Homeschooling 101

It has been a very long process deciding on an educational path for our children. It began when I was not thrilled with the schools we are zoned for. There aren't really many charter school options in Texas and the ones that are available are for at risk kids. We have some really great private Christian schools (like the preschool Logan and Aila are going to) but the cost of tuition greatly increases as soon as your child enters kindergarten. And so began our research on homeschooling...

First we had to address our concerns:
1. Would I be an acceptable teacher?
This one wasn't too hard for me since I went to school to be a teacher and taught in the public schools for a few years. I felt confident in my teaching abilities and my ability to understand the concepts and convey them to the kids.

2. How would my children compare academically to their peers?
The research here surprised me some. Homeschooled children actually perform better academically on standardized tests and college entrance exams. The part that surprised me was that this statistic was not influenced by their income level, how much they spent on curricula and programs, or the level of education of the parents. Homeschooled students were also more likely to be self motivated, independent learners.

3. Would my children be socially awkward?
Yes, there are some homeschooled children who are socially awkward, but I was surprised to learn that more are actually outgoing and confident. Homeschooled students have the opportunity to socialize with people outside of their peer group, giving them the chance to have more varied interactions. Plus, there are some great homeschool coop groups where homeschooled students can go on field trips together or learn a subject like P.E. or music together.

Next, Doug and I had to evaluate why we wanted to homeschool:
1. The ability to teach our children biblical principles.

2. Not having to be concerned about what the government is teaching our children as being morally acceptable (i.e. gay marriage, abortion, etc.)

3. Being able to provide individualized education to each of our children. (As a former public school teacher, I know that it is nearly impossible to truly individualize education for 30+ students. You aim for the majority in a group that size and hope the rest take to it.) With homeschooling I can make every subject something that interests my kids. After all, I know my kids better than any teacher will.

4. Being able to move at our own pace. Logan is zooming through his phonics lessons! When we start kinder this upcoming year I will actually be using first grade curriculum for him. In math he is moving at a regular pace so we will be using kinder curriculum. This is something he would never be able to do in a regular school.

After all of our research, conversations with homeschooling, public schooling, and private schooling families, discussions with our own kids, lots of prayer, and a trial run this year, we came to the conclusion that homeschooling is the best option for our family. And the SHOCKER....We want to homeschool even if we are zoned for the best of the best school or can afford private school! And the best part is, the kids can't wait! They actually like homeschool better than going to their preschool!

So all that was left was to study the Texas laws (which basically say all I need to homeschool is have a copy of my curricula and which subjects I need to teach) and find my curricula. I have been able to find all of my curricula for free! Here is what we will be using:

For math we are doing MEP - http://www.cimt.plymouth.ac.uk/projects/mep/default.htm

For reading we are doing Progressive Phonics- http://www.progressivephonics.com/, for grammar we are doing KISS Grammar: http://home.pct.edu/~evavra/kiss/wb/LPlans/Status_Table.html

For writing we are doing Scott Foresman Writing- http://www.sfreading.com/resources/ghbgrd1.html

For spelling we are doing Spell By Color- http://jettedgames.com/spelling.htm

For good citizenship we will study the Bible and some social studies. For Bible we will be listening to- http://dailyaudiobiblekids.ning.com/
and Doug and I will have our own lessons. We also think we are going to have the kids do mission projects at Doug's properties.

For science we will be doing unit studies based on whatever the kids are interested in.

Next year is sure to be an adventure!

I am 35 Weeks Prego!!!

Ariah will be here really soon! Time to get my hospital bag packed. My next OB appointment is on Monday : )

1st Day at the Beach this Year

The weather has FINALLY been nice!!!! Warm and sunny like az : ) So we decided to try the beach out...but it was FUUUUUHHHHHREEEEZZZZINNNGG! The kids still had fun though!

Grace's Bday

The kids had such a good time at Grace's dress up birthday party. They boys got to be super heroes and the girls all got little tutus, shoes and jewelry. Aunt Jen painted their faces, the got to decorate and eat their own mini cakes, knock down a pinata and watch some fireworks. What a fun filled day!

