Working to get out of my rut.

As I said in my last post I am in a rut. I am taking steps to dig myself out. The first step was taken yesterday. One of my fellow homeschool moms told me about a co-op at a local YMCA for the kids, so we decided to check it out.

It was just what we needed. The kids get PE, exercise, swimming lessons, Spanish and art. The price is great and it gives them some much needed time with other homeschool kids and me time to just be. We will start in a week and a half, the kids can't wait.

We have tried several activities with ps kids and almost all have turned out not for us. My kids and I just don't have that much in common with most of the ps kids. I especially have a hard time with them spending too much time with children who have no respect for adults, especially their parents. And don't get me wrong, I know that not all homeschool children are perfect. It has just been our experience that the home school children that we spend time with are very respectful and my kids have more positive experiences when they are with them.

Since this is our first full year of home I am constantly tweaking our curriculum and learning experiences to fit my children's needs. That is one of the reasons I love homeschool so much.

TT is thriving in math thanks to Math U See. I do worry when I look at the standards and see what the state says he should be doing. They think a child should master so much at one time. But I will keep doing what I am because I know it is what is best for TT.

He is also enjoying English with Rod and Staff. I may change my curriculum next year. I would like to focus on review of the parts of speech and more writing, but we will wait until next year to change.

The morning work that I assign him each morning has been very effective. He does handwriting, math, and journal writing every morning. I also add some Language Arts when I feel like it. The books I use are from the local book stores and discount stores. They are great to review basic skills.

The bug jar incentive program I started after Christmas has been very effective also with TT. I believe he needs to work towards a goal. Maybe it is from being in ps too long. I use those simple sticker pages with 20 blanks that have rooms for stickers. I used the bug jars because I had some left over from my classroom. I allow the kids to choose their reward to work towards. I write it on the page and then they earn bugs by getting good grades on assignments, completing chores, etc. TT decided he wanted to go out to lunch with me to our favorite Sushi place. Poogie wants to go out to lunch at TGI Friday's. It has been a lot of fun watching their jars fill up.

Poogie doesn't really need any incentive to learn she just loves doing it. I am so glad I started homeschooling her so early.

Any who, I've got to run to the library.