what i remember

As we greet this day I am surprised at how the anniversary has affected me. I knew I was deeply impacted by the events on 9+11, but coming back to the actual day, the actual time 10 whole years later-- I've taken pause.

Emma was almost 6 months old when the attack happened. It was the first time that I, as a mother, realized that the world that I was bringing my sweet baby up in was not nearly as safe and idyllic as the one I had known as a child.  I considered the idea that maybe her world would not include the same freedoms, the same safety.  I felt naive for having believed that I could bring children into the world and protect them. I felt tricked by Evil. 

In the days that followed I took comfort in the images I saw of people pulling together, strangers acting heroically on behaf of other strangers, people of all kinds being strong and courageous in the face of great tragedy, a president who rallied and promised justice, a nation that pledged to waste no time in rebuilding, and a Savior that remained in full control seated at the Right Hand.

Today, my heart is full of thoughts and fervent prayers. It goes out to all of those that lost loved ones on this day 10 years ago. It is also a heart deeply greatful to those who have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice to protect our freedom, and the freedoms of the next generation.

a new beginning

What Emma will be studying this year:

All About Spelling

Writer's Express

Various literature selections from Ambleside's year 5 list

Saxon 6/5

Winter Promise: Children Around the World

Winter Promise: Animal Habitats

Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing

Piano

Dance

What Hannah will be studying:

All About Spelling

Dictation/Copywork (selections taken from her literature)

Various free reading books from Ambelside's year 2 and 3 lists

Right Start Math (Hannah has tried Saxon before and hated it- we'll see how she likes this one instead)

Winter Promise: Children Around the World

Winter Promise: Animal Habitats

Classically Cursive

Piano

Dance

What Laurel will be studying:

All About Spelling

Dictation/Copywork (taken from her literature)

Various books for free reading from Ambelside's year 0 list

Right Start Math

Winter Promise: Children Around the World

Winter Promise: Animal Habitats

D'Nealian Printing

Violin

Dance

*Feel free to chime in on what you are studying this year and ask any questions about what you see listed above.

Our first few days have been mostly good. I did panic a little when I saw the school bus pass by our house the other morning. I'm finding myself very tired at the end of this first short week. As I look on into the future of the school year I feel overwhelmed.  How will I continue on at this pace? How will I avoid burn out? Am I short-changing anyone? What am I not covering? Is there a way to balance it all? 

The only answer I am able to come up with is this: God gives enough for each day.  Tomorrow will worry about itself- each day has enough trouble of its own. I can't look that far ahead. My vision is blurry and inaccurate. God sees, knows, hears, cares, comforts, and provides. I remember the manna. I am just going forward trusting that there is enough of Him to sustain me- moment to moment. One day at a time.

Oh the planning!

The first day of school is nearly upon us.  Sometimes it feels funny to be so ceremonious about it. My attitudes towards doing "school" at home have shifted. What first started out as an attempt to recreate the classroom at home, has morphed into what feels so peacefully pleasant-- we simply learn at home. School is more or less woven into the fabric of our lives. I love the tag line at the top of simplehomeschool.net.

"Never let your schooling interrupt your education." (By the way, that website rocks!).

I have done A LOT of reading in the last 6-9 months on the topic of education and parenting. Total nerdy Non-Fiction Nerd here. (I am only now getting into the book that everyone else has been reading. It's good!)

Here are some of the titles that you may find piled up next to my night stand...and I'm terrible at reading one at a time.  I'm always dipping into several at one once!

Montessori From the Start

Montessori Play and Learn

How to Raise an Amazing Child

Montessori: A Modern Approach

Strong Willed Child or Dreamer

When Children Love to Learn

For The Children's Sake

You Can Teach Your Child Successfully

East Start in Arithmetic

A Home Start in Reading

A Strong Start in Language

Connection Parenting

Parenting with Love and Logic

Homeschooling Year by Year

All Day Charlotte Mason Seminar

The Big What Now Book of Learning Styles

Good ones! All very good. But, when I read Clay and Sally Clarkson's book: Educating the Whole-Hearted Child

It was like coming home.  I have found it to be the most wonderful homeschooling book that I have ever read. Ever. Really, I don't know how they crammed so many great helps into one book. If you've yet to read it I suggest that you get yourself a copy right away. Own it. You simply cannot absorb all that is between its pages in the one month that the library will let you borrow it.

This book has really helped me take a more holistic approach to learning.  I'm less likely to trudge through curriculum and more inspired to foster learning opportunities through good books, and a warm/vibrant/interesting home life. Now isn't that freeing? School is integrated into living. I don't like compartments. My life with 4 children does not lend itself to compartmentalizing much of anything. We bend and flex around here.

I wouldn't say that I'm an Unschooler but I am definitely drifting further and further from the Classical Model (which is where I started my homeschooling journey a few years ago).

You could say that I draw heavily from the hands-on and tactile experiences that Montessori provides (also love the 3-part lesson and the idea that a child should work at his/her own pace and not be interrupted), and I am widely attracted to Charlotte Mason's ideals and her thoughts on "living books".

(I don't have the space, or time frankly, to even begin to describe each of those above listed educational philosophies.  There are loads and loads of websites out there that will help you-- dig in!)

I think it is important to read and adopt a method that you are comfortable with and that works for your kids. Figure out how they learn. Discover Your Child's Learning Style was so helpful in that regard. What a wonderfully diverse group of little people the God has gifted me with! No two alike. I'm honored to understand them better and appreciate all of their many unique qualities. Isn't that one of the beauties of homeschooling? Having the time and passion to cater to the child as an individual? Yes!

So, I've done my homework.  Lots and lots of planning has ensued. (I secretly like it.)  Next time I'll share our curriculum/book choices.

Also coming up: the practical planning like schedules, and meals, and other annoying things of the like :) Come back!

Oh! and photos soon of our learning space!