Feb. 1, 2009 - Time Passed.
Since my last post, we've added twins to our family. My "homeschooled" preschooler started public school kindergarten in August 2008. I was put on bedrest for 13 weeks in the Spring 2008 during my twin pregnancy, and thus, "homeschool" preschool went by the wayside. Nonetheless, Spike entered kindergarten reading at least at a 3rd grade level. . . but then I am being told his DRA (Directed Reading Assessment) scores do not reflect his reading skill level because he does not always answer comprehension adequately. (He's still at that developmental level where his verbal skills can't always keep up with his thinking. And it frustrates him.)
Spike has enjoyed school this year. But we know he's not being challenged. He's reading Magic Treehouse books, Mr. Popper's Penguins and the like at home. "Baggie Books" are being sent home, but they are short picture books. The main goal with these is to practice comprehension: who was the main character? what was the story about? what happened in the beginning? middle? end?
Yes, comprehension is important. We're trying to get him to practice verbalizing what he's thinking. But when he's allowed to read for pure enjoyment, he is delighted.
Our 2nd grader got another "good" teacher this year, and I think she is a nice lady. She's definitely NOT as open as the previous teachers our eldest has had. She's very distant and does not like parents volunteering in her classroom. (I can understand this. Our kids go to a school in a very competitive part of town. Parents are concerned with what's going on in the school and volunteer in gobs. . . BUT these same parents are already pushing their kids to excel and beat out the other kids at a very early age. They are already prepping the kids for Duke, and there is a lot of smooching up to teachers and noseying into the business of other students and their performances. More than one teacher I know has reported a parent volunteer going through files. . . other students' files.)
After having twins and surviving this last year, I feel like I could handle homeschooling. I've had to learn to juggle many things this past year, and homeschooling doesn't scare me anymore in that way. . . Oh, my house is a wreck. I do mean a wreck. But I realize I'm not cracking up or going insane about it. We will get to it. I feel that it is important BUT LIFE, living life with my family and being/doing is more important. The past year has taught me lots, and I'm still growing. . . but I just feel confident that I can hack it better now that I have the perspective of a hard year behind me. I could go on about this.
I feel like I've lost a true understanding of where my oldest boys are academically, behaviourally and socially. I'm tired of the public school system dictating our family life and schedules. . . even limiting what my children seem to be interested in (how can you pursue these things with a public school schedule). I feel that my children's health has even suffered from public school in numerous ways. And I'm interested in spending more time with my children. . .
I could go on and on. This is a start. AGAIN.
Now I'm waiting for my husband to get onboard completely. He's only partially onboard.
