In about a month, we are unofficially officially starting school. I say unofficially because I do not have to report to any school district yet, but we are definitely starting.
I don't remember if I documented it here, but I have been researching for months, to find the perfect curriculum. I don't want anything too rigid, or full of seatwork. This is kindergarten afterall. I know in a lot of circles people say not to even bother with a curriculum with a kindergartener, but honestly some structure would do us some good. I don't know if either one of us (me or Anthony) could take another year of me just flying by the seat of my pants. He craves a tight schedule-- which will never happen because I avoid a tight schedule like the plague. But I do want him to thrive, and him thriving means that I need to have a clear, predictable direction that I can articulate to him. I am truly a type B personality, teaching and mothering a type A. And it is HARD.
So, I needed to find a curriculum that met those needs. Structure without rigidity, flexibility without chaos, easy lessons that do not require much prep, but do not lack in richness of thought.
Given all of those things, we took a leap and went with Five in A Row. A simple and warm, literature based curriculum that encourages critical thinking, creativity, and closeness. I figured we read so much anyway that if it is a flop, at least we will have a bunch of award winning children's books for a great price.
Anyway, our books came in today. It was kind of a moment of truth in a way. If Anthony wasn't interested in them, I would feel unsure about how the rest of our first year will shape up. Thankfully, he was just as excited as I was, if not more. To top it off, he begged me to read one right away, even though school is not starting for another month. The one he picked (out of about 18 possible choices) is the same book I picked out to be our very first "row" of the year.
As his brothers napped, we huddled together, and read "Night of the Moonjellies". The conversation that happened was so easy and organic, and just-- I just feel so good about what we picked out.
So here's to our first official year of homeschooling! "School" doesn't start until September 8th, but I doubt I'll be able to hold off until then.
Stepping out in faith is always difficult for me, but I know schooling my children is what the Lord wants me to do. So do I feel equipped? Not really. But I am confident that He who called me, will provide the strength that I will need to do it. What an incredible journey this will be! I am so excited to take that first unofficial official step! :)
I don't remember if I documented it here, but I have been researching for months, to find the perfect curriculum. I don't want anything too rigid, or full of seatwork. This is kindergarten afterall. I know in a lot of circles people say not to even bother with a curriculum with a kindergartener, but honestly some structure would do us some good. I don't know if either one of us (me or Anthony) could take another year of me just flying by the seat of my pants. He craves a tight schedule-- which will never happen because I avoid a tight schedule like the plague. But I do want him to thrive, and him thriving means that I need to have a clear, predictable direction that I can articulate to him. I am truly a type B personality, teaching and mothering a type A. And it is HARD.
So, I needed to find a curriculum that met those needs. Structure without rigidity, flexibility without chaos, easy lessons that do not require much prep, but do not lack in richness of thought.
Given all of those things, we took a leap and went with Five in A Row. A simple and warm, literature based curriculum that encourages critical thinking, creativity, and closeness. I figured we read so much anyway that if it is a flop, at least we will have a bunch of award winning children's books for a great price.
Anyway, our books came in today. It was kind of a moment of truth in a way. If Anthony wasn't interested in them, I would feel unsure about how the rest of our first year will shape up. Thankfully, he was just as excited as I was, if not more. To top it off, he begged me to read one right away, even though school is not starting for another month. The one he picked (out of about 18 possible choices) is the same book I picked out to be our very first "row" of the year.
As his brothers napped, we huddled together, and read "Night of the Moonjellies". The conversation that happened was so easy and organic, and just-- I just feel so good about what we picked out.
So here's to our first official year of homeschooling! "School" doesn't start until September 8th, but I doubt I'll be able to hold off until then.
Stepping out in faith is always difficult for me, but I know schooling my children is what the Lord wants me to do. So do I feel equipped? Not really. But I am confident that He who called me, will provide the strength that I will need to do it. What an incredible journey this will be! I am so excited to take that first unofficial official step! :)
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