Lessons...for the "teacher"

Well, we survived the first week of official homeschooling and I have learned a lot about myself.  First, I 100% believe in the Montessori philosophy (along with others), but found in reality, I am not that way!  I was feeling very "get this done" instead of focusing on the lesson and the journey and the LOVE of learning it.  (I guess I AM more Type A then I thought...).  I think because she is bright and articulate that I expect her to be 10 years old and wasn't giving her the tools she needed, and then would get frustrated with her if she grew antcy, bored, or frustrated herself.  SO after 2 days that were okay but left me feeling sort of "iffy", I had to remind myself that she is indeed 6 years old.  That the reason I am homeschooling was to "follow the child" and not have her be rushed through a curriculum.  (Thank goodness for social media support groups and a huband with a listening ear - which is usually how I come upon these "epiphanies" of mine).  On a subconscious level, I think I feel I have something to prove because I am new at this, and all of my family and friends now have eyes on me, and her, to watch and compare our progress.  Now, in reality, I don't *think* that way, but clearly it is underlying.  Anyways, I felt better admitting that and thinking it through; and subsequently, Friday was better.  Still a long way to go, and honestly, the work is within my self.  And my challenge is to not kill the joy while I am on that journey.  She really likes learning and I want to foster that.  It was just so surprising to find myself a complete 180 from what my philosophy of learning and education is!!!  I really think I like this, though, so I will continue to work on my personal improvement.   I was also worried about retention, as she is more about quantity or going on to the next thing, than actual quality.  She tends to rush ahead.  I realize this is the age, but it drives me nuts.  But, this weekend we were driving along and we talked about parts of our lesson as it came up naturally during our chat, and another time she was making these connections in random conversations that clearly showed she had understood and was "making it hers".  So cool!  And total confirmation for me, which I guess I did need.  I really have to etch that into my memory, this isn't the first time things like this happen, but somehow I seem to lose faith and forget - she is such a sponge!  She is excited and I don't want to kill her spark.  It is one of the things I really love about her, as much as it can drive my batty sometimes.  Mostly, I need to chill the heck out!!!  

SO, here's to a new week.  One of being relaxed, having fun, still "getting it done" but on our own agenda - not just *mine*.  As a side note, so far, I LOVE all of the curriculum I have chosen, from cursive, to Classical Ca"tholic Memory work, her phonics/reading program, math, and our main curriculum, Moving Beyond the Page.  I think she does too, because she regularly says, "that was fun!"  I have pictures to share of our first completed project soon.  For now, I needed to unload. 

Where has the time gone?

I can't believe summer will be drawing to a close in the next couple weeks!  Time has certainly been on fast forward!  We have camped and traveled and had some lovely moments together.  Next week Emily has Bible school while I attempt to get organized.  We will finish up some summer work, celebrate my birthday, and a have a few friend get-togethers.  Not quite sure when our "official" fall start date will be, but I will keep you posted.  Until then, squeeze every last bit of summer out and enjoy the heck out of it!

Inspiration

Check out our new painting, which was done by a local artist, and is now proudly hanging in our home school:

Isn't it beautiful?!?

Am I crazy?!?

Well, after our crazy busy loooooong weekend, and requisite loooooong recovery period, we took the weekend off and began Roots & Wings Academy today.

How was our first day of homeschool you ask?  Well, I had 2 whiny children and I had a lot of "other" stuff on my to-do list.  (No not ideal and certainly not planned, but stuff that had to be done nonetheless.)  It led me to question my sanity in this decision many times.  It started off great (and "on track"), and then went downhill from there.  Thankfully, after a mini-meltdown, we got it together and had a nice afternoon.  Emily kept asking me, "Is this what it is going to be like?"  I have no idea what she is expecting and I don't think she does either.  This looming "HOMESCHOOL" cloud is over her, and in reality, it looks just like her normal life but we add in activities and she doesn't go to another place for school.  Oliver is at a challenging age, so I need to be proactive in the fall with his activities and allow him to "help" us when he can.

