HS Journal Week of 9/5/2011

In my life this week…
Battling some major depression and loneliness.  

In our homeschool this week…
The boys have done better with doing their school work without complaining, and we've done history together as opposed to my oldest reading it on his own.
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…
bought an art book to go along with our American History curriculum. It's a huge book that shows examples of art from all the periods we are studying. This is an easy way to get some art lessons in.
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
Settling into co-op. Met two other "2 boy" families at a nearby park yesterday and they played "disc golf" which is golf using Frisbees. My son is packing for a weekend youth retreat. Having him gone always makes me nervous.
Things I’m working on…
Getting this house cleaned according to a schedule. Starting school at the same time each day.
I’m reading…
stuff on the Internet about 9/11. Not helping my depression.
I’m grateful for…
getting out of the house more!

Homeschool Journal 9/2/11

 
In my life this week…
fatigue, fatigue, fatigue. Co-op week 2 went better. I am adding the "homework" they have for co-op into their boxes so it doesn't seem like too much additional work.
In our homeschool this week…
Again, work isn't taking very long but both boys are doing 8 boxes daily so I really think they are covering enough material.
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…
I have been beginning each day with a discussion to review what we learned about in history the day before. Seems like a good review for all of us. Also, 2-3 x per week they write in a learning log. I try to pick a topic related to history or some writing prompts I purchased that go along with US History. Sometimes they have to do a drawing; free-handing a map of the area we are talking about is a good spatial exercise (they did one of the Great Lakes and had to label them, etc.)
I am inspired by…
The boys and I were watching a 9/11 special on Nat Geo last night. I am inspired by the survivors, those on flight 93 that sacrificed their lives for us, and all the phone calls to spouses. I still can barely wrap my brain around all the events of that day, 10 years later.
My favorite thing this week was…
The boys are now doing reading/ writing workshop as a box and are in charge of what 2 days they do writing and which 2 they do reading. I made a chart for them to fill in. They are doing well with the autonomy thus far.
Things I’m working on…
Attempting to keep to a daily schedule. I am becoming a little more comfortable embracing the fact that flexibility is a good thing and that it's one of the perks of homeschooling and not a personal failure.
I’m reading…
2 Kindle books I got for free:
Stress Proof Your Life (52 Brilliant Ideas) by Elisabeth Wilson
The Promise: God Works All Things Together for Your Good by Robert J. Morgan

A photo, video, link, or quote to share...


This is what shopping at Walmart is like with my youngest. Before you know it, he is sporting shades and a fedora. He begged me to buy this fedora; I told him 9-yr-olds have no place to wear a fedora. He then suggested he could wear it to funerals. I am really hoping we don't have another of those in the near future!!