Spring has arrived, so we are outside every moment possible. I didn't realize how much time has passed since I last posted. Then again, that may be a good thing.
I am starting to organize my thoughts about next year's curriculum. Kipp will be enrolled in 2nd grade and Landry in 4th, so I got a copy of the state requirements for 3rd and 5th grade while at the charter last week.
I skimmed the requirements and found little, if anything, that will be new or challenging for the boys. Landry will need some American history, but that is about it. In particular, the science requirements are pitiful.
From my reading, I drew two conclusions. First, I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to home school my sons and go wherever they are ready to go, academically. What a shame to think that something as amazing as the human mind in its youngest stages may not be given every opportunity to be appropriately challenged and to grow. What a loss to the children, and what a loss to us.
Second, I feel a sense of almost complete freedom in setting up next year's curriculum. I will not look at the requirements a second time, but will be guided by what I think is best for each son. I suppose for those who are completely independent of the state, my feelings are pretty commonplace. However, I think it's a very positive step in our journey that I am able to feel this way.
Looking beyond the statement requirements, I have been thinking about what is working well currently. I'm delighted to write that several things should not change.
(1) Singapore Math - The boys respond well to this series. Singapore does not rely on endless repetition of new concepts. Instead, they move through a broad range of concepts quickly, but thoroughly review often. This suits the boys, and we will definitely continue.
(2) Rosetta Stone - I often use Rosetta Stone as a fill-in activity. If two boys need me at once, I ask one to work on Spanish for 15 to 20 minutes to buy me time to help the other son. And I leave the boys to their own devices with Rosetta Stone. I rarely interfere beyond checking to see that they are moving forward. Despite my lax attitude, I'm often shocked at the sentences the boys can now understand with ease. I took Spanish in elementary school, through all four years of high school, and in college, yet I suspect their comprehension is approaching what I had in high school or college. So, we will definitely continue with Rosetta Stone.
(3) Story of the World - We listen to these stories in the car as we drive to activities, and the boys just love them. More importantly, I hear them using information and ideas gained from the stories in other situations, which tells me that they are making the information their own. So, in one form or another, we will continue with this series.
(4) piano - The boys continue to progress with their piano and like it. I had the most amazing experience recently. Our piano is in the room that opens on to our patio. I was working in the ornamental bed next to the patio, when Landry's music came drifting through the open window. The moment was surreal. Not only was the sound beautiful, but so was the realization that a person that I brought into this world could make something so lovely. Wow! So, piano will remain part of our curriculum.
(5) bok fu - The boys continue to love their martial arts class and are rapidly approaching their orange/yellow belts. I like that my very energetic sons get a short lesson in discipline each week and are learning to defend themselves. So, we will continue to make our weekly drive for their 45-minute lesson.
(6) Lawrence Hall of Science enrichment classes - The drive to the Bay Area is insanely long, but it is the one source for science classes I've found thus far that actually seem to challenge the boys. As long as they continue to enjoy the classes, I'll be making the twice-a-month trek to Berkeley.
So, now that I've identified what must be accomplished next year (almost nothing!) and what is currently working, all I need to do is fill in a few gaps and I've got our curriculum planned for next year.
I am starting to organize my thoughts about next year's curriculum. Kipp will be enrolled in 2nd grade and Landry in 4th, so I got a copy of the state requirements for 3rd and 5th grade while at the charter last week.
I skimmed the requirements and found little, if anything, that will be new or challenging for the boys. Landry will need some American history, but that is about it. In particular, the science requirements are pitiful.
From my reading, I drew two conclusions. First, I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to home school my sons and go wherever they are ready to go, academically. What a shame to think that something as amazing as the human mind in its youngest stages may not be given every opportunity to be appropriately challenged and to grow. What a loss to the children, and what a loss to us.
Second, I feel a sense of almost complete freedom in setting up next year's curriculum. I will not look at the requirements a second time, but will be guided by what I think is best for each son. I suppose for those who are completely independent of the state, my feelings are pretty commonplace. However, I think it's a very positive step in our journey that I am able to feel this way.
Looking beyond the statement requirements, I have been thinking about what is working well currently. I'm delighted to write that several things should not change.
(1) Singapore Math - The boys respond well to this series. Singapore does not rely on endless repetition of new concepts. Instead, they move through a broad range of concepts quickly, but thoroughly review often. This suits the boys, and we will definitely continue.
(2) Rosetta Stone - I often use Rosetta Stone as a fill-in activity. If two boys need me at once, I ask one to work on Spanish for 15 to 20 minutes to buy me time to help the other son. And I leave the boys to their own devices with Rosetta Stone. I rarely interfere beyond checking to see that they are moving forward. Despite my lax attitude, I'm often shocked at the sentences the boys can now understand with ease. I took Spanish in elementary school, through all four years of high school, and in college, yet I suspect their comprehension is approaching what I had in high school or college. So, we will definitely continue with Rosetta Stone.
(3) Story of the World - We listen to these stories in the car as we drive to activities, and the boys just love them. More importantly, I hear them using information and ideas gained from the stories in other situations, which tells me that they are making the information their own. So, in one form or another, we will continue with this series.
(4) piano - The boys continue to progress with their piano and like it. I had the most amazing experience recently. Our piano is in the room that opens on to our patio. I was working in the ornamental bed next to the patio, when Landry's music came drifting through the open window. The moment was surreal. Not only was the sound beautiful, but so was the realization that a person that I brought into this world could make something so lovely. Wow! So, piano will remain part of our curriculum.
(5) bok fu - The boys continue to love their martial arts class and are rapidly approaching their orange/yellow belts. I like that my very energetic sons get a short lesson in discipline each week and are learning to defend themselves. So, we will continue to make our weekly drive for their 45-minute lesson.
(6) Lawrence Hall of Science enrichment classes - The drive to the Bay Area is insanely long, but it is the one source for science classes I've found thus far that actually seem to challenge the boys. As long as they continue to enjoy the classes, I'll be making the twice-a-month trek to Berkeley.
So, now that I've identified what must be accomplished next year (almost nothing!) and what is currently working, all I need to do is fill in a few gaps and I've got our curriculum planned for next year.
Hooray for the freedom in planning! You know how jealous I am. :-)
I also really like Singapore math, but I'm adding something new to our repertoire...Key Curriculum Press's math series. We just started the Key to Fractions and my youngest loves them! I bought the Geometry set for next year.
It sounds like you are going to have a lot of opportunity for REAL learning next year.