It almost seems strange starting school in September. It has been easier for us to use the Ugandan school schedule all of these years. However, because the time has come for our children to start graduating, this year we switched to the American system.
 |
| Shane - our senior |
Shane will be returning to the States in May to graduate from our home church. Wow - it doesn't seem possible. I can still remembering the struggle of teaching him kindergarten! Some of you can relate - first year homeschooling...first child...great expectations...nothing goes as planned. But we both have survived 12 years, and now he is a senior! I am proud of him that he has bravely endured my rough teaching, many days of interrupted school time, and years of classroom on the road or in hotels. Thank you, Shane, for your patience with me.
 |
| Stanley - our sophomore |
Give Stanley a book - nearly any book - and he is happy. Thus said, he hasn't had to work hard at school. In fact, a day seldom goes by that he doesn't offer an additional tidbit of information to go along with what we are studying. His knowledge humbles me, and I am thankful that I can learn from him.
 |
| Shae-Lynn is in 7th |
I'm not sure if it is third-child status or first-girl status, but Shae-Lynn would have been happy to be Amish and attend school for just 8 years. She would much rather be making cookie dough for Grandpa, organizing my room, or fixing lunch than to be writing a report or drilling math facts. However, she has the most initiative. I assign them a whole week's work at once and leave the daily scheduling up to them. Shae-Lynn is usually done in three days.
 |
| Shiloh is in 5th |
Although he gets good grades, Shiloh doesn't get excited about school. Now if his Legos can attend class with him, then there is enthusiasm! Since we have been back from the States, he has really become a reader, tackling teen-level books. He is taking after his mom in staying up late at nights to read.
 |
| Skyler is in 3rd |
If I could somehow bottle all of Skyler's energy and direct it toward school, I would have a genius in my house. Yet despite his rambunctiousness, he is the one who enjoys working at his desk the most. The rest of us would much rather lounge on the couch in casual study. However, with six children in school this year, the desks are going to have to become mandatory.
 |
| Savannah is in kindergarten |
And now Savannah has officially begun school. In just two days, she completed the work I had scheduled for the whole week. Shh! We won't tell anyone and just let her sail as fast as her mind will work. I see myself in her (scarey, I know!). I loved school, so I hope at least one child will have that same love.
Probably one of the most popular questions I got asked on furlough was what curriculum we use. We have used so many good things over the years, but this is our set-up for this year:
* Bible: Shane through Shiloh are using Plain Path Publishers; Skyler and Savannah are learning chapters from the Bible using booklets I made for S.S. years and years ago.
* English: Easy Grammar
* Spelling: Spelling Power
* History: Shane will be reading a lot of biographies and doing reports each week. The rest are using The Mystery of History Vol 1, while doing ancient city lapbooks from Live and Learn Press.
* Science: Apologia Physics, General Science and Botany with lapbooks from Live and Learn Press.
* Math: Math-U-See
* Savannah and Skyler are also using material from Sing, Spell, Read and Write.
 |
| Keith Stensaas Family - August 2012 |
May you all have a very wonderful and productive school year!
Comments
Post a Comment