Here We Go Again!!

 Homeschool Year 13

Time just flies! We're about to start our 13th year of homeschooling, which seems just about impossible. We are continuing to be a part of Classical Conversations weekly, so when you see things like Challenge and Essentials, that's referring back to CC classes. The community and fellowship we have there is a huge part of why we are still homeschooling! As a family this year, we're going to be reading through the Psalms independently and discussing them together. We'll be continuing to watch World Watch News daily, too. I'm also planning to be more intentional with one on one time with the kids. Here's a quick run down of what each kiddo will be doing for this school year:

Jon, 17, 12th grade, Challenge 4

First, how is my son a senior?!?! I can't think about it too much yet! Let's just stick to the facts. Since Jon finished up Calculus last year, we decided to switch gears and get much more practical with a finance course that's been highly recommended to us by several friends. Dave Ramsey's Personal Finance: High School Edition. He'll continue studying Latin with his Challenge class and be focusing mostly on translations. This year he'll also dive into physics, world history, ancient literature, and theology. I'm excited for him to continue with his class of eight and a seasoned director, who will help mentor him and his classmates as they have great discussions and write a senior thesis. 

Jon just finished up summer swim team, and is going to continue working at Chick-fil-A, acting as much as possible with Inspiring Arts (he just finished up Bye Bye Birdie--it was fantastic!), playing piano, and being involved in youth group and other church activities. 

Sam, 15, 10th grade, Challenge 2

Sam will be learning with his Challenge 2 class of 11 students, most of whom have been together for years now. They'll be learning how to do Lincoln-Douglas Debates, studying biology, reading British Literature, studying art and writing an art grant proposal, studying traditional logic, learning about Socratic dialogues, continuing to work through Algebra 2 (beauty of homeschooling, we could slow down and work at the pace he needs!), and learning about Western civilizations. 

Sam grew about 6 inches this year, which has helped tremendously with his favorite sport, basketball. He just finished a great summer swim season, and continues to play piano and loves youth group and serving at church. 

Will, 11, 6th grade, Foundations and Essentials

I cannot believe that Will is almost finished with elementary school! He and Maggie will be doing some things together, which I will list separately. He will be doing Saxon 8/7 this year, as math has come easy to him so far. He'll be writing with IEW (Institute of Excellence in Writing), learning grammar with EEL (Essentials of the English Language), medieval history with Veritas Press, Simple Machines and Motions with The Good and the Beautiful, and reading a bunch of books I've picked out for him as well. 

Will loved tennis this summer, and is interested in continuing that this winter. He's joining art class with Maggie. He's also hoping to be in another musical, after really enjoying being in Aladdin as the sultan last January. He's also continuing to play piano and in a small band with boys from church called The Worship Worms.

Maggie, 9, 4th grade, Foundations and Essentials

Maggie will be starting her first year of Essentials this year, and she will have me as her tutor at CC. Together we'll be learning writing skills from IEW, grammar from EEL, and she'll do history and science alongside Will. She'll be doing handwriting and some reading/phonics from The Good and the Beautiful. She'll also be reading books that I've picked out for her. 

Maggie had a fantastic summer swim season, and loved her ballet, jazz, and art classes this past school year. She'll be continuing in art, and we're considering a switch to volleyball! She's been asking all summer, and there's a Christian homeschool group that has volleyball just a few miles from us. We're looking into it now.

Heather, 43, Wife, Mom, Homeschool Teacher

I thought it would be kind of fun to update what I'm up to around here. I'm continuing to be a CC Support Representative, helping to contract and equip local directors and help support local families. I'm also an Essentials tutor, which means I lead about a dozen students for 2 hours once a week in learning about language and writing and math skills. I'm also making a change this year. After being a counselor at church camp this summer, God really gave me a love for the teens, so I'm stepping away from leading a women's Bible study and helping with the youth group instead. I also sing in the church choir, love my book club, and find any excuse possible to meet up with a friend for coffee.