I’m supposed to be setting up my curriculum for next school year, within the next few weeks. Since Tim will be official, I’m going to use my church as an umbrella, at least for the first year. They require me to turn in a lesson plan, I believe for a year, just a basic idea of what I’m going to teach.

I sat down to start this yesterday, not too concerned about it. I did this all on my own last year and had no clue what I was doing, but it worked, and it worked well! So, no worries, right?! I couldn’t figure out where to start! I clammed up, just like I did last year! He’s already doing 1st grade for language arts and math, so I’m having a hard time figuring out where to start, based on the skills they want him to be learning. He HATES repetition, so I don’t really want to start at the beginning of 1st grade. I’m really confused, and I hate that! I like knowing exactly what I’m going to be doing, it just makes everything run together more smoothly.

So, I’m going to pick a couple of online curriculums, T4L being one, and look at what is there in terms of grade level, then use that as a jumping point to write the rest. I don’t know any other way to do this and have it somewhat organized! I know I’m not the only one here that writes my own curriculum, so how do the rest of you figure out where to start for a new year?

I haven’t posted anything for awhile! We’ve been doing a lot of hands-on activities and little field trips here and there, so I haven’t been on the computer too much. It was really nice, because Tim hadn’t been on T4L for about two weeks, and we hadn’t really done a lot of ’school’ work, which includes reading. He went on today, and one of the sections he did on language arts was where he had to read a story. I wasn’t sure if he’d be able to, usually is memory doesn’t hold anything unless we hammer it EVERY day. But he was able to read along and only needed a little help! It feels so good to see his accomplishments, the little ways in which he’s progressed, and see him really enjoy learning!

I honestly could not ever see sending him to school, and missing out on all of this! I’m very selfish in that area, I want to watch every step of his development and have a part in his reaching his milestones. It would really be depressing for me for him to bring something home that he did, and know that someone else taught him to do it and not me! The day will come soon enough where he will go out into the world and I won’t be as big a part of his life, but I’m not going to allow that to come any sooner by sending him to school now. Somedays, it is VERY tempting, but when I wake up the next morning I’m ready to do it all over again.

I just realized today that it’s been quite awhile since any of the activities have frozen up on us, warranting going back through them. Has anyone else noticed this? I’m wondering if whatever was causing it, has been fixed.  Oh! I came up with an idea for using the social studies that is too advanced for Tim! I couldn’t stand the idea of just using T4L for the language arts and math, it seemed like such a waste of what is offered. So, I go on the social studies, read it myself, and make a lesson on it breaking it down where he can understand it. Then, it gives me a point of reference to look up other sites that gears it down a little more to his level.

What do you all do when a child has gone beyond what T4L has for their level? Tim is almost done with 2nd grade science, and he finished 2nd grade social studies a few months ago. Third grade social studies was just out of league, it wasn’t interactive enough to hold his attention, and I’m pretty sure science would probably be the same way. The LA extensions aren’t really helpful, either. They need a science extensions!
The LA extensions is good for the first section of it, but after that it loses his attention too much. We use other sites as well, so I’m not worried about his not getting the material he needs, but after today he’s only going to be on T4L for language arts and math. Now, Josh is just getting started with T4L, so I’ll still be using it for him. But, only the math and language arts, again, because the science is too hard for a preschooler.

Or Native Americans, whichever you prefer, is what we’ll be learning about this month. My mom was part Cherokee, so I’m going to tie it in with our roots just like I did with Irish and Italian heritage. Each month we’re picking something to focus on, I think I said this already! I post on so many things I can’t ever remember where I said what! But, I’m so excited! This Saturday we’re going to a powwow!! I’m reading a chapter book to him, a small chapter book in a series called Three Cousins Detectives  Club, called The Mystery of the Eagle Feather. It’s about a boy who makes friends with a child who lives on a reservation, and he learns all about their culture, while at the same time trying to solve a mystery with his cousins. It sparked Tim’s curiosity, and he wanted to go to a powwow. I got online, and there just happened to be one near us on Saturday, so we’re going! I’ve always wanted to go to one! I’ll take pictures and post them on here if they turn out.

Short post today, I have a lot to get done!

I’m looking for some ideas, maybe some good sites that are free, for this summer to just review what we’ve learned, so he doesn’t forget, but also have fun. He LOVES animals, so anything animal centered would be great.

I plan on doing a lot of baking with them since they both love to do that. I’m also wanting to do some simple experiments once a week, because Tim really loves science. We’re doing monthly studies on different cultures, and I think next month will be Native Americans, we’re just finishing up Italy.

If you haven’t tried it, we just adore youtube.com for videos that coincide with what we’re learning about. When we were learning about the Chinese New Year we watched their celebrations on there and were both mesmerized! I’m hoping to find some Native American dances on there, that would be great!