It's done, it's over, we all survived. We had the good, the bad, and the "Oops, let's change that"
The Good
The kids got up at a reasonable hour
There was no complaining
We managed to be done by 1530 each day
The new school room layout seems to be working really well
We got a new computer for the school room
Everett really enjoyed the science project he picked to do
Lucas is a full on, no more phonics lessons, reader
Annika has become very independent in her school work
Annika loves her science program
The Bad
Everett's not sure he wants to take Latin as his foreign language
Annika didn't like the first book assigned to her for history reading
Lucas hated the new math book I picked
The "Oops, let's change that"
The math I picked for all of them, didn't seem like it would work so I had to order new stuff
The history program uses the World book Encyclopedia which is DRY, DRY, DRY, we got some new books on the way to replace it.
Over all I'm happy with how this week went. This post was short and to the point, because I had already posted all the pictures in the First day of School post. Next week I'm planning to add in art and foreign language, guess we'll have to see if I'm successful with that plan.
Today was the first day of my 9th year of homeschooling, wow I've been doing this gig a long time. The kids were excited, one of the more so than others. I woke up thinking it would be a rough morning. I was sure I'd have to drag my kids out of bed kicking and screaming. After all summer vacation had lasted longer than most kids have due to the move. As I walked out of my room I was shocked at the sight awaiting me. My 15.5 year old son, happily eating his cocoa puffs. Yes, he was already awake, and it didn't take a cattle prod. Huh, who knew.
I then proceeded to take pictures of my kids with little signs stating what grade they were in. You know those pictures, I'm sure you've seen them on facebook or took them yourselves. Mine weren't like the ones you may have seen of the bright eyed, bushy tailed, kiddos ready to hop on the bus, nope, not at all. They were of my 9th grader noshing on his earlier mentioned cocoa puffs, of my 7th grader sleeping with her neck at some strange, uncomfortable looking angle, and of my 3rd grader after he'd looked at me like I was a nutter and decided to take me up on my "it's ok, just go back to sleep" offer.
After he finished eating 1 of 3 decided he wanted to get to work right away. I was not ready for that. I hadn't made out the assignment sheets yet. I had planned on waking up at least an hour before them all and doing that while I enjoyed the quiet morning. So I said,"Uhhh, I guess you could do math." He looked at me, thought for a bit, and then said, "Or I could do my programming, I have a lesson for that on the calendar from dad." "Sure, programming, that sounds good" I then went about my crazy rushed morning having something to eat and rapidly writing out those assignment sheets.
We settled in at 10:30 after I woke 2 of 3 and 3 of 3, it was a good day. They worked without complaint and even stated they had fun during some subjects.
Even though I realized that my kids had no idea what a number sign or pound sign was and had to resort to calling it a hashtag I consider today a win.
The books are on the shelves, the papers needed have been printed, the supplies stocked, the students are ready, I think. The teacher is ready, but worried. Why am I worried, because this is our 9th year homeschooling, how that much time has passed, I do not know. I am also worried because it's a new state, for those that don't know, we've moved to Tennessee. That means laws are different and there are new hoops to jump through. The thing frazzling my nerves most is the fact that Everett is now a freshman in highschool. Yes, by age he should have been one last year, but Matt and I both agreed that he needed a gap year to mature. We felt it was best given last year by having him to an extra long 8th grade period, instead of between high school and college. The boy has grown up a lot, his motivation is much improved, as is his focus.
I am looking forward to this year with the kids though, as we'll be doing some interesting new things in terms of curriculum. They will all be doing Saxon math, which makes me much more comfortable. Saxon is a math program I know I can teach well. Everett and Annika will be using Institute for Excellence in writing again, and they are both looking forward to that. History will be and exploration of the Eastern Hemisphere via Bookshark. Science is a bit different for every child, Everett has chosen to do Oak Meadow's Environmental Science, Annika will be focusing on physical science using Exploration Education's advanced program, and Lucas will be doing some fun things with electricity, magnets, and astronomy also with Bookshark. The older two will move on from general reading to literature, which scares them and me. I was never a fan of English class, hopefully they like the books I picked for them. One of the nicest classes for me will be Windows Programming and Game Programming for Everett. Why am I so thrilled about this one, because Matt is taking charge of the whole thing! Yay! It will be nice to have one class I just don't have to worry about. Everett was so excited about it he started it this week instead of waiting for our official start date and has completed 2 chapters already. I think that puts him about 2 weeks ahead of schedule.
So, as I sit here thinking of the upcoming year and what it holds for us, I would like to wish all my homeschooling friends good luck in their endeavors, and best wishes to all my friends who have kids in public and private school. May your year be fun, exciting, and all you hope they will be.
