If Structured is: having a well-defined structure or organization; highly organized: a structured environment and/or Arranged in a definite pattern then we are the later – a definite pattern.  Highly Organized might be a bit much – we are more of a pattern family. This, then That. First then Next.

If intent is: Something that is intended; an aim or purpose   while – Having the attention applied; engrossed and Having the mind and will focused on a specific purpose – Then we are intentional (Done deliberately) in sharing our passions with our children. 

If Learning is: The act, process, or experience of gaining knowledge or skill – then our intent each day, January through January is to develop skills, use our skills and teach them to others.  We are a sponge for knowledge, constantly asking questions, seeking answers – vigilantly.

If School is : The process of being educated formally, especially education constituting a planned series of courses over a number of years and a : Session of instruction then we started today.  We are using Miquon Math Blue for Jon, age  and Saxon 7/6 for Nathan age 11.  After a bit of research today, we started with Lesson 1 DIVE CD and Lesson 1 Evens on the practice problems – Next Tuesday, our next day of Math, Nathan will start to take the Tests to see what Lesson to actually start on.  If he passes a Test, he can move head 10 Lessons.  I have seen that the first 2/3 of the book is review, and we are having  a hard time making it to the last 1/3 with any amount of enthusiasm.  Jon is moving along in Miquon, he is on I 12 – moving along great.

We are also going to do English Paces, Nate is on page 23 of 1058. We lost steam last spring and did not finish the last two of 5th grade, but will just keep plugging along this year. He is also doing to do Writing Strands Level 3.

These are the only pieces I have plugged into the Homeschool Tracker Plus system to help me keep on task.  I have several items in the HST, I can print out a list for each boy each day to help them.  I took a personality test yesterday with each boy and found out one is a list lover, and one is not. . . . Jon likes his list – it sparks him on to keep finding more and more to do.  Nathan will never find anything to do save entertainment projects, but with a list, he will stay on task. I am learning to treat each one differently . . . .

All that to say – Today is the first Day of School for the Petra School.  Homeschoolers are quirky people with quirky words.  Do we Home Learn? Home Educate? Home School? Do we “do School at Home”?

I can say that at the Petra School – our goal is to grow in knowledge each day, introduce, learn and practice life skills every day, and progress incrementally in knowledge that we will need for our life time  – priority for us is Bible, Math, English and Geography. 🙂 First Day of Preschool – a little speech class in Coos Bay at Milner Crest School. Nathan was around 4 and Jon was around 1. Nathan starting 6th Grade Middle School Lil Brother still hanging onto his side. . . My little spot in the world, . . . .