Learning Curve

Unsurprisingly, the next two days didn't go as well as the first.

Unsurprisingly, because I got caught in the web and didn't get enough sleep on Wednesday night.

Unsurprisingly, because what goes up must come down. If every day was spectacular, then spectacular would be ordinary.

Unsurprisingly, because I have been distracted by other issues, and have not been paying full attention to the boys.

Nonetheless, we are all learning.

I am learning that although I can enlist the boys' help in my projects, there comes a point when they've had enough. Even if I am antsy to get something finished, completion can usually wait until the boys have had the attention they need and deserve. Of course, this is a lesson I suppose I will have to keep practicing.

I am learning that V won't take naps in the afternoon at home anymore. So, early afternoon is probably a good time for a bike (trailer) ride, or a walk (with stroller), or a field trip. At least he'll still sleep when he's strapped in.

I am learning that R & E - especially E, get antsy in the late morning. They need a snack and something active to do at that time.

R seems to be thriving - even these last two days when he hasn't been getting as much attention, homeschooling suits him.

E apparently needs something else, or something more. Perhaps it is only my distraction that has been a problem, but I'll have to keep an eye on him, to find out what we do right when we have a good day.

And what have the boys been learning? Among other things, how to make Jello.

Starting with grains of sand

I had previously talked with R about what he wants to work on in school this year, so it was only fair that I also talk to E about what he wants to work on. For the record, E wants to learn about space, how to build and fly a spaceship, how to build and operate a synagogue, how to cook, and how to build/keep a fish pond. I think I've got it all.

E is something of an imitator. So, when his big brother says he will be a rabbi & sushi chef running a synagogue-restaurant on Mars, E says he will be a rabbi & sushi chef running a synagogue-restaurant on "the purple planet". Hence, the "course selection".

It is a delightful dream they have for the future. I hesitate to help them learn how to do it, for fear they will come to judge it the way I do - as unrealistic. But if their dreams motivate them to learn, I couldn't stand in their way if I wanted to. I resign myself to the fact that they will grow up, as children must, and hope that the motivation to learn stays with them whether the dreams whither or grow.

These grains of sand are my curriculum.

School days are nearly here

Welcome to my home school blog. Here I intend to chronicle the ups and downs of our new endeavor together as a family.

Three beautiful boys will be learning at this school, in addition to mom and dad.

R, age 7, is the impetus for us to start homeschooling. He is very bright, but apparently, as often happens with bright children, his development is somewhat asynchronous. He loves science, particularly space science, and math, and is a good reader. Writing is more difficult - I don't think it is the physical act of writing so much as figuring out how to organize his ideas so that they can be written down. He is a visual-spatial learner. Along with difficulties in writing, he also follows the V-S profile in that he has a hard time attending to and following directions. Not a good recipe for doing well in traditional school, especially when he finds the subject matter extremely easy. Strong-willed as well, he will make home schooling an adventure for sure.

E, age 4, was bored with preschool last year by March. And with his brother homeschooling, there just wouldn't be any way to send him to pre-K. He is extremely observant, loves to tell stories - there are entire universes inside his head, it seems - and lately has become very interested in reading.

V, age 1.5, will probably be our motivation to think creatively (as to how we can include him) more than anything else. I'm sure he will not abide being kept out of the "action". He seems to say and understand a lot for his age, but is more interested in ripping books than reading them.

I've been doing some reading to prepare me for this new endeavor. I recently completed Linda Dobson's Homeschooling: The Early Years, and Homeschooling, The First Year. I am currently working on Upside-Down Brilliance: The Visual-Spatial Learner by Linda Kreger Silverman. In my queue are also Teach Your Own by John Holt and Patrick Farenga, The Edison Trait, by Lucy Jo Palladino, and the unschooling handbook: How to Use the Whole World As Your Child's Classroom, by Mary Griffith. Phew! That's a lot of pages. How will I manage it all while caring for, teaching, and encouraging three young boys? I suppose I will soon find out.

The Oyster School official starts September 1. We don't have any curriculum planned, just some idea that we will study science, math, and cooking, and take swimming lessons (per discussion with R - needs to be updated also with E's input!). I suppose I am aiming for an eclectic/unit studies/unschooling approach. (If I make the target that big, do you think I will hit?)

We also have a general agreement that video games will have to wait until after "school". But if we don't have anything concrete planned? Well, I think learning to organize our time will also be a very good lesson for the first few months.

Wish us luck. We're off on a great adventure.

Edited to fix spelling.