Apr. 22, 2009 - Homeschool Conventions
This last weekend, I was able to go to the Midwest Cincinnati Homeschool convention with baby Gilead and 3 of my girlfriends who are fellow moms of large homeschooling families.
Every spring, I try to go to a convention, because, like other professions that require continuing education, it is a time to learn what is new out there, remember why we do what we do and be encouraged to KEEP GOING! This year did all of that for me!
Occasionally, it crosses my mind what my life would be like if I had my children in school and wasn't their teacher. I'd have 3 kids at home most of the day..which at first sounds pretty easy, but when I see the public school bus drive by our road at 6:15am (on those rare days I have to be in the van and out--usually to the airport or something).....an hour before I'm even usually awake, that puts it all in perspective. (Grin)
There are a lot of questions we homeschoolers hear...."What about socialization?" (Actually that is exactly WHY we homeschool!) "Is is hard?" (You BET it's hard!!...but worth it!!) "What about the prom?" (What about it?) What about extra curriculur activities? (Soccer, 4-H, PE Day, Homeschool group has all sorts of activities)
The #1 question that you get from OTHER homeschooler, by far, is...."What curriculum do you use?"
For those of you non homeschoolers, you have NO idea how hard that question is..there is SO Much curriculum out there, it is mind boggling. At first, one might be tempted to complain with all the choices. One top of that, what works with your firstborn, will most certainly not be the best for your second born. Multiply that times 7 children and it is a full time job to figure out curriculum for your family. There is curriculum out there where you just buy a set of say, 5th grade and it includes everything. Usually that is more textbooky....the problem is that it is very much like just bringing school home. To me, homeschooling is so much more than just doing school at home. It is a way of life.
I prefer to teach my children together as much as possible, which for us includes Bible, History and Geography. For the rest, they work at grade level.
I loved the convention because I was able to actually look at curriculum that I have seen online and really get an idea if it would work or not for our family. I was also able to learn about a bunch more curriculum that I have either never considered or seen in person.
Along with the hugest exhibit hall that I've ever seen, there were also lectures going on simultaneously all day long. At least TWELVE to choose from every hour....I think there were over 200 in those 3 days.
I only went to 2 lectures because I absolutely LOVE walking through the exhibit hall and looking at all the books!
My favorite lecture, by far though was by David Hazell....creator of My Father's World Curriculum.
He used a great analogy of looking at the different ways to homeschool by comparing them to ways to travel the US.
Getting regular public school textbooks and doing them at home is like travelling on an interstate. You get there, it gets it done, but it's not too exciting.
Using Christian school books at home is like toll ways...it's more expensive, you see some good, exciting sites and it gets it done but is not the most exciting way to learn either.
Classical Education is like travelling Rt 66. You get a good feel for roads you take and learn a lot on those roads, but you miss out on a lot of other stuff.
Unit studies are the scenic route where you actually really see a few sights well. You experience them, learn a lot but miss a whole bunch of other great sights.
Unschooling is like travelling only residential roads. You study a lot of what interests the kids and things they are familiar with but you never leave your immediate area.
Ecclectic is getting a little bit of all of those, but can be disjointed and you can miss some things.
A tour guide is like using the best of those methods following someone who has been there...hitting the highlights deeply and travelling the necessary interstates because you need to but doing it as painlessly as possible.
He used Grammar as an example. He said that we could be like schools that teach grammar every year from 1st through 5th, with lots of tears until they finally hit 6/7th grade and understand it. He recommends not focusing too much on grammar until 6-8th grade and at that age their brains are able to understand it and they will get it in 2 yrs or less. He said the early elementary brains weren't ready to understand concepts like grammar. It's the same reason we don't teach algebra to a 3rd grader.
Up til then, focus on reading, writing and sentence structure and the grammar terms will be easily learned later.
Anyway, that really helped me this year as I was stressing about my younger kids learning grammar....that with a few of them in 2-5th grades, it just wasn't sticking. Now I know why! I'll just let their brains develop more, spend lots of time reading and writing and we'll tackle it in middle school more.
This is getting long. I really just wanted to share what I learned for those who can't go to a convention this year. It also really helped me to choose curriculum for next year which is a huge step as I'll have 5 grades next year: Kindergarten, 1st, 4th, 6th and 8th. Whew.
What I love about homeschooling is that I just don't have to use the same curriculum for all my children whether it is the best for that child or not. I can use a science that works great for my firstborn who is great at science and math, but I don't have to use the same thing for my 2nd born who is a people person and great at art and language arts. I use more of a hands on science and down to earth math.
I teach art to 2 of my kids that LOVE art, and don't require art of my 1 son who doesn't like art at all. That is the beauty of homeschooling. He instead gets extra time to study his passion which is botany.
Stay tuned for another day where I will answer the question that I've gotten a lot this month...WHAT curriculum are you going to use next year.
For you non-homeschoolers...I will one day stop talking about homeschooling but this time of year, planning for next year becomes very mind consuming...please be patient. = )
If you are toying with homeschooling, please do earnestly pray about it and see if it might be God's plan for your family. It may not be for everyone, but at least pray and see if it's an option for you!
I'd be glad to answer any questions too!
Comments
Apr. 22, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by 4sweetums
Our convention is coming up in late May. I can't wait! My list for the book fair is getting very long. LOL!
Blessings,
Dawn
Apr. 23, 2009 - Midwest Homeschool Convention
Posted by AmandaBennett
Like you, I had a great time at the convention, and I'm already looking forward to next year. There was so much to see, and I enjoyed the Duke Convention Center - beautiful location. Even though I was a speaker/vendor, I felt like a kid in a candy shop among all of the great products. Glad that you had fun!
Apr. 24, 2009 - Hey there!
Posted by Eunice
Sounds wonderful Misti! We're in the middle of graduation this year and will have so much on our plate, but your post makes me want to at least try to take in the convention some how. I wonder if this fella you heard speak will be here at our site as well? Maybe he has his presentation on c.d.? Hmmm....
Apr. 26, 2009 - 4-H
Posted by Anonymous
Hello from New Port Richey, (TOPS Group friend of your mom )- Kathleen Your blog seems like a two way path, full of blessings. I am about to start another 4-H group in Aug. Home schoolers are wonderful members. How has your 4-H experience contributed to your family? Take care, Kathleen (the horse lover)
Apr. 26, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by SweetSavages
Hi Kathleen,
Thanks for reading my blog. We have a 4-H Group here where we live. It is a group just for homeschoolers. We meet monthly and have a different topic each month. Last week, we had a professional chef teach the kids how to make 6 recipes and then we all ate it. It was definitely their favorite one yet! 4-H is a great way for kids to learn stuff that I woudn't cover in our homeschool!
I have some horselovers in our house too!
Nice to meet you!
Misti
Apr. 28, 2009 - Have you ever read...
Posted by Anonymous
Teaching the Trivium? They have a similar philosophy...sometimes books are just meant *for us* and others read them and say REALLY?? But the book gave me a great vision and confidence in following the plan the Lord has laid out for us/shown us (classical but not "classical school classical", more Charlotte Mason classical). ; ) I think labeling yourself is counter productive though, so I'll just say it's a great book.
