We're Back!!!

So where have we been? Taking a break, figuring things out, waiting on the Lord. Here's the story. I have always loved the whole idea of homeschooling- having the kids with me all the time, planning lessons, teaching my own children, watching the progress they make, being able to set our own schedule. I planned on homeschooling indefinitely. Then in January the Lord laid it on my heart to apply for a teaching position at a private Christian school for the 2010-2011 school year. I completed the extensive application process, then waited. I was interviewed for a position on April 1st, then waited. About half way through April I was more than ready for a break from our school time and I was growing frustrated with not knowing what the next school year might bring. I decided to put our structured school lessons aside for a while and just relax until we knew what direction we would be going for the new school year. I waited, and waited, and waited until finally two weeks ago I received the official news that I had not been chosen for the job at this time. The process of preparing for the possibility of going to work and enrolling the kids in school followed by the process of preparing for a new homeschool year, searching for a co-op, etc brought me to a brand new vision of where we will go from here.

Being sensitive to the possibility that God may call us to change directions at any time, here is our plan. We will continue homeschooling this year. Then next year we will enroll Caleb in first grade (whether that will be at a private school or public school will be determined late Spring). I will explore the possibility of applying for teaching jobs next year. Whether or not I am working will determine if Hannah goes to school for Kindergarten or stays home with me for one last year.

Whew! What a process! I am exhausted from the emotions of it all!

Now moving on to what our year at home will look like....

Keeping in mind that this will be Caleb's last year at home full time and maybe Hannah's too, the biggest goal is to have TONS of fun learning and playing together soaking up these young tender years.

Bible Time

Goals

• Learn to pray respectfully
• Listen attentively to Bible Stories
• Learn one Bible verse a week
• Enjoy listening to, singing along with, and dancing to a variety of Christian music

I have several books that I plan to use during the year during our Bible time each day. I will post them as we use them in my weekly blog posts. I plan to incorporate most of our Bible time into our breakfast routine before we ever move to the school room. We will also read stories from our Children's Bible at bedtime. Both kids will be studying Old Testament stories in Sunday School, New Testament stories during Sunday morning children's worship time, mission lessons on Wednesday nights, and attend Sonshine choir on Wednesday nights.

Reading

A big part of our daily morning routine will be stories and activities from Itty Bitty Bookworm. For August we will use their Bo Curriculum Year 2 July, but beginning in September we will use the new Bo Year 3 Curriculum. I love the book selections in this curriculum and we always have lots of fun with the activities that go along with each story. This is also where most of our art projects will tie in.

Caleb will be using McRuffy Phonics and Reading with Spelling and Handwriting for Kindergarten. At least the first half of this will be very simple review for him, but there we skills included that I did not want to miss or rush by jumping into the first grade level. Caleb will also continue using Explode the Code online.

Hannah will be using a variety of preschool workbooks and online games.

We will also read chapter books together throughout the year. I am still working on a list of what books we will read.

Math

Caleb will be using McRuffy first grade math. Hannah's preschool workbooks and online games will address math as well as phonics.

Science

Caleb and Hannah will be using McRuffy Kindergarten Science. We will also continue our Preschool Nature Walk programs at Reed Creek Park.

The rest of our day will be spent doing all the fun things they love to do but have no clue how much they are learning while they are doing it- playdoh, legos, coloring together, cooking together, playing outside, playing games, etc.

I am excited about the year and can't wait to get back into our routine. We will begin our new schedule Aug 2.

I also plan to link up each week to the Preschool Corner to see what others are doing with their prek and 5-year-olds! Check out the link below to see other great homeschooling ideas for your little blessings! For those of you finding us for the first time at the Preschool Corner hope you enjoy following along with us this year.