Thanks, babe. I guess sometimes we need a "Check up" with someone else. ou know you're probably doing ok, but it helps to check to see what others think, kind of thing.
My son, Zack one of the twins, just came over here to my computer and outloud he read: "Homeschool spot!" off the top of the web page. THAT's how well he reads... holly crap!
5 year olds frequently do not have the hand coordination to do much if any writing. If they learn to write their letters that is enough. You should be able to tell if they are frustrated. I am 50 and I did not go to school until I was 6 which was pretty normal back them. I remember learning to make straight lines and circles on the tablet the first day. All we learned in K was to get along, follow the leader, keep a line, listen, wait your turn, sing, tie your shoes, learn your address and phone number and paint. Your kids are probably advanced in math and reading for their age so I wouldn't push them, just keep doing what you are doing. Studies have shown that if you kept children completely out of school and put them in in the 2nd grade, they would be caught up by 2nd semester. Don't ask me to find this info but I have read it from many different sources. I do think it is easier to start with some type of plan. Burn out does happen, not only with the parent, but with young children that are stressed to learn more than their development stage. I think I have said this before, but my oldest son was reading at 3 and my youngest couldn't learn is ABC's at 6. He caught up. I think many new homeschooling parents think they must keep up, no surpass, some arbitrary educational standard. What ever happened to the advocates of learning within your developmental age? I think your kids are doing fine, just don't stress out about it and don't stress them beyond their natural God-given abilities. BTW, E.D. Hirsh's books, that you ordered are great, but they do not have lesson plans, only what his team thinks is important for a K or 1st to know. The K book is mostly nursery rhymes and ABCs. I love these books and use them as a guide.
I use E.D. Hirsh's books too plus I got ahold of the complete scope and secquence for the set of books. I use it alot to just see what we have and haven't covered. It even has a Bible section added to it for Christian HS. Alot of states have the rule that you can get a waiver to keep your kids out of school until they are 8 because of those studies. I know New Mexico has that. I lauhged about it though.. for the waiver they have TONS of requirements.. but if you just sign that you are HS it's only a one page form saying you have a HighSchool Diploma. I figure it'd make more sense to jsut HS till they are 8 for people who planned that.
I would probably just do some work here and there for the next few weeks and not stress too much over it. Then, enjoy the summer. Once Fall comes around I'd have a plan in place on what you'll be doing when and what you'll be using. You don't always get to stick to the schedule, but it's nice to have one there to follow if you can. Your kids are advanced and it won't hurt them to be just kids for the summer. Just read to them a lot and follow their leads when it comes to learning.
Thanks for the heads' up on that one, but I had already read about hat. I have two of the books already. The book I ordered off of ebay is from "American Education" and it is called "Learn at Home Grade 1". I did not have the money for something like Calvert, or Saxxon, but Being new, I did feel like I need at least a basic guide. I was looking for the general pace of hS'ong. As we tend to do too much in one day, then we have nothing left to do for the rest of the week, and if we do not do anything for the next few days they will foget what they supposedly learned. So I need to learn pacing. And I agree about the handwriting and everything else with age. But get this... the PS that the boys attended for 110 days already had them doing FRACTIONS before we left. Is that nuts or what? The theory I was given was... we keep them busy, by showing them what they are going to learn later. Hu???? weird
I agree with you here. I have diffinately re-evaluated what I am doing and I have come up with a plan. The boys LOOOOve the computer. (Their daddy's fault). However, I am not against the computer, if it is paced out. so... They have "Challenges" taped on the walls. they are free to do the challenges or to NOT do them. If they complete them and get them correct, they get 15 inutes computer time, not to exceed 1 hr a day, each. They play magic school bus and jumpstart and a bunch of games we get from the library. So, basically they are "Racing" to get "School time" on the computer! haha TRICKY! I just am old fashioned or I was twisted by the system. And it is hard to get away from traditional schooling.... And while this is going on, I will be waiting for this one book to arrive, and have time to build a plan before the fall gets here... THANKS to everyone for your help!!!!
