The time has come, the walrus said ... to take all the good things I've learned from so many approaches, and DO what I think is right. Without worrying about what other people think. I love that each of my home ed. friends has a unique approach to nurturing their children. I enjoy the debates we have about benefits of each viewpoint. I need to stop agonising over choices so much and get on with it already!!
Today I read a very wisely written post , which expresses eloquently WHY curriculum/method decisions are so emotionally charged, and how to think rationally about it. It's the "what, why and how" of one homeschool family. I love it.
For a few months I have been drifting home to my favourite, eclectic mix of approaches. I've dabbled with a mix of my existing resources, most of which are left-overs from my teaching years. Picking and choosing, experimenting, observing, thinking. Researching new resources, buying secondhand, borrowing and trying.
For our home school (and life), I want
... flexibility and routine, sparkiness and diligence
... to ignite interests, fuel imaginations, have adventures
... wholesome, quality, faith-building content
... challenging, creative, invigorating, interesting
I've spent many hours this term reading reviews and comparing curriculum choices for each subject in our homeschool for next year. For each subject there is such a mind-boggling range of methods, philosophies, depth and breadth of content, price range and ... so many CHOICES. The outcome, my plan, is eclectic and tailored to our children and family life. I'm not striving for unattainable perfection, but am seeking to do my best. I know plans change and reality looks different to imagined reality. I can live with that :)
In the post I linked to earlier Jess summed up her goal so nicely, and it expresses what Pete and I want too ... "a loving, positive family home that equips our children with a love of the Lord and a love of learning."
Jasi is begging to have her turn on the computer. She's desperate to do her maths!
She's said, "Can I do it now?" about 27 times.
Guess that's my cue to get out of the way. Bye for now!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Quick Update
On my writing blog, Ink Island, is a summary of some things which have been keeping my mind and pen busy lately.
Aside from that, I've been drafting some posts about our home ed. plans and possibilities, and the resources I've chosen for various subjects next year (never 100% sure though, as things change). They'll be ready to share soon. This has taken an inordinate amount of time!! I think I've read a billion reviews and samples, and have scribbled a notepad full of comparisons, pros and cons, and combinations which 'might' work really well for us.
It's quite a challenge at the moment to even attempt to record what our days and weeks have been like ... a fizz-whizzing hazy blur ... but here's a bit of the puzzle ...
* we're loving the warmer weather, with swimming lessons and boogie boarding at the beach
* my health is still up and down, but may all be linked to my thyroid (early results point to Hashimoto's Disease) , food allergies/ intolerances and perhaps PCOS ... more tests ahead yet, but then again, I could just be healed by the Lord at any time :)
* the children are delightful, always industriously playing, talking, singing, making music or running riot, challenging me in new ways every day
* we are doing 'school' work for an hour or two a few times a week. Of course plenty of natural learning too, which always excites me to see, but I'm more comfortable when we combine it with purposeful, deliberate lessons ... it's all about attitude, timing, priorities, mutual respect and learning styles
* this weekend we're going up the coast to support an outreach (and stay in a resort) ... and our Christmas camp (also with church) is coming up so fast I feel I should soon start packing.
That's part of my recent history ... please drop me a hello if you're still around and forgive my infrequent web presence!
Aside from that, I've been drafting some posts about our home ed. plans and possibilities, and the resources I've chosen for various subjects next year (never 100% sure though, as things change). They'll be ready to share soon. This has taken an inordinate amount of time!! I think I've read a billion reviews and samples, and have scribbled a notepad full of comparisons, pros and cons, and combinations which 'might' work really well for us.
It's quite a challenge at the moment to even attempt to record what our days and weeks have been like ... a fizz-whizzing hazy blur ... but here's a bit of the puzzle ...
* we're loving the warmer weather, with swimming lessons and boogie boarding at the beach
* my health is still up and down, but may all be linked to my thyroid (early results point to Hashimoto's Disease) , food allergies/ intolerances and perhaps PCOS ... more tests ahead yet, but then again, I could just be healed by the Lord at any time :)
* the children are delightful, always industriously playing, talking, singing, making music or running riot, challenging me in new ways every day
* we are doing 'school' work for an hour or two a few times a week. Of course plenty of natural learning too, which always excites me to see, but I'm more comfortable when we combine it with purposeful, deliberate lessons ... it's all about attitude, timing, priorities, mutual respect and learning styles
* this weekend we're going up the coast to support an outreach (and stay in a resort) ... and our Christmas camp (also with church) is coming up so fast I feel I should soon start packing.
That's part of my recent history ... please drop me a hello if you're still around and forgive my infrequent web presence!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Watch for World Diabetes Day
Please watch this delightful clip ... here's why!!
Wasn't that lovely!! And less painful than a finger-prick test!
Thanks for your support.
P.S. There are lot's of ideas cooking, things happening and resources being reviewed at Chrysalis Island at present. I'll update you all soon.
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