Overall a good learning experience for me, not the hearts and flowers I wanted, but lessons that need to be done, and ones that will probably be had over and over and over again.  I worry I am too controlling and my standards are too high, but I need to be gentle with her and myself.  Flexibility will be key, and not being afraid to take a "time out" if needed.  Other great points in this article, that kept coming into my head at multiple points during the day.

And we will try again tomorrow.  It isn't perfect, but it is ours.  We will get there, wherever that is.  We took the first step, it is only the beginning and we will grow with each other.  Just, in the meantime, keep us in your prayers!!!

Start of summer approaching...

And the "official" start of our homeschool.  I have ordered some additions to our curriculum also.  This summer we will work on math and cursive.  Also, quickly do a run through of first grade phonics.  Emily has just had a HUGE reading leap and is now, at the end of Kindergarten, reading at a second grade level.  I will run through the phonics just to ensure any gaps are covered, and we will begin second grade work in the fall.  She will also continue to read with us and create journal entries.

I have our schedule sort of mapped out loosely, realizing the beauty of homeschool is flexibility.  We are nailing down extracurriculars and overall getting an idea of what life may look like come end of August/early September.  

Looking forward to summer "vacation" and having a more relaxed pace.  The end of the school year and wrapping up of activities has my head spinning!  Travel, fun in the sun, and learning are on the agenda and I can't wait!

Homeschool Unit

Here is what I have settled on.  Basically organized with our curriculum and her art stuff.  Shelving and drawers may shift around based on need, but for now this how it made sense to organize it all.  This is in our dining room, where I think we will do a lot of our work.  Plus it is where it fits :)

Philosophy of Education and Curriculum

So, after all the reading and researching and thinking and observing I have done over the last couple months, here is what I have come up with regarding my philosophy of education:

Educational Philosophy

§  Play is the work of the child

§  A child needs meaningful work to do

§  Learning is Life and occurs ALL the time – not just in a classroom

§  Learning should be joyful and fun

§  Learning requires all 5 senses and many different modalities

§  Child is not an empty vessel to be filled, but one with interests, ideas, personality, etc – and I get a front row seat!!!

§  Trust the child, yet guide when necessary

§  Read real, living, classic books

o   Journal or narrate experience back to me

§  Ungraded curriculum – learn for the sake of knowledge, not for rewards or stickers

o   To develop an internal locus of control and motivation

o   Great work or redo

§  Focused attention and concentration = learning

o   I give her the tools for her to educate herself

§  Free time outside to be in nature and PLAY

o   Foundation of learning is play!

§  Starting with a flexible rhythm and will adjust as necessary

o   Learning and breathing room is necessary for ALL of us!

§  Starting with a boxed set which is in sync with my ideals (based on MANY books read on MANY different philosophies!)

o   Using the best parts of each from all of my reading.

o   Learning year for us – will go from there.

o   My learning too!  Especially over what really delights and interests her.  I am excited to watch her grow and blossom!

§  My style?  A faith-filled Catholic, hands-on, interactive, FUN approach combination of Montessori, Waldorf, Charlotte Mason, and Unschooling. 

o   Also looking into Classical, but so far am satisfied with my research.  Time, and my child, will tell :)

The curriculum I have chosen for us next year is Moving Beyond the Page.  We will use Right Start Math, Catholic Heritage Curriculum Little Stories for Little Folks Phonics (also maybe or instead Alpha-phonics), and the Faith and Life series for our Catholic education.  I am still looking at Art, and really like Artistic Pursuits, but don't want to overwhelm myself, or her.  We also got a Catholic Music Program, Making Music, Praying Twice, to use but will be very casual at first (just listening to the CDs and learning the songs probably!).  We will see how it all works and what we like and want to change if we continue on after first grade.  I unpacked it all and got it (mostly) organized on a specific homeschool unit in our dining room.  While doing so, I felt really excited, totally overwhelmed, and scared out of my mind all at the same time!

Our summer work will include journaling and some reading everyday, and I got the New American Cursive curriculum to work on.  Maybe some phonics and math, but very very low key.  Just enough to get our feet wet and keep those brain juices flowing.  LOTS and LOTS of outside time and play, of course.  After all the research, organizing, and thinking, I am ready to relax!