10 years in the making:)

One would think learning things over and over again

might become boring...

In January I completed my 10th year of home schooling.

10 years...WOW!

 I think I should CELEBRATE!

I have studied American History many times over.

I find new things out each time:)

I've learned that one cool part of being a good teacher is letting

your students "teach" you.

So what if you already know it...or think you know it.

Kids learn so much better and retain it that much more when they teach

it to someone.  I just let them think I've never heard this information before.

OR

I might add some information to it and ask them to see if they 

can find out more on it. 

You know...because they are so brilliant!

They usually do!

My oldest is studying American History and doing a college Government Class.

The two are pretty close in context.

I'm learning Spanish AGAIN...And am excited:)

Math is Math currently I jump from Elementary to middle school to Algebra

to Geometry...this can get confusing.  Sometimes I'll start explaining something

to Levi that hasn't been explained...

I'll just say, "look, their going to explain this in a few lessons...it makes things much 

easier so lets just learn this now:)" 

Writing continues to grow and find ways to improve.

I find that student have a hard time with critics.

Writing is part of your mind and some of your heart.  It usually is Who you are

on a page.  So, I get that it is hard to hear how your paper needs work.

Learning to understand the meaning is good but mechanics is a bit...rusty 

is the tricky part.

And Science...well, this is usually the exciting subject!

We've dissected lots and blown up many:)

This week, if all goes well, we'll be making a comet. 

A smoking, freezing comet.

YES, indeed! Usually the exciting subject:)

Reading.

Teaching reading is not my favorite thing to do.

It is a hard task and I'm glad I'm just about O-U-T of this stage.

I'm on student #4.  

I've had to teach a brilliant dyslexic - you do know that this is why it is hard

for these students to read...their brains run much faster then ours.

I've taught one that actually just needed a few tools because reading came easy.

That was nice:)

I've taught a boy. Is that enough explanation there, lol?

I've taught one that needed A LOT of time to grow into her reading self.

This was probably my most challenging case.

A student that has all the tools and knows "how" to read but can't 

truly put it together.

It pulled me big time! 

I consulted doctors and specialist to be sure that I wasn't missing anything.

Because one thing I am not - is too proud to get help for my kids!

What was I told?

My child is completely fine.

Perfectly fine.

To relax and that I didn't need to get her "extra" help.

I keep waiting for someone to tell me this.

But what they keep saying is....

"Keep up the good work!"

That's SO God:)

So we battle through spelling a bit at times.

We hit all the subjects needed and more!

We go to c0-op, and the kids have their sports.

yep yep:)

They even have their dances....OH, they look so pretty too!

Do I feel like some all knowing Veteran? 

Nope.

I do feel more comfortable in my homeschool mom skin.

Never enough to be comfortable enough to relax and settle.

I don't think any good teacher can just settle and relax...I think they are 

always searching for better ways to reach their students.

Teach their students.

EXCITED their students.

In All things I want to bring Glory to God.

I believe that I've been able to through this journey Of mine so far.

May it be through loving on my kids as they struggle through reading or math.

Or

When we decided to call school for a day to help a friend in need.

God put it on my heart to do this years ago...I'm so glad I decided to follow!