Balancing Act

So, two weeks (or thereabouts) and we've been doing pretty darn good with the curriculum. It's easier to create a working two week plan than I'd thought (okay, feared), plus looking forward it's easy to link it all into an overall arch. Nice to see that come November both will be on the Pilgrims. Yeah, I know, how cheesy to want to tie in a holiday with the schoolwork, but what can I say. I think it's a good thing.

The only problem I'm having right now is balancing out their subjects, giving us enough time to cover everything without running into overtime. Of course, as a homeschooler, running into overtime isn't as big an issue. It's not like we have a car line waiting to pick them up, or a boss who's complaining about double pay. But if you've ever sat at a table with kids, trying to do something (you consider, not necessarily the kids think is) constructive? Even with breaks in between, they get so antsy you're waiting to see them stick their hands and feet on the wall and start darting up to the ceiling. With that in mind, I've tried to come up with a schedule where I can cram their little heads with information (not too much, but enough for the day), while making it interesting enough to hold their attention. And, of course, not so long that they want to rip their hair out. Fine, I'll admit it, so that I don't pull my hair out, either.

The first two weeks was a hard line to walk. I kept finding myself falling behind with what I wanted to do, especially with my daughter. While my son has learned that everything doesn't have to be absolutely perfect (but still be correct), my daughter hasn't. Thus a picture that would take anyone else, say, ten minutes to draw, takes her (quite literally) an hour. This made some of my lesson plans stretch into days rather than a few minutes. I kept this in mind while I was making the new lesson plans. Needless to say, I'm giving her a good week to finish any sort of picture book, painting, or Playdough sculpture.

I also tried something different this past Friday. I gave a small oral quiz, going back over everything we'd learned. Guess what? They actually retained knowledge! I was so excited. We had actually accomplished something major in their learning. I'm not as terrible at this as I'd feared! And, hey, my kids actually know stuff. I mean real world stuff and things that are book learned. Did that make sense?

Our adventure continues today. Historical fiction, Leonardo diVinci, Buddha, Hopi Indians...lots of fun stuff. Now if I can just keep them from picking at each other...

The Books Are In!

I was so excited when I arrived home to find that the nice UPS man (yes, it's a man, not a woman, though we do have a Mailwoman...which sounds odd, but still) had left the package at my front door. I was so excited! I'd read so many positive things about these books, and I was more than ready to knuckle down and create a (flexible) curriculum.

Then I started to open the box. My ugly little doubts raised their heads. What was I doing? What sort of mom was I, thinking I could do something others spend four years and more learning to do? Had I gone completely (I'll admit I'm a tad off, on the fun side) nuts? A panic attack would be more appropriate than Christmas present style anticipation. What if these books were terrible? What if I looked at them and was completely lost? Sure, others could understand them and breeze through them with smiles and cheer, but what if I couldn't? Suddenly it was 9th grade algebra all over again.

But I knew we'd made the choice, as a family, to do this. There was really no turning back now. So I took a deep breath, told myself not to be a ninny, and ripped open the tape.

Those beautiful, bright, shiny books winked up at me as if to say, "See, we won't bite." I carefully pulled them out, laid them on my bed, and proceeded to stare at them. Sort of like staring at a letter that will either accept or reject you. I called myself a ninny again and soldiered on. I opened the first book...and breathed a huge sigh of relief. I even laughed a little. These books are phenomenal. Not only are they stuffed with all sorts of information, all laid out in logical order, but the workbooks I got to go with them can easily be used to enhance and extend the learning process. Yep, you heard right: the workbooks actually jive with the textbooks. Though I don't know if you can call them textbooks, really. They're soft covered, and not at all intimidating.

Plus, oh joy! (this is not facetious), they also have activities in the workbooks to go with and add to the lessons. While I'm not exactly super-crafty, the kids really enjoy that sort of thing, and I know it will help underline what it is they've learned.

And, get this, there are tests, let me repeat, tests, in the back of the workbooks. Not big, intimidating, I'm-gonna-fail-you-if-it's-the-last-thing-I-do type of tests, either. More the show-me-what-you-know-and-I'll-bet-it's-a-lot sort of tests. This is going to be a wonderful tool for me to gauge whether the kids have learned what they needed, or if I need to go back over a few things. Oh, and, there is a check list at the end of each section, so we can make sure we haven't missed a darn thing. Wonderful!

