Changes are on the Horizon!

We have been a homeschooling family for three years now.  To me, that seems like a long time, like I should know the best way of doing it.  Well, throw in changes in our goals, priorities, and morals.  Not to mention, changes in interest, the addition of interested preschoolers (as opposed to dis-interested, they were this a few months ago) and the ability to challenge minds in a way that benefits each child.  We are chucking our current curriculum, throwing caution to the wind and jumping right into a Charlotte Mason based education.  I have been researching alternatives for most of this school year, thinking I would use it next year.  Last week, I felt many things come together and God spoke to me.  I have my babes home with me.  I have the ability to change what is not working and I don't have to feel I am doing something wrong by not finishing the curriculum we started.  It wasn't working.  My husband and I are in love with the methods and theories of education and child-rearing that CM taught.  I feel this change in the entire family and our educational goals are going to lessen the stress and bring much more joy out of learning!  I am so excited to read through some of the classic novels suggested by other CM parents.  I don't remember having been exposed to them but want my children to find joy in them right along with Dad and I.  I am finding joy in where God has me now!  My family, the people he has placed as friends and mentors and the ability to love my blessings, his blessings!  My prayer is for continued Joy and for others to find a passion for the children, embracing their whole being and find JOY in the now!

~Brandy

Learning Letters with the Season

Our preschool approach with the twins has been one focused on play and not a strict curriculum.  I did come across some fun printable activities from THIS BLOG that they are enjoying.  Here is one matching the letters in Merry Christmas.  I was amazed at how many of the letters they recognized.

Can you believe what they are up to?

So we have taken a vow to limit the amount of TV our children watch.  On "School Days" the TV does not come on at all.  They are still getting used to me not turning on a movie whenever they ask.  I have seen a change, this is what I usually find when it gets too quiet.  Now instead of sitting they are jumping on the trampoline, playing basketball in the courtyard, riding their bikes or finding something interesting to read.  At least 10 times during the day, the twins are coming to me to ask if I will read some story they just found or one that they love hearing over and over again. 

Lapbooking

So the term Lapbooking is Greek to me, but we are giving it a go! We are going to do it along with our regular lessons adding information we find to our book over the next two months. If it is something we enjoy then we will do one a month on a topic of interest to the kids or a corresponding holiday. For October and November, we are going to work on Autumn. This will include our extras for Thanksgiving as well. The little ones can even to do this. A couple of activities a week are not going to overwhelm them. This is my favorite season by far. Smells, tastes and colors are all so wonderful!

We color!

We glue!

We draw leaves.

The twins did a wonderful job of drawing on their own with the colors of Autumn.

We have the cover to our book!  Now to find fun facts!

Play dough

Today we made edible Play dough as an extra school activity.  The kids loved it!  Playing with your food, isn't that what kids want to do! 

"Use your hands!"  "Yes you can eat it!"

School

School is in full swing in our household.  Third grade brings with it a lot more information and obligation but so far it is going wonderfully.  Bones, posture, safety, multiplication and today I saw the word MOLECULE in our near future.  Did I mention we are only in Third grade?  When did we talk about molecules? High school, Maybe?

In Science we are talking about the ear.  My daughter got to witness the wonder of my drawing skills.  I think she is still in awe.

Happy Learning!