I know some feel quite negative toward a 4 year old in school, as if their childhood is being taken away from them, but after doing some fun pre-K stuff with Jacob twe years ago I thought it was exactly what Alyssia needed. Lyssie is one of those girls who needs structure and heavy guidance and so I figured an hour or two a day of learning her ABC's, numbers, and patterns would be very beneficial for her. Besides the fact that Jacob was just plain lonely doing school by himself, I believe this year is going to be great!
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| First day of school! |
I was, ok I'll be honest, still am very nervous about this year. I have given much prayer and thought into it and my theme verse is; "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." James 1:5 For you see I am not a teacher by any stretch of the imagination. In fact you can ask my mother. I NEVER wanted to homeschool my children. But do to the lack of finances for a good Christian school and the fact that I will not put my children in our current public school system, along with the plain fact I knew that God had given Josh and I the responsibility to raise and train our children, I have taken on the challenge to educate our children at home!
But back to the part that I am not a teacher. I wanted to find the easiest curriculum for me to use. Something I could just throw in front of the kids and "Wala" they would be off to Harvard! Well, it doesn't really work that way does it? Video school was also to much for our school budget this year so the Lord decided to provide us with almost everything we would need, minus a couple of students books, in the Abeka program. "WHAT!!! Isn't that what real trained teachers use?!" said the little voice inside my head. But remember my verse for the year? Exactly! I asked God for wisdom and started learning how to use the Abeka system. My husband along with a few others have been extremely encouraging and I have decided to go into this year knowing that God will not give me more then I can handle! So let the games begin!!!
Unlike some who have amazing school rooms to enjoy, I am blessed to have my dining room, which is also the walkway between the kitchen and the living room, be our school room, err area. Thankfully, last year when a local Christian school closed its doors, we got the school desks from them along with some other nifty school supplies. So we aren't completely studying at the kitchen table. The 'cool' middle divider is our old tv console. I needed something for their pencils, crayons, and other supplies that they use everyday to sit on without being in the way.
I wanted something 'real school' like for their desks so I went searching online and found these cute name plate printables.
I also decided to use a file folder system this year. Over the weekend I look over my lesson plans for the upcoming week and get out all the seatwork, flashcards, and other teaching tools needed and stick it in its folder which are divided by subjects . That way I can get at it quickly and not have to hunt everything down everyday.
I also decided that instead of having my teachers books spread all over the kitchen table, I would keep it in a basket so I could easily remove it from the table when we eat.
I also thought that every 'good' classroom has a bulletin board, so here is mine!
For Lyssie's Pre-K work I am using a regular Pre K work book that you can buy at any old walmart to help her with her patterns, shapes, and colors. And for letters we are using the book "How to teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons" This is what we used with Jacob before he started kindergarten and it was great. Such easy lessons that take about 15 minutes a day and with Jacob he was pretty much reading on his own before we even started kindergarten. The plus side is that the kids seem to really enjoy the short lessons. I still use the traditional phonics method once they start kindergarten.
Four days into the start of our school year and everything is going quite smoothly. Lys is enjoying the structure, Jacob is trying to pretend he doesn't like school even though I know he does, and Jason is extremely lonely without his older siblings to play with in the morning. So I gave Jason a new responsibility. He gets to play with his little sister. Wanna know how that is going?
So how is your school year going or have you not started yet? I know for some I have started early, but we have chosen to go along with our county school calender which allows for more breaks throughout the year and we will still finish the middle of May. Plus it gives me three weeks off at Christmas time!!!
I like your plan very much. Yes, God does give wisdom for those who ask. Keep gleaning from others who have walked your path. Keep up the good work, TEACHER! You are already on the way to being a successfully Self Taught Teacher!
ReplyDeleteBoth our daughters are teachers. They both have said that you do not learn everything you need in school. You continue to learn as you teach. My thoughts are that it is God who gives you the gift of teaching. Some people have the knowledge but can't teach.
You have some great ideas, Alicia. Staying organized with homeschooling in a small space is truly a challenge. I am almost finished reorganizing our schoolroom so that we can start next week. And teaching your younger one early is what home schooling is all about. God placed her in your care and you are the best one to determine what is best for her. If she can build a good foundation early, it will help her as she grows older. Our oldest son is a year ahead, but our second son has learning difficulties. So we work with them where they are at. You will probably find that your little ones will learn much more quickly as they hear what the older ones are learning. Our 21 month old can sort colors, count to 12 and can sing her ABC's almost perfect.. And all because I include her in their learning or she listens to what I teach her brothers.
ReplyDeleteStay encouraged. It's a challenge, but all worth it in the end. - Jessica
You already have some wonderful comments on your posting and I totally agree! I love how you found a way to keep their supplies right with them and it becomes a divider too, as well as your organization of your supplies! I love your bulletin board and so glad that material and the apples worked so well!! What a neat idea to glue the clips on there!! You are so talented dear and you will keep learning and adding to your learning abilities just by doing!! GANBA and God bless! <3
ReplyDeleteVery impressive what you are accomplishing and very valuable of course! Love all of your organizational ideas -- have a wonderful school year with those adorable students!
ReplyDeleteYou are doing well! Remember that no one loves your children like you do. It is your love for your children that will motivate you to learn all that you need to learn. We home schooled in the 80s and 90s before it was so popular or there were so many resources and support groups.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the freedom that comes with home schooling. It will not take you nearly as long as a traditional school would to teach what is needed. You can use that extra time for creative projects, ministry opportunities, play, etc.