Lindy's Homeschool: Butterflies, Bikes, and Birthdays

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Butterflies, Bikes, and Birthdays

Well, I guess you'll get a few more posts out of me after all.

First of all, Maxwell's done with his math book!!! WHoo Hooo! He did a few lessons in one day, he wanted to be done so much.

By the end of this week, Hyrum should be done with his math book as well. Glory be. That will be the true beginning of summer for me.

I've been doing a new chart system for the boys. It's helping everyone's calm

The boys have sure loved the summer weather. They've been on bug hunts. There's an extraordinary amount of caterpillars around. For Christmas, Hyrum got a butterfly world. I ordered the caterpillars for that, but in the mean time, the boys collected their own.

In no time flat they found about 30 and put them in our butterfly world even though they're going to be moths. There's already about 20 cocoons. So excited to see the moths.

We didn't bring our bikes with us to the coast, so now that we are back, my boys are very happy. Daniel has been learning to ride a two wheeler, and if he had a bit more confidence he would have it down, but little by little he's getting more comfortable.

Also, there were two birthdays in our house. Abraham turned one. My baby...probably my last baby...is not so much a baby any more.

And guess what!!! HE WALKED for the first time on his BIRTHDAY!!! How cool is that?

And Hyrum turned eight today, although we are having his party tomorrow. He is getting baptized soon, so the missionaries are teaching him the discussions.

Well, I think perhaps we are closer to summer than ever BUT we will do reading throughout the summer and I hope to read some history, so no real true break, but whatever.

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The "awkward and unprepared" Myth

There are many misconceptions and biases against homeschooling, and many people really think that I've never heard them or considered them. Many people worry about the "inevitable social awkwardness" of homeschoolers or that they are "unprepared for the world." In my experience, I've found that homeschoolers tend to be as socially "normal" or "awkward" as their parents. As far as "unprepared for the world" is concerned, that depends on how they are taught, but I have seen many successes first hand. Basically, I know the ins and outs of the decision I've made, thanks.

Why I Homeschool

When I was first married, I fell in love with the kids of the Leavitts and Schafers (my sisters-in-law families.) They were...and still are...confident, leaders, innocent where they should be innocent, creative, and accepting. They were also homeschooled. I wanted my future kids to be like them, and if homeschooling was part of that equation, then I was willing to make the sacrifice. Now, after years of study, prayer, and experience, I want to homeschool for many reasons. I want my kids to be family oriented not peer oriented. I want to include the gospel in every aspect of what they are taught. I want them to think out side of the box. I don't want them to be obsessed with what is "cool." I want them to feel loved by those around them. I want them to know who they are and what they stand for before they are bombarded by outside influences. I know that many families can do this without homeschooling, but it seems a lot harder to me. Basically, I'm a control freak. I want to be in control of my children's learning and social life....homeschooling makes that easier.

Also, now that I've realized they are severely dyslexic, I think homeschool is the best place for dyslexics to learn.

And there's the statistics.

My Schedule

7:15

START OUR DAY

Daddy does scriptures

Breakfast

Devotional w/ videos

Come Follow Me

Goals/mindfulness/memorization

9:00

School Starts

Maxwell

School of Hope Online

Hyrum's 3 "R"s

IEW Grammar and Writing

Video Text Algebra

Spelling (Word Wasp)

Daniel's 3 "R"s

Writing Prompts

Rightstart Math level "G"

Spelling (Wasp)

William's 3 "R"s

All About Reading

Creative Writing

Rightstart level "D"

Abraham's 3 "R"s

Logic of English

Handwriting Without Tears

Rightstart level "B"

Activity in afternoon:

Social Studies

Science

Art

Chess

field trips

Literature Club

WAS classes

My Curriculum

For math, I do RightStart Mathematics, which is an abacus based math, Times Tales to memorize multiplication, Video Text for Algebra, and Mathantics or other supplements on youtube.

For Devotionals, I use Come Follow Me.

For Reading, I have used the Barton Reading and Spelling program, but right now I'm experimenting with All About Reading and Logic of English.

For Writing, I use Handwriting Without Tears, IEW Fix It! Grammar, and IEW Student Intensive Writing.

For History, and Science, I use The Four Year Plan (which I LOVE.) This year we are using the "Family Jubilee" book which covers Biology, Modern World History, and New Testament.