Next year, we'll... (Full Version)

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PrincessDonna -> Next year, we'll... (6/21/2009 12:39:45 PM)

As we all finish up this school year, and line up curriculum for the next, what are your plans and goals for next year?



PrincessDonna -> RE: Next year, we'll... (6/21/2009 12:44:02 PM)

We plan to...
-sit down and eat together at least once a day (starting to do this more, now that Brian's back surgery is over and he's in less pain!)
-have daily family Bible study and prayer, even if only 5 minutes
-start going to Swim 'n Gym at the Y
-make more of an effort to meet up with other homeschoolers (meeting two families in the next two weeks!)
-read out loud together

I think that's enough to shoot for.[;)] I can see our family dynamics changing already, as we start to implement these things we've always wanted to do. It's starting to fall together now, praise God!

ETA...I forgot one. I also want to get in the habit of going to the library at least every other week. Noah does not like to read outside of what I make him do for school, and I'm hoping free reign in the library will help him find books he likes to read.



nerakr -> RE: Next year, we'll... (6/21/2009 2:34:21 PM)

I'm just beginning our homeschool journey, with my oldest in kindergarten and an almost two-year-old. Ds5 can already count to 20 (the state minimum standard for the end of kindergarten), knows his letter sounds, and can spell and recognize some basic and not-so-basic words.

My goals for next year are to get a routine going (not sure if morning or afternoon school will be best b/c of the 2-year-old), teach him to read, teach him to count to 100, introduce him to the actual Bible (so far we've used Bible storybooks), and work on his penmanship. He's had trouble meeting the preschool's high standards, so he may not be ready to write, but we'll keep plugging away at it.



shadowspring -> RE: Next year, we'll... (6/21/2009 3:18:17 PM)

Well, mine's in high school, so I sure have different plans. I plan to:

Start each morning at the gym at 7 am.

Have my student ready to CLEP Spanish by January.

Prepare to take the SATs in April/May.

Teach him to drive a little most days. Home from the gym?

Make sure we check off all the right boxes every day: math, science, English, history, PE, and Foreign Language.

At night for many years we have had prayers and Bible stories, read Christian books together, and discussed ideas and doctrine. Now that our teens know pretty much everything we think on every subject, we have relaxed into something our pastor calls 5-5-5.

I forget why its called 5-5-5, I think we're supposed to spend five minutes on each part? Anyway, we all go around and share our highs and lows for the day, then we read a portion of scripture and everyone gets a chance to comment, hopefully even relate it to something we've already discussed. Then we go around in prayer. I definitely hope to keep this up.



judii1 -> RE: Next year, we'll... (6/21/2009 8:04:59 PM)

Donna, I am glad that you have a Y to go to. Ds loved to go there. The closest one to us now is about 40 miles away.

We still aren't finished with 9th grade. I gave Ds a short summer vacation. We plan on starting back after the 4th of July and doing school the rest of the summer. I'm adding swimming to PE as long as the pool in the town 15 miles away stays open.

I think I'm going to go back to Math U See next year. We have the biology book from Apologia and might invest the $150 in one of the online programs. We will probably use Abeka for English. I'm undecided on the rest of the curriculum.



narnia -> RE: Next year, we'll... (6/21/2009 8:40:25 PM)

I want to get out and have my blessing do more with other homeschoolers during the week.

I need to pick curriculum too, but right now I have no desire to do it.









PrincessDonna -> RE: Next year, we'll... (6/21/2009 8:40:45 PM)

Just to clarify...I'm not looking so much for curriculum choices or changes. More of what new activities you want to start, interests you want to encourage, family things you want to start doing, and character you want to develop.



TXRedhead -> RE: Next year, we'll... (6/21/2009 9:09:52 PM)

Well, we school all year round, so there really isn't a 'new year' to start something out of the blue. :)

However, my two kids [ages 6 & 7] will be starting a homeschool choir in the area that has been around a while for older kids and is just opening up a section for younger ones this year. They've started 3rd grade stuff, and we're still adjusting to the longer schedule with more courses. So, I think the biggie for us this year is just trying to adjust all the new stuff that we've just started into place with all of the activities we already do - church, karate, homeschool group play dates/field trips.



BlessedMamaofmany -> RE: Next year, we'll... (6/21/2009 9:48:25 PM)

We'll be reading aloud every day

Daily bible reading and prayer more consistently as a family. We do it now...but not every day.

