For all of my friends that have not ever homeschooled in SC, here is a quick explanation of how you can do it legally -
1. You can call up your school district and request that they list you as a homeschooler under their supervision. You go to the school and take the standardized tests and as long as your kids stays on grade level, everything is fine. They in turn give you all the textbooks and materials you need to teach the state mandated curriculum in your home. This sounds reasonable on the surface, but some schools are very anti homeschool and can figure out MANY reasons to invade your privacy, rights, etc. Some schools are very supportive of homeschoolers, and in those districts the materials and support could be good for parents interested in homeschool but nervous or overwhelmed with how to begin.
2. The second option available is for those families that still wish to report to a state organization and have many resources available to them, but want a broader choice in curriculum. The organization that runs this group of homeschoolers is called SCAIHS, or South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools. They have their own requirements and testing is included in these requirements, but instead of reporting to a school district, the family reports directly to this association. Many first year families like this option because of the enormous help and resources provided and the ability to test independently from the school district. One main area of concern with SCAIHS is the high pricetag that comes with this option. My family, for example, could easily spend upwards of $600 plus dollars to utilize the opportunities and pay the membership fees.
3. This brings us to the third homeschool option. A family can instead join an independent association that keeps up with the basic paperwork and allows a family to report to the state legally. The family then can choose to homeschool in any fashion or style they so choose, using any (if any) curriculum, and have the most freedom to parent and educate in the manner they feel best fits each child's needs. The drawback is the lack of direction for those that wish to have a plan outlined for them. There is no school district handing you textbooks and giving you the yearly goals all laid out on a nice big chart. The parent has to make decisions. Lots of them. The benefits are that the parent has the ability to make decisions. Lots of them. They get to pick materials and curriculum that best fits each child. The family can explore fascinating topics of interest that frankly, for lack of time or resources or public opinion, are not included in the state's standards. The parents are the ultimate decision makers and have the most rights under the third option. No testing is required. What is required is daily journal entries or lesson plans, progress reports, and attendance documentation. Five subject areas must be covered through sixth grade, seven subject areas in seventh through twelfth. Most of these associations also offer some advice and additional resources that are priced individually. So, if you have a middle or high schooler, and you want transcripts, college advice, and someone helping navigate credit requirements, an extra 50 bucks a year can get you that. If you have a kindergartner, your fee will barely cost more than a lunch date.
We do the third option. Most homeschoolers do the third option. While I cannot speak for any other family than my own, I will tell you why we chose to homeschool and why we ultimately chose the third option.
Dear Congress,
Up until this year my boys went to "real school". But, after a long hard hunt to find the educational plan that would best fit my boys, we realized that nobody, not even the private schools, could really meet their needs. One school would be perfect for one boy, and absolutely terrible for the other one. Or the opposite. One school would be terrible for one boy and great for his brother. Two different schools were considered. But the two schools that could meet their needs were located thirty minutes apart, started and stopped at the same time, and one of them was a private school that would mean me finding a better job to pay that particular kid's way. I was a substitute teacher. Actually, before kids, I was a public school teacher, then a private school teacher, then a tutor, then a preschool teacher, then a substitute teacher. But as of late, I was the substitute. And that job doesn't come close to paying private school tuition, much less solve the car line timing issue. So, we embarked on a new adventure as a family.
We chose to homeschool.
Quickly I dove into picking what I should teach, how I should be legal, and figuring out what resources would be necessary to educate my boys at home. And, though I am naturally structured but not good at following others' rules, I did initially organize much of my day mimicking the "school at home" method. I called educators and asked what curriculum would be best, I attended a homeschool curriculum sale, and I organized a closet with everything. Being that I had taught back in the day and had just spent the last year substitute teaching, I figured I was prepared.
Turns out... I was.
But not because I had already assured doubters of my teaching degree, my openness for advice, and my definite decision to test the boys regularly. Turns out...I was prepared because I am their mother. And I care a whole lot more about their education than anyone else, maybe save for my husband. I also very quickly figured out that homeschooling is miserable if forced to be "school at home" and that my boys are, well, boys. My boys learn a whole lot better cuddled up on the couch in the morning and out running around all of the historic battlefields in the afternoon. The Revolutionary War came alive once we visited reenactments and talked with soldiers and held their powder horns and heard their muskets and saw their feet wrapped in rags because there weren't enough shoes for the army back then. Nature focused into great detail once we dissected flowers and pumpkins and pine cones and brought home to our dining room table the sea life that had washed up on the beach. Soil takes on a new dimension once picked through and examined under a microscope. Especially soil from your own backyard. Reading exploded once they could video each other with my phone and act out poems wearing a tricorn hat and pajama bottoms. "School" came alive, and it was far more effective without silent lunch and concern about bullying and sitting still enough in crisscross apple sauce style.
