Oct. 2, 2007 - Home Again and Back in the Swing of Things
We are back from vacation and "traditional" school has begun again. Isn't it great that traditional for homeschoolers is so... well... not traditional???? I was reminded of this while we were away, visiting aquariums, zoos, submarines. It seemed like such a whirlwind but my children continue to spout off little things here and there that they picked up along the way. My daughter was fascinated by sea lions, my son by sea rays. There were so many learning opportunities as a family. We saw the drawbridge open and close and clippers pass through in the Mystic Harbor as we sat and ate ice cream in the glorious sunshine. My son built a rock wall out of little stones because there was one behind us at the campground. He shot "torpedos" at the submarine museum. We learned about organic farming at the zoo. In the car we listened to Shel Silverstein poems and The Book of Virtues on tape (both of these found for 25 cents at a yard sale the Saturday before we left). It was fun hearing my kids repeat some of the words they caught as we listened together.
I must confess, when we returned home and I went to write up my notes and count 3 days of homeschool, I felt a little guilty. I grew up in public school. I loved school. I loved to do research and study and I was such a bookworm. I learned quite well from textbooks. That was the way it was and still is in public school- the "traditional" approach. So as I counted our vacation days as school days, it felt like I was cheating. Was it really school? We didn't sit at the table and read, do our phonics or flashcards, we didn't even do BIBLE! I was reassured over and over by veteran homeschool moms that this was certainly school and the very beauty of homeschool. So I counted my days... we're on 27 today... I continue to grow as a homeschooling mom. I am positive the growth absolutely never ends and if it does, I'll just get old and moldy!
We had a great time as a family and I really look forward to more of these kind of homeschool days.
Comments
Oct. 3, 2007 - I agree
Posted by Anonymous
Homeschooling gives me much more time to lead my children to connect with the Lord.
Sisterlisa
http://ourapplesofgold.blogspot.com
