Starting School

Labor Day was our first day of school. I love that I can set when we start according what works best in our schedule. I have chosen to start on Labor Day mainly so I don't forget when to start, which would be more and more typical.

This year Laina is doing pre-school, so there are still a few bugs to work out with divided attention. Kaleb doesn't much like to work on his own yet and Laina can't. With practice it will improve I'm sure, mostly on my end. Laina is learning to write and working on other basic skills, most of which she already has mastered. Good just to make sure. It has been interesting with her that she has learned to recognize letters by writing them. She already can write her name, and usually does often on any drawing she's working on, and can write Kaleb's name too. It is interesting when their skill level exceeds their cognitive ability. I must watch that I don't push her too hard.

I was a bit concerned that I might have chosen too hard a reading program for Kaleb. He has to sound out many of the words so far and it is a second grade level and he is in first grade. God reminded me though that last year when he was learning to read we would go over some of the new words before we encountered them in the story. I have tried that this week and it is going much better. He doesn't dread it so much and it doesn't take so long.

Both the kids have enjoyed working lately. They help bring the cows into the barn, feed calves and Kaleb enjoys scraping the manure out of the barn. I also love that about homeschooling. They have plenty of time to do what they love outside of school.