Homeschool update

So, we've been plugging along with school and I haven't been updating you! It has been a learning process for both of us and I'm sure we won't quite have the hang of it until she's ready to graduate, lol! I sometimes think I am learning more than I'm teaching. I'm learning patience, humility, and mercy (and have a ways to go on all 3!). I've learned how stubborn I can be (well...I always knew I was stubborn, just didn't know HOW stubborn til now!). I've learned that I can't always have my way and that's ok. It's ok to give a little here and there and let her take the lead. In fact, I really think that there are some things I've pushed too soon and will have to let go of in order to do what's best for Ella.

Mainly, I'm talking about reading. I love, love, love "How to Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons". I cannot tell you how much I want Ella to finish this program. I have seen the SRA method work over and over again, especially when used to repair skills that were not taught in the first place. Phonics instruction is the foundation for becoming a solid reader. Here's where my stubborn nature is kicking in big-time. Ella HATES this program. I mean, with a passion. Every day, she gets up asking what reading we are doing today (because a couple of months ago, I decided we'd only do the lessons every other day). If I say we're doing the reading book, she almost cries and begs me not to do it. It now takes us almost an hour to get through a lesson (when it should only take 15-20 minutes). What bugs me the most about this is that she CAN do it! She knows how to sound out words and she has learned so much from the program already. I can see that she's just on the brink of reading fluently. I do not want to give up on the program, but I think I have to for her sake. At least for now. There. I said it. I have to give in! Oh, that is so hard for me to say!

So, the plan now is to go back to the FIAR-type units (though we may not use the actual curriculum). Ella absolutely loves for me to read to her, which I have done all along, but when we did FIAR, I was doing it even more. I still intend to teach her phonics, but will try to come up with some fun activities for her.

Math, on the other hand, is going very well. Ella seems to have a grasp on all the concepts I've taught her and she just loves doing math worksheets! We're still trying to get a grip on science and social studies, but I have a friend who is going to bring me a checklist from the public school so I can at least have a guideline to go by.

I guess that's it for now. I keep praying that I will follow the Holy Spirit's leading for each new day I face as Ella's teacher and mom!