Fall into Fall Reading List

We have selected the following books for our reading in October and early November. These will be accompanied with harvest theme crafts, songs, activities and field trips as well as our regular curriculum.

Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens
Rah, Rah, Radishes by April Pulley Sayre
The Vegetables We Eat by Gail Gibbons
It's Milking Time by Phylis Alsdurf
Beatrice's Goat by Page McBrier
Awesome Autumn- Bruce Goldstone
The Apple Pie Tree - Zoe Hall
Grains to Bread - Inez Snyder
Lets Go Nuts - April Pulley Sayre
Oh Say Can You Seed - Bonnie Worth
Life Cycle of a Pumpkin - Ron Fridell
Why Do Leaves Change Color - Betsy Maestro
Apples- Gail Gibbons
Johnny Appleseed - Steven Kellogg

Mommy guilt

A couple of weeks ago when Facebook was filled of first day of school pics I was a little jealous. I couldn't relate to the moms who posted things like "OMG! Thank God that they're back to school!!" but I do remember the excitement of the first day. I wondered for a bit if I was cheating my child out of something.

Yesterday we passed a local elementary school at recess and as we were stopped at the light I saw Mary staring at the kids on the playground. Again, I wondered if maybe I'm robbing her of some childhood rites of passage.

I know that in terms of education what we are doing for our child is %100 correct I just can't get over the mommy guilt. We are having a great time with our homeschooling friends so logically I know that school would be no better for her- but still, its there. Do you suffer from guilt? How do you get over it?

Fall Into Reading

There is a Fall Into Reading challenge happening over at Callapidder Days. With this mornings cool temps and my hot mug and tea in front of me this challenge sounded just about perfect. Its low pressure- read as much or as little as you want. Just join by Sept. 25 and at the end of the challenge report back on how you did. There's even prizes.

I only have a few books on my list right now but as I peruse other's lists I'm sure I'll be adding to my own. Won't you join us?

1. Divergent, by Veronica Roth
2. Insurgent, by Veronica Roth
3. Bah Humbug! , by Heather Horrocks
4. Hostile Witness, by Rebecca Forster

I feel content in knowing that homeschooling was the right path for us. Of course it's not without it's challenges but I'm enjoying the process and watching my little one's excitement for learning.

After today's reading lessons we took a break for lunch. My original plan for science was talking about the planets and some constellations after yesterday's planetarium trip but while we were eating we watched an episode of Dinosaur Train which prompted Mary to ask the question "What is a mammal?". So we researched mammals and mad a chart of mammal characteristics. We spent quite a bit of time discussing different animals and if the were or weren't mammals. So, again, I love the flexibility its giving us. I love that we can follow her interests  while we learn and play and I c an't wait to see where this path leads us!