I have spent the last 2 days preparing our classroom. I thought I had it organized before Christmas, then Toys-r-Us exploded in here. From what I have read, most home schoolers do not have a formal classroom, but I think we need one. First, it is for my own sanity - we don't have much extra space, so I need to organize and use the space wisely. Also, since my hubby works from home, we need to give him the space and quiet he needs.
Our classroom is really our playroom, but I have a desk that the kids and I share for computer time. I have gotten several nice storage boxes and put each subject matter in a box. I also have a large expanding file for that weeks work. I also have a large wall map, several posters (NASA sent them to me for free), we also have a reading section - which consists of a bookshelf and beanbag; art section - art easel and supplies. The kids each have comfy chairs and lap desks.
The kids are begging to get started on school, so that is a good sign! My next steps are to assess the kids and make sure I get them started at the correct level.
Posted Friday, December 28, 2007 by
Alison Grant
One of the first speed bumps I saw coming was my hubby and I getting on to the same page as far as home schooling expectations. He works from a home office, so is very involved (or at least likes to listen in). We have very different styles and approaches, but the same goals. He is the organized, structured type and I am more of the "go with the flow" personality. Well, I have been married to him long enough to see a conflict in the making. So I decided to speak to him in a language he understands...
Before we started, I wrote a business plan for our "school". This business plan included a monthly budget, mission and vision statement, broad schedule, curriculum, academic benchmarks, and discipline plan. I was intentionally broad in my language, so that I gave myself wiggle room. This served 2 purposes, gave my husband an outline of the school in a format that he understands and gives me some benchmarks to work toward and a little structure in my chaos.
We also have included the kids in the rule-making process and gave them contracts to sign. Since they went to public school and then home school, I want them to understand that this is going to be fun, but a serious endeavor - not permanent vacation. We explained to them that we feel that this is a great gift that we are willing and able to give them, but that they need to take some ownership in this process and that it is their education.
My plan is to provide the basic skills, but let them explore the areas that interest them and work that into our plan. I cant wait to see where that leads...
Before we started, I wrote a business plan for our "school". This business plan included a monthly budget, mission and vision statement, broad schedule, curriculum, academic benchmarks, and discipline plan. I was intentionally broad in my language, so that I gave myself wiggle room. This served 2 purposes, gave my husband an outline of the school in a format that he understands and gives me some benchmarks to work toward and a little structure in my chaos.
We also have included the kids in the rule-making process and gave them contracts to sign. Since they went to public school and then home school, I want them to understand that this is going to be fun, but a serious endeavor - not permanent vacation. We explained to them that we feel that this is a great gift that we are willing and able to give them, but that they need to take some ownership in this process and that it is their education.
My plan is to provide the basic skills, but let them explore the areas that interest them and work that into our plan. I cant wait to see where that leads...
Posted Wednesday, December 26, 2007 by
Alison Grant
Let me introduce myself, I am Alison and I am a stay at home mom with 3
kids. I have a son who is 10, a son who is 6 and a daughter who is 2.
My boys are in 4th grade and kindergarten. Until now they have been
educated through the public school system. I just withdrew them and we
begin home school on 1/7/08.
Why home school? Well, first off for me it is purely academic. No religious factors whatsoever. Both my husband and I are products of the public school system and did not have good experiences. As our oldest approached school age, we were not in a position to send him to private school and I had many misconceptions about home schooling, so we sent him to kindergarten with all of his neighborhood buddies. We live in a pretty upscale area and have a pretty good school. As he progressed from K-3rd we had issues arise, and had my son tested for all kinds of things. No real problems were identified, but we kept a close eye on him. Because of some of his struggles, his workload was modified (made easier) and he was in slower classes. Once he hit 4th grade it all came to a head. Getting a little behind in an area has a cumulative effect at this age and the gap got wider and wider until he was failing classes. His weakness in reading was bleeding over into other subjects. Once again the public school system's answer was to give him easier work. That is when I realized that sitting in a group of thirty kids, trying to get by was not going to cut it for him. What he is learning right now is the foundation for the person he will become - academically, socially, emotionally - and he wasn't getting what he needed. I can not wait until we have more money and send him to private school. This is it, he is learning it now and so I had to take action. Meanwhile, this idea of home schooling was in the back of my head. I knew of a couple of people who did it and I thought I would look into it. After my research, I decided this is what was best for us, so why wait. That decision (to not wait until the end of the school year) was my first "think outside the box" moment in regards to home schooling. Why should my school go by their calendar? I am in charge now!
