It's that time of year again! New pencils, workbooks and markers (Mr. Sketch if you're lucky ~ and yes, they still make them!) ... the beginning of another school year is right around the corner. For our little family that means jumping into another year of homeschooling and we are excited!
We are tackling Grade 1 and Grade 3 this year and the girls are looking forward to getting started ... they actually found their workboxes and asked if they could start their new books :) Let's not rush it! We still have 2 glorious weeks of vacay left and I intend to make use of every minute :)
Some people have asked about my 'teaching style' and I must admit that I ADORE unit studies! One topic and all of your main subjects are covered throughout your study. For instance, we are going to start the year off with a unit on Scaredy Squirrel. Fab books by the way if you've never seen them ~ and we will incorporate everything from math/graphing and time to antonyms in language, reading responses, and developing their own story board and finished product ... their own Scaredy Squirrel adventure! Amazing fun while learning .. isn't that what it's all about?!
Now there is a new element to our homeschool year ... an infant! Yes, we have a new family member who happens to be almost 3 weeks old and this will be a learning experience for all of us! Juggling homeschooling 2 older children while meeting the needs of an infant is something that we will all learn together but we are up for the challenge. Who knows...maybe Charlotte will be reading by the time she's 1 ... I realize .... I was just kidding :)
There's a wonderful adventure awaiting us this year and I can not wait to get started!
Here's a break down of how our year is looking:
Unit Studies ... including Scaredy Squirrel, Flat Stanley, Pioneers (gr.3), Ocean (which will coincide with our family trip to Florida!), Literature Studies (Black Beauty), etc.
Math ~ Ontario Curriculum Books that I found at ... wait for it ... Costco! $8.99 per book compared to the $22 each I spent last year!
Science ~ Chemical Reactions (Volcanos ~ tying in with our Ocean unit), etc.
So, there you have it ... the first part of our year at a glance. We are also planning to go and visit Winter the dolphin (from the 'Dolphin Tale' movie) whose home is an aquarium not far from where we will be staying in Florida ... so I am sure there will be a Dolphin study in with our Ocean unit :)
As always ... any questions about what we do our why we do it ... please feel free to ask! And ~ as you all begin the quest to find those perfect back to school outfits and shoes, may your back to school be fabulous whether it be homeschool or 'traditional' :)
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Monday, August 20, 2012
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made ~
The Summer has come and with it sunny days, jumps on the trampoline, popsicles, campfires and s'mores.... delectable family memories.
This Summer has also brought along our newest addition ~
Charlotte Katherine Ines made her grand debut on August 1st at 3:24am after only an hour and 24 minute labour! That's what we call fast and furious folks ~ trust me!
Isn't she just delightful?!
Having Lotte finally here has brought such a wonderful dynamic to our family! The 2 big sisters are thrilled to help change diapers, pick out her clothes and snuggle with her!
It has also made me realize more and more how miraculous this creation of life is! How amazing to think that this little one began as a group of cells and developed into this beautiful, healthy baby. Only a Great Creator could arrange that! He knit her together in my womb and she has been fearfully and wonderfully made! What thanksgiving has been in my heart, more so since Lotte arrived, than I can really remember ... how can our hearts not swell when we see those eyes taking things in for the first time ~ the way they sleep, the little hands and feet .... 'O taste and see that the Lord, HE is Good!'
As we begin this new chapter as a family of 5, we are excited to see what He has in store. One thing is for sure ... with Him leading the way, we follow knowing that this Great One has a great plan!
~ more on homeschooling and our joy dare next time :)
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