End of the year
Homeschooling at the moment is very relaxing! All of our classes are winding down and we are having little windows of time to finish up the planned lessons for this year. Our official end date is the Friday of the 3rd week in June, however I am going to keep Speed going through the summer and both children will be in a continuing reading program .
On reflection I am very happy with the progress of the children this year. I couldn’t imagine putting them back in school especially now I know what is available out there for them. I have made wonderful friends during the year, have gotten to know our county better and the resources available and have found so many exciting avenues for learning. We can now pick and choose what we are doing based on our passions and I feel comfortable knowing the children are thriving without school in our lives.
I chatted with Chuckles about what she would like to do again next year. We can be organized next year (?!)now we know what we want to do! This is what we have on the list so far:
- Destination ImagiNation
- CT Invention Convention
- CT Science Fair
- Geobee Challenge
- Shakespeare Play
- Junior Curator Program (Nature Center: Farm Animals)
- Inventor’s Workshops
- Wilderness School
- Pottery and drawing
- French, choir, tennis, swimming
- Classic book club, chess club
- At least 1 art exhibition
- Scratch/Cricket workshops/technology
In addition I will be providing her the Montessori elementary curriculum. I can see we are going to be busy again. I would like to focus next year on writing and self expression as an underlying theme.
Speed is going to have a completely different list! There will be a lot of nature, technology, science, math, reading, art, cooking and French. He will be doing a lot of movement, lego league, boy scouts, swimming and chess.
I just started the Montessori elementary curriculum with him and I will be continuing that next year.
My most pressing job is to get a great big calendar and try and work out how we can fit it all in without going crazy! I also need to choose read aloud books and order some extra curriculum that the children like. I am going to write out a plan of the order of Montessori lessons I intend to give and make sure all the materials are made for the lessons and on hand. I plan to be ready before the end of June.
Wish me luck!
May 28th, 2009 at 9:19 am
You should be immensely proud of what you have accomplished this year. What an invaluable contribution you have made to the children in particular and to the family in general. Removing all the unproductive school noise that stiffle creativity, feed self doubt and insecurity has allowed these children to thrive in the knowledge that they are bound only by the intellectual curiosity to explore and conquer without the fear of judgement. You are truly an inspirational guide and we are all so lucky to have you in our lives. I am so grateful for all that you do, for your passion, your commitment and your steadfast determination to let the big picture and your boundless creativity drive your actions. I am so very proud of you.
May 28th, 2009 at 10:59 am
I am so impressed of all the things we acomplished this year! I can’t wait to start next year.