NOT Back to School: A Peek into Our Homeschool ~ Day 1: Meet the Family

Welcome to this year's NOT Back to School Blog Hop. This year I am giving you A Peek into Our Homeschool. 

Day 1: Meet the Family

Welcome to our home.

Stop by and meet the family. 

Here are the children.

Okay guys, off the tablets and say hello!

That's better.

Of course, if you have been reading my blog for any length of time, you should know them a bit already. Today I am going to share some interviews I had with the children.

First, I would like to "introduce" you to Tabitha.

When I started this blog, Tabitha was only 2 1/2 years old and I was sharing the fun things we were doing while learning such things as the alphabet. Now, she is 12 1/2, constantly reminding me that she is as tall as I am, and very much looking forward to her 13th birthday. Let's see what she thinks of our homeschool.

 What do you like about homeschooling?

I like that it gives me the flexibility to work on things on my own time and that there are no bullies. I also like that you can take breaks when you need to. I like doing activities, and sitting around in a classroom like public schoolers sounds boring and I wouldn’t be able to do that. I learn by doing.

What don’t you like about homeschooling?

You force me to do review stuff and I don’t really appreciate that. I feel that it adds to my stress and my work that needs done. I don’t like that you are sitting in front of the computer doing review stuff all the time.

What is your favorite subject, the one you would love to focus on all year if you could?

Either art or math. I love to do math. I think I get it from dad. I like to work things out. I want my art to improve. I already think it is pretty good, but I want it to be better.

What is your least favorite subject, the one you wish we could just get rid of?

Grammar (she states before I ask the question). I feel that it is useless.

If you were the teacher, what would you do differently?

I don’t know. I kinda self teach myself. I don’t really need to change things.

What is your favorite thing to do that isn’t school?

Watch YouTube and play on my tablet. I especially love Reacticorns, Maxmellow, Wengie, Moriah Elizabeth, Merrel Twins, and gaming channels like Dennis Daily and DanTDM.

I like to play Roblox on my tablet.

(I was surprised she didn't mention art, but she explained that she felt art was a part of school.)

 Next, I would like to "introduce" you to Amelia.

When I started this blog, Amelia was only 1 year old and tagging along with her big sister as we did Letter of the Week and Montessori activities. She is now 11 years old. Let's see what she thinks of our homeschool.

 What do you like about homeschooling?

You take off for your birthday. At public school you have to go to school still.

What don’t you like about homeschooling?

Everything. I don’t like school.

What is your favorite subject, the one you would love to focus on all year if you could?

History. American history.

What is your least favorite subject, the one you wish we could just get rid of?

Grammar

If you were the teacher, what would you do differently?

I would let people sleep in a little longer.

What is your favorite thing to do that isn’t school?

Read  

(Very surprised she didn't mention baking and coming up with recipes)

And here's Hannah. 

She joined our family the year after I started blogging. Once she was old enough to sit up I was giving her fun activities to play with. Now, she is 9 years old and getting ready to start 4th grade!

 What do you like about homeschooling?

We can make our own lunch. We get to use our tablets.

What don’t you like about homeschooling?

I don’t like that we have to do school.

What is your favorite subject, the one you would love to focus on all year if you could?

Reading and math

What is your least favorite subject, the one you wish we could just get rid of?

Spelling. Anything that has to do with writing.

If you were the teacher, what would you do differently?

Make them have less school, like math and reading, that’s all.

What is your favorite thing to do that isn’t school?

Play on my tablet. I like to play Roblox.

And now for Harold. 

The baby of the family, who is no longer a baby. He is now 7 years old and getting ready to start 2nd grade. Though, he was joining in with our family cycle last year as he'd already done the 1st grade curriculum from My Father's World. Let's see what he has to say.

What do you like about homeschooling?

I like that sometimes we get review things. I like to use Mathseeds, Reading Eggs, CTCMath and Matific Galaxy. I like that Mathseeds has a workbook. And I liked ArtAchieve. I like that I can do my school work with mama.

