| Author | |
jhigdon
Forum Newbie
Joined: Sept 16 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 38
|
| Posted: May 20 2007 at 12:35pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
I am new to the world of homeschooling. I posted here last year as I had my oldest in Kindergarten last year at a private Catholic school and had some doubts as to whether I had made the right decision.
We pulled her out of school and have been homeschooling since. Or, I should say homeschooling when we get to it. I had my fourth child on Dec. 19, 2006 but it has been a whirlwind of two hospital stays for the baby (he has these blue episodes that they think are related to reflux..we aren't sure) and his continuing health problems, along with two other children ages 4 and 2. Delivery was by c-section, my fourth, and we've had several stomach viruses come through. Our life has been super busy and I am really lucky that it's only been Kindergarten this year.
I have been using Seaton but read Elizabeth's book awhile back and feel very called to the Real Learning style of education. I can remember not liking school when I was growing up and wishing I could just stay home and learn.
Several things I need help with, or advice, are:
1) Developing a schedule and curriculum that fits our family. I have all little ones, and there ages will be nine months, three, four, and six and a half when the fall rolls around. I need something that is not too complicated, take too much planning, and can possibly involve some of the other kids (such as art projects)
2) Getting organized. I am horrible with this and would love to find out how some of you ladies maintain order in your home and classroom.
3) Living the litergical year with little ones in a (again) simple and easy (and fun) way.
Well, I'd love to write more but I've got the baby squirming on my lap. Thanks so much!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
lapazfarm
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 21 2005
Location: Alaska
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6082
|
| Posted: May 20 2007 at 2:50pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Ok, a few thoughts come to mind:
1. You could check out Homeschoolshare (there are links in the rabbit trails forum),which is a fabulous treasure-trove of literature based unit-studies, pick out one or two books to do per month, print up the unit-study, and spend the summer gathering resources for those.Put it all in files and you are ready to roll come fall.
2. If you want more of a guide you could do the same thing with Five in a Row (FIAR), which has a lot of overlap with Homeschoolshare but is not free.
3. If you want to add in a math program for the oldest, you could go with what a lot of ladies here use:MathU See, Miquon, Singapore, MCP, or just pick up a workbook from the drug store.
4. Organization: can't help you there. I am a mess!LOL!
5. Living the liturgical year: Lots of resources out there for that, You could try A Year With God from CHC, or other books of that sort (look on the Living Faith forum for more ideas)or do something as simple as printing up a weekly activity from Open Wednesday (website). Of course we are all waiting for Jenn and Alice to come out with their books...
__________________
Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JuliaT
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 25 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 563
|
| Posted: May 20 2007 at 3:49pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I agree with Theresa that FIAR and HSS would be the best road to take. They are both gentle beginnings to the world of learning. You can do as little or as much as you want with these curriculums. This is what we do for K and I am thinking of doing this for GR.1 with my middle child next year.
Another idea for math might be living math (www.livingmath.net sorry I don't know how to do links) We do this as well. It is a very laidback but effective way to do math. I do use a curriculum but I supplement with living math as well.
As far as organization goes, this is an everlasting struggle with me. We did have a separate room in the basement for school. That helped contain supplies, curriculum and books. This year, though, I felt a need to do our learning upstairs in our living area. I brought a book shelf to put in the living room. Each child has a shelf that they put their books, games or other activities on. I also use shelves in our kitchen island to store our curriculum. I still use the school room to store books, games and curriculum that we are not using right now. That room is still a mess, but the rest of the house looks pretty good. My advice to you would be to look at your rooms and see any unused space or space that is not used well and see what you could put there to help you in your hsing. I have put to use a corner with a basket of books and a chalkboard and some magnetic toys. This is a good place for some quiet time. I also have used the fireplace hearth for strewing craft activities and puzzles. There is a kid's table right next to it so they have a place to do their activities. Now, this might not work for you because your children are still young, but maybe these examples will give you some ideas of what would work for your family.
The trick I found in keeping everything relatively neat, is to go through the house at the end of the day and put everything away that should be put away. The kids help me with this. If I forget a day, then things get a bit out of control. Consistency is key.
Blessings,
Julia
mom to 3(7,6,4)
http://www.homeschoolblooger.com/Juliainsk
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mackfam
Board Moderator
Non Nobis
Joined: April 24 2006
Location: Alabama
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 14656
|
| Posted: May 21 2007 at 9:10am | IP Logged
|
|
|
We use Little Angel Readers for phonics in the early years. Seems to take care of our reading needs nicely so far, and I love that they're Catholic.
I like to keep Math simple when the kids are young - Theresa offered some great suggestions.
Nature Walks are a great source for writing, narrating, art/drawing and just spending quality time. Head out to your back yard and see what you can find, and then let your kids start a nature notebook - press some flowers, record their narrations, sketch a bird or bug. Invest in a couple of good books to help - their are a ton to be found at used book stores for good prices.
I love Cay's Catholic Mosaic program. Now, I'm a big fan of adding living books to my shelves, so I went through the book and ordered at least one book from each section she covers. The library could be used here if you don't have a book fetish like me . The great thing about Catholic Mosaic is that you can gather up all of the little guys on the couch and read together and do the activities together. We do and my little guys are 10, 6, and 2.
Some of your liturgical year tips can come directly from this forum as it is an endless supply of great ideas and resources. I also use CHC's A Year With God to supplement liturgical activities. I do enjoy this forum immensely, but sometimes I have to exercise a lot of self control and avoid the computer in order to focus on my daily duties. It's helpful to have a book during those times. A Year With God is a little expensive, but it's an investment book that you will use over and over again.
Spend the summer going through your rooms and decide realistically where you will spend most of your time working/learning with your kids. Living room? Kitchen? I converted my dining room because it was a central room. Invest in a shelf or two, or repurpose one from another area of the home. (Don't feel limited to one room though, or one shelf - we learn all over the home, so we have books set up all over.) Try to get all of your supplies together. I love the dollar store for storage needs - laundry baskets and bins are there in abundance and they won't break the bank.
Once you have your books, craft supplies, puzzles, etc. set up, spend some time thinking about your day and your routine. Here's ours:
UP BY 6
BREAKFAST
MORNING CHORES/TIDY ROOMS AND HOUSE
MORNING PRAYERS AROUND 8:30
LESSONS
ANGELUS AND LUNCH AT NOON
LESSONS FOR MY OLDER CHILD/NAP OR QUIET TIME FOR OTHERS
FREE TIME FOR OUTSIDE PLAY
QUICK TIDY AT 4
START DINNER FOR ME
Start a routine where everyone spends 15-30 min before daddy gets home and does a quick tidy around the house. We tidy before school and after - I agree with Julia, if I let this slip, chaos is soon to follow.
HTH a little. In the end, the kids will remember that you are available to them, spending time with them. If life interrupts and your schedule and plans fall apart due to sickness or some other crisis - relax, read to the kids from good books when you can, and all the other pieces will fall into place in time.
__________________
Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
Forum Locked) 
4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Need ideas for young kids - we're new
