Jul. 5, 2008 - New Shipments Arriving Daily
I love this time of year! We just went to our state homeschool convention last week, spent quite a bit of money "beefing-up" our family library, and ordering what we couldn't walk out the door with. Now the fun begins as we anticipate those precious boxes being hand delivered by angels driving big brown trucks! Ahhh............the promise of a new year dawns yet again.
Things are getting a big shake-up around here this year. We're ditching most of our textbooks, polishing our library cards, throwing out things that make school a bore, making room on our bookshelves for the new books we'll enjoy reading, and paying very close attention to Miss Mason.
I'll admit I'm very nervous about my ability to "school" without my safety net of published cirriculum stacked neatly in the corner waiting for September to arrive. However, this is the first time I've heard more than one of my children say, "Hey, this looks good! Do we have to wait until school starts, or can we go ahead and start reading it now?" Wow. Maybe we're on to something.
So here goes the list: Biblioplan; Story of the World; lots of living books; Abeka math for 4dc, Math-U-See for 12dd; formal science for 10dd and 12dd; aritst, composer, hymn, and folksong studies from AmblesideOnline; Latina Christiana for 12dd; copywork,dictation, and narration from selected readings.
And the plan is to complete most things, most days, by lunch. And, no, we're not planning to have lunch at 4:00!
Much of my time after the children are tucked in bed has been spent researching different teaching methods, styles, and cirriculum. I, like most moms I've met who homeschool, feel like I bear the weight of my children's academic success on my shoulders, and am terrified to fail them. I wonder if the government schools lose sleep over this? They're failing like crazy, but seem to be growing in spite of themselves.
Oops! Sorry! Let me get down off my soapbox so I can continue.
The only confidence I can have in our ability to do this successfully, is the understanding that God has called us to keep our children at home. And if He has called us to do it, He will supply the ability to accomplish it, and is therefore responsible for the outcome. We, however, must be faithful to Him, and seek to disciple our children, teach them (even through schoolwork) how all of life is intertwined with Christ, and pray like crazy for wisdom as we seek His leading in the life of our family.
What a joy to anticipate all that the God of the universe will share with us as we study and learn together this year!
I can't wait!
Comments
Jul. 8, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Sandpiper
Your plans for the next school year sound very exciting!
The more I homeschool, the more I'm realizing that I need to trust God in my curriculum decisions. Great post! Thanks for sharing!
Jul. 9, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by OldSchoolMarm
I too have been rethinking our school and have been looking more into the Charlotte Mason philosophy. These are two great blogsites here on HSB that I enjoy, http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/happycamper/ and http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/melissal89/ .
Sorry I don't know how to get a live link on the comment box. Both of these blogs have been inspiring and informative for me as far as nature journaling . Oh and I know what you mean about the excitement of getting books and new stuff for school.
Glad you're enjoying gearing up for a new school year!
Blessings, Julie
Jul. 14, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by mumumomma
Sounds like you are ready to go, and it's going to be a good year for you all. It makes so much more sense to let go of what is the "norm" and follow that road less taken!
Jul. 15, 2008 - Exciting!
Posted by MomAtHome
Oh, aren't those new books and packages wonderful. We, too, love convention and the packages that come around that time of year. I admit to being a bit overwhelmed when our Beautiful Feet history arrived. Heavy stuff this year. But we love books, so we'll just read them together! Sounds like you have a great plan. I, too, wish we could get done by lunch, but have never had success. Guess it depends on the child. I think my 6yodd could finish quickly. My 14yods is more deliberate and methodical and thoughtful and takes a lot longer! Thanks for your comment about the laundry. Once we get in our new place, I'm definitely going to implement the plan. Great idea! (Why didn't I think of that?!)
Jul. 26, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Queenbrownshuga
Hi Kari,
You are awesome! I love your enthusiasm for the up coming school year. I, too, am excited! I haven't quite gotten to ditching the text books yet...sounds scary. Anyhow, I also wanted to tell you that you are a very pretty lady.
Have a great day!
Tirzah
Jul. 27, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by OldSchoolMarm
Thank you so much for your kind birthday wishes. I see you haven't posted in a while. How is the 'no TV' goin? I wish we could do it. It really is a distraction.
Blessings, Julie