What don’t you like about homeschooling?

All the reading we do. I don’t like the history reading I have to listen to because I don’t like history.

What is your favorite subject, the one you would love to focus on all year if you could?

Mathseeds

What is your least favorite subject, the one you wish we could just get rid of?

History reading

If you were the teacher, what would you do differently?

I would only teach the children math, reading, drawing, writing, and story writing (he means creative writing).

What is your favorite thing to do that isn’t school?

Field trips. My favorite field trip was going to the Erie Zoo.

And here's the mom. That's me.

I'm the supervisor and teacher of Waide Academy. Also, the author of Tots and Me...Growing Up Together for the past ten years. As I was listening to the children answer the questions I posed to them, I realized I may have to try to change things up a bit.

I did explain to Tabitha that she would still have to do some of the subjects that we get review materials for, so she would still have to do school work in those subjects. However, perhaps I will have to cut back on review materials that she would need to work with if it would mean doing extra. Though, one of the things we are currently reviewing is Easy Grammar, which isn't her favorite subject, but is something she needs to work on. Though, she really doesn't see the need to be working on grammar. 

I also explained to Amelia and Hannah, that if they weren't homeschooled they would still be doing schoolwork, just at public school. So, it's not like they can get out of doing school work. I am glad we are going to be learning about American history again this year, so maybe she will enjoy this year.

I do know that Hannah isn't a fan of writing, and she struggles with spelling a lot. So, I really need to find a way to make that more fun for her. 

I was happy to realize that Harold still enjoys getting review materials. I know he really enjoys the different online math programs we use. However, I also need to figure out a way to make history more interesting for him. I realize I did a lot more hands-on activities with the older girls when they were his age. But, it is so hard to try to find the time to even think of things to do with him, with trying to school the older girls who I have to file papers to the school district for. 

I definitely need to find ways to not spend so much time on the computer and come up with ways to make school more fun again. 

And, last but not least, here's the hubby. Would he be considered our principal?

My wonderfully supportive, incredible hubby is exhausted most days lately as he works 12 hour night shifts in a nursing home. In fact, lately he's been called in to work extra days or asked to stay late, so he is working even longer hours. He will be sharing his take on our homeschool later this week. When he isn't so exhausted. Love my hubby.

Oh, I almost forgot, we sort of have a pet now. We started feeding this stray cat that the children had named Swiftpaw. We've seen him around for a while, months I believe, but several weeks ago Amelia insisted on feeding him breakfast. He's been our porch cat ever since. Sadly, he has to stay on the porch because I am VERY allergic to cats.

He wanted to take a "peek" into our homeschool too. Sorry kitty, you aren't allowed in. Though he does try. He's made it as far as the doorway to our dining room before!

Thank you so much for stopping by to learn a bit more about our family. Tomorrow I plan to share what our homeschool curriculum will be this year, and probably a look at our schedule. 

Here are some of the participants. CREW @ Homeschool Review Crew - 2019 Annual Not Back to School Homeschool Blog Hop 
Chareen @ Every Bed of Roses - ABC of Homeschooling
Dawn @ Schoolin' Swag - Adding Fun to Your Homeschool Day
Erin @ For Him and My Family - Large Family Homeschooling
Lori @ At Home Where Life Happens - Learning Life Skills
Monique @ Mountain of Grace Homeschooling - Homeschooling the High School Years
Monique D. @ Early Learning Mom - Homeschooling With Autism
Yvie @ Homeschool On the Range - 5 Days of Upper Grades Homeschooling
Abby @ Making Room 4 One More - Time Management for Homeschool Moms
Amanda @ Hopkins Homeschool - 5 Days of Homeschool Questions
Amy @ the WRITE Balance - Year-Round Schooling
Annette @ A Net in Time - Homeschooling.
Betty @ Lets Get Real - Homeschooling High School
Cassandra @ My Blessed Mess - Eclectic Homeschooling Don't forget to check out the other posts linked up below!