As most of you know, we decided to homeschool the boys this year a few weeks ago. While I will admit it was a tough decision, we are not looking back now, and I must sadly admit I enjoy it alot. I seriously have no life, huh? I really love watching them learn, but also love planning all their activities and having control over what they learn, how and when. Yes, that is equally sad. I am a control freak people. I need to work on that. But, even more importantly, I can be a control freak over snack and sugars. It doesn't mean they are perfect just because he is with me, but it does mean he can feel totally comfortable to look up during computer lab and say "check my finger, I feel low." And, he does. Then, I wonder would he have told his teachers that at regular school right then. Probably not. He would miss computer lab! So, really for right now this is such a good decision for our family. It has bonded me and the boys closer together. Most of all just the boys. They enjoy sitting side by side learning. And, yes Preston does school, too. He sits out a few activities, but he also gets one on one time learning while Jackson does computer games and other self-directed worksheets. And, I think that is awesome. Preston is getting such a headstart on 3K. And, Jackson is getting a headstart on kindergarten. We are doing alot of kindergarten concepts even if we are just touching on them. At least next year no matter where he goes to school (still undecided about that), he will recognize alot of things.
I will admit though he already is catching on so quick! Like punctuation, syllables, memorizing Bible verses, and learning how to spell his colors, and the concept of calendars and time, telling time on a clock, and some basic science concepts are all things he is already grasping.
And, Preston is learning how to spell his name and his shapes for right now. We are touching on cutting and doing lots of crafts with him, too. He already knew all of his colors which I wasn't even aware of until we started!
So, I wanted to just share with you our memories we've created so far knowing that it is impossible to teach and take pictures of everything! But, I was still determined to savor some of these moments since this could be my last year home with them before they both would attend school even if Preston does just go 2 days a week a few hours a day next year. Plus, I always took so many pics of events and activities at the preschool, I still wanted to have memories to scrapbook from this year as well. Keep in mind Jackson is keeping me on my toes. And, even if we are in our pajamas, we STILL are doing school. He won't let me miss anything. He even wants to do school on the weekends! In fact today is Sunday, and we did some school today. If anything, it is reminding me to sit down with my kids and spend time with them. That is a blessing in itself!
Here we were cooking linguine. We are doing cooking class like once a month and incorporating it into the special letter we are studying in handwriting for the week. That day it was L. They loved making L's with the noodles.
I had to show this one. This is Preston on his first day of 2K. NOT wanting to get up. After day one, I decided to let him sleep and not wake him up like this. :) He likes learning but not that much. So, we work on Jackson's stuff until Preston wakes up, and then we do crafts. As you can also see, we changed into clothes day one. After that, Jackson wanted to stay in his PJs. So, we did! Noone said you had to wear clothes to homeschool, right?
Don't worry though. Preston woke up quickly when he saw a "gwoo stick." Preston + glue stick = LOVE at first sight. NOT kidding.
Looking for letters to spell his name...(which by the way he says is just T O N )
Jackson just doing some free time painting...
Our very first time going to the library (also in honor of letter L.) They didn't quite get the concept of being quiet, but they did enjoy it. They were heartbroken they didn't get their own card though, so don't worry. I made them some and had them laminated. We are headed back this week (now that I let them look around and choose some books) to get books I am choosing for them that are actually very useful ones :), and they are stoked to get to use their library cards. You know those women are going to look at them (the cards) and me like I'm crazy.
This is one book I am going back to get...
Preston did not like that "susketti." (the linguine that he thought was spaghetti) So, he settled for a lollipop instead. Hey! It still starts with L, right?
Getting ready to cook. They really did help. They measured the water and everything. They love cooking. Hopefully that will stick until they are older, and they can help me in the kitchen.
More of Preston on day one wondering why in the world we woke him up.
Let me just say my 4 year old cuts better than me! Maybe it's the tongue that helps.
Doing some homemade worksheets until our math curriculum arrived. :)
In honor of the letter F, I made some flags out of toothpicks, and we went on a scavenger hunt for them at the park. Then we discussed who got the most or least of each color, etc.
Practicing our colors for Preston's sake... :)
The table (we didn't move school upstairs until we got more organized...we decided to homeschool on a Sunday and began school that Monday) the night before day one. I was desperately (overdoing it) trying to make it seem fun and like real school. Ended up we don't even use those bags. And, I hate how they turned out. :) But, still they were excited to see "stuff" when they woke up.
Jackson cannot do morning time discussion without a microphone. That isn't plugged into anything. I have no idea. :) Don't ask. This calendar thing is helping though. He keeps saying only a few more rounds until my birthday month! Rounds apparently are weeks. :)
Playing doggie bingo to go over our double digit numbers and those tricky letters like U and V that he always mixes up.
Doing our first science experiment...
Practicing sight words...
I have definitely discovered just like I thought when I chose The Sharon School for Jackson, he learns so much better by doing tactile, hands on activities and not worksheets.
See how they are doing so much side by side and together? It really seems to be making them cohesive or something. Not sure what word I am looking for here..but I like it.
I also think Preston has lived in the shadows of the school fun for so long that this has really boosted his self-esteem feeling included.
Here Jackson is doing a scavenger hunt labeling things that start with the letter L.
I am not going to lie. Preston is dangerous with a pair of scissors. :) But, he is doing better. He can do well without the paper. But, with the paper..not so good. It is still so early to teach this skill, but I am still trying. One thing I will say is I cannot tell if he is right handed or left handed? Any help there?
See? And, he's infatuated with markers. I don't know if he will ever use crayons again. :)
And, of course he loves paint. Even all over his body.
Well, that's it for part one! As you can see, it is not that hard to homeschool preschoolers. I am sure there won't be much to photograph if I homeschool them when they are 8 and 10 years old. :) Which I don't know if that will even happen, but I am just saying. This is pretty easy. Well, except for the handwriting! LOL Wait, and the scissors. Hmm..well, let's just say those preschool teachers are underpaid! But, I am overpaid. Why? Because I am getting a peace knowing they are safe and sound, and I am getting to hear their squeal of delight when they realize the fingerpaint tickles.
0 comments:
Post a Comment