I'm so excited! Neely will, in the government's eyes, be in the 1st grade. She's halfway through the first grade math book now and her reading level is higher than K5, but we will be using first grade Social Studies and Science. I am going to separate the girls' together subjects this time. I hate to. But since I am still trying to get it together, I really just need to stay organized and by the book. Neely has done a great job doing Teagan's science. We all know it's the same stuff with a little more detail. I just hope I don't purchase a first grade science curriculum and it be too "dumb" for her. That would be the only setback to my pocket book. Once I open it and try it out, I can't really send it back.
Teagan will be in third grade materials! I'm so nervous! She begins multiplication and division next week. She's done well (I guess) for a first year home schooler. She's reading more and makes awesome A's! I wouldn't let her make anything less, you know..... We do not test in Science and Social Studies, however. We make it fun, keep a journal, and just learn it. They like to tell Daddy what they've learned, and I am there to prompt them if they need a cue. But kids learn best when they tell others what they know. That's better than any test I can think of giving them.
I am going to add Keyboarding to Teagan's course load. I know she'll like that. I am thinking about adding some foreign language, but to be honest, I hate foreign language. I have no desire to learn another language. I changed my major to science from art because of that language crap. I know if I am teaching it, I'll have to learn it. Joy. But, it's for them, not me, and that's the kind of sacrifice I may have to make. And since Madeline is learning Spanish, maybe we'll do that one and SHE can help! We can all just start speaking in Spanish for practice and let Jason and Libby pick it up through immersion. Ha-ha!
And we are planning LOTS of field trips! I have three planned between now and June. Next school year I hope to do one every month.
Speaking of school year, we are switching to year-round school. That will give us more time to work through the loads and more options for taking breaks. You know, vacations, holidays, snow days, sun days, sleepy days, sick days, etc. I've never taken part in year-round school so I'm not sure, but I'll bet it's less crunching than an 8 month year. The girls won't forget what they learn so easily either. I'll be sure to let you know how it's working when the time comes.
I am not sure what Libby will do. She knows her colors, is counting well, spelling her name, and really just learning a lot by being here with us. I would like to add more structure to her day, but since she's only a fresh 3, I'm not sure how much structure she'll handle. I would love to put her in Trinity when she's 4 to get her basics out of the way. But who knows? She may not need the basics by then.