Someone asked in a comment about the homeschooling we're doing. I'll try not to be embarrassed about how little formal what-you-would-call-school we do. My homeschooling friends say I'm doing ok, but honestly, I'm kind of winging it with the schooling of older children who didn't speak any English 4 months ago.
Our morning looks like this:
H gets up at 7 (it used to be 8, #$@& time change)
I get up at 7 or 7:30. (used to be 8, $@@# time change)
Y gets up at 7:30 or 8 (also used to be later, &%$# time change)
I write in my journal and have breakfast.
I go shower while the kids eat breakfast. (It's great having older kids!)
They start their copy work after breakfast. They choose a book to copy from. Their handwriting is very good now. I make suggestions on how to improve it, but I've noticed that it mostly improves without my intervention. If I notice a specific problem, I work with the child on perfecting the letter.
Then I do reading with Habtamu. I'm using "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons" for both children. It's got a script, and it's really cool to see him make the connections between sounds and words. The other day he started laughing in the middle of a story, because it was a funny story. That's priceless.
While I start reading with Yordanos, H looks at his math dvd. We use the Math-U-See system.
Then H starts math and Y watcher HER math video. I then help them both with any math questions. H has story problems at the end of every page, so he needs help with reading those. He can do the math once it's read to him, usually.
All this usually takes 2 - 2 1/2 hours.
Then they work on other projects. They've always got things going on with paper, glue, markers, crayons, etc... They did not take to making woven pot holders like I was hoping they would. I remember cranking out about a million when I was their age. Hoping they could use them as Christmas gifts. Will have to find something else. Meanwhile, I guess I'll be making pot holders. Surprise!
In the afternoon, if it's nice, we go out somewhere, usually to the park to play. If not so nice, maybe just a walk. Not sure what we're going to do this winter.
Other than that, the way I see it, is that every day is a learning day. I'm a life-long learner myself, and I model that all day for them. They've seen me read every day and ask me what I'm reading. My hope is that I can instill the love of reading (ok, Grandpa Gardner, and MATH) so that they will also become life long learners who are interested in things outside of themselves.
7 comments:
OK, here's an idea for a gift they can make: Light Bulb Carolers.
I made one in 2nd grade, still have it to this day (or my mom...can't remember)
All you need is:
1 Light bulb
1 Red cup (paper preferred)
1 sheet of gold/silver paper
various colors of paint
glue & scissors
1. Turn the cup upside down (mouth down) & cut a small hole in the middle just wider than the stem of the light bulb.
2. Cut a rectangle out of the paper. Fold in half, then paste to the bottom corners to the side of the cup with the top edge pointed outward slightly & let dry. It will look like a hymnal book. (me...using church words?? scary!)
3. Insert the light bulb into cut hole. Have them paint on eyes, mouth (preferrably in singing mode), hair & other facial features. Let dry overnight.
BLAM!!! Instant Gift for mere pennies!!! Email me if you need a visual reference.
Save the woven pot holder stuff, they might like it next week! Lainey isn't into something one day and HAS to do it the next.
I was the one who asked about home schooling. My girls from India - here for eight months - are 10 and 6. They had very little education, for instance they could say the alphabet, but had no clue what the letter was if you asked them out of sequence. We really had to start at a pre-school level. I played lots of educational games with them for months before starting organized school. It sounds like your kids were further along in their education. That is great. Our girls are making wonderful progress. It is so rewarding everytime they "get" something.
Getting a good grasp on English definitely takes time. I am still surprised that the girls will suddenly ask me what a word means that I have used all along. :-) It amazes me, though, how quickly they picked it up and quit using their native language. It was just like one day they didn't use it anymore.
It sounds to me like you have a great program for their schooling. Do you know of a home school group in your area? It is always fun to do group activities and outings and it gives moms the opportunity to share ideas and common circumstances - great support.
Lori
You're doing great! I have found with my kids that the more I 'leave them alone' to learn, the more they like learning and the faster they learn! Sounds like what you're doing is just the right thing for them!
Chris, this is TOTALLY INSPIRING! David and I are considering homeschooling when our kids are older and WOW this makes life seem so possible and good and wow.
Thanks.
I miss those potholders!
Thanks so much for sharing - I am really thinking home schooling for our gilrs (at least in the begining) and yet have the fear of them getting farther behind if I don't do something right. I do not have a peace about putting them in school either so I geuss I will jump in and pray for our Lord to fill in the gaps!! :)
love, jori
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