I am particularly pleased with how our day has gone today.  It has been a while since we have had a full routine academic day – for all four children.   What was the key that made this all happen?

• I worked from a to-do list rather than a lesson time schedule.
• I was prepared!

Working from a to-do list meant that I was able to be flexible and flow from one child’s needs to the next.  Being prepared meant that I could instruct the younger children to go ahead with an independent activity while I spent instruction time with another child or vice versa. 

Our day started with Nomi typing, Daniel listening to a story on his MP3, while I began a read-aloud session with Josh and Jess from a book called “The Blood Covenant” – this is a conclusion to their personal Bible Study on “The blood of the Lamb, the blood of Christ”. 

They were then able to work the rest of the day on their studies with minimal input from me.  I then had a time of Bible study with Nomi and Daniel – we reviewed the Palm Sunday lesson where we discussed Jesus wanting to be king in our hearts.  Daniel made a heart response to this lesson which was very exciting. 

Nomi and Daniel then listened/watched the Character First video for the character trait of Virtue.  I am really excited about this study – when we studied several years ago I didn’t get it but this time was I have read and studied for myself I see that virtue is the concept of heart response to character.  A lot of the other studies are on external practices (most of which you can appear to do right even if your heart is not in right relationship with God but not virtue.) 

Nomi and Daniel then had table time; notebooking both their Relationship Lessons.  During this time I spent time helping Jess with her math which she was struggling with today.

While I spent time with Daniel’s Language Arts and Math lessons Nomi finished a very elaborate notebook page and started her Math.  

We then had time to do our FIAR lesson.  Yay!!  We have been working with “Amber on the Mountain”   We revised our lesson on Similes and vocab words as we read the story.  Afterwards the kids worked with some DAS clay.  Nomi made an ornament size “book” while Daniel made a cup/container with a lid.  They did enjoy making with clay.

All of a sudden it was lunch and chore time – how quickly and productive our morning had been.  The kids flowed quickly into their afternoon routine

Josh and Jess – reading and writing

Nomi and Daniel – Reading and Roomtime

I spent a good half hour reading and editing several of Joshua’s written pieces (I have more to do tonight!) I often wonder how much a child of his age and ability should write but as it is I can hardly keep up with editing it for him!  His writing is very much along the apologetics / defending a position type of perspective – it takes a lot of my concentration to follow his thoughts and take it all in.  One way of looking at it – I’m getting educated!!

I went into town with Daniel (Daniel was keen to see if his glasses were in the mail – which they were) so I let the others just rest up and take it easy (normally we would have creative time).  Chore time started early today with the older ones doing work for pay and Nomi doing jobs in training. 

So here it is, end of the day and the chores have been done, there is godly music in the background, the kids are all happy and pleasant to each other and I feel as if we have had a productive day!  Yay!!