Homeschool Preschool Day #1

We had our first "real" day of homeschool preschool today.  We have played around other times with some activities the girls and I called "homeschool" in previous weeks but today was the first day I wasn't working and had a real lesson plan for the day.  We start Friends Preschool next Friday and Encore Preschool on August 28, so we are still getting into our new regular schedule.  I am hoping these first days will help us get into a routine and a rhythm for what our school days will be like at home.

Before I get started with the first "real" day, I'll write about some activities we did on Monday.  I won't call it our first real day because our timing was really messed up because Russell and I had an early appointment with the nutritionist and Mom stayed with the girls part of the morning.  Then we went to the zoo.  When we got up from nap/rest time that afternoon,  I told the girls we would try a few homeschool activities and I set out a couple of learning centers:  animal puzzles, doctor kit, and wooden blocks.

Before we started playing in centers, Erica said, "Can we have a phone center?"  I thought quickly on my feet and set up a low table with three old cell phones, a pad of index cards, and some pencils.  I told the girls that if someone called, they could take a message and write on the cards.  They played in that center for probably 30-40 minutes.  I kept asking/suggesting, "Are you ready for circle time?"  We have been doing "circle time" a lot lately, which is just sitting together and reading and singing.  Erica and Mary Lane had no interest in stopping the phone center.  They played so well that I just sat and waited for them after I finished any laundry or other chores I wanted to do!  I was wondering, "Who is the teacher here?"  But I think student-led learning activities are certainly appropriate!

Now I will type up the plans I had written for our day today, Wednesday, August 15:

Books:  Noah's Ark
Music: Noah song, "Good morning" song
Blocks center: Animal numbers stacking blocks
Home Living Center: Doctor kit
Science Center (nothing planned)
Puzzles (nothing planned)
Outing: Library
Home Keeping:  Make cookies
Circle time:  "Following Directions" game
Art:  Rainbow picture with gluing pom-poms

Now I will type up what we really did:

7:10 AM - The girls started exploring the centers.
7:30  Russell paused before leaving for work so I could show him part of circle time.
Circle time:  "Good morning" song, calendar with Days of the Week song and what we are doing today and tomorrow.
Books: Sisters Photo album of Nanette and Jeanette, chosen by Erica; Another book that Mary Lane chose and I can't remember what it was.
Art: Rainbow picture with gluing pom-poms

We had more time playing in centers and I took time to pack up stuff to go to the Y and get dressed. We left home by 9:00.

Whew!!!! Already did so much before even 9:00 AM!?!?!

I have to find the best time to get my workout at the Y.  Today I wanted to try working out and showering at the Y before we went on our outing, and it went really well.  I'm not sure I want to do that every time, will definitely see what other options might work.

We were heading towards the library by 10:30 so we played on the playground outside the library before 11:00 story time.  Story time was great.  The girls were great.  We had fun seeing some friends from church.  We talked to the children's librarian, Mrs. Tori, after story time, and she told us since we are homeschooling this year, she is our "school librarian!"  I loved that.

I'm exhausted.  Excited.  Needing to find a good groove.  Thankful.