Aug. 22, 2006 - Here we go!
Well, we are not early starters this
year. I had my order all ready to go for part of the lids'
curriculum materials but had to wait another week to order. Other
bills had to be paid!
But, I made the order yesterday from homeschoolingbooks.com, and the remainder will be ordered from pennywiselearning.com in another week or so.
I'm planning on getting started with our schooling schedule the week
after the materials arrive, but in order to start clocking hours now,
we're doing a review time beginning Monday. I had good
intentions, I really did, to keep the kids fresh minded over the
summer, but I failed that one. The older one has forgotten
multiplying and dividing fractions, and the younger one needs a redo on
introduction to multiplication, for starters. Math will be the
main thing, as these are the skills most apt to be forgotten if not
used. How many times over the summer did you find a practical
domestic use for converting improper fractions?
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Then, oh joy! We ran into several people yesterday at the store and out and about, and it went like this each time...
"Well! How did you boys enjoy your first day back at school?"
"Oh, we homeschool. We didn't start school today."
"Ummm, oh, I see." Insert worried or disapproving look from nosy stranger here.
There was one lady in the parking lot of Walmart. I told her I
would take her cart because we were going in. She said, "Well,
did you two boys start school today? How was it?"
I said, "We homeschool."
She said, "Wow, smart lady!"
That made me feel good.
There have been some friends who are on either side. They either
praise me for keeping with it, or they act amused that I am "Still
going on with this homeschooling notion I cooked up." Oh well,
you can't please everyone, and I don't intend to try!
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My 11 year old and I had a discussion this morning. He would have
been starting middle school this year along with his best pal who lives
a block away. Well, the bast pal comes home from school yesterday
with tales of the cool cafeteria where you have CHOICES! and of the
tech ed shop and all sorts of stuff.
Dominic got to feeling pretty quickly that he was going to be missing
out on SOMETHING BIG in middle school. He pouted and
stomped and went on about how boring it is at home and how he doesn't
want to homeschool. I calmy reminded him that it really isn't his
choice. If he wants to return to public school for his high
school years, we'll see. But mom still knows what's best at age
11.
I went over again my reasons for choosing to do this...the leading from
God, the realization of the blatant anti-Christianity and
secularism/humanism leanings of public schools, the desire to keep the
family close.
I didn't say it to him, but the thought of him attending middle school
in particular really scared me. The one he would have to go to is
notorious for bullying problems and there is a police officer in
attendance each and every day. That's scary!
Dominic is very small for his age, and I feared he would be eaten alive
at the school. He is so kindhearted and gentle, and I feared his
delicate spirit would be trampled on. Am I guilty of shielding
him from bad? You bet, and I'll defend it to the ground.
There is no sense in throwing our kids to the wolves for the sake of
making them tougher. I don't want my sweet boy to be toughened
and cynical. I want him to remain a godly young man and true to
his age and his heart.
I also reminded him that dad has a much better job this year and that I
had in store much more exciting materials and activities. We can
afford guitar lessons karate, field trips. Videos and more
books. I assured him it would be different but I anticipate
fighting the public school envy monster continuously this year.
Well, on go the gloves. Bring it!
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Post A Comment!
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Aug. 22, 2006 - Glad... |
| Posted by Suzanne |
...you are able to get a few more things this year since your dh has a better-paying job.
We have neighbors with a daughter who just started (public) middle school. The mom gets up extra early in order to take her dd to a different public school than the one we are "zoned" for.
I'm glad that so far, my dd is glad to be homeschooled. Discussion of the homework that public kids have to "wade through" seems to "work" for now. :-) |
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Aug. 23, 2006 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by ccpeterson |
I also had the best of intentions, including a schedule...to keep the kids doing school through the summer, but about half way through June it all got tossed out the window...ha.
Sounds like you are doing a great job with your kids and I don't think you are doing the wrong thing by protecting your son from the wolves!!!!
Charity |
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Aug. 24, 2006 - I found you off of KoolKitty... |
| Posted by Jocelyndixon |
I found you off of KoolKitty... So you like Lotr, huh? I also saw on your profile that you like to scrapbook, write, movies and a couple more that I enjoy...I am currently writing a Novel set back in the 1800s. I have been working on it for a yr and now I'm editing...WHEW! it takes a long time to get anywhere!
Garo galu vaer (Have a Blessed day!)
Sincerely,
Jocelyn
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About Me
Hi there! I am Shannon, wife and helpmeet to Charles, and proud Mama to Dominic, 10..Zachary, 7..and little Charlie, who is a precious 1 year old! Share in our days and homeschooling adventures as we live, laugh, and grow together, embraced in the tender arms of our Lord Jesus. You may find other stuff here, too!
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