Homeschool Highlights- Week 22

We are now at the end of week 22 of the 2011-2012 homeschooling school year!

Below is the curriculum we chose at the beginning of the school year:

Emma- 10 years, 5th grade

Math- Switched on Schoolhouse
Science- Abeka
History- Abeka
Language Arts- Easy Grammar, Abeka Spelling and Poetry
Reading- Approved books of choice, Bible
Music- Piano

Rylan- 7 years, 2nd grade

Math- Horizons
Science- Abeka
Language Arts- Abeka
Handwriting- A Reason For Handwriting- Highly Recommend!
Reading- Abeka readers



Before I brought my daughter home from the christian school, she had been struggling with Math for about 2 years. She was using Abeka at the time. Since we've been using SOS she has greatly improved. I am considering Teaching Textbooks or Saxon Math for next year. I would greatly love to hear any feedback from those who have used either one. I find that both my children find History to be dry and boring using Abeka. They have still been using Abeka, although I have supplemented with Diana Waring- What in the World. This week they are learning about the history of Egypt. I like the idea of both my children being able to learn Science and History together. for Science I plan to start using Apologia for both of them next year. It seems to be a little advanced for my youngest. After half a year in diagramming sentences and worksheets on proper grammar usage, I plan to use more of a natural approach for Language such as copywork from the Bible, poetry, etc. I believe the goal in Language is to be able to communicate and write properly. If that's the case, I think my children are doing exceptionally well.
I recently found a website for Rod and Staff which I LOVE! It's simple, christian-based, and affordable. I found Language Reference Charts as well as Math reference charts for only 3.00 a piece! I also ordered Emma a couple homemaking workbooks that teach her the basics of sewing and preparing meals! It's hard to believe a little over a year ago I thought negative about homeschooling. I believe it was my lack of knowledge of the benefits of homeschooling that I thought this way. I thank God that He helped me see the blessing that homeschooling would have on our family and for the grace to step out in faith to do it.
Homeschooling isn't an easy task, but it's one of the most rewarding. Since homeschooling I've been able to see the gifts that God has given each one of them and how we can cultivate them for God's glory. Emma is gifted with a beautiful voice as well as a talent for playing the piano. She now has the time to practice 1-2 hours each day, something she didn't have the time to do when in school. She also has a gift of writing songs, poetry, and drawing. Rylan loves the outdoors! He would live outdoors if he could! He has a sensitive, loving, and very adventurous heart!
Ellie, my almost 3 year old, is beginning to learn her colors. I purchased a preschool curriculum from Answers in Genesis. I'm excited to begin this with her. She is behind on her speech so we are working with her on that first. I'm just enjoying letting her be little because I know how quickly they grow up. Children truly are blessings from the Lord and I thank Him for each one of them!

Homeschool Highlights

Each week I plan to post a summary of what we're learning on the path of homeschooling. In July of 2011 I began my journey as a homeschooling mother. I believe I'm learning just as much, if not more than each one of my children. I look forward to seeing my children grow in true wisdom from knowing the Lord and am excited to share my journey with you. I pray that this blog brings honor and glory to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and that I can encourage you in the sacred calling of motherhood.

Through Wisdom

Proverbs 24:3-6

Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding

it is established; by knowledge the rooms are

filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

My Decision to Homeschool

God has revealed to me that it is His will for me to homeschool my children. This has been a very hard decision to make. This blog will be our journey down the path of homeschooling. I look forward to sharing this journey with you! I was one of those moms that used to say that I would NEVER homeschool my children. I had a list of many reasons why I would never homeschool which included- not enough patience, not smart enough, not enough time, didn't know how, kids wouldn't like it, kids would fall behind academically, they wouldn't know how to act/behave in the "real world", my family would think I'm weird (absolutely crazy) along with many, many more. With a difficult toddler on top of all those reasons I pretty much convinced myself that homeschooling would be impossible. As you all have heard, never say never and NOTHING is impossible with God. My children currently go to a wonderful christian school, but over the last several months God has given me a passion for homeschooling my children. Over the last 2 years my daughter has had hours of homework almost every night after school. This leaves barely any time to be together as a family. If my kids are gone 8 hours a day and they come home with homework then how will I "train my children up in the way they should go"? Whose job is it to raise my children? Is it the Sunday school teacher's job, the school's job, or is it my job? What is the real reason that I refuse to homeschool my children? Those were some of the questions I asked myself before making the decision to homeschool. To be completely honest, it is much easier for me to send my 2 oldest children to a christian school and only have 1 child at home. When my youngest naps, I have free time (me time). It's also easier to keep up with my housework with only 1 child at home. Notice how my reasoning was all about ME? The real reason I said I would NEVER homeschool was my own SELFISHNESS. I just had myself convinced otherwise. I want more than anything to glorify my Lord and do His Will. I know without a doubt that His Way is always the BEST Way! I feel complete peace with my decision to homeschool, although I know that this path will not be smooth sailing, but difficult at times. I also know that God's Grace is always sufficient. God doesn't call me to be perfect, but to be faithful. Just as I read in a wonderful book called "A Field Guide to Homeschooling", by Christine Field- "There are no perfect homeschoolers- just a number of commited people who put one foot in front of the other and step out in faith to do the job they feel called to do." Just a quick end note: Sending your child to a christian school and choosing not to homeschool is not wrong. The only way it is wrong is if God has called you to homeschool your children and you refuse to be obedient to the calling. I don't know how long God has called me to homeschool. It may only be for a year or until they graduate. I do know that I will continue to step out in obedience until God shows me otherwise.