So much can happen in a year's time...right? Well here we are a year since the last update. Our family has gone through many changes and epiphanies. This past year we transitioned again from the unschooling philosophy to a more traditional and structured routine. The oldest two (7th and 5th grade this past year) began using Switched on Schoolhouse. This was a great investment and experiment. The girls were able to pretty much school on their own with the virtual classroom doing the majority of the instructing. I was able to take the role of mother and tutor this year which proved to be beneficial since at this age they seem to need that confidant and counselor much more than instructor! The youngest two (1st and 2nd grade this past year) used more book work as well. We tried out Horizon math since we had used that with the oldest one a few years back and liked it. It worked well enough for the younger ones this year that we already have our books for next year. We also used Horizons Phonics and Reading for these grades. But this was not as much of a success. They are both reading a lot better, and the youngest is exceeding all our expectations! The work was extremely overwhelming and daunting. Plus the writers seem a bit out of touch to today's children using a lot of vocabulary that was way over these little one's heads. We also began experimenting with lap booking this year and have thoroughly enjoyed it all the way. The older two worked on a couple topics with the younger ones and the younger ones each worked on their own topics. We mostly focused on Science topics this year as they seem the simplest to compile and implement. My son did start a History/Bible one that will probably end up being an ongoing project on the Ancient Kings of Israel. I can't wait to get some pics taken so I can upload and share all the fun we've been having with these projects. We plan to make them a regular part of our work for next school year. Another adjustment to our "routine" was actually having a schedule. As the kids get older and their abilities and interests diversify, I can't see how unschoolers really keep up with it all?! We ares till taking a bit of an eclectic approach to our learning, however the kids are thriving on the routine and scheduling that they can count on. We take every Wednesday off now so we can be part of a local Bible education volunteer work. This adjustment in itself has proved to be the most exciting adjustment we've made to our school day. This has given the kids the opportunity to build communication and social skills that cross age and socioeconomic boundaries that once seemed to inhibit them. It is also encouraging the younger ones to improve their reading skills so they can be more involved in reading and discussing the Bible. So, in a quick littel nutshell, there ya have it. I plan to try to get on here more often as this school year wraps up and we begin planning for next year. I hope to reach new families as we share yet another transition in our education's journey!
I just had to share this...The reporters here really sound like they don't have a clue...which is to be expected I suppose.
BUT I also think that they chose a family that doesn't quite represent the unschooling community either. The children...er...huhm..teenagers seemed a little less than success stories...
What do you think?
Its that time of year again...when schoolers are wrapping things up for the year. Since we are not one of them, we wonder what other unschooling, relaxed schooling, and free thinking families are planning for this summer.
We have gardening started, yard remodeling on the horizon, fishing adventures begun, camping expeditions in the works, and a few museum meanderings to look forward to.
What about you??
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