Learning 1,2,3

This is a great matching math game for the little kids. Evan is learning 123 and I try to find an interesting way to teach him. I have two set of 1 to 9 magnet with different size. I put one set in the order and let him match the numbers with other set. He is a bit slow compare with other kids about his age but he is learning well.

Why and how?

The homeschool idea struck me when I had to go back to my stay-at-home mom life last year. I quit my job as a school teacher in a elementary school to stay home to take care of my two years old boy. He has a severe skin problem and he suffers the itchiness all the time. Eric and I cannot bear to let others take care of him since he needs a lot of attention.

I told Eric one day why don't we homeschool Evan instead of sending him to school until he gets better. To my surprise, he supported my idea and suggested why don't we include Ethan as well. And from then on, I started doing a lot of research online and asking around about homeschooling. The more I read about others experience in homeschooling online, the more I feel confident. There are so many resources that help me to confirm my decision and let me feel that I can do my best for the boys' sake.

Another reason for this decision is we want to let our kids be able to go back to Malaysia with flexible schedule without being tie up with the normal school day. The Chinese New Year is always on the first or second months of the years. We do not have long holiday here in U.S. But this is the important time of the year for us as a Chinese to reunite with other family members. I do hope that if we manage to homeschool the boys successfully, I can bring them home during this festival and let them celebrate with their grandparents and other family members who can only see time once in a year.

There are so many homeschooling groups around the nation and also Texas which provided many activities for homeschoolers. At first, I am a bit worry about the boys' socialization issue. A lot of my friends are opposed the homeschool idea and socialization issue is the most concern topic from them to me. Luckily, those organizations are doing their best to offer activities during weekdays.

There are many methods in homeschooling such as Charlotte Mason,Classical Education, Correspondence Schools, Eclectic Homeschooling, Montessori Homeschooling,Tutoring,
Umbrella Schools, Unit Study Method, Unschooling, Waldorf Method . For me, I do not wish to stick to one method. I think the best method is find a way to provide a fun learning environment for both my boys. I am so amazed that those moms or dads who are doing homeschooling is so kind enough to share their experience and resources online.

One of the thing I read about online is homeschooling is just a normal way to teach our kids at home since they are young. We already being their first teacher to teach them how to walk, to eat, to sing and guide them throughout early years.

I know the journey ahead of us is not easy. I know there is a lot of commitment and consistence. I know the great support from Eric is very important and we have to do it with great love and patience.

March Theme Board

I set up a three board at home to display our monthly theme and projects. March is the beginnig of the spring month. We did some craft and learning about spring.


These yellow flowers are made up of egg carton, scrap color paper and some art supplies.

Ethan is learning the flower parts and he labeled it with both English and Chinese words. Evan made some finger painting flower art which shown at the right side.
We made the beattles out of used CD and some color papers.

This is the butterfly life cycle. Ethan colored that butterfly at school and I just put it on the board.

Paper Mache Ladybug

We are learning insects during spring break. I borrowed some books about insects from the library and let the kids read them. I found a craft online about making the paper mache lady bug. It is fun and easy to do.

First, I found two styrofoam cups. One big and small. The kids tore the newspapers in strips and we glued them on top of the cups. I used the white flour and water to make the glue.




We let it dry overnight and it is ready to be painted. Red and black are the main colors.



This the final product! A paper mache ladybug.

Butterfly Life Cycle

Ethan is learning about the butterfly life cycle. I decided to videotaped him while he is doing his presentation.

February Theme Board

February is full love month because Valentine Day is fall on February 14. We make some Valentine craft with lots of heart shapes.

The President Days is also on February. I found some worksheet online for Ethan to do and learn something about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

Learning Colors

I used two containers from the dimsum package and paste some color paper into it for Evan to learn his color. I collected some bottle caps from different colors and let him sort them inside the container.




I wrote the color in chinese words so that Ethan can recall what he had learn before. He did make some mistakes at first since it has been a while he learned these words. He then remembered them and put them in the right order.