I notice on Facebook that everyone is posting thanks everyday. I'm so encouraged to see it, but my technology is either too much or too little for me to keep up. My laptop with keyboard is gone, & I'm using an 7 year old laptop I bought for Eric to take to Louisiana. That limps and gasps and needs a walker.. wheelchair. And then we have the smartphone. Too much capability with limited keyboard for miss 'fat-finger'. I am not a great texter, I love a full keyboard with a number pad, which even my laptop doesn't have. So I'm caught in the middle.
But what I'm really, really concerned about is how to teach a child math (Singapore) while they limp on some of their math facts. Yes, we do need to know those. I have been using xtramath.org a great on-line, free method of review/teaching math facts. Sends me updates on what's been achieved, and number of days used. My public school friend's mom sent it to me, and I have to say, big thanks. It's helped be that 'other method' to review besides flashcards.
We continue happily using All About Spelling for phonics & reading. Today we used our Explode the Code words together with the AAS Tiles. Then recopied them again to reinforce the endings in our current chapter.
We start our day with Handwriting without Tears (optimistically said). I really like this series. Although leftys often just struggle with handwriting no matter what the promises. It's like the whole world is backwards.
But can't say enough about Classical Conversations. The components are great. It was just what our family needed. I love the memorization and am now finally incorporating a memory box from Charlotte Mason. This is an easy system. Just print it out. Get started. Even if you don't homeschool, it's for learning your verses. Just simple repetition. Get in the habit now while your children are young if you haven't started any formal education. They become accustomed to whatever you do. More on that at SimplyCharlotteMason.
But one of the biggest changes has been our kitchen. I finally removed the remainder of the wallpaper in the kitchen and painted a warm color. The rest of the walls will have to wait. The ceilings are too high and our painting crew dollars are alotted elsewhere. So for now, my one inspiration drape fabric panel hangs along the newly painted wall to bring me through the holidays. Artisan Tan from Sherwin Williams brought me some warm kitchen joy. (see my before & after) Which is a part of the homeschooling aspect. No matter what disaray, the home has to be a place you actually 'want to be'. And more than once I've heard each member of our household say how much they love their new home. I'm grateful. Heart full. Too full for facebook. The post would be a record.
*One post script about the 'How' of all the homeschooling-Charlotte Mason's ideas are so well expressed at Simply Charlotte Mason, and this post about the How of the 3 big questions is a good one.
