Update

Sorry, but I have been way over my head lately. In late August I made the decision to go back to school myself. I did not make this decision lightly, but my husband has requested help and I feel I must do it. I am going for Nursing, which would allow me to work 2 12-hour shifts and still homeschool the kids. I unwisely took 6 online classes, hoping to get through quicker. I don't feel led to put the kids into school, so I am continuing to homeschool. I am not able to do 3 levels of LBC. I also am part of a co-op group where I teach Chemistry. I am in survival mode until December. I most likely will not continue co-op even though my children love it. I just don't feel it is the wisest use of my time. I plan to only take 4 classes next Semester, but 2 are labs that go with the 2 lectures.

I continue to do LBC K with my youngest. I also do LLATL Blue with her 3 times a week and Living Math lessons 2 times a week. We do mainly math play, but she can now count to 20 objects on her own and recognizes numbers 1-12.

My 2nd grader is struggling with reading, so I have had a lot of issues with what to do. We just finished LLATL blue and started Red, but his reading is too choppy. HE has to sound out even short vowel words still. Last week he read The Little Red Hen and did awesome! He also can read the 1st story in Little Bear, but struggles more with the 2nd one and cannot attempt the 3rd one. I have him also working out of Beyond the Code for extra practice. I had been keeping up with FLL, we started in 1st grade. I decided to drop it just to cut back. For math we switched to more CM. I was doing ACSI Grade 3 with him. I just want to experiment with him because he is so "mathy." I know that if CM style math doesn't work he can catch up super quick, as he is already ahead anyways. We are doing Math Lessons2 by Angela O'Dell and also Life of Fred elementary books. He loves LOF! I put aside LBC Grade 2 for the most part. We are doing Poetry, Storytelling, and Geography. We are also reading the read alouds together as a family. I decided to combine the boys for History and Science to help me out. Both boys are studying Astronomy with Apologia.

My 6th grader is doing LLATL Tan and really liking it, I also added Gum Drops. I love Gum Drops for a daily review! 2 times a week he does Write with the Best. For History, we are using Exploring Georgia by Notgrass. I find it very dry, but we are mucking through for now. It is very quick and easy to do. For math he continues with Saxon 7/6, this has been a perfect fit for him. We tried Life of Fred Fractions last year and he hated it. He would rather have the problems and just do them than think about stuff. So far this year, he has read Carry On, Mr. Bowditch and Around the World in 80 Days. Last week he started reading Raiders from the Sea.
For LLATL he is supposed to read The Bronze Bow, but he did not like that book so I am skipping it.

After Halloween we are starting A Living History of Our World, Vol.1. I am really looking forward to this. I added in some reading for my oldest. I also plan to finish Astronomy and do A Nature Walk with Aunt Bessie with all my children. I am looking forward to this too. I started it at the beginning with just my 2nd grader, but decided to wait and use it as a family nature study instead.

Do you keep Reading?

I believe her when Charlotte Mason says that learning should be something kids love. They should love the books we read to them. If they are not interested in a book then set it aside til another time. We have had to set aside a couple books this week. Blake and I were reading Lantern Bearers, but cannot finish it. The book is set in ancient Briton during the time of Roman control, and it contains so many Roman words and things. It is too much for him and frankly I found it boring to read aloud. I love all books, so it was tough to make this call.
I also set aside Peeps yesterday. It is interesting to me, but the language is way too advanced for Ashton to understand. He is enjoying Egyptology and I picked up some picture books on Pharaoh and Ancient Egypt for us to enjoy as well. We loved Bill and Pete go down the Nile.

Don't force books that your children don't like and don't feel bad for setting one down.

Family Read Alouds

We are in love with How's Inky! It is a read aloud listed under the 2nd grade program and Living Books Curriculum. There is a whole series of these books written! If you liked Thornton Burgess books, you will love these even more.

Pictures from Week1

Blake's 1st day of Middle School

Thoughts on Day1 of 2011-2012 School Year

I am loving LBC with Ashton and Brynna, it is the perfect amount of work. Shown here is Science reading and talking about a bean plant. You also see Brynna measuring and doing Math with Queen's Living Math program.