First Day of School 2013

Wednesday August 7, 2013 was the first day of school for our kids in Georgia.  Our oldest two boys are in 10th and 9th grade this year.

 

We made the decision at the end of last school year to keep our oldest two boys in public school since they were both in high school and to home school our younger kids this year. 

Saying goodbye to their older brothers

playing rock/paper/scissors in the driveway waiting for the bus to pick up our older boys 

Off for their first day of school....high school or bust!

 

Now our day begins in our new classroom!

Kate-Kindergarten

Andrew-1st Grade

Our class-2013/2014

Emily-4th Grade

Matt-2nd Grade

Caroline-Tot School

Luke-Along for the journey

 



It's almost time for football

Beginning the journey of home schooling this school year has been a real undertaking.  Most nights, after the kids are in bed, I retreat to my classroom to begin the preparation for the next day.  Friday nights have become my weekly grocery shopping night.  Saturday nights, I try to reserve for Brett.  Sunday night is the night our home group from church meets.  This leaves little to no time for blogging.....my email box is currently at 300 unread emails.  I am behind!

 

Fall is right around the corner and that means football starts soon.  In house that means one of three things...high school, college, or COWBOYS football.  Next weekend is the start of high school and college football.  Jake's team will play their first varsity game on Friday night.  Stay tuned for a post about high school football soon.  In two weeks, the boys will make their first trip of the season to cheer on the Clemson tigers with Brett's boss.  But, for now here are our COWBOY fans ready to cheer on their Dad's favorite team when the opening kick-off takes place.

 

 

Our littlest fan!  Luke is wearing the jersey that Brett's parents bought for Jake when he was born 15 years ago.

Here's Jake today wearing his current jersey

Our next oldest, Nick with several of his siblings

 

 Emily still insists that she doesn't like football or racing for that matter!  The jury is still out on whether or not she will maintain her position living in a house where the boys hold the majority! 

 

 

Our home school verse this week

"For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

John 3:16

 

 

 

The Excitement of a New Journey

A snapshot into our new homeschool classroom

The board our Dad built for us

The view coming into our classroom

kids computer and my desk

The beginning of our reading area

Two of the kids desks with their work boxes behind them

Our calendar area

One of the maps that is ready to hang on the wall

A glimpse of our curriculum

Our work boxes- to keep us organized and to instill some independence



 

Our curriculum for 2013-2014

4th Grade

Bible- My Father's World and Community Bible Study (Romans)

Reading- McCall Crabbs Standard Test Lessons in Reading

Selected Chapter Books (Book Basket)

Grammar- Rod and Staff Building Christian English-Level 4

Writing- Writing Strands Level 3

Spelling- Spelling by Sound and Structure

Handwriting- Cursive Instruction

Math- Math U See Gamma

History/Geography- My Father's World Exploring Countries and Cultures

Science- My Father's World Exploring Countries and Cultures 

Art- Drawing with Children

Music- Confessions of a Homeschooler-Composers

PE-Rec Soccer

 

2nd Grade

Bible- My Father's World and Community Bible Study (Romans)

Reading- McCall Harby Test Lessons in Primary Reading

Selected Chapter Books (Book Basket)

Grammar- Rod and Staff Building Christian English-Level 2

Spelling- Spelling by Sound and Structure-2

Handwriting-Cursive Instruction

Copywork- My Father's World

Math- Math U See Beta

History/Geography- My Father's World Exploring Countries and Cultures

Science- My Father's World Exploring Countries and Cultures

The Complete Book of Animals

Art- Drawing with Children

Music- Confessions of a Homeschooler- Composers

PE- Rec Soccer

 

1st Grade

Bible- My Father's World and Community Bible Study (Romans)

Reading- McCall Harby Test Lessons in Primary Reading

My Father's World- 1st Grade

Bob Books

Grammar- My Father's World- 1st Grade

Spelling- Spelling City

Handwriting-Manuscript Instruction

Copywork- My Father's World

Math- Math U See Alpha

History/Geography- My Father's World 1st Grade

Science- My Father's World 1st Grade

Art- Drawing with Children

Music- Confessions of a Homeschooler- Composers

 

Kindergarten

Bible- My Father's World and Community Bible Study (Romans)

Reading- My Father's World- Kindergarten

Spelling- CVC Words/ Sight Words

Handwriting-Manuscript Instruction

Copywork- My Father's World

Math- Math U See Primer

History/Geography- My Father's World- Kindergarten

Science- My Father's World- Kindergarten

Art- Drawing with Children

Music- Confessions of a Homeschooler- Composers

 

 Our playroom off the classroom.  This will hopefully provide enjoyment for our little ones during school time

 

These are the two verses I have been praying over as I prepare for our first homeschooling year.

"The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit."

Proverbs 21:5

"Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts."

Psalm 90:12

 

God is leading us and our experiences as we work through our first year homeschooling.  He has designed me and our kids and will fulfill His purpose in our house to bring the honor to Him alone.

-Taken from the book "Homeschooling at the Speed of Light"