You do know who Gumby is right?

Wilkepedia explains all about the history and details of this clay-mation character.  Gumby was flexible, moldable, able to adapt to the circumstances in which he was placed.

What it won't tell you is how useful a reminder he is to how homeschooling should look.  As an example of what not to do / what to do, let's look at my school this week.  Over Christmas break I sat down and re-evaluated my schedule. Let me tell you, it is nothing short of brilliant!  Everything laid out to the half hour. Planned with precision and ordered with attention to needs that will arise in my home.  I tried to account for feeding babies, napping toddlers, and even allowed time for those days when math just cannot be completed sans tears.

We penciled in piano practice, chores, and time to learn some new life skills. This is a masterpiece that the Daytimer company should try to patent and homeschoolers across the universe should pay me for.  Except for one flaw....

It forgets that the names on the schedule belong to human beings with personalities and drives, not robots who can be programmed to do only what the schedule demands.

So here is what this control freak momma found out this week:  Gumby-like flexibility is so much better.  Don't get me wrong: I have not totally abandoned the schedule. And as a matter of fact, the schedule actually works quite well. The children plug through, we get lots accomplished and I don't feel like we've "missed anything". 

Well, we haven't missed anything except sheer enjoyment of learning.

Sure they learn on our "by the minute" days. And usually they learn without being grumpy (they are awfully good kids that way).  But this week as part of our "extra" stuff, we were going to spend time making "All About Canada" books.  All together.  The 5 of them at different levels, reading different books, fililng out different sheets, making unique discoveries.

It took longer than a  half hour, and we didn't quite get to spelling or reading.  But seriously?  Did I stress out about that? NO WAY (well, maybe a bit, but only for a second).  Technically they covered all the subjects the master schedule required, just without the constraints of workbooks. The five of them coloured and read and asked questions and dug dipper and ASKED IF THEY COULD DO MORE!!!  Even my 2nd born (who tends to procrastinate and lean towards lazy) went above and beyond by not only drawing the British Columbia flag, but also their Coat of Arms "just because it looked pretty".  And here I was planning on giving her a photocopy to cut and paste.  Now each morning the children are asking "Can we work on our Canada books again today?"  Yes, we certainly can.

I need to remember what is about Unit studies that appeals to me. And what it is about Delight-led learning that appeals to me and then "schedule" that in in such a way that control-freak momma is appeased.

Gumby was flexible.  He was moldable. He could be bent to fit the circumstances at hand.  I need to be like that. My schedule needs to be like that.  I'm not raising robots. Hopefully, I am raising children with a passion and zeal for learning.  Structure is good.  Having a plan is good. Being willing to bend for a season (or two) especially in light of the February blahs is a REALLY good thing.