We have been blessed by living in Japan.  It has afforded our family many wonderful opportunities, from traveling to homeschooling.  The biggest benefit for me has been that I haven't had to keep up with any state requirements for homeschooling.  Don't get me wrong, I still take attendance and keep grades, but I haven't kept up with it that well.  Meaning that if I've gotten behind, I haven't worried about it at all.  The bad thing is that I usually end up with a stack of papers to record grades on-all looming on my computer desk.  I finally do it when I can't see the computer screen anymore.

.

Sometime in the middle of next school year, we'll be heading back to the states-somewhere.  No idea where yet, so no idea of what to expect for record keeping or anything.  So, I'm in the process of revamping my records.

.

I found a wonderful book Home Learning Year by Year by Rebecca Rupp.  SHe has outlined the "traditional" public school system goals for each year.  She's provided web sites and lots of nice information and encouragement.  I probably need to note here, that we do not follow "traditional" public school goals.  I don't think any homeschooler does, and that's wonderful.  We are able to conform to our child's needs and interests.  They learn by loving what they learn.  If they're not enjoying the learning process, then what's the point?  Perhaps, we could start paying our children to learn.  There's a test school in GA, that is paying $8/hour to 8th and 11th graders to study four hours a week to improve their math and science scores.  How ridiculous is that?  That's more than minimum wage!!

.

So, back onto my originial idea.  The goals in her book were able to direct me to write up goals for Trey and Hallie for the year.  By having them written down, I was able to really see what we really needed to focus on for the rest of the year.  I've always had an idea in my head, but this is on paper and easier for me to focus on and not forget in my old age!  I like to be able to be flexible and pull goals from different grades.   I really love the idea of studying history chronologically, which is what we had done in the past, however for the last two years, we've studied US history chronologically.  I took a break because it was a lot of work to do with the program we were using and with being pregnant and having a new baby, it just wasn't going to work for us.  Plus, the program called for a lot of supplemental library books, which we just don't have available here.  Next year, we begin Mystery of History and I can't wait.  I'm already chomping at the bit to start it, but I must be patient. 

.

I had to laugh looking over the history goals for year to year.  In fifth grade, students are supposed to learn Westward Expansion, Mexican war, Civil War, and then on to Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome.  How on earth are these kids supposed to keep history straight in their heads, if they are taught it so haphazardly?  I can honestly say that if you placed a timeline in front of me, I would have no idea where events would be placed on it.  I can't wait to re-explore history chronologically with my kids!!