Homeschooling Stuff
Since we've been living in San Antonio, we've been focusing on leadership education by using the classics (literature) and mentoring. You may remember my post not too long ago about homeschooling being put on hold. Well, I wanted to share with you our little routine that we have been working on and trying to do every day and also share what some of our other activities have been.
So, back in January we did a little winter theme where we talked about the seasons and why we have seasons (i.e. how the earth tilts on its axis and moves around the sun, why someplaces like Texas don't get very much, if any, snow in winter, etc.). Then we did two different crafts. We made paper snowflakes and hung them on our playroom wall. And we made paper snowmen in which I gave all three kids the pieces they needed to make a snowman, and they built them however they wanted. It was pretty fun to watch them and see how differently they turned out.
We also did little mini lessons for Memorial Day, Flag Day, and Independence Day. On each of those days we talked a little bit about soldiers, what they do, why they do it, the American flag and what it means, we learned the Pledge of Allegiance, sang "The Star Spangled Banner," read the Declaration of Independence, and talked about what it means. I know that sounds like it might be a little much for my three small children, but I want them to hear those things regularly, even if they don't understand it all right now. I want them to learn how important it is know about the history of our country and why we are so blessed to live here. We did a few little crafts about flags, too.
As for our new routine, it goes usually like this. We all (me and the kiddos) wake up between 7 and 8am. We eat breakfast, get dressed, and then head outside for a little bit. We just started doing outside time right after lunch because it is still somewhat nice out at that time and not so blazing hot. Usually, we come back inside at about 10am. Then we have family prayers, read a couple pages in our scripture story book, and watch a scripture video, followed by the quiz that is on the DVD. Then we read some of whatever book we are currently reading. We just finished The Little House series earlier this week and are now on James and the Giant Peach. I'm pretty sure we will be finished with it by early next week, if not before. We are cruising right through it. After reading, I let the kids play on the iPads for about 30 minutes doing educational games (usually, TeachMe Toddler, Kindergarten or 1st Grade or Spanish for Kids).
While they are playing games, I get lunch ready. Then we eat lunch, and afterwards, the kids have free play time while I work on the computer for an hour or two. That's about as far as we've gotten into a schedule so far. It doesn't always happen in the order or at the times I've talked about, but we try to get it all done. Some days we have errands to run, so our routine gets switched around a bit. But so far, it has worked out pretty well for us.
So, back in January we did a little winter theme where we talked about the seasons and why we have seasons (i.e. how the earth tilts on its axis and moves around the sun, why someplaces like Texas don't get very much, if any, snow in winter, etc.). Then we did two different crafts. We made paper snowflakes and hung them on our playroom wall. And we made paper snowmen in which I gave all three kids the pieces they needed to make a snowman, and they built them however they wanted. It was pretty fun to watch them and see how differently they turned out.
We also did little mini lessons for Memorial Day, Flag Day, and Independence Day. On each of those days we talked a little bit about soldiers, what they do, why they do it, the American flag and what it means, we learned the Pledge of Allegiance, sang "The Star Spangled Banner," read the Declaration of Independence, and talked about what it means. I know that sounds like it might be a little much for my three small children, but I want them to hear those things regularly, even if they don't understand it all right now. I want them to learn how important it is know about the history of our country and why we are so blessed to live here. We did a few little crafts about flags, too.
As for our new routine, it goes usually like this. We all (me and the kiddos) wake up between 7 and 8am. We eat breakfast, get dressed, and then head outside for a little bit. We just started doing outside time right after lunch because it is still somewhat nice out at that time and not so blazing hot. Usually, we come back inside at about 10am. Then we have family prayers, read a couple pages in our scripture story book, and watch a scripture video, followed by the quiz that is on the DVD. Then we read some of whatever book we are currently reading. We just finished The Little House series earlier this week and are now on James and the Giant Peach. I'm pretty sure we will be finished with it by early next week, if not before. We are cruising right through it. After reading, I let the kids play on the iPads for about 30 minutes doing educational games (usually, TeachMe Toddler, Kindergarten or 1st Grade or Spanish for Kids).
While they are playing games, I get lunch ready. Then we eat lunch, and afterwards, the kids have free play time while I work on the computer for an hour or two. That's about as far as we've gotten into a schedule so far. It doesn't always happen in the order or at the times I've talked about, but we try to get it all done. Some days we have errands to run, so our routine gets switched around a bit. But so far, it has worked out pretty well for us.
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