LMK17
Loving the herd life
I homeschool my two, ages 10 & 7. We also manage/live on a 20 acre farm with chickens, turkeys, goats, hogs, cattle, and horses, plus we have a big smattering of guinea fowl, dogs, cats, and a [poorly neglected, although they don't seem to mind] beehive. We're a military family living far (1500 miles) from all our relatives, and my husband works long hours and doesn't get home until at least 7 pm most nights. So it's almost always just the kids and me. I totally understand trying to juggle the homestead & school and not being able to get out much! My kiddos are involved in Trail Life and American Heritage Girls. They also both take piano and horse riding lessons. The past few years, they did spring soccer, but when they both indicated they wanted to take a break from that this year, I didn't argue. 
We meet up with our homeschool friends as much as we can, but it is a struggle to get out and about and still have time for all our standing obligations.
I agree that language arts are a challenge! We have the Brave Writer curriculum. I do like it, but I also find it tedious at times. However, I honestly think they best thing I've ever done for my kids' writing was sign them up for pen pals. I definitely have noticed that they are far more interested in writing well if they actually have something to say and are confident the message is *worth* something. I've always tried to express to them that writing is a way to disseminate a message. It follows that if they want to say something but don't express themselves clearly, the message is lost, and so they try harder. My son struggles with writing, it's just really not his thing, although he does well enough. My daughter, who always has A LOT to say, relishes the chance to write to her friends and receive letters back. As we go, I point out ways for them to make their writing stronger. We also occasionally play grade-appropriate iPad apps to help strengthen usage & mechanics. We aren't required by the state to do any testing, so that really helps keep things relaxed.
We meet up with our homeschool friends as much as we can, but it is a struggle to get out and about and still have time for all our standing obligations. I agree that language arts are a challenge! We have the Brave Writer curriculum. I do like it, but I also find it tedious at times. However, I honestly think they best thing I've ever done for my kids' writing was sign them up for pen pals. I definitely have noticed that they are far more interested in writing well if they actually have something to say and are confident the message is *worth* something. I've always tried to express to them that writing is a way to disseminate a message. It follows that if they want to say something but don't express themselves clearly, the message is lost, and so they try harder. My son struggles with writing, it's just really not his thing, although he does well enough. My daughter, who always has A LOT to say, relishes the chance to write to her friends and receive letters back. As we go, I point out ways for them to make their writing stronger. We also occasionally play grade-appropriate iPad apps to help strengthen usage & mechanics. We aren't required by the state to do any testing, so that really helps keep things relaxed.
