First week of school!

We started our new school year this past Monday and since this week the Not Back to School Blog Hop topic is a day in the life. I thought I would give you a run down of how are school days go and do our weekly wrap up all in one post.

We kicked off our school year on Sunday with Schultuete(school cones), and an About me form I found on Pinterest for each kid.

 

 In the cones were candies, some dollar tree mad libs, bookmarks, a new shirt, a new character cup, a toy, a glow stick, and some other random things. 

Here they are telling everyone what answers they gave to the questions. This year Buster says he wants to be a Cop, Sweetpea said Chef, Buttercup said Dancer/Singer/Artist, and Buddy said a Teacher.

   

 Ok so on to a day in the life or week as it were. This school year I am running 4 Heart of Dakota guides so the easiest way I saw to keep things running smoothly was to plan to have one block of time for me to devote to each kid before lunch and one after lunch. The other kids either play or do independent work while I'm working with one. Here is a run down of a day around here: 

I set my alarm for 7:30 and usually get up a few minutes before that. The kids generally roll out of bed in this order, Buster, Buddy, Sweetpea, and then Buttercup. Sometimes the girls switch places but they are always last. Then we all eat breakfast. Once everyone is dressed and has eaten and I have my coffee ready we start school.

  

For the first block I work with Buttercup on Bible, Math, and Phonics. 

 

 During this time Buster does Bible Quiet Time, Poetry, and Science Exploration.  

 Sweetpea does her Handwriting, Hymn, and Explode the Code. 

 

 Buddy plays or does a workbook.

   

For the second block I work with Sweetpea on Bible Study, Math,Language Arts(Grammar, Spelling, Phonics.) Reading, and Poetry.

   

 While I'm working with her Buster is finishing the other subjects I mentioned and if he finishes before I'm done he moves on to either his Drawn Into the Heart of Reading book(He is reading the Hobbit right now.), or Spelling.

  

Buttercup does Handwriting or Fine Motor Skills, and Buddy plays or watches a short video.

 For the third block I work with Buster on Math, Language Arts(Grammar, Writing, Spelling, Dictation, DITHOR.), and Logic. At this point the other three kids are generally engrossed in play and making a mess creating towns of toys or towers etc. While I'm working with Buster I generally am able to get something going for lunch while making sure he is keeping on task.

Finally for the fourth block I have Buddy do his alphabet or number activity if he has one.

   

After lunch is eaten we go outside for recess. 

   

After Recess we have circle time. During this time we do Spanish, Composer Study, Artists Study, Catechism, Music, Folk Tales, and Geography. We do not do all of these daily. Usually about three things from this list per day.

   

Next I start our afternoon blocks. Buddy goes first and this is when I read to him from his Bible and a picture book, he practices his letter sounds, we do any other Little Hands activities, and listen to his Bible songs.  

 Buttercup comes next. During this time we do Storytime, History, Science, Rhyme, and her other activities/crafts/games.

   

While I'm working with the other kids Buster is doing his History Reading, Independent History, and History Project. Sweetpea is playing with either Buddy or Buttercup.

   

Once I finish with Buttercup I do Storytime, History, Science, and any other activities/projects/notebooking/crafts/vocabulary/geography etc. with Sweetpea. Some of these I can get her started on and leave her to finish while I move on to Buster.

  

For the final block I do Storytime, Geography and Bible Study with Buster.

Last but not least the kids are all required to do one chore before they can begin free time. At this time I clean up our school mess and stock our buckets for the next days work. The buckets are then placed on the floor by the book shelf so the table is clear for dinner. Once this is done I start dinner.

This is how are days go Monday-Thursday. On Friday we do a light morning of school(Spelling test, handwriting, Reading, and Khan Academy for Buster.), and then we have a mini co-op with my sister and sister in-law. We have 10 kids all together. Here is what we did this week.

Sweetpea's Baptism!

Look who got baptized on Sunday the 4th of August! 

My awesome sister in-law captured these photos for me.

