School

   So, we've started schooling from home this year. I was unsure how it was going to play out because I don't consider myself an educator. Meaning, I never thought I would enjoy teaching my kids full time. I got a little spoiled when they went to school everyday. I was able to do all kinds of things with out taking kids with me, like have coffee or lunch with a friend. Now? I'm too busy most days to eat lunch at home =) The bottom line is this...I LOVE SCHOOL!!

   Before we started I was really worried about knowing if my kids were learning all they needed to learn within our year. I wasn't sure how to know. Do I have them tested at our school with the other kids? Could I have them tested at another location? Who presented the test? Who got the results? I wasn't sure where to start. And then we got some advice from the manager at our local Mazzio's Pizza. We've been going to the same pizza place almost every Sunday for close to 7 years. The staff knows what we want even before we order and where we want to sit. So, one Sunday in May, I was talking to the manager about homeschooling because of Aaron's schedule and he's says to look up CLASS. Because that's what he went thru. I never would have thought he was homeschooled. He said he remembered really liking it. I got right on the computer when we got home and started researching. We liked what we read so I wrote out questions we had and called them up. After being directed to the right office, a real person answered all my questions. We felt really good about the decision to go with their curriculum.

   Here's a run down...CLASS is an actual school in Arlington Heights, Ill. We have enrolled our 3 big kids and use their curriculum at home. We have tests to send in for grading and the kids get progress reports and report cards. I like this very much because I need to know that my children are learning what is set before them in case they are ever in a public/private school at a later time. It also lets me know that they're paying attention =) We have 4 quarters to our year and a full 12 months to get our work done. 2nd-12th grades test prior to enrolling so the curriculum dep. can makes sure the child is getting the right level for the course. They choose the curriculum for you. For us, this was a big plus. It being our first year and there being so many different publishers to choose from, this took the guess work out of it and relieved a lot of stress. We recognized most of the publishers they used so we were comfortable with it. This program means that we accountable to someone for our children's education. It also means that I can't be lazy with our school days.

   We received our books in mid-July and started school about 2 weeks later. We are now almost at our half-way point. Some subjects are going much quicker than others. Katie has only one more test and she'll be done with her science book. On the flip side, Ethan is about 2 weeks behind(my schedule) on his science. They have included a bible curriculum and a penmanship book. They have Nature Reader's(a book teaching about specific animals) and none teach the same thing. So, Ethan has learned about different birds, and Levi has learned about crabs, bees and wasps. And Katie is learning about a different animal for every letter of the alphabet. These books have made our trips to the zoo and aquarium much more fun. Levi's science book is covering the days of Creation. I have learned so much in the past 5 months. We read about Daniel Boone in front of a fire while it was raining outside this morning. I might have missed that if they were going away to school.

   And Evan? He's learning from his siblings. He knows his colors, shapes, ABC's, can count past 30, colors within the lines and he can use scissors. He can also make his own ham/cheese sandwich with out help =) He practiced the number 4 today and writes it like he's been doing it for years. Even though he's would only start pre-k next year because of when his birthday is, we'll think about starting with the kindergarten curriculum when we re-enroll the kids.

   So, there you have it. We have a structured school day. It's not all fun and games but we find time to do both. Sometimes the kids give me attitude and sometimes I give them some. We take breaks when needed but always get our work done. Most often we're finished before Aaron leaves for work at 1:45. It's hard work but right now I wouldn't have it any other way.