New Homeschool Additions

I spent much of last weekend planning the rest of our "homeschool year".  The other part was spent organizing my pantry.  Can I just say...it looks a.maz.ing! 

Anyway, this post isn't really about my pantry.  But maybe it should be.  That would probably be more interesting. 


Mowgli and Bud were so excited to get back to homeschooling this week after our Christmas break.  I was repeatedly told, "This is awesome!"  "I love this!"  "Thank you, Mom!"  I must say I love their enthusiasm. 

Today I even heard the words, "Math is so fun!" 

Be still my heart.  

We started two new things this week:
 

1.  All About Spelling: Just Mowgli is doing this for now.  I plan to start it with Bud when he finishes Teach your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons.  Based on what we've done so far, (which isn't much) I think this is going to be a lasting curriculum in our household.  There are seven levels currently.  What I love about it is that the child is learning every sound for every letter.  For example, ch says /ch/, /k/ and /sh/, not just /ch/. 

 

2.  Charlotte Mason Scripture Memorization method:  I intended to start this last fall, but we never did.  We have been memorizing a scripture every month, but we haven't been reviewing previous scriptures.  The Mr. was impressed when I explained it to him and he said he was going to work on all of our verses too.  I type up the verse we are currently working on and hang it on the fridge as well.  That's how Mowgli memorizes most verses, he reads the verse in his head over and over when he's sitting at the counter.  I didn't even know he was doing it until one month he recited a verse we hadn't worked on much and he told me how he reads it repeatedly throughout the day. 

Mowgli informed me that these two new things are his favorite things we do.  I think he likes using the little index card boxes and pulling the cards out.  I also think he enjoys the newness of each.

In 16 weeks (yup, April 26th for us--just in time for baby!), 1st grade will be over for Mowgli and I will prepare to have a 2nd grader and kindergartener.  Actually, I've already started reviewing curricula.  I don't want to spend my summer planning homeschool, or worry about it after our baby is born.  I knew that our first year would be the hardest in figuring out what works, what doesn't, what we like and what we don't.  I'm looking forward to moving into year two with more confidence and less uncertainty about the unknown.

If any of you homeschoolers have curricula that you LOVE, I would LOVE to hear from you.  I am considering Story of the World, Mystery of History (again), Confessions of a Homeschooler RoadTrip USA or Expedition Earth, and Bob Jones University for science to name a few.  I'm also looking for a typing program for Mowgli, grammar and handwriting.

 --Sanz