Home School Week 2

This week went really well. A lot of the difficulties from week one have been smoothed out, and the kids are settling into the idea of schooling at home. My body is getting used to the extra work and I do not feel as tired as I felt the previous week. Everyday seemed calm. The kids worked quietly and efficiently most days. I have worked on how to fit things in better so that we have time for more fun things. Ruth is finishing her online school in 4 to 5 hours so she has more time for reading her own books and drawing. I had laryngitis all week and have learned that a quiet voice works just as well as a loud one. I need to remember this little lesson. I think that added to the peace of the week.

We still have a couple of changes to make for next week. Ruth has a Shakespeare class on Thursdays from 1 to 3. I want to make sure all of the rest of us have finished school by 12:30 that day so we can use that time for the park in good weather and the library in bad. Johnny needs me to be more consistently checking his work and making sure he is not just goofing off. To do this, I have made a daily check list for both Kate and Johnny that I will go over with them halfway through the day and they will have to turn it in at the end the day with all of their completed work.

Cooking went better this week because I bought food. It is funny how having food on hand and not having to rack my brain helps. The laundry is still in the figuring out phase. I guess I should have the older kids help, I just feel guilty when they have their school work. By giving all of the kids more written work, we are consolidating our time better.  I have given up on the "don't interrupt me." I let them interrupt and whoever is most urgent gets me. Oddly enough his is working pretty well. Thanks for all of the advice here.

I really like the freedom of home school. I like that I have Johnny working on programming, We are hoping to get him a real job when he turns 16 rather than a burger flipping job. I like that Johnny can be mainly working at a 7th grade level. I like that history is mainly a lot of very interesting reading rather than a boring textbook full of dates and battles. Kate who has never liked reading much is enjoying her history reading a lot! I like that I have the time to help my first grader with reading rather than having to fit that in after 6 hours of school with a tired kid.

Our Whoopie Pie Moon Phases. Adam and Rachel are currently learning about the moon for science.

Kate typing her book report.

Ruth has her own laptop and likes to do her school at the kitchen table while listening to music-- mainly Taylor Swift.

Adam, Rachel, and Anya playing together after they finished school. Anya has been a little unhappy when Rachel has to work rather than play, but I am sure she would be more unhappy if  Rachel was away at school.