And it begins.....

God is orchestrating such a sweet change this school year. He is turning my focus back to the heart of "why" He desires for me to homeschool and let me say, it has been amazing. There is a much more relaxed environment. Don't misunderstand, we are still completing our school work(schedule and all,LOL) but we are coming about it in a much more loving and patient way. More Encouragement than must do's.  My kids have been totally receptive and they love this "new way". Which is the way God planned from the beginning. 


We are all learning.....we are all becoming more christian( looking more like Christ) everyday we embrace him. Everyday we allow him to shape and mold us. Everyday we commit to walking with him. Everyday choosing to sit at HIS feet, gleaning from HIS fields and on occasion sitting in HIS lap.


God has such a way of using everything we encounter to shape us and draw us to himself. And I am so thankful for that.


I say all that to say, we had a great first week of school. Our kick off day was Wednesday August 10; and it ended with a special milkshake/slushy treat from Sonic. They really enjoyed that. Our schedule was easy to begin implementing since we did it a little the second half of last school year. Though we had some discipline issues to weed through they were still over joyed at beginning school. 


Here is our curriculum:

For my 5th grader-

Abeka 5 Language arts

Abeka 5 Arithmetic

Abeka 5 Spelling
Abeka 5 reading program
Simply music guitar DVD program
Bible:Proverbs People, Abeka 5 bible memorization
Homemade handwriting curriculum
Abeka 5 science, health and history


For my 1st Grader-

Abeka 1 Language arts/Phonics
Abeka 1 Arithmetic
Abeka 1 Spelling
Abeka 1 reading program
Simply music piano DVD program
Bible:Abeka 1 bible memorization
Abeka 1 handwriting with phonics
Abeka 1 community helpers


For my K4 child-

Abeka ABC-123 letter/number recognition
Abeka k4 writing with phonics


We have field trips and at home projects to keep us good and busy through this first half of the the year :)

...................And the journey begins.........................






"It should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, 
which is of great worth in God's sight." 1 Peter 3:4

  

Excitement Rings.....

Oh, the joy in beginning a new school year.I know the type of school was in question just a few short weeks ago, but oh how sweet it is in knowing that I have the opportunity to pour the love of Jesus into my children through school. And allow "the peace of God which surpasses all understanding" to resonant in my inner most being. Don't get me wrong, this is not an easy task. And most days are just down right hard but," Don't grow weary in well doing, for in due time you will receive your reward". But then there are other days, just grace filled days, when you can see a glimpse into the sweet rewards of teaching your children at home.

So we have been scurrying around the house cleaning and organizing for the first day kick off (I like to make it big and exciting for my little ones, to get them all giddy inside). 

Of course we started with the homeschool cabinet. This is where I keep all of my teacher books and there workbooks. Just everything school here.

I plan to post our curriculum for 5th, 1st, and k4 in the coming days :)

Along with some of the kick off field trips. 

So exciting........

Then we moved to cleaning and clearing out their bedrooms. This will make it easier to do their morning chores.

"Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you" 

~Psalm 17:7~

New adventures....

We are having so many exciting things going on in the Southerland family, lately :) I have been absolutely over joyed! I will be posting more on this subject in the coming weeks but here is a sneak peak at one of them. My 10 year old just got his brand new guitar in the mail. He is so excited to begin taking guitar lessons. The next step is to, of course, find an instructor that we can afford. Though he has been practices a lot from what he can remember of the Simply music guitar DVD. Maybe i will just find a dvd series for him.....hmmm

sounds like a good thought :))

"Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart." ~Psalm 37:4~