During the winter break, I like to evaluate our homeschooling to determine what is working and what is not. I also like to evaluate if the boys are progressing at a good rate and if they are covering all of the state requirements. Furthermore, winter break provides a good opportunity to assess whether I am using all possible resources to their best advantage and if each son is getting enough of everything he needs.
I dreaded undertaking this review. This year, I am responsible for educating both Landry and Kipp through the charter, and Galen desperately wants to learn anything anyone will take time to teach him. I doubted seriously whether I was living up to my hopes of giving each boy an enriched learning experience.
However, I was relieved at first. I attempted to create a fairly diverse and challenging curriculum last summer, and Landry and Kipp are plowing through it without issue. They are not falling behind. Indeed, they appear to be a bit ahead in some areas. On reflection, I think that they are really learning the material presented. While I should spend more time with Galen, I can remedy that readily now that I know that Landry and Kipp are progressing nicely.
Still, I am troubled. Because I am responsible for educating more than one child this year, I've become preoccupied this past semester with the number of chapters covered each week, the number of projects completed, how each activity translates into an entry on the lesson plans for the charter. These issues, however, have little or nothing to do with the rich learning experience I want for my sons.
Now, I am not going to become an unschooler. Truthfully, I think that I am simply incapable of unschooling. I have too much need to direct, organize and control. Still, I think the boys will benefit from the following changes to our routine.
First, I want to spend more time out of doors with the boys. If nothing else, I think the outdoors will help me keep a clearer eye on the big picture.
Second, I want to continue to lessen my dependence on workbooks and increase my reliance on projects. I'm looking forward to building a robot with Kipp, creating a miniature version of the Great Wall of China on the property, and exploring chemistry, biology and botany in this year's vegetable garden.
Third, I want to seek out more opportunities for the boys to meet other children. We live on a few acres, and most of our neighbors are older. Unless we seek out other families, opportunities will not arise on their own. Making time for more park days with our local co-op does not mean that I am neglecting their education. Joining our local children's chess club and attending science classes at our local nature center will enhance both their lives and learning opportunities.
Fourth, I want to make more time to read with the boys. This one sounds a bit silly. Landry is fully capable of reading any book that interests him. Kipp needs every possible opportunity to practice his reading to gain confidence because he's on the verge of being an independent reader. Galen prefers board books. By the end of the day, I'm often so worn from keeping the boys on task that I only want to curl up with my own book. Still, discovering the joy in becoming entranced by a story is equally important with learning to read. I can't think of a better way to help the boys discover that than by modeling my excitement in sharing a book with them. Besides, they clamor for me to read with them, and that will not last forever.
Finally, I want to work in more fieldtrips. I've fallen out of the habit of seeking out fieldtrips because I was subconsciously afraid that the boys would fall behind in their curriculum. Well, that is simply ridiculous. Before we had children, I dreamt of the day I would introduce my favorite art museums or Jerry's favorite science museums to our children. Now, it's time to put those dreams into action.
I'm sure that I will be tempted to fall back into my old habits as I become caught up in the semester, but this post will record my intentions and remind me of what I want for my sons.
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