Mr. Cool

Levi loves to put things on and take things off right now. Here he is shirt off and helmet on ; )

School Work

Green Eggs and Ham Activities:

Logan's Work:

Aila's Work:

Green Eggs for Breakfast = Green Poop

Green Eggs and Ham Unit

We are reading lots of Dr. Seuss for homeschool this week because March 2nd is Theodor Geisel's birthday. I decided to make my own work sheets to go with Green Eggs and Ham. We will be eating green eggs and ham for breakfast, reading the book, and working on these sheets. (You can click on the links to download/print the worksheets if you want to use them)

Here is a counting activity:
COUNTING SHEET

Here is the addition sheet I made:
ADDITION SHEET

Here is a rhyming page where the kids will have to match the rhyming words from the book:
RHYMING SHEET

Here is a worksheet where the kids have to complete the pattern:
PATTERN SHEET

We will also be comparing Sam's persistance in sharing green eggs and ham to sharing the gospel. And then we will be reading this "God I Am" poem together:
GOD I AM POEM

I Love Pasta!

Star Student

Logan's teacher picked Logan as the Star Student this month. Logan got to bring in a whole box of his favorite things and show them to his class. He was so proud of his certificate!

All the Sheppards

Mimi and Papa came to town and we all went to Mark and Jen's new house. Mimi wanted a pic of everyone so I learned how to do the timer on my camera. It took me about 5 times to get it right! lol

The Kids' Rooms

Here are the pics of how their rooms look now that Aila has the crib for Ariah in her room and Levi is sleeping on the bottom bunk in the boys' room:

Art Night at School

The kids' school hosted an art night where all the parents were able to come and have dinner and see their child's art work. Logan and Aila were so proud to show off their work : )

Aila made an "S" snake:

Logan made a dinosaur:

Logan decorated the table cloth at our table. He drew his class (the stick figure version of course):

Logan's best bud at school:

Awesome Curriculum Giveaway

I just entered to win some free curriculum to use for our homeschool lessons next year. Keep your fingers crossed! You can check out the giveaway here:

http://www.roomag.com/social-media-blitz-giveaway-prizes/

More than Enough

Sometimes life just gets a little overwhelming. There are so many things that I want to be able to do and sometimes I am doing 20 things at once. All the craziness makes me feel like a solo act in a 3 ring circus.

I have this dream...
My kids are all impeccably dressed, sitting at the table, working diligently on their homeschool lessons. My house is immaculately clean, to the point where the floors are sparkling like diamonds. I am of course cooking a 5 course gourmet meal full of nutritious and delicious items. My hair is done, I am dressed like a runway model and I have make up on. My husband comes home from work and we sit down to a meal where the children are quiet, sit still, and they eat all of their food neatly.

Then I have my reality...
There are dishes that need washing in the sink. Clothes that need folding and putting away just thrown into laundry baskets. The kids picked out their own clothes, which either don't match or are not appropriate for the weather. We do our homeschool lessons but we are loud and we make a mess. I am still in my pajamas. Did I brush my teeth this morning? I can't remember. We finish our lessons and I realize I didn't take any chicken out to defrost for dinner so I pull out some hot dogs and instant mac n cheese. Maybe I will throw on a can of green beans. Maybe. My husband will come home and we will sit down to dinner, well maybe not til an hour after he gets here. Aila can't sit still and she falls out of her chair. Levi is crying because he wants a drink. Logan is complaining that he doesn't like mac n cheese, even though on any other day he loves it. Today he doesn't. Did I mention that it is dinner time and I am still in my pajamas?


When I compare my reality to my dream, I feel like a failure. Why didn't I get everything done today? Why is my hair such a mess? I can't do this. I am drowning. I am overwhelmed. I am stressed out.

I hear Satan's lies:
I am not cut out for motherhood.
I am a horrible wife.
I am ugly.
I can't do anything right.
I am screwing my kids up.

But if I am walking with the Lord then I know how to fight back. I can call Satan out on his lies. I can recall the truth. That I am CHOSEN. I am made BLAMELESS. I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME!

If you are at all like me, I encourage you to hold onto this truth.