***Now, it isn't that those things (except the bullying) are bad or ineffective. And it is a privilege to stay home that most simply do not get. But this privilege has saved my boys' education. And I can save this for another time, but those of you looking at me thinking I am just rich and lucky should know there is sacrifice. It may not be your sacrifice, but it isn't all coming up roses either.***
But, here's the thing. My boys are absorbing information constantly, and they are absorbing it as they are exposed to it. We'll go to the library and I will finally relocate them in the section about space or government or soldiers or fantasy or or or.....And so the books come. We have ended up opening worlds I wasn't initially planning on getting to this year. We no longer match in the least the state standards. But really, I simply do not care. These boys are thinking and researching and living school. I can see every single day that they are learning. I do not need a test to tell me that. And I especially do not need an organization or a state mandated official testing them on information they haven't yet explored to tell me how they are doing. Again, I am their mother. So I can see and I care a whole lot more than some test proctor can see or find noteworthy on one given day in May. My kids, frankly, might knock those standardized tests out of the water. Or they may fall flat on their face because they haven't been sitting in that circle time. And it really wouldn't be relevant at all to what makes up their true knowledge.
So this is why I love the third option. We can bring home those library books and take the time to prance around in tricorn hats and build a million science experiments out of Legos and learn all about phonics from a 1920's book and diagram sentences just because they seem a whole lot like puzzles. With the third option we can do all of these things and more. But a test at the end of the year will not help us. In fact it will end up being a huge imposition.
I started homeschooling to solve the school crisis in my home. I will keep homeschooling because learning is now the filter through most everything we do. There's a word some homeschoolers use - Deschooling. It means the time it takes to let go of the institution of public or private school. Most suggest a month of adjustment for every year spent in school. I thought the whole idea a bit silly, honestly. For Key that would be five months, Kelly one month, me approximately twenty five months. We are finishing up month seven. And I would say now that what they suggest is probably true. It takes awhile for it to sink into your bones that you are free. And you are responsible for the outcome.
And that is okay.
In fact, to us, it is now how it should be.
Sincerely,
Patty Hatch
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
The Hatch School Diaries - Entry Five
Unschooling.
Yep.
It isn't exactly what you think. And it isn't exactly what I thought or my kids thought either. Not even what I thought it was two weeks ago when we started this whole experiment.
Of course, experimenting with my children's education is no light hearted thing. Actually it can be panic inducing.
Seriously.
For them as well.
But, since I had my homeschooling breakdown and they followed with their homeschooling breakdown, we had to change things. We had our unschooling week. I learned that my kids are not lazy. They desire to learn all on their own.
Unschoolers everywhere will tell you that kids are naturally curious and will find their individual desire to learn if you encourage and facilitate and stay out of the way.
But....even after our week, I could not reconcile letting them do whatever they wanted. all. day. long.
So we approached week two in our experiment to fix homeschool with a slightly different perspective.
Let's go back to structure. I would feel best if we went back to structure.
We can have a meeting where I assign weekly goals and then the kids can have the freedom to accomplish those goals by the end of the week any way they choose. The problem with this approach was that they were overwhelmed by a week's worth of goals staring them down. And when, by day three, they had not completed half the list, my oldest panicked and my youngest gave up. No one completed their goals, and we all felt once again defeated.
So this week, we had a meeting. And this time I listened. To them. Not my internal conversation in my head. I asked what out of each week they liked, and I gave them each a chance to explain. They both prefer structure, but different types of structure. They both loved having a say in what they got to study and exploring things that interested them. Each of them wants daily goals, and each wants a say in those goals. Key's main concern was that he was behind, and he felt he needs to focus on ELA. He's working on diagramming sentences this year, and he wants to refocus on that. Kelly really wants to conquer reading. Not because of Dr. Seuss, but because he is terrified he will become an adult and not be able to read instruction manuals. Seriously! He wants to read, not for stories though he does love those too, but so that he can learn on his own. So that he can build a robot out of our recycle bin without being dependent on me to be available to him. He wants to design several structures, but he needs to know how to build other simpler structures first. He wants to read the instruction manuals. Not kidding. But until yesterday, I didn't know that about him. Now I have a clue into his motivation. Into both boys' motivation. Key loves writing. And Key loves structure - craves it actually - so of course he would be desiring to diagram sentences. Kelly loves building and has trouble with verbal cues, so of course a written manual would be a big help to him. Makes total sense now that I know.
