Its our second week and my daughter was in tears today. After flying through her math she seems to not like anything else and "wants to go back to school"....

My 4 yr old and 1 yr old scoot around while I attempt to read to my second grader and question if any readings are getting in... She loves the projects -cookie map/ paddle doll- but I cant do that every day!!! I thought lapbooks would be the way to go but she can't write a decent sentence to summarize what she learned (did she get anything at all-its been 2 weeks on Egypt!!)....

What am I suppose to be doing with Maps?? I show them to her while she gets distracted with her baby sister.... We know where the Nile River is now.. that's about it....

Ughhhh... Any insights? Am I expecting too much? She's 7, cant she formulate her thoughts and write it down? I am HORRIBLE at math-why cant she like English??? Can't this be a little easier? Oh - Lord- grant me your grace.

Hold tight and don't give up! How much can you do while the younger ones are napping? Will the 4yo play w/ something in another part of the room while you work w/ the 7yo? Actually, at age 4, you could be getting preschool workbooks from the store and doing those w/ her so she has her own "schoolwork". Coloring, drawing, LeapPad, Legos, counting bears, etc. If your 7yo was in school outside of the home last year, this year may be a bit of a wash anyway, b/c you need to shift her paradigm (and yours). Be careful that you don't try to copy what they do in a classroom setting - a lot of us are guilty of that. I would sugg. (if you aren't already) using a more hands-on curric. for English like A Reason for Writing and A Reason for Spelling. They utilize the different learning styles, and this is actually something your 4yo could do on a limited basis as well (i.e., writing w/ sidewalk chalk or in the sand).

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Originally posted by jlum: Ughhhh... Any insights? Am I expecting too much? She's 7, cant she formulate her thoughts and write it down? I am HORRIBLE at math-why cant she like English??? Can't this be a little easier? Oh - Lord- grant me your grace.

She's seven! She's doing fine. You on the other hand . . . Deep breaths.

Remember you've read Tapestry is a smorgasbord you can't and don't want to do everything. On specific questions: with the maps, I would not worry about anything other than very basic facts. She know about where Egypt is, she might know that blue line is the Nile. That's it.

On lapbooks. I got the lapbooks my first year but decided they weren't for us. I think that they would be best for an upper elementary or even young D who likes to write (as the mother of boys, I'm thinking it must be a girl, but that may be my prejudice showing.)

Narration needs some guidance. Each day think about what she should be able to tell you. Then ask targeted questions that get at that information. Then ask the more open ended question that you want her to take a stab at. There's some good examples here: http://www.peacehillpress.com/...pdfs/08-year-one.pdf

Hang in there! If this is only the second week of school, you are probably still experiencing the "3-week-fog". It will take at least that long for you both to get the hang of the curriculum.

I agree that if your daughter is used to a classroom setting it will take her a while to unlearn school habits and learn what homeschooling is about. Relax and enjoy the journey with your daughter. There will be plenty of time to go deeper when she is older. That is the great part about the 4-year cycle of ToG. You will be here again in a few years with a child who is much more articulate.

Blessings,

Beth

I agree - just try to relax! She's 7 - she's probably getting a lot more out of what you're teaching than you think! If she has trouble getting her thoughts down on paper (totally normal for a 7 year old) - just try "narrating", or having her tell you (or dad) what she has learned. My kids used to really enjoy drawing a picture of something we had learned. Then they gradually started adding a sentence or two about what they had drawn. And maybe you don't even have to actually fill in the maps. Show her the places on a globe for now, or get one of those world map placemats and discuss it over lunch. And I agree, try to do any reading when the little ones are down!!
A verse from Isaiah that always encourages me is "He gently leads those that have young". Don't fret - He's leading you and will show you what will work best for your family! Just take one day at a time!!
Blessings!

Thank you everyone for your insight. Each day brings new learning for me AND my kids. I am tired but have a peace.