Ohmystinkinheck

A lot of you have been writing me to ask how the homeschooling has gone; of course, this is only our first week, but already a schedule seems to have ironed itself out and we are moving along at a pace that seems to be comfortable for all of us.

I know that some of you want much more detail than others, so I won’t go into length about how I manage to homeschool three children of differing ages using three different sets of curriculum. Truth is, the Lord’s hand HAS been in it because when I tried to graph out a schedule of WHEN each kid gets a piece of ME there didn’t seem to be a solution. I went to bed with a prayer, “Please, get me through tomorrow.”

And ‘tomorrow’ was glorious.

Let me show you the first reason that our homeschool is amazing.

Emelie is as good as any Teacher’s Aid. Not only is she responsible, independent, and serious about doing the best work she can, but she is also a mentor to Kenny. She does his READ ALOUD with him (presently The Boxcar Children) and asks him the corresponding comprehension questions. She also does his morning Bible reading with him, stopping for words he might not understand, or to ask him a question to make sure he’s staying on track with her.

She is my right hand. And? She still thinks it is ridiculous the number of photos I take and often turns her back long enough to hear my click and then shoots me a “You didn’t get me!” grin. Goober.

To answer one question, yes we do study ACTUAL subjects. I know there are many different thoughts to homeschooling - ours is a relaxed classical approach; which just means we do a LOT of reading, but I’m terrified at Latin - so we don’t do it…yet (That’s where the “relaxed” part of our approach comes in.)

Right now Meredith’s Core 3 Curriculum has her moving through The Story of the USA - Book 1: Explorers and Settlers, as sort of her text. I have her read it aloud so I can hear and correct any mistakes AND she slows down to better retain it. Kenny sticks around to listen and makes comments here and there.

In her study of the early Americans she read about the Aztecs today, “Are you kidding me?” she half asks and half states, “Did they really sacrifice their young women by throwing them off the top of the temples?”

“No Mer”, I responded, “they just say that to add to the story.”

Kenny mumbled something I missed.

After a short while I realized Kenny’s drawing very closely resembled Meredith’s reading.

"Young women were thrown off the tops of the temples. While these things happened, thousands of people chanted and sang and beat drums to please the gods."

I got tickled at his efficiency.

I didn’t snap the shot before the eraser hit it, but soon after an enormous bus with about a hundred windows pulled-up to provide transportation to all the villagers. I think that’s how it happened at Woodstock too.

I’m just guessing.

The other question I have received was “Do you do worksheets?” The answer? Yes, we do worksheets - fill in the blank, true or false, and multiple guess choice, but my favorite way to test their comprehension is in conversation or through the use of narration.

Meredith prefers oral narrations - where she can verbally tell me 5 things she remembers about her readings. With her Readers (mostly fictional books she can read on her own that relate specifically to our History studies), she has to write her narrations and then I correct misspellings and punctuation) she can spout out a ton of stuff. The ‘dry’ textbook readings are a bit harder, but thankfully short, AND a lot of the information is so closely woven with her interesting readers and read alouds, that she retains more than she would otherwise.

That really is true for all of us.

The most common question I get (other than “Are you crazy?”) is “What curriculum do you use?” We use all kinds of curriculum, but we purchase it grouped by Sonlight. We’ve ordered from them in the past and it saves tons of shipping fees because they carry a variety of programs and curricula that can be customized into a Core Curriculum that best suits your child’s method of learning.

If you have any other questions I’d be glad to answer them from time to time, either here or personally. I’m no expert on homeschooling. We’ve done it before and we’re doing it again, but with added conviction. It is a hoot to teach my kids - and though I know I’ll want to run shrieking from my home on some days, the majority of days I feel blessed to have that freedom.

36 Responses to “You say curriculum and I say curricula…”

1. Kate

   There’s a small secret part of me that is really envious. I’m so glad to hear that you’re off to a good start!

2. NurseBettyLBoop

   Good for you! Go for it teacher/mommy!!! I hs’d for grades 4-6 then to ps, then my bro did for k-4 then to ps, next sister for k-10 then to career center, another sister k-working on 10th next year to career center, last 2 sis’ k-5, k-6 currently. And I will hs mine when they get here ;^)

3. d-ann

   I was taught at home, and I am so glad that my parents took the time.

4. bethany actually

   I am SO going to sit and observe a day of school in your house one of these days! I want to see it in action.

   How many hours a day will you spend doing lessons on an average day? Are you working planned field trips into your schedule or are you just saying, “Every other Friday we’ll do something cool outside the house?”

