Homeschooling During Covid-19

     Even though we have been homeschooling for 10 years now, things are still different than the way they were in years before.   One things that's different is that we're taking a year off from Co-op.  We thought we should just stay home with all the changes that are going on.  We're sad, but we know that we'll still get the work done! Field trips have been on hold for a bit.  I usually try to do one a month, but things are slowly opening up, so we have to check on wait lists and requirements.

    So, let me point out that I now have a high schooler!!!!!  I have no idea where the time went, but here we are!  I feel like I have some added stress making sure her transcript gets done and we get all her classes in before her senior year.  She already has one credit since she's done Physical Science last year.  

I'll share what she's doing this year.

Bible-  Rooted and Grounded: A guide for Spiritual Growth  (new this year)

History- Mystery of History Volume 4 ( we did half the book last year, so we're finishing it up this year)

Geography- This goes along with our Bible lesson.  We learn about what other countries believe and ways we can pray for them.  We also do a review of  the states and countries that we learned in years before.

Math- Teaching Textbook Algebra and Geometry 

Science- Apologia Biology

Grammar- Fix It Grammar Book 5. (new this year)

Literature- We're reading The Scarlet Letter, The Tell Tale Heart, Peace Like A River, Fahrenheit 451, Of Mice and Men, To Kill A Mockingbird, and The Bronze Bow

Vocabulary- Wordly Wise Book 9.  (new this year)

Logic- we'e going to be going some activities that help us think logically. (new this year)

Health- Apologia Health and Nutrition ( new this year)

We also add things like additional math life helps ( writing a check, balancing a checkbook, savings, etc), cooking and baking and things that are fun, but things we learn from to help to live an independent life.  She can't live with us forever!!!

So lets talk about Super Boy!  He's in 8th grade this year!!!!  I can't believe it's my baby's last year of middle school.  I really wish time would slow down!!!

A lot of his things are the same, but let me share those with you!

Bible- Rooted and Grounded

History- Mystery of History Volume 4

Geography- Goes with our Bible lessons

Math- Teaching Textbooks Pre-Alegrbra

Science- Apologia Physical Science

Grammar- Fix it Grammar Book 3

Literature- Reading the same books

Vocabulary-Wordly Wise Book 8

Logic- same as above

Health- Apologia Anatomy and Physiology ( we did this when the kids were in elementary, but I wanted to do a review)

Coding- he's been doing some online coding. I got him a book from Five Below last year and he's finally using it!!!

    Since Covid-19, our last school year ended a little early because we couldn't take a spring break and our Co-op had to shut down for the remainder of the year, so we had extra days to work on school work.   So, we ended up being done sooner!  

    I started school the beginning of August because we had a full 3 months off and I needed to get back on schedule!!!!  So glad we did!  We have been loving our new curriculum and we're glad to be ahead of where I thought we would be!  The kids are rocking it, even with all the changes that they had to get use to.

    I wanted to share this because if you're looking for a great Bible study, you should check this out!  It talks about other countries and its people group.  It shares a lot on the history there and what to pray for.  I use this part for geography.  It's a great way to check out the areas on the globe in our atlases.  

    The Bible part has a theme every week.  The kids have to memorize a verse each week and they have a lot of reading from the Bible to do and then answers questions to help them grow deeper in their faith. I'm really liking it and the kids have told me over and over again that they love it!  I'm really glad I came across it!!!

    As things begin to start opening up, I'm sure our schedule will start to get busier and busier, so we're enjoying the time we have that is a little slower than what we're use to.

    I look forward to sharing more with you!  Take care and God Bless!!!!

So, That's Where I've Been!

I was sitting at my desk today and I was thinking about how much fun homeschooling was when the kids were younger.  Now don't get me wrong, it's still fun, but let's be honest.  Elementary is where the real fun is at!  Arts and crafts, fun field trips, and playing learning games because our day wasn't full of errands and studying!

I miss those cute little faces and the colorful curriculum!  I can't believe how fast time is going!  Minnie(me) is in 8th grade.  Let that sink in. I will have a high schooler next year!!!!!  SuperBoy is in 7th and quit the little athlete.  Of course, his father and I love that!  They are both are active, which means that mom is hauling them from one place to the next!  They are second-degree black belts and have added jujitsu to the mix.  SuperBoy took a year off of basketball because he did fall ball and the schedules overlapped.  But they are both looking forward to spring ball!  (so am I)

We're still in Co-op and already signed up to come back next year! I am teaching a Rocks and Minerals class to grades 1st- 4th and Teach Lab again for the middle schoolers.  Minnie(me) is taking yearbook, physical science, art, and a study hall.  SuperBoy has art, general science, teach-lab, and a writing class.  They are both thriving and I'm so proud of them.

So, yes this year we had some struggle.  I feel like math is always a pain in my side when it comes to finding something that we like.  Last year we went back to Saxon and decided to use it this year as well.  Welp, here I am frustrated!  I think it's mainly because it takes FOREVER!!!  I feel like half our school day is math.  I'm fine with that, but I've noticed that sometimes what is taught is later brought up, but in a different way than how it was taught in the beginning.  It's confusing and when my kiddos go from A students to C students, I need to step back and figure something out.   I think it's part laziness ( because it's a lot, and I mean A LOT of work) and just confusion.  So, I switched them back to Teaching Textbooks.  I need something that is self-grading and self-teaching.  This is the perfect solution!  We used it before and we're glad we're using it again.  I heard that they have gotten better with the upper grades, so I'm going to see how the rest of the year pans out and then over the summer decide on what we're using next year.

Most of the curriculum is still the same as earlier years because I love it so much!  We're using Mystery of History Volume 4 and I'm stretching it out over the next two years.  We're doing a longer study of some of the wars and topics.  We finished up the American Revolution a few months ago and we're getting ready to do a 3-month study of the Civil War. I have lots planned, including some trips to some of the battlefields.

In Bible, the kids are doing their devotions and then we've been reading through a book called, "Rediscover Jesus."  It's a great read!

They are still using Easy Grammar.  I'm so glad I came across this when I did.  It's been a great addition to our day!

We went on a lot of trips over the summer, which was nice.  We went to Florida for two weeks to see family and friends and then to Tennessee for a family vacation and to Virginia for some R&R.  My husband had a business trip, so we made it a long weekend away.  Then school started and that's why I haven't written here in a very long time!

Playing in the creek in VA.

Second-degree Blackbelts

I'll try my best to keep posting!  We have some trips on the schedule, so those will be fun to share!
Till next time!  Have a blessed day!