I know I’ve been remiss in posting lately, and I do apologize. It’s been with good reason, though. I have been getting ready for school. Planning lessons, setting up our “classroom”, putting up posters, and what not. We are homeschooling preschool again this year, and I have the two best students around town!!
Today was our first day of school for the year and they were SO excited.
While I did do homeschool preschool last year, it was really more of a hodge podge of workbooks with Mister, and Sister colored while Mister and I worked. We typically worked at the kitchen table, and it was really just when Mister asked to “do school.”
This year we are approaching preschool differently. Each of the kids has their own desk and chair. We have our flags hanging and the Pledges of Allegiance are displayed on the wall. We will be following a lesson plan, and I will be recording hours. I don’t have to record hours until each child is seven, but I am so sanguine that I am starting now so that I can have it well practiced by the time I am required to do it. LOL.
The biggest difference between this year and last year is that we are actually following a formal kindergarten curriculum for Mister. Our curriculum line up for the year is:
Abeka K5 Phonics, Reading, and Writing
Abeka K5 Numbers
Abeka K5 God’s World (Science)
You Can Change the World: Learning to Pray for People in Other Countries (Social Studies)
The Complete Daily Curriculum for Early Childhood (sections for art, music, etc)
Mister has already conquered the skills needed for the Abeka K4 curriculum, so we decided to go with the Abeka K5 curriculum. Sister is only three, and isn’t really interested in school yet (which is fine, she’s only three) so she has the option to either work along side him, color while we work, or play while we work.
Even though Mister is doing kindergarten work this year, we decided against calling it kindergarten. Initially I was going to call it kindergarten, because, well, that IS the work he is able to do. After talking with a fellow homeschooler, though, I decided to call it Advanced Preschool. The rationale is that when we enroll him in things through the community, I want him to be with his age peers. Most of the things in the community are based on grade level. If I tell him he is in Kindergarten, then enroll him in a local VBS or sports team and tell them he’s in preschool one of two things will happen… A) he will think I have lied or B) he will be confused and/or hurt because he’s been “demoted.” Of course, I don’t want either. So, advanced preschool it is.
Semantics? Perhaps.
Reasonable? Certainly.
Worth it if it avoids causing him confusion or pain? Definitely!
Anyway, all that to say that today was our first day of school, and it went really well.
I am excited for the rest of the year!
I had no idea there was so much to think about when you homeschool. But, I can see where what you call the grade level is very important.
Karen recently posted..5 Things You Would Learn About Me
Our state has very specific guidelines, Karen. We have to record hours, have specific core hour requirements, etc.
Good luck with the new school year. As a former home-schooler, I applaud your efforts and am glad to see you taking such a serious approach with it. I have known parents who were not serious about it and their kids definitely suffered and homeschooling was NOT successful for them.
Rachel recently posted..Well. Looks Like I Will Never Be Able To Enter A Gymboree Store Again. Ever.
Thanks, Rachel. I take their education very seriously, and want to give them the best possible. Which means my sanguine self has to do some serious planning. LOL.
They look so eager to learn!
Anne – Mommy Has to Work recently posted..Back to School w/Frecklebox – $30 GC Giveaway!
They look happy to learn. I like the Advanced Preschool title.
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Here is to a great school year!! Love that you share your curriculum!
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I think your reasoning for saying Advanced Preschool is spot on. My son does attend a public elementary school (an A+ school) and entering the 4th grade next week. But we will be homeschooling him through the middle school grades. As for high school, we’ll see. I love the pics, btw. They look eager to learn!
Donna recently posted..We All Deserve Better Mobile Phone Service #HelloBetter
I don’t know how you do it. I commend home schoolers. We start publix school here in a couple of weeks.
Colleen recently posted..What “She” Said Family Swap Your Ride
What cute little pupils, so sweet!
Penelope (NYC Blogger) recently posted..I Used To Be THAT Single Girl (And Now I’m THAT Parent)
I have so much respect for parents who homeschool. I don’t think I could do it.
