In which a routine is loosely established

In my inexperienced opinion, we are doing great. It's my first time in a homeschool environment, and I'm teaching an almost 4 year old and a 5 1/2 year old with an 18 month old running circles and jumping off the furniture.

It gets a little crazy around here.

According to my lesson planner, Zachary is a day ahead and Gracie is a day behind. I'm not worried about it though, because my goal is to introduce Gracie to all the letters, and if that means we are off schedule a bit but she is solid on them, I'm fine with that.

We (that would be me and the mouse in my pocket) (my teacher's assistant) have discovered that she does love the Have Fun Teaching video series on the YouTube.

(I am sorry, really. Chris's blessed grandma called it "the YouTube" once and we laughed so hard over it - and now we are stuck saying it. Welcome to the workings of my mind.)

Anyhoo.  Apparently there's a whole website for Have Fun Teaching, and while I haven't done all of my homework on the whole Common Core issue, I don't think there is anything wrong with using resources that relate to both our homeschooling purposes and also align to CC. Feel free to email me your diatribe on the subject.

Zachary is loving learning how to read. This makes me fifty kinds of happy. My childhood was spent with my nose in a book, and I do not apologize for being a bookworm.

So once we get going in the mornings, which is mostly the kids dragging me from the slumber they keep me from in the night, we are able to get through our work in about 2 hours currently. I have determined that I don't work well if the house is a disaster, because instead of being focused on their schoolwork I am wandering the house in my mind thinking of what needs to be done first.  So directly after breakfast is house clean up time, getting dressed, etc, and then we can dive into schoolwork.  If that takes all morning and we don't get to school until after lunch, even better, because then Gabriel goes down for a solid nap and we have plenty of time for school AND extended craft time.

I'm looking forward to the day that Zach can work more independently, but I am pleased with his progress so far. I'm also thrilled with how easy they are learning their Virtues, and how applicable they are to every day life. We have gotten through diligent, helpful, perseverant, gentle, content, and currently in attentive, which seems to be sticking the best so far. Maybe because they are able to immediately put it into practice, thank the Good Lord above.

Quick and Powerful

It is my favorite thing to see the precious Word of God in my little son's handwriting. 

I am using it to teach memory verses. Gracie has the same verse in a font she can trace, but she tend to lose focus easily so I will keep trying with her.

With these simple verses, I am also teaching them that the Word of God is true, and very important, so we must do our very best handwriting when we write scriptures.

Credit to KirstenJoyAwake.com for Bible Writer Volume 1: God Is ~ this download is available for purchase

Lapbook learning

I have found something to be true for homeschool lapbooks - regular old glue makes a mess.

I need to invest in a reliable double stick tape dispenser. I worked hard to assemble this lapbook base and I will not be deterred by icky glue.

And I also need to start buying washi tape.

(cue the groaning from my husband when I say "I need to pick up a few things at Hobby Lobby.")

I have a counting lapbook I'm starting to get ready for Zach to use. I am using the free Printable Number Matching Cards from Homeschool Creations. Since I used plain white cardstock, I think some washi tape would really help pretty them up a bit without the effort of coloring with markers. This is a long-term lapbook that I plan to use for all three kids, so I would not like to have them color this one. :) Momma gets to have fun with projects too, right?

His style of learning rocks

Remind me to do lapbooks every chance I get. Zach loves them.