The start of a new school year is always challenging. We've gone from a relatively free summer back to the structure of lessons and schooling. It's not the easiest transition.
Now that we've completed our first week of school, I have to say it went extremely well. This is the first year that we have combined our studies (World History). It's also the first year we've done two complete cores, including Science. Last year we forwent Science with Rosalynne and Gabrielle because they didn't really seem to be getting much from it after the first 8 weeks, so we packed it away to save for this year.
The first day, we went a bit slower and didn't complete our lessons until around 3:45pm, but by the end of the week, we were finished by around 2pm. We have also continued with our hour-long walk in the morning after breakfast, so I'm pretty content with that completion time. Gabrielle started right in with Grade 1 readers and Language Arts, and she is doing excellent! It's amazing what one year will do. Last year she wasn't reader for Kindergarten readers or LA, but it's clicking suddenly, and she is making sense of the words and doing well with her spelling.
Teaching 3 different Language Arts this year is definitely challenging, but it's one of my favorite things about homeschooling. I can make sure I am working at each child's level, and they never have to struggle so much that they lose their love of books and reading.
It has taken quite a bit of trial and error to place Asher and Savannah in the appropriate levels on Time4Learning. The 6th Grade Language Arts program was WAY too easy, and they found it extremely boring. But 6th Grade Math was pretty challenging.
Overall, we had a great first week. Friday is our "off" day. We are working with a 4-day curriculum this year, so our plan is to reserve Friday for field trips, art/crafts, appointments, make-up work, extra-curricular, electives, and an extra day to review any topic or subject that proves extra challenging.
I'm sure as our school year continues we will be adjusting our schedule and lessons as needed. But, it has been a wonderful first week!
The first day, we went a bit slower and didn't complete our lessons until around 3:45pm, but by the end of the week, we were finished by around 2pm. We have also continued with our hour-long walk in the morning after breakfast, so I'm pretty content with that completion time. Gabrielle started right in with Grade 1 readers and Language Arts, and she is doing excellent! It's amazing what one year will do. Last year she wasn't reader for Kindergarten readers or LA, but it's clicking suddenly, and she is making sense of the words and doing well with her spelling.
Teaching 3 different Language Arts this year is definitely challenging, but it's one of my favorite things about homeschooling. I can make sure I am working at each child's level, and they never have to struggle so much that they lose their love of books and reading.
It has taken quite a bit of trial and error to place Asher and Savannah in the appropriate levels on Time4Learning. The 6th Grade Language Arts program was WAY too easy, and they found it extremely boring. But 6th Grade Math was pretty challenging.
Overall, we had a great first week. Friday is our "off" day. We are working with a 4-day curriculum this year, so our plan is to reserve Friday for field trips, art/crafts, appointments, make-up work, extra-curricular, electives, and an extra day to review any topic or subject that proves extra challenging.
I'm sure as our school year continues we will be adjusting our schedule and lessons as needed. But, it has been a wonderful first week!
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