First Week of School

I have spent the last few years blogging and working on my website (www.therapeutichomeschooling.org). These sites have been devoted to homeschooling my daughter who is either bipolar, has attachment disorder or both. She is now in a residential treatment center, doing great by the way! We miss her being at home, but she is finally getting the help none of us could provide.

So now I am homeschooling my 8 year old son the Waldorf Way....the only way to school for us. And I decided I want to delve into our days....share them with friends and family, and like minded people. Share OUR homeschooling.....not trying to help anyone else with their difficult child, not trying to help anyone (unless you want to learn about Waldorf Education). Just want to put down our days for our own enjoyment.

We just finished our first week of school. It was an exciting start and the week went well. Had a few glitches but we are on the right track. I think I have planning and executing down after 5 years (this is my 6th). So it's easier for me, I feel confident about what I am doing.

The glitches, well a daughter in a residential treatment center requires attention to the staff, her therapist, her, etc. and this week was unusual in that we had our monthly phone conference and we had to deal with an unresolved issue between my daughter and myself. But it's all done now and I survived the week! We missed school one day due to all the phone calls and tension, but all is back to "normal" (whatever that is) now.

Our circle times were fun, we are learning my favorite poem:

Brave and true
Will I be
Each kind word
Sets me free
Each good deed
Makes me strong
I will fight
For the right
I will con- quer the wrong!

This poem is for learning the three's times table. It's a short, short, long rhythm and we walk around the house in that rhythm as we say the poem. Soon we will start counting by threes to the rhythm. But above all, who wouldn't want to memorize this poem? What a wonderful message for any and all of us!

Right now we are working on reviewing....counting, letters, sounds of letters, addition, etc. Just to see what he remembers. He's remembers so much, but there are little things he doesn't remember......but he's getting those things back quickly.

I didn't take any pictures this week, but I will! I want to document this year for all of us. My chalk drawings, Jack's work in his main lesson book, circle time, bean bags, gardening, going for a walk.......all of it. I hope you will enjoy sharing it with us.