Homeschooling moms face a huge juggling act every day. One of the biggest challenges (but I've come to see it as a joy recently) is adapting our homeschool for the needs of a boy AND a girl.
In our home the gender traits are so typical. My boy is rough, loves being outside, and experiences the world physically. He loves numbers, details, and TALKING! My daughter is more sensitive, loves one on one interaction, and would prefer to be reading a book quietly in her room. She loves music, literature, and MOTHERING.
Today's Collage Friday gives you a look at boy and girl schooling in our home. I'm so thankful I have one of each. It adds so much variety and enjoyment to my life!
(A little update from last week: My dad is home from rehab after his shoulder surgery. I'm thankful he is at home now and recuperating in a more comfortable environment. My mom is entering week 2 of her radiation treatments and is doing well so far. Thanks for praying for them! This week my husband has been out of town and I've been preparing for the Great Homeschool Convention in SC next week. I've also just enjoyed BEING with my children and savoring every little moment, because I know all too soon I won't be able to do this.)
Boy Schooling
- The Lone Ranger minifigs on the math book say it all. Each time a Saxon math lesson was graded this week I was The Lone Ranger and Grant was Tanto. Having the minifigs out during math made long division more fun, and as long as my son stayed on task I could care less if there were LEGOS out during math time.
Going clockwise around the collage:
- We had several days of warm weather this week. I moved school to our deck, where Grant enjoyed listening to the CC memory work on the iPad app and also tracing WWII planes. I bought a Dover book of planes a few years ago and he really enjoys it.
- CC day is Tuesday. This week our tutor pulled out all the stops and let the kids play review bingo for treasure box prizes. Thank you, Miss Soto!
- I have no clue when this crayon army was drawn, but they are now guarding my son's room. Sharpies to the resuce!
- Plenty of time was spent in the woods behind our home. I wrote on Monday about Nature Walks, which we did a lot of this week. Grant did his presentation for CC about the Engraver Beetles, which we found out have the Latin name IPS CALLIGRAPHUS. How cool is that?
- I always enjoy a chance to get one of my kids out alone. This week it was a date for Grant and I because daddy was out of town for the week and Anna was at youth group with a friend. We went to WalMart and Atlanta Bread Company for dinner. {It's the little things!}
Girl Schooling
Parenting a pre-teen is such a hubmling experience. Just when I think I have it figured out I am reminded that I DON'T. Watching my daughter turn into a young lady is an honor.
I think she snapped the large picture of herself after trying out a new curly hairstyle. I was struck by how beautiful and mature she is looking.
Going clockwise around the collage:
- A Latin study session last Sunday - the kids in her Challenge A class took the National Latin Exam this week! (Care to see last year's exam?? How would you do on it?)
- Challenge A classroom - I spent an hour with them at the end of the day and had a lot of fun. Her group of 8 kids are such a joy.
- Sunday also brought a chance for Anna and her friend Rachel to have a lemonade stand for our friend, Katheryn, who had surgery last week for a cancerous brain tumor. Please pray for sweet Katheryn, join her FB page, and lift up this fellow homeschooled child every chance you get. She is facing a LONG road. The good news is that our community was trying to raise $50,000 for her medical expenses and that amount was raised in one week. Wow!
- Tea speaks to my Anna... her favorite right now is Tazo Cocoa Mint. A cup of tea with a read aloud in the evening was the perfect end to most of our days this week.
- As Challenge A progresses Anna is finding she really loves science. While waiting to get her braces tightened she sketched a diagram of the heart and said, "This is so much fun!". Their group is going through all of the major body systems and part this year.
- Buzzers, candy, and Expo markers - these things speak to middle schoolers! Thank you, Miss Nancy, for being such a great Challenge tutor and comign up with ways to make their learning FUN!
- Anna spent a lot of time this week playing piano. When she is stressed or nervous this is the place she goes. That reminds me a lot of myself.
This weekend brings a lot of activity for my kids. Both of them are competing in a Federated piano competition on Saturday. Anna has done this several years, but this is Grant's first year. I think they are both going to do well. They have been well prepared!
Anna will also be participating in a community event - Discipleship Now - for middle and high school youth.
Add to this a 5 hour baseball camp for Grant and I think I will have some WORN OUT children by Sunday evening!
In case you missed two special things on the blog:
- A podcast: Would Classical Conversations Be A Good Fit For Your Family?
- Have you entered to win Zeezok's Music Appreciation course?
I'm thankful for the chance to come to this place each Friday and read so many encouraging words from all of you, and then visit your blogs and read about your weeks, too. It's my favorite time of the week.
I hope you'll join me!
If you'd like to link, you can do so in a couple of ways:
- Enter your link below. Be sure to link to your post with photo collages and link back to this post (or include the Collage Friday button on your blog).
- Share your photo collage(s) on Instagram, FB, G+, or Twitter - use the hashtag #collagefriday so I can find you!
*Special Collage Friday friends to follow on Instagram -- get more ideas from the photos and sites!
{ Join me on Instagram this week (I'm marykprather) and use the special hashtag #collagefriday and I will feature you here next week! }
- Stef Layton (stefmlayton) of Educating Laytons
- Adriane (adrianedw) - La Cottage Family
- Sarah Russell (dizzyhappymama) - Dizzyhappymama blog
- Tricia Hodges (hodgepodgemom) - Hodgepodge