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| I want more of this.......... |
I really want our homeschool to be lots of reading (it often is), bible/character training, note booking, writing, science projects, history projects, games, memorizing, art/music and films. I want to take advantage of holidays and special days like, "Pi Day," "National Skateboarding Day," and "Winnie the Pooh Day" so we can do fun activities that are out of the norm. I get tired of the workbook pages, the next grammar lesson, and having to"squeeze in" the "fun" stuff. I know, I know, my philosophy has often been, "it doesn't have to be fun it just needs to get done." I am tired of following "what's next." I want to explore different topics and go less by the book. I say that, but then I start to mentally back track. I freak out or get scared or something. I have a crazy fear that I am really going to screw something up if I become less structured.
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| ...and this..... |
I think I have a happy medium right now - we read a lot, do the occasional fun project, but we don't do as much note booking or writing that I would like to. We definitely don't do the artist and composer studies that I want to do, and we don't listen to as much music as I'd like to either. That is one thing I would like to change - add in more are and music - but in order to add those in something else has to go because there just aren't enough hours in the day.
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| ...and this. |
I decided for January I am just going to let go of the heavy language arts and focus more on science, history and fine arts. Noodle reads really well, and he aces all his Rod and Staff grammar assignments. Therefore, I am thinking it is okay to put those items on the back burner temporarily and focus more on fine arts, history and science. I think we can successfully tackle writing within those subjects.
What about you? Are you changing things up this semester? Do you have a vision for your homeschool that you struggle implementing?
8 comments:
Ok, this is scary. Were you reading my mind this past month? I've had the same curriculum blues you have, and I decided not to fight it.
We do math four times a week, but have scaled down on grammar and composition in favor of more "fun" activities. We have even stopped doing daily spelling lessons and cursive handwriting.
I've been letting my son write short essays on his history and science books, and I sometimes use them to work on grammar, spelling, and handwriting. The day goes so much smoother now, and I don't get as much whining.
I'm looking forward to reading about how it's working out for you and your son.
BTW, Happy New Year!!!
Mary, our focused are Reading, Writing, and Math. Those are non-negotiables for EVERY day. I do try to do some kind of grammar. But, honestly, I feel like with all of the reading and writing they do, they are getting it even though they don't realize it. Just take that attitude. Grammar is in everything Noodle reads and writes.
Then we always have a unit going on. It's usually geography. But sometimes we set that aside for a week to do a science unit.
We are getting ready to do a book club with our neighbor using the book "Paddle to the Sea" by Holling C. Holling. It is LOADED with geography and science. So, we are going to do a chapter a week and then meet with our neighbor for a fun project once a month.
I'd like to get back to more cooking and art for us this next semester. We are going to make multiplication and cursive handwriting a priority.
You'll figure it out. Just have fun with that boy and don't concentrate so much on test scores! :)
Must be something in the water. I just published a post about this today. We are doing more interest led learning. I am maintaining the basics but letting go of some other things so that my child can explore some areas that he is interested in. I really struggled to let go of the plan since I had planned what I thought would be a wonderful year. But I am breaking free and going for it. Wishing you the best and you change it up.
Mary - I have often struggled also and you have been doing this way longer than I have. you know that your children will learn no matter what you are doing. Fun is key! I am sure that if you dont do all the music instruction you want the boys will still be fine men of God! Go with your heart! XO melissa
I tend to be really rigid with our math and grammar and then less so with other things like history and science. I had great plans for learning about the orchestra and different composers this year but have to get to any of it!
Maybe I should be trying to scale back somewhere so we can have the music that I want this year. Thanks for posing an idea for thought as we roll into the new year! Thank you as well for linking up with us over at NOBH!
I could have written this post!! I am struggling with the same exact issues/concerns. I want our homeschool to be more "fun," with reading, hands-on activities, etc. Just when I feel I'm successfully pulling away from the "if it's Tuesday at 10, you must be doing..." mentality, I seem to go right back to it. I am going to try to work on this in 2013, as well, and will enjoy reading how you approach your new focus! Happy New Year! May God bless your family abundantly in 2013!
Love to hear your story on Homeschooling! My step daughter goes to public school so it is neat to hear how they differ so much!
this is a great thing its more becomming these days for a lot of family
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