My daughter has started homeschooling. A few of you have asked me how it’s been going so this post is for you.
Three or four days a week I wake up at 6:00 AM, go to work and return by 1:00 PM. If I am lucky my daughter will have spent about an hour doing some kind of activity with her dad, leaving me with about four hours to figure out how to engage her in something besides chasing her sister around for the rest of the day.
I try to balance real life learning (things like going to the beach, baking muffins, and going shopping) with more traditional school-like activities (work sheets, reading, and math games) and classes we’ve signed her up for (music, dance and kids yoga). As much as possible we follow her lead, but so far that hasn’t taken us anywhere. Us: “What do you want to do today sweetie? Her: “I don’t know.”
Somehow we manage to get her required learning hours in (25 hours per week is required through Self Design). It helps me to write a quick summary at the end of the day as to what we did. It makes filling out our Observation For Learning much easier at the end of the week.
I need to stop calling it “homeschooling” though because whenever we do something like go for a walk through the woods and talk about moss and trees and I refer to the things we talk about as being a part of homeschooling she gets very irritated with me and tells me that it is not homeschooling at all! Bluebird Mama recently suggested I start calling it “home learning” so I’m going to try that. Unless we’re working through one of her workbooks while sitting at the table, “we are not homeschooling mommy!” Okay!
My husband and I are both slowly figuring out our own styles of facilitating learning. He relates more to the term “unschooling,” whereas I feel more comfortable with the label “homeschooling” or “home learning.” But regardless of our preferred labels we pretty much have no idea what we’re doing!!! And I hate that. I know I need to get more organized. Plan a few activities each week, know what worksheets to present and maybe some real life examples of the math lessons we do. But since this is a transition for everyone and life hasn’t gotten any slower, people aren’t getting any more organized. I wish someone would just tell me what to do! I question whether I made the right decision choosing a home learning program that let’s families design their own curriculums. I like to be led. I think my daughter is like that too. So, I’m asking you, dear readers for some help.
I read breastfeeding blogs, parenting blogs and real food blogs, but I do not yet, at this point, read any unschooling or home schooling blogs. Can you recommend some? Maybe some that have lesson ideas and not just posts about their family? Family is great and all but I want direction right now. A few posts to get me on track. If you can lead me in the right direction I would be ever so grateful!
What homeschooling/unschooling blogs do you read? Which are your favorite and most helpful?
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Tags: home learning, homeschooling, unschooling
http://tinderbox.homeschooljournal.net/
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Go back to the natural parenting carnival on Hobo Mama for September (the 14th), and scroll thru the contributers…there were a few homeschooling blogs that had links on their sidebars, descriptions of projects, and resources that would be a quick click….I don’t read homeschooling blogs per se, but there were some good websites when i read thru the contributions that month. You rock. You’ll figure it out: and for what it’s worth, September is always a chaotic heydey of adjusting in public school, too.
=)
Give yourself time! xoxo
Melissa´s last [type] ..Live and Let Live
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Melodie Reply:
September 28th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
Good suggestion. I did pop over there but I got overwhelmed really fast. I will have to try again.
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Take a look at this one:
http://www.asinglegypsy.blogspot.com/
She shows lots of examples of exactly what she’s doing with her daughter.
Slightly younger age range though.
She also publishes a freebie worksheet once a week. My daughter has had a ridiculous amount of fun with the free matching games, etc, that she has published.
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Melodie Reply:
September 28th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Great suggestion. I just went and took a look. That will be helpful for my 3 year old who I also need to learn how to keep busy when her big sister is doing her big girl learning.
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This isn’t a homeschooling blog — it’s an article called “It’s Their Vacation and You’re the Tour Guide: How to Organize Camp Mom.” But I think you might find it helpful and inspirational: http://rochester.kidsoutandabout.com/node/43399
The author, Debra Ross, runs a website in Rochester, NY (where I live) that lists activities and cultural-literacy experiences for kids. She also homeschools her two kids, so she frequently includes not only local homeschooling resources, but also national websites, publishers, etc. that offer homeschooling materials and ideas.
Debra is a meticulous researcher who’s always seeking out the best, most interesting, most enriching experiences for her kids, and she shares a lot of that with readers.
The article above is a good example. Though it’s about using summertime as learning time, the ideas easily could apply year-round, especially since your girls are so young. She includes ideas for activities, sample schedules, academic and cultural resources, and a ton more. I know lots of people (myself included) who have adapted it for their own kids.
Another blog you might like (also not about homeschooling, but with plenty of applicable ideas):
http://www.artfulparent.typepad.com/
Good luck!
Christina @ Spoonfed´s last [type] ..Picture this- Fishy
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Melodie Reply:
September 29th, 2010 at 10:17 pm
Thank you! The first one is on my reading list for tonight!
Melodie´s last [type] ..Understanding Nutritionism And The Problem With Infant Formula
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I really enjoy I Capture the Rowhouse. She’s homeschooling twin first-graders. Blog She Wrote has been homeschooling with four kids for a long time, so there are tons and tons of resources and ideas for all ages on her site.
