Homeschooling: Trial and Error

We started the beginning of our Homeschooling Adventure back in July.  We have officially completed 5 weeks and we took one week off last week for VBS.

 

The first 3 weeks seemed to go super smooth.  It almost seemed like I was doing something wrong, or leaving something out.  It helped that we were able to ease into the daily requirements.  IE We didn't add daily reading, or seat work (aka homework), until week two or three.  It also helped that Blaine still had a clear preference for a looooong morning nap which gave me plenty of time to focus on the material I needed to with Ryan.  Plus, when things are new they are exciting.  Ryan was attentive for the most part; very excited for learning cursive.  Much of the material the first few weeks seemed very easy for Ryan as well; a review.  Colin was fairly content just sitting at the table coloring or doing a puzzle in the living room.

 

I guess you can call that the "Honeymoon Period" in a sense.  Easy, sweet, new.

 

Weeks 4 and 5 added some new obstacles.  Mainly in part to Blaine switching (overnight it seems) to afternoon naps.  Blaine isn't really a good "toy-player" at this point...he likes to "destroy".  The destruction stage is my least favorite.  If you haven't experienced this stage it's pretty much where they go into every room and pull out whatever they want to and leave it on the floor and move onto the next room.  It's not always that bad...it takes time to train them.  Time and attention.  Two things that have been difficult while in the other room helping Ryan.  I have a few toy items that I have tried entertaining him with in the same room, but the destruction part of him shines through and he normally plays with it for a second and then gets bored and leaves it on the floor to go find something else.  (More training needed there as well, I know!)

 

Colin will still sit there and color, or I'll give him a few "papers" to do.  If he has papers he requires more one-on-one attention/direction than Ryan does.  Ryan gets easily distracted by him and Colin is happy to distract.  :)

 

It became clear very quickly that the way we had the schedule set up the first 3 weeks, wasn't going to work anymore.  The end of week 4 and most of week 5 was a conglomerate of experimentation with the schedule.  Don't have it figured out yet. 

 

I know it's going to take more work on my part to find constructive things for Colin and Blaine to do as well.  I have come across a few ideas, but am still lacking some of the energy needed to get them prepped.  (This is when I wish I could get like a week off, with an unlimited amount of energy supply, to set up some things that will make the rest of our home run more smoothly.)

 

Ryan has already shown moments of boredom and disinterest.  One of his tests in particular showed a lack of any real effort on his part; messy writing, skipping entire problems.  (This of course left a great opportunity for us to talk about working for the Lord in everything that we do!)  Sometimes it seems like there is A LOT of seat work.  While he has already shown improvement in some areas, there is a part of me that questions whether or not this curriculum is the best for him.

 

Although, I wanted a curriculum that was laid out for me to begin with, my "Type A"/Square personality is also kicking in and feeling the need to complete EVERY little thing and to get it done quickly.  To get it done so I can check it off the list for the day.  I pray that my heart and mind will be better attuned to the bigger picture.  That I can cherish that time with him. 

 

I'm still getting used to maneuvering through the materials and in finding a way of organizing it that works best for us.  I tried pulling out most of the seat work/tests ahead of time and then had trouble finding where I put them when needed.  Better labeling might help...or just leaving them in the books till needed.  Some of the teacher manuals seem choppy...in the sense that I feel like I keep going back and forth between books.  I'm sure it will start to feel more and more normal as we go.

 

We are covering the basics...Bible Memory, Phonics, Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic.  Science and History will be added in about 5 more weeks I think.  I still feel like there's something missing.  I know I want to spend more time in character training and spiritual training, but I'm not exactly sure what this will/should look like at this point.  I've collected a few resources over the years, just unsure of how to put them into "play".

 

There is also a Homeschooling Group here in Bamberg.  I've met a few of the other HS moms over the last few weeks, but we have our first picnic with the group this Wednesday.  The HS group offers Art, Gym, and Choir once a week.  I would really like to participate in the Art and Gym classes, but not exactly sure how it's going to work with our schedule yet.  The classes are two different days, but at 1 PM.  Blaine's new nap time.  :)  I really want to go and participate, and hope that Colin would enjoy it as well; just not sure how it's going to pan out yet.  I've heard that some of the mom's are willing to help carpool too.  The building where the classes are offered aren't too far away and I've thought about doing some pre-training with Ryan and letting him ride his bike there and back if needed.  I think the last two options are both doable, but neither of them include me being there which I feel bummed about.  Ryan is also signed up for Pee-Wee Soccer this fall, so we might forgo Gym to start with, that way Blaine only has one nap to miss/postpone each week.  This is another area that will be trial and error.

 

The other obstacle that I've been working on/praying about is PWOC (Protestant Women of the Chapel).  They meet Wednesday mornings from 9-11:30 AM.  From the beginning it has been my wish to do school 4 days a week, without loosing time in the school year.  This would leave a day for catch-up/fun/chores/etc.  Plus it would work great for those weeks that Tim has a 3-day or 4-day weekend.  I'm still in experimental mode though as how to fit 5 days of curriculum into 4.  We tried doing two days in one..which seemed to work in some things, but it was pretty stressful overall.  This week I think we are going to try doubling up in one subject per day and see how that goes.  I just need to find a system to keep track of what lesson I'm on in each subject then.  PWOC Kick-off is this week as well.  I plan on attending to see what classes they will be offering then we will skip out early for our HS Picnic.

 

My heart is very torn on PWOC.  While I have been encouraged by some other HS mom's (not from here) to attend if possible, I also know that there are different season's in our lives and I'm not sure this is my season for PWOC.  At the same time, I yearn for spiritual growth, challenges, and spiritual accountability (little of which we are getting from Chapel).  I know the best thing that I can do for my kids is to seek after God whole-heartedly.  While I know much of that seeking has to be done on my own time, I am looking for a "tool" in pushing me in that direction.  Is PWOC it?  Or will I maybe find it in one of the other HS moms?

 

All that said, I don't regret this decision to HS at all!  I am looking forward to hopefully meeting some more of the seasoned HS mom's and glean from their wisdom and experience (especially the ones with boys!).  I expect most of this first year will be a whole lot of trial and error.  Praying for continued direction.