Friday, August 22, 2008

Ana Claire meets her teacher



This has been a big week for Ana Claire. We went to meet her 4k teacher. She was also able to meet some of the kids that would be in her class. At first she was scared to death. You couldn't peel her off of me. When the room cleared and there were only one other mom and child she got down and played. She ended up having a great time. She enjoys talking about going to school. She has also told me more than once that she would go to school on Monday, but if she didn't like it she was going to tell her teacher she could take her name off the class roll. I know I have huge butterflies in my tummy. I am sure she does too. Ana Claire has alot of anxiety about different things. If I see any signs of regression or if she is not happy and cries on the days that she goes to school I will pull her out in a heartbeat.
I have been reading alot about homeschooling and looking into to our options around here. I have been praying and asking God to please guide me in the decision I need to make. I am willing to homeschooling her, I am just scared that I may fell her. There are so many choices of curriculum out there. I wish a had a friend close by that could just help me and show me the ropes.
For those of you that homeschool, how did you choose your curriculum and how did you know without a doubt this was the right choice? Do you have a certain area in your home that you have school? I would love to hear some feedback.

12 comments:

The Ferrill's said...

Oh Lisa pick me pick me! I would love to be a friend to help show you the ropes if indeed you feel this is where the Lord is leading you!
Our first year homeschooling was when Katie Lyn was in kindergarten. She went to a private Christian K4 school and got a wonderful foundation. So in kindergarten we just built on that, using the same curriculum her K4 school used (Abeka). But I know there are other great curriculums out there too. We used our basement playroom as our homeschool room. She used a little desk that was mine when I was little, and we decorated the room with ABC's, and Clifford, and the solar system...such fun! We had a blast her K5 year...I made a big bus out of a cardboard box and decorated it like the Magic School Bus and pretended to be Mrs. Frizzle on her first day of school. She LOVED it! We did lots of calendar math and thematic units for science and history. (By the time Carlie went through Kindergarten, I was homeschooling a 5th, 3rd, and 1st grader too, so her homeschooling curriculum was a wee bit different than what I did with Katie Lyn! ;) Kindergarten is my passion...I love it! I could go on for days...so we'll get together soon and you can ask me whatever you want! I am certainly not an expert, and have found that what works for some families doesn't always work for others...you find your niche, and go with it!
Whether you decide to homeschool or not, I'm sure Ana Claire is going to be brilliant! I love her little polka dot dress. I will pray for you and her next week! ;)

missy said...

Lisa,

I don't know much about homeschooling, seeing I am a public school teacher. With that said, I am not against it. Paige has a homeschooled friend who is SO smart. Good luck on your decision!

Linda ★ Parker's General said...

Sara homeschools the boys and will also teach Mya. Both boys test well on the basic skills tests. They do have activities so they can socialize with other children plus Sunday school. They do field trips with other kids. It is very possible to do a good job from home. I taught HeadStart for 20+ years and now wish I had homeschooled my kids at least to the high school years...

Charlotte said...

Lisa,

Funny you brought that up ! In trying to lower my bills and when the daycare told me that Raeghan would learn the same curriculum as she did last year it made me think out of the box. '

So starting next Monday my oldest daughter is going to be homeschooling Raeghan and Rachael at my house and we will see how it goes ! We have made a corner of the dining room for the classroom and tomorrow I am going to hang about 7 large posters on the wall with days of the week,months, numbers, ABC's, shapes, colors, etc.

Wish us all luck ! I have been doing alot of research about this and today we went to Mardel's and bought a ton of stuff !

Charlotte and crew

day by day said...

Hi Lisa!

She looks really happy in these pictures! I know you are so nervous about Monday and I hope all goes well. I will PM you about the HS question.

Have a great week-end!

mommy24treasures said...

oh I will be praying al goes well.
Always know you can ask me anything.

Nicole said...

It looks like AC will have a nice teacher. I hope all goes well. I too am a public school teacher and think there are defimite positives to homeschooling. Good luck!

Pandamonium Mom said...

Hey Lisa,
Obviously I'm not a homeschool expert (another public school teacher..), but I do know that God will give you the wisdome to make the decisions you need when the time comes. In the meantime, I'll be praying for you and AC on Monday! I hope you both end up with a great day!

Super Mommy said...

Cute pics Lisa! Sorry I don't have any advice on homeschooling, but am sure you wouldn't fail her if you did it. AC may surprise you and adjust really well to P-K. Hugs!

mommy24treasures said...

thinking of you today.

redmaryjanes said...

Have a Wonderful Year Ana Claire!! What a big girl!!

Football and Fried Rice said...

She looks so beautiful meting her teacher!! I have to go & read how it went!!