My mental definition of homeschooling is also much broader than my child’s. I figure she doesn’t need to know that when I’m reading a chapter of an exciting book at bedtime, we are working on her auditory comprehension skills, or that singing along to the Annie soundtrack in the car is part of a music class in American musical theater. She thinks we “do school” for an hour or two a day.
Rivka´s last [type] ..The Bee Tree
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Melodie Reply:
September 28th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
I LOVE these! Just subscribed to both. Thanks so much!
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I’m sorry I can’t help, but I am interested in your journey and what you find out. I don’t think homeschooling is for us, but I think there are lots of things to recommend it. I didn’t know you were doing it and I am fascinated to know why people choose this over “normal” schooling. Best of luck anyway!
Cave Mother´s last [type] ..Return of Menses
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This is the best website on unschooling and attachment parenting philosophies I’ve read thus far. Her website will make your heart smile.
http://joyfullyrejoycing.com/
Good luck !!
Sally´s last [type] ..Mei-tais and an old news clip
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Melodie Reply:
September 28th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
Nice Sally! Thank you so much!
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What about calling things like said walk in the woods, learning adventures?
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Melodie Reply:
September 28th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
I really need to start doing that. Actually I’ve already started and I think it’s helping.
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I like this blog:
http://ourhomeontherange.blogspot.com/
she’s a conservative Catholic with 4 kids under 6 & frequently reviews homeschool books and discusses activities she’s done. Like the other day they baked soft pretzels shaped like letters-what a fun & yummy way to learn your letters!! Anyway I know you don’t share her religious beliefs, but I think you would like a lot of the homeschool activities she does!
Maman A Droit´s last [type] ..Should I keep blogging
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We’re not homeschooling, but I really enjoy The Parenting Passageway blog – http://www.theparentingpassageway.com
It’s Waldorf-based and has tons of homeschool stuff, as well as lots of parenting and child development ideas and discussions. We don’t do Waldorf school either, but I really like their emphasis on the whole child as opposed to just learning the three r’s. Anyway, it’s a blog that really makes me think, so it might give you some ideas . . .
St. Louis Smart Mama´s last [type] ..Return to the Sunday Surf- 9-12-9-25
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My daughter is turning 2 this week, so we don’t homeschool yet. But we are considering it in the future & I have found I really enjoy all the printables & resources at http://confessionsofahomeschooler.blogspot.com/
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Melodie,
I love how inspiring Hillary is at http://infinitelearners.com/
Whenever I want/need to remind myself about my intentions, my choices, my need for a little bit of sanity and more, I go there.
My 5 year old, in her first season of “official” homeschooling just said to me last week – “I’m ready to start homeschooling now, Mom.” I said, “We’ve been homeschooling for the past month. But if you’d like to do more, we’ll do more.”
I bought a curriculum to use slowly (Sonlight kindergarten), along with some workbooks for math and phonics and she’s starting to read. I think it’s a lot and she should be playing more with her little sister. But if she wants to do a little more, I’ll certainly give it my best.
I think we may add a weekly science project- messy and fun.
The best advice I got from the beginning (2 years ago) is to write down on paper my reasons for choosing to school my kids at home. This helps on days when things aren’t going like I planned, and keeps me centered on following my girls’ lead for learning.
We’re also beginning an online course through Sonlight- the passport to India (http://www.sonlight.com/passport.html). I’m hoping this will inspire us to continue using online tools for learning more together.
Good luck. (And big hugs)
Karen´s last [type] ..Inner Guidance
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I was homeschooled and as the oldest of 6 kiddos that were all home educated I watched my mom find her ‘home learning’ rhythm. The beauty of leaning at home is that it needn’t be so structured. Children learn constantly – you have been home educating her since she was born – now you are just adding a few new things to your day, a bit of reading (maybe, if she’s ready) maths (again if she’s ready) etc… Homeschooling is freedom, freedom from books and desks and forced curriculum. I would just relax and let it flow. Try to instil a love for learning by being excited about life and she will thrive:-)
blessings!
PS. I LOVE this blog – she is unschooling – http://flowoflove.blogspot.com/
Earth Mama´s last [type] ..Flavours
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Wish I had some suggestions for you. I always wanted to homeschool my children but life took a different turn. I loved the idea of unschooling as well. I like that you are doing a combo along with real life skills, just the way I would have done it. Wishing you the best with everything!
Martha (MM)´s last [type] ..Tailgating Time!
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I don’t homeschool (yet!) but I always enjoy the pioneer woman’s posts on the homeschooling part of her blog- she has a lot of great guest posts and links to interesting info. http://www.thepioneerwoman.com
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I’m so glad you asked this question. I’m jotting down all the answers you got here. I just found this today: http://donnayoung.org – the website is a bit tricky to navigate but it’s full of resources and free printables (from shopping lists and calendar pages to worksheets).
I think the challenge for you is to help your daughter see that even if she’s doing something that seems frivolous, she’s still learning. The bridge here could be taking the effort to follow up the walk and talk about moss, with a library book on moss so she can make the connection. Or buy a plant id book to bring with you on walks and get her a notepad (call it her field journal) so she can catalogue the species she finds on the trail. It’s no different than a school field trip to a forest interpretive centre, right? She might need your help to clearly see what the learning part is, rather than just thinking she went for a walk and a talk, you know?