I am slowly getting it. This is unschooling. Not the no structure chaos I envisioned.
It is listening. And asking. And guiding. And stepping back. And observing.
And listening some more.
What's funny is that we have friends already doing this method. And because their kids learn differently than my kids, my kids think that their friends aren't doing anything. Meanwhile, their friends are constantly explaining new things to my kids, and mine are looking at me like - How did they know that?
Ahh. Gotta love humans! So open minded. With ourselves.
Yep.
It isn't exactly what you think. And it isn't exactly what I thought or my kids thought either. Not even what I thought it was two weeks ago when we started this whole experiment.
Of course, experimenting with my children's education is no light hearted thing. Actually it can be panic inducing.
Seriously.
For them as well.
But, since I had my homeschooling breakdown and they followed with their homeschooling breakdown, we had to change things. We had our unschooling week. I learned that my kids are not lazy. They desire to learn all on their own.
Unschoolers everywhere will tell you that kids are naturally curious and will find their individual desire to learn if you encourage and facilitate and stay out of the way.
But....even after our week, I could not reconcile letting them do whatever they wanted. all. day. long.
So we approached week two in our experiment to fix homeschool with a slightly different perspective.
Let's go back to structure. I would feel best if we went back to structure.
We can have a meeting where I assign weekly goals and then the kids can have the freedom to accomplish those goals by the end of the week any way they choose. The problem with this approach was that they were overwhelmed by a week's worth of goals staring them down. And when, by day three, they had not completed half the list, my oldest panicked and my youngest gave up. No one completed their goals, and we all felt once again defeated.
So this week, we had a meeting. And this time I listened. To them. Not my internal conversation in my head. I asked what out of each week they liked, and I gave them each a chance to explain. They both prefer structure, but different types of structure. They both loved having a say in what they got to study and exploring things that interested them. Each of them wants daily goals, and each wants a say in those goals. Key's main concern was that he was behind, and he felt he needs to focus on ELA. He's working on diagramming sentences this year, and he wants to refocus on that. Kelly really wants to conquer reading. Not because of Dr. Seuss, but because he is terrified he will become an adult and not be able to read instruction manuals. Seriously! He wants to read, not for stories though he does love those too, but so that he can learn on his own. So that he can build a robot out of our recycle bin without being dependent on me to be available to him. He wants to design several structures, but he needs to know how to build other simpler structures first. He wants to read the instruction manuals. Not kidding. But until yesterday, I didn't know that about him. Now I have a clue into his motivation. Into both boys' motivation. Key loves writing. And Key loves structure - craves it actually - so of course he would be desiring to diagram sentences. Kelly loves building and has trouble with verbal cues, so of course a written manual would be a big help to him. Makes total sense now that I know.
I am slowly getting it. This is unschooling. Not the no structure chaos I envisioned.
It is listening. And asking. And guiding. And stepping back. And observing.
And listening some more.
What's funny is that we have friends already doing this method. And because their kids learn differently than my kids, my kids think that their friends aren't doing anything. Meanwhile, their friends are constantly explaining new things to my kids, and mine are looking at me like - How did they know that?
Ahh. Gotta love humans! So open minded. With ourselves.
The Hatch School Diaries - Entry Four
Unschooling. Yep. Unschooling.
When we first started this whole homeschooling journey I thought unschooling sounded a bit too hippy. My inner dialogue sounded a lot like....
"Let the children lead the learning. You've lost your mind. Seriously.
All they'll do all day is play on their Nook or watch you tube videos.
Or play the Wii.
Unschooling. You've truly lost your mind."
And up until Christmas we shot ourselves out of a cannon and finished a reasonable amount of math and history for an entire school year in a mere four months. That's while also keeping up with our reading, language arts, and science. And travel soccer. And church. And.....And.....
How awesome are we?!?
Yep. So Christmas has come. And gone. School is back in. And we are incredibly unmotivated.
