Homeschooling - how is it going?

Well, it's going a bit differently than we had planned, which is not surprising.  After all, this is our first time homeschooling, so it is understandable that we might have to tweak our methods.  Our changes came down to two main factors - Ellie needed more structure and we don't have much time to plan activities.  She was getting bored because we weren't supplying her with enough projects to do.

Our new and improved homeschooling style has a name - we are using the Charlotte Mason method.  Basically we read a chapter of a quality book each day, have Ellie copy a sentence we choose out of the chapter, and then draw a picture about what we read.  We have actual "school time" which lasts 1/2 hour to an hour each morning and begins whenever Violet goes down for her morning nap.  Rowan joins along with us and listens to the chapter (we are currently reading Little House in the Big Woods) and trys writing a word if he wants to, otherwise he just draws.  Here are some examples of their schoolwork:

Rowan's drawing.  Not sure what it is, but there are a lot of somethings!

Ellie's copywork



The copywork helps with reading (Ellie reads each sentence before she copies it), writing words, and learning punctuation.  Ellie seems to like having actual school time more than the free style we tried before.

On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (afternoons) Ellie goes to preschool where she socializes, does art projects, and learns during circle time.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays Rowan goes to preschool and I do math or science projects with Ellie.  On Friday mornings the entire family goes on a field trip.  So far we've done mostly outdoor field trips because we know in a month or so we'll mostly be indoors due to weather.  In addition, Ellie is taking ballet and yoga in the community.

Right now this is the method that works for us.  I am sure it will mold and change as we go along!