More walking! It's getting hard now, since I'm ginormous...but hopefully next year, we'll be back to our weather-permitting daily walks.



cynthia -> RE: Next year, we'll... (6/21/2009 11:32:38 PM)

My main plan for next year is to be more organized. I am already starting on lesson plans and am reading ahead for British Literature, so I will be better able to keep track and help dd. This year, I plan to schedule a lot more field trips than we normally take. We need them, especially in winter. I have a list of them and am going to plan for them when making lesson plans, so we don’t end up skipping the field trips in order to do academics. I want to have at least one field trip per month.



PrincessDonna -> RE: Next year, we'll... (6/21/2009 11:57:59 PM)

quote:

I plan to schedule a lot more field trips than we normally take. We need them, especially in winter. I have a list of them and am going to plan for them when making lesson plans, so we don’t end up skipping the field trips in order to do academics. I want to have at least one field trip per month.


Oh, that's a great idea!



betterisoneday -> RE: Next year, we'll... (6/22/2009 12:02:34 AM)

Let's see, in the next year (starting this next week?) I want to get a bit more a of schedule, like having at least two school days be the same days each week. This last year, with working weird shifts, school was 3 or 4 days/week and rarely the same days every week.

And we need to get back in the habit of having morning Bible readings, haven't kept those up since we moved.
I'm sure there's more, but it's not coming to mind right now.



narnia -> RE: Next year, we'll... (6/22/2009 1:13:54 AM)

quote:

This year, I plan to schedule a lot more field trips than we normally take. We need them,


I think my blessing needs that too...except that we can't always count on being able to get out in winter here.

Character...

I would like her to stop whining, put forth more effort in school, be better at obedience and be strong enough not to follow what all her peers are doing.

Now that I have more shelves to store things I can be more organized this year. In fact I will have to tackle organizing where we store our class stuff before the year starts...but have no desire to do that either at the moment. Do we see a theme here[&:]

I did pick up a wooden file desk organizer that has all the days of the month on it that you can expand or shorten. It also has an analog clock on it which will help us as we learn more about time this year. I will use that to store papers and worksheets and such, which will be quite helpful instead of the stacking method I have been using...stacking on the floor. The room is fairly small and not a lot of useable wall space which is why the shelves will help.










W.O.F. -> RE: Next year, we'll... (6/22/2009 9:11:05 AM)

I would love to be able to quit my job so that I can be at home more!

My oldest is graduating from high school this spring (just took her last exam this past Friday...she's done except for 2 papers to hand in when she gets back from her mission trip!)....so I will lose a student...BUT I have one who will be starting Kindergarten year after next......

I want to do more field trips. We haven't done many the past couple of years...largely due to my working part-time.

I want to encourage the kids in their personal Bible times more...I always have...but in the past couple of years, have not been as faithful at follow through with them. We do family time every night.



cindybode -> RE: Next year, we'll... (6/23/2009 11:15:10 AM)

Next year I will put portfolios together and have them evaluated early enough that I don't have to frantically rush to the school to drop them off before the end of the day on June 30th.

Then again, I say that every year. [sm=aside.gif]



W.O.F. -> RE: Next year, we'll... (6/23/2009 12:35:53 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: cindybode

Next year I will put portfolios together and have them evaluated early enough that I don't have to frantically rush to the school to drop them off before the end of the day on June 30th.

Then again, I say that every year. [sm=aside.gif]

hey...at least you are consistent!



Bagel -> RE: Next year, we'll... (6/23/2009 8:02:43 PM)

Well, I live in a university town, and we have museums that the kids have never been too, as well as a raptor center that I'd like to take them too. So probably more "field trips". I'd like to have a more organized day including chores and schoolwork, in the hopes that I don't hear of anyone who is bored or wanting to watch tv.



amybreit -> RE: Next year, we'll... (6/25/2009 8:09:25 AM)

I have some goals for the summer, but here it is almost the end of June & we haven't started them yet. They are for all of us to be active every day (walk, do the Wii Fit, jump on the trampoline - just some sort of active time) & teach the kids new chores. They fold laundry & put away dishes, but I want them to know how to DO the dishes & DO the laundry! I hope these will spill over into the fall too. I'd like to add eating dinner together (at the table) most nights & doing a devotion with dh (we have a book called "Making Brothers & Sisters Best Friends" that we've been wanting to start for a long time). So, now those are my goals for July! I've also added that our schedule would SLOW DOWN in July to my prayer list!

