Need some ideas for my kids' homeschooling..

[MochaMel]

I am 8 mths. pregnant and just so tired and uncomfortable i find it the biggest chore to sit and do school in the mornings.. Reading to them is easy and i love that... But with my back/hip problems i am finding it harder and harder to sit up for any length of time. I am due in early December and figure by January we should be back in the normal swing of things; but until then i feel like i am so lame. I can do about 2 to 3 days a week, but the other two i am wanting to just rest and do no school.

SO i have been thinking i am needing some supplementals for my younger two: DD-8 and DS-7
My son doesn't read yet -- still learning all of his ABC's and my daughter is reading basic 3 and 4 letter words and really good at math so she does most of that by herself. I really feel like i need to make sure they don't fall behind, as i already worry that my dd is not a lover of reading -- but has made huge improvement from last year.

We have been using Starfall and my 13 year old is a great help with them; but it's not fair for him to do it all the time; he has his own studies to be doing.

I have been using Starfall for the reading stuff -- they really love that and it seems to be working really well and it's free!

Normally we would be doing lapbooking, and our workbooks etc. but i am just having a difficult time staying motivated and keeping them occupied during school hours.

I need some more independant study or semi-independant ideas for school.... Maybe some prayer too to stay motivated on those days i just can't get myself going -- it's way too early in the year to be feeling burn out! And when my son says we didn't really do much today did we Mom? i know there's a problem, b/c 13 year olds don't say that about school. :lol2

Any ideas, websites, etc. would be greatly appreciated..

Thanks so much in advance!!
Mel-

[NewWorldOrder]

Do your kids like spending time on the computer? There are games like Carmen San Diego and Math Blaster they could do that will keep them occupied. Your 13 year old, is probably pretty good at independent study, it's the younger ones that need things to keep busy.

Oh, I know!

Get books on how babies develop and they can learn some human anatomy while your pregnant, all while they wait on you hand and foot. Have the younger ones rub your back while they read about umbilical cords. :lol2

[HSmomto4]

How about letting your 13 year old do some work with the younger ones? My 13 year old does all the review with her younger sisters and they love it!

[MochaMel]

Not feeling very well today so i will be quick... Thanks for the ideas ladies!

My kids' love the computer games for fun, and the learning ones too, i just need to buy ones compatible with XP -- the older games were messing up my computer and now hubby says not to put them on there at all. So all my games basically went to the goodwill i only have a couple that are compatible.. Do you know of a good site where i could purchase for a reasonable cost? I don't do much shopping outside the home right now -- it's too hard being on my feet for long periods.

NWO- Get books on how babies develop and they can learn some human anatomy while your pregnant, all while they wait on you hand and foot. Have the younger ones rub your back while they read about umbilical cords.

You crack me up!! My sons' would be so grossed out.. and the looks they would give me i can only imagine. :lol2

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I also thought about having my older son help them -- like he did today, but was worried that might be too much pressure on him or take away from his own studies. But maybe it would be beneficial for him as well..

Great thoughts thanks ladies, keep 'em coming! :)

[MochaMel]

We had older son do some of their reading with them today.. and you know what he actually went above and beyond and read extra with them..

What a fabulous idea.... Thanks ladies! I think it actually encourages him and makes him feel like a big boy to be teacher helper -- which he is; he's just my baby always! :lol2

We've been using Starfall for extra stuff on line until i can find some games for the computer.. But do any of you know of any other free or close to free sites we could use as well???

Thanks in advance!! :)
The prayers are also helping, thanks a bunch!! Am really enjoying visiting here and loving this new homeschool forum...

[HSmomto4]

Glad it is working well! I know one family who the oldest brother taught all of his younger sibblings to read. He was married before the youngest was reading but still came home and taught her to read! He just felt that was his connection with all of them.

[MochaMel]

^^ Oh wow that is really awesome! I love that, thanks for sharing!! Isn't it great the bond our kids' have with eachother even when there fighting.. :lol2

I definitely see more of a bond between my youngest 3, more so then my oldest who went to public school.