and as that's going, pack up extra clothes we won't be needing in the next 3 weeks. On the school front, I'd like dd to do 1 math lesson and 1 science lesson. If all that gets done (plus cook dinner- no more take out!!) I'll be happy. We'll see if I get it all done!!

My 7 and 4 yo share a room and one goes in my room. The baby and I cuddle on the couch for quiet time. Although, the 2 of us actually nap!

I just ordered grade 2 yesterday! This thread has been very reassuring!

Our state also mandates hours rather than days or weeks. I included helping in papa's garden and helping with papa's bee hives. I counted magic school bus episodes, wild kratts,planet earth, nat geo videos, etc. in addition to many of the above mentioned.

I said yes. As a kid, our neighbors were black and they were my bff's. Our moms were bff's too. Life has taken us in different directions and we've lost touch. Between dh and I, we have 7 biracial cousins. They don't live in our area, but technology makes it easy to keep in close contact. My in laws bff's are black and they bring along their granddaughter to play with my dd when they get together so my dd has an AA childhood bestie too! I'd love to befriend her mom but she is single and very tied down to her work schedule and the PS schedule so we've only been able to chat a few times at the in laws dinner parties. Other than that, I have two black friends at my local congregation. I wouldn't say we're best friends but I've been to their homes we take an interest in each other's lives. I think that's pretty good for living in a particularly pasty area of the Midwest!

Thanks for posting this. There are some great options in driving distance of our home.

I have read though all the responses and no one has mentioned McGraw Hill Treasures. So now I'm scared it's not a worthy program!! Anything I need to know? Dd has an off the charts reading level and really wants to start free writing but she's a perfectionist and gets frustrated when she can tell her words are misspelled. So I really want to start off on the right foot for her with spelling this year. Spelling Plus and Spelling Power are the others I've looked into but decided on Treasures when I needed to trim the budget.