Over the past four months I pushed way too hard at first and then eased off to what felt acceptable. It was that first two months that we accomplished way more than necessary before I realized it was too much. And I relaxed. Now, I am questioning the schedule. Why do we need to get three point four math lessons in each week until April? If we finish early, what do we do next? Start next year early, and keep up the crazy?
What would happen if I let them explore? Not laze about....but pursue interests.
They jumped at it. Of course.
And so the unschooling experiment is started. I have given them this week to try it.
Here's the funny thing. Today, I had way more stuff to get done than time, and the youngest cried. That we didn't make time enough to watch about Alexander the Great and he has to wait until tomorrow. That he didn't get to learn more. That caused tears. Seriously. Can you imagine?
When we first started this whole homeschooling journey I thought unschooling sounded a bit too hippy. My inner dialogue sounded a lot like....
"Let the children lead the learning. You've lost your mind. Seriously.
All they'll do all day is play on their Nook or watch you tube videos.
Or play the Wii.
Unschooling. You've truly lost your mind."
And up until Christmas we shot ourselves out of a cannon and finished a reasonable amount of math and history for an entire school year in a mere four months. That's while also keeping up with our reading, language arts, and science. And travel soccer. And church. And.....And.....
How awesome are we?!?
Yep. So Christmas has come. And gone. School is back in. And we are incredibly unmotivated.
Over the past four months I pushed way too hard at first and then eased off to what felt acceptable. It was that first two months that we accomplished way more than necessary before I realized it was too much. And I relaxed. Now, I am questioning the schedule. Why do we need to get three point four math lessons in each week until April? If we finish early, what do we do next? Start next year early, and keep up the crazy?
What would happen if I let them explore? Not laze about....but pursue interests.
They jumped at it. Of course.
And so the unschooling experiment is started. I have given them this week to try it.
Here's the funny thing. Today, I had way more stuff to get done than time, and the youngest cried. That we didn't make time enough to watch about Alexander the Great and he has to wait until tomorrow. That he didn't get to learn more. That caused tears. Seriously. Can you imagine?
Monday, December 10, 2012
Hatch School Diaries - Entry Three
This morning it struck me that my favorite time of our homeschool day is the very beginning. I procrastinate getting started every morning. Need just one more cup of coffee. Look through my plans. Curl up under the quilt with the dog. And finally realize we simply MUST get school started if we are to count it for a day. So we gather on the couch.
And we pray.
At first we all went around saying things off the top of our heads. The boys eventually ended up fighting over who got to go first because they tended to have the same prayers, but neither wanted to appear to be copying. Now we say one thanksgiving, one plea for forgiveness, and one prayer. So this morning, I was struck that despite all the hemming and hawing over starting our day, it really is one of the best parts of homeschool. Today went as follows:
Patty -
Thanksgiving - A beautiful tree, home, and always for my family (I was looking at the tree all lit up just as we were starting.)
Forgiveness - Impatience and a lack of grace extended towards others
Prayer - Reminders of Christ's presence, guidance, and His love for those in need
Key -
Thanksgiving - Family and food (This prompted a talk about how a Liberian family we know of told our church that they eat when they have food; not when they are hungry. We tried to imagine.)
Forgiveness - Being disobedient and disrespectful
Prayer - The military, Sadie our dog, and for a good day
Kelly -
Thanksgiving - Family, our dog Sadie, our tree (Kelly's favorite holiday by far is Christmas. I cannot emphasize how much this kid loves all things Christmas.)
Forgiveness - Being mean to Key
Prayer - For the Liberian priest's family, and those going through bad lives, you know, those in darkness, Mom?
Last week we talked about Rwanda during prayer time. It is the one point in the day when we take that pause to think outside ourselves, and we are grateful, and I would not have this if we weren't homeschooling. Because of our prayer time each morning, I know my children's hearts like I have never known them before. As much as we talked and I tried before homeschooling, being with my boys day in and day out changes things in a way I did not begin to picture. I am truly grateful for this time with them.
Oh, and we always end the prayer time with the Lord's Prayer. (Vocabulary lesson for the day - why we say trespasses and why Presbyterians say debts. We've been attending a Presbyterian Church. Stepping out of our box.)
And we pray.
