MFW 1st Grade - Week #4

BIBLE:  This week's scripture:   "Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge."  Proverbs 23:12

Part of Caleb's handwriting practice is writing  a bible verse.  This was the first week that he's had to do that and he did a great job!

READING:   Our language arts/reading lessons have really been kicked up a notch.  Lots of reading and writing practice.  Here is an example of just part of one day's lesson.

Our  daily lessons also consist of reading a set of six words and then matching them to the appropriate pictures.  Then he has a set of 4 sentences that have to be matched with pictures.  

MFW 1st Grade - Week #3

We had an awesome 3rd week of school.  Caleb was more in tune to our schedule and what needed to happen.

BIBLE:  Scripture memorization is probably easier for Caleb than it is for me!  So, I use our dry erase board faithfully.  I have last weeks scripture and this weeks scripture written small at the top and some reminders of the days of creation written at the bottom.  I can look at the board at a glance and it helps us put some of these things to memory as we can repeat them as needed.

This weeks scripture is, "He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during the harvest is a disgraceful son."  Proverbs 10:5

We continued reciting last weeks scripture as well.   I'm so proud of him.  For some reason this weeks scripture was easier for him to memorize than last weeks.

In our daily devotional we learned a little bit about Adam and Eve and even some about Cain & Abel.

Not Back to School Blog Hop

Just getting in on the action with the "Not Back to School Blog Hop"....some fun photos taken just before school started.  I took one of my 1st grader ON our first day of school and it wasn't a good one, so we're going to enjoy these instead... (Note:  Had to remove the original pictures I had posted here.  I discovered that since they were done professionally, I did not acquire the right to post them.  :(   )

1st Grader

My 10th grader

He is in public school.  Long story, but that's what he prefers.

MFW 1st Grade - Week #2

If we want to get technical, this was actually our first FULL week of school since MFW had us start on a Thursday last week.  We had so much fun!  We're starting to get into a groove with our school schedule and lessons plans and that's such a good feeling.  Caleb seems to like knowing what's on the agenda.  That doesn't surprise me a whole lot.  He likes to ask what's coming tomorrow, and the day after that!

I tried my best to use an outline format and prepared 32 weeks of lessons ahead of time.  I can tell at a glance what's coming up next.  I feel I am more organized this way as I've made a lot of notes about the materials, books, and items we'll need - - BEFORE we actually need them.  There would be nothing worse than getting to a project, but being short an ingredient.

MFW 1st Grade - Week #1

Our first week consisted of only two days, Thursday and Friday, at the recommendation of MFW.  They feel it is best to start off with a two day week using the new schedule and heavier workload, then have a weekend with a fresh start on Monday again.

Caleb worked on his bible scroll worksheet, which is also a refresher of A-B-C.  We also did E-F-G, but I didn't take a picture of that.

School Supplies and More....

School supplies.  They hit around August or so every year.  I've been buying school supplies for - well....over twenty years.  The usual school supply list consists of pencils, coloring pencils, crayons, notebook paper, binders, glue, ruler, kleenex, dry erase markers, paper towels, 


It was actually sorta fun buying school supplies this year.  When you're home schooling, your list doesn't exactly match those of the public school system.  While we also needed a binder or two and some fresh colors, we also needed the following: rope, coffee filters, a large glass jar (for our worm hotel, masking tape, twine, dowels, pipe cleaners, to name a few.

Speakers and Workshops and Vendors - Oh My!

This past weekend was my second time to attend a home school convention.  My first time left me feeling very overwhelmed, yet convinced home school was the option for us.  That was two years ago and Caleb was still a pre-K student.  But, I gleaned valuable information that led us further into the direction of home schooling.  

I wasn't sure that I could fit in two days to attend the convention this year, but I burned some midnight oil and managed to get other responsibilities done, which then allowed me the opportunity to attend.  I was so tired, but very grateful to have made it work.  I came home with valuable information to use going forward.

This time my group of HS mom's (4 of us went together) went to the Woodlands to a convention sponsored by the Texas Home School Coalition / THSC.  If you are a homeschooler that hasn't heard of it - - I encourage you to check it out.  

They are a group founded by home school parents who now provide TONS of information and LEGAL support for those that become members.  For a reasonable fee each year, the home school parent is comforted by the legal defense they will provide if necessary.  They also keep us abreast of all the political "stuff" going on regarding home school.  It's a very valuable resource.