Today was our first day of school! I have been nervously awaiting this day. I had no idea what to expect but I made a loose schedule that I know we'll need to tweak over time. We followed our outline that looks something like this:
8:00 - Out of bed. The kids do their "check lists" which I'll address further down.
8:30 - Downstairs for breakfast
9:00 - Prayer and family meeting. We discuss the plan for the day and week.
9:00-10:00 - Talk about our "theme of the week" and start school work.
10:00-10:30 - Get laundry started then go out for recess
10:30-12:00 - School work
12:00-1:00 - Prep and eat lunch
1:00-2:00 - Craft or art project to do with the theme of the week
2:00 and on - Outdoor time or baking then prep for dinner
This is what we're working with so far. I found out today that the morning goes much more smoothly than the afternoon. We went for a walk right after lunch and then came back and did art so I think we'll switch that around and see how it goes. It is definitely nice to get outside though with all the kids!
For those who are curious about my kids' checklists, here is a picture of what I made. I put them in a plastic cover sheet and they use a dry erase marker to check things off as the go along.
It is so much easier to tell my kids to "Do your check lists" instead of "Get your pyjamas on... Now brush your teeth... Now close your blinds...". You know? There's only so many nights a mother can say these things before she goes completely nuts. Plus, they are seven and nine now and need to be responsible for their own time and duties.
The "Theme of the Week" is something that God put on my heart over the weekend. This week He led me to teach about compassion and thanksgiving. Seeing as it is Thanksgiving for us up here in Canada this weekend, I was very excited to tie these two ideas together. This morning we looked up compassion in the dictionary and also found some verses in the Bible to read together. We came up with a list of ways to be compassionate. Tomorrow we will think of ways to be compassionate out of the blessings we are thankful for. We will continue this subject for the week.
What I've learned today is that I need to keep looking into curriculums. I am really interested in the Alpha Omega LifePacs and will be trying them for at least Science and Bible. Please let me know your opinion of LifePacs if you have used them! Also any general home schooling advice you would care to offer is most appreciated.
Blessings, friends. Have a great day!
