Missouri Homeschooling

I thought I'd let you know a little bit about how our homeschooling is going. It is definitely challenging, but is very rewarding.

In Missouri, we are required to keep up with the hours that we spend homeschooling. And there are requirements to actually do a certain number of hours / year (1,000 including 600 core hours and 400 of those core hours at your primary schooling location). I was a little nervous about this since I started adding up the hours for the past two weeks and realize that I cannot run on that schedule. It was frustrating because I know that she is learning the material with less time and I'm not sure some days how to get in more hours. But, Troy and I had a little pow-wow and I feel better about it, now! Plus, we don't actually have to keep hours until the fall after Abigail turns SEVEN! So, this year is practice. :)

I'm so excited to be studying Missouri History for our History curriculum this year. I found a good textbook for it and an activity book to go with it. The text is challenging for Abigail, but is good. As we progress through the book, we plan to take some field trips. There are so many great historical spots around here. I'm personally really excited about the Steamboat Arabia Museum (http://www.1856.com/). It was a steamboat traveling on the Missouri River loaded down with supplies for stores. It hit a snag and sunk in the river. All of the passengers were able to get off of the boat and were safe (except for one animal ... a mule). It lay in its resting spot for over 130 years. Then, someone began to search for it and found it buried over 1/2 mile from the river's edge! They found many many items preserved as they were ... new items ready for stores in the west and also suitcases with personal belongings of the travelers! It sounds incredibly interesting to me!

This year, Elizabeth is doing her own writing lessons as well as Saxon 1 Math. She is enjoying both of these. She is reading easy reader books quite well and enjoying that. Plus, one added advantage to homeschooling ... like a one-room school, Elizabeth picks up quite a bit as she overhears Abigail's lessons. She is GREAT at memorizing. As we were learning the prepositions, Elizabeth learned several of them and spouted them off to me (with a big grin)!

Abigail is studying history, math, spelling, writing, grammar, vocabulary, and will be starting Botany soon. She loves chapter books (especially mysteries) and is difficult to awaken from the adventures she goes on while reading. She really enjoys the boxcar children books. She is currently reading Farmer Boy (in the Laura Ingalls Wilder series). She has also read many of the Magic Tree House books as well as the first three (I believe) Mary Poppins books. She likes to go outside and get muddy, read, read, read, and help cook in the kitchen.

We also enjoy having time together for Bible Lessons each day.

Jeremiah is not doing official homeschooling, but is learning probably more than anyone! He is reaching, stretching, and taking it all in (usually straight into his mouth)!

It is a great adventure and one that while trying at times and always challenging, is an important journey that I am grateful to have the opportunity to embark upon it.