I keep thinking about planning for next year.  I just can’t make myself do it!  I need a break, I think. 

We have three more weeks of school.  Maybe I’ll be ready to plan in 4 more weeks.

My oldest will be starting Summer School classes in 2 weeks.  She is taking two classes this summer so she will be able to graduate as a Junior next year.  Because I held her back a grade in middle school, she is a year behind.  This was a mistake that I will never make again.  The following year, she bounced back and nearly made up the difference.   However, by that time, she was in high school and it was all about the credits. 

My daughter is graduating in one year!!  I just can’t believe it…..

I hope you all have a great summer, whether you school through it or not!

Enjoy the time you have with your little ones.  It truly goes by much too quickly… 

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?

We aren’t even using t4l, (our accounts are dormant)so what could I possibly have to say?!

I was just thinking today that there may be an impression that “everyone” thinks t4l is so fun to do.

While my kids definitely enjoy t4l, no one but the first grader thinks it is fun. She doesn’t like to quit normally and will do lots of lessons everyday.

It doesn’t make it any less of a wonderful curriculum! There isn’t anything wrong necessarily if a student doesn’t think t4l is fun.

Two of my students have learning issues and they prefer t4l to the reading and writing of a “book type” curriculum, but they certainly don’t love to do their work!  I dont’ think anything would ever be “fun” enough!

I just thought it was an important point~that not all students love t4l. And I don’t consider that a failure! Liking it is good enough for me!!

Well today my T4L went dormant…Three of my students will be returning and I let the other 2 accounts drop.

As I was printing out the records last night and looking at the average scores of their activities, I found myself so grateful that I did t4l, esp. for the neighbor’s grandson. Here was written proof of what he had accomplished.

And for my son with special needs, when I meet w/ professionals about his strengths, weaknesses and school performance, I know what grade level he is doing and what kind of “grades” he makes.

It is such a relief to have these measurements of this school year!

I already miss t4l even though it hasn’t been dormant for 24 hours yet! It is quite a motivation to have everything ready to go for school. No one has to hunt for books or pencils, I don’t have to prepare anything…

Actually, I am glad for the break. I think I will continue to do 3 months of T4L and then breaking for a month to do special things that don’t get done.

Today I had everybody make up some spelling words pertaining to their special projects on spellingcity.com.That is a great little site! Normally I use Sequential Spelling. I started making lists on spelling city w/ those words, too.Now that everyone won’t be on the computer doing t4l, we will have more time for it.

I’d like everyone to brush up on typing. I have a typing program and the kids found a great typing game that looks just like guitar hero!

Also on the agenda is math drill sheets.

I’m probably repeating myself, but t4l really did give me a much needed boost just when I needed it! It’s good to have something to fall back on.

Since we missed some weeks from dh’s broken ankle I am going to continue on for probably one more week. But pretty much, we are finished with the school year!

I am so pleased to end on such a good note. This has been my best year yet!

Sunday after church, I ran into someone I hadn’t seen in a while. One thing she mentioned was that she wished she could homeschool her oldest child because he was having so much trouble at school. She meant to only comment in passing…and went on to list all the reasons she couldn’t and prepared to move on to the next topic.

I kid you not, as corny as this sounds, I got goosebumps as I shared w/ her a wonderful secret. I told her to investigate t4l, that it was the way to go for a new homeschooler(I think she also has a busy schedule). I suggested she should maybe do a month over the summer. She whipped out pen and paper and smiled, saying “What is there to lose, right?” I agreed.

 I love when I have a good suggestion for someone.

I love that T4L is so easy to use! I should have cards w/ the address written down. I have said SO many times ” time, the number four, learning, dot com”!!