School update September 2013

I have finally started writing down and planning a daily agenda for school. With all the supplies I've been accruing, I may be pushing too much, especially since my patience has been worn thin lately. I feel like they've learned the basics pretty well, so I am trying to build on that with kindergarten and 1st grade lessons. Sometimes I feel it's working, and other parts seem to go right over their heads, and then Lucas starts writing letter and number backwards...they get bored easily, and although Olivia is very smart, she is still not mentally or physically (her dexterity) ready to do things I know Lucas is. So I think I will have to start doing school separately for each of them....which right now seems like more work, and I know Olivia won't leave us alone to work.
   
    Here is an example of my daily agenda:

The newest challenge is differentiating between the long and short vowel sounds. It gets difficult to explain when you are trying to get them to memorize phonics and begin to sound out words. English language really doesn't make a lot of sense with all the exceptions to rules, plural/singular inconsistencies, and "silent" (pointless) letters. 

I did find a free online home-school program of lots of fun activities involving Angry Birds, which Lucas loves. Here are some examples:

 They like making these little books. They are still learning left from right...but so is John lol.

 Last week I read a craigslist ad for an event at the Courtyard Marriot in Allen, where we moved from. It's called "just between friends" and is basically a huge consignment sale of new and gently used kids & baby stuff. I didn't feel like going through all the clothes, but I looked through the toys and books and found great deals. This picture includes a few books and craft supplies from the dollar store (great for homeschooling young), a few books unused lesson books and Christian stories from the consignment sale, and a kindergarten lesson book, and math & phonics kit from costco. We do a little of each, every day.

 This was the creation book we made after storytime. The last page we all drew ourselves...fun!

 This was today's craft from storytime, Noah's Ark. I got all these supplies from the dollar store!  They liked it a lot.

I am ready to have Frankie already and be comfortable again. Able to bend over and get out of bed and sit easier. I think this adds to my impatience, so I hope when Frankie comes, things will get better for schooling. I am also hoping writing down my agenda will help give more structure, and I can look back at what we've done etc. I can also leave it for John to do if I am unable. :)