First Day of School 2012

 It's begun!  The first day of school!  This year brings so many challenges; I now have 4 kiddos at the school table, compared to last year's 1.  The first day was good, not without bumps of course, but good nonetheless.  The girls still aren't sure how to do homeschool which provided many of the bumps.  Fortunately, for Jack this was old-hat and he jumped right in without any issues.  Sam struggled with a heaping helping of "I don't wanna" but he dove in once he realized he got the majority of mom's attention.

This was Grace's contribution to the day...her cuteness. She also worked on toddler busy-bags that I have from a bag swap I did last spring.  And of course, she drew her share of ladybugs and butterflies and tigers (all her favorites).  

Sam worked HARD today...once he got over a wicked case of "I don't wanna."  Technically Sam should still be in preschool, doing K4, but he protested so loudly last year about being the only who left every day that we decided to let him stay home this year and do a kindergarten curriculum.  We are starting the year doing the K4 curriculum from Confessions of  a Homeschooler and  will move   on to  various reading programs later in the year.   Sam is also working through Expedition Earth for geography, and Old Testament Catechism for Bible (along with the older kids).  

I honestly cannot believe that Jack is starting second grade.  WOW, where did the time go??  This year Jack is working through Tapestry of Grace, Year 2, at the lower grammar level.  His year will focus on the Middle Ages through the reformation.  TOG covers his history, geography, reading, writing, church history and fine arts.  He is working on Singapore Math, Old Testament Catechism for Bible, Expedition Earth for (current) geography, and Astronomy by Apologia for science.  He's got quite a bit on his plate but he proved today that he is more than capable! 

May is in 6th grade and Ana is in 5th grade this year.  We 

decided not to put them in public school because their academic career up to this point has been sporadic at best.  We have a lot of room to cover before we feel comfortable they will find success in a public school class.  The girls are working through Horizons for Math, Tapestry of Grace, Year 2, upper grammar for geography, history and reading/writing. They are skipping the church history portions at first.  They are also working on Old Testament Catechism, Apologia Astronomy and Expedition Earth.  Home school is a change for them, having been public schooled their entire lives.  We are working on creating independent, active learners/thinkers. We are also working on instilling intrinsic motivation and a desire to do everything as unto the Lord.  Today was a good first day for them!