Thoughts on School

I've been thinking about and compliling the materials I need for Jaxson's first year of school. Here in California you have to actually join what they call an ISP, Independant Study Program in order to homeschool. Basically, all that means is that you are "enrolled" (you pay an annual tuition) in their school and they help you keep attendance records and a permanent grade record for your child. If you are ever contacted by a truancy officer you have them contact the ISP and confirm that your child is enrolled and attending. They are also required to keep a regular school file for your child, with immunization records, a school entry doctor's report, a planned course of study etc. There are an awful lot of hoops to jump through here, something that I'm not used to.

You are required to teach school for 180 days a year, 3 hours per day.
The private ISP that we are going to join is called Christian Life Academy. I like them because they have online reporting which is very convenient for me. I will also be joining the Homeschool Legal Defense Association and hopefully a good homeschool group.
In spite of all the hoops, I'm very excited to start on school this fall. Jax is so ready to learn, and the curriculum I will be teaching is a lot of fun and incredibly well rounded. It's called My Father's World 1st Grade (www.mfwbooks.com) and consists of a lot of hands on learning and whole book teaching. It's a Unit study type of curriculum, written for using singly or with multiple children on different levels and it uses a lot of Charlotte Mason's methods. We're going to let Ellie join in where she wants this year (she will enjoy the Bible stories, activities and science projects, I'm sure) and next year she will start Kindergarten and do the Adventures in My Father's World Second Grade with Jax. This year they will be focusing on the Bible, Genesis through Revelation, and next year they will be learning American History, State by State. We're looking forward to it.
Jax and Ellie have both been learning the Presidents of the United States this year and they are up to #4, James Madison. It's amazing how much they can absorb right now! We don't work on them much, we just go over them a couple of times a day and each time we add a president we hang his picture on the wall. They are having fun with it, and it's been fun for me to review them.
So anyway, just wanted to share what we are planning for school next year for anyone who may be interested! :>)
Hope all is well with all of you....all.
Love, Lani

PS. Preparing for the big game on Friday!!!! Don't forget to watch for us!