My concerns about homeschooling... Before I began to give it any serious consideration, I had my misconceptions which were quickly dispelled. First, being in the south, the "bible belt", I was afraid that any social groups or home schooling support groups would be all serious religious fanatics who did not believe in science. Not true at all, I have found several secular groups, both locally and internet based who welcome all walks of life. Second, I thought it would cost a fortune. Now don't get me wrong, you can spend a ton and it is easy to get resentful about your tax dollars going to schools that you don't use. But I have found an extensive network of online, local and other resources that are very cheap or free. I have no fear that my kids will be getting an inferior education because of the money I choose to spend. Finally, my last fear was for myself- will I have any time alone again? will my kids listen to me like they will a teacher? will I be organized enough? how can I teach with a toddler around? Now, some of these answers will come with time, but after joining groups, speaking to others and reading other peoples experiences, I feel a lot more confident in myself.
For those of you reading this who have been down this road before me, I know you are just laughing and thinking "just you wait!" One thing I am sure of, is that I have no idea what to expect, but I am up for the adventure and so are my kids.
Why home school? Well, first off for me it is purely academic. No religious factors whatsoever. Both my husband and I are products of the public school system and did not have good experiences. As our oldest approached school age, we were not in a position to send him to private school and I had many misconceptions about home schooling, so we sent him to kindergarten with all of his neighborhood buddies. We live in a pretty upscale area and have a pretty good school. As he progressed from K-3rd we had issues arise, and had my son tested for all kinds of things. No real problems were identified, but we kept a close eye on him. Because of some of his struggles, his workload was modified (made easier) and he was in slower classes. Once he hit 4th grade it all came to a head. Getting a little behind in an area has a cumulative effect at this age and the gap got wider and wider until he was failing classes. His weakness in reading was bleeding over into other subjects. Once again the public school system's answer was to give him easier work. That is when I realized that sitting in a group of thirty kids, trying to get by was not going to cut it for him. What he is learning right now is the foundation for the person he will become - academically, socially, emotionally - and he wasn't getting what he needed. I can not wait until we have more money and send him to private school. This is it, he is learning it now and so I had to take action. Meanwhile, this idea of home schooling was in the back of my head. I knew of a couple of people who did it and I thought I would look into it. After my research, I decided this is what was best for us, so why wait. That decision (to not wait until the end of the school year) was my first "think outside the box" moment in regards to home schooling. Why should my school go by their calendar? I am in charge now!
My concerns about homeschooling... Before I began to give it any serious consideration, I had my misconceptions which were quickly dispelled. First, being in the south, the "bible belt", I was afraid that any social groups or home schooling support groups would be all serious religious fanatics who did not believe in science. Not true at all, I have found several secular groups, both locally and internet based who welcome all walks of life. Second, I thought it would cost a fortune. Now don't get me wrong, you can spend a ton and it is easy to get resentful about your tax dollars going to schools that you don't use. But I have found an extensive network of online, local and other resources that are very cheap or free. I have no fear that my kids will be getting an inferior education because of the money I choose to spend. Finally, my last fear was for myself- will I have any time alone again? will my kids listen to me like they will a teacher? will I be organized enough? how can I teach with a toddler around? Now, some of these answers will come with time, but after joining groups, speaking to others and reading other peoples experiences, I feel a lot more confident in myself.
For those of you reading this who have been down this road before me, I know you are just laughing and thinking "just you wait!" One thing I am sure of, is that I have no idea what to expect, but I am up for the adventure and so are my kids.