At first we all went around saying things off the top of our heads. The boys eventually ended up fighting over who got to go first because they tended to have the same prayers, but neither wanted to appear to be copying. Now we say one thanksgiving, one plea for forgiveness, and one prayer. So this morning, I was struck that despite all the hemming and hawing over starting our day, it really is one of the best parts of homeschool. Today went as follows:
Patty -
Thanksgiving - A beautiful tree, home, and always for my family (I was looking at the tree all lit up just as we were starting.)
Forgiveness - Impatience and a lack of grace extended towards others
Prayer - Reminders of Christ's presence, guidance, and His love for those in need
Key -
Thanksgiving - Family and food (This prompted a talk about how a Liberian family we know of told our church that they eat when they have food; not when they are hungry. We tried to imagine.)
Forgiveness - Being disobedient and disrespectful
Prayer - The military, Sadie our dog, and for a good day
Kelly -
Thanksgiving - Family, our dog Sadie, our tree (Kelly's favorite holiday by far is Christmas. I cannot emphasize how much this kid loves all things Christmas.)
Forgiveness - Being mean to Key
Prayer - For the Liberian priest's family, and those going through bad lives, you know, those in darkness, Mom?
Last week we talked about Rwanda during prayer time. It is the one point in the day when we take that pause to think outside ourselves, and we are grateful, and I would not have this if we weren't homeschooling. Because of our prayer time each morning, I know my children's hearts like I have never known them before. As much as we talked and I tried before homeschooling, being with my boys day in and day out changes things in a way I did not begin to picture. I am truly grateful for this time with them.
Oh, and we always end the prayer time with the Lord's Prayer. (Vocabulary lesson for the day - why we say trespasses and why Presbyterians say debts. We've been attending a Presbyterian Church. Stepping out of our box.)
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Mammograms
Yesterday I got up early, well, for me anyway, and went to the center where they squish your breasts and take pictures. This being my first time and all, I was understandably nervous. But once I got there, had the courage to drive over and walk through those glass doors, I was greeted by women. That got it. That knew this was my first time, and showed me kindness and grace. And the nurse, she told me she knew what it was like to be me, because she had been in my spot. Had gotten this same test done. Had gotten the results that said come back. Knew how I felt. Her test had turned out fine in the end. But her sister, well now, she had been battling cancer spreading for eleven years now. When the sister first found out, she prayed to see her daughter graduate. Now that daughter is twenty six and getting ready to graduate. For good. So the sister is nervous about the answered prayer that has been honored all these eleven years. Is it all, this fight, going to end? I told my nurse that God answers so much more abundantly than what we even know to ask for. Who knows the days on Earth or hairs on her sister's head? And she said yes.
The sister has survived with this cancer ridden body for so long because of experimental testing and drugs. She has been the guinea pig for any study they accept her to. Her reason? If they can learn something from her own struggles, it might help her daughter one day. So she keeps signing up and she keeps pressing on. I ask my nurse if her sister has had quality in those eleven years? And she said yes.
The weight has come and gone and come and gone. Along with the hair. But most of the time, yes, it has been good. Not easy. Worth it.
I got back in my car and I started driving home, and suddenly tears sprang up, and I couldn't figure out why. Until I thought back and I realized how many women have died being the help for the next woman to fight the fight. Never before had it struck me so intimately how much these women sacrifice so that I can have the better chance, the better treatment, the better quality drugs. So to all those that fight in any form - not just for second base:) - thank you. Truly.
The sister has survived with this cancer ridden body for so long because of experimental testing and drugs. She has been the guinea pig for any study they accept her to. Her reason? If they can learn something from her own struggles, it might help her daughter one day. So she keeps signing up and she keeps pressing on. I ask my nurse if her sister has had quality in those eleven years? And she said yes.
The weight has come and gone and come and gone. Along with the hair. But most of the time, yes, it has been good. Not easy. Worth it.
I got back in my car and I started driving home, and suddenly tears sprang up, and I couldn't figure out why. Until I thought back and I realized how many women have died being the help for the next woman to fight the fight. Never before had it struck me so intimately how much these women sacrifice so that I can have the better chance, the better treatment, the better quality drugs. So to all those that fight in any form - not just for second base:) - thank you. Truly.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Hatch School Diaries - Entry Two
My laundry had overtaken the hallway, so it just gets even dirtier as the temporary backdoor floor mat. The bed is unmade and the clock reads 6:29......pm. My dining room is school central, hence any entertaining is done in the kitchen until further notice or college acceptance. I have hung exactly one picture in my whole house and three windows are still uncovered for all peeping toms interested.
