We have had to take a break with homeschooling, but we are finally starting to kick things back in to gear. After all, the boys weren't looking forward to homeschooling through the summer season. It's been a bit more laid back as far as our schedule; I mean Boaz comes first and whoever has a free hand is the one who picks the little one up.
Isaiah has been self teaching on his guitar since last summer. He is getting quite good. He loves to come in to my bedroom and serenade me. He knows that I love music, it soothes the soul.
Levi is getting closer and closer to being finished with his seventh grade year. We made a lot of progress in the beginning of the year knowing that with a new baby around that we would need the headstart.
Do you recognize these books? They are the old Dick and Jane readers. We LOVE them! Abram is in first grade this year and he has been learning to read by leaps and bounds. Finding good books that use our basic vocabulary again and again is a bit challenging. However, Dick and Jane are the perfect solution. I used these books when I was his age.
Aren't the pictures precious? Roman loves to look at the pictures too.
When Teresa was here we were going to start a unit study on Lewis and Clark. I bought these sticks that you can use to build forts and things. The boys loved them. This is Isaiah's masterpiece. He put all the details in, like a fire, some logs (toothpicks), teepees, a pully chain, and some barrels.
He put sawdust on the ground to make it look like snow. These boys built things with these for several days. We are starting to drag the unit study books back out and to focus on that topic for awhile, but its all about making it laid back and enjoyable. 
17 comments:
Wow! Look at the roller skates on Jane! That does bring back memories. I like the fort buildings. It looks like your boys are very creative.
I so enjoy hearing Isaiah play and sing his guitar, he has such a beautiful voice. You tell him I said so....
That Levi has one a special place in my heart with his humor.
I love the dick and jane books, Abram is a smart little guy, I think teaching my kids was one of the most rewarding things about homeschooling to me.
I can't wait to do some unit studies together. Good job on that masterpiece it looks awesome.
Glad you brought up this topic. I have been considering homeschooling my childern again. I know, I know, Shock & Amazement! I was wondering if you take a more unschool approach to things or if you follow a set curriculum. Tyler would like to start homeschooling again and in my heart I know it is the right thing for me to do for him, but it just scares me silly. Now that Tyler & Mason are older I think it would be much less stressful. I am so concerned about teaching a child to read again that I don't beleive I will attempt to h.s. my elementary kids. Just wondering how you do it all at your house.
Great ideas for schooling in this transitional time for your family! I really liked the fort, and we have that very same Dick and Jane book!
Boaz is so cute....has it been two weeks already??!! Wow. Time sure does fly!
Keep up your laid back approach!
Leanne in Longview
I love your blog and your family stories. :)
Where did you get these sticks? We've used popsicle sticks, but then you have to have craft glue, and it is just a lot of trouble. I'd love to get my hands on some of these!
Joann: I will elaborate on our style of homeschooling very soon. I understand your concerns with homeschooling. Its a BIG decison, but so worth it!
Mamacita: I bought these sticks at our teacher resource store. The store is called "Learning World". I loved the sticks too, because they hook together with no glue. Glue would have been such a mess. Plus, all ages of kids were building things with them over and over, and this wouldn't have been possible.
Wow you are doing so great!!! Making a keepsake and getting homeschooling up and all. I love the fort idea. Your little baby boy is just adorable. All your children are. I am catching up on everyones blogs. I hope you are feeling well. The exhaustion will subside someday. Right!! lol.
Love & Prayers
Michelle Swank
That is really neat. I am looking froward to a more laid back approch next year for the girls. I'm kind of tired of our tight schedule we can't seem to keep up with. Looking forward to your elaboration on your homeschool style. Although we have lived near one another quite often I guess I have really never discussed that topic with you.
Glad to hear that the newest addition is settling in quite nicely with your family! He is such an adorable little one. :)
Wow - I didn't know the Dick and Jane readers were still around! Love the project by the way. Good luck staying on task with the little one! hee-hee!
Just catching up on your blog. Love the pictures of the babies. I'm glad things are starting to get back to normal.
Wow! Either those building sticks are awesome, or Isaiah is! I thought that was really cool. Is it strong enough to last for years? 'Cause if it is, then one of these days, I'll have to see it in person! It's always exciting to get to the end of a school year. Levi must be very happy. I saw the pictures on your last post (and, read the post, of course), and Roman is such a little cutie! So is Boaz, of course, but Roman had a lot of character showing up in those pictures! He's so cute with his chubby little arms and legs! Makes me think of Heidi... well, it didn't until I wrote "chubby little arms and legs!". Then, I immediately thought of Heidi! LOL.
Let me be the first one to wish you a Happy, Happy Birthday! I'll wait a few more hours before calling so you can get some precious sleep, if babies are sleeping that is!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
Happy Birthday! I hope you feel good today and enjoy yourself. Wish we was already there and I would take you for lunch...
Wow, it looks like life is getting back to normal. That is awesome that Isaiah is learning guitar. I LOVE music, I play piano myself. I would like to buy a piano and retech myself a lot that I have forgotten. I've actually never seen or read any Dick and Jane books. HMM... weird. And that fort looks awesome. I LOVE that "snow" idea, very clever! They did a great job on it!
Its your birthday?! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRINA!!! Have a fantastic year and a great life ahead...I'm sure Boaz was one of the best close-to birthday gifts you've got :)
Now that it is mentioned, I do remember you saying that a lot of birthdays in your family are in April!
Happy Birthday. I am impressed you are starting to get homeschooling going again. I will have to look for those sticks. They look like a lot of fun.
Post a Comment