Week 1--Check

We finished our first week of school...ahhhh, it feels good to be back! 

Some reflections: 

Friday was much harder than Monday.

My older kids are to the age of grades...they need the accountability.  So we're doing grades for subjects that lend themselves easily to that and then we'll adjust from there.  (I'm not ready to come up with rubriks yet)

My house was really clean this summer.

Letting them do all their independent work first does not work for us anymore.   Scattering teacher-led subjects throughout the day goes so much more smoothly or even doing teacher stuff first. 

We need some PE in our day.

We had planned on teaching/taking classes at a local co-op, but that fell through for various reasons.  So now our Mondays are really open.  I'm excited about that (after being pretty disappointed) and got input from the kids on what they'd like to do out of the ordinary.  Their suggestions:  science, geometry (fun math), history.  My thoughts before their input:  fieldtrips, swim lessons, archery practice, cooking.  I was surprised to say the least that they just want more...science, math, history.  That's pretty cool. 

This is the first year I've tried to keep the kids to a loose time schedule (7:00 AM - until done).   All my children are morning people, they are up early and their brains are awake.  I'm not a natural morning person...so to be awake, showered and ready for them...I wake up between 5:00-5:30 AM.  This is torturous, but it's really good for all of us.  I think natural inclinations (night owl, morning person) can be overcome.  I just wish they would sleep in on Saturday mornings!

I'm glad God puts barriers up in our path when it doesn't want us to go there!

Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths. 
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.

Psalm 25:4-5

Michael is in love with glue!

I'm really glad I decided to cover Physical Science this year.  I forgot how much I enjoyed formulas and physics.   (Rubber bands and a target to teach about potential/kinetic energy)

We do Bible first. 

All in all, it was a great first week, especially since I've had time to blog and cook almost every day!

I am more organized this year than I've ever been...that feels good! 

It's going to be a great year!