Fresh Start

We're still slowly unpacking from our camping trip and smiling over new memories made.  It only lasts a week, but it's a week that recharges me for most of the next year.  It is so nice to have a place where my family feels profoundly peaceful and energized.

(It's 106 in North Texas right now.)

Anyway, we have begun our school year!  The first two weeks I sat aside for fine tuning our schedule and goals.  We thrive on routine here and my children's are much more cheerful if they know what is expected of them from day to day.  After our experiment with a boxed curriculum last year, I've gone back to designing my own.  I'm far more motivated and already the year is off to a great start.  I have activities tied in the with picture books for my son, plenty of audiobooks for long drives, and a box from Amazon on the way.  Aside: How many of you make panicked late night Amazon orders after reading an educational philosophy book?   I decided last night, in a Benedryl induced haze, that we were doomed unless we fully explored the writings of Edith Nesbit.  It's like a hangover for a homeschooling mom, "What did I do last night?  Ah, Five Children and It." 

Definitely the coolest project we've done so far came from the Story of the World workbook.  It suggested interviewing family members to introduce the concept of history to a young child.  We chose my grandmother. We started with the provided form but came up with many more questions on our own.  Oh my fascinating.  We've spent two mornings listening to stories about the dust bowl and cotton farming in west Texas.  My daughter hopes to write them into an American Girl style book.  Additionally, we are going to continue the project expanding it to anyone who is willing to talk with us for awhile!

 

A flour sack my grandmother had neatly placed in her dresser.  She is so proud of the dresses her mother made.

We are studying some subjects together which is a change but also rather wonderful.  I love having the chance to review topics with my daughter and also challenge my son.

I'm planning on using Saturdays to plan the week ahead and file away paperwork.  Which means I really need to get started.  Happy weekend!

Comments

[Kelly]

My oldest son read Five Children and It a few years ago. He liked it as I remember. I still need to read it. Among many other books in my pile of "to-reads". I haven't been able to keep up with my kids in their reading for years now. We have a interview workbook for our History studies that I would like to start out with this year. I purchased it several years ago and recently rediscovered it as I was organizing and cleaning up the learning room and shelves.
...I'm so bad.

Sounds like you're off to a grand start on your school year. Blessings for your weekend!

[sarah]

It sounds so great. I certainly agree with you that children do better with structure!

And I'm glad about the Edith Nesbit part. You won't regret it.

[Jennifer]

That is good to hear sarah! :)

[Kirsten]

I can totally relate to the late night Amazon purchases!!! I thought I was the only one who did that! And a flour sack! What a treasure. I have been looking at old flour sacks on eBay recently. How special that it came from your grandmother. Have a wonderful school year!

[Roselady]

We use Story of the World. I love it. We started last year, and didn't get very far...the projects are fun and do-able, the writing simple enough to grasp. I just picked up Susan Wise Bauer's writing books. Hope it's just as good.

[Kimberlee]

That is so wonderful, to be interviewing your grandmother! Hopefully you'll share your daughter's book. (pretty please?)I can imagine the lovely illustrations. The flour sack is so pretty, and your school year sounds off to a smashing success. E. Nesbit is jolly - did you get The Railway Children too? :-)

[Jennifer]

Ok, probably TMI here. I have occasional insomnia, and sometimes take Ambien. If I don't go to bed I will shop online and not remember it. It's usually Amazon.com They love me there.
Jennifer