Goals for 2012 School Year

Here are the goals for each of the boys for the school year. It is more a reminder for me to tailor my activities with the boys around learning these specifics.

 The main focus for us this year is helping the children verbally and artistically express how they are feeling. If we can get them responsible for simple chores, have better emotional self control and verbally/artistically express themselves this year will be a success. Everything else is icing on the cake.

Goals for Alexander 2012

Be responsible for Chores
Self Control
Read Simple books
Tell time
Count to 100 or higher
Write the alphabet
Communicate emotions
Write name
Know Phone number
Tie his shoes

Introduce this year:
 money
Simple Math: addition and subtraction

Goals for William 2012

Stop Screaming-Verbal Communication
Self-Control
Chores
Recognize lower case letters
Begin Writing
Alphabet Phonics
Express Emotions through Art
Write Name

Introduce this year:
Counting
Music theory

Mom's Goal for 2012

Establish a good home school schedule and routine.

(This is my first official year of homeschooling. I know there will trial and error, some adjusting and tweaking     We are a month into home school and I'm starting to feel like we have a groove.)

What does our day look like?

We have official "school days" Monday - Thursday but in reality we are always learning something.

-Wake-up milk goats, take care of animals, dress, breakfast.
-After breakfast do dishes and make sure the kids have their room clean, i.e beds made and cloth put away
Home-school starts.
-We aim for 9 a.m. Sometime it a few minutes early or a few minutes late but we've done pretty well sticking to this time.
-I am present for 2 hours for the boys. We work on anything they want within a theme they have chosen to study for the week. Sometimes we veer off in subjects but as long as we are still getting math, reading, science, art or music in I don't mind. I just want the kids to have a love of learning.
-After "school time" the kids can continue to work on projects but I get to get things done around the home. I usually start lunch.
-After lunch the kids free play. I spend learning time with baby and keep working on the house.
-Quiet time starts around 2:30 p.m. I read more books to the boys for about 30 minutes then they do down for naps. Alexander doesn't take naps but he'll read books, color or do something quiet.
-Ideally during quiet time I get a chance to mom- school. I can study anything I want. Lately I have been studying the Old Testament.
-Dinner around 5:30
-Animal outside chores around 6:30
-Family play time. We love games and reading books. Dad shows the kids videos about bugs or subjects of interest.
-Bed by 8 p.m.