I absolutely love homeschool. Love it. I keep asking Key if he is getting more out of school now, and then I look at him waiting for what has a correct answer. He figured that trick out early, so he always says that why yes, homeschool is much more indepth in its learning. I have no idea what the true answer is, but I do know that we feel productive, and so far this is what we have accomplished:
In 28 days we have.......
Kelly -
Learned to read simple books
Gets the hang of word families with short vowel sounds.
Finished twenty pages of phonics
Read seven books in whole on his own
Completed box one of The Bob Books
Made 40 or 50 word flashcards which he practices several times a week
Copied page after page of words, sentences, dates, and favorites stories
Currently copying his reader b/c Key copied the Declaration of Independence (Kelly cannot be outdone)
Finished fifty math lessons
Made flashcards for addition facts through his twos
Listened to lots of history books
Listened to Johnny Tremain on CD
Illustrated 11 out of the 13 episodes of The Revolution on Netflix
Dictated four pages of knowledge about the colonists
Labeled our map of the 13 colonies
Dated the first half of our timeline for the Rev. War
Helped make Johnny cakes
Designed a farm out of building blocks
Visited Brattonsville
Visited Augusta's Rev. War sites, including George Walton's house
Designed and created a boat out of recycled materials
And that's off the top of my head.
Key -
Read Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
Read Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
Read Indian Captive by I can't remember
Completed two of the three book reports
Tested out of or completed 45 math lessons
Practiced math facts
Played on Khan Academy
Copied the Declaration of Independence
Learned how to diagram subjects, predicates, predicate nominatives, and articles
Written a blog entry on his knowledge of colonial life
Taken notes for 11 of the 13 episodes of The Revolution on Netflix
Listened to lots of history books
Read lots of history books
Described events for the first half of our timeline for the Rev. War
Visited Brattonsville
Visited Augusta's Rev. War sites, including George Walton's house
Designed and created a boat out of recycled materials
And that's also just off the top of my head.
But what's even bigger than all that stuff I listed, is that at the heart of this adventure, we are getting to know each other. I know so much more about their learning styles, what makes them click, how beautifully they are becoming young men, what frightens them, what their desires are, what they pray about, who they have become and how much I hadn't noticed until now. I am finding also how much I do not know about so many things, and I am learning with excitement and anticipation about math and science and history. Our world is fascinating and until now I had not taken the time to truly explore it. And wow!
What is hardest is letting go of public school and all its trappings. Its standards and its resources and its schedule and its order. Those things feel safe, but outside that safety is this experience that our family is living into. Today we looked through their yearbook from last year. I miss those kids and those people. But I don't miss that day. The one that starts early and frantic and stressful and involves me turning the boys over to others and exhaustion by Thursday afternoon. So letting go is my theme. And it is harder than just the physical act of walking away. I am, in essence, deschooling my brain.
But homeschooling/ unschooling/ schooling is turning out to be one of God's greatest blessings to me so far. We'll reevaluate come those long cold days of February:)....
I absolutely love homeschool. Love it. I keep asking Key if he is getting more out of school now, and then I look at him waiting for what has a correct answer. He figured that trick out early, so he always says that why yes, homeschool is much more indepth in its learning. I have no idea what the true answer is, but I do know that we feel productive, and so far this is what we have accomplished:
In 28 days we have.......
Kelly -
Learned to read simple books
Gets the hang of word families with short vowel sounds.
Finished twenty pages of phonics
Read seven books in whole on his own
Completed box one of The Bob Books
Made 40 or 50 word flashcards which he practices several times a week
Copied page after page of words, sentences, dates, and favorites stories
Currently copying his reader b/c Key copied the Declaration of Independence (Kelly cannot be outdone)
Finished fifty math lessons
Made flashcards for addition facts through his twos
Listened to lots of history books
Listened to Johnny Tremain on CD
Illustrated 11 out of the 13 episodes of The Revolution on Netflix
Dictated four pages of knowledge about the colonists
Labeled our map of the 13 colonies
Dated the first half of our timeline for the Rev. War
Helped make Johnny cakes
Designed a farm out of building blocks
Visited Brattonsville
Visited Augusta's Rev. War sites, including George Walton's house
Designed and created a boat out of recycled materials
And that's off the top of my head.
