Reflections on Our First Year Homeschooling

My third grader just completed his "progress" test required by the state. And, now I feel like it is time to reflect on how our first year has gone.

First I want to say that I am so glad I decided to homeschool. It isn't always easy. There have definitely been days when I think, "What in the world am I doing? Why did I leave my job to stay home with these ungrateful children? " But those days have become fewer and farther between as the year has progressed. And, when I reflected on it, I realized my children aren't ungrateful--they are children. I also realized that my thoughts were actually selfish and unkind. Everyday I get to see them growing and discovering new things about themselves and about the world around them. I've concluded that I am truly lucky to have this opportunity!

I definitely feel like I need to be more organized. As I am going through his paperwork, trying to make sure I have a portfolio with a good representation of materials that show what we've done this year, I keep finding stuff that I'd wanted to do, but didn't get around to doing. I think the reason for this is wasn't lack of time--it was my lack of organization.

Another thing I would like to do next year is more cross-curricular projects. (Any ideas, let me know!) One of his weak areas is capitalization and punctuation. I hope that I can incorporate some fun writing activities into the cross-curricular units. And try to teach grammar and usage in an applied manner. He seems to be really turned off by traditional grammar lessons, so I definitely need to find a different way to teach this.

For math this year I relied a lot on worksheets. Next year I am going to use a math text book. Toward the end of the year I found a really old math text and started using it to do some review assignments. Copying the problems from the book and then solving them actually seemed to help him pay attention to the signs and how the numbers line up. (I used to do a lot of math tutoring and even taught math for a little while. I am a stickler for neatness in math!)

Another big change for next year is how I handle my younger son's schooling. Last year he was 3 for most of the year, so we did stuff when he was interested. I wasn't very structured with what he was doing. Next year he will actually be 4 (pre-school age). I want to organize lessons for him, while respecting that he is still a little boy. I think he is ready to begin more structured lessons. About a week before he turned 4, he told me, "When I turn 4 I will do school like brubber."

I truly believe that kids are natural learners. They will absorb stuff they find interesting like sponges. As I am making plans for next year I want to remember that one of the reasons I decided to homeschool is as a teacher and a parent I saw daily how traditional school turns kids off from learning. I did not want my eager, inquisitive young children to become the apathetic, indolent students I taught in high school. So, I will try to be careful as I (with my adult mentality and perceptions) look at activities and lesson ideas and think well that is "very interesting (to me)." I will also think is it fun, can I make it fun for the boys, is there a more engaging way I can do this with the boys.

Hawksbill Greenway

Today we loaded up the bikes and went to a wonderful park in Luray, VA. It is called the Hawksbill Greenway. It runs along Hawksbill Creek in Luray. We met some of the families from our field trip group there. We rode bikes around the first loop. (There is a cow pasture in the middle of the loop, which was neat. Right now there are a few calves. But, no touching. The enclosure is surrounded by an electric fence.) Everyone walked along the creek and looked at the signs that showed the water level was high because of all the rain we'd had lately. One of the boys had brought a net and the kids took turns dipping the net in the creek. They even caught a little fish, which they did release. The kids collected caterpillars off the paths (so noone would step on them). We looked at gypsy moth nests and talked about how destructive some types of insects can be. Even a fun time at the park can be educational. But just as important, we all got to exercize.

Exercise!

When my son was in public school, I was concerned and frustrated by the lack of physical activity the children received. With all the media attention given to childhood obesity in the United States, you would think schools (where the majority of children spend the greater part of the daylight hours) would be doing more to get children physically active. Yes, reading and math are important, but you aren't going to develop diabetes or heart disease if you don't do them for hours on end 5 days a week. Where as lack of physical activity does lead to major health problems that will follow you through the rest of your life.
Children also need to release energy. To have children (especially boys) sitting in desks for hours really isn't natural. However, elementary classes have gone from having physical education class every school day to only having p.e. 2-3 times each week. (It saves the school system from having to pay for multiple p.e. teachers.) In addition recess is given at the teachers' discretion. Teacher has to get paperwork done, students need to review material for an upcoming standardized test, then no outdoor recess.
Ok, now that I've had my rant. One thing I love about homeschooling is the amount of time we can spend outside, being active (or not)! We have science lessons outside, where the kids can really experience the things we've read about in books. We do social studies demonstrations. We spread out on the patio to do big, messy art projects. We can just sit outside and read. It is great!
In addition to playing, we also participate in sports. My oldest son plays soccer with the local soccer association. He plays in the spring and fall. My sister (who also homeschools her two children) takes her kids to an informal soccer clinic for homeschoolers once a week. My oldest son also takes karate classes. (J has been doing soccer and karate since he was 5. E is eagerly awaiting the time when he will be old enough to join "brubber.")