Alysia's Moving Up!

 Hello, Friends!

So another week has passed and I'm trying to still regain my energy after Covid. This time it definitely hit both Aaron and I worse than last time. We were both down for days, and struggled with breathing issues. My breathing is better, but I still have zero energy. It is hard to just get through the day without a nap. Aaron's breathing is better, but not 100% yet. He has returned to work now, but is struggling. I will be glad when we are both back to full capacity.

In the meantime, I am super proud of Alysia. She has moved into a new grade. While still a bit behind, she is progressing nicely.

Let's back up a bit...

Alysia at Her School Desk

When we first got Alysia in November 2020 she was very behind in school. She was in 3rd grade, but couldn't read really at all and her grades were terrible. Yet the school kept pushing her forward in grades even though she couldn't do the work. 

In September 2021 we put her through placement testing to see where she truly tested out. She was at pre-kindergarten level on her reading, and 2nd grade level in most everything else. We made the decision to pull her out of public school, set her back to second grade with me helping her with reading until she got to where she could do it herself, and start working hard to try to catch her up.

Studying the Birth of Jesus in Bible

We decided to use Alpha Omega Publications Lifepacs. It splits the grade into 10 booklets for each subject, with each booklet designed to last 3 weeks. In addition we used Abeka Books for art with Art 3. I supplemented it with my own worksheets, projects, field trips, etc.

Good Grades in Language Arts and Spelling

Between September 2021 and now she has completed two full grades as we worked ahead through last summer. And now, she is beginning 4th grade! I realize that is still a bit behind, but if we work ahead through the summer again, we may have her caught up to where she needs to be by end of spring 2024.

Crystals Grown in Science

It has taken awhile to get her here, but we have worked hard, and her reading is doing a lot better. I am super excited about where we are heading in this next grade.

She is working on multiplication, longer spelling words, philology, world geography, botany...all sorts of fun stuff! And I think that she is starting to really see why it is so important to work hard.

A Day in the Life of a Homeschool Mom - Checking Over Work

All in all, although it hasn't been easy, we have definitely been successful in our homeschooling adventures thus far.

Looking back at highlights of the past grade in school, I'm reminded of how much fun we've had, which has made up for the time when things were more difficult.

Alysia's Self-Portrait in Charcoals

Here are some of our highlights...just to name a few!

• Study of state flowers
• Growing crystals
• Animal Science Study
• Walt Disney Farm and Barn in Marceline, MO
• Learn all Bible books
• Multiple state parks and historic sites (have been to all in Missouri now)
• Planetarium visits
• Lots of art projects
• Tie-dye t-shirts
• Cooking our way through the Usborne World Cookbook 
• Learning states and capitals
• Visit Memphis, TN
• Reading Show-Me Herps by our friend John Miller
• Kansas City Zoo
• Reading and Writing Bootcamp
• Trip to Hermann, MO with Nana (my mom)
• Toy and Miniature Museum in Kansas City, MO

Daniel Boone, George Washington Carver, Abraham Lincoln, Clara Barton and Neil Armstrong...along with lots of glitter and sequins...represent Our American Heritage

As you can see, we've had a lot of fun...and most importantly, Alysia has learned a ton. There are days I get discouraged while homeschooling...days I feel like I'm not sure what I'm doing or I'm not doing good enough. But when I look back at the last year I realize how far we've come...and it's a lot farther than it seems on a day-to-day basis.

Studies in Color

Well...all in all...a successful year and another one starting. I am truly excited about what this year will bring. And the more she learns the easier it is going to be. Once she is truly fully comfortable with her reading I don't think I'll be able to stop her. She may not be mine biologically...but God knew he was making her for me because she easily could be my child. She is SO MUCH like me...which brings pros and cons. LOL.

Well, my friends...enough for tonight. I have used up what little energy I have. I pray that my energy will return soon. I have too much to do to stay down much longer.

Talk to you soon!

Amanda