Daily Chores

Before we officially start homeschooling in the fall, I want to have our daily chores established.  I have been thinking about this for a while, but didn't really know what chores to start with for a 4 and 2 year old.  We have been starting off slow, but this seems to be very effective.  We are doing our chores completely and with enthusiasm.  I ask the girls to make their beds in the morning and help set the table for dinner at night.  As I am getting out their clothes in the morning, the girls work together to make both of their beds (I just want to say, it is super cute to watch!)  They each pick a side and pull up the sheets and comforter and put on their pillows, then they move to the next bed.

When they are finished, they are so happy and proud of themselves!  They may not be the best made beds ever, but they sure do look good to me!

As for setting the table, they are all about it.  They bring in plates, silverware, napkins and cups.  As a side note, this also keeps them occupied while I am trying to finish cooking.

Pretty basic chores, but we like to take it one step at at time around here.

Back to unschooling...

I can't tell you how many times my husband and I tell each other, "that's another teaching moment."  Well, we were outside a couple of days ago (It was 60!!) and the girls found some ivy growing on one of our trees in the backyard.  They starting asking a lot of questions and ended up learning all about ivy.  They would be by the tree listening to their dad talk about the ivy and couldn't wait to tell me what they had learned.  The excitement on their faces when they would come running over to bring me a leaf and tell me all about it was just priceless I don't think it gets much better than that!

Core "A" sits on the shelf

Well, it's been over a month and I have done nothing with our core curriculum except put it up on the shelf.  It could be the timing or it could be I am just not ready to dive in quite yet.  The books I ordered look great, I just haven't set apart a time of day to start.

I started talking with a few more families who use Sonlight and tried to take their advice and see how that might fit in with my family.  The "cores" cover a range of ages, so I have decided it might be in my best interest to wait on those until I can at least be reading to 2 or 3 of the kids.  I can't imagine reading 4 seperate cores in a couple of years, there just wouldn't be enough time in the day!!  There are a couple of things we will continue to work on like reading, math and writing.  These are subjects I can work on with each kid individually and at their own pace.

I did start Addison on her kindergarten math program.  I chose Horizons and I am not totally loving it.  It is very repetitive and so far she hasn't learned anything.  It says to do 1 lesson a day, but she likes to pick it up and do 5 or 6 at a time.  I don't push it on her, just whenever she wants, we do it. 

The other thing I purchased was a handwriting program that I have been very anxious to start. I did try it out 1 day a while back, but I decided to wait.  I had Addison up at our counter and she just wasn't at the angle and she got very frusterated.  I decided it was time to order a preschool table where everything would be just at the right height.  We did get the table and I have just been waiting for things to settle down from the holidays to get started. 

                                                        Our new table

It's here!

Our very first curriculum has arrived!  It came early on a Saturday morning, and just a few days after I placed my order.  My kids couldn't wait to see what was in those boxes.  Once I let them loose, I couldn't get any of the books back (not a bad thing, I guess.)

After they went to bed that day, I was able to sort through all of our goodies.  I had a chance to go through the insturctors guide and see what this was all about.  I wasn't sure when or how I was going to start "teaching" and I have yet to decide.  I am thinking about it all of the time, but I am still enjoying what we are doing, living life.  So, as of right now, the core books sit on a shelf and are read when interest is sparked.

Drum Roll Please

A decision has been made and we decided to purchase curriculum for the girls!  After much debate and endless hours of research, we decided to go with Sonlight. 

Sonlight was one of the first one's I looked at and it always stayed with me.  I am going to tell you why I personally think Sonlight is (hopefully) going to work with my family.

Their Tag Line

The way you wish you'd been taught.  That hit home right away.  From early on, I remember trying to memorize information for a test, then, I would forget it all while trying to memorize the next lesson.  I feel as if you can lean so much more by learning through stories and actually enjoying what you learn.

Literature Based

As you know by now, our family LOVES to read.  We sit around and cuddle up and read books for hours a day, so this one was kind of a no brainer.  So, by purchasing from Sonlight, we are just adding to our book collection and hopefully learning a little something from it.

Christian Based

We want our children learning the scripture and this is just one more way for them to see it.  We will start off each day with a Bible verse and a fun song to help them learn.

Unit Study

I will be able to teach multiple ages with the same books.  This not only cuts my reading time in half, but it also gives us the closeness and togetherness our family is looking for.

Instructors Guide is Provided

I have 3, soon to be 4 small children, so the last thing I need to do after they go to bed is "plan out" our work for the next day.  Sonlight offers a 4 or 5 day a week guide that you are able to use how you want.  I am guessing it will be a loose guide for us, enough to stay on track anyway.

One Stop Shop

Sonlight is able to provide you with everything you need.  This works great for me since I am short on time.  I was able to add a handwriting and math program for my eldest.  I am also able to mix and match read-a-longs and readers depending on their reading level.  They provide a reading assessment which Addison took (she is reading at the 4th grade level!) to ensure you are purchasing the correct books.


Now that I have given you all the reasons I think I am going to like Sonlight, we will wait and see what my kids think.

To buy or not to buy?

As I have mentioned before, one of the reasons I am writing this blog is so I can look back on it and remember what I was doing and thinking along the way.  Well, I have come to a crossroad and I haven't been able to make a decision.  Should I buy curriculum or not?

I have heard from so many people one of their biggest regrets was purchasing curriculum when their kids were little.  They either thought it was too stressful or not really necessary.  I have pretty much agreed with them...until now. 

I feel like my family (especially my oldest) needs to be challenged a little more, plus, she thrives on structure.  My feeling is, if I start the "schooling" now, they will know what will be happening on a daily basis.  Granted at this age, it only requires about 30 minutes each day, but it will be part of our morning routine. 

Pros to buying                                                       

More structure in the house
Kids will be challenged
Kids will learn something new everyday
We will have the curriculum when we are ready and will be able to go at our own pace


Cons to buying

Spending more money
1 more thing we "have" to do
They are still very young


As you can see, it is a tough decision, but hopefully I will be able to make the right decision in the next couple of days.

Jar-o'-lanters

I got this idea from the Family Fun Magazine.  It was so easy to do and they turned out great.  The kids loved it!

Supplies Needed:

A clear dry jar
Masking tape
Orange acrylic paint
Paint Brush

You take the masking tape and cut out jack-o'-lantern pieces.  You tape them on the jar and then let the kids go.  They can put as much orange paint on the outside of the jar as they want.  When it dries, you remove the tape and put a light in.  Simple as that!