Sweetpea was so happy and she even picked out her favorite dress to wear!

2013/2014 Curriculum Plans!

Can you believe that it is already that time of year again?
The summer is flying by and we only have 3 more weeks of summer vacation. I'm joining in for the Not Back To School Blog hop again this August and this week is curriculum week. So here is my annual what we will be using post!
I will start with my youngest and go up. This fall I will have a 5th, 2nd, K, and Preschooler.

Buddy Preschool:

Little Hands to Heaven 1st half

Rod and Staff 3/4 preschool workbooks

Kumon Workbooks

Christian Liberty Press Nature reader K to go along with the letters of the alphabet.

and a bunch of picture books.We do one a day.

Buttercup Kindergarten:

 

Little Hearts For His Glory(Picking up in Unit 6)

Handwriting Without Tears K
Singapore Essentials K A/B

All About Reading 1

Rod And Staff ABC and GHI Series
Kumon Workbooks

Sweetpea 2nd grade:

 

Bigger Hearts For His Glory(picking up in unit 7) This covers History(US History), Science, Poetry, Bible, Grammar, Math, Reading, Geography, Vocabulary, Arts and Crafts, Hymns and more.
Storytime selections.
 

A Reason For Handwriting T the cursive section, and Pentime 2.

Heart of Dakota Emergent Readers and more. You can find the list here she is on Days With Frog and Toad right now.

Rod and Staff English 2 and Spelling 2

ETC end of 4 and 5 She has a few pages left in Phonics Pathways and part of Reading Pathways Singapore Primary math 2a/2b US

Ruth Heller grammar books

 

Buster 5th grade:

 

Hearts For Him Through Time Creation to Christ. This will cover History, Science, Geography, Bible, Poetry(Robert Frost Poems), Water color painting, Grammar, Writing, Dictation, Math, Literature, Crafts/Projects, and more.

 

Rod and Staff English 4 and Spelling 4

Write With the Best

Pentime 4

Singapore Primary Math 5a/5b US

Logic Countdown and Logic Liftoff

Drawn Into the Hearts of Reading 4/5

He will do the literature study with: The Hobbit, The Secret Garden, The Little Prince, Rabbit Hill, and The Saturdays.

He chose the following books just to read: Childhood of Famous Americans George Washington, Johnny Tremain, Moho Wat, and Gentle Ben.
 

For everyone together:

 

Spanish: Getting Started With Spanish continue from last year. Salsa Spanish videos and Instant Replay videos.

Composer study: Haydn, Tchaikovsky, and Handel using Opal Wheeler bios and Music. Carnival of the Animals.

Artist Study: Norman Rockwell, Michelangelo, Picasso and Rembrandt.

Catechism: Second half of Big Truths For Little Kids

Geography using the Holling C Holling books, Paddle to the Sea, Seabird, Trail in the Tree, and Minn of the Mississipi.

Fables/Stories: The Burgess Bird Book For Children(finish reading), The Blue Fairy Book, Indian Fables, and Tales From The Arabian Nights.

Drawing: Draw Write Now and Usborne Playtime books. We use these sometimes for notebooking assignments as well.

 

Music Appreciation: Folk Songs(Wee Sing on Spotify), Christmas Carols, Hymns, and Patriotic Songs(Wee Sing America) I have our year divided up into four segments so in general we will be going over one thing from each of these categories at a time.

With Dad:

 

Apologia Botany(They are part way into this) Apologia Anatomy(second half of school year) Missionary Bios: Gladys Alyward, George Muller, Wilfred Grinfell, Amy Carmichael.

I forgot to add PE to the list.
Buster will continue with Swim Team, Sweetpea is currently in the last level of Swim lessons before team and will continue that in the fall. She will most likely play spring rec soccer. Buttercup will start up swim lessons again in the fall and may do spring rec soccer as well. Buddy will start swim lessons when he turns 4. Other than these things the kids are always getting exercise in other ways. ;)