I felt the need to have a little interlude in my series, Focus on the Decision to Homeschool. After all, life at my homeschool continues with new daily challenges and triumphs. At the top of my list of things to report is my oldest daughters reading. If you are a follower, you'll know that getting sweet Jane to read what I want her to read is a bit of a struggle (like pulling dandelions!).
For her biology class at the co-op, the teacher had the kids read a book called Darwin's Black Box by Michael Behe. It is an impressive book. Not small and dealing with the theory of evolution as viewed from the bio-chemistry field. I've read perhaps 3 chapters and it was not easy. Jane has read the whole thing AND written a very nice summary (500 words) of it. Soooo, apparently, I am incapable to putting enough pressure on her to get the same results.
However, I have spoken with her and pointed out our struggles (mine really). I pointed out that if it takes a classroom and teacher to "make" her complete the assignment, perhaps we should revisit our decision. I pointed out that she is an excellent reader (currently consuming the 8 book Artemis Fowl Series faster than the library can provide them). I pointed out that in choosing to homeschool, she put me in charge of her education and in doing so, must respect the tasks I assign her. I pointed out that when her co-op teacher assigned the Darwin book, she was not happy about it. In the finally analysis, however, she admited that there were redeeming qualities. She was able to see that she learned from it, found some of it interesting, and was glad she read it. Is it possible?!?! that she could have the same experience with me??? Perhaps, she could give a book or two that I assign a try? She might find she likes it! Mostly, I stressed that if we are going to do this, she is going to have to accept assignments and not just blow off what she doesn't want to do.
Since that conversation, I've had another idea. I think we will change the focus of her blog. She wrote an outstanding summary of the Darwin book (seems to be a good writer like her brother, Leo) and I thought maybe we will transfer her book list to her blog. Each time she reads a book, she can review it on her blog. She can create a star rating system. She can review her books for school, as well as her leisure books. She and her friends talk often of the books or series they are reading and often that is where Jane gets ideas for what she's going to read next.
I'm still thinking about this. It's all in how I present it. I have to give her options while still making it clear that it is an assignment. Hopefully, some new, productive changes in the near future.
Ruth is still on track to move into 4th grade in April. She is doing outstanding in all her subjects except spelling. Her spelling is....well, horrible and below where it should be. I blame myself. I have a really hard time not correcting her spelling in "pleasure" writing. Which, of'course, makes writing anything but pleasurable. But, I've made a new resolve to have her write two letters a week and I WILL NOT CORRECT them. I do have her proof read them and she already (in a about 3 weeks time) is showing great improvement. She writes to friends and relatives about anything and everything. We are also focusing on reading comprehension where she has to answer a question after reading an essay. The answer has to be in paragraph form so it gives her plenty of practice writing, spelling, etc.
I don't believe I've mentioned, but Jane's sewing class was cancelled. I am so sad about it, but have to admit that it is nice to have that one day a week that is 'easy.' Tuesday is now our stay at home, quiet day and I love it! I've really got to work hard next year to have two days a week like that.
Now, back to my Focus on the Decision!
Musings on the daily trials and triumphs of a homeschool family.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Curriculum
I hope you are not expecting me to tell you what curriculum to get? I can't do that. This post focuses on the different ways you can provide curriculum.
First, if you decide to unschool, you won't be using curriculum. Unschoolers use magazines, libraries, lots of reading, educational games, real life experiences. I know unschoolers who live in a rural setting and have 5 boys. The mother's motto was, "Let them get bored and see what happens." One summer they built a bridge over the creek; in the winter, they put together a kit car in the garage. Again, as the parents, you provide the opportunities to learn and then let them. These 5 young men are college graduates with distinguished careers now. I never had the guts to unschool; it was just too different for me. But I admired that family and if you can do it, the kids become life-long learners with great confidence.
More traditionally, there are three ways you can use curriculum to homeschool. Many families buy a packaged curriculum that comes with all the books you need for a particular grade plus a lesson plan, grading, and record-keeping. It's basically distance learning. It takes the pressure off of you, it "feels" more traditional, everything is right there for you. All of the subjects seem to work together, too. On the flip side, the lesson plan doesn't allow for your schedule; you'll have to tweak it. I would struggle not to feel a slave to someone else's timeline. Also, you are responsible for getting the assignments in for grading and you have to track the hours spent in subjects and then report that for their record keeping, which always seemed like double the work to me (If I am tracking it and writing it down, why am I then sending it to them to put in a ledger? Can't I just do that?). But if you are a stickler for being "official" this may be the route for you. If you stick with a particular provider, they provide report cards and certificates/diplomas throughout the years. Keep in mind, this is also probably the most expensive way to go.
