Homeschooling Somewhere in Between

We had an eerily pleasant and easy-going first week back.  Generally things start a bit bumpy, so I’m wondering if next week will be the week for that.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Jordan and Alex did some pretty structured work in the morning (math, grammar, spelling, cursive handwriting).  Alex was excited to start his new Singapore book.  Our one stumbling point was Jordan’s MUS.   We got stuck on rounding and I finally had to just decide to move on and come back to that later. 

We did a lot of science as well.   We are doing a physics unit before picking back up with our Noeo biology.    We read some books and watched some videos–a new favorite for Alex–The Way Things Work videos.  And then we did some experiments and projects.  

Demonstrating centripetal force:

There is water in the bucket but the kids correctly predicted that centripetal force would keep it from spilling on them if they swung it fast enough.

But what fun is it if you don’t test what happens when you spin it really slow?

We also assembled Alex’s lego crane which started his fascination with pulleys.

So, after asking if he could have a pulley of his very own every day, on Friday we went to Home Depot and bought a couple of pulleys and assembled a pulley system for our tree house.

And the first thing they decided to use the pulley for was to hoist a snack up to the tree house.  Alex declared it his favorite homeschool project ever.

I hope we didn’t peak in our first week.  How am I going to top that in his book?  

After a week or so of lightweight school stuff, we took off for a short family vacation and spent time studying the physics of roller coasters (at an amusement park), witnessing living history observing 1880’s glass blowing, blacksmithing, candy making, etc. at the same amusement park, studying Karst forms in a cave tour, and getting some phys ed and nature study on a one day canoe trip.  Quite an educational gold mine if you ask me.  

Although traveling with three kids and a husband has its share of moments (uh oh, mom is grumpy!), it was amazing how it showcases the growth and development in my kids. 

I was amazed several times by Jordan’s willingness to stretch herself beyond her comfort zone as she went on every single ride she was tall enough for–even went on some with just big sister and brother while I watched from the sidelines.  Also, the 1000’s of steps on the cave tour would have once been a painstakingly slow and focused same step forward procession, but she breezed through the whole thing.

Alex always excels at physical sports and loves the thrill of the coaster, but still I was struck by his abilities to adjust and learn on the canoe trip as he quickly learned the navigational skills and made our canoe the one to beat (because, of course, everything is a game to him).     I also noticed how he was able to bounce back from minor disappointments without turning them into major battles.  A big step for him.

Aubrey and I didn’t make the best canoe mates (to put it lightly).   But, rather than deciding to make everyone suffer for the whole trip after she got irrationally mad at me for not doing something her way, she was able to come up to me and ask for a do-over.  At that point I decided that her and her dad would make a better team.   Though she IS a teenager and does have some attitude, she really is a good sport and pleasant to be around most of the time (when she isn’t pointing out everything I am doing wrong, that is, lol). She was great at taking her brother and sister on rides without us—making them all feel quite grown up.   

So, this week we are back to it.   Aubrey was at camp during our little intro to school, so she is starting in full gear today as a 9th grader.   She is doing World History, Spanish and a short physics unit watching the Physis in Your Life series by Teaching Co. and she will continue working through her geometry text.   For writing, I intended for her to do an online course but didn’t have the funds so she is going to do some writing strands as well as continue work on some fan fiction she has been doing with a group of friends based on the Warrior series.   Not my idea of great literature, but it has definately inspired her to write.    

We’ve done some schooly stuff this week.  Can’t really call it an offical school start, but something of the sort.

The big hit this week?  Cursive.   I’m a bit surprised that, as homeschoolers, cursive attained the position of “something big cool kids do”.  But, the allure was there, the motivation, and, I soon discovered, the aptitude as well.   I was nervous–Jordan, despite a second year of kindergarten and months of OT did not successfully write her letters until well into her 7th year.   She now has beautiful handwriting.   Alex has really taken off with the cursive, but Jordan is reveling in her slow but steady sequential success.  It is the first thing they have wanted to work on every day.  

We’re also working on some 2nd grade grammar and spelling workbooks.  Which leads me to my deep dark confession.    We play games.  We do living math.  We do interest led projects.  We do science experiments.  You know, the cool stuff. But–and here is the confession–I like workbooks.   A nice neat little package that, when complete, fits in a file proclaiming my child’s mastery.  A bit much?  Agreed.   However, last year I did not feel like Jordan and Alex progressed as much as I’d hoped in writing/spelling/grammar.  I picked up a couple of books from the publisher Evan-Moor and they are working through them.  And learning.   And Alex is asking where is Singapore math book is (did I mention I’m broke—the grammar workbooks are from a 2nd grade splurge, I’m still working on picking up 3rd grade stuff here and there).    The workbooks have a much more organized, complete agenda than I ever had.  I find myself going “Oh, I hadn’t thought of going over that!”.   Over the Summer Jordan has picked up a few of those grocery store workbooks on various topics.  And she diligently worked through them and made progress in math and writing and spelling.    The kids are much more willing to tackle a section in their book–they can see what is required, work on it and feel like they’ve accomplished something.   There, I’ve said it.  Next thing you know I’ll be selling my David Albert books on ebay so I can afford more workbooks. 

And of course, tomorrow I’ll proclaim I’m unschooling or something completely different, lol.  But, for now, the kids are needing structure, I’m needing guidance, and so our Language arts is going to look more schoolish (much like our math has been).  

I remember, both as a child and with my children when they were younger and attended school, that the first day of school was surrounded by a lot of ritual.  There was getting a new backpack, or dusting off the old one.  There was getting new school supplies.   New outfit/clothes.   Calling friends to see what teacher they got.   Going out for ice cream after the first day.   I’m sitting here a bit nostalgic for it all. 

We don’t really have a first day.  Our last day kind of came after the fact—oh, we don’t seem to be doing school anymore, so I guess school is over for the summer.  We finished up various topics in a staggered fashion and the school year just kind of fizzled out.   And, over the summer they’ve been working a bit on math and reading.   Today is the first day I’m cracking open some new stuff.  So it is kind of like a first day, but we’re not really doing much so it is more like a slightly longer summer practice day.  

Since I’m feeling nostalgic, I may have to come up with something to “celebrate” this first day back.  Or not.   They didn’t share in these rituals long enough to have them mean anything for them.  And, really, it isn’t a true “first day” in that we’re going to do a few slightly more academic things a couple of times this week, next week, then go on a short vacation.