August was the start to our school year and really a good month! We started back to our lessons and while Summer was so. much. fun. I think we really are enjoying our school year rhythm too. If I’m completely honest, when I was staring down the start of school I was dreading it. I LOVEDDDD the freedom of Summer and didn’t want it to end. However, I can truly say, we have doing well with the structure and rhythm of our school year. As a way of reflecting and celebrating this month I thought I’d share a few highlights. 
Our first day went really well! Part of why we started early was so we could start phasing in our lessons vs. jumping into everything at one time. The first week we did math, reading, writing, and a little science. We always celebrate the first day with a fun breakfast and a few little surcies. 
Science is always a fun subject to loop in because it’s so hands on. Everyone has loved our curriculum from Masterbooks so far. I used the lesson outline to guide me but I have noticed the curriculum itself doesn’t have much to it. It’s basically a poster and a worksheet a week. We definitely want more so I’m supplementing it with my own discover + PLAY Science activities and with YouTube. (How did they homeschool before YouTube!?)
Along the science lines we’ve added in our Animal A Day book this year and it’s been one of the BIGGEST hits! My younger two love learning about a new animal every day. We keep a journal to copy facts about the animal of the day and add an image for that animal too. I created a resource for families using the Animal A Day book called Daily Animals. It’s a file that you can buy once and get an update every week with the new animals for the upcoming week.
We’ve enjoyed the margin to play games together, paint as lesson enrichment, and pull out the manipulative to make lessons come alive. Don’t let me fool you, it’s had its ups but it’s also had its downs. Not every day is rainbows but I can say the faithful consistent work we’re putting in here at the start will pay dividends in the school year. It does, every single year. Trust me, the hard work of consistency is worth it!
Snack lunches are always a hit. We got these little trays from IKEA years ago and the kids still love using them to make what they call “Snack Lunch.”
Speaking of lunch, this adorable book report was my Ladybug girl’s first assignment at her hybrid program. It was so cute to put together with her!
This is our 3rd year using our history curriculum and I’m still really liking it. I typically read the lesson aloud and occasionally we will do an activity from the companion guide. This was when we made the Tudor Rose.
We even squeezed in a field trip in the first month of school. We went to our state museum. By the way, if you’re a local SC homeschooler, the State Museum is FREE for homeschoolers! Just show them your accountability association credentials and you get it at no cost!
Our last phase of our school year comes in September when all our extra curricular subjects get added in. My middle has done piano throughout the summer but my other two will start their respective interests in September - violin and soccer. I’m nervous to add more to our plate but I know we’ll figure it out!
What a JOY to get to do live and learning together! August was such a good month! I’m already looking forward to all September will bring...hopefully some cooler weather to enjoy more outdoors time!
Want to use this tracker too? It's part my printable homeschool planner file!
