The Works

Ya'll are going to think I'm lying. I promise I'm keeping it real, and I would share, and WILL share, when Ansley is screaming that she hates school and rips up her school work in tiny pieces and throws them from the deck. But, so far, that is far from happening. Ansley is LOVING school, which definitely makes me happy AND makes it easier to teach her!

This was our first official week, where we are incorporating everything: phonics, handwriting, science, math, art, reading. We kicked off the week on Tuesday (since John was off on Monday - the beauty of making our own schedule!).

A month or so ago I got a fancy scmancy catalog in the mail, and it had a Schultuete in it. A what, you say? That's what I said, too. A Schultuete is a German school tradition, where kids bring these pretty cones filled with fun stuff to school, and trade them with other kids. This particular Schultuete (which is eerily similar to my maiden name, Shultz. Hey, does my maiden name mean German cone??) was like $80, which was a bit extravagant for something I couldn't even pronounce, I thought, so I made my own. Sure, it's not as fancy as theirs, and if I were in Germany, people would probably laugh at me. (But I'd get the last laugh because I saved $75!) But the only people to see it were me and Ans, so there was no laughing. Only excitement. I'm showing it here for memories sake, so please, contain your laughter.Schultuetes are hard to make! Ansley thought this was a great first day of school tradition. Her cone (I get tired of typing that long German word) was filled with pencils, Hello Kitty scissors, cute erasers, crayons, and a few other little trinkets.

We also had First Day of School Brownies. A BIG hit. Ansley loved them too. They are chalkboard brownies, with the little chalk below them, but the icing was a bit runny, as you can see. So it's more like the-student-in-the-back-of-the-class-who-can't-see-the-board-very-well brownies, but they did taste yummy, which should count for something.

I've been a little nervous about introducing math, mostly because, well, I hate math. (See, I'm keeping it real.) I've always hated math. Well, not always. I came across a little form I had filled out when I was in 4th grade, and for my favorite subject, I wrote math. I can't recall this - perhaps someone had a gun to my head and I've blocked this memory? - but something very drastic happened from 4th grade to middle school, because by middle school my contempt for math was very real. And it remains to this day. But I have to say, I'm feeling pretty good about Kindergarten math, and I'm actually learning as I go, too! No, sadly, I'm not kidding. The curriculum we are using is GREAT - and it actually teaches math in a very different way than I learned, and probably most of you learned as well. The goal of this math curriculum is to produce students who LOVE math (do they exist?) and who know the WHY of math, not just the memorization of it. Which is exactly what I lack. So, I am excited about this program! And Ansley loves the manipulatives (little cubes that help her make math more real and exciting). And, perhaps, will manipulate her into thinking she loves math. (Oh, I kid!).

This week we are focusing on the letter S, and also learning about the sun. We have practiced letters on a cute little chalkboard that Ansley really enjoys, had blindfolded trips around the house to show what life would be like without the sun, checked our shadows at different times of day, have grapes outside in the sun waiting to become raisins, painted a sun, made a sundial, talked about how Jesus is the light of the world, and learned about day and night. We found some great library books about the sun (such as Hurry Granny Annie, Sun Up, Sun Down, Like Butter on Pancakes) that Ansley is wanting to read over and over. She is also keeping an art journal to illustrate the different science experiments we do throughout the year. Here is her first page.

We also played a letter memory game (which Ansley won!). She was quite proud of this fact. The object, of course, is to have the most matches, but every time you turn two cards over you have to say the names of the letters and the sound they make (for now we're only using half the alphabet).

So, there it is. Another week of school (almost) over. It is very exciting to see Ansley catch on to things, to hear her tell Daddy everything she has learned when he gets home, and to be excited about learning. I think this will be a fabulous school year!

But when Ansley starts ripping up her school work, you'll be the first to know.

Comments

[Ashley Lee]

What wonderful news, Megan. I am so pleased to hear that you and Ansley are continuing to enjoy homeschooling. You'll be amazed at how much you will learn as you're teaching. It's fascinating and rewarding to teach and be a learner, too. You are making some wonderful traditions it sounds like with the Schultuete and brownies.

[Stephanie]

which curriculum are you using?

(i am a friend of ashley jansen and check out your blog from time to time. my oldest daughter and your daughter are the same age.)

MEGAN RESPONDS: Hi, Stephanie! Thanks for the comment - it's always fun to learn of new people stopping by. We are using My Father's World (phonics, science), Handwriting Without Tears and A Reason For Handwriting (for handwriting, of course :)), Math U See (math), Leading Little Ones to God (Bible) and lots and lots of library books! :)

[MiMi]

Sure does look like fun!! School should be fun and I think Ansley will enjoy it all. I'm looking forward to a MiMi's lesson. Give me a topic so I can start working on it. Yeah for school!!!

[kristen]

I admire your homeschooling skills! So fun!

I thought I'd mention that as a teacher probably the #1 thing I ever heard in conferences was some variation of 'I hate math'. This was from parents, not students. So it's a very common thing, but I'm here to tell you that I LOVE MATH! (And I'm a girl! And I'm proud of it!)

Keep up the good work--it's fun hearing about all you're doing.

MEGAN RESPONDS: WOW! A mathlover! So you DO exist! ;) So one official mathlover on the chart. Maybe we will chart the mathlovers vs non-mathlovers for our next lesson. :) (Only kidding). Thanks for the comment - I'd be proud of it too! I am praying that Ansley will be a math lover - and encouragement! ;)

[Stephanie]

i should have mentioned we have a blog too. so you can see just who was visiting your blog :)
www.thejohnstonfamily.wordpress.com

thanks for the info on the curriculum. i will look that up! my daughter is in kindergarten this year. we want to try public school for a year and see how it goes. so far it's not bad, but we're still not sold on the public school experience. i enjoy seeing your success and creativity with homeschooling. keep up the great work!

[Candace]

I'm so glad ya'll are having FUN with homeschooling! My girls LOVE school too! I always feel so badly when I see and hear people talking about how their kids hate school...but I really haven't experienced that yet. Yes, sometimes they give me a fight about something specific when they are having a defiant day... but overall we have lots of fun and they enjoy it! I have fun with it too! :)

[Renee]

Hi Megan. :) This is the second time that I wrote a comment and then didn't see it later. Oops. I just wanted to say I'm happy that your kindergarten year is off to such a great start with Ansley eager to learn and having fun. I know how wonderful it is as a mother and teacher to see your child love to learn! You are a fun, creative mom with your yummy ABC brownies and the Schultuete tradition. :)

[Christina]

I, too so admire your homeschooling abilities! I am excited to hear about all that you are learning, and the fun traditions that you are beginning! Way to go!!

[Jill]

Megan,
Hi! I actually found your blog through Ashley Lee's. :-) You are both amazing!
Glad to hear you are enjoying homeschool. We are embarking on our 5th year (hard to believe!) We've done alot of different things over the years and I love the flexibility. Sarah is a middle schooler now and Rebecca is in 4th grade, but both are working way above their grade levels.
You'll have bumps, but overall it's a great ride!
Jill Hart