{"id":1731,"date":"2024-05-03T13:07:40","date_gmt":"2024-05-03T13:07:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thedelightfulhomeschool.com\/?p=1731"},"modified":"2024-05-03T13:07:41","modified_gmt":"2024-05-03T13:07:41","slug":"homeschool-with-us","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thedelightfulhomeschool.com\/?p=1731","title":{"rendered":"Homeschool With Us!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Homeschooling ten unique kids means that no two days are exactly alike\u2026 and I love that!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We follow a two part plan in our homeschool: a small amount of daily practice in the basic academic skills, combined with a large block of time for pursuing personal interests and goals.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today our two oldest (ages 17 and 15) will be gone working one of their part time jobs. They were employed by an amazing woman who lives on an 80 acre homestead in a log cabin she built years ago. Bella and Leo thoroughly enjoy working for her doing whatever odd jobs she needs done around the farm. They get to both earn money and gain wisdom from someone who fully lives life and has many unique skills! <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Before they left Leo made me a latte with our very favorite Shepherd\u2019s Crook Coffee<\/a> (use KREKE25 for 25% off your first order, and KREKE10 for 10% off subsequent orders).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone else was busy completing their morning job and personal care. Samuel and Silas were done early so they asked to watch a video on how to braid a whip. These two are very creative and love working with their hands, so they\u2019re always up for learning new skills. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Our family subject this morning was history. We\u2019re going through an old copy of The Good and The Beautiful History 4, and also filling out a timeline book that I found (brand new!) at our local thrift store. I\u2019ve wanted to have one of these for years but never made the jump into beginning, so I was more excited about it than the kids were.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While we all listened to the audio narrations that accompany the History curriculum, the younger kids kept busy coloring or playing.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elsie continued working on her beaded bracelets during this time. She has been using polymer clay beads<\/a> and making really cute jewelry!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After this time together some kids chose to go out to play, and others decided to complete their daily requirement right away. Silas and Elsie both worked on their language arts books from The Good and The Beautiful.<\/a>\u00a0Lydia has their Preschool course and really enjoys going through it with me!\u00a0She didn’t know her letter sounds when we started this book but is picking them up pretty quickly as we go through. I do not think any sit down “schoolwork” is necessary for the younger years… in fact, for some kids it can be detrimental. This age learns through playing, listening to engaging picture books, and living life alongside mom. However, I have found that when you’re in a large family you tend to want to ‘do what the big kids do!’ so I follow my preschooler’s lead and work through these books on days that they ask for them. We really do enjoy the one on one time together, so it is extra special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Once they’d played outside for a bit the younger boys came back inside and needed help settling a dispute! We worked it out and I took the opportunity to set them up with writing in their personal journals. Although they usually do this in the evening, we had been busy several nights in a row so now seemed like a good time to work on them. They tell me what they\u2019d like to write and I put that on a dry erase board for them to copy. Eventually I\u2019ve found that my kids transition on their own to writing without me helping in this way, and instead ask for help spelling occasional words.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

To motivate everyone in keeping up with their journals we do a \u201cchallenge\u201d that refreshes each month. On the last day of the month we have a journal reading time as a family. Anyone who wishes is encouraged to read one of their entries to the family and we all listen and applaud afterwords. This is a part that they all enjoy! For kids who wrote at least four times a week there is some kind of small yummy treat, usually a chocolate bar or something similar. It has become a very fun ending to the month!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Since we finished our Teaching Textbook math<\/a> for the year, we\u2019re taking a summer break from the program. To keep math skills sharp, each child has to complete one multiplication worksheet each day. It only takes a few minutes and the boys usually race each other (if you have boys in your home you’re probably not surprised!).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GET A FREE TRIAL OF TEACHING TEXTBOOKS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Samuel and Elsie helped me make some baked goods for an afternoon snack. We made muffins for the majority of the crowd, and some almond flour cookies for the few people who are still avoiding grains. After they were baked I quickly put away half of them so we have a snack for tomorrow! With seven boys in the house any visible food gets devoured!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After this everyone spent some time quietly reading books (or looking at the pictures!) in their beds.\u00a0This is the time that I catch my breath and soak in the quiet, no matter how short the time may be!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the late afternoon I headed to the garden and didn\u2019t pay much attention to what the boys were up to. It turns out they decided they wanted to play ping pong, so they put together two 8 foot tables with a giant piece of plywood on top. They found our old ping pong net and balls, but couldn\u2019t find the paddles, so they cut and sanded their own from scraps of wood. They never cease to amaze me.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’m often asked by homeschooling moms for resources that they can share with their kids to encourage them to learn the skills that some of mine have developed. My advice is to let your kids take the lead. Provide whatever tools they need to accomplish their goals (we buy lots of used tools from Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace) and then step out of the way and trust that they’ll learn best through trial and error as they have the freedom to learn and grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n