Something New
Today marks the first day back at school for 2020. This year Leo begins Prep.
It is surreal to be here at last. Homeschooling is something Joel and I have discussed, read and prayed about and prepared for since Leo was 9 months. I'll be the first to admit it has taken me this long to be on board and at peace about our decision.
However, before you assume I have no doubts and that I know exactly how our days will look, especially with Phoebe and Joseph underfoot, let me assure you that I definitely do have doubts and I don't know how our days will look.
I am excited though. It is a joy to be Leo, Phoebe and Joseph's Mum and the opportunity to pursue homeschooling together is one too good to pass up.
Homeschooling has been a tricky subject to discuss with people because it is difficult to not sound as though we think everyone should be doing what we're doing. We don't think homeschooling is for everyone and there's plenty of reasons why that is.
While it has stung to hear people speak dismissively to me or Leo about homeschooling we've been fortunate that most have responded with encouragement and friendly curiosity. I am always happy to talk about education (homeschooling or otherwise) and will include a series of links below, for those inclined, to see where our inspiration is taken from.
Speak to enough homeschooling families (whether they are enrolled in a Distance Ed school or Mum follows a bought or free curriculum, or has even written her own) and you'll notice that many will speak of the benefit of time that homeschooling allows. More time for play, more time to delight in learning and pursue a variety of interests, more time to cultivate good habits and enjoy time together as a family. While there are many reasons why we have chosen to pursue this path and you'll get a different answer if you speak to Joel than if you speak to me, this one, time together as a family, is a big one for both of us.
So while Leo might not have started real/traditional/typical school today, learning happened. So did life. There were tears and an inconsolable toddler, nappy changes, sibling squabbles, reluctance to work, laziness and poor attitudes but we baked a cake, we played Memory, Leo practised his sounds and reading, we did maths work and puzzles, we jumped on the trampoline, Phoebe had her swimming lesson, we ate lunch together and read stories, we sang songs. When the school work was finished, the children played and I enjoyed a coffee. Later, we're heading to the park for an early dinner and play date with friends.
Suffice to say, we've had a good day.
Below are some links to the books, people and groups that have shaped our philosophy of education and challenged and inspired us to pursue homeschooling this year.
For the Children's Sake
Charlotte Mason's Original Homeschooling Series
Ambleside Online
Simply Charlotte Mason
Circe Institute
Institute for Excellence in Writing
Read Aloud Revival
Farmhouse Schoolhouse
Homeschooling Downunder
Charlotte Mason College (Leo's school)
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Our 'first-day' picture looks a little different, doesn't it? No freshly ironed uniform with an oversized hat, no too-big-for-him backpack or packed lunch, no drop off or "tea & tissues" for Mum.
Today marks our unofficial first day of homeschooling. I say unofficial, because Leo won't start with his distance education school, Charlotte Mason College, until next Monday. But because we are ready (both he and I) and school starts today for nearly everyone else in Queensland, I figured, why not ease in to this.
It is surreal to be here at last. Homeschooling is something Joel and I have discussed, read and prayed about and prepared for since Leo was 9 months. I'll be the first to admit it has taken me this long to be on board and at peace about our decision.
However, before you assume I have no doubts and that I know exactly how our days will look, especially with Phoebe and Joseph underfoot, let me assure you that I definitely do have doubts and I don't know how our days will look.
I am excited though. It is a joy to be Leo, Phoebe and Joseph's Mum and the opportunity to pursue homeschooling together is one too good to pass up.
Homeschooling has been a tricky subject to discuss with people because it is difficult to not sound as though we think everyone should be doing what we're doing. We don't think homeschooling is for everyone and there's plenty of reasons why that is.
While it has stung to hear people speak dismissively to me or Leo about homeschooling we've been fortunate that most have responded with encouragement and friendly curiosity. I am always happy to talk about education (homeschooling or otherwise) and will include a series of links below, for those inclined, to see where our inspiration is taken from.
Speak to enough homeschooling families (whether they are enrolled in a Distance Ed school or Mum follows a bought or free curriculum, or has even written her own) and you'll notice that many will speak of the benefit of time that homeschooling allows. More time for play, more time to delight in learning and pursue a variety of interests, more time to cultivate good habits and enjoy time together as a family. While there are many reasons why we have chosen to pursue this path and you'll get a different answer if you speak to Joel than if you speak to me, this one, time together as a family, is a big one for both of us.
So while Leo might not have started real/traditional/typical school today, learning happened. So did life. There were tears and an inconsolable toddler, nappy changes, sibling squabbles, reluctance to work, laziness and poor attitudes but we baked a cake, we played Memory, Leo practised his sounds and reading, we did maths work and puzzles, we jumped on the trampoline, Phoebe had her swimming lesson, we ate lunch together and read stories, we sang songs. When the school work was finished, the children played and I enjoyed a coffee. Later, we're heading to the park for an early dinner and play date with friends.
Suffice to say, we've had a good day.
Below are some links to the books, people and groups that have shaped our philosophy of education and challenged and inspired us to pursue homeschooling this year.
For the Children's Sake
Charlotte Mason's Original Homeschooling Series
Ambleside Online
Simply Charlotte Mason
Circe Institute
Institute for Excellence in Writing
Read Aloud Revival
Farmhouse Schoolhouse
Homeschooling Downunder
Charlotte Mason College (Leo's school)
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