We're back to school!

Usually we officially begin each new school year the day after Labor Day, but this year we put if off an extra week because Daddy was on vacation last week.  We've been back in session with our homeschool coop for a month, but yesterday was the first day of our 2011-12 homeschool year.  Monday is Coop day.

We have a tradition of going to the Krispie Kreme donut shop for breakfast on our first day of school every fall, to celebrate the fun and freedom we enjoy as homeschoolers.  One of the children wasn't feeling well yesterday, so we went today instead.  It's so fun to see how the donuts are made, and the free donut fresh off the line and still hot can't be beat!

After that we went to the park and (hopefully) worked off all those surplus carbs.  It was perfect weather to be at the park this morning, cool enough to make you want to stay in the sun.  After a summer of a record-breaking number of days with temps >100, it was a real treat!

While we were in the van we listened to a CD with songs to help us learn the states, their capitols, and their location on the map.

Home by lunch time, and after that we began our school day.

This is what Unschooling at our house looks like so far:

Each child is required to READ something every day.  They love comic-type books and will happily read them all day, but that's not what I mean here.  I expect them to read at least one chapter of a book that helps them learn something useful or that they did not already know.  If they have any trouble finding a book on their own, I have a whole bookcase for them to choose from.  I really like the Youth With a Mission history books about missionaries and other historical figures such as presidents:
http://www.ywampublishing.com/p-1446-christian-heroes-then-nowbr5-book-gift-set-books-31-35.aspx

Each child is required to WRITE something every day.  A journal or diary entry, a letter to a friend or relative, a business letter or a short report of some kind.  Even an email will do!

Each child is required to do a MATH lesson.  We use Teaching Textbooks:  quick, simple and fun! 
http://teachingtextbooks.com.

Each child is required to do whatever homework is required by their coop classes.  These are classes that they have chosen to participate in, with the knowledge that their would be work required.


The rest of our studies are done together in as fun and interesting a way as possible.

After breakfast we begin with Bible time together.  First prayer, and then singing.  There is this wonderful little song that Virginia Knowles came up with called the Alpha Virtues song: www.virginiaknowles.com/alphavirtuessong
The kids love it.  They each pick a letter of the alphabet and we sing the corresponding verse of the song.  Next we read a chapter of Proverbs.  Whatever day of the month it is, that's the chapter we read.  So today we read chapter 14, since it is September 14th.  All readers take turns reading aloud until we have finished the chapter.  Then we listen to a little bit of the Bible on audio CD or mp3.  We started at the beginning yesterday with Genesis 1, today was Genesis 2, and we will continue on this way.  Hopefully more than one chapter each day, but it has just worked out that way so far.  Life will interrupt your best-laid plans.

We are also studying the great classical composers this year, starting with Bach and moving forward chronologically.  We use DVD's, music CD's and library books learn about each one and become familiar with their major works.  More specifics at a later date...

We are using a set of CD's called The Story of the World as the basis for our study of ancient history this year: 
http://www.amazon.com/Story-World-History-Classical-Earliest/dp/0971412901
It begins with an explanation of Archaeology as a means for learning about ancient history, so I have checked out a selection of library books at different levels about archaeology and ancient history in general for us to dig into.  More details on these later as well.

Now some Unschoolers would say that it is not truly Unschooling because of these requirements I've made for my kids, but  I believe that this is the minimum I can do with a clear conscience as a Christian in regards to abiding by the law of the land and giving due diligence to my children's education, while still allowing them the time and freedom to run off down the bunny trails that catch their interest.

 
At the moment the children are working on their own projects.  Bailey (15) is in her room working on Biology homework for the class she takes at coop.  Brad (13) did his required work already and is playing on the Wii with Brooke (6).  She still has a liitle work to do but will need my help for her reading lesson.  Beth (8) is playing in a bubble bath with Belinda (3), and Brandon (11) is getting his shower out of the way.  Time for me to go get the girls out of the tub so we can watch our DVD about Johann Sebastian Bach!

If we don't do "School," then what DO we do?

