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Homeschooling? What's up with that? 5/29/02

Why do we want to homeschool? This is one question we have been asked by everyone who knows we are homeschooling. And it is a funny thing - I mean, why would anyone in their right mind want to willingly put themselves through something like homeschooling? Having to spend all day with the kids -no break in a few years when they go away to school - no free time - why do that to ourselves?

Well, it can be hard and there are days when I wish all my kids, even my three month old, went away to school, at least for a little while, so I can get a break; but Craig and I committed ourselves to this a while before Aden was old enough to attend school, so that may have a bit to do with it. Not to say everyone agrees with what we are doing - even some of our family thinks this is too strange. So one day I called my sister in a bit of a panic of "am I doing the right thing?" She said to me: "Michelle, you were always wierd growing up, and we knew you would do something wierd like this when you got older. We expected it." So at least I fit the profile for my sister and mom's expectations.

Getting back to the subject, though, there are a few reasons that really stand out in my head of why we decided to homeschool. One of the biggest things is that it was Craig's casual mention of it first that really made it hit home - that and his unrelenting support of what we are doing. Some people don't have support, so the fact I have it from a primary person in our family makes it so nice. However, on the day of this memory, we were driving near San Bernadino, the armpit of the nation, and I was pregnant with Aden. We were listening to Rush Limbaugh of all things - yikes!- and he was talking about environmental programs at a particular school, and I appalled at what I was hearing - donate a week's worth of $$ to environment causes -what about feeding my kids? and babysitting a tree? I didn't know they couldn't look out for themselves - the ones in my yard seem to be doing a great job on their own! My disbelief at some of the things on the program led to my saying, "it makes me not want to send my kid to public school!" To which Craig responded, "We can always homeschool." And we left it at that.

Then, later that same week, we heard about an uproar over another program, this one dealing with homosexuality, and a program for it that was being taught to THIRD GRADERS!! I nearly died. That is when homeschooling really started to seem like a good idea, and with my background in tutoring, English, and then college instruction, we figured it would work.

And how do I stand being around my kids all day? Doesn't it drive me nuts? Well, no, not really, because if it did, I certainly wouldn't have three, would I? Plus, I got used to it, and the kids like it. Aden likes to do school with mom, and I love it with him. We do a lot of cut and paste projects, and I love those. Ask anyone who has seen me at one of my kids' birthday parties. I think I enjoy the crafts and games more than the kids.

As for socialization - that end-all argument is pretty clear. Both of my kids have way too many friends, as evidenced by their last birthday parties. Additionally, I got the best compliment this weekend, and have to brag. A friend commented that after he spent the week with his little cousins and nephews and nieces, he can honestly say that we are doing an unbeliveable job with our kids and their behavior. I beamed. Socialization? It's in the bag.

All in all, I am hopeful in seeing some interesting things on this journey. My father in law saw an article about how American kids are 15th in the world in math and science. 15th! The most powerful, industrialized nation in the world! We fall behind third-world countries! How is that possible? I shook my head and commented to him, "And people wonder why I homeschool?" And he replied with an odd laugh, "Yeah."

Near Kindergarten's Edge: 5/24/02

We are at the end of Kindergarten, with only 3 weeks or so left. We give each year a title, like kindergarten, so when asked, Aden can respond with "I'm in Kindergarten," and have something to associate with. It works for us. Right now we are using a Learn at Home text with a lot of supplemental material, which I really like. We get to rearrange things, do theme and unit studies, and work at Aden's level - I really like the flexability. This way I can give Aden the more difficult math, while help him keep up with his reading. I like to play with how we do things, so this do-it-myself curriculum is fun and challenging for the both of us. Plus, I like the "project" concept, so I try to do a lot of projects with Aden., I can't wiat until he can do more research and recording type of projects -then we can really have some fun.

Right now we work for about an hour every morning, and it seems that each day has a slightly different focus. Sometimes it's more math, sometimes reading, sometimes science. We are getting him used to spelling tests, which he sometimes recited aloud in the car as we are running our errands.

Why we do this: Here is what makes it all worth while - We are doing some colonial America studies, and we talked about how the pilgrims came from England, and a little bit on why. The next day, I asked Aden some questions about what we went over the day before. After one "I don't know," to the question of why the pilgrims wanted to leave England, Aden replied (were are only looking for basics here), "Oh! I 'member! They couldn't go to the church they wanted to." And who told them they couldn't? "The king!" And who did they meet in the New World? (not a pc answer-I admit) "The Indians?" Yes, bubby! I was so proud. Sometimes I worry that I'm not doing it right - it's not getting through. Then I have a day like that, and it is all worth it.

Unexpected Perk to Homeschooling: My 2 year old looks like a genuis! She sits and colors while we do "school" and can count in French and English, knows all her colors, and is learning shapes. It is a result of her absorption of what I am doing with Aden, and I didn't plan on that. I noticed it when Aden and I were doing a nursery rhyme - One two, buckle my shoe - and Kaya recited half the rhyme herself. Plus Aden likes to "read" to her, which always makes for an interesting story! Keep posted for more of what we're doing and how it's working!

Feel free to email me: familyd@hotmail.com

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