Just short of that, you can buy the curriculum but develop your own lesson plan, grading, and record keeping. Some homeschoolers purchase the textbooks, workbooks, test booklets, and teacher books from a single provider and then put together their own lesson plan to follow. Obviously, this will give you more flexibility but you also will have to spend time developing your lesson plan. I take a few afternoons, usually in May, and go out of the house (sit in a coffee shop or the library) with my calendar, and our textbooks, and map it all out. It's probably a total of about 20 hours of work for 4 kids. With just my 2 girls now, it's maybe a 4-6 hour endeavor. Even though I'm developing my own schedule, it will still end up being tweaked throughout the year. That's life; at least at our house. This option is less expensive for two reasons. One is that you are not paying for the service of planning, grading, and record keeping. This option also allows more freedom to purchase used curriculum. If you like the continuity of buying from one provider, but you don't want to answer to someone else, this will be a good option for you.
Finally, some people pick and pull together an ecclectic array of curriculum from different providers. Sometimes it is hard to find a curriculum provider that you love all of their books; or that your kids love all of their books. It's a little more work to hand pick, because there is so much to choose from and it takes time to sift through and pick things. Sometimes, it's frustrating, because you think something looks great or your kids will love it, but it doesn't work out; back to the drawing board. But this does allow the greatest flexibility for you and your kids. This is the most labor intensive route, but over the years it gets easier and easier for two reasons. First, you get to know more curriculum and second, you get to know your kids learning styles better. So, this is the most labor instensive, but also provides the most flexibility for you and your children.
I find curriculum to be the most stressful part of homeschooling. Surprising, right? It takes a lot of time and expense and when I was starting out, I just had no idea where to begin. It's frustrating to try things and several months into the school year find it's not working. With five kids, I even find it a little stressful to store all of the curriculum I've gotten over the years. So, this is just a little post on some starter thoughts about curriculum. In my next post, I'll address styles of education and a little more about what to consider when choosing curriculum. I hope some of this is helpful. I've also tried to add more curriculum links at the bottom of my blog for you to check out.
First, if you decide to unschool, you won't be using curriculum. Unschoolers use magazines, libraries, lots of reading, educational games, real life experiences. I know unschoolers who live in a rural setting and have 5 boys. The mother's motto was, "Let them get bored and see what happens." One summer they built a bridge over the creek; in the winter, they put together a kit car in the garage. Again, as the parents, you provide the opportunities to learn and then let them. These 5 young men are college graduates with distinguished careers now. I never had the guts to unschool; it was just too different for me. But I admired that family and if you can do it, the kids become life-long learners with great confidence.
More traditionally, there are three ways you can use curriculum to homeschool. Many families buy a packaged curriculum that comes with all the books you need for a particular grade plus a lesson plan, grading, and record-keeping. It's basically distance learning. It takes the pressure off of you, it "feels" more traditional, everything is right there for you. All of the subjects seem to work together, too. On the flip side, the lesson plan doesn't allow for your schedule; you'll have to tweak it. I would struggle not to feel a slave to someone else's timeline. Also, you are responsible for getting the assignments in for grading and you have to track the hours spent in subjects and then report that for their record keeping, which always seemed like double the work to me (If I am tracking it and writing it down, why am I then sending it to them to put in a ledger? Can't I just do that?). But if you are a stickler for being "official" this may be the route for you. If you stick with a particular provider, they provide report cards and certificates/diplomas throughout the years. Keep in mind, this is also probably the most expensive way to go.
Just short of that, you can buy the curriculum but develop your own lesson plan, grading, and record keeping. Some homeschoolers purchase the textbooks, workbooks, test booklets, and teacher books from a single provider and then put together their own lesson plan to follow. Obviously, this will give you more flexibility but you also will have to spend time developing your lesson plan. I take a few afternoons, usually in May, and go out of the house (sit in a coffee shop or the library) with my calendar, and our textbooks, and map it all out. It's probably a total of about 20 hours of work for 4 kids. With just my 2 girls now, it's maybe a 4-6 hour endeavor. Even though I'm developing my own schedule, it will still end up being tweaked throughout the year. That's life; at least at our house. This option is less expensive for two reasons. One is that you are not paying for the service of planning, grading, and record keeping. This option also allows more freedom to purchase used curriculum. If you like the continuity of buying from one provider, but you don't want to answer to someone else, this will be a good option for you.
Finally, some people pick and pull together an ecclectic array of curriculum from different providers. Sometimes it is hard to find a curriculum provider that you love all of their books; or that your kids love all of their books. It's a little more work to hand pick, because there is so much to choose from and it takes time to sift through and pick things. Sometimes, it's frustrating, because you think something looks great or your kids will love it, but it doesn't work out; back to the drawing board. But this does allow the greatest flexibility for you and your kids. This is the most labor intensive route, but over the years it gets easier and easier for two reasons. First, you get to know more curriculum and second, you get to know your kids learning styles better. So, this is the most labor instensive, but also provides the most flexibility for you and your children.
