A Fly On My Homeschool Wall

Little Princess did a water color painting project about color value. It has been a challenging first two weeks of school. I've felt it. The kids have felt it, and those who are capable have voiced their opinions about the challenges. We're doing our best, and I'm trusting that we'll find our way . . . Monday A pretty good day for a Monday.  We did almost all of the things on my homeschool to-do list, including attending a joint therapy session with Ladybug and reading aloud to the teens. We finished our first themed study of trees by examining tree shapes and drawing a triangle-shaped tree instead of a tree with a straight trunk and a fluffy top.  Our plan was to go on a nature walk looking for tree shapes, but it was storming violently, so we contented ourselves with studying a state tree book. We also colored pictures of Bur Oak trees. I did forget to do recitation with Mister Man and Ladybug. Mister Man understands his planner better t...

This first week of school was hard. School was fine . . . we need a few tweaks here and there, but it was mostly okay. It was real life that demanded our attention in shocking ways, usurping our strength and leaving us in grief and confusion. Photo from 2018--when Pepper, Nature Angel's birthday present and new best friend, was new to the family. Pepper the bunny died on Monday afternoon.  She was not quite 2 years old, so we were completely unprepared for her death.  Nature Angel's grief has been as dreadful as grief can be for a loving 12-year-old girl.  I did not cancel her schoolwork, even though I know that grieving is more important than math facts, because it gave her focus and a way to get through the long pale days.  For several nights she broke down in wracking sobs, and I held her until she fell asleep in my arms. I've chronicled the rest of that story on my family blog. Sir Walter Scott is sick. It's probably just a cold, but I'm sayin...

Sir Walter Scott and I celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary this week. Because we were able to get away last month, we kept our evening simple.  A call from Pixie within 10 minutes of our leaving the house because Ladybug was on a rampage caused us to turn around and head back home, but Pixie and the other teens insisted on our staying out.  The call wasn't to get us home, it was to ask for advice for how to deal with her. And then they dealt with her. (Though Pixie and Superstar sustained several bumps and bruises along the way--Ladybug is fierce!) By the time our entrees were served at the restaurant, Pixie had sent us a text saying all was well again. There are times I want to tear my hair out with frustration over my teens, but I have to say that I am so impressed with them when it really matters! Choreography and organization ruled the week.  I have now cut music for 6 songs, and I've got 5 of them choreographed for my little Stars (3-6 yrs) and Stri...

I took Nature Angel and Little Princess shopping for fun this afternoon (theirs, not mine . . . but I love them, so I did it). On our way home we passed a park. The people at the park looked familiar. The people were Sir Walter Scott and our youngest 6! We pulled our van up to the curb and called our hellos. Excited screams and lots of handwaving ensued. Sir Walter Scott smiled ruefully and said, "We just got here." "That's great!  We're headed home to make dinner.  See you in a while!" I replied. As I pulled away I thought of what he'd done. This tired daddy piled 6 kids ages 4-8 into the car after hooking up our bike rack and figuring out how to load it with 5 bikes and a trike. Then he took them to the park, unloaded them all, buckled helmets onto all of their heads, and is currently standing guard over them as they ride wildly around and around the paved path. (I am free to write about this because dinner is pancakes, and I'...

Pixie's leaving for college, and Nature Angel's growing well beyond elementary school. The mental/academic/emotional gap between Little Princess and Ladybug is growing larger, too. So, our homeschool needed some changes . . . while some things are still the same. Group #1:  Morning Meeting:  Everyone possible We have Morning Meeting 6 days a week in all weather, in all seasons, no matter who is home or not.  We're keeping the start time of 8 am--during breakfast--because it's the time when the most family members are the most likely to be available.  I'd like to start breakfast earlier, but this compromise time gives the teens time to get home from seminary (at least 4 days a week) and gets the rest of us started on our day at a reasonable hour. During Morning Meeting we: 1.  Recite the Come, Follow Me theme of the week. 2.  Recite the primary scripture of the month --this is chosen by our primary president and recited by the children during ...

The quiet end of a long summer day Last week's trip definitely marked the dividing line between "There's no way we can start school," and, "It's time to get going because we're ready!" I'm looking at the 19th as our start date for the 2019-20 school year . . . as long as the last few school items have been delivered. I focused mostly on curriculum decisions and scheduling. Lots of long hours in front of the computer with a few open spreadsheets and a whole bunch of bookmarked curriculum websites. But there were other preparatory activities as well. One was yet another psych visit for Ladybug.  Her new psychiatrist told me that I am "torturing her." Then she said, "I'm sure you're doing your best, but it's just not enough.  You need to consider other options." After I picked myself up off the floor (figuratively), I said to her, "I think you need to remove the word 'torture' from your v...