Lexical Learners...the Brood & the Blog
It’s 12:06 a.m. and I’m about to do 8 yr. old Ninja Boy’s
lesson plans (3rd grade). When I taught public school I loathed
doing lesson plans because they were expected to be so detailed, listing modifications
for various levels & learning styles. Oy!
Now, I love planning…probably too much. I’ve got a sweet template in Excel that I modify weekly. It serves as a plan and a record.
Currently Ninja Boy is studying American History with Sonlight Curriculum’s Core 3. It’s literature rich. Yum. The readers (actual novels he reads…not basal readers…ugh), read alouds, and history books (mostly historical fiction) compliment each other well. Now we’re reading Walk the World’s Rim, Pedro’s Journal, and Pocahontas and the Strangers. I’m learning a lot!
He has various workbooks for skills and we’re working towards a more formal approach to science. Though I must say we’ve learned about hurricanes and tornadoes these past few weeks. (I love the library!)
With the girls (7, 5, and 4) I focus mainly on getting them proficient in the 3 R’s when it comes to “official school”. However, they pick up so much from books we read, Reading Rainbow, lots of conversation, and life. We’ve also joined a co-op for the first time that will be a nice addition.
That’s the basic deal with our schoolin’ these days. One of my main goals is that they will be learners for life.
Did I mention I have a blog, Lexical Learners, at homeschoolbloger.com? I’m so great at keeping up with this blog and the ‘Elle blog, I added another. (Did you hear that plop? That was my sarcasm dripping.)
Eventually I’d like post info on how we do school at the Happy Jack Skool of Lurnin’, along with resources I’ve found helpful…eventually.
There’s my less than comprehensive and more than some want to know post on that part of my life. Thanks for reading.
Randi, your're right. All of us are learning so much from reading the historical lit. I love Sonlight.
Posted by: Lexie | September 29, 2005 at 10:13 AM
We are using Sonlight this year too! We just finished the books you listed and have moved on to The Witch of Blackbird Pond and The Matchlock Gun. So far we have enjoyed using this program-so much better than textbooks!
Posted by: Randi | September 29, 2005 at 08:25 AM
Nice to "meet" you Vashti. Love the pics on your blog...the porcupines and the drawing room. (Mopsy, you cracked me up w/your drawing room reference.)
Homeschooling is a challenging adventure. One reason I started my homeschoolblogger blog is because of the wealth of experience, encouragement and inspiration available there.
Thankfully, we don't have to be perfect parents or teachers. God's grace covers a multitude of our mistakes. Whew! It's also a good thing chidren are resilient!
Enjoy your week.
Posted by: Lexie | September 27, 2005 at 12:14 AM
I started out my homeschooling odyssey by overplanning my days. Now I'm not sure if I'm doing enough pre-planning, reflection, preparing. Geez...I hope I'm not really messing up my kid! I keep reminding myself that we are new at this and that it is only Kindergarten. She is learning more in a day than a class with a 23:1 student/teacher ration learns in a week. This is such a challenging adventure though. I can't help but get nervous at times. It is wonderful how many blog I have found of homeschooling moms. It's great to find people I can relate to.
Posted by: Vashti | September 26, 2005 at 11:50 PM