Home schooling!

Here I am, an adult. With children. Homeschooling.

Growing up I was home schooled up until college. And although I wasn't exactly the perfect student. (Ask my mom.) I really enjoyed being home schooled. I loved my siblings. I loved the flexibility. I found some of my high school stuff recently including my planner and goals lists. I was so impressed with myself and my motivation to educate myself. I loved learning!

I always hoped to homeschool my own kids and when I met Jeremy that was definitely something we talked about early on when we were dating. And here I am starting school with my kids... I'm pretty giddy about it actually. And while we are still only in week 4 I've started appreciating my mom in a whole new way! Homeschooling is NOT easy. Nope. It's work. Extra work that I sometimes feel I don't have time for, and yet, its so satisfying to teach and learn along-side my kids. I love spending each day with them and hoping I can impart my passion for learning on to them in fun exciting ways. My kids have a teacher who is personalizing learning for them with great passion, care and time.

So here's the facts:

We named our school: Saint John Paul II Academy
JPII is my top choice for obvious reasons. He is a major patron saint for our family and work. He was also self educated in so many ways, often clandestinely. He loved learning and was such a well educated person. I admire his intellect and his holiness and aspire to raise strong holy men and woman to be like him.


What we are doing:

• This year we are doing a letter of the week route. I am loosely using THE CATHOLIC ICING curriculum.  Each week we get a new letter and base activities and games around the letter. He is starting to recognize, write, and sound out words and letters. We also tie in math, science, history, art and religion. 
• He said he "hated" homeschooling on the first day. Now he does like it, I think.
• HEM Co-op in Ham Lake 2x per month. I am teaching dance (for pay) for the 7th grade and up age kids. Gianna and Becket are in "Little Saints" nursery. Augustine is in "Young Disciples" pre-school and he is loving it! (Well, to be fair, on the second class he said he hated his teacher and didn't want to go.) I am learning he is scared of new things and his "shyness." I encourage him that even though he feels shy he doesn't have to act shy. I'm so proud that he is persevering and is excited to tell me -- "I wasn't shy today! You were right mommy!" (I hope to hear that a LOT in the years to come!)
• St Joseph's Catholic Church Co-op for Irish Dance 1x per month. (This is so adorable to watch I can hardly concentrate and talk to the other moms!)
• Catechesis of the Good Shepherd 1x per week. I LOVE this program. More on that later. Augustine likes it so far as well now that he is in his friend Lucian's class.