Some End-Of-Summer Adventures

The first week of school has been successful and fun. The boys have been excited to learn and have been working hard on all of our projects and activities. We've been doing some things every day (circle time, music, math, writing, stories) and gradually adding in other components of our homeschool. We are still in the process of getting into a real routine. Co-ops are yet to start. It's still summer.

It feels like we have feet in both worlds --- beginning the rigor and structure of school, yet still enjoying summer fun and adventures. I guess that's one of the real advantages of homeschooling. We have a flexibility that allows us to ease into a full schedule and to take advantage of good weather and other opportunities for learning and fun. I don't want to get locked into a routine that feels difficult and burdensome for the boys (or for me), especially at this young age. But the perfectionist in me sees all the plans I have and everything I want them to learn. I have been trying to find some balance and trying to have a wholistic view of learning. I know that the boys learn just as much from our various adventures as they do from the books we read and work in at our school table. I have been making a concerted effort to help them reflect critically on their experiences and record them through narrations and drawings. We are keeping a binder with their reflections and observations. (More on that in another post.)

Here are some snapshots from our week:

We read Ten Apples Up On Top by Dr. Seuss. We practiced balancing things on our heads and we made fun pattern apple crafts.

Last week we had a few days of AWESOME weather --- neither hot nor humid. We simply had to break away for an afternoon at the zoo with our friends and my mom. Jon even took the afternoon off and joined us! It was great fun.Here's Ray face-to-face with a (sting)Ray.On Sunday we enjoyed a picnic at a local park with some other Pray and Play families. It was a nice relaxing evening. The children really enjoyed the playground, especially the sand area.The boys tried their luck at fishing. Adam didn't want his picture taken (again), but I just had to try to get a shot of his face. He looked like he had been at war in a jungle or something. He plays so hard and sweats so profusely! At bedtime, after a serious scrubbing in the bathtub, I asked him if he had fun getting so dirty at the park. He replied, "Yes Mommy, that's one of my talents."
This afternoon we went creeking with some of our homeschool friends. It was such a simple, fun, hands-on, natural learning experience. Three families, nine children, lots of exploration and discovery.

The boys had a blast trying to throw rocks into this pipe and onto the ledge underneath it.
We found lots and lots of buckeyes, some minnows, some crawfish (?), one snake (!), and many interesting rocks and shells.

It was a wet and wild afternoon!When we came home we studied the various nuts, rocks, shells, and leaves that we brought home with us. We wrote notes and drew sketches for our nature journals. I love teaching and learning this way!