School

This is the end of the first week of school.  My boys have done really well and have already pretty much settled into the routine.  O was really excited the first few days, and now is a little weary of it.  But, this is the first time he's actually had 'lessons' at home.  His school lasts about an hour.  In that time we have a reading lesson, math lesson, handwriting lesson, and history/science/social studies depending on the day.  Then he practices his piano for about 5 minutes and we are done.

L covers all that to but his school lasts 3 to 4 hours.  That's the difference between Year 4 and Year 1.

I am trying to do something new to expedite their day.  At breakfast time I read them their bible passage, poem, and review their weekly memorization.  I always finish breakfast before them, so I figure I'd use that time with a captive audience and get a good start on our day.  Then they have 15-30 minutes to do their morning grooming/chores and we go right into lessons for O and desk work for L.  Then, piano, a break, O gets free time and L has a math lesson.  That puts us right at lunch time so I prepare lunch and we eat then after lunch chores.  Them L get's his reading for the day.  He usually has 2 readings a day and then has to dictate what they are about.  O also has to dictate-which I thought would be a trying experience, but he seems to be doing well.  The difference is that I will read a couple of paragraphs and then stop and ask about them.  With L he reads the whole selection.  This way I know that they are absorbing what they've read/heard.

I still need to work in handwork and our composer/artist but I think that will come this week.

For the most part, I really love home schooling the boys.  I feel like they get to have a nice juicy education and stay kids for a little bit longer.