You can't imagine my relief on the first day of school, when I got all the kids dressed and ready without any time pressure and loaded them up to go to the gym. I had a great workout and they all did some fun crafts. After avoiding a couple of school related questions from the childcare woman, we loaded back up and went home for a leisurely day of pool play, (they don't know that a 1.5 foot pool isn't as fun as an underground!). Since my hubby is a teacher, I had decided we needed a few extra days to recoup after a summer of having him home before diving into the next adventure, namely, homeschool.
My oldest just finished a year of private school where the tuition and the drama went up a few notches. With three others at home, it was a logistical nightmare getting them all ready everyday. I was tired. Plus, after going to school for years to get my teaching credentials I figured we shouldn't have to pay for our kids to be educated when I have all the tools, (and supplies), to do it myself. (This was not as easy a decision as I make it sound. I agonized and prayed and fretted for months! Once the decision was made peace came...)
So here we are.
Home. School. WHAT?! What was I thinking?! Today we sat down, the two girls, (age 6.8 and 4.8), to do a functional activity. We are making a book to appreciate all the wonderful things that Gramma and Papa do with and for us. Then we can sign it and send it to them so that we don't have the leftover clutter at home. It was great for about 10 minutes. Then one of the twins, (ages 2.8), dumped out the whole box of crayons and proceeded to spread them all over the floor, making cleanup SO much easier...okay. Great sigh. So we finish our book tomorrow. Today wasn't technically the start day anyway...
My philosophy of homeschooling: To educate my children using real life situations and moments, using advanced level books and art to stimulate self learning and to create an environment in our home where learning is encouraged and exciting. Organic learning to go along with our organic eating.
My practice is going to take a while to match my philosophy. Coming from an educator background it is HARD to shift things to make it less about structure and standards and more about each child and their strengths and interests...how did we go so wrong in our school system? More on this later.
So...we start on Monday. For real. Figuring out how to manage and occupy the twins will be the big task, I think. I have some ideas...we'll see how they work.
3 comments:
you are brave very brave. I was so excited when school started. Judah goes all day everyday (2nd grade) Josiah and Avrah go 1/2 day (mornings) 3 days a week at a private school and then Josiah goes to school with Judah 1/2 day in the afternoon everyday and they walk home from school together, Judah walks to school by himself. Yes it is a lot of work getting them to places but oh so worth it to not have them "bored" or in front of the tv all day. Good for you, for being able to make this work.
I think it may be time to invest some time into making some of those craft/activity in a bag crates for the twins. I'm also thinking about putting ideas on pieces of paper and into a "bored bag" for the kids to draw from when they are driving me nuts. You're one grade-level above me this year (at least technically speaking), so I'm curious to see what you do with your eldest (and of course mia and the twins).
I can't imagine. Nonetheless having FOUR, but managing them all at the same time in some sort of structured setting!? Well Teege, if anyone can do it, you can. And I mean that. Way to go being the forerunner!
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