As far as next school year goes, we are going to be gone 3 weeks in August to house hunt in OH. I had planned on starting back in early August. But now I think we'll start as soon as we get back from the house hunting (late August). Then we'll be moving mid-October. So, my goal is just to keep on track & try to get some school done during the move. We should get about 6 weeks under out belts before the movers come.



Homegrownkids -> RE: Next year, we'll... (6/25/2009 8:58:03 AM)

My goal is to get more organized. Last year, dd (gr8) was pretty much on her own. Now that she is starting high school, I would really like to keep better track of how she is doing and where she is at, and writing things down that she does. I would also like to spend more time with all my kids and getting their work corrected.

I also like your idea, Donna, about the Library. When I tested Dd this last year, she was a little low (not much though), in reference material. I have never physically had my children use the reference material at the library to search for something particular.

I am a little nervous about having a new baby this coming school year. I hope everything goes smooth:)

I would also like to keep on keeping on with our devotions. My goal is to read the the whole entire Bible to my children before they graduate -- or get jobs and have wacky schedules (hopefully reading it more than 1 time through). We are working our way through numbers right now. We used a Lapbook from "in the hands of a child" (I think it was called) and it helped keep us on track with our Bible reading. Along with this, I would really like all of us to have the same Bible version so we can read outloud.

I also have to throw Noah into our schedule with his eye drops and contact wearing. I know this might not sound like much, but it is kinda like school, if I don't have a routine it doesn't get done. Between baby, him, and everyone...I'm a little nervous about this upcoming school year!



Sunnymom -> RE: Next year, we'll... (7/1/2009 7:43:16 AM)

My basic plan for next year is to say "No" to everyone and everything that takes me (physically and mentally) away from family. I have this bad habit of offering help to all and sundry, and I nearly kill myself to meet the needs of others while still trying to meet the needs of family. Now that my mom's health, mental and otherwise, has started to slide downhill at a faster rate, I just cannot keep doing that to myself, and my husband really put his foot down about it, for which I am grateful. It may not sound like much, but for me, that's HUGE.

Just making that decision has freed me to commit to more activities for our family- karate, music, community service (that involves all of us), and day trips. I want to focus on the character issues I see cropping up, on their work ethic, time management skills, and more diversity in their reading material.



Ellie-Mae -> RE: Next year, we'll... (7/2/2009 7:37:37 AM)

Next year, I want to continue to do field trips, library trips, gym and swim, and night time reading. They have been so worth it.

Next year, I also want to record everything that we do better than we have been.

Next year, I want to actually finish the Spanish program that I got for the kids.

Next year, I want to get my kids back into music lessons.

Next year, I want to do more experiments, crafts, papers and other such stuff.

Next year, all my kids want to do NaNoWriMo.

Next year, I want to have the kids do more private devotionals and memorization.

Next year, we will hopefully have read the Bible, out loud, all the way through as a family.

Next year, I want to stress less and relax more.



FAWIHTT -> RE: Next year, we'll... (7/3/2009 2:58:10 AM)

We do Connections Academy which brings Public School and Home School together. They have the curriculum send you the books and materials for free. It's online and they still have a teacher and they still have to send in there assignments and take the tests but it's at home. We started Connections Academy last year and it's a good program.



judii1 -> RE: Next year, we'll... (7/5/2009 11:22:54 AM)

quote:

think my blessing needs that too...except that we can't always count on being able to get out in winter here.

It gets bad here in the winter, too. The only field trips around here would be snowmobile trails and I'm not really in to getting stuck in some field at 10 below zero!!
Most of the museums are in the city with the exception of the Train Station Museum whcih would take all of 5 minutes to see.

Not to get off track of the OP, but Ds just turned 16 and boy, the time from when we first started to homeschool until now went by VERY fast! I just want to mention this: Don't let your "want to's" turn into "wanted to's". There were so many things I wanted to do and we just didn't get around to it. I guess I'm trying to say that my baby is growing up!![:(][:(]

quote:

Next year, I also want to record everything that we do better than we have been.


Ellie, I like this book for recordkeeping. I used the high school one even when we were doing lelmentary work. It has more room to record stuff.
The Homeschooler's High School Journal



MrsDC -> RE: Next year, we'll... (7/6/2009 1:50:46 PM)

Great thread, Donna! May I suggest an accountability thread next so that we can keep each other accountable for what we write here?![:D]

Judii -- I SOOO agree! My oldest will be 17 in December. She's already making plans to further her education...sigh. The time just flies ridiculouly fast.

