Well, I do not pretend to be a super homeschooler. I do not pretend to be a semi super homeschooler. Sometimes I don't even want to be a homeschooler. Sometimes I don't feel equipped to even HAVE children. There you have it. But... I have 4 amazingly witty, quirky children who keep me on my toes every second of every minute. We started our more formal learning today. I have charted it all out this year to have myself, or one of the two older ones supervising the littles. This is to avoid situations Little M running up to me naked, pointing behind the couch and exclaiming :"POO, POO!", or finding the two of them attempting to ride their bikes down the street, or to prevent my make up being used to make clown cheeks, etc, etc. The two older ones were into this ( I actually found a note they had been passing back and forth on how they would teach their 4 year old brother his numbers. It said something like, "Let's clap every time he does something right, because he really likes it when we do that!". awwwwww! I thought that was sweet.
I still find it a strain at times to keep on top of everything. I seem to be able to do school well but not to be able to keep my house clean , or if I can get my house clean, it is because we have neglected school. I am sure some of you can relate. If you can't, don't tell me.
My hubby and I have noticed that the two older kids are arguing back a lot- for example: today I asked my daughter not to go into a certain room 3 times and she still chose to and asked, "but what if I just sit in it?" Yeah, no, like I said, 3 times! So, my new tactic, instead of lecturing, is to to make them run a lap around the house. I add extra if they walk or keep arguing. You make think I am mean, but it will save me from getting worked up and raising my voice, and builds their cardio at the same time. They got a lot of exercise today! It also confirms to our neighbours that we are insane.
A. had a break through with her math today. Kathleen highly recommended Math U See, and she really got the concept of making fractions of a number. She was enjoying it, and I learned stuff too! I asked her if she liked it better than her other curriculum and got a very tweeny "yyyyyeah!" reply. That means she likes it way better- it must be a totally phat, sweet curriculum compared to last year's, I guess.
They also remembered details from the Story of the World volume that we read last year. We started on the second one today, it is about the Middle Ages. The kids love this series and we all learn a lot from it. Anyways, I was reading how the Roman Empire encompassed many countries, including Egypt, where there was a bustling sea port, when 8 year old K interjected that that would have been Alexandria. I had a moment where the heavens shone on my heart as it seemed confirmation that they actually do learn something educational here! Not every 8 year old knows about Alexandria- at least I don't think they do. If that is common knowledge, don't tell me that either...
Last year I tried to get units of work done in each subject through out the school day. This year I am going to try to see how it works to stick to half hour segments, maybe 45 minutes for some subjects. I think that the kids will appreciate moving from one subject to the next a little more quickly.
So, we all survived the first day back- it wasn't perfectly smooth, but I disciplined myself to pray more, yap less. That should just be my life motto. Tomorrow I am going to post pics of our school area in the hopes that you will let me snoop in yours through pics as well. I already saw Monkey Giggle's space and liked the way she had it set up. Maybe we will get some good ideas from each other.
8 comments:
Geez, I can relate to this. And the arguing! What is with that? I liked what you said about feeling inadequate to even have kids. That's exactly how I feel most days. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Hang in there! My chant this week is, " The first few weeks are the worst part...it get's better." I think if you say that once every hour while eating a chocolate bar, it's supposed to help.
Yes, I can relate!
When we were homeschooling we too used "Story of the World" both books, and loved it.
Love the running laps thing. I wish all schools would implement that. Teachers just shoot themselves in the foot when they take an energetic kid and punish him or her by sitting out recess. Make them run around the school a couple of times,you will have a tired and more compliant child. And more physically fit too.
Really sweet your kids writing notes and planning how to teach their brother. They sound like good kids.
I understand MANY of the things you shared!! :) You're doing great!
Great idea with the laps! My oldest two are driving me up the wall with their bickering. I think I'll give that a go, particularly with my oldest, who all of a sudden seems to have forgotten what "no" means.
I think we can all relate to feeling inadequate. I am feeling somewhat encouraged as I read everyone's back to school posts though...as Gayle said, it will get better!
~Rachelle
ps~ the note writing is so sweet!
I loved the idea of having the kids run around the house. How funny.
Maybe that would be something I could implement with my nine year old. Good exercise. :)
I don't know if our neighbors would think we were crazy-but it is worth a try. :)
I think all Moms who home school are incredible!
My hat is off to all of ya'll.
Hi!
Sorry, I don't come around often. I have the worst time posting on blogger! Thanks for letting me know that you are enjoying LHTH. OK, now I am going to read your blog and cach up!
Oh honey...I can so relate to you. I have done the same thing. Have the monkeys run around the house when they get sassy or won't listen. The first month of school is hard on everyone. But we make it through and we settle into our schedule.
We came up with a self-discipline tool called the "spinner of doom" There are 7 basic rules of behavior.
1 No unkind words to anyone
2 No physical harm to anyone
3 No backtalk
4 No tattling (unless emergency)
5 No bad attitude
6 No destruction of property
7 No grumbling or complaining
If someone breaks the rules they have to spin the "SPINNER OF DOOM"
What ever the spinner lands on they have to do ie. write sentences, no TV, no video games, etc... This way I'm not the BAD GUY all the time. I don't need to yell. I just tell them to spin.
Anyway, it seems to work for us.
Sorry for the LOOONG comment.
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