We like to start our school time together around 9:00 am, but today we began at 10:30. This is one of the reasons I have fallen in love homeschool. We adapt our learning to what we need and those needs change from day to day. Adapting helps us avoid melt downs both from the kids and from me. Now I admit that my kids weren't as gung-ho as they were the first day of school. It's easy to be excited when you have a new school outfit, pictures, and anticipation for a new school year. How can the second day even measure up? I admit, it starts with me. If I want a happy home that is a place of learning...I have to be happy and create that environment. I set the tone. It isn't easy and I am continually working at this. We have done homeschooling for a year now, so I am still a newbie at this. But something I have found rewarding is that a love of learning has developed for each of my children; they have a desire to know and understand so many things.
I believe reading is key. If I want my children to blossom in learning, they must be able to read. My oldest daughter reads with ease. Phonics are easy for her to recall and she has become a fluent reader. My second daughter has struggled a bit with her reading. It doesn't come as easy for her and it requires more time and effort on her part. I have to be consistent with her each day or her progress is hindered. Over the summer our library had a fun reading program where if you read so many minutes a day, you could earn a free book. I thought this was great, but I decided to up the ante. I told my girls that if they read at least 15 books then they could select a toy of their choice. They were excited and motivated... and I was thrilled. Avery wanted a telescope and Taylor wanted a science kit. They both reached their goals, but I admit that it wasn't easy. Some days were very difficult and it felt like we were getting nowhere, and other days I found them curled up immersed in a story. Either way, if I encouraged them each day and continued to work with them they eventually completed their goal. My challenge was to find what motivated them. The last book that Avery finished reading is one of my favorite stories, adapted for young readers.
I believe reading is key. If I want my children to blossom in learning, they must be able to read. My oldest daughter reads with ease. Phonics are easy for her to recall and she has become a fluent reader. My second daughter has struggled a bit with her reading. It doesn't come as easy for her and it requires more time and effort on her part. I have to be consistent with her each day or her progress is hindered. Over the summer our library had a fun reading program where if you read so many minutes a day, you could earn a free book. I thought this was great, but I decided to up the ante. I told my girls that if they read at least 15 books then they could select a toy of their choice. They were excited and motivated... and I was thrilled. Avery wanted a telescope and Taylor wanted a science kit. They both reached their goals, but I admit that it wasn't easy. Some days were very difficult and it felt like we were getting nowhere, and other days I found them curled up immersed in a story. Either way, if I encouraged them each day and continued to work with them they eventually completed their goal. My challenge was to find what motivated them. The last book that Avery finished reading is one of my favorite stories, adapted for young readers.
Pride & Prejudiceđź’•
(I saw her love for Mr. Darcy blossom...so magical!)
This school year I have selected books from a reading list used by Hillsdale Academy. They are a charter school which publishes all of their curriculum by grade (and a week by week schedule) online. We don't use everything that this charter school lists, but it has been a very valuable resource for our school. I was so surprised to find my girls in different parts of the house today, reading their first assigned book. What was supposed to take two weeks to read...they both finished their book in two days. They will fill their time for now with books of their choosing until it is time to begin the next book.
I think we successfully avoided the second day slump and hopefully we can keep it going. I'm up for the challenge.
Below I have listed the reading list we will follow for 2nd and 3rd grade:
I think we successfully avoided the second day slump and hopefully we can keep it going. I'm up for the challenge.
Below I have listed the reading list we will follow for 2nd and 3rd grade:
Second Grade Reading List
Third Grade Reading List
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