Our oldest just got her test results back..they were very good. 

We decided last summer, during all the moving, remodeling, starting of businesses, etc. to try a year of unschooling, letting the kids learn at their own pace, guided by their own interests.  We agreed that we would try it for one year and then adjust as needed based on the results of her next test scores.

So began our journey..no textbooks, no formal lessons, no defined structure.  People accused us of neglecting our kids education, they told us how bad she would perform on her test..but we stuck it out and waited and watched.

Watching children learn is an amazing thing..given the freedom to explore and build their own interests, form their own ideas, think their own thoughts..we could learn a lot by watching them.  Through the beginning the kids automatically spent more time outside..in the sand, in the flower beds, in the tree in the neighbors yard..LOL!  Gradually we noticed that they weren't just playing, they were LEARNING!  They found a baby robin...feed it, cared for it, read about them...but it died, they cried, buried it and went on.  They learned about life, about compassion, about commitment, and about moving on.

Then they helped dig up flowers from our old house...they learned the depths needed for certain plants, the names of all the flowers, trees, etc.  They learned which plants needed sun, which needed shade, what happened if you planted them in the wrong spot.  They also learned about the honey bees and how they pollonate the flowers and plants.  Later they learned what cold weather does to plants that have bloomed.  They were learning science.

They helped in the kitchen and we turned our daughter loose to cook.  She has turned into an excellent cook and needs very little help.  She has mastered many skills, as has our son.  They both love it and always ask to make something.  Home Ec and Science!  :-)

They help with the groceries, they shop with me, they help make the list out and juggle the budget.  They asked questions (why can't we get this or that, why doesn't it cost the same as last week, etc).  I explained as we went.  They learned the importance of the grocery list and budget and know why the prices fluctuate.  They watch the news with us and discuss and ask questions.  Government, economics, social studies, home ec., Math, and more!

So at the end of this year, we got her test results back.  The results floored me!  It really worked!  :-) She scored in the upper 90's on most everything.  We were able to identifiy weak points (spelling and punctuation) and her strong points (science scores were perfect, government, geography, Economics, math and reading were all very high). 

So as we begin the next year of school, it will be predominately unschooling, with enough work in the weaker subjects to improve those skills.  Our kids have a love of science, so we will be giving them encouragement and support in those areas and encouraging the math skills as well. 

Interestingly enough, her scores in math showed higher scores in the difficult maths..(division, mutiplication, decimals, and fractions, algebra, and geometry) and lower scores in the simple rote learned math (basic addition and subtraction).  She can add and subtract well, mind you, but does better if the task is complicated and has a purpose behind it.  She does a lot of math in her head and has great difficulty showing her work.  It is odd, but I am the same way with math..plain algebra gives me fits, but take the same technics and apply them to business statistics and I can ace the course (and did in college).  I have to be able to see an end need..not just work a problem for the sake of working a problem.

Well, enough for now, just my take on things.  We love the unschooling life style and have proof now that it does work for our kids and we will continue this method and adjust as needed for strengths and weaknessess.

Have a Great Day!