So you have to know the way I do things. I am very much an “all or nothing” person. When I decide to do a thing I just run to the extreme, which usually ends in frustration and exhaustion. The Lord is teaching me “moderation in all things”–which is not easy, let me tell you.
In my exhuberance to create unique lesson plans for everyone for every subject I have stressed myself out. I can tell when I need to back off and take a breath. I was telling my darling husband that I feel I am always in planning mode and when that work never gets done I get stressed. He suggested something to make it a little easier.
So as I have been planning my own lessons for three years now, this year I feel I am to take a little different direction. I have ordered the 3rd grade lessons from FACE. In the past I have been hesitant to use them because I like to do what I want to do, following my own routine. The problem is, that is a TON of work that I don’t have time to do. Also, I had lots of great plans but they didn’t always get carried out because I was worn out from all the planning. So my DH suggested I get the NP Lessons so that I can focus on the impartation and not simply on creating lessons. I am excited that now I can do what I really enjoy–talking with my kids and instructing them in the ways of the Lord.
I also didn’t realize I was gradually adding way too much to my 5dd plate. She doesn’t need formal science, literature, history and geography at this point. So I have cut back on her lessons. She will spend this year improving her reading skills, learning to write, counting and performing simple math problems, and mostly learning about Jesus and cuddling up with me for a good book.
I am excited about this change. I will let you know when they come what I think about them. God is good to guide us as we submit to Him. And yes, I understand their are people who know how to make their own lesson plans work for them, but in this season of my life this will work just fine.
Hey!!! I am excited for you!!!! I have often wondered how u do all that…for myself though I ordered ‘curricula’ for math and WRR for literacy. I use the NP Lessons 1 for my now 2nd grader…it works for us..and u know what Anna? Even though you have ordered the NP 3rd grade lessons, you can STILL do what u want, as the Lord leads. I use the NP lessons for bible, intro. to Literature and History(do my own History unit-as u know) and even for Geography…just to help me out and get me ‘acclimated’ to the layout. God has helped me not to stress about it not being ‘exactly’ the way they lay it out in FACE(or anywhere else for that matter)…Isn’t it freeing????? That is what it is all about…liberty in Christ…freedom to follow Him as He leads us individually, for our individual families!!!
And I agree, I have lesson plans running around in my head of things I want to teach but right now must not be the time for it b/c I don’t have time
….so I”ll store it(write it down) for a later time, when God says ok…
Looking forward to hearing how you all progress!!
dee
by the way, this is a nice template..I like it!!
dee
I think you and I have much in common.
I am always seeking *balance* in what I do.
Thanks Dee! I look forward to reading about your family’s journey this year.
And I love this template. Beautiful, no?
Anna-Marie
momof3feistykids,
thanks! It’s nice to know I’m not the only one…
Anna-Marie
I’ve used the NP lesson plans too. My problem with them is that they don’t provide notebook pages, and it seems their suggestions are to write, write, write and maybe draw a picture to go along. We need a bit more than that so I find I spend a lot of time looking for activities/coloring/crafts, etc. to go along with the lessons and to put in his notebook. It seems to take so much time and then I wonder if I’m making too much of it and maybe it’s not necessary, but my son seems to be a visual learner and he loves to draw, color and create and I don’t want the lessons to become boring by just writing notes everyday. How do you handle that part?
Barb
Barbara,
I don’t always do what they suggest for notebooks because like you we are artistically inclined and love to make books and art projects.
I have two books I refer to a lot.
1) “Alternatives to Worksheets”
2) “Big Book of Books” by Dinah Zike
These work well with notebooks and offer tons of ideas that fit well for us. And then we also draw a lot as well. If you want more detail about these books, let me know. Thanks for stopping by!
Anna-Marie