Week 1: November 8th-12th

We began our homeschooling journey in a rather relaxed state for this first week.  Even so, Haley has accomplished a lot in such a few short hours.  Here is an overview...

Monday, November 8th
10:00AM-1:00PM
cooked muffins together (Haley read the recipe and rephrased the directions in her own words)
artwork on her own with water colors
Singapore Math (subtraction with regrouping)
Making a list to solve for the unknown numbers
3rd grade reading comprehension passage
reading comprehension game (main idea, infer, cause and effect, etc.)
Sallie Gal and the Wall-a-kee Man and summary in notebook
Prefix "sub"
non-fiction reading about horses and spiders (and notes in inquiry notebook)
piano practice
gymnastics and dance practice


Tuesday-rest day

Wednesday  (about 1 1/2 hours)
made a Nutella sandwich for Zachary and herself
Singapore Math multi-digit subtraction with regrouping twice in a row
Making a list to solve for the unknown
Reading comprehension Passage about The National Anthem
Sallie Gal Ch. 7 and summary in notebook
Review prefix "sub"
Analogies
Grammar (ABC order)
Phonics initial consonants (review)
piano practice
practice gymnastics
dance class

Thursday-rest day (Veteran's Day)

Friday
10:00AM-12:00PM (plus independent time to practice music, do art, and finish Sallie Gal book)
Singapore Math (subtraction across multiple zeroes with regrouping)
Math Problem Challenge
Reading comprehension practice about Carribou
Prefix "trans" means across or over and review of "sub"
Analogies (word analogies)
Science (Caribbou reading passage)
practice piano and violin
finish Sallie-Gal book and write summaries for each chapter in her reader's response notebook
practice dance and gymnastics
gymnastics class (tonight)
violin lesson (tonight)
phonics lesson (ending consonants)-review


What an awesome week!  In about the time that one day of school would have taken us!

I look forward to next week's continuation of this special journey!!! 

From Kindergarten to 2nd Grade in 15 months

Haley began 2nd grade at five years old back in August.  She has done very well!  Enjoys her select few friends and her teachers, especially her AIG teacher, Mrs. Mobley.  Although she is especially social for such a little smarty, she has yet to be challenged academically, even grouped with children 2-3 years older than herself. 


While Haley has been working hard (or not so hard) in 2nd grade, I (Mommy) have been working hard growing a little baby inside of my belly.  The severe morning sickness has led to a medical leave of absence for the duration of the school year.  Because of the long drive from our house to school (35 minutes), and then 40 more minutes for Michael to drive to his work, it has become infeasible to get Haley to school without my driving her.

So, all of these circumstances have created the perfect storm leading us to withdraw Haley from Rockwell Elementary and begin to home school her as of the end of the school day, November 5th, 2010.

She has done an amazing job this week, although we have taken it quite easy to help her to adjust.  I am thrilled about the progress that she is already making in just a couple of short hours of work each day.  We feel such a sense of relief, knowing that we have made the best decision for our daughter and for our family!  I look forward to "getting my sweet little girl" back now that she is not worn out from long rides and long hours at school!  Home schooling is a blessing and we intend to make the most of it!

More to come...