Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Final Summer Field trip and Back to School

With the start of school looming- we decided to take 1 last Summer Field trip.  We took a trip to the small local zoo the day before school started.  We love this place, it's not crowded, it's cheap, and fun. 
 My silly animals, Roo- going into 2nd grade, Bug- going into 8th grade, and Doodle- 4th grade
 Cute little Box Turtle
 
 Wallaby- sitting in the shade by the fence
We had a nice field trip! And of course- all you can eat Pizza at Pizza Pie Cafe (my boys favorite- combine all you can eat with Pizza and Pasta- and we're SET!  

And the 1st day of school, Aug 2012-

 
This will be a different sort of year for us! For the past 8 years, Bug has been Homeschooled, the past 2 years he's taken a few classes at the local public school, but this year he (and we) decided it was right to send him to public school full time.  (bittersweet day for this momma- I've always known this day would come- we've always planned on homeschooling until High School, then sending them to public school--  the day just came a year earlier than I'd expected.)  But he was excited and he was ready. 
The classes he is taking this Semester:
-9th grade Honors Math (thanks to Pam, our WONDERFUL, Amazing and special Math tutor!)
- Language Arts
-Brass (he LOVED the Band Teacher at the Intermediate School, and what a blessing, this teacher moved to the Middle school!
- US History
-Health
-Exploring Technology
 
Doodle will again be going to Public school.  He's in 4th grade this year, and I tihnk we have a great teacher- She seems very organized and on top of things!  As hard of a decision as it was for me to make, it's really the best decision for him.  He is doing well, and I think its been good for him to see the pro's and con's of homeschooling versus public school.   

My one lonely little homeschooler! Roo will continue to homeschool this year. I'm excited to get to spend this one-on-one time with him. We have some fun things planned this year. Here's what he'll be using in his school drawers-

Drawer 1- Your Choice from School Cupboard
Drawer 2- Spelling and Writing
 Drawer 3- Pam's Math assignments and Math games
Drawer 4- Computer time- various websites, dance mat typing, math games etc.
Drawer 5- Read a book to mom, and various reading games
Drawer 6- PE and Piano
Drawer 7- Our FAVORITE! Five in a Row- if I had 1 thing to recomment to new homeschoolers it would be this.  We just love the simpleness and fun, and effectiveness of Five in a Row.  Along in this drawer is copywork- a sentence each day from our story of the week, various lapbook and notebook components that include social studies, language arts, art, applied math and science, (and more!)
Drawer 8- Finish up Botany, then start Apologia Flying Creatures of the 5th day-
Drawer 9- Writing Journal
 
We are looking forward to a GREAT school year!