Crystal recently posted..Pampers Spirit of Play Twitter Party
Good for you! And happy school year!
MomStart (Ashley) recently posted..Behind the Movie The Odd Life of Timothy Green Interview with Cameron CJ Adams
Awwww so adorable. I’ve been thinking that I stay in Memphis that I’ll probably home school Goo.
Notorious Spinks recently posted..On the Road to Even Skin Tone #Makari #CBias
Your kids are so cute! Love what you are doing for the school year!
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Looks like you have some sweet students.
Stefani recently posted..The Odd Life Of Timothy Green World Premiere Photos
He would call you on it, too. Kids take those things seriously.
Tammy recently posted..Autistic Man Denied Heart Transplant Because He’s Autistic
Your reasoning for calling it advanced preschool is excellent. Makes total sense! Glad it’s going well so far!
Liz recently posted..#BlogHer12 Parties and Pals – WW
I love how organized and structured you’ve made their homeschooling. The desks are just too cute too.
Kelly recently posted..Burley Encore Bike Trailer Review
You’re awesome and I love your planning and organization! A woman after my own heart <3
I grew up on ABeka through homeschooling and Christian school. I plan to use it with Sweet T, but I don’t like the new way they do reading/writing with starting them off on cursive right away. I don’t see how it’s beneficial in this day and age when it’s more important to be able to type quickly than to have pretty handwriting. I’m sad that cursive is a dying art, but it’s my job to equip my kids for their future in this age of technology. Your thoughts? Maybe I’m reading too much into it. Ha!
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Yay for school! I hope they loved it!
Amanda recently posted..Wordless Wednesday | Hanging with Daddy
School already!!!??? Hope they enjoy all the excitement a new year brings!
A Time Out for Mommy- Elaina recently posted..Keep Germs Away This Back to School Season!
I will be getting ready in a couple of weeks.
Lolo recently posted..Zion National Park | Wordless Wednesday Linky
Awesome that you are homeschooling! I could never have done it, I was so excited for the kids to go to school..
April Decheine recently posted..Horseradish Refrigerator Pickle #Pickling
Aw, I have to give it up to you for homeschooling, I know it isn’t easy! I hope that the school year goes well!
The Rebel Chick recently posted..Charlie Sheen in Anger Management…Totally #Winning
I love how organized you are. This will be my first year homeschooling. I will be homeschooling my 10 year old in 4th grade.
Life With 4 Boys recently posted..Fall Fashion Trends for Boys
wow. I had no idea so much went into homeschooling.
hope they have a great year!
Jennifer recently posted..How Bad Do We Eat?
Good for you! I don’t have the patience to homeschool.
Stefanie recently posted..Hawks Cay Resort: Family-Friendly Paradise in the Florida Keys
They are both the cutest!
Ty – Mama of 3 Munchkins recently posted..Top 5 Back-to-School Apps for Students
I can hardly believe it’s that time already. My son starts school next week, earlier than most.
HilLesha recently posted..Not So Wordless Wednesday: One Month Old
So adorable and they look so excited!
Courtney recently posted..Wordless Wednesday – 2 Weeks
I think it’s great that you are doing this! Wish you a fabulous school year.
They look like they are ready to learn
jGood luck with the school year 
Toni recently posted..ParaNorman Prize Pack #Giveaway (8/24)
Hope things are still going well!
Rachel recently posted..Um . . . The First Day of School?
Our first day is tomorrow! Have a great school year
Stefanie recently posted..Date Set for the Grand Opening of Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom
I thought about homeschooling my preschooler this yr then I thought naw too much work and he really needs to be with other kids
I give u a lot of credit
Nightowlmama recently posted..Round Up at JCPenney for the Boys and Girls Club of America
and it looks like they truly enjoyed getting back.
Zipporah Sandler recently posted..Fine dining with Clem the mini-bullie – Merrick
How is the second week of school going?
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