The First Day!

Today was a great first day. We started a little late- 8:15am. We talked about the United States and how people from other countries came over by ship long ago and had to find ways to communicate  and live side by side with the Native Americans. This week, we are studying Maine and New Hampshire, so we read about Lighthouses and Puffins today. We discovered where Maine was, and that is was in the Northeastern part of the United States. She read well out of her reader. At first, she was a little hesitant because the type was smaller than she was used to, but she read 99% of it without help. Writing was a bit of a challenge, but only because she is a perfectionist. I may have to have her work on this without me watching. Her math was pretty easy for her, and she breezed through 2 lessons. She probably could have handled more, but I want her to enjoy it.We ended school with watching a youtube video of Martina McBride's "God Bless America!" We finished in about an hour and a half.

After school, we went to the library and picked up some books to supplement the curriculum for the next two weeks. A quick trip to the grocery store, and we were all done with everything by lunch time.

I'm looking forward to this year. I think she is too!

Tomorrow is the day!

Shay is so excited to start school. We decided to start tomorrow, the same day as the local public schools. Unless there are set backs, we should finish up the school year the first week in May. The main curriculum she will be doing this year is called Across America. It is a 38 week unit and she will learn a state (or two) a week. The curriculum includes all the subjects she will need: math, spelling, reading, science, social studies, critical thinking, music, art, p.e., and character building. She is doing an additional math program called MathUSee. We are supplementing the science with Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology.  She is also going to begin Keyboard and music appreciation. In mid September, she hopefully will be starting hip hop dance. The class is for K and 1st grade, and they are letting her try it out since she doesn't meet the age requirements, but meets the grade requirements.

Our goal is to be start school by 8am and be done by 10am, so the afternoon is free for all her social activities!

Art = Quiet Time!

I had some things I just had to get done today. Shay's really working hard on her coloring and penmanship. I figured I would take the lazy way out and get her some worksheets to color. I know it's not REAL art, but it will keep her busy. The first project of the day- bookmarks. She colored and then I laminated them.

Then it occurred to me that she has never done color by number. I think she did a great job.

She's been dying to do school. A few more days...

We're making it official!

We're homeschooling! Well, I've been homeschooling my daughter for the past 4.5 years, but this year we are starting a curriculum. We don't have to officially start homeschooling, nor file an intent to homeschool with the state until next year, but my daughter is demanding it. She has an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Her favorite things are books. She taught herself to read, and is constantly reading. In fact, she's reading this blog as I type it. She is constantly asking questions. She can be quite persistent. She really is a high maintenance child. But she is cool and insightful, and keeps me on my toes. She keeps me wanting to know the answers to questions I hadn't yet thought of. I don't really know who will be schooling who this year. So, while we don't  have to officially count this year per the state, we are going in full force.