We do things a little differently over here at the fun house. Labor Day to most Rhode Islanders is the last chance beach holiday. Although it was a vacation day for Dr. Phil, he went in to round with a coffee cake in hand and the kids and I began the school year. I have been prepping them all summer and setting up shop. In July and August we did a few lessons out of each of the new books so Katahdin – and I – would know what to expect. I am a lucky teacher mom to have such happy campers to corral.
This is Katahdin’s third and last year of ‘preschool’, technicaly speaking, and Berk’s first year of preschool. The beauty of homeschooling is that they can learn at their own pace instead of the pace of a class of peers. Katahdin will be doing mostly Kindergarten work and Berk is along for the ride and I expect her to soak in stuff at her own pace.
A big change for the kids is to designate school days and the week end for them. The big calendar helps with this. Kids can no longer watch “shows” on school days. They gave minimal grumbling about this, to my relief. When they asked why, I explained that they did not have time – they needed to play instead. I might have said how sad their toys are when they watch shows instead of play with them. Kids are looking forward to going to the library on thursday to pick a DVD for movie night this weekend.
Katahdin made his very unique by adding a neck, shoes and shorter arms. While Berkeley made her meticulously like the photo. Both very satisfied.
The kids’ favorite activity was the “Mat Man” prewriting work from Handwriting Without Tears. They make their own Mat Man as I read the picture books and they get to play with the parts – lines and curves – that make up the letters.
This is followed by chalkboard practice that is really engaging with a few songs and rhymes. Berkeley feels so big and proud to be participating fully.
I make sure they write the letters in the correct way, then they erase them with a wet sponge in the correct way, and then dry that wet letter in the correct way, and write it again. The multi-sensory approach is what is keeping them excited about it.
The third step is a writing workbook. Berkeley is using it to color in, as expected. I am very happy with Handwriting Without Tears.
