Closet Elementary Remake

As I posted in my last blog, I bought a new table. I had no need for this table. But it was a solid table and 4 chairs for $30.00. I figured I could find a use. The chairs very nearly matched the ones we already had. Two of our dining room chairs were being used in the school room. So now we have enough chairs for everyone at the table. I put the other two chairs and the table in the school room. The table will be used for larger projects that usually have us on the floor. The school room has a new look. I like it!

Closet Elementary.

I love my little one room school house. I just hate that it's in my room. I like "my" space. Stay out of my room! But, how can I say no to a request to get a book to read, crayons to color with, or animals cards to look at. Our school room was once a back porch. The previous owners of our home closed it in to make a large closet and sun room. That beautiful sun room that I fell in love with is now my school room! It's a great space, perfect for us and all of our stuff, but it's access point is my bedroom. Okay, enough whining. Our first week has gone very well. There's been a few grumbles, but as usual, I point out that they only have to work for a few hours and get the afternoon to play. The new school year here has the last bell ringing at 4pm. I think there's drama because they know their friends are still on summer break. They love it during December when we basically take the whole month off and their friends are still in school. They do not like it the other way around.

We've been catching up on some of the units that we didn't finish last year. We are edging our way out of Colonial American and into the Revolution. We made barrels like apprentices and tradesmen. We're working on crowns of the Kings and Queens of the time. We're also learning Roman Numerals. (and I do mean we, I don't know them all) We are diagramming sentences until we want to cry of boredom. I did have to point out to my boys that sometimes things are boring and you just have to do them anyway. I don't want to make everything a fireworks show. Sometimes, for certain things, life is boring. That said. *insert whiny voice* Diagramming sentences is booorrrriiinnnngggg. We're reviewing math facts as we move into division and fractions and learning subtraction. For art we've been learning how to draw plants and trees step by step. They impressed me. I have no artistic talent, so the fact that the plant resembles a plant is a gold star in my book. 

Math of the floor.

Reading time in bed!

Doesn't look comfy to me, but that's where he reads.

Sam is blowing me away. I had his whole week planned and he finished on Wednesday. I'm going to have to order him a true curriculum, I think. He's going to go through the standard Kindergarten workbooks quickly. He knows much more than I thought he did. I guess his little sponge brain was soaking up stuff last year!

He's proud of his neat desk!

Also, I have to brag on myself. I have a really bad habit of not doing school for the day if my morning has interruptions. Our afternoons are just busier and Johnny gets home earlier in the summer, and I just don't want to do school later in the day. Yesterday, we have court, doctors appointments, drop off appointments, Cub Scouts, and a dinner out (for me). I still managed to get our whole day done! (I did push art back until Friday). I realize it's only the first week, but I was proud of myself for sticking to the schedule I made!

I think that's it from us for the week. We're using a block system, so next week we'll be focusing on Science instead of History. The boys are excited!

And Sigh.....

Here's the before!

 Well I worked for hours on the school room. Johnny's new summer schedule has him getting home around 3:30 (oh it's so wonderful!!!!) So once he got home, I locked myself into the school room to finish. I just couldn't take anymore tiptoeing around piles of books. At one point I was nearly buried. I managed escaped with only a knot on my head from a large book. So here's the 90% finished product. I still have to donate all those piles and dump the trash, but it's pretty good now!

After! The pile there is my niece.

All these piles are for donation.

Supply Cubbies.

Kids Corner.

Yeah, there was that much trash.

Mama's shelf.