Another great thing, the book also includes music and visual art. I don't just mean kid songs (which I have nothing against so don't sue me, Disney). There are profiles regarding famous classical composers, and information about how classical music has played such a key role in music today. There are also lessons on types of notes, of course, and on types of instruments. The kids are looking forward to this. The visual arts encompass everything from paintings (usage of lines to create movements, usage of color to create atmosphere), to sculpture (even the naked David!), to architecture. And the text manages to tie it all into the history plans. Amazing!

In case you didn't notice, I'm very excited. I can't wait to begin using these books (which will be tomorrow). The kids are, understandably, excited, too. After all, they've had to suffer through mom-created learning plans, which worked fine, but I'll admit could flounder off topic a bit. Gee, I wouldn't know why that would happen.

So, wish me luck. Our adventures in Homeschooling, via the awesome Core Knowledge books, begins tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed that I'm not cursing my choice in curriculum by next week. Which I doubt. The kids, maybe, but me? Not so much. After all, I don't mind making them use their brain power.

Hold Your Breath, Kids!

Let me start by saying I've homeschooled before. Sort of. Well, yes, I did, but you know, it was Kindergarten, and I've actually been a Pre-K teacher, so it wasn't all that difficult. Back then there were practically no resources. The homeschool curriculum section in the local school supply stores took half a shelf. The internet had information, but nothing definitive I could put my hands on. But, hey, I'd done it before, I could create lesson plans again, and scrape together materials from various places. I was like a little beaver, gnawing away on trees of information, stacking them just so, and presenting them in (what I hoped was) a fun and interesting way. My kids did great. No bragging on me. In fact, I think they survived Homeschool because of their strength of character and inherited brain power. I'll take credit for their intelligence, though, because I like to think my brains went somewhere during the whole pregnancy/delivery scenario.

Fast forward a few years, and here we are, as a family, at a crossroads. We had put both children into a Charter School. We were very excited. We wanted them to be around a variety of kids, plus we felt they could get a feel for the "real world" (as in how corporations work). In theory, this was an excellent idea.

After long and various issues with the school (and countless meetings, conferences, and bending over backwards in positions I haven't achieved since I was eleven), our children are now being homeschooled. I have a son with suspected Asperger's Syndrome, and a daughter who will one day rule the world (if only they'd use their powers for good!). Both are gifted. Both crave knowledge. I taught them the last few weeks of the last school year. We all learned a lot, and had some fun doing it, too. I was in a positive frame of mind, pumping myself up for homeschooling. Rocky! Rocky! Rocky!

Then I started thinking about the upcoming school year. All my doubts resurfaced. Could I do this? What sort of mom would I be if I failed them? What sort of philosophy would I use to teach? What sort of program? What about social interaction? What about...what about...repeated over and over, like a bad seventies song you can't get out of your head. I mean, they eat homeschoolers, right? At least that's the reaction I got when I informed the school I'd be homeschooling. That by the time I was done teaching them, I'd be tossing them into a world where anyone taught at home would be ripped to shreds and eaten by the oh-so-smart brick-and-mortar educated people. Could they be right? Am I setting up my children up to be devoured by the ravenous beasts of the world?

That's what this blog is about. One mom (and dad's) attempt to take up the mantle and teach our children. It's not like it hasn't been done before. In fact, before the federal government got involved, children were educated at home, or in small community school houses by teachers who were approved by the local citizens. Plus, I don't have to teach to a test. I can teach to the child. That has to have some merit.

So here I sit, waiting for my shipment of "Everything Your x-Grader Should Know" and the accompanying teacher's books. Yes, after much deliberation, the Core Knowledge ideal is what I've chosen to go with. Will it work? I hope so. Will I be organized enough? Doubtful, but I'm optimistic. Will the kids pick up some knowledge that will actually help them? Even if it makes me crazy, yes, they will. And if I need to, I'll even pack animal repellent in their luggage when they go out into the "real world".

So hold your breath kids, cause mom is about to try to teach!