The Plan, Stan

Last week was a TOTAL success! I think it had a lot to do with planning -but not over scheduling. I really made sure I had things lined up in case we completed XYZ but I avoided writing down exactly how many lessons to go through. Turner only has one "proper" curriculum, anyway (Horizons Math). 

This week we'll be working on much of the same, but I'll be trying a little harder to learn to fit in house work and hang-out time with John without doing "school stuff" on the side.

In no particular order since we're working on just actually doing things daily I didn't want to force an order to it all:

Turner


Co-op on Tuesday

Horizons Math: Lessons 7-9 but Turner will probably make it through lesson 12 (this is all basic number identification, understanding directions, ect)

Other Math: greater than, less than from Pintrest; other manipulative games

Phonics: (Rocket Phonics) on-going (very short) oral lessons for phonemic awareness. I'll say something like: "What sound do you hear at the beginning of this word (cat, bat, rat, etc)." He'll respond with the sound. Later I'll ask "What sound do you here at the end of this word (rug)." At first, he'd say "-ug" but now he's listening better for the separate sounds. 

Other Phonics: On-going review of letter sounds and practicing to say them correctly (i.e. "ks" for x using his tongue in the front of his mouth instead of on the side; practicing "th" by gently biting his tongue because other wise he says "th" as "f."

Reading Skills: This week we'll begin two sight words a week. I started over the summer but we were just too busy and I hadn't read all I wanted to about beginning reading skills. Turner will do a color by number sight words (mom, dad) from 1+1+1=1 and, after he's colored them accordingly, he gets to decorate them with little candies (sprinkles, ect). He loves doing this because, inevitably, some candy "falls" and he gets to eat it! 

Science: talking about tools scientists use (last week we talked briefly about what a scientist does and what they might look like) and introducing them to their magnifying glasses to use for our projects and nature study. 

Turner also participates in some of the Letter of the Week activities, though not many since they're too easy (and he's not a crafter). He especially likes the sensory boxes that are used -this week it's bug themed and I'm sure it will be a hit! 

Eli

Letter of the Week: Bb 

I'll post everything he's doing on Tuesday! 

Planning, Planning

I have read a LOT of homeschooling blogs lately! Some just for fun and some to really learn from. Most veteran homeschoolers will tell you that when starting a new year, take...it...sllloooow! As in: Don't plan to do to much, too soon. It's, sort of, a "duh" but as a new homeschooler, the words are welcomed. Because you're teaching your family, it's hard to stop yourself from doing anything and everything! 

Right now I'm planning. Not necessarily scheduling, but planning so that I'm not sitting around Sunday evening (usually the only night John and I have quiet time together) thinking of what to do the following week. I've made it to December with a general idea of what I want to do for the month and a few "musts" for some days (i.e. birthdays, co-op day, holidays, community oriented days, ect). 

I'm really excited, now. I really believe I'm making the right decision for my family, at this time. I'm excited to see what the next year will hold for us and ready to get started!