More and more, homeschooling is becoming just our life. Sure, we use workbooks and curriculum. But we work that into our normal, everyday, family life.
We do not have "school time" and "regular time" -- it is all scrambled together.
And it makes life with a large-than-average-sized family so much smoother than it was when we went to traditional school.
For example, many times we do our reading practice at bed time. Because, this is when all the kids actually want to read. They are tired out and they are not fighting their impulse to move, as they are during the daytime.
I really love homeschooling this way.
It feels organic. Integrated. Natural.
(and also chaotic, cluttered, and loud!)
Sometimes it looks like the little kids in the sink so I can read aloud to the older kids.
Sometimes it looks like getting some reading in while your siblings have swimming lessons.
Or games on the kitchen floor (in our pj's) while I make lunch
Or painting with Ms. Julie in our living room.
A lot of the time, it means playing outside.
And, even though we are not structured in the traditional sense, the kids are learning so much. I think it is the combination of homeschooling being so time efficient (no lining up, managing the classroom, time-filler activities), our excellent curriculum (Sonlight plus a few tutors), and the fact that our kids' stress levels are low. My kids -- I think most kids -- learn better when their cortisol levels are under control.
I also love how the kids get to learn by doing things that are interesting and important to them. Here, Nicholas practicing his writing by writing (and drawing) about Star Wars.
And Elijah learns to sit and concentrate during school time by making a scrapbook of his baby pictures.
We are now planning what we are going to do next year. We are definitely homeschooling again, but still deciding what books to buy, and what activities to schedule. For example, none of the kids took musical instrumental lessons this year and we think we should add it.
Also, we want to make sure we add more hands-on science.
We take each year as it comes, when it comes to deciding upon what to do about our kids' educations. Personally, I hope the kids homeschool through high school, but I can't make that decision now. Each of our children are so different and have different learning styles and needs. I will have to just enjoy each moment that I have them home and not get too attached to my idea of what is "best."
