Homeschool Journal 1/27/2012

In my life this week…

Coming to terms with the fact that I will only have 7 students in my co-op class, which means the class fees won't cover what I've had to spend on the curriculum. That is $100 I won't be reimbursed. I am not happy but there's nothing I can do so I must learn to accept it!

In our homeschool this week…

We finished up our first half of our American History curriculum. After next week, we have 16 weeks of school left, so we can take one week off per month and finish at the end of June, take July off, and begin the new school year at the beginning of August.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

If you're feeling behind, take one day and do school in the afternoon. Take the morning to work. A change of pace is good for everyone and getting stuff done before you are so tired is good, too.

My favorite thing this week was…

My oldest getting 100s on his math sheets for the first time this year. He finally has a break from graphing and it has done us both good. Also, he did a problem the same way I would and we were both wrong; I figured out why we were wrong on my own!!! Of course, he wasn't nearly as interested in my explanation as to what we did wrong as I was, but still....

What’s working/not working for us…

Already time to begin our next novel in History so we abandoned Across Five Aprils.

Questions/thoughts I have…

Am I doing enough?

Things I’m working on…

Accepting things and moving on. Is there a course on this somewhere?? Is it on Pinterest?

I’m reading…

Deuteronomy to teach Sunday School and Ephesians.

I’m cooking…

made a pear strata, baked shells, beef gyros, and making Chicken Cordon Bleu tonight. (yes, the chicken is thawing! I remembered!) Also have to make a strata to refrigerate overnight for a brunch I am attending tomorrow.

I’m grateful for…

Learning with my children. Less stressful mornings than we would have if they were in public school.

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

naturally, I am the first box.

Homeschool Journal 1/20/2012

In my life this week…

Well, it's been 2  months since I have updated our blog. We were hit or miss over the holidays, piecing together days of homeschooling. We are back for a full week this week. It has been a long week... Also trying to change up my exercise. Now that the marathon is behind me, I am trying to do shorter exercise sessions but more often. So far I have exercised 4 days and will run tomorrow. I am adding strength/ stretching back now that I don't  have to run all the time!! Yay!

In our homeschool this week…

We completed our unit on the civil war. The book Across Five Aprils is not going well. Even I have trouble plodding through all the description and I know it is not a happy book. May go against a personal rule and let them abandon a book that is a part of our curriculum.

My favorite thing this week was…

My youngest has held onto a bag of shells he collected from a beach trip nearly 4 years ago now. I have suggested in the past maybe they should be thrown away. However, they sure came in handy while studying mollusks this week. He was able to determine if they were clam, scallop, or oyster shells and one even had a whelk hole in it!! I am not an advocate of holding onto things; if I had my way, the only possession we would probably have are vacuums, cleaning supplies, and books but I am glad we held onto those shells!

What’s working/not working for us…

Not sure about that novel. Should I let them quit it? We didn't do enough writing this week. I wish I wouldn't be slack!

Things I’m working on…

Getting ready for the co-op class I will be teaching. I am starting to stress. I have to get materials ready for 16 students. Luckily I have a reliable co-teacher, but we don't know each other well so we are having to navigate getting ready while trying to be extra polite! Color copies have been the focus of a lot of thought the past several months; my little home printer can't handle that many copies and they are so expensive elsewhere!

I’m reading…just The Bible. Would love to read a book soon!

I’m cooking…

this week I made turkey burgers and chicken with goat cheese.

I’m grateful for…

the fact I've developed a taste for a smoothie that includes 4 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruit. The curriculum developed by "Confessions of a Homeschooler" that I will be teaching in co-op.

I’m praying for…

guidance in teaching Sunday School the next two Sundays and for teaching the co-op class.

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