HomeSchooling Our First Year

As we come to the end of our 1st year of homeschooling it is bittersweet. We have had our ups and downs and easy days and hard days. The girls have come along way in developing and adapting to a new learning style. They have taught me how to be more patient and a little more relaxed. It has been a great year and as I look back I really love the experiences.

This year we used a variety of learning materials and ways and I have found somethings that work and things that don't. I have found a community of supporters with my HS Mom's group. They have been a blessing to have, they have offered support after a trying week, they have helped me to realize that even the veteran HS have some of the same issues on any given day. They have been there when I needed a listening ear and not judged me for my shortcomings. I really am so glad that God brought them into my life.

We have visited various places to learn more about various things, from science to history. It has been a learning experience for our whole family and I believe that you really never stop learning.

A Wonderfully Busy Week

I have had a very busy week around here but I feel like it has been productive. I wanted to share a few of the highlights that have made this week special.

Our week began with a visit to the Atlanta History Center and on the way we enjoyed lunch at The Varsity .

They really enjoyed the visit and I really think that we will make a return trip for one of the other homeschool days that they have planned.

School week was great they are doing good. The third week went well. I have been looking at the SonLight curriculum and I would love to be able to use this system but it is cost prohibitive for us right now. One of the things that I really like about it thought is that everything thing is learned through reading and it is a great way to learn if you have a child who loves to read. I tried this week to incorporate more reading into each day and with a little less focus on worksheets and I think that is might be a great way to work. Now don’t get me wrong you can’t replace math with reading but History, Geography, Science, and English really can be learned through reading. I also feel that an oral approach is great for my children, so we are incorporating video learning and oral testing. This really seems to be working well. I will link to a few of the videos soon, on the homeschool link page.

I also was able to complete a couple of things on the creative side.

I made a new Nook/Kindle Cover (updated Tutorial coming soon) and a clutch/wristlet purse.

Remember to go and check out the great sponsors on the sidebars. Follow with Google Friend Connect to keep up with our latest giveaways. We have a few coming up in the next couple of months and I am excited to be able to offer some reall great products. 

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I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at  my right hand, I shall not be moved. ~ ~ Psalm 16:8

The Atlanta History Center

On Monday I took the girls for their first field trip. We went to the Atlanta History Center for the Homeschool Open House. This was a free event for Homeschool families. The Atlanta History Center offer information all day long about events that are scheduled throughout the school year just for homeschool families. While we were there we were able to see all of the exhibits that they have. The Swan House was my favorite stop on the tour, and the girls loved the Smith Farmyard and House. The other exhibits that are offered at the Atlanta History Center are:

The War In Our Backyard

Down The Fairway with Bobby Jones

Atlanta's Book (Gone With the Wind)

The Metropolitan Frontier, This exhibit talks about the way that population shifts have changed the face of Atlanta and the surrounding counties. This is one of the most interesting exhibits in the museum because it really shows how Atlanta used to be and what has shaped it into being what it is today. I wish I had taken a few pictures in this area because it really has some interesting artifacts.

The Centennial Olympic Games Museum

The girls really enjoyed the Olympic area complete with a winner's podium. 

This trip is well worth the drive and you can combine it with the Georgia Governor's Mansion if you would like because it is only a couple of miles down the road from it. 

Homeschool Reading Programs

I am new to homeschooling so some of you veterans might know what most of the things that I will be sharing but I thought having a list here will also help me to keep all these in one place. Links are posted after the jump.