Back to School

The 2010-2011 school year is now well underway. We just completed our second week of school and it is going well. I was dreading it starting as my life generally gets busier when school begins, but it has actually been going very well.

Our children continue to be enrolled in River Springs Charter School. This year, however, Hannah is the only one I am homeschooling and responsible for her learning. Hannah is in 3rd grade and is an incredible student. She attends RSCS Riverside Student Center on Tuesdays where she gets to take four workshops: American Girl, Art Meet the Masters, Photography and Adventures in Music. The other days I have to scramble to keep up with her as she willingly asks for more school work. We are enjoying a unit on Little House in the Big Woods and just bought ingredients to make our own cheese.

Hannah - 3rd GradeElizabeth - 4th Grade
Elizabeth and David are enrolled in RSCS's Mosaic program. They attend classes on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. They do home study days on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This allows our entire family to be home on Thursdays which is also Kevin's day off.

Mosaic was not their first choice, they wanted me to homeschool them as well. However, for a variety of reasons we felt this was best for this year. Elizabeth comes home from her days at Mosaic just beaming, so despite the fact that she won't admit that I was right and she does like it, I know that she does. She is doing well with her schoolwork despite having informed me that "having the right outfit" ready for the next day is more important than having her schoolwork finished.

David - 7th Grade

David has become so responsible and independent with his schoolwork it is a joy to watch. He has been finished with his work most mornings with very little prompting or help. He has begun Algebra this year, which he is apparently ready for, but I am not sure I am. Helping him with questions is getting much harder.

Of course I try to spend lots of time with Joel and Melody as well. Joel really wants to be in school, too. He has some preschool books that he loves to do and Hannah is always happy to teach him. He has a good grasp of his letters and sounds. He will be starting T-ball soon and he can hardly wait.

Melody has had her evaluation for Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physical Therapy (PT). We were very happy that she does not currently need OT, which is what we expected. However, as soon as their finished writing her plan up, we expect to start PT in earnest. That will take a big chunk of our time in the next few months. While playing with her I spend time working with her legs as best I know how and look forward to more direction from the PT.