It’s that time of the year again where everyone is getting ready for the new school year. School supplies are on sale (I love stocking up for the year at these prices!!), and kids are actually excited about buying their new “goodies”. Only, we’ve already been doing school for a while here. Since we took time off before, during, and after the move, we decided that we needed to get back to our regular schooling routine.
Any time we take time off, I gradually add everything back to the schedule. Munchkin does better if I allow her to get use to certain subjects before jumping in to the full load.
Since we are doing some reviews of various curriculum, we are learning how to be flexible. So far, the products that we’re reviewing have fit right into our normal schedule. Munchkin is enjoying the changes here and there. We’ll be putting a greater emphasis on Spanish this year. Since we live in an area where Spanish is spoken freely, we have a renewed desire to really learn it.
We definitely have a routine and not a schedule. I’m a natural night owl and enjoy getting my work done in the evening. We do not get up early or start school first thing in the morning. My day starts with breakfast and a short devotional. Munchkin starts her day with breakfast and an episode of the Magic School Bus or another Discovery Channel show.
Between 9:00 and 10:00, we start school for the day. Our day always starts with Bible and prayer. When we don’t start the day with the Bible lesson, things do not go as well. Munchkin is allowed to pick the order for the rest of her studies. Right now, she usually goes with math (likes to get it out of the way first), science, history, home economics and/or Spanish, and math drills.
As you can see, we haven’t added back in her writing or grammar programs. I’m not sure where she’ll decide to put those in the mix. Any extra things that we add are done after her normal studies.
I’m continuing to try to teach Munchkin to be a more independent learner. She does pretty well overall, but there are quite a few questions that she could figure out on her own. I’m trying to learn when I need to have her work things out on her own and when I should help. It’s quite the balancing act.
I usually work on housework and computer things while she’s doing independent work. We’re still not completely unpacked, so there is always something to do besides normal house cleaning.
Daddy, our principal, makes sure that Munchkin is getting in her physical fitness. Right now, it’s really hot outside, so we’re not getting in as much exercise as we should. Thankfully, basketball season started up today. Munchkin will now get plenty of exercise. She has practice on Tuesday and Thursday evening, and she has games on Saturday morning. She’s excited because one of her friends from VBS is on the team with her.
Daddy is great about helping keep us on track. He checks in with me every day to see how things are going with school. He addresses any attitude issues that may have happened when he talks with Munchkin before bed. He also congratulates her when she has a really good day. It helps that Munchkin knows that Daddy is kept in the loop.
Head on over to the Homeschool Lounge to see how other homeschool families are starting out their new school year. They’re giving away a bunch of fabulous door prizes as well as some freebies just for participating. The first 100 participants will receive a free year subscription to Home Educating Family Magazine!
Some of the prizes that I’m interested in are:
- Circle C Adventure Books
- Currclick gift card
- Rainbow Resource gift card
- Reach for the Stars
- Literature Discovery Guide & book
- Families with a Purpose gift certificate
- Homeschool Boutique Shirts
- Lies Woman (Young Woman) Believe book
You can see a few pictures from our new schoolroom here.
Thank you for sharing your homeschooling day. It sounds so similar to ours in content, although not necessarily in the same order. ☺
Blessings,
Jillian
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