School at our house......

 

School at our house does not always"Look" like school. Sometimes it looks like C.H.A.O.S. ( Can't Have Anybody Over Syndrome).   Learning can be messy.  If you were to walk into my house right now.  You would see kids building forts, cooking breakfast, a pile of fabric left on the floor from making costumes for cub scouts, waiting to be used in our next sewing project, scattered blocks, projects laying around to be finished, "jars of fluid of various kids the kids claim is their "Science Project, messy book shelves, cluttered computer desk, jars of just bottled food waiting to go downstairs, jars waiting to have food put in them,  and various lists of things we want to learn and do.
Learning is something that just happens.  It never rests.  Kids do not even realize that play is learning they just LOVE having fun.  I love to hear  them playing, singing, playing the piano, playing school, house, circus, camping....... Their imaginations are limitless.
We do have blocks of time I call Mommy School.  Where I get to teach them things I love to do like , canning, Sketch in my Nature book, write in my scripture journal, memorize hymns, quotes and scriptures, I can teach the math I have learned or how to play a game I enjoy.  Sometimes I teach science of cooking or exploding things.  I love to teach about the world God made,  show them new places they never been through discovery, Currently I am preparing their passports to take them to Antarctica, I am taking them to see penguins, build an igloo, find out why animals need camouflage and learn about Penguin Families.  We are going to begin Reading Mr. Poppers Penguins on Monday and prepare for our adventure.
   I am excited to teach teach them about the Family Proclamation, help them memorize it, Notebook through it.  
    This week I want to brainstorm a BIG list with my kids and that is what we will study for the week.  Each week we will create a list and work through it together.
   I will sit with my older kids and help them map out their school by the week/ month too.  They will be doing a huge part of their school by the classes they are taking in our community.
 Maelyn t is taking an advanced scholar class from a friend of ours called " Preparing to Join the Great Debate"  this class will be a two year class and prep for college.  Their first activity will be to go Camping.  She is also taking a class with Math and Science through the classics. She is going to student teach a Shakespeare class, take an ACT prep class, Take a math class, Drivers Ed, and Seminary.  I think she will be Super busy.
Joshua and Emily are taking a class on the American Founding Era.  They will be learning Freedom Principles and how to grow as a scholar in time management, writing, presentations, speeches, and book discussion.  I am teaching this class.
They are also taking a Shakespeare class and will be studying the Merchant of Venice this semester.  Next Semester they will get to perform a play.
Josh is going to work on his education merit badges for school and join a local science club.  He wants me to help him work on a at home Scripture study with him as well.
Emily is wanting to learn about horses so we will find her someone to work with and teach her all about horses.  She wants to study about health some with me and work and overcoming Asthma, and wants to take over some of the cooking.  
Some of the other things we are involved with are a history club: we are working through Story of the World 3 this year and we have  co op that we will get together with to do the activities with.  
We are also doing a kids book club group.   I really want this to be a great year and I am super excited for it.  I love learning and I love teaching.  This year will be a great Adventure.