5. bethany actually

   Oops, I meant to check the “notify me” box so I am commenting again to do that. :-)

6. Anna

   Wow this brings back memories! I was home schooled from grade 5-8.
   I have mixed feelings over the time and have to admit that i had a really tough adjustment going back into the public system for high school.
   However looking back now I see it differently and now am getting into the home schooling group for pre school this year, and am going to be teaching in their social group program.
   I could spew my whole story but what I really wanted to say is that I admire you so much!
   I remember giving my mom a headache or two–along with my 5 younger siblings as we all did our school work. At the time we did the ACE program and it was all book work. Now my two youngest siblings are doing a video program with way more interaction. I am glad that there are so many curricular choices now.
   And I am now excited to teach at home too.
   I hope it goes well for all of you and you continue to love it, fun!

7. MMM

   Oh, that Kenny! What a hoot!

8. Mim

   I think I am one of the few public school teachers who supports homeschooling! In most cases, homeschooling parents know what is best for their children and create appropriate and engaging programs. I wish I could homeschool my youngest. He really doesn’t like school and we could have a much more appropriate program for him on our own. But that is not a choice :(

   Keep up the good work kids!

9. chocolatechic

   Yeaaaaaaaaaaah !!!

   We are taking it a bit slower this year. It is a difficult change since the boy has graduated, and it is only the girl learning.

   She misses her brother so much, and has a picture of them on her desk.

10. Just Beachy

    I, too, am envious, my son would be a great homeschooled child (more creative, hands-on approach, rather than sit in a chair and be taught approach), but, me, I would not make a good homeschooling mom. <– least I know this about myself!

    Also, When I clicked over to your site, it was early and I read curriculum as circumcision and was like Oh Lord what has Mr. OMSH done now?

11. Gayle

    I’m another envious commenter, but like Just Beachy, I don’t think I would be a good homeschooling mom. I really admire you moms that homeschool.

12. Kim

    Congrats Heather - I love homeschooling - I just have a 5th and a 6th grader. I’m wondering how you are handling sports this year. Lexi is playing on a HS softball team, but we haven’t locked anything down for my son. We finally got our study finished and it’s wonderful to get set up and leave it.

13. mary

    I am fascinated by this! I look forward to reading more tales…

14. Natalie

    3 cheers for homeschool!

15. Natalie

    Make that 6, because homeschooling is twice as good!

16. karen

    Homeschooling fascinates me, but I don’t have the patience for it and Chris is a little too disorganized to pull it off. Also? I’d miss the tiny thrill of tax-dollar value I feel when watching the school bus take my children off for six hours of blissful quiet structured care each day.

17. Michelle

    I know it sounds horrible but I know I’m not alone when I say I’ll be looking forward to my kids leaving in the morning to go to school for 8 hours, giving me some peace. I congratulate you on that note for homeschooling.

18. Claire in CA, USA

    I find it very sad that people want their kids gone for 8 hours a day. One of my biggest reasons for homeschooling is that I want to instill my values in them, and get to know them as well as I can. I know homeschooling isn’t for everyone…that previous comment just made me sad.

    My oldest is highly self-motivated, like your Emelie, and some of my favorite homeschool memories of this past few years is of her helping her brother. He is very receptive to her (when he sometimes isn’t to me).

    Sounds like y’all are having a great start! We’re “officially” starting on Monday, though the kids have done some school all summer. There are just too many fun things to do during the school year, so we end up missing some days of school and have to make ‘em up. :-)

19. Claire in CA, USA

    I just read some other comments about not being patient enough to homeschool, etc. I have many friends who said the same thing…and then the Lord told them to homeschool. If you feel led to homeschool, please don’t stop at “I’m not patient enough.” There is the rare parent who doesn’t lose patience with their kids…when you live with them day in and day out, and really know them well, you have more patience with them. School is a spiritual issue, and should be prayed about.

    I have a dear friend who told me that she is much more in tune with her kids during the summer, because she spends all her time with them. During school, the only time she spends with them is in the evening (while watching them do homework, because 8 hours of school a day isn’t enough, apparently), and very briefly in the morning. Weekends are busy, as well.

    I’m wanting to encourage anyone who just slams the door on homeschooling their kids to pray about it. Please.

20. Diahn

    Oh, I love to see how other people homeschool! Thanks for sharing it with us! We’ve just started our first year of full-time homeschooling (after 3 at a homeschooling co-op) and are having so much more fun than I ever imagined!

21. elizabeth

    It’s interesting to see more curricula! I looked and looked for mine (Kindergarten), and for right now, I’m using the recommended books… but I’m sure I’ll change and adapt as my kids get older. We too use a classical approach and it will be fun to do all the reading once mine get older.
    Thanks for sharing!

22. karen

    I *do* pray about school: Dear God, please don’t let them close school today! Four feet of snow isn’t really that much…

23. bethany actually

    karen - Ha! That made me laugh out loud. I dare say even the most patient parents have moments where they wish they could ship their kids to Timbuktu for a short period of time. :-)

24. ashpags

    The Boxcar Children books are the best! That was probably my favorite book series when I was younger! =)

25. Lanna

    That is almost exactly what kind of fun I’m hoping happens in our house when we start getting more into stuff like that (right now we’re still elbow deep in diapers and the alphabet).

