Posted in Home Schooling
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For some reason, lately it's been hard
to stick to the schedule I've used all year. It's not "spring
fever", but a pure lack of interest. If I feel like this, I know
the girls must feel it too. The study was exciting in its own way
this year, but now, it's becoming monotonous to me. Why, then, do
I keep thinking I need to finish what I've started...especially since
it's so close to the end of the year? What difference would it
really make? After all, I am a
home schooler and not bound to any certain curriculuml/schedule
requirements. Right? I am at liberty to change my "plans"
when they aren't working. I've been reading a book that was recommended by a friend titled A Relaxed Home School, and it's been really good for me. I've always wanted to "lighten up" - not only with school, but with everything else too. I think I'm starting to see that's it's okay to have fun and to enjoy learning with the kids. I'm still having a tough time seeing how they'll cover all the required elements with a relaxed learning environment, but I'm still reading. I understand a relaxed environment for Sarah, since she's still so young, but I'm not so sure with Rachel. Besides, Rachel likes a more structured, workbook-style learning environment. I'll keep praying about this and see where the Lord leads me in this concept. Meanwhile, I am following my instincts and modifying our last few weeks quite a bit. We'll continue with the biographies and the Renaissance history studies, but I'm not going to require the strenuous notetaking for Sarah. At her age, she can just narrate what I just read, and that's sufficient. I may let her write a little. Also, she hasn't done her cursive writing practice in such a long time. I'll let her do more of that too. Rachel can continue practicing note-taking, since she's much older and needs to practice it. Also, we're going to take field trips and read books for Science. I'm not going to read her notes as much...it's too text-bookish. We'll still practice the spelling words from the unit too...and vocabulary cards. For Bible, we're going to do our own study, based on what we're studying in church...but on their level. The unit requires lots of memorization and lots of bible history, etc. I sure don't want them to burn out with bible...it's too important in life. I'm feeling good about my sudden changes. Perhaps this is a sign of the future. I'm certain I'll never be an unschooler, but maybe I can get this right before Camille is ready to start school work. :-) |
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