I find curriculum to be the most stressful part of homeschooling. Surprising, right? It takes a lot of time and expense and when I was starting out, I just had no idea where to begin. It's frustrating to try things and several months into the school year find it's not working. With five kids, I even find it a little stressful to store all of the curriculum I've gotten over the years. So, this is just a little post on some starter thoughts about curriculum. In my next post, I'll address styles of education and a little more about what to consider when choosing curriculum. I hope some of this is helpful. I've also tried to add more curriculum links at the bottom of my blog for you to check out.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
What to Expect
Expect this to be a lifestyle. Homeschooling isn't just a way to educate your kids. It affects your whole family. Your attitude to learning is bound to be different than the mainstream and so will your lifestyle.
Expect to have a messier house. Let's face it. Families with kids in school have cleaner houses. There are levels of clean, certainly. But, whatever your level of cleanliness is now, it will probably go down with your kids home. However, when I started homeschooling, I read some wonderful hints in Manager's of their Homes about how to stay on top of the chores. More on that later.
Expect to be done A LOT sooner than your kids counterparts in traditional school. When my kids got Chicken Pox in January (just as we were making the decision to homeschool) and missed a week of school, I was astounded by how quickly and easily they got their day's work done. It just doesn't take that long, especially in the early elementary years.
Expect to find an abundance of homeschool programs you never knew exsisted. At least in my city, I continue to find all sorts of programs for homeschoolers. Zoos, museums, symphonies, any place that offers group tours, gymnastic/swim/dance places are just some of the places you'll find have programs during the day for homeschoolers. And many places that don't already have a program for homeschoolers, are happy to accomodate a group if you get one together for a tour or a class.
Expect to have to spend some time on discipline within your school environment. We put up a check-list in the hallway outside the bathroom. It had what each child was expected to do each morning/night. Then, we had a check-list by the school shelves to remind students what supplies they needed. This is because it was very disruptive to have 2, 3 or 4 kids coming to the table and then saying, "I forgot to brush my teeth." "Can I get a drink of water?" "I don't have my pencil." Once at the table, they were expected to sit and quietly work. Whining about work or laying on the table was not tolerated.
Expect to develop a mantra. Mine was, "Come to the table a willing student." I told my kids that Daddy and I were responsible for providing them with the tools to learn, their job was to come to the table a willing student. Whining, exhaling loudly, rolling their eyes, "laying" on the table are not signs of a willing student. Telling me "the book is wrong" is also frowned upon. It has happened a few times over 12 years, but really, the book is seldom wrong.
Expect to have an easier time if you tell them what you want them to do. In reference to what I mentioned above, I didn't like them coming to me and saying, "Mom, this book is wrong. This problem doesn't work." (said in an indignant, life-is-unfair tone of voice) Make sure to tell them what to say instead, "Mom, I'm having trouble with this problem." In other words, don't just tell your kids what not to do, tell them what you want them to do. I'm not saying that once I tell them what is acceptable, they never disappoint. But they will usually respond positively if they know what I want.
Expect to be questioned when you go out with your obviously school-aged kids during a school day. Believe it or not, this was my biggest challenge when I started. I was unprepared. I didn't think people would pay that much attention, but they do. When it's 11:00a.m. on a school day and you show up at the grocery store with your 4th grader, 3rd grader, kindergartener, and 2 year old, the cashier WILL say, "So, why are you kids off today?" And then my little guys would look at me with big eyes and I would sheepishly tell the cashier that we are homeschoolers. I'd almost whisper it...apologetically. I don't know what I was afraid of....an argument, a judgement? It would inevitably be followed with a myriad of questions that would keep me longer than I intended. Then, one day, it happened. We were making a "quick" trip to pick up juice boxes on our way to the zoo and the older boys said, "And, Mom, don't talk to anybody about homeschooling. Just say we have a day off." AND I DID! I lied. Right or wrong, we just didn't have time so I just smiled and said, "Oh some teacher meetings or something." Now, this was not my routine from then on. It just depended on whether I had time for the inquiry. More importantly, I learned to not sound so apologetic or embarrassed about homeschooling. How the parents feel about homeschooling will have a direct affect on how the kids will feel about it. So, at some point I started speaking up, with a smile on my face and declaring, "We homeschool!" You have my permission to fib if needs be and to be proud of your choice to homeschool.
