Kicking Off the Home School Year 2011 {Blog Hop}

 I  planned on jumping in with this years "Not" Back to School blog hop. I linked up last year and had a great experience. After jumping late, I rolled all 4 weeks into one~

Week one~ Curriculum

We use a hodgepodge of curriculum from hand me downs, Christian education book-store ,Seton, Kolbe Academy and Math-U-See}

Math~ We have not yet received our Math U See curriculum. For now Sunshine is working on her 2nd grade math from Kolbe. I am pulling Little Man back form division to better memorize his multiplication tables.
They all do well on their own.
Journal~ I check the first draft and help to rewrite.

Reading Comprehension~ Little Man completes on his own. Sunshine works with mom. (Book-Store and reads from the book -nook)

Phonics~ They do well on their own with some guidance. (Seton)
English and Grammar~ I work with them ( Sunshine Kolbe and Little Man Seton)

I grade each subject and help to correct.

We do History, Science, Music and Art as a group study. As we alternate per week.
Sweet Pea is learning her numbers and letters. She is writing words and drawing~ She reads with mommy~

 Week Two~ School Room We are kitchen table homeschoolers. I have to admit I have dreamt of having a school room just off the living area or kitchen. Now starting our fourth year I can say I really enjoy kitchen table homeschooling. It is so nice to school the kids and take care of my wife/momma to-do's. Each child has a desk in their room to use if they are ever in need of complete quietness. In the photograph you can see the board my handy man husband made, as well as our shelf and drawers for our HS items. We also have a tall cabinet on the other side of the kitchen with HS items stored inside.

{Week Three ~ School Photos}
Each year we take a trip to the library to visit our favorite librarians as well as checking out our firsts books of the school year. While we are there I snap a few shots of the kids with their backpacks and smiles.

Week 4~ Day in the Life 


7 am My day starts.
{ I start my coffee, start the laundry, make breakfast, eat a quick bite, say my morning prayers and jump in the shower.}


7 or 7:30 am The kids start their day.
{Say their personal morning prayer, eat breakfast, complete morning chore, get dressed and have a small free time before class starts.}


 9 am Class starts~
We open with prayer, Bible study and thoughts for the day with Mom.


9:30 am This is when the kids pick up their independent studies. 
I continue entertaining/schooling Sweet Pea, work on house chores, preparing lunch and checking email/ fb/ blog. As I am here to help when they need my assistance. Assignments are worked with mom depending on the child and their needs.


10 -11 am Snack time and continue working.
I lay out a finger food snack on the table. They each continue working as they snack.


11am Lunch Time.
After lunch is recess.
{During recess I do a quick personal prayer and fit in a few more chores}

12 Noon  
Sweet Pea rest time and the older two finish up their school

1 or 2pm
They finish up school and have a rest time or free time

1-5 is Free time~ We take care of outdoor chores, play, enjoy our home, watch a little TV, read, go to the park  etc.

We try to schedule all apt after 2pm.

5pm ~I start dinner

6pm~ Eat dinner
Family prayer time and talks of the day.

6:30 or 7~
Start baths and getting ready for bed.

8:30~ Kids bed time
 ( I then visit with Allen, finish up chores to start a new day and enjoy my free time)


Monday~ Sunshine's Brownie (once a month)
Tuesday~ Story Hour and Mass every week
Wednesday~ Once a month Alter society meeting
Thursday~ Once a month Blue Nights and Little Flowers
Friday~ Have always been our home school play date days
(We joined in with a new HS group.  I am not yet sure what will be our set day)
Saturday~ Family time. Brownies once a month.
Sunday~ Mass and Sunday school activities.

Season schedule and other activities
4-H
Spring Baseball
Church activities
Other HS fun