Let me explain.... I've been popping around to some other homeschooling blogs, and I'm thinking "wow".... what am I doing again?? You see, I started off in a very unique situation; a homeschool co-op that is run like a regular school, two days a week. That's right - I homeschool M-W-F, and on Tues. & Thurs., Kiwi is in a classroom with a paid teacher and other students. It is run by our church, and I've really loved it the last 4 years.... this year ~ not so much. I started this way because I am totally disorganized, so I was scared to h.s. on my own... I figured I'd wake up one morning about the 1st of June and go "Crap! We haven't done any school this year!" I would. Honest. In our co-op, the teachers do all the curriculum planning and lesson plans and we pretty much just go along for the ride. Which was a cool way to begin, but I am tired of the inflexibility - because, I was thinking homeschooling was all about the flexibility! Our school was in the beginning, but it's kind of outgrown that stage of it's life.... we've got 200 kids in preschool to highschool now, so it needs to be, I don't know, the way it is, I guess. But I don't want to do it anymore - which is cool, since we're moving across the whole US and I don't really have a choice in the matter!! But I read all these blogs, and think.... huh, can I compete with that?? And c'mon, you'll say "it's not a competition" but, hey, I've been to the homeschool conferences, I hear the talk.... lol. In fact, people in my school have been quietly derided for not being "real" homeschoolers.... yeah, whatever! I personally get that same deal about not being a "real" mom since I just have one kid - I'm kind of a freak in the homeschooling world! It's cool; I'm tough, I can take it. Bring it on.... Anyhow, I do really want to do a good job on my own, and mostly, I really want to have FUN!! This year has been a tough one on my daughter and I, and I really don't want her to end up begging me to send her to school so she can get away from me!!
Next year should be an interesting one!
Have you thought about doing a unit study? I just started Learning-adventures.org Unit Study for year 1 and we are LOVING it! All of the work is done for you (except math) and laid out in a VERY simple way. It's homeschooling for dummies!
ReplyDeleteThe most that you have to actually do is get books from the library (which is fun) and a few supplies for experiments and projects; most of which you have at home already.
The whole idea is to live a life of learning and to show kids that learning is fun.
We are loving it.
Hope this helps!
Hi Ann!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you dropped by my blog.
Please know that at some point most homeschool moms feel what you've expressed in your post. I know that I do! In fact, this year has been one in which I've doubted myself often.
Just remember that when you visit most homeschool blogs, you're probably seeing the best of what they do on their best days! I really appreciate your "realness", and I need to post more often about the not-so-good days. We have plenty of those too! :)
I agree with the above commenter about unit studies. They certainly get my kids excited about learning. And don't feel like you have to do elaborate projects or lapbooks. Just check out some good quality children's literature (Have you heard the term living books?) on a topic that your daughter is interested in. Curl up together with them, and let her curiosity lead the way!
Another good (and free!) site for unit studies is Homeschool Share. Just Google it. I think you'll be pleased with what you see there.
And of course your move will be the ultimate cross-country field trip. There will be so many wonderful places to stop and learn about along the way! I hope you'll post about your adventures here. :)
Blessings,
Shannon @ Song of My Heart