In the Swing of Things

We have started our third week of homeschooling.   Last week was a little easier, since we knew what to expect.  Samuel has had two tests this week.  In his Phonics/Reading and Math curriculum there is a test or assessment after every ten lessons.  We have reached the first tests this week and he has done well on them.  He missed one on each test.  I'm proud of him!  

We are working on his perfectionist tendencies.  He likes to answer correctly and gets upset if he gets it wrong.  His greatest struggle concerning this, is in spelling.  At the beginning of the week, there is an assessment to see how many of the words he knows how to spell.  He gets upset if he doesn't know how to spell a word or spells it wrong.   Even though we talk about how it is okay to misspell the words, he still does not like it.  But he does work hard throughout the week to learn the correct spelling and it pays off at the end.  Last week he spelled all of his words correctly!

Some of you are wondering, how I manage to homeschool during the day with two younger children.  Darius is working through a preschool workbook,  which he works on while Samuel works on Phonics/Reading and Math.  I only have him work on 2 pages, so we can focus on the material he needs to learn.  (At the moment it is how to hold a pencil correctly, and form letters.)  When he finishes, he can play.  Darius also joins us in the afternoon for Science, Social Studies and Bible.  I usually copy the workbook pages so he can join us.  He is a little sponge.  Even though his attention span is shorter and he is still learning to write, he is learning the material very well.  

Eve, however, can be challenging.  In the morning,  I set up our blue booster seat at the table and she colors while the boys work.  She sure thinks she is big stuff!   When we continue school, after our morning break, it is harder to occupy her.  Darius likes to play with her, but usually she is at the table trying to grab books or I'm holding her as I am teaching Samuel.  It can get a little crazy, but we manage.  In the afternoon, we start school after she goes down for her nap.  It is easier, since Science includes games or manipulatives with small pieces.  

I like the flexibility of homeschooling.  We work on school every day, but we have the flexibility to focus on other things as they come up.  For instance, we had to leave town quickly last week to attend Josh's grandpa's funeral.  We 'missed' two days of school, but it wasn't a big deal, since we picked up where we left off.    We have also been talking about going to St. Louis for a few days, next month.  We can take those breaks in the middle of the year, when the public schools are in session, and not have to fight crowds at the zoo or museum.    

I am going to try to post pictures throughout the year as well.  The first one is of our set up this morning during school.  Enjoy!