Class Christmas Party

I had the best time going to Cameron's class Christmas party! The classroom Mom party planners at his school are serious and the food, games and crafts are TOP NOTCH! Cameron has a great teacher and she has done so much to help him stay on task this semester! She has read questions with him, helped him ask questions to process better, and also have helped him build his confidence. He has some sweet friends he plays basketball and football with and he loves going to school.

These things all came into play when God started prompting me to bring him home next semester. I've never thought it was an option, as parenting and training have been my main priority and I just haven't ever thought I could also tackle his academics. He's had some GREAT teachers who have loved him taken great care to teach him, but now it's my turn. It's been a month of praying, talking and questioning, but Richard and I have agreed to obey what I feel in my heart.

Cameron's heart is on the line. He is impressionable and drawn to anything that he thinks is fun, no matter it's value. He is incredibly drawn to cultural songs and media and things that might make him "cool." He is like many 8 year olds and school just isn't that important to him. He weighs every assignment with this question..."How long will this take?" My goal is to give him lots of repetition, make learning fun, give him opportunities to build his confidence, and help set his moral compass. I want him to trust me more, listen to me more, and know that I can be the loudest voice he hears...until, of course He hears the Lord.

We will also do Bible study and memory and I know it will have a positive effect on him that only the Holy Spirit could direct. I know days will be hard, weeks will be long, and days when Richard is gone may be more frustrating, but HIS STRENGTH IS PERFECT.

Smart as a 5th grader

We're almost done with our 5th grade year and I'd never exchange the time Sheridan and I have had at home this year. She has been a trooper with her classes. I started a couple subjects later in the semester, so she'll probably have a little bit of work to do even when the other kids are done. But, even with that, she's learned a lot this year. Her IOWA test results show her in the 99th percentile of 5th graders in math and English, I'm pretty happy with that. She wants to go to public school next year, I have mixed feelings about it, and I think it will take her a just a few weeks before she wants to come home to our relaxed schedule, field trips and lunches out.

Her thoughts on 5th grade:
FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT 5TH GRADE HOMESCHOOLING:
Learn a lot, finish work early, get to do Bible lessons, eat homecooked meals, don't have to rush

LEAST FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT HOMESCHOOLING:
Don't see friends, miss activities like art, music, PE, and library

FAVORITE SUBJECTS OR PROJECTS THIS YEAR AND WHY:
1) Scotland report because got to decorate poster, pick out pictures and wrote a LONG report.
2) Compare and contrast because it was fun comparing myself to my siblings and finding pictures of us together.

Quote of the Day

I know this is becoming a bit of a homeschooling blog, but that is what we do! We've been schooling at home since August, and tonight I asked her what 2 of her favorite things were about school. With about a 5 second pause she said, "We get done early, and the bathrooms are clean."

Confirmation again, that we're stamping out ignorance on the lane.

THANKFUL

School Days

 

I love our days together. Quiet and peaceful, full of laughter and lessons, the days never drag and we get a lot done in a short amount of time. I am noticing and appreciate the little things about this girl and am enjoying watching her be challenged. I don't think everyone should homeschool, I'm certainly not an activist, but I am thankful and confident we made the right decision.

Relevant School Work

Sheridan's History and Geography course is covering the ancient Middle East and Asia right now. It's a good discussion about where the cradle of civilization is and what kind of activity is happening there now. She's doing great with the map work and even with all the crazy pronunciations. But as much culture as she's getting there, I realized she needed to learn a little bit closer to home. 

 



So here we have a little Arkansas geography and an art project to boot. 

 

Razorback = Fayetteville

Heart = Home

Christmas Tree = Grandma and Grandpa

Fish = Mimi and Gramps

Star = Little Rock

Homeschooling

I haven't homeschooled in 10 years. I am a different person than I was 10 years ago. Sheridan was born 10 years ago, and now we find ourselves together everyday learning together and it's a good thing.

Benefits so far:
1. Nap anytime we want to
2. Add "emptying dishwasher" to required pre-school activities
3. We don't have to wear shoes if we don't want to
4. Excuse for papers and books on dining room table everyday

JUST KIDDING....(kind of)

Real benefits:
1. Character issues can be addressed, prayed over, worked on and worked out
2. Time for talking and listening, explanations don't have to be in a hurry
3. Bible study for us both...tying it all together, including adding AWANA to our day
4. Days off when we need them. Like the 8 days of my event, the 2 days after my event, and yesterday, when we needed to go to the ER.
5. Work hard, get rewarded. If she buckles down and does her work well, she's done around lunch time. This gives us time for games, projects, and play. That's a good day!
6. If we have activities at night, we still have had time together during the day. It's not one or the other, it's both.

I opted against the video-led curriculum. That's not why I brought her home, I brought her home to be able to teach her one-on-one, to have discussions and to be the one pouring the ideas in her head. I'm glad for the workbook curriculum and the extra books and topical studies we have. I'm thankful one of my good friends, a 5th grade teacher, is happy for me doing it. I'm thankful that we can learn and grow together.