raising rileys

beginnings

We just finished our first week of school! This year is different from last year because I've added purchased curriculum to our day. Last year Matthew was 4, and we did a lot of child-led learning, reading, and exploring which was a wonderful, beautiful experience. It was a year I will treasure always. This year I felt it was time to increase some structured learning while still maintaining the outdoor time and reading, creative time and child-led approach. I think figuring out curriculum and planning is a balancing act that looks a little different for each family, and maybe even different from year-to-year and from child-to-child. So far I'm very happy with what we're doing. Still working out the kinks, still trying to figure out how to do things better (I'm sure we'll always be trying to do that).

HomeschoolElizabeth RileySeptember 20, 2016homeschool, homeschooling, homeschoollife Comments

on humility & time management

It’s Monday, and the school year is fast approaching. I am excited for it! Last school year when Matthew was four, I viewed it as my ‘preparation year’ for homeschooling. The year I’d take to develop the self-discipline to homeschool and to figure out how to weave it into our family’s busy life and to try out some different teaching techniques. It was a wonderful year and agreat learning experience for me. I feel so drawn to homeschool for our children, for our family—but along with many other moms, I’ve asked myself, “but how?? How can I find the time in my already busy life to do this?” Here are a couple of things that are helping me. I hope that maybe they are helpful you too.

a capitol field trip

I am a believer in hands-on and experiential learning. And I'm also a believer in exposing young children to big ideas. A couple of weeks back my husband took Matthew to the Utah State Capitol to see the legislative session.

HomeschoolElizabeth RileyMarch 23, 2016Comment

cattails and kites: our homeschool day

Early this morning the sun began to shine from behind the clouds, so I knew we needed to spend some time outside today. February in Northern Utah is a mix of snow and rain with occasional bursts of sunshine--so it's important to seize a sunny day when it presents itself!

Homeschool, Life I LoveElizabeth RileyFebruary 23, 2016homeschool, familyComment

morning chemistry

This morning we decided to open up one of Abe's birthday gifts--a science kit. It was so much fun for both boys! You really don't need to buy any sort of kit to do what we did. It was a simple lesson about acids, bases, and chemical reactions.

HomeschoolElizabeth RileyFebruary 15, 2016homeschool, home educating, chemistry for kids, science experiments for kids, science kidsComment