Home Schooling Update

Many people have been asking me how homeschooling has been going.  It has been very interesting to say the least!  I am constantly finding new tools to use with the kids.  I started out a bit uptight because I was doing class time kid of how public school class time was and I wanted to keep up with it.  Honestly, I can be more laid back and surpass public school teaching.  When I was just learning I wasn't as patient with the kids and it wasn't working out as well as I wanted it to.  The kids were stressed because I was stressed.  Once I spoke to a few other homeschoolers and where their children were and how they were utilizing their time I was able to be much more flexible with how our day goes and my kids take things in much better as well.

There are so many free resources for teaching via the web, my kids supplemental school,  the public library, and apps!  I also love to get books from thrift stores and discount bookstores for my kids to use at their own pace/interest.

There are also homeschooling groups that meet at parks and people homes to meet, play, and share in educational activities, as well as offering extracurricular classes for home schooled children.  It is amazing!  I am so grateful for the support that I have received from my friends, family, and new home school friends that I have been making!  It is a constant learning experience and I love this opportunity to spend additional time with my kids and getting to know them better, especially through their art and projects.

For those that may be interested some of the websites that I utilize are:
khanacadamy.org -math, science, history, computer science
code.org - computer programming
arbookfind.com - reading
theparsonsfamily.com - field trips
math-drills.com - math worksheets
teachingkidsnews.com- current events
mpaz.org/eagleridge/resources/ - learning games, activities
pinterest.com/alaneh/education - you can find just about anything you want to teach about
cosmickidsyoga - at youtube.com - PE
zumba for kids- at youtube.com - PE

I also use various free apps but I will be purchasing additional ones as well which are great for vocabulary, sight words, phonics etc.:

Bitsboard
The Electric Company
Kindergarten Learning Games
1st Grade Learning Games
Amazing Time
Amazing Coin
Constitution
Presidents
Periodic table
Discovery Channel
Human Body
History Channel
Dictionary
Thesauraus
Khan Academy

I also use everyday experiences to teach different principles:
Cooking - measurements - math
If the kids have questions about anything take the time to answer in detail and use the internet to find out if you don't know.
Video Games - kids can make their own dictionary using the gaming terms, make into math games, art,
                        computer science, story writing
Hiking/Park time - learning about insects, plants, animals, can print out workbooks/pages online to take
                             with you.
Learning about other cultures through food

Free Museum Days
Free Art Center Days
Discounted Zoo Days
Groupon
Living Social

Homeschool

I have become an official 'Home schooler'.  It has been in the back of my mind for years now. I would cringe at the thought of it until a friend from church told me about how there is a supplemental school in Mesa (Eagleridge) that is for home schooled children.  Kids can either go once or twice a week.  I thought, 'Wow, that would be perfect so that I wouldn't feel overwhelmed! One of my kids (no names mentioned) has been struggling ever since they started school and it has been getting progressively worse.  The teachers tried the best that they could, but what with overcrowded classrooms, and not enough time in the day, they really didn't have any positive solutions.

When my friend told me about Eagleridge I was greatly encouraged!  This is just what my child and I both needed to make learning positive and fun again.  I decided to pull all of my kids and work with all of them.
The school is great and offers great, diverse classes that just are not available at regular elementary schools. My kids love it there.  Do they miss their friends from public school?  Yes.  Do they miss their teachers? Eh, sometimes, not really though.  Do they have a lot of new friends at their new school?  Yes.  Do they like their new school and school at home?  Yes, and honestly, so do I.

I am definitely still working out the kinks and finding out what works and doesn't work.  I am really enjoying spending the extra time with the kiddos.  The kids get much more help on the things that they may have struggled with at public school and are learning at faster and higher rates.

Eagleridge is a part of the Mesa Public School District.  They provide the curriculum and workbooks for you.  You do have to return them at the end of each semester/school year ( We just started in January). You can also free to find your own curriculum if you choose (however, they only provide what the public schools use).  For now I am using what the school has to offer.  It is free and I get some time to find out what is out there.  There is also a mountain of free advice, tools, and materials online. I also love that I can include the scriptures and the gospel in my lessons as well.

When I started this semester I was totally overwhelmed and was not sure what I had gotten myself into.  Now I am much more confident and at peace with my decision.  Thank you to all of the women that I have met through Eagleridge and their advice on how they home school and especially to Melissa Pimental for informing me about Eagleridge and for her encouragement!

Waiting at REI for their used sale!!

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Court of Honor

Ethan had to Bob for apples as initiation for getting his Bobcat.



It was a little more tricky than he thought it would be!!

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Gilbert Riperian Preserve

Saturday was a fun one! Jameshad a hankerin' for some Old Country Buffet breakfast so that's where we went.



Can I say that I think that is the most food that I have ever seen my kids eat anywhere!



(Beehive) Then we made a stop at Half Price Books and scored is a nice pile of books.



Then, we went to the Raperion Preserve. It was beautiful and overcast the whole time.



The boys had fun, but Eva had a huge case of the whines today.



For dinner I had a hankering' for some sushi but since I can't get anyone to go with me I had to settle for mediocre sushi at a buffet. Definitely as good but quelched my craving.



Good times! I loves me my fam and the time we get to spend together!



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School

The kiddo's are doing well in school so far.  Eva had a hard time the first week adjusting to new kids and a classroom.  She is doing much better this week.  She is making friends and having fun! The boys are doing great too! They received homework this week and are doing great!

1st Day Back

Everyone excited and raring to go back to school. Ethan woke up early and proceeded to wake Jake and Eva. They were dressed and ready to go like an hr and a half before school!



The kids get to veg in front of the TV until 4 each day afterwards. Gotta have some down time to unwind from usin the ol' noggin!

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