"Nature - Deficit Disorder"

I read an interesting article on the cbmw (Council for Biblical Manhood & Womanhood) blog. Clickhere to read. I can remember growing up on a dead-end street with the woods next to me. Most of my free time as a young child, I remember spending riding bikes, climbing trees, and exploring the woods next to our house. It was a world all to its own. Thankfully, my children have a wonderful wooded paradise in our backyard that we like to call "Pooh's Hundred Acre Woods". But I admit that somewhat too frequently I have to send the children outside as opposed to pleading with them to come inside. It is a shame that technology, although a blessing, can also be a curse to steal the innocent delights of childhood from our kids.

Day 3 of 2nd grade

We have completed 3 days of 2nd grade! So far as to be expected. I have had minimal resistance from the student compared to last year, although school is still not his favorite thing. But the alternative is much less appealing to him, so for that I am thankful. Some things I have learned in the past 3 days:
1. Having school with a 2nd grader, preschooler, 2 year old, and 14 month old can be akin to shepherding sheep. There is always someone who needs to be pulled back in the pen.
2. Keeping your sanity while a 14 month old is crying in the background, the 2 year old is grabbing toys from his sister, and the 7 year old who can't sit still is trying to do his copywork is enough for any Mom to consider the benefits of private school (but only for a moment :)
3. Not all babies like to play with baby toys!
4. Classroom management with a class of 30 same-age students must be a piece of cake compared to managing 4 of varying ages and attention spans under the age of 7.
5. 2 months is apparently a long enough time to completely forget all 1st grade Math and handwriting skills.
6. And God must have a sense of humor to have put me in this job!

Getting back in gear

After taking half of May and all of June off, we are gearing up to start back to school. I spent all last Friday at a friend's house creating lesson plans and getting organized for the new school year. Every year I say this, but it is just so HOT down here, that I really think we should school all summer and take off during the Fall or Spring when the weather is so pleasant. But somehow even though we homeschool, the kids know that summer is a time to not do school. Nonetheless, we are starting back in 2 weeks. Scott Jr. & Rachel don't know this, but I don't think they need to find out until a bit closer to time. Scott Jr. will be finishing up some of his 1st grade work and beginning 2nd grade, while Rachel will be a preschooler. The other 2 are along for the ride! I found several resources helpful in my planning. One website being Donna Young's website which has a host of free forms and calendars and a great excel spreadsheet I used for my lesson plans. The other is Preschoolers and Peace which has given me some great ideas on incorporating my younger ones into our school time without making them feel left out. In case you are wondering what I decided since my last post, here is our "plan" for the core of our studies. I use that word loosely as I know man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps (Prov. 16:9).

Scott Jr:
Math - Saxon 2
Grammar - First Language Lessons
History - Early American History with Beautiful Feet
Science- God's Design for Science (Answers in Genesis) - Life
Copywork/Handwriting - Memoria Press Copywork books
Spelling - Spelling Workout

Rachel:
Rod & Staff Preschool workbooks
Learning to read with Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading
Kumon workbooks - she has been doing these with her Grandma this summer and loves them!

I feel good with a plan! Last year I was way behind the 8 ball in this area, and never took the time to get organized. I hope that I can continue to get away every quarter or so to regroup and reevaluate. It is so helpful!