Anyway, next year...
Continue Mystery of History for the youngest 5 kiddos. Gosh, I love that program. Maybe we'll finish volume 1 this year! [;)]

Continue the weekly nature walks using the Handbook of Nature Study. (Check out this blog for ideas.) I haven't been too structured in following the blog's assignments, but we have been doing the nature walks. It's been really great to walk with the kids and see things through their eyes.

Continue Saxon Math for all. (Yes, the kids are groaning, but I don't care. I like the program and I am the teacher, so there.) [:D]

DD#1 is praying about volunteering at a local (sort of local) Christian school for the deaf for the coming year. If she does that, our group dynamic will change. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it, I guess.

I want to be more faithful to attend the weekly ladies' Bible studies at the church. God apparently wants me to as well, since I was just assigned as the leader for the next 6 weeks. That will be a good way for me to develop the habit. My problem is that during the school year at the end of the day on Friday, when the Bible study happens, I'm wiped out! I need to pray for a kick in the pants to get me out the door. Can anyone relate?

For Ds#2, I want to encourage his developing interest in metal-working. He struggles with pushing through challenges to finish a task, so this passion of his for forging is an interesting choice on his part. I'm looking forward to seeing what God does with my young blacksmith!

For Dss #3 and 4, my heart's desire is to see them begin to develop some spiritual depth this year. They just turned 13, so this is the age where I began to see glimpses of deeper maturity in the two older kids. The twins are so similar in some ways and yet so different in others. This year I want to encourage their individual pursuits of music and "hobbies". Would you believe that they really have no hobbies besides reading? I shouldn't complain; I know many moms who would do backflips if their 13 year old son decided to read Homer for the fun of it, but something inside of me cries out that they are in need of a reality outside of their fantasy novels. To be fair, Twin A is developing an interest in poultry and Twin B in reptiles. That's a start!

For Ds#5, my learning-challenged one, we'll be focusing on writing skills this year. His reading has improved by leaps and bounds. Dad now includes Andrew in reading the Bible outloud during our family devotions. It's a good esteem-booster! I think weekly short, written stories or descriptions are a good idea. Possibly some creative sentences with his spelling words -- which means I need to be more faithful in our spelling curriculum! ;^)

Dd#6 is so happy-go-lucky! She just craves workbooks, so I think I may scrounge some up for her when we're in the States in August. I can't believe that my youngest is in 5th grade this year! Wow!!! My desire for her this year is to develop a closer mom/daughter relationship with her. She's a very "girly girl", and I sometimes struggle to relate to her, so I need to work on that. I want to encourage her in her piano and drawing, too.

I think I need to print this post out and tack it to my nightstand so I read it everyday!!!

In my spare time, I would like to be able to sit down and play the piano a couple of times a week. I really miss that. I would also like to be able to spend a couple of (uninterrupted) hours blogging each week. (insert maniac laughing here...like that's going to happen!!!)

Like I said, pray for accountability!!! [;)]

-- Rebecca



PrincessDonna -> RE: Next year, we'll... (7/28/2009 4:18:44 PM)

So...how are we doing? If you had anything you were working on this summer, that is...

As for me...

quote:

ORIGINAL: PrincessDonna

We plan to...
-sit down and eat together at least once a day (starting to do this more, now that Brian's back surgery is over and he's in less pain!)
-have daily family Bible study and prayer, even if only 5 minutes
-start going to Swim 'n Gym at the Y
-make more of an effort to meet up with other homeschoolers (meeting two families in the next two weeks!)
-read out loud together

I think that's enough to shoot for.[;)] I can see our family dynamics changing already, as we start to implement these things we've always wanted to do. It's starting to fall together now, praise God!

ETA...I forgot one. I also want to get in the habit of going to the library at least every other week. Noah does not like to read outside of what I make him do for school, and I'm hoping free reign in the library will help him find books he likes to read.


I have met three local-ish homeschoolers in a month! Yay, me! Also, a good friend has decided to hs her kids too, and she just lives right up the road!!

I signed the kids up for the summer reading program and we've been going to the library once a week. Looks like Monday or Tuesday will be a good "library day"...we'll see if that continues to be the best day in the fall. Noah has logged 14+ hours of reading already!

We have read through two chapter books together. Even Levi has (mostly) sat and listened!



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