School is In!

Our schoolroom is done and I couldn't wait to move in... in fact, we still do not have flooring or window trim but I said to my DH "Honey, I'm moving in!" And with less than a week until school we had no time to spare.
The kids also couldn't wait to move into their new space - or should I say "spaces"? We came across a really great deal on used half wall cubicles. So now all their stuff is in their own cube and hands and eyes are to themselves!

The other thing I really like about having the extra 450 sf of space is that we have plenty of room to spread out... Sierra especially loves to sit on the couch or even go outside to read. Jacob loves to build his Knex creations at his desk and Caleb loves to read. Sam is often seen coloring or discovering what Mommy has left him in his workboxes. And Grace.... she loves pulling everything out and stealing things from each of the others! Oh, well!

This year we are doing Mystery of History, Vol 1 for history and are loving it. We are also doing a bible study together called Answers for Kids. We also do God's Design for Science and are studying the universe. Sierra is still doing her Total Language Plus and she is studying "The Cricket in Times Square." We found a great way to learn multiplication called "Times Tales" which she REALLY likes and mom likes too because the lightbulb is finally going on! She is also doing Excellence in Writing, A Reason for Handwriting, typing and because of our recent exchange student from Japan, is learning Japanese. Whew!

Jacob still loves Explode the Code and is also taking advantage of ETC online. He also does Beyond the Code comprehension. He still struggles with reading but we are taking advantage of a wonderful program called Reading from A to Z. All the kids are doing Math U See. Jacob also does Handwriting without Tears and is starting some writing.

Caleb is still doing Sing, Spell, Read and Write and is doing great! He also is learning cursive through Handwriting without Tears and writing. All the kids learned a basic typing course and are practicing although Caleb will probably have to retake it a couple of times.

I also want to share a wonderful new organization program I am using called workboxes... I will be covering them in my next post... stay tuned!

Piglet

Well what can I say about the most wonderful baby in the world? She is trying to walk - 19 steps in a row! She absolutely loves food - all food! She always reminds me to be joyful in all things because she is always so joyful - is God good or what!

Roo

Roo has been doing some intervention with the local infant program - Ms. Rhonda comes 2x a week to "play" with Sam and he loves her! So do we... he is improving so incredibly with speech and motor skills. We are also taking him to a Sensory playgroup on Wednesdays and a Toddler massage class on Fridays (our 'touch' class). He loves the one on one with Mommy. He also likes to listen in on big brother Owl's phonics lessons and often will sing the songs after we are done - he is amazing! In fact he will sing almost anything he hears more than twice...

Owl

Owl is starting to read! He knows most of his sounds and is working through Sing Spell Read Write. His handwriting is also improving. He will complete his math in another 4 weeks or so. He absolutely loves school and loves to be "smart". He has a great attitude and I am having a great time working with him!

Tigger

Tigger is improving his reading! We have brought him home from reading classes at the school after discovering that much of what he was learning was being covered by me at home anyway... he loves his reading program Sound Reading on the computer. He has already completed 2 books of Explode the Code and is in book 2-1/2 and doing Beyond the Code as well. We have started All About Spelling and have the Seeing Stars program on our wish list to hopefully help him move up in reading. He will complete his 2nd grade math next week and be onto 3rd grade. He and Owl are learning about the 18th Century by doing a lapbook from Journey Thru Learning.

Pooh Bear

Well, this is my first blog and hopefully not my last! I feel like I have finally hit my stride 7 months into my 1st year homeschooling... ah well... We have been attending a charter school with a homestudy program but after much prayer I believe we will be independent next year -yikes!
Here's what we have accomplished this year to date:
Pooh Bear is loving math! Yippee!! We are using the Math U See program and started both her and her brother in the 2nd grade book. She finished that by the end of January and has moved on to the 3rd grade book which she is almost 1/2 through. She is loving our Total Language Plus study of Shiloh and improving her writing with Institute for Excellence in Writing - cannot say enough about this program! She is working on her Gold Rush lapbook and wrapping up California History. Handwriting is improving as well. She is very focused and is self disciplined most of the time. She also is enjoying chorus and dance.