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?

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”!!

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.