Top of the morning to ya! Coming to you today from the Gibson School of ADVENTURE! Yes, we’re up to our necks in learning, and having so much fun figuring out what school looks like for us. We’re still in process, as I suspect we always will be, but right now it looks a lot like this…
The weather’s been great so we’ve been trying to take advantage of of it….snails, grasshoppers, cacti, oh my! Seriously though- this terrarium has really seen it’s fair share of friends.
We’ve got curriculum piled to the sky, but I love the organic, spontaneous teaching moments most. After this little nature hike, we decided to find out a little more about what we saw, and all of the sudden we’re learning what an index is and how to use it and figuring out how alphabetical order works.
Our little men are having fun too! Quite the challenge keeping them busy while teaching the girls, but we’re making it work, thanks to Play-Doh, finger paint, and a brand new guest room turned toddler playroom that we’re just putting the finishing touches on this week.
Reading our textbooks and doing our worksheets is fun, but there’s nothing quite like deciding- you know what- let’s write a book about frogs. Yup, I say we do it.
We have our math, our language arts, our history, our geography…but how fun is art class at home?? Who knew? I spent so much time researching core subject curriculum, but it wasn’t until we actually started our school year, that I discovered how much fun the other subjects would be. For art, we’re following along with this dvd series called Atelier, and we’re learning all about lines, color, shape. Maaaaaybe I’m taking notes too. :)
The other fun aspect that I didn’t anticipate, was how lovely it would be to see Dad teaching on his days home from work. I take a back seat, hanging with the younger kids, and it’s indescribably special to see these two interact. He’ll be explaining something…the hour hand vs. the minute hand, or adjectives…and all of the sudden- ding ding! You can just see the light go on in her head and they’re both excited- it’s precious.
She read her first chapter from a real “chapter book” to him last week- very intense- and she might as well have been landing on the moon. Capturing moments like this makes me forget all of my lesson planning stress and dried Play-Doh woes, and I remember why we decided to homeschool in the first place.
XO
Wow. That post really made me smile. This is what school SHOULD be like, but sadly isn’t for most children. I’m really quite jealous… that part of my life is over, with my daughter 17 and my son away at university.
Keep up the good work/play!
so delighted the schooling is going so well as I know you were concerned at first you are and your hubby doing a great job
Oh my, that daddy/daughter picture is so frame worthy. It’s so wonderful that you are able to make homeschooling work for your family. Not an option for mine given some developmental/learning challenges. I know it’s a lot of work but so rewarding.
I’m so happy for you Amy and for your girls! I’m going to say (with hindsight) that I wish I had done the same. My son HATES school and the teachers can’t reach him. His adhd is not the normal variety and classrooms are not his friend. I wish with all my heart that I had your opportunities, I’m a little jealous and a little sad. I wish he had had these opportunities.
From one home school mom to another, this is what love looks like. Keep them on your team. ❤
Yes, this is what love looks like! Beautiful post yet again Any! Xo
Amy, this is so wonderful to hear. You and your husband will be so much closer to your children. And you are all having fun too.
So glad it is going well, but I never doubted your success. I would just like to applaud you for using a real book with a front and back cover and paper pages to teach her how to research something. The Internet is a amazing tool, but the love of books is priceless. Both of my children who are in college and amazingly adept at all things technology (our eldest is in graduate school for computer science) would hands down rather hold a book, smell a book, be with a book and I am so very grateful. Keep up the great work and enjoy the journey.
What a wonderful, uplifting post. I am considering homeschooling my children (currently preschool age). I would love your thoughts on how to get started choosing curriculum – it seems so overwhelming!
I have no experience with homeschooling, but I was wondering how you were going to work it out with your two little men not being of school age. But I see they are still getting mommy time too!! God bless you and your family.
Lovely post. So happy for you as you embrace this lifestyle. I spent 18 years with my children at home. We all learned and grew together. It was a wonderful journey! They are now amazing adults…all made it successfully through college and graduate school (my early fear!). Enjoy!
I love learning and seeing the light bulb go on and it looks like your kids do too!! What special times together!!!
Enjoy those precious “little ones”!!
Looks like fun, which is the way learning and school ought to be for everyone!
LIKE!!
What a wonderful post! It sounds like you have a really wonderful and treasured time together each day. Your kids are so precious!
My home schooling days are at an end also. Your post brought back sweet memories and I am so happy you all are having a wonderful start to this adventure! Praise Him!
This is so great! I’m glad homeschooling is going so well. That last shot is so precious :)
Amy, thanks for sharing the pictures of school and what fun learning can be. Wish I could join you.
Beautiful photographs and post! :) I love the last photo! Congratulations for your lovely family. :)
Wonderful post! Enjoy those beautiful kids; they grow up very fast.
It’s wonderful to see how much you’re enjoying your journey into homeschooling. If you haven’t already, check out Rainbow Resources. I think it’s http://www.rainbowresources.com. They have piles of different homeschool curriculum from lots of different companies all in one place. I know you’re Christian too, and I believe there are quite a lot of Christian based curriculum.
So, so sweet, amy! I love seeing this glimpse into your world. My kids ended up with amazing teachers this year, so I’m still on the fence about homeschooling but seeing you all enjoying it makes me want to do it. Such a leap, though!
That last picture is so full of love that I’m a little teary! (Might be my preggo hormones too, though, haha). I’m so glad that homeschooling is working out so well for your family!
Gosh, I just love watching your crew grow up. There was no doubt you and your husband would succeed in this wonderful adventure. What a great plus that you may get some quilt design ideas from this adventure as well. Hope its ok to say, but your Nora has a brightness that shines all through her. No matter her look in a photo, that brightness stands out. There is something special coming from/to her in life. Thank you for continuing to share your families journies.
What other curriculum do you use? I’m looking into homeschooling my daughter and it’s interesting to hear what different people use and try to find what might work for our family.
Ahhh, the memories your photos bring back! Wonderful times. Your kids will thank you some day. I say that from personal experience since my parents home schooled us. Best decision they ever made regarding my education. I was entering 8th grade at the time and had three younger siblings. I actually helped some with the home schooling of the younger ones later on. It is so worth it. :-)