Camp is done. Aaaaaahhhhhh....
Well, the "everyday" camp season is over. We still have retreats through the end of October. Since our next retreat isn't until September 6th, our family has a nice breather. We moved back to our house in town on Saturday evening, and I've been trying to get reorganized around here. The laundry baskets are empty; the cupboards & fridge are full, but I've still got books to put away. I had brought boxes of books to camp because we tried to do some homeschooling during the four youth weeks of camp. It was more challenging than I thought it'd be. We only get so many warm weeks here in WI, so we probably got more P.E. done than anything else (i.e. swimming, outdoor games, canoeing). It's hard doing bookwork when the temps are in the upper-70's and it's gorgeous outside--especially when you're on a lake with a nice, sandy beach. Yep, we're suffering for Jesus.
This will likely be my most challenging year of homeschooling, regarding demands on my time. I've got a kindergartener, a 3rd grader, an 8th grader, and a high school sophomore. Since Samuel (K) can't read yet, I'll need to be hands-on with him for most of his--albeit short--school day. Emma (10th) works independently on many things, but she's got a heavy literature year ahead of her (she wants to be a writer), so it would be ideal if I could read her books in order to discuss them with her. She'll also be writing lots of papers and stories--which I will have to grade. Those are more involved than simply checking a multiple-choice test. It'll all work out. I just need a plan.
Part of my plan involves identifying time-wasters and getting rid of them--or at least diminishing them. Facebook was definitely a time-waster for me. I assume that my timeline is completely gone now. I deleted my account on July 28th. Facebook sent me an email saying that they would keep it at a "deactivated" status for two weeks before deleting it completely, in case I changed my mind. I didn't. I miss FB some, but not as much as I'd thought I would. I mean, I miss the people, of course, and I do feel a little out of the loop, but I don't regret my decision at all.
Other time-wasters...? Does cooking count? *wink*
At least with your Ker it shouldn't take much time each day. I remember feeling a bit guilty, because Baylee's kindergarten day only took about an hour...often less. lol But she was totally fine. The next year she had to be evaluated in order to be properly placed in WAVA, and she scored into 3rd grade. My point being: Don't stress too much. As you know already, you can do a lot in a little focused time.
ReplyDeleteWow--3rd grade! That's some great validation! I remember being worried that Lydia would be behind in 2nd grade public school last year, but she scored so well on assessments that they put her in the highest math and reading groups. And I felt like we really didn't do as much as I thought we should for 1st grade.
ReplyDeleteYou're so right about kindergarten. I'm not worried about getting Sam's stuff done. We'll focus on Bible, phonics, handwriting, and math. He'll pick up some science and history as I'm working with Lydia. (In WI, we don't have to register with the DPI for homeschooling kindergarten, so I don't have to do all six subject areas or the number of hours the DPI requires with him.) It's more the combination of all four kiddos--plus the regular wife and mom stuff--that makes me wonder how I'm going to get it all done.
I'm sure it'll all work out. I just need to delete the unnecessary, delegate what others can do, and delight in the rest.
You're gonna do great! Is Lydia excited?
ReplyDelete"Thank you for your vote of confidence!" ;) Wasn't that one of your lines for a play?
ReplyDeleteYes, Lydia is *very* excited, happy, relieved, you-name-it to be homeschooled again. When I told her I had filled out the DPI form and called the school district to un-enroll her, she screamed, "YAAAAAAAY!!!!!" as she skipped around the room.
It does sound challenging - but a fun challenging. It's neat that Emma wants to write. I'd love to be able to encourage her some way. Too bad you don't live over here. We have a Christian Writers Guild that she could join. Let me know if there's anything we can do long distance to help.
ReplyDelete