January is always a fun month because we get to review what we have learned in elementary while my preschoolers get started on their new curriculum. This month I started two new lessons with our preschoolers via SchoolhouseTeachers.com and they have been a hit. I truly enjoy the creative play that ignites as my toddler and preschooler pretend to have whichever career we are learning about. It has taken the phrase “use your imagination” to a whole new level of play. We enjoyed reading the book I Want to Be an Astronaut by Byron Barton, watched several NASA launches via YouTube, and enjoyed seeing real-time footage via their live feed.
Our oldest student at Team Kemp Academy enjoyed reviewing everything we’ve covered from August until December. We were also able to revisit the countries we’ve visited so far via My Father’s World ECC with a focus on their government to coincide with our presidential inauguration. To continue our presidency discussion we read the books When Penny Met POTUS by Rachel Ruiz, Grace For President by Kelly DiPucchio, and Arthur Meets the President by Marc Brown. My favorite book that we read was Grandaddy’s Turn: A Journey to the Ballot Box by Michael S. Bandy and Eric Stein. I suggest every family borrow it from your local library or purchase it for your home library. I also had Bear write a schedule of his perfect day with any president, dead or alive, wherewith he played soccer, went to Hollywood, and gave the weather report on the news with George Washington. I thought he’d pick a different leader; however, he reminded me that nothing is cooler than the FIRST. Touché son, touché.
In addition to sharing our homeschool high points for the month of January, I also included a Dollar Tree haul in a recent video. I was able to purchase counting blocks, arts and crafts supplies, posters, and a myriad of geometry items for $1.
All in all, January was a success and we look forward to what February has to offer. I hope you are enjoying our monthly wrap-ups because they have been great encouragement for me on those hard days. Hold your heads up homeschoolers, every day will not be perfect, but with God (through Jesus Christ) we will see fruit of our labor from sharpening our arrows.
Make this week successful,
Ta’Neisha K.
Marriage, Motherhood, & Homeschool 