The Swing Family

Introduce These Words:

I would like you to meet Bob, Jan, Meg, and Ben Swing. They live in Putney, Vermont with their dog, Chip. Meg and Ben are homeschooling just like you. They would like to share their life with you.

Meg jumped out of bed early today because she knew it was time to begin school again. Meg looked around for her shoes, but only one could be found. "Chip, Chip," she called. "What have you done with my shoe?"

Chip is a puppy and the Swing family is still trying to teach him manners. Today he has run off with Meg’s shoe. Meg has only one pair of shoes. She is afraid to find out what Chip may have done with her shoe.

Mother joined in the hunt. Finally, Meg found her shoe under the table, and saw that Chip had chewed the shoe lace. "What are we going to do with him?" asked Meg. Mother said they would have to try very hard to teach him manners. If you have a puppy, you know that it is not easy to teach a puppy manners, and it takes time.

Meg was so happy to have both her shoes that she got dressed quickly and asked Mother, "What songs are we going to sing this morning?"

"Which one would you like to begin with, Meg?" Mother asked.

"My favorite is "Silver and Gold," said Meg.

"Okay, wake up your brother and we will begin as soon as we have breakfast," said Mother.

Chip followed Meg into the bedroom. He grabbed hold of Ben’s blanket and started to pull. "Stop, Stop," shouted Meg. Ben was not very happy to be wakened this way. But Chip wagged his tail. He was happy to see Ben.

Ben got up feeling grumpy and went into the kitchen. He asked Mother what was for breakfast. Mother told him he could have eggs. Ben helped Mother make breakfast so they could begin homeschooling. Both Ben and Meg helped their mother clean up after breakfast. They argued about who would wash the dishes and who would sweep the floor. Today, Ben washed the dishes and Meg swept the floor. Mother told them they could switch jobs tomorrow. Do you ever feel grumpy and argue with your brother or sister?

Soon it was time to begin their school day. Meg and Ben say a verse to start their day:

The sun is in my heart
It warms me with its power
It wakens life and love
In bird and beast and flower

This morning they decided to sing "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush." Mother, Ben and Meg joined hands and sang as they danced around in a circle. Chip danced with them, running around and around. It was so much fun! Then they said a closing verse.

"I feel much better now," said Ben. "Singing always makes me feel happy again."

Next it was time to begin their lessons. Mother asked, "Do you remember the story Daddy told you at bedtime last night?"

"Sure," said Ben. Mother said she would like Ben to write about it in his main lesson book while Meg colored a picture in her main lesson book. Meg is five years old and in kindergarten. Ben is seven years old and in the second grade. Meg cannot write yet, but she loves to hear the stories and draw pictures.

Mother brought out the crayons and main lesson books. As she gave them their books, she said, "These are very special books. Do your work in them very carefully." Meg and Ben were very excited to begin their own very special books. "And," Mother said, "keep them up on the table so Chip doesn’t chew them."

Mother sat down beside Meg and Ben and wrote out a few sentences for Ben to copy. Together they read the sentences and Ben copied them into his main lesson book with his colored pencils. Meg drew with her block crayons. Mother drew a picture as well. Before they knew it, 45 minutes had gone by. They were having so much fun they did not want to stop!

After Meg, Ben and Mother completed their lesson, Mother told them to go play while she did her work. Off they ran to play house. Chip went with them, wagging his tail.

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