Good luck.
BluebirdMama´s last [type] ..You Are What You Eat
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Hiya! Here are some of the websites/blogs that I check out on a fairly regular basis:)
http://ahandmadechildhood.blogspot.com/
http://simplehomeschool.net/
http://www.soulemama.com (unschoolers)
http://www.se7en.org.za/
http://simplemom.net/let-your-.....education/
http://www.ourbigearth.com/200.....t-started/
http://www.yarnsoftheheart.com/
There you go…that should help you get some ideas:)
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I love Small Things: I am always inspired by the creative ways she homeschools. Here’s a link to how she is homeschooling her 5 kids. http://www.gsheller.com/2010/0.....chool.html
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I’m sorry to hear you’re overwhelmed with it, but I can see how easily that could happen. This is actually the major reason I’m a bit scared to jump into home learning myself. My son is set to start kindergarten next year and I haven’t made a decision on this yet. Good luck!
Marilyn (A Lot of Loves)´s last [type] ..Broken Tree- Wednesday of Few Words
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I can tell you that of the unschooling blogs I follow show family life. Unschooling is learning through living so that’s what they show and talk about.
One of my faves is http://ordinarylifemagic.blogspot.com/
I love the way she describes their days and all of the cool things she does with her kids.
When I first started on our unschooling journey I asked my oldest who was 4 at the time “what do you want to do today?” Her response “I don’t know”
I asked others in the unschooling community and they told me if I’m going to ask her a question like that to give her two choices. Some people (not saying you do) think child-led learning is asking the child what they want to do.
Following your childs interest is about being the facilitator of their learning. Whatever it is she’s interested in, bring more of that into her life in a variety of ways.
Maybe you could carry on conversations with her casually and not mention homeschooling.
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Melodie Reply:
September 29th, 2010 at 10:19 pm
Thanks Darcel, That’s a very good point. And I agree with us needing to facilitate her learning environment too. I think I just need to get used to this new way of doing things still.
Melodie´s last [type] ..Understanding Nutritionism And The Problem With Infant Formula
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This is my third year homeschooling and I still find myself constantly making adjustments in curriculum, schedules, etc. I need to constantly tell myself to be flexible and open to teaching moments. We follow Charlotte Mason’s ideas for homeschooling (www.amblesideonline.org). You may want to look at year 0 for a nice book list, I love the idea of living books!
here are a few of my favorite homeschooling blogs:
fisheracademy.blogspot.com
harmonyartmom.blogspot.com
handbookofnaturestudy.blogspot.com
unschoolme.blogspot.com
Enjoy!
Erica @ ChildOrganics´s last [type] ..Have a Happy Heart
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Melodie Reply:
September 29th, 2010 at 10:20 pm
Excellent Erica! Thank you for all of those.
Melodie´s last [type] ..Understanding Nutritionism And The Problem With Infant Formula
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To everyone I haven’t responded to individually – thank you so much for all of your suggestions. I can see that I am going to keep very busy over the next few days!
Melodie´s last [type] ..Understanding Nutritionism And The Problem With Infant Formula
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Subbing.
You sound like I’m going to sound in a couple years, if that makes sense! I want to read the suggestions, too.
Lauren @ HoboMama´s last [type] ..Wordless Wednesday- Welcome- autumn
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I have been homeschooling for 9 years and I have never consistently read any homeschool blog. I have to admit they always make me feel like an underachiever.
I didn’t refer to school work as “school work” until my boys started reaching high school. Mostly I call math “math,” reading ” reading” … you get the idea. And anything that was non-book related is called an adventure or just fun. I don’t talk to the boys much about how I am going to translate what they do into “school” terms for reporting purposes. I find the whole notion that what they do is being reviewed in some way by someone else causes stress.
I look for activities on local homeschool lists and at local museums, galleries, aquariums, wherever you might take a child for fun or on a school trip. The arboretum, local farms (pick your own ROCKS). It is all fun learning and an adventure. It all counts.
And some days my kids watch science DVDs or look at education websites (BrainPop is a favorite). Some days not much of anything gets done. That’s okay as long as there is no crap t.v. watching and video game playing. Kids will find the learning if they don’t have access to brain junk food. There are times I doubted that but over the years, it has pretty much worked out that way.
Letting her decide what she wants to call her “school work” is a wonderful first step to her owning it. You are doing great!
Jake Aryeh Marcus´s last [type] ..Lady Gaga Asks Young People to Seek Repeal of “Don’t Ask- Don’t Tell” – Should They Be Taking Lessons in Activism from Her
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I don’t have any links to contribute – I am greedily scooping up some of those posted above. I just wanted to remark that I think that you acknowledge that you don’t know what you’re doing is an important sign, that you’re open to letting her interests lead. Also, how wonderful that she doesn’t think that most of your activities are school. I hope by the time Em is “school age” we might be able to do the same.
XO CJ
CaroLyn´s last [type] ..Dropping some products
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