Why a couple of months with out a post?

Well, this year has been a transition back into homeschool for us.  This is why we haven’t posted much.  We have been very busy!  You like our new logo?  Read more about how we will be using it…

My real estate career has taken off, and has kept me busy (more on this later).  Therefore, the husband is taking a break from his part-time instructor position, and is focusing on home and homeschool when he is not at the fire station.  This is something he volunteered to do, and grateful that his shift schedule allows.   (More on living with a shift schedule later).

Anyway, handing over the reigns,  is something I am having to get used to.  Because of this transition and the fact that we are in a Classical Conversations co-op once a week and another co-op once a week, we have decided to try to make our homeschooling day more efficient starting at the beginning of 2018.

Classical Conversation is new to us this year, and we believe it is going to be a great fit.  Our first semester was basically us getting our bearings and learning the ropes.  We now have some YouTube playlists of the songs and activities for our girl’s to watch.  They love it.  AND if life get’s hectic or someone is under the weather… or if they are visiting grandparents, all they have to do is go to the playlist and we know they are at least getting something.  We also have a rule that before any TV can be watched, they have to watch the playlist.  Week 1-12 was about a 45 minute playlist and covered every subject in CC.

We plan on doing compartmentalized playlist for CC for semester 2, plus by weeks, and having the girls review one week at a time.

Reading – we will still be doing ALL ABOUT READING with both girls next semester.  They are both on track as far as that goes.  The oldest will be also adding in All About Spelling this semester

Math – because Singapore is very parent intensive, and we are trying to streamline, we are going to be trying out Teaching Textbooks.  Roo will be on level 3 and Iz on level 4.  Stay tuned for reviews.  We love Singapore Math, but we need efficiency in our lives right now- and it is more time intensive.

The girls both received laptops for Christmas, which will eliminate only one being able to work on the computer at a time.  So, they will  have a scheduled Math and Typing time.  If you are not familiar with TT for math.  It is CD-ROM based, but it has a textbook that goes along with it.

As always, we are remaining flexible,   We ordered more curriculum than is needed, some we will be putting on the shelf for supplement, and others more than likely will be put on the shelf, but may never find their way back to the front line.

One last note about efficiency, to eliminate piles of laundry, we are going to start wearing uniforms!!!  I have ordered “uniforms” for my work.  15 Portofino blouses from Express – so versatile and classy!  And the logo in this post, will be the logo on our new school shirts, which can be worn as  both school clothes and play clothes on school days – no need to change clothes!  Yes, there are other ways to eliminate laundry and the need to change clothes, but this is how we are going to roll starting in January 2018!