Days

We are a couple of weeks into this school year. I hadn't meant to keep track; I thought it would be inconsistent of me, since my philosophy is 'education is a life.' However, school start times, subjects, and finished accomplishments are so important to Kevin that I find myself noticing the days.
It's okay; they've been good days.

We practice reading, which is, at this juncture, practicing letter sounds. We try to put them together, but K just can't, yet. It will come.
Piano lessons are not going very well. Part of the problem is K's age, I suspect. The other part is K's mom. She hasn't figured out how to mix having authority and being exciting as she teaches. K is going to have to learn how to sit and work at it for at least 10 minutes, and how will she learn if I don't teach that? I've been focused on keeping her attention and enjoying the process, but am going to have to insist on obedience. K does like the music, and being able to play, but doesn't like the work it takes to get there.
We started our sketch books last week. I'm so pumped about those! I have to admit, this is more about me than the girls. Though, I think Charlotte Mason would approve of the drawing, because she's all about appreciating beauty, and drawing helps draw the attention to the beautiful.
I've been worrying myself about nature study, since I didn't have anything planned other than lots of time outside. However, I had a nice talk with Nelleke, who pointed out that K is only 4, after all, and perhaps, being outside is enough. She suggested starting with what I know myself (the plant and bird names, etc). Later on, I can add to that. It makes sense. And it's easy, which is what I need right now.
Why? Because Nanny is coming home today.

Starting school

Our morning paper was full of back-to-school sales flyers, so I really should get ready! Must buy my girls some leggings and tunics; they seem to be all the rage. And, I must stop at target for their 10 cent lined-paper deal; surely I will need a package or two.
Actually, not. Getting ready, for me, is mainly about taking about 20 minutes to reevaluate what we are doing now. So, let me see...
We already have a plan for our weeks that I have been loosely following. Maybe I could complicate things a little.
Drawing on Mondays. We could get some sketch books! The kind with black covers and thick white pages! That would be fun. I already have lots of step-by-step tutorials on my Pinterest to try with K.
Music on Tuesdays. Piano lessons for K and E; this is so enjoyable for me, and they love it. I'll just continue on with my Piano Adventures Series Primary lesson book, skipping when needed.  I had thought this book had too much busywork, but it is working well for us.i especially love hype pecking chicken song. Awesome.
Numbers on Wednesdays. Maybe I should get serious about this. I bet K would love a little bit of math. But first, we'll keep on learning to write the numbers. Every time she writes numbers, K ends up doing lots and lots of 10s, "because I like them. And they're easy." Yes, they are. But 5s are useful, too!
Letters on Thursdays. We've already learned all the letters, and most of the letter sounds, so we can go right into officially learning to read. My mom lent me her blue-backed speller, so I'll use that as a guide.  I really should add in a library visit, too. Maybe once a month? Once every 6 weeks might be better.
Baking on Fridays. For K, this is mostly about doing stuff with mom, and therefor enjoyable. E, on the other hand, has a passion for the dough; for tasting, rolling and squishing. For smelling the cinnamon before it goes in; for watching it disappear and make all the flour brown.
Nature study on Saturdays. I haven't done anything with this, yet, though I want to. Mainly because Nelleke is so inspiring, over at Education is a Life.  We do play outside, and that has been enough for now. I suppose planting and harvesting the garden, discussing and moving the worms, and the drainage project have been fairly educational.
Every day we read books and scripture, and sing, and memorize.  I have begun a binder of songs I want to sing in harmony with the girls, when they are old enough. Soon, I plan to start a binder to keep track of our memory work, both for review, and to give us direction.


And for keeping up appearance: I should make up a schedule and post it somewhere. Also, alphabets and number cards. I suggested that this would be a good time to get a printer; not because I need to print out curricula, but because I will be able to print out decorative stuff to make our house look really educational.
As if education was a place, rather than a life.