The Little Miss – Kindergarten Champion

She did it, folks. She survived both her kindergarten year and her first year of homeschooling under Teacher Mama

…and learned a whole darn lot in the process.

And I did it, folks. I survived the first (often difficult, definitely entertaining) year teaching homeschool. Admittedly, I feel a lot like this right now…

But I’m so glad and thankful for the educational path that we have chosen. God is so much wiser than I am (shocker), and He knew this was the right way for us to go…both for the Little Miss, and for our family.

And with God’s help (and a whole lotta wine and ice cream), WE MADE IT TO SUMMER BREAK!!!

So here’s a look back at our last 5 months of school.

HOME SCHOOLING

Reading & Literature

What better place to read great literature than outside, with a cup of hot cocoa in hand?

Writing

First book by the Little Authoress.

Part biblical critique, part cookbook…the possibilities are endless!

Arts & Crafts

Lunchtime

in our very own Outdoor Cafeteria

GIRL SCOUTS

In a troop full of Girl Scout-Homeschool-Superstars it’s hard not to feel confident!

SCIENCE:

Earning her Butterfly Badge…Little Bros in tow.

They’re good company.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Gymnastics Class

For a girl who loves to wiggle (and TALK!), I can’t imagine a better class or instructor. Coach Andrew is one of our faves!

Spring Soccer

What with buying a new home and putting our current home on the market this spring, we only made it to one game. Sigh. But the Lil Miss still had a blast practicing with her team! She dreams of being a world class Goalie. Mostly, I think, because it affords her the most opportunities to sing and twirl.

Put on your game face!

CLASSICAL CONVERSATIONS CO-OP

We hit the gold mine when we joined the South Durham CC community. It’s a group chock-full of families who love Jesus, who are devoted to their kids, and who want to care and support each other as we travel this crazy (exhausting) homeschool journey together. We are so thankful for all of the friends and adventures we have enjoyed (and will continue to enjoy) with this group!

SCIENCE:
Building a structure for the egg drop

The Lil Miss and her Engineering Partner (Severus)

Success! The egg survived!

SCIENCE:
CC Field trip to the NC Zoo

(a.k.a. How Much can a Mama Sweat in One Day?)

ART & WORLD HISTORY:
CC Field trip to the NC Art Museum

This place is A-MA-ZING.

The volunteer guide kept her cadre of Little Pupils captivated the ENTIRE visit. She was so engaging and attentive. It’s awesome to watch kids’ interest soar when they are shepherded by a passionate teacher!

It was the same for me back in the day when I was taught by Mr. Bob Engberg. Great teachers are such treasures!

HISTORY:
CC Field trip to Stagville Plantation

Using archaeological clues to learn about the lives and struggles of the slaves who once occupied the largest plantation in all of North Carolina

The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.

Rarely do we find men who willingly engage in hard, solid thinking. There is an almost universal quest for easy answers and half-baked solutions. Nothing pains some people more than having to think.

I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits.

– Quotes from Martin Luther King Jr.

Homeschool Chronicles ~ Fall 2016

Well here we are, 4 1/2 months into this whole crazy homeschooling business and we’re kickin’ it like ROCKSTARS.

….Or more like working our tails off and barely keeping our heads above water (the Hubs and me, at least).

But the Little Miss is LEARNING with a smile on her face and a twinkle her eye (most of the time). And her Lil Bros are gleaning a bunch as well and haven’t totally destroyed the house (and my sanity)…yet.

So I call that a win(ish)!

Here’s the latest…

Literature & Art
(plus some Geography and Math shapes for good measure)

Just an example, from the story of Little Babaji

(and the Lil Mister’s contribution)

Service and Volunteerism

The Little Miss served with me for 6 months as World Relief Friendship Partners for a Congolese family.

Home Economics

She actually asks to do this!

WINNING!

Science & History

I. Eno River Schoolhouse of Wonder with our CC Co-Op

This was such a great field trip. We learned about the lives of early settlers, how to (safely) start a fire, how to set a trap, how to make butter, how to differentiate animal skull bones, searched for bugs, went on hikes, and had an all-around fun time!

And the Littles were so tired that they actually napped afterwards.

VICTORY!

II. Zoo Class with our CC Co-Op

Rhinos and elephants and chimps and lions and polar bears and seal lions and sooooooooo much more. It was awesome getting to be at the zoo on a weekday when we pretty much had the place to ourselves!

In other words, the Littles could run around as wild and curious as they liked and I didn’t care (or freak myself out envisioning losing one of them in a mass of humanity).

HOO-RAH!

III. Duke Gardens Nature Study and Storytime

The Volunteers here have fallen in love with our exuberant and inquisitive Little Miss and dote on her whenever we are there.

Meaning that for a few sweet minutes I get to kick back and relax (and try to not stress about IF and HOW and WHEN I’m doing enough to shepherd my Young Pupil).

YEE-HAW!

IV. Life & Science Museum

We basically live there. In the mud.

V. Taking Teddy (the Dog) for a Check-Up

With a Very Verbose Vet who was quite generous with his time and (clearly) loves to teach.

And All of the Above and so much MORE

with Girl Scouts!

So there you have it…

We did a lot.

She learned a bit.

We’re all still alive.

CONQUERORS!!!

Homeschool Chronicles ~ Sept 2016

I’d like to call this

The Life and Chronicles of a Remarkably Flawed and Imperfect Homeschooling Family
(post 1…of many to come)

It’s not an easy path, but good golly is it filled with BEAUTY.

And sweet FAMILY TIME.

Math class: Teach a kid to count and she’ll…well…teach another kid to count. (Time for Mama’s coffee break!)

(FULL DISCLOSURE: It also includes plenty of not-so-sweet family time because, well, that’s just life. Particularly when your family includes some very spirited and opinionated children.)