Lots of fun, lots of learning

This week we started off with some science experiments which the children enjoy. We were discovering what dissolves or not in the water. I loved watching my children, trying to dissolve the rice in the water....we then made observations and some more predictions, then we tested them and looked at the results.
We also learned about the different professions in our community and what daddy does and what he is going to be doing after he graduates from college.

Alexis says he wants to be a builder and a teacher. Charlotte claims that she wants to be a beautiful ballerina!

I trying to find ways to challenge Alexis in the math department, he knows a lot for his age, therefore he gets bored with simple math problems. I have been orally testing him to see how much he knows and how much more I should teach him.

We enjoyed the movie "A Night at the Museum" and they loved it! We always go to a paleontology museum here in Provo which they like so for us to watch that movie, was a great idea! We have gone to Washington D.C a few years ago, it was nice to see that same museum that we went to 2 years ago.

Now we are watching Mulan, since she is from China I thought it would be a nice addition to our China studies from a month ago. I explained to the children that in history, her story is not sure to be true or not, or when it happened but that it is nice to see some of the costumes in a cartoon. They liked the courage of the soldiers and the fact that Mulan saved China. They were really happy and cheering at the end of the movie, that all China was safe!

Homeschooling went well this week, we are very happy to have explored and discuss several topics that will help us for the future. The children love learning and they know that, to be who they want to become, they have to have knowledge.

Planning and Researching

              Deciding the right method or approach for my children's education is not an easy thing to do. There are so many out there that are so good and focused on what is important, our children. We are proud to announce that we consider our method "Eclectic Homeschooling". We love the Thomas Jefferson education but also, Charlotte Mason education. We have found several things that we have liked from other methods but mainly these two. 

Here is a little description of each,

Thomas Jefferson:

 7 keys of great teaching

1. Classics, Not Textbooks
2. Mentors, Not Professors
3. Inspire, Not Require
4. Structure Time, Not Content
5. Simplicity, Not Complexity
6. Quality, Not Conformity
7. You, Not Them

Charlotte Mason:
Children's motto:
"I am, I can, I ought, I will"
"I am" because they are children of God
"I can" having the power God has given us to do anything
"I ought" has to do with duty
"I will" is different from I want. It's the child's decision to do what is right.

Parents'/educators' motto:
"Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life"

Here is also a review from Charlotte's Mason magazine to the children's motto:
"We have a definite mission -to bring fullness of life to the children. It is more possible to carry this mission in a home schoolroom"

              Needless to say, we love homeschooling and we feel right about what we are doing since the day we decided it.

             I have been planning our new schedule and I will be having a written plan for the next, at least, 4 months. It would be a little hectic with a new baby so I want to make sure that we get things done and that the children will have good quality time. I am amazed on how much children love to learn since a  young age, they really learn on their own. I ask them what they would like to learn and they come up with very interesting ideas that we love to do together.

             I can't wait to post about our schedule next time. I am totally new at homeschooling but I have a big guidance in my life... The Lord.