Once again we are having a slow and steady start to homeschool. We are still hanging on to summer and dipping in the pool while getting our feet wet in homeschool. Last week we started with just math. Plus we started back to piano lessons. This week we have added another subject (of each child’s choice) and are getting back to using our student planners. I must confess that this year I have just needed the extra summer time.
We won’t officially be full time back to school until after Labor Day but we had to take our annual back to homeschool photo! And there is plenty to do and many learning opportunities! Many of the regular extracurricular activities have started back: piano, drama troupe, choir, youth group, praise band practice, park days with our homeschool group … and, what am I forgetting? Here’s a few snapshots of our week…
1. Love it! Caught giggling over the Audubon First Field Guide: Insects book. Reading aloud and the name and characteristics. | 2. Oh she is loving being like the big kids and doing third grade Teaching Textbooks on the computer. | 3. Having fun with Unit Studies Sensational Sharks! Watching videos of bull and tiger sharks plus exploring a cool interactive shark anatomy. Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea or walked in the recesses of the deep? Job 38:16 | 4. Celebrating a birthday and enjoying summer at the pool!
This is so exciting! Apologia’s Constitutional Literacy course by Michael Farris. A fantastic follow up to the civics and government course and trip to Washington, D.C. last year. And, we were so excited to get started with Constitutional Literacy, we went ahead and read the first chapter and watched the first session.
We had a great Shark Week! Not only did we enjoy Sensational Sharks but everybody picked a couple of tutorials from our Sharks: Chalk Art for All Ages and painted.
More Back to Homeschool Helps for You
- Return of the Routine – an absolutely free ebook of our best slow and steady steps to success. You may still be feeling the weight of this past year. Or you may be facing the overwhelming responsibility of getting back into the school year. 15 pages of tried and true homeschool routines and habits. Reluctant return of routine-r? Download now and save it for when you are ready.
- Reserve all the books you can from the library and put them in a central location (we do the family room fireplace mantel and the coffee table) just so they are in sight and inviting.
- How to Start a Homeschool Routine with Little Ones
- I Can’t Homeschool Because of the Little Ones
- A Hodgepodge of Answers for the Homeschool Critics
- Annual Hodgepodge Homeschool Photos
- Weekly Homeschool Planning Meeting with Multiple Ages
- 10 Pieces of Advice I Wish I’d Known Before I Started Homeschooling
- Help! I’m Homeschooling! Helpful Habits for the Heart of Homeschooling
And remember my favorite quote: You can’t change what you have or haven’t done over the past year. Just start where you are, ask the Lord to make you a “joyful mother of children,” pray for grace and wisdom (and strength and patience), and move forward. ~ Vicki Bentley, HSLDA and Everyday Homemaking
Baby toes on my now high schoolers!
Many thanks to these kind hostesses:
- Finishing Strong – Homeschooling the Middle & High School Years
- iHomeschool Network’s Not Back to School Blog Hop – Student Photos week
Those are just a few little tips that helped us (me!) so much. Since 2001!
….Ah…those photos of the “baby toes” of the now high school children…make me smile a wistful smile…..
Forever,
Nana
Me too. I am grateful that we started doing those photos back in 2001. Every time I look at it on the fridge it makes me smile!
I always feel happy and refreshed after seeing one of your weekly posts. I love and look forward to seeing your back to school photos. I love the way you ease into school and mix in some summer time as well. Many blessings on your new school year! Oh, and your kids are getting big!
Phyllis at All Things Beautiful recently posted..Snapshot Summary, The August Break: August 8-14
Phyllis you are so sweet! I am so very thankful we can ease into school like we do and that it doesn’t have to come crashing in all at once. Thank you – yes, they are getting big – it really does happen fast!
Where has the summer gone? We start school the same way you do – slowly! Actually, we do part-time schooling all through the summer, but we will get back into full-time next week. We use and love Teaching Textbooks as well. That Constitutional Literacy curriculum looks good. Keep us posted on how you like it. Love the Vicki Bentley quote, the recommendation of Finishing Strong, and the reminder that I need to take more homeschooling pics. Thanks!
Heather @ My Overflowing Cup recently posted..How To Stretch Buttermilk
I agree Heather – summer went at lightning speed! We are already hooked on ConLit – and I am sharing a review in the next couple of weeks. Love Vicki Bentley – one of the best homeschool mentors!
Hodgepodgemom recently posted..Homeschool Omnibus – A Hodgepodge of Help for You!
Welcome to another year! We start 9/2. Maine’s summers are just too short to start until AFTER Labor Day! LOL I’m ready; I think. Great first week!
I hear you – make summer last as long as possible and take advantage of the sunshiney days 🙂
A great idea to have a photo taken each year – never thought of that – I guess the closest we’ve come to that is a yearly photo around the Christmas tree. It is so fun to see their growth each year. All the best as you head off into your new year. We are mid-way, and are doing our mid-year reviews at the moment (different school year in Australia.)
Belinda recently posted..Weekly Wrapup (ending August 16)
A yearly photo around the Christmas tree is great – see – we aren’t consistent with that! I love hearing about how different things are in Australia – one of my fellow authors at The Curriculum Choice is in Australia (Kendra at Aussie Pumpkin Patch) – is often reminding me of the opposite weather and different school schedules. Love homeschooling for that! Thanks Belinda 🙂