 Aug. 8, 2006 - How I do "School"
I am writing this for a contest about how we homeschool.
I am a very relaxed homeschooler. When we started we used all A Beka and we were very rigid and strict. I found that bringing the public school system's way of doing school into our house only made us all unhappy; so, we have made major changes. We don't really plan because it seems like we always are into something and we kind of go with the flow of life and learning.
For example (I always use this example) we got these rats one time, they came with a book and the children were just pumped to read all about the new pets. After they read it I said "Why don't you write something about it. Savannah (9) wrote a creative story from the perspective of the rat and my son Jacob wrote a factual paper on how to care for these animals and facts about them. We went over the papers and edited it and then they drew a picture and made it neat. While most households do multiple papers for all subjects, which is VERY time consuming, this project was English, Spelling, Art, Reading, Science and Creative Writing all in one. The children were happy and so was I. That is how we do school all the time now.
We work together as a family and it does not matter what grade level you are because everyone is able to learn the way we are doing it.
I have done a little planning though....I guess that is what it is. I have set aside 30 minutes a day on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday so I can teach them something. It might be an important word they need to know or some math that pertains to life or something like that.
The children have to practice piano and recorder every day during the week. I feel it is important because they will be able to use this their whole life. I teach them every Tuesday and review the songs they have practiced. Piano is on their own but recorder is a group activity as much as possible.
For math this year we are going to concentrate on fractions. To do this is going to be as easy as pie...literally! We are going to double, triple, quadruple or whatever recipes from cookbooks. This will work out perfect because with 7 people eating you have to do this anyhow. My children love to help me cook and are already GREAT kitchen helpers. The two older ones can read recipes and cook by themselves already. I also think that I can sneak some fractions in with our music lessons. They need to understand fractions to be able to count and understand the music well.
I have noticed that my children love to blog and read blogs. I will be sneaking some English in this way too. I won't let them post it until I check it. This is going to work out well.
Another reason I love homeschooling is because the public school system failed me. I am learning with my children. I am not the best at subjects like English or even fractions. I learn and then teach them. I have to give my mother the credit for my love of reading because she made sure I had a great phonics foundation and really encouraged me to read. My friend gave me a complete course English Grammar and Composition book that I am going through one page at a time and then sneaking what I learn into the things they write. I guess I am homeschooled too. LOL.
I almost forgot to add that I keep track of what we learn with the Homeschool Tracker. It is working well for us. I can't believe how many books the children have read that I have put in the log! I could probably give the school my daughter's book list right now and they would be happy for the year.
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Posted by jaminacema 
Aug. 9, 2006 - I could have written that post
Posted by MommylovesRJ 
Posted by KyMentor 
God Bless my SSiC. I too feel I am getting the Education I NEVER Got. I will want to stand next to my 1ds when he Grads from our HS. I don't know if I could do it without crying.
In Him,