Homeschooling

Yes, the end is in sight for this year.  I’m not sure who is happier… the kids or me! 

This year was really tough.  Homeschooling four for the first time (one of whom is a high-schooler who chooses to challenge and assert at every turn) was not quite what I expected.  Not that I went into any of this with rose-colored glasses, I just expected it to be different.  More peaceful and more fun…like fun everyday and not only some days.  I expected that the high-schooler would work hard to get done early so he could do the things he enjoys – computer, being outside, hunting, and other boy stuff.  But, I couldn’t quite figure out how to motivate him to want to do his schoolwork. 

Then, I realized it’s not really my problem to solve. 

At some point, kids need to take their education and learning into their own hands.  And, not everything we need to learn is fun!!  We, as parent homeschoolers, provide them with the guidance, the steps to follow, the notebooks, the texts, all the resources needed to complete the tasks… then they really just need to do it.  So, in retrospect (well, almost!) this has been the struggle this year.  Finding that balance of letting my oldest make mistakes and providing worthy consequences when needed. 

It’s a wonder there is still hair on my head, although it includes more gray strands than last Fall.  Eric wonders how in the world I remain so positive about homeschooling…it’s only by the Grace of God.  I cannot imagine what else could keep me going! 

Being me, I’ve already started to think on next year.  Guess that’s my optimism at work in full force.

Graham will move on to first grade.  He’ll continue with MODG and the adjustments I’ve made over the years.  He’s my kid who’s a little slower to get going in the morning and he likes to have a little play time.  I’d much rather get him going first because then the others could work on their own during this time and I could help the older kids later when they’re into more difficult subjects or have questions.  The schedule needs tweaking, especially with baby arriving just before the start of school this Fall.

 

  Graham

 

 

 

 

 

Zeke did well with CHC, although it was a bit more work in some areas.  However, I plan to use mostly CHC for fourth grade next year; I have it on hand and he enjoys it.  His reading has improved so much from the start of the year to now; third grade has been a year of great strides.

 

 

 

 

  Zeke

 

 

Angelina moves to seventh grade!  Yikes!  I’d really like my only girl (thus far) to stay little longer.  She’ll stick with MODG and the adjustments I’ve made over the years, too.  It works for her.

 

 

 

 

  Angelina

 

 

Dash.  Mmmmm.  This one is a little harder.  I have all the materials on hand for 10th grade MODG, but if this attitude keeps up…well, let’s just say I’m still praying for a change of attitude in this son.  We still haven’t found the ideal place for him to learn (and we’ve tried many in our home!), nor has he found the yearning to learn, nor has he found that subject with spurs him do more on his own.  I do plan to sit down with him and plan out his four years of high school.  I sort-of did that last year, but there wasn’t much to adjust.  The next three years need more of his input to be successful.

  Dash - Did I mention he’s big??  He’s over 6 feet and wears size 13 shoes.  I tell you it’s crazy, but I hardly notice it unless I really stop and think because I’m so used to being around my brothers and husband who are all over 6 foot (my tallest brother over 6’5”). 

 

Then, there is Louis.  This little guy is content to drive his tractors around for 20-30 minutes.  I was waiting for a little boy who loves to play with tractors…we do live on a farm…and here he is! 

 

 

 

  Louis