26. jamie

    The most awesome thing happened with us the other day, I ‘caught’ Zi teaching Eph to read. Oh swoon. My heart absolutely broke into 5 million pieces at the sight of them all curled up on the couch together…

    Wait, wasn’t this post supposed to be about me? lol!

27. Mrs. Wilson

    Thanks for the homeschool update! It actually sounds like fun. That oldest child of yours sure sounds amazing. (So do the other two, actually.)

28. Angela Tippets

    I wish I could go back and do things differently. I would DEFINATELY home school. Having one that just started high school, and loves band (I just wish that she had better friends to be influenced by, and I have to monitor VERY close all the time). My husband told me that I needed to give her opportunity to make choices, but at 14, it makes me nervous. My youngest daughter, and middle child, is VERY social, very responsible, and is GREAT at school. My 8-year-old is too smart in a lot of subjects, and gets in trouble because he talks in class (often) because he finishes his work way to quick and is left with nothing to do but read silently.
    I think homeschooling would have been great in the beginning, but I think it would backfire if I tried to pull them out at this point. I do threaten my oldest sometimes though. I really have a hard time with her friends of choice.
    Congrats on homeschooling though. It definately takes daily strength from the Lord to get through it. Bless You!!

29. Brenda

    I love this entry. Thanks so much for sharing these pictures into your daily homeschooling routine! I don’t have kids yet, but dream of homeschooling, as I’m a teacher. :)

30. Pamela

    Oh, don’t be afraid of Latin! It is a beautiful language, and the five vowels only have one sound, unlike English. The rules for Latin are much more clear-cut and simple than any other language I know. I went to college to study voice, and I have a wonderful diction book that makes learning the languages crazy easy. I’m making a note to dig it out, and email you the title. If you are interested, and I don’t get back to you in a few days, shoot me a reminder.

31. Oh My Stinkin Heck » Blog Archive » Playsilks, Cheetos and Apples, OH MY!

    [...] of homeschooling, there were a number of questions after yesterday’s post I thought I’d answer here. If I forget yours, please feel free to email me again (and accept [...]

32. Anne Marie

    Didn’t know you homeschooled too - you dynamo! What an inspiration you are doing all this (web stuff) and homeschooling, and raising your kids, while keeping your faith - Bravo!
    Peace and Blessings
    p.s. Thanks for your help earlier, but still working on the “right look” of my na-da blog….I think I am going to ‘move to blogger’ :)
    Anne Marie

33. Cheryl in WI

    Awesome. Praise God!

34. KYouell

    I’ve been struggling with this and have decided to put it off for 2 years. I’m letting The Biscuit try preschool and I’ll reassess when that is over. It’s hard for me and, except for the first day where we blindly let him go, I have stayed with him every day. Lucky for me the teacher understands that the only other time he’s been in someone else’s care has been his hospital stays so when I tell her that he is making his panic attack noise she believes me. We are working together to wean him from me so that he can do school alone.

    At the same time I’ve joined an unschooling group. Because I have to have my fingers in all the pies! I figure he’s only an preschool 4 hours/week. The rest of the time we are unschooling and it’s nice to have those other (hippie) parents as resources.

    One thing I’ve noticed is that online homeschooling seems to be a religious “I want my kids to have my values” thing, but here in Portland it’s more of a “I don’t want my kids to be mindless sheep doing what the man tells them” thing. Interesting all around.

35. OMSH

    KYouell - I’m homeschooling not because I want my kids to have my values. I’d teach them my values whether they were in public school or not. I’m homeschooling because I want my kids to have the best possible education and I wasn’t entirely sure they’d get it where they were zoned.

    Plus, I rather like a classical curriculum and public schools just don’t do it that way; we can’t afford private schools.

    AND FINALLY, I like a literature based learning and public schools CERTAINLY can’t pull that off with as many kids as those teachers are responsible to care after. They are doing all they can (most of the time) to pull-off the lesson plan for that day.

    Teachers are severely underpaid.
    Makes me sick.

36. KYouell

    That’s kind of where I fall too. It only took 2 classes for The Biscuit to realize that when he was stressed out he could escape to the reading corner. I envision 12th grade where he has been ignored because a swamped teacher with special ed kids who are acting out and needing attention, so my son has been sitting in a corner. I dearly fear that he will get an “attendance certificate” instead of a diploma all because he was not a squeaky enough wheel. I think he has the potential to learn and if that isn’t happening, I’m a-yankin’ him! So I learn about homeschooling and unschooling and observe him closely at home (and for now at school too). Hopefully I’ll make the right choice every day.

    It’s nice that you are sharing what you are doing and why so people like me can glean, glean, glean.