Report Card

I haven't talked much of how our home school year has been going, so I thought I would give a little report card of sorts. Let me just start by saying.....Wow, what a difference a year makes! This time last year I wanted to quit home schooling. Pathetic, I know. I was only in Isaac's kindergarten year but boy oh boy did we have a tough year. I am very thankful that most of those issues are behind us or rather we have learned healthier ways of dealing with our issues!

We have been using My Father's World First Grade curriculum. This is my first year to use MFW and so far I love it and plan to continue with it next year. I like that the majority of it I can do with both Isaac and Julia. They split out to do their own math, reading, and writing.


Isaac's Report Card:

Reading - Isaac has been working on some reading through the MFW curriculum and also through Explode the Code. He just completed ETC book 3 and is ready to start book 4 soon. I opted to skip book 3 1/2 because I just don't feel he needs the extra review. Isaac is also reading his first chapter book, Hank the Cowdog and the Garbage Monster from Outer Space. My goal for him this year is for him to complete a chapter book. He is well on his way to doing that. Just the past few weeks Isaac has started reading for enjoyment outside of school. I have encouraged him to do this for so long but it is just one of those things that a person has to choose for themselves and he finally did. He is reading everything. In fact, he is sitting on the couch in front of the fire right now reading just because he wants to. I LOVE IT!!!

Math - We have been using Singapore Math this year and so far it is working for us. Last year we used Math U See and though I didn't have issues with it, Isaac did for some reason. He has responded to Singapore very well and seems to like math again which is a great improvement from the end of our school year last year when he told me he hated math. I like the way Singapore teaches the concepts and gives just enough practice without it seeming overwhelming.

Writing/Spelling - We don't have a formal curriculum for either of these at this time. However, he gets some spelling practice through MFW and ETC. Isaac also does a journal which has been a great way to correct spelling and introduce different Language Arts concepts not to mention it is a creative outlet for him.

History/Bible - MFW does a great job with the Bible curriculum. Everything relates to that day's Bible story. We have been reading through the Genesis and Exodus. The kids have also been learning a different verse from Proverbs each week.

Science - MFW has science lessons and activities planned, but it is not very beefy. That is my one issue with MFW. Not a big deal though. I plan to add in Apologia science later.


Julia's Report Card:

Reading - I know I am biased because I am Julia's mom, but I am so proud of her. Julia just LOVES school and often asks for more to do. She is reading so well. I started her last year on Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. She is now on Lesson 68. She too has started picking up books on her own and trying to read them. She doesn't get as frustrated when she doesn't know a word but will stick with it until she figures it out. I am impressed with how fast she has picked up reading. She requires no instruction from me when working on her ETC book. She just finished book 1 and I will go ahead and move her to book 2 soon.


Math - If you asked Julia what her favorite subject is, she would say math. I have used the Singapore Kindergarten Math book with her and once again she is flying through it. She will definitely be working on a first grade level next year.

Handwriting - Julia is finishing her 1st grade level handwriting book as I type this. She still get some letters backwards but fine motor skills have always been her strength. She taught herself to write when she was 3. She still has room for improvement but I think we will skip any other Handwriting without Tears books until they are both ready to learn cursive.

Journal - Up until recently Julia has enjoyed drawing pictures in her journal and then dictating to me what her story is. She has now started trying write words herself. I love this stage. To see how they try to put a word together is hilarious. This was her journal entry from yesterday....

"if a tIgr stod dsia in a fooist I wod laf an laf an Babe wud laf an laf an laf"
Translation - If a tiger started dancing in a forest I would laugh and laugh and Baby would laugh and laugh and laugh.

Everything else - Julia participates in all the same science, Bible, history, art, and music as Isaac does. She loves every minute of it!!

I am praying that the second half of our school year goes as well as our first half has. It is not always easy, but I do feel blessed to be able to home school my children.

 Making a motor

 

We made our own snow! (Insta snow)