We started school a little early this year since our newborn is due right after Christmas break. Hopefully, by beginning in August we’ll have a bit of a head start.
Here’s Joseph:
Catherine:
Benjamin:
Thing One and Thing Two!
Our day went *almost* like I had carefully planned….
We started at 9:15 instead of 9 o’clock sharp. Everyone’s bed was made except Benjamin’s (being just 4 he needs my help and I plum forgot). Most of the breakfast dishes got washed before school began (the rest I tended to after lunch).
Joseph, Catherine and Benjamin sat down at the school table eager to open their new books and start learning. Everything except for Spelling and Religion was done by lunchtime. We finished those up in the afternoon. The “Principle” (my husband) gave us a call to see how things were going and got a glowing report.
And I was MORE than impressed with our new software program, Homeschool Tracker Plus. Last week, I entered in the lessons plans for the entire year. It’s ALL done. Then it took me 60 seconds to print off the children’s assignments for the first week. This is what they look like:
Joseph and Catherine must check off each assignment as it’s completed. At the end of the week, if everything is done, they get to pull a treat out of a grab bag (it’s full of candy and tiny toys like bouncy balls and plastic bugs). It didn’t escape my notice today that they were VERY motivated to complete all their work. This is a big difference from last year, when I told them what they were supposed to do based on my handwritten plans, and then had to keep reminding them. Now they have their own lists and it’s up to them!
I am so thankful to have found this great software program and indebted to my homeschooling neighbor who shared it with me, gave me a demo at her home and even answered my nosy questions last week via Facebook!
Have you started school yet? If so, how are things going?
May recommend this to Elizabeth for next year. Do you use the online version or the download version? I generally prefer online, but was wondering if there’s any functional difference. The site just lists that the PC version doesn’t require internet connection.
Daniel, I think the main difference besides one being online and one being downloadable is you pay for Homeschool Tracker Plus one time and it’s yours. With the online version, I believe you have to pay for the subscription which must be renewed at some point.
Thing 1 and Thing 2 seem to be enjoying “school” the most! I don’t have much to do in the way of lesson plans since we use Time4Learning and they do it for me. I do supplement though, and I plan those lessons on a spreadsheet at Google Docs.
Best wishes this year.
Joyfully,
Jackie
My Attempt at Blogging
Quaint Scribbles and 3 D Learners
Hi Jackie, yes it’s the young ones that have all the fun! That’s a great idea to use Google Docs for planning.
All the best
Anne
It’s great to see that there are so many resources for homeschoolers. I am planning on homeschooling our daughter for a while, and have no clue where to start (even though she is just two). I am sure your blog will help a ton when it comes time to get things together for her starting school.
Best of luck as you start out, Jennifer! Just use the “Contact Me” link above if you want to chat. ~Anne
I’m glad to see homeschooling is going so well. Being flexible is such an important skill to learn as well. I thnk it is also good your kids are becoming self motivating 🙂 There are a lot of great resources out there for people who want to start.
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