Expect to be discouraged. But take heart; parents who send their kids to school experience this, too. We all get discouraged at times. It's important to reach out, seek support and re-evaluate with your spouse what's working and what isn't. As my kids grew, and certainly when baby #5 came along, the dynamics change and the family is different. What worked one year may need adjustment the next.
And that's my final expectation, expect to have to re-evaluate. I think I thought I would have a formula that worked and be done. I'm never done. Our family is always changing and each child is different. When I reach a point where I feel like things are getting difficult, I know it's time to re-evaluate what we are doing and make some changes.
My next post in this series will be on curriculum. Until then...blessings to you and your family.
Expect to have a messier house. Let's face it. Families with kids in school have cleaner houses. There are levels of clean, certainly. But, whatever your level of cleanliness is now, it will probably go down with your kids home. However, when I started homeschooling, I read some wonderful hints in Manager's of their Homes about how to stay on top of the chores. More on that later.
Expect to be done A LOT sooner than your kids counterparts in traditional school. When my kids got Chicken Pox in January (just as we were making the decision to homeschool) and missed a week of school, I was astounded by how quickly and easily they got their day's work done. It just doesn't take that long, especially in the early elementary years.
Expect to find an abundance of homeschool programs you never knew exsisted. At least in my city, I continue to find all sorts of programs for homeschoolers. Zoos, museums, symphonies, any place that offers group tours, gymnastic/swim/dance places are just some of the places you'll find have programs during the day for homeschoolers. And many places that don't already have a program for homeschoolers, are happy to accomodate a group if you get one together for a tour or a class.
Expect to have to spend some time on discipline within your school environment. We put up a check-list in the hallway outside the bathroom. It had what each child was expected to do each morning/night. Then, we had a check-list by the school shelves to remind students what supplies they needed. This is because it was very disruptive to have 2, 3 or 4 kids coming to the table and then saying, "I forgot to brush my teeth." "Can I get a drink of water?" "I don't have my pencil." Once at the table, they were expected to sit and quietly work. Whining about work or laying on the table was not tolerated.
Expect to develop a mantra. Mine was, "Come to the table a willing student." I told my kids that Daddy and I were responsible for providing them with the tools to learn, their job was to come to the table a willing student. Whining, exhaling loudly, rolling their eyes, "laying" on the table are not signs of a willing student. Telling me "the book is wrong" is also frowned upon. It has happened a few times over 12 years, but really, the book is seldom wrong.
Expect to have an easier time if you tell them what you want them to do. In reference to what I mentioned above, I didn't like them coming to me and saying, "Mom, this book is wrong. This problem doesn't work." (said in an indignant, life-is-unfair tone of voice) Make sure to tell them what to say instead, "Mom, I'm having trouble with this problem." In other words, don't just tell your kids what not to do, tell them what you want them to do. I'm not saying that once I tell them what is acceptable, they never disappoint. But they will usually respond positively if they know what I want.
Expect to be questioned when you go out with your obviously school-aged kids during a school day. Believe it or not, this was my biggest challenge when I started. I was unprepared. I didn't think people would pay that much attention, but they do. When it's 11:00a.m. on a school day and you show up at the grocery store with your 4th grader, 3rd grader, kindergartener, and 2 year old, the cashier WILL say, "So, why are you kids off today?" And then my little guys would look at me with big eyes and I would sheepishly tell the cashier that we are homeschoolers. I'd almost whisper it...apologetically. I don't know what I was afraid of....an argument, a judgement? It would inevitably be followed with a myriad of questions that would keep me longer than I intended. Then, one day, it happened. We were making a "quick" trip to pick up juice boxes on our way to the zoo and the older boys said, "And, Mom, don't talk to anybody about homeschooling. Just say we have a day off." AND I DID! I lied. Right or wrong, we just didn't have time so I just smiled and said, "Oh some teacher meetings or something." Now, this was not my routine from then on. It just depended on whether I had time for the inquiry. More importantly, I learned to not sound so apologetic or embarrassed about homeschooling. How the parents feel about homeschooling will have a direct affect on how the kids will feel about it. So, at some point I started speaking up, with a smile on my face and declaring, "We homeschool!" You have my permission to fib if needs be and to be proud of your choice to homeschool.
Expect to be discouraged. But take heart; parents who send their kids to school experience this, too. We all get discouraged at times. It's important to reach out, seek support and re-evaluate with your spouse what's working and what isn't. As my kids grew, and certainly when baby #5 came along, the dynamics change and the family is different. What worked one year may need adjustment the next.
And that's my final expectation, expect to have to re-evaluate. I think I thought I would have a formula that worked and be done. I'm never done. Our family is always changing and each child is different. When I reach a point where I feel like things are getting difficult, I know it's time to re-evaluate what we are doing and make some changes.
My next post in this series will be on curriculum. Until then...blessings to you and your family.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)