Back to Hodgepodge Homeschool

We are back to Hodgepodge Homeschool in full force in September! We have been stepping back in here and there for the last weeks. There are many things I want to share with you, my friends, since I have been practicing the habit of rest for about six weeks now.

I have homeschool things to update you on, a health journey update and, of course, more art tutorials! This week, I share how our 2015-2016 homeschool year is shaping up.

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18 – My prayer for our #homeschool this year and for our children always! First day of #HodgepodgeHomeschool ? (L to R: Senior, 8th grade, Junior, 2nd grade, 4th grade) ?

Homeschool Senior Moments

I will share a new feature over these next years with highlights from these children that will be graduating! I just typed that. Yes, I did. These are senior moments in the sense of homeschooling the high school senior.

Our eldest daughter is a senior this very year. Our eldest son will graduate next year (two in a row for my eldest children, just 20 months apart in age). Next homeschool year Middle Girl will be a high school freshman. Time flies when you are having fun and your days are full!

So I have been having senior moments. Not only those moments of parenting when I have reflected on children growing up. But also deadline moments. Like homeschool transcripts, college applications and essays. College visits, senior pictures, ordering a cap and gown. Applying for scholarships and financial aid. Plus a senior thesis. Yes sir – we are already starting on that with Tapestry of Grace. Those type of moments.

I share these to show you that you can do it too. I am learning – both my daughter and I are continuing our education. But I have help! I plan a whole separate post on that and how I have tapped Annie Kate’s advice (though she may not even know it!) and modeled transcripts in the way she did with The Home Scholar’s advice. Plus my sister-in-law, bless her heart, has graciously fielded high school guidance counselor questions – because she is a high school guidance counselor. A role that each of us homeschooling high school parents play as well.

Senior Moments so far:

• College visits and more planned.
• I took my daughter’s senior pictures (I took them myself while we were on our family beach vacation week before last – beautiful setting!)
• I completed our high school transcript (been working on that for a while now)
• My senior applied to her first college and wrote an application essay. She also filled out the registration for an upcoming Scholar’s Weekend – with another essay.

At the same time I have created my daughter’s transcript, I have been keeping my son in mind. I am a step ahead with him. Yay! Both my junior and my senior will be taking a few courses together. Why not? Their schedules look like this:

• Together: Visual Latin 2, Economics for Everybody, Dave Raymond’s American History, Driver’s Ed, Triple 1070 (revisit next semester), Tapestry of Grace Year 1 – Ancients, World Literature, Personal Fitness (PE)
• Senior: Learn Math Fast Vols 6 and 7, Advanced Composition (senior thesis and more), Home Economics, Piano/Music Theory II
• Junior: Teaching Textbooks Algebra II, Chemistry/Health

Homeschool Middle School

My busy Middle Girl is being challenged with transitioning to high school this year. An eighth grader, she is starting Biology after she finishes up the human body unit in General Science. By starting this year, she can go at an easier pace, work in experiments and use all those fantastic resources in the Apologia Biology SuperSet.

Life Skills: One tool that is a BIG hit with her is her A Plan in Place Student Planner. She loves it and has already said that she wants a High School Planner next year. (I have also been thrilled with my Homeschool Teacher Edition but more on that later!) She plans out everything – all her subjects – plus her extracurricular and volunteer commitments. Planning is a tool. A life skill and a gift to give to our children. The student planner gives her plenty of practice.

Middle school subjects look like this: Bible, Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra, General Science/Biology, Tapestry of Grace Year 1/Dave Raymond’s American History (video based), Rod and Staff English 8, Piano, Drama Troupe plus volunteer activities at our church.

Homeschool Elementary Set

These two! They rise before the sun then play and read some. We get started as the older ones are just starting to slowly move. They work through each of their subjects and then they are off to play together again. I am daily thankful that they have each other and love to spend time together.

It’s hard to do math when you are thinking about playing in the ocean and building sandcastles ☀️ this time last week. #weareallfeelingreluctant

Second Grader: He had one overwhelming day this week. We’ve added in Rod and Staff English 2. That is one more subject than he is used to. He was really struggling to get through it all. So we took breaks between subjects. I will also point out that during second grade and most of elementary, we do Rod and Staff English lessons orally. Once we reach diagramming sentences and other skills that I feel we need practice writing out, we do so. Otherwise, they get so much practice writing in math, handwriting and spelling. Plus science notebooks and more.

Three weeks ago we enjoyed a field trip! You might recognize @atlantahistorycenter #SwanHouse from The Hunger Games movies. Such wonderful, southern history here. But we also love the extensive Civil War and Olympics exhibits, the Smith Farm house, the Victorian playhouses and the absolutely gorgeous gardens. We even had a picnic with our friends! Very well attended #homeschool day. Be sure to explore www.atlantahistorycenter.com for all the fantastic learning on upcoming homeschool days and family events. Plus, we are excited about the new exhibits being added over the next few years! We are so thankful for all The Atlanta History Center does for families!

Fourth Grader: Continues on in many of her same subjects. But she is also doing a little more writing this year through Tapestry of Grace assignments. Extracurricular she is enjoying Drama Troupe, Chimes (hand bells) and playing a drama part in our church’s children’s Christmas play.

Three weeks ago: Double the table size allows for a whole town! #kindabacktoschool #HodgepodgeHomeschool #homeschoolroom

Manners Made Easy. I placed this etiquette book on our kitchen table intending to read it aloud during lunch. She picked it up and has been reading it throughout the days this week. At bedtime, early morning and more. It does have wonderful quote and mini history lessons. You can read my full review at The Curriculum Choice.

Four weeks ago: We just couldn’t help starting @apologiaworld Astronomy. We were just too excited about it! #slowandsteady #afewthingsafterlunch #homeschool #HodgepodgeHomeschool we are also setting up notebooks and things.

Together they learn:

• Apologia Exploring Creation Through Astronomy (oh we got some GREAT star gazing in at the beach last week with the lights out for sea turtles. We saw SO many stars!)
• Tapestry of Grace History Year 1

Two weeks ago: It is allergy awareness day in our house! Meaning that it was our annual allergy and immunology check up. (And a magnetic, sand town is a bonus, for sure). We are hopeful because skin testing shows that Littlest Girl may be outgrowing her peanut allergy. That is to be confirmed with the lab work that was done today. And a possible food challenge later. This is exciting, y’all!! The allergist was also surprised that both children haven’t taken any seasonal allergy meds in a year. (Thank you essential oils for helping with seasonal sniffles!) Lil’ Buddy’s nut allergy appears to have improved though the egg allergy is hanging on. Every little bit is reason to celebrate!! #1000gifts ❤️ #peanutfree #eggfree #treenutfree #epipentotingfamily

• More about their allergies all the time. They both had a check up with their allergist a few weeks ago.

(We decided on the rectangular arrangement) Taking a poll! Which do you think is more functional and practical? ? #homeschoolroom

IKEA, Chalkboard and MORE! This Labor Day weekend, in addition to having some rest and play time, we are moving children around! Some are going to get their own, new rooms and some are reorganizing. I think the timing, here at the start of school, is just perfect. We usually do some big reorganization in July but the Lord was telling me to rest then. I’ll share with you the results over the next weeks. Of course, I’ll likely be sharing the progress on Instagram.

You can always follow our #HodgepodgeHomeschool moments on Instagram. I love to share those every day sorts of things. Capture moments. Because, especially this year, I am savoring!

Linking up and sharing in the fun with Mary’s Collage Friday and Finishing Strong.

Random Question: Have you seen The War Room? We saw it Sunday night and highly recommend it!