I promised I would finish writing about our day.  By the way, Jane Austen was wonderful; Persuasion is absolutely my favorite story!  Okay, I left off at free reading time following lunch.

1:30pm:  After reading time (about 30 minutes), we gathered together again; this time at the computer.  I have a list of questions written out that they need to find the answers to online.  Questions like “Who did Madison campaign against?”, “What are the three branches of government?”, and “What are the seven duties of a President of the United States?”.  They find the answers (with some help) and write them down in their notebooks.  Any information that they do not understand, we discuss further.

2:00pm:  We head down to the school room for an art project.  We have been studying lines (horizontal, vertical, diagonal, and curved).  So, today we combine curved and straight lines to make a picture.  They are given two lines on a 3.5″ by 5″ paper, either two straight or one straight and one curved line.  They then imagine a picture involving those lines and draw it.  Some of their results are pictured below.  I got this idea from Evan Moor’s Teach Art to Children.  We have been enjoying this book as a way to cover all the elements of art: line, shape, color, etc. without a lot of preparation and research by me.  We also make cards weekly to send out for birthdays, get wells, holidays, and just thinking about yous.  In that way, we keep in touch with everyone and still get art in our lessons for the day!

Hailey's Line Drawings

Micah's Line Drawings

3:00pm:  Time for science.  We are using Considering God’s Creation and are on the Plant Kingdom.  Today we reviewed photosynthesis, vocabulary words, and plant structure.  Then we collected plant specimens to draw.  The kids do remarkably well at drawing plants by sight.  Even my 5 year old can produce a very good botanical drawing for her age!

3:30 – 5:00pm:  Clean up time and free time.  After cleaning up all school-related items, the kids usually just play outside.  Today, my son and younger daughter are fascinated by harmonica because Daddy has been playing it off and on all day.  So, he spends a good hour teaching the two of them to play some rhythm and  melodies like “Dirty Dog” and “Chugga Chugga”.  I am very pleased because my husband is a life long musician, but up till now has not really sparked an interest in the kids.  (As I write this, my son can now play harmonica along with my husband playing guitar and they sound great!  We will hopefully get that onto a podcast very soon here. )  During this time, I am cleaning, vacuuming, doing laundry, reading, checking email, etc.  They get a warning at about 4:30 to get all toys cleaned up outside and inside.

5:00pm:  Meal time.  I have the kids assigned weekly to help prepare dinner, set the table, or clear the table.  Today, my eldest daughter is kitchen helper.  We make tacos, burritos, fresh veggies with dip, and chips and salsa.  This is a weekly repeat dinner enjoyed by everyone.  The littlest one sets the table and my son clears.  All get showers before dinner if at all possible.  Today we actually accomplish that!

7:00pm:  Dessert is hot chocolate with marshmallows.  Teeth are brushed, dishes done, and jammies on.  Now is the time they all settle down to listen to Daddy reading Lord of the Rings.  They have been doing this most of the summer, starting with The Hobbit.  We are getting so close to the end!  The kids are absolutely enthralled with it!  See my blog entitled Hobbit Mania for more on that.

8:15pm:  The kids are finally in bed.  However, I allow them reading time at bedtime (I can’t deny them time to read – they found my weak spot!)  So, they aren’t usually asleep until about 9:00.  Except the little one, who falls asleep with the first book!  After their bedtime, my husband and I have quiet time together or (as I am doing now) blogging time!  I am usually in bed by 10:00 on a good night!

Hope you have enjoyed hearing about our day!  To discuss daily life or any homeschooling topics, please visit our HMHS Discussion Forum!