Key -
Read Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
Read Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
Read Indian Captive by I can't remember
Completed two of the three book reports
Tested out of or completed 45 math lessons
Practiced math facts
Played on Khan Academy
Copied the Declaration of Independence
Learned how to diagram subjects, predicates, predicate nominatives, and articles
Written a blog entry on his knowledge of colonial life
Taken notes for 11 of the 13 episodes of The Revolution on Netflix
Listened to lots of history books
Read lots of history books
Described events for the first half of our timeline for the Rev. War
Visited Brattonsville
Visited Augusta's Rev. War sites, including George Walton's house
Designed and created a boat out of recycled materials
And that's also just off the top of my head.
But what's even bigger than all that stuff I listed, is that at the heart of this adventure, we are getting to know each other. I know so much more about their learning styles, what makes them click, how beautifully they are becoming young men, what frightens them, what their desires are, what they pray about, who they have become and how much I hadn't noticed until now. I am finding also how much I do not know about so many things, and I am learning with excitement and anticipation about math and science and history. Our world is fascinating and until now I had not taken the time to truly explore it. And wow!
What is hardest is letting go of public school and all its trappings. Its standards and its resources and its schedule and its order. Those things feel safe, but outside that safety is this experience that our family is living into. Today we looked through their yearbook from last year. I miss those kids and those people. But I don't miss that day. The one that starts early and frantic and stressful and involves me turning the boys over to others and exhaustion by Thursday afternoon. So letting go is my theme. And it is harder than just the physical act of walking away. I am, in essence, deschooling my brain.
But homeschooling/ unschooling/ schooling is turning out to be one of God's greatest blessings to me so far. We'll reevaluate come those long cold days of February:)....
Monday, August 27, 2012
Hatch School Diaries - First entry
For those of you that said you wished you could be a fly on the wall of my house when I announced our decision to homeschool....
The Hatch School Diaries
9am - We begin. Breakfast has been eaten, beds made, teeth brushed. I have had at least one cup of coffee and possibly taken a walk. Possibly.
We meet at the dining room table and start with prayers. All of us take turns offering up our praises and requests, then we recite the Lord's Prayer or I say a simple prayer to get us moving. (I had to put a stop to the daily request for more Legos. That was my little Kelly's constant heart's desire.)
After prayers, math is first; This just felt natural to all of us. At 10 o'clock we take a short break, then move into language and reading. That carries us until noonish. Break. I make lunch and they go run around outside, do their soccer drills, or play legos.
By 1pm we are sitting in the living room where we listen to a book on cd that Key is reading. It relates to our history unit, so Kelly gets information from listening as well. Then on to history, which is currently colonial times and the Revolutionary War. They have assignments to do and I assist with each as needed. Around three we tie things up and turn our house back into a dining room and living room. I have a closet, a big wooden tray, a stack of books, and a portable bin to help us attempt at containing clutter.
I collected my school lessons from a variety of places - stores, used book sales, friends, and online. I have found tons of great resources are free on the computer once I get to digging. The library has become a staple for us at least once a week. I chose various curriculum from advice of friends, teachers, and veteran homeschoolers. Some of it I like; some of it is getting scrapped as soon as I find a better alternative.
For the social aspect and special interest classes, we have lots of options. There are two support groups here in town and four total in my county alone. I haven't researched them to tell you details, but some do play dates, field trips, etc. Some do weekly teaching co-ops and prayer groups. We will pick one eventually. The boys both play soccer and are out at the fields four or five days a week. We have neighbors with children, and we have friends from school last year that have made a point of coming over to visit. For music and art, those will be incorporated into their education as we get more comfortable. So far they have been listening to Bach during math, and will read about him this week. I also have planned crafts for both of them, but for truly educational art, we will probably do more further into fall.
Also, you'll notice I have left out science. No worries. I decided to try concentrating on either history or science, but not both at the same time. So first a history unit, then a science unit. The two overlap at times and we will certainly let that happen naturally. For the year we have four units for each subject ahead of us, and the Revolutionary War unit has proven fascinating. Next up will be a unit focusing on biology.
If you ask the boys, they are happy - really, and while I am a bit overwhelmed with all to be done, I love having the time with my children. I know not everyone has this opportunity, and I am grateful a million times a day for mine.
And p.s. - It is wonderful, but we are not perfect. Things go differently than planned all the time. Today we made Johnny Cakes for afternoon snacks, and I just about set off all the smoke alarms.
Any more questions? Ask away! I'll try to answer all that I can.
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