Making Good Progress

Well, we have started our third week of school and we are making excellent progress this year. One of my main goals for Joshua and Joy this school year is personal responsibility and independent work. Having a classroom with only five students makes it extremely easy for me to give one-on-one help to each child. This can be wonderful, but can also be extremely damaging. It is easy for us as parents, whether we homeschool or not, to help our children by doing something for them. That isn't really helpful. It is so important for us to look at the big picture when helping our children.

You see our purpose in parenting is not to raise perfect children (although that would be a nice bonus along the way). Our purpose is to raise godly, productive, independent adults. It is difficult to think of raising adults especially when our children are very young, but that is the goal, right? So what am I doing today that will help them become what God wants them to be? What am I teaching them and how can I best help them to become more like Christ, more independent, and more successful. (sorry, I didn't mean to start preaching)

Last week, I started developing their independent work habits by writing out six daily activities on magnetic word cards and placing them above their desks. When I work with the younger children, Josh and Joy are responsible for independently completing the six activites. I have to admit, I was very nervous about it the first day. Josh and Joy surprised me by enthusiastically tackling each activity. After they were finished with their work, I was finished with the younger children and we all enjoyed some recess time together. The best part was still to come though.

When Daddy arrived home that evening from a long day of work, I was thrilled to hear the first thing Josh and Joy wanted to tell Daddy about their day. They told him all about how they did their work "All By Myself" and they began to list the six things that they did. They had such a sense of accomplishment because they are learning to work independently and be responsible for their own work.

Their six required assignments vary from day to day, but always include the following four activities.

1. Handwriting practice pages.

2. Math facts sheet.

3. Language daily practice journal.

4. Math daily practice journal.

I vary the remaining two assignments per day which the kids seem to enjoy.

On a side note . . . . Today I won an awesome Carson-Dellosa pocket chart for only  $7.00 on ebay.  This chart is normally $40.00 from Carson-Dellosa.  I love how the Lord provides these little blessings along the way, don't you?

We will be starting our annual Dr. Seuss theme in September and we always have a book reading goal for the month.  This will be perfect to chart our progress reading toward our goal of 150 books in the month of September.  It also includes Farenheit and Celsius temperature measurements for our Science study of weather in January.  LOVE IT!!!