Today has been better than yesterday. Erik and Kayla had some bonding time. The other two and I had some library time. I've sketched most of the rest of our school year. It is so hard to plan lessons in advance. Essential to stay on course, but then again, the course always changes. At least for me. I refuse to move on until the subject is mastered, so sometimes we get detoured. I'm glad too. It was so hard for my kids to master fractions and percentages and they were so sick of them before we moved on. However, the subsequent lessons have been easier for them. Do public school teachers plot out the year and follow it or do they change course as well?? Just wondering, Jason?
I've decided to do some of my book reviews today, especially since they are really piling up!!
NONFICTION
The Year of Living Biblically by A.J.Jacobs
Subtitled, One Man's Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible. I loved this book. He approached it as an agnostic and by the end he was a little bit closer to believer. The task is monumental-studying the Bible so much for an entire year. He consulted with many clergy from all religions along the way. He is very open about how the journey affected his home life. I could not recommend this book more-regardless of your religious leanings.
Creative Correction by Lisa Whelchel (AKA-Blair on The Facts of Life TV show)
Blair is a famous homeschool mom now!! Did you know that?? She is also an inspirational speaker in the Christian world and one of my heroes. This book is one I should have read when my kids were younger. She did not have surly tweens when she wrote this, so I did not get the info I really was seeking. If you have toddlers though, go ahead and buy this book-it will help you.
FICTION
For Me: The Big Nap by Ayelet Waldman
This book was so good. Normal life taking a brush with an extreme religion. A mom who just needs to sleep solving a mystery. It was a very light quick read with enough twists and turns to keep it all interesting.
For the kids: Edward's Eyes by Patricia MacLachlan
This book grabs you, sucks you in and then leaves you with a wonderful feeling deep in your soul. This is the same author who wrote Sarah, Plain and Tall, one of my all time favorite books...and also the sequels to it. We listened to it on audio and we all just loved it.
That's all for today. That should give you some reading material for a few days.
2 comments:
Well, have I got news for you. Blair lives in my town, not four miles from my house. (And Tootie's parents live just around the corner. And Tootie reads stories to children at Borders every Saturday at 11). Sorry, I got nuthin on Jo and Natalie.
And to answer your question, yes, we plan out our entire year at the beginning of the year, and we stick to that plan, with minor adjustments here and there. However, if we see kids are struggling with certain topics or concepts, we do several types of review/intervention to ensure learning.
And there you have it. But when you're homeschooling you have the luxury of going at your own pace since there aren't 20 students. That's cool.
Agree with the two books I've read too "Year of Living Biblically" and "Creative Correction"
Will check out the others ones. Thanks for the literary insight.
And no I don't plan ahead. Tried that one year and it was a disaster.
My suggestion? Ace Paces! HA! at least for English,Word Building...we are doing one more year of their Math and then switching Becca to TT.
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