Friday, November 11, 2011

Journal 11/11/11


In my life this week… 
We started out the week with Kaelyn being sick, although I blamed it on teething.  It wasn't until Wednesday when I got sick that I realized she was sick and not just being dramatic. Sebastian seems to be immune to this cold, but the rest of us are still lethargic and snotty.  My favorite part of the week?  My husband has a 5 day weekend.  I love stay-cations!!
In our homeschool this week… 
We have been working on smooth reading skills.  We are using Fun Fonix, Starfall, Bob Books, and Progressive Phonics together and it is working well.  The letter blocks that came with Hooked On Phonics are great for games and making words more physical.  Yesterday we read Zac the Rat for the first time in about two weeks and there was a HUGE difference in his smooth reading.  He is liking the new way I handle phonics.  He likes to read and has fun with it!

Colored rice art project
Sebastian did not like this weeks math lesson- skip counting by two.  I decided not to force the issue, and we reviewed some other lessons and took it easy in the math this week.  He is only four, and skip counting can be difficult (especially by 2!).  I want him to love to learn, so I am never forceful- especially since he is only 4!  A lot of the math we do is hidden in fun activities and games instead of textbooks.
We also started out Thanksgiving unit this week.  We have read a few books about the first Thanksgiving and we completed a Turkey colored rice art project and started writing down things we are Thankful for.  I introduced him to his memory verse yesterday: "Give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good." Psalm 100: 4b.  He isn't a fan of memory verses, but he is starting to see how God is around us all the time.  This past week he told me "When Daddy yells at me, it's like God is saying 'You can do better, Sebastian.'" It does my heart good when we have conversations about God and Jesus. Maybe I am doing the right thing.
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share… 
Sometimes, even if you don't think you are teaching, the kids are still learning.  My husband told me that earlier this week, after he put Sebastian to bed, he was up in his room sounding out words and spelling them. 
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing… 
 We need to get out of the house today.  We are going to drop off an old headboard at fall cleanup and then go to a church craft show.  Yesterday we spent all day at home, and it felt great, but the kids need to get the stink blown off them.
My favorite thing this week was… 
 Having an extra day for the weekend!
What’s working/not working for us… 
 Fun Fonix, Starfall, and Bob books are working super for us!

Things I’m working on… 
 I'm still working on managing my time.  It is hard homeschooling during the day and then leaving to teach music lessons in the night, but I love everything I do and I wouldn't change it.  I just need to learn to make most of my "me" time (I don't get much but I need to use it wiser).
I’m reading… 
 Lots of Thanksgiving crafts books for the upcoming week and a half.
I’m cooking… 
 I made a Pumpkin Pudding Pie last night.  It was decent for something I whipped up on the cuff.
I’m grateful for… 
 This weekend.  Have I mentioned my husband has 5 days off work? ;)
I’m praying for… 
 My nephew who has a cyst or something on his lip.  Hopefully it is nothing serious and can be taken care of easily.
A photo, video, link, or quote to share… 
Kaelyn is a pretty cool kid.



The Homeschool Mother's Journal

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