August 24, 2007
-
Homeschool Update
The homeschool families in our area had a large meeting on Wednesday to go over this year’s activities. I am beyond delighted to find out that one of the Mom’s went through the 4H training to lead a general 4H Club. I LOVE this for so many reasons!! The first reason is that if you have read my blog long enough you will know that I do not believe children should always learn in age segregated atmospheres. Sadly, even our churches have fallen prey to this fallacy. That’s another subject though… Anyway, ages 5 and up will all be included in this allowing all my children to be in 4H together! Second, I love that this group will obviously be mostly homeschool families if not all. Third, the fact that it’s a general group is awesome! So many of the 4H groups in our area concentrate on one thing only. For example many up in this area do horses. Well, if you don’t own a horse it’s not much fun for your kids! So, this group will be studying and learning about everything from agriculture, gardening, cooking to crafts. The list is endless! The kids will also be given a chance to compete in our county fair with their projects. How Fun!!! I think this is going to be a great avenue of learning for our whole family!
Our homeschool group will also be having professional art lessons at a local gallery. This is exactly what I have been waiting for to give Caleb an extra boost in his education as he is so artistic! Guess what? The artists do not want age segregated classes. Hurrah!! So, in October we will begin our 4 week sessions. Each session will focus on a specific type of art. For example….Drawing 1, Basic Pottery and Painting. Caleb is going to LOVE school this year!!!
Let’s see… the homeschool group also planned Gym days (done by a professional), Pool days, Park days, Science class to dissect something like an eyeball (This one is for 3rd graders and up and will be taught by a professor at the University -I think Eric will have to do this with Jared. Gross!
) and our annual “One Nation Under God” fair. Gym days and Pool days are only once a month each so not a huge commitment but just enough for the kids to have some fun and learn in a group setting. One Nation Under God is where each family studies a country for the academic year and then presents what they learned in the Spring. We also cook and bring a dish to share that is food from the country you studied. This gives the kids a great opportunity to speak and present in a public setting. If our family is able to accomplish this with our pending adoption and transition of new babies Grandparents will be invited to attend. 
Piano lessons will start up after labor day. Of course, we are already looking forward to Jared’s
Christmas recital this year! The Christmas recital is always my favorite as it’s so festive! Jared will also be starting to learn how to be apart of a worship team at church. He will be meeting twice a month (along with Papa) with the church worship team to practice. To begin with he will just sing until he is at a level that he can play an instrument too. This should be a great outlet to get Jared used to participating in music in a public setting but also with the benefit of using his talent for the Lord.We are continuing to use Sonlight for our curriculum at home. Sonlight continues to just fit our family dynamics and learning styles so well. We are still using Core 2 (second part of World History-not grade level!) this year with the boys in separate reading and math levels. They are in the same “study group” for all other subjects. Phoebe and Chloe will be starting the preschool (Core B) program and will be in the same “study group” together through out their homeschooling as well. This works well as I will only be doing three cores at a time with six kids as the next two will be in the same “study group” together. As Jared and Caleb get older they will be working more independent too.
Whew! Here we go…. Is summer really over?!
( I still have some summer pics to show you when I get a chance to edit and upload.)
Comments (3)
I always think that with four kids, you sound a lot busier than me.
I was a 4Her when I was in school. I loved it and have great memories from my time in the group. I hope your kids love it. Sounds like they have a fun year ahead of them! At what age did you start music lessons with your kids? Dana is three and we are thinking of starting her on some lessons but don’t know if it is to early.
Sounds wonderful and so exciting! I think you and your children are going to have a great year!