Teacher of Two

The Non-Traditionalist - Me????

One of the biggest things I struggle with is how to balance everything.  I am more of a traditionalist.  I think part of that comes from going to a public school growing up.  So for me, school "feels right" when it involves textbooks.  If we don't work in our books, I feel like we didn't "do school" that day.  But where is the "law" that says only by being buried in books for hours at a time are we learning?  The last two days have been non-traditional in our house, and that little nagging voice keeps saying: "now you're behind, you'll have to catch up tomorrow".  But how can we be behind when we set our own schedule?  And, aren't there things to learn that are not in books?

Last Friday we had our "Not-Back-to -School Party" and then gymnastics class.  So by the time we got home it was 4:00 and too late to even think about doing bookwork.  I was talking to a friend later and she asked what we had done that day.  When I told her what we had done, she said "and you can count that as school?"  For once I was quick on my feet "Yes" I said, "I count it as socialization and PE".  She laughed and agreed with me.  I find it odd though, that everyone is so worried about HS'ing kids being "socialized", yet when we get together, we get criticized for not doing "school work". 

Yesterday my husband and I celebrated our 8th anniversary.  I realize that most people were not celebrating yesterday, but it is still our special day.  So since he took the day off of work, it threw our whole routine off.  The girls wanted to watch movies (imagine that).  Since I was cooking a late breakfast, I let them watch 2 Leap Frog video's.  They played with their Leap Pads in the afternoon and we went to the park as a family (something hubby's schedule rarely allows).  So was this a traditional school day?  No.  Did they still learn?  Yes.  Proven by the fact that my almost 3 year old already know most of her letters?  

Today we "broke the mold" again.  We had a prearranged park date with some of our HS'ing friends this morning.  I decided that since the park we were meeting at was next to the library (which is closed for renovations) that I would take the girls bikes with me so they could have a big place to learn to ride better.  Then came our trip to the pet store.  I got a small beta fish tank off FreeCycle on Tuesday, thought it would be fun for the girls to have a fish.   So today we went and picked one out and brought him home.  We named him Rainbow because of all the different colors on him.  He's mainly red, but has a lot of other colors depending on the angle you look at him.  The girls and I did some research on how to take care of one, then went and set up his tank and put him in. 

Tomorrow I do plan to return to the books.  I just have to keep reminding myself that not all learning comes from books, and that it's ok.   Remembering what M said today will help:  "Mom, this was the best day full of surprises!  We got to play with our friends, learned to ride our bikes, and we got Rainbow and learned how to take care of him!" 

Now You know

8:16 AM, Feb. 14, 2008 .. Posted by Alatte4me2

What most of our days are like. I too tend to feel a bit guilty, but when I can SEE that the boys are learning, I can softly hush that nagging voice.

Homeschooling is great, isn't it!