OK, I've established that we won't be spending our time sitting at a desk bent over textbooks;  But we also won't be playing video games and watching the boob tube all day, either.  So, what's the happy medium?

The way I see it, MY job is to ensure that my children spend a significant amount of their time in worthwhile pursuits that either help them learn useful new things, reinforce and utilize important knowledge already obtained, or contribute to the well fare of our family and others around us.  This is especially true during the times when our local public school district is in session, because I believe that it is important not to give our neighbors cause to think our students may be truant.  We are blessed with wonderful next-door neighbors who support our homeschooling on both sides, but I still like to be cautious about appearances.  So during the school year, we spend the majority of the hours between 8am-3pm indoors in quieter pursuits or in our backyard.  Or better yet, on Field Trips!

So, what exactly will those pursuits entail, and how will we use them to obtain an education equivalent to, or in my opinion, much superior to, that offered by the public school system?  I'd like to research and address that question on a subject-by-subject basis is future posts, but here is a general outline:

Bible, Religion and Christian living

The 3 R's:
   Reading
       Learning to read
       Reading for fun
       Reading to learn
   Writing
       Penmanship
       Composition
   Math

Science

Social Studies
    Civics & govermnent
    History
    Geography & world cultures

Work Experience
    Diligence at home
    Volunteer opportunities
    Jobs for pay

Financial Stewardship

Have I forgotten anything?  If so, I'll add it later.

I will also list some of our learning experiences in order to confirm for myself and demonstrate to others that my kids really ARE spending their time on worthwhile pursuits and learning a lot in the process!  Here are some of the things we've done so far this week:

*Visited Bricktown in Oklahoma City, rode the water taxi and learned about the history of that area (History)
Spent several hours walking around that area (PE)
Discussed highway driving & signage with my teens while driving to and from (Drivers Ed)
Discussed the cost of the water taxi ride & lunch, and why we couldn't afford souvenirs this time (Finance)

*Played Scrabble (Spelling & Math)

*Planted the garden (PE & Science)

*Worked at our local Free Clinic pharmacy (Volunteer work)
    (My children do not actually work in the pharmacy, of course, but they see me do it and they contribute by babysitting their younger siblings so that I can work.)

*Homeschool Band rehearsal (Music)

*My 12 year old accompanied me to my one year follow-up appointment with the bariatric surgeon and nutritionist and learned along with me from the experience (Health & Fitness)

*We go to the Library almost every week (Reading & Research skills)

So, what do you think?  Are we learning around here, or what?!  Not bad for the first half of the week!


For now, I plan to concentrate on using car time to maximize learning, in a couple of ways:  

(See Carschooling link to the right)

First, we will work on memorizing multiplication facts by oral drills and music CD's:
(See One Hundred Sheep & Multiplication CD's link)

Second, we will listen to CD's about other subjects, especially History.  I have a road trip coming up this summer with my three oldest children (age 11-15), and we will be listening to The Story of the World, which I've already previewed and it is wonderful!  (See link)

Blessings on you and yours!

Summer Vacation

My children like to complain about the fact that they don't get a full 3 month hiatus from studies during the summer like their public school friends do, but I never hear them complain about all those days that we are out having fun while their friends are IN school!  No, I don't give them the Summers off.  We do a lighter load, but keep moving slowly forward in the core subjects (the 3 R's) with an emphasis on anything that seems to need special attention.  But what will THIS Summer look like, our first one as official Unschoolers?

Should I give them a Summer off just this once, before we officially begin our Lifestyle of Learning as Unschoolers?  I think I will.  I'll tell them as soon as they finish the ACE Paces they're working on!

This summer will be spent getting comfortable with the idea that every day is for learning, and no day is a school day.  I will work on cementing good habits of obedience, a good attitude and diligence in the tasks they are assigned around the house so that our education-filled days will run more smoothly later on.  I'll research options for filling our days with learning in a fun and enjoyable way while still meeting the requirements of the state for what they need to know.  I'll discuss with my older children their interests and how we can develop them and use them to teach them what they need to know.  And I'll keep YOU updated so you can benefit from our findings, too!

Enjoy your summer!