Homeschool

We switched to homeschool a few weeks into the 2020-2021 school year. Virtual classes and homework were bearable in the Spring of 2019 because our kids already knew their teachers and classmates, our oldest had private meetings, and the faculty and families were just doing their best to make things work amidst the first COVID-related school closures. We hoped things would improve during the summer II session or by fall. Nothing improved. Virtual summer school and school in the fall of 2020 was terrible. We had previously discussed homeschool before the shut down but as Jen had always planned to return to Audiology work, it was dismissed. We had faith in the public school experience as that is what we knew, what we both grew up in. It was very sad to see it no longer working for us. However, we opened ourselves to new possibilities and career sacrifices for the emotional and mental wellness of our children.

Homeschool was possible for us because we are blessed with some measure of flexibility and financial wellness that Jen can stay home. At the time we started homeschool we felt like we were doing it out of necessity, but homeschool itself quickly become a blessing for our family. Several blessings really. We have the freedom to choose curriculum and change it. Our kids' schedule isn't dictated by anyone but us. We can personally attend each child's needs, watch them progress and learn right along with them. 

We found where each child was at academically and it was a smack in the face that we didn't pay enough attention to what the school was doing. Our oldest was supposed to be starting 3rd grade and was barely testing at 1st grade levels. His math and handwriting (any language arts) was the worst, and it affected everything else. It was pretty obvious he wasn't receiving the support he needed in the public school system, but now, as we directly control his learning, he is thriving!  

As of right now, the oldest boys are around 2nd grade while the littlest are playing in the background with an occasional preschool activity. 

You can structure your homeschool any way you want, within reason in some states. We homeschooled in 2 stated now and each one had their own requirements. Both have been very flexible to allow parents the ability to teach any curriculum within a list of required subjects with only a small requirement of hours. They both asked that you fill out a form to announce that you are setting up your own school. Local homeschool groups are very active with legislation to keep outside influences to a minimum. At this time we haven't run into any requirements for testing.   

We blended a daily schedule for core subjects like Language Arts (Handwriting, Reading, Grammar, and Writing), Math, and physical education with a loop schedule for Science, History, Art and Life Skills. Jen is the primary teacher during the day and covers Language Arts, History and Science while John teaches Math and the other loop subjects. 

• The Good and the Beautiful is used primarily for Handwriting, Science and History. They recently offered their Elementary level Math and Language Arts for FREE so we downloaded that right away! Recently I teamed up with another mom to create our own History and Science timeline for study using TGATB, plus many more free sources available out there. Stay tuned for a blog introducing this! I may have a History Notebook available for you soon!
• Singapore Math US edition is the main Math that we use to relearn Math basics and set a foundation of doing math in your head. The boys have workbooks they complete after each hands-on lesson, and reviews we use as 'tests' to see where they are. We are purchasing 3A and B soon. 
• Blossom and Root is our primary Language Arts and Geography. It is filled with lots of books, poetry, and small stories. It includes copy work, simple grammar, and progressive narratives from transcribing to the student writing. They also have an Early Years program that the littles have loved for preschool activities. I used many of their ideas as a Nursery leader for our local Co-Op. Although I loved their literary choices, I found the activities to be too repetitive for our boys. The latest we are using is Lightening Literature Grade 3. So far we have been liking the workbook attached and the books we read. Its an all-in-one literature arts so we have no need to supplement like we did before. We continued using LL for Grade 4 and its been great!
• We added our 4 year old in School this year and have been exploring sounds and letter with Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. We follow along with Max from Little Angel Reader on YouTube to make it more interesting. He did great till blending so we switched to The Good and the Beautiful.
• We are doing piano lessons with an amazing friend who comes to the house. The oldest just got a violin for his 10th birthday. Hopefully we can get him in official lessons soon. 
• Art has been taught by John and we share a lot of that in our blog. 
• Health has been directly from Katie Stokes, M,Ed., Ph.D Human Body Activity Book for Kids - Hands-on Fun for Grades K-3. Physical activity is Miss Linky on YouTube, outside, and our local Taekwondo homeschool group. 
• Co-Op - we belong to an AMAZING Homeschool group near us. We have gone through 3 sessions of Co-Op and love each one! The boys have had great opportunities to learn and experience new things. They also hold many field trips throughout the year we join!

Supplements include:

• Occasional Scholastic workbooks grade levels for Grammar, Reading Comprehension, and Writing. Bob Books/workbooks for pre-reading
• Brainquest Workbooks for off days, along with Khan Academy and Teach Your Monster to read.
• Nature Journaling with Julie Rotham Anatomy books and plenty of Etsy and Homeschool Blog freebies.
• Writer's Toolbox book by Nancy Loewen. John is an amazing writer himself so he is also helping these boys. Writing has been a process for sure! 

We will be writing more specific information in the blog section so feel free to check it out below!