Here in New York school starts right after Labor Day. We usually start our official homeschooling year the following week. Today our books arrived and what a heavy box it was! We use Covenant Home Curriculum which is a Christian, classical method of education. We’ve been using it since my daughter was doing Pre-K and she is now starting third grade. This year my son is starting Kindergarten. I love this curriculum. As a former public school teacher I like the structure of it. It is very organized and comes with a scheduling guide, tests, and grading masters. They even offer grade auditing.
I was planning on including photos of all the books, but there are just way too many!
I need to work on tweaking our schedule. I still have a few weeks to work on that. I use the scheduling system from “Managers of Their Homes” by Steve and Teri Maxwell. You fill in each time frame for each person in the house with what they will be doing during that time. Everyone knows what they should be doing by looking at the schedule. I also plan on revamping our chores. The Maxwells also have a very helpful book called “Managers of Their Chores”. You can use the ideas in the book to suit your family. For us, the kids have various chores that they do three times a day; morning, after lunch and before bed. It includes things like dressing, brushing teeth, bible reading, setting the table, etc.
I have to say I am excited for the fall. There are still a few weeks left of summer and although I plan on enjoying them and getting some more swimming in, there is just something about fall. It is my favorite season. I love the crispness in the air, the leaves changing colors, apple picking, baking, drinking hot tea (and not sweating), wearing jeans, sweaters and boots after a long summer of shorts, t-shirts and flip flops and drives out on the North Fork of Long Island. What are you looking forward to this fall?
Hooraay! I'm so glad you are getting organized! I have enjoyed Managers of Their Homes for a while now. Last year we attempted Managers of Their Chores with some success. I wasn't too consistent with making sure they put their clip-on pockets back in the basket we had for them and as a result we lost a couple of them!
ReplyDeleteI hope you are more consistent with it! We might try again this year. It was good for our ADD son (except he kept losing it!)
Have a great night Theresa!
it sounds like you all have a great system going on there. that's awesome that you have a background as a teacher...i'm sure your kids love it too!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a great curriculum!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to cooler weather, and taking my little ones out to our local corn maze/pumpkin patch! :)
I'm so excited for you!! I always LOVE getting our books!
ReplyDeleteAnd about Managers of Their Chores... I have looked into it a little... I'd love to hear if you think the book, etc. is worth the money. How do you work in having chores at 3 different times throughout the day? I've taken pictures of all the chores our kids do & now I'm trying to figure out how to organize it all. Does my question even make sense?? Sorry, I'm rambling. I must be getting tired. :)
Jessica
Sounds like a great curriculum. I have to think about a curriculum for next year. Thanks for this info!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have a GREAT homeschool system! I love the fall, too... everything you mentioned and the pumpkins... I just love the sights of pumpkins all around! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy iFellowship Day! ♥ Michelle
I am visiting from iFellowship today. Looks like you are having lots of fun getting ready for your new school year. I love the chore planners that you using. I am not homeschooling but think I will check them out to see if they will work for our family's needs. Thanks for the idea!
ReplyDeleteI've heard wonderful things about MOTH, but I've never used it.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to fall, as well--mostly for the cooler weather!
Stopping by from iFellowship. Have a blessed day! :)
Oh so familiar with the Maxwells...read some of their books and worked at a home school book store off and on through the years.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you have it ready....enjoy!!!
I love the start of any time of year, school, new year, birthdays and Sundays!!!
Blessings on your year!!! Pre-K and 9th grade in this household!
I love the MOTH book. I don't implement it 100%, but I love the way that it makes me look at my day and be accountable.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to look at this curriculum. I'm still praying about our year -- and there's only weeks until it starts.
God's blessing to you!
Rachel
Box day is sooo exciting! When our boxes come- we pile around and look at everything...
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Isn't it neat how we all homeschool differently? It's wonderful to have A.)options and B.)ability to choose the best for our own children! :)
Yay!
Visiting from iFellowship, my first week!
ReplyDeleteI am reading about all these hs families and I am a bit envious. We hs for 8 years, and they went back to school the last few years. Now they are all graduated!
Seeing the MOTH book brought back memories! Works well, loved the Maxwells, met them in person. Good luck on your school year!
http://bernicewood.wordpress.com/2010/08/18/wait-stop-doing-that/
How exciting!!! I looks like you're going to have a fantastic year!!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear about your fun learning adventures!
Happy iFellowship Day!
Theresa, I can't wait to start our new school year. It's always such an exciting time for me. Thanks for sharing about your homeschool curriculum, etc.
ReplyDeleteWe're just starting a little homeschooling here this year. Those are great resources! Thanks! I LOVE fall but unfortunately don't get to experience fall as I remember it when we lived in WI...south Texas doesn't really have fall and that's a major let down! Enjoy fall for me okay?!
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