Our First Day of Homeschool

I know there will be hard days and harmonious days. Days where light bulbs come on and others where frustration dominates. I know I have a lot to learn but after our first week of homeschool, I honestly love it. I love watching them learn. I love knowing what they are learning and being a part of it with them. I love the slowness. No one has to rush anywhere. We can do our morning chores the right way and work as a team. I have time to teach and train and take breaks as needed. Lately, we have come back around to working on obeying right away, doing morning chores and table responsibilities. It’s a lot with a 5 year old, 3 year old and 16 month old but it’s worth it! 

Eli- Pre-K (age 5)

Micah – Preschool (age 3)

Zoe – 16 months

Our First Day of School

• I got up around 6:30, turned on the warm lights around the house, read through a prayer in The Power of A Praying Wife Book of Prayers and Pocket Prayers for Mama Bears and read my Bible. I put up the first day of school sign above our Montessori area. I prepped pumpkin chocolate chip waffles the night before and began heating up the waffle iron.
• Once the boys’ light turned green at 7, they got up.
• We gave hugs and said good morning and then drank orange juice.
• Next, they went to their rooms for morning chores. (Robby didn’t have to go in early so it was really nice to have him around to help.) I put in a load of laundry and got dressed.

• I filled the sink with warm water and dish soap and we ate breakfast.
• Next, the boys did their table responsibilities and I did the dishes by hand (something I started doing a year ago and has totally transformed the kitchen in a good way. No- I don’t use our dishwasher– I actually store things in it since our kitchen is small). Then we finished picking up the house.
• From 9:15 to 9:40, we took a quick walk where I pushed the little two and Eli rode his bike. He comes alive when he rides his bike so it was the perfect way to start our day.
• At 9:45 We did the 1st circle: (calendar time with this gorgeous Wheel Perpetual calendar. We went over the schedule on the carpet by the front door. The routine cards are on the back of the metal door.

• Then we transitioned to the table where Micah and Zoe played with play dough while I read the Bible story. Eli colored the mini coloring page for the book he is making from Raising Kingdom Warriors Montessori Christian Homeschool Curriculum- Year 1. We love it so far!

• I demonstrated the Bible tray which was pin punching a circle on black paper, symbolizing “God separated the light from the darkness on day 1 of creation.”

• Then I taught Eli a math lesson of Number Rods on a work rug on the kitchen floor. He immediately wanted to try it on his own (numbers 1-10)

• Next, I explained the Work Cycle– we would all choose activities quietly and put them all the way back when we are done with an activity. Micah picked out a classical music card for the Yoto Player and we began. I also showed them where their snack was in the fridge before we got started (small bowl of cantaloupe and half a cheese stick). They could choose to get snack anytime during the work cycle. It could be 30 min to 1 hour (or however long I wanted it to be). We worked for about 35 minutes. It was so peaceful and Eli even said, “This is so calm, Mom.”
• I fed Zoe an early lunch.
• Before 2nd Circle, we did an OT break (crab walks back and forth down the hall). Then I put on a VBS song and we danced and did hand motions. I knew they needed to get a little energy out and Zoe and Micah loved it too.
• Next, we rang the bell and did 2nd Circle.
• We sat at the reading corner in the living room and I read a chapter of The Wind in the Willows.
• Then I got my computer and we listened to a Handwriting without Tears song and sat at our little gray kids table so they could touch their feet on the floor. We talked about correct posture for writing and pencil grip. I taught them a pencil flip trick that the teachers guide includes. Micah is not quite in to writing. Eli has come so far in a year or so and is totally ready and interested. (All I have is this teachers guide and I made the other resources which seem like more than enough for this year.)

• I taught a reading lesson on the living room floor. We went over letters S and M playing a game where I hid a little painted rock under a cup and they have to guess which cup the object is under based on the clue I gave. I gave the clue by saying the sound (s or m). I didn’t say the name of the letter- just the sound.
• We were done around 12.
• They played on the front porch and I made lunch. It was so nice to go at our own pace. We ate outside and it was delightful. I love it.

Other First Week of School Happenings

• We did school at the park one day after an appointment for Zoe
• Another day, we did some school by a big fish tank at the hospital after another appointment. (Honestly, we have quite a few appointments with two kids in Physical Therapy, one in Speech and other appointments for Zoe with her medical history.)

• I love the freedom to make and create our own schedule and learning
• After our first continent lesson about our continent of the month, Asia, Eli ran up to me and gave me a big hug. He seemed so happy and excited to be learning right in our little duplex together as a family.

• More outside time.

• More time together as a family.
• They enjoyed quiet time (like we do every afternoon) where they listen to their Yoto stories and wholesome podcasts.

• They all enjoyed sensory bins (especially Micah and Zoe when I was working with Eli).

• We loved a little thrift run where we hit the jackpot of adorable fall and winter books after running an errand.
• Thursday is baking day. We made homemade cookie dough balls two weeks ago and froze them. This week past week, we prepped my homemade roll dry-ingredient-containers.

I know I’ve only just begun homeschooling and we are taking it year by year but the teacher in me already loves it and is excited to learn right alongside my kids.