So, every single time I have spoken about homeschooling there is always someone who's quick to uphold the anti-socialization "aspect" of the ordeal. Ahem. First off, let me just say this: Homeschooling is what you make of it. Can you create hermits when you homeschool your kids? Of course you can. Any parent can do a poor job of homeschooling their child...if they choose to. However, that is rarely the case. Those who have chosen to homeschool have chosen to take an a difficult task. They know that it is hard work and have well-prepared themselves for it. The whole of it - not just the curriculum side of it, but also the socialization, the physical, and, for some, the spiritual side. If you have chosen to homeschool then you should automatically know that it will be hard work, and lots of it. It is no walk in the park and there is no room for laziness. There are no "off" days just because you don't feel like being a teacher that day.
Well, I'm happy to report that I recently joined two homeschooling groups that I'm really happy with. I have read their posts, looked over the outings, the co-ops, the extra classes, the field trips, the tours and play dates. It's a lot! I felt overwhelmed, and couldn't even read all the way down the list of future outings before I had to take a deep breath and log off. Between the two groups there are: PE, Tennis, Mind Lab, Meet The Masters, Story of the World, Spanish, French, Karate, Nature Class, Sewing, Dance, classes for older kids (social studies, creative writing, public speaking), a Lego Club; trips to the farm, trips to the U-Pick-It, trips to museums, humane society, nature center, chocolate factory, fire station, police station, radio station, hospital, vet, post office, disaster house (hurricane related); tours through the FPL facility, the PBS facility, the airport, the water treatment plant...and the list goes on and on and on. Now, that's just a small example of all the outings between two groups (one of them being relatively new), and mind you, the school year has barely started. There will be tons more co-ops and field trips etc as the year progresses and more members join. One group has almost 200 homeschooling members. The other new group has 26 and counting. This new group did a yearbook as well, which was really awesome! I can't wait to get next year's yearbook and be able to look back on our first year of homeschool!
Now...what was the reason that so many people think homeschooled kids get no socialization?? Ah...that's right...ignorance!
Our School Books!
WorkBoxes
These are just ideas that I'm testing out. There are 10 drawers in the cart that we'll be using for our workboxes.
Mind you, even though there is one break & one pseudo-break (Structured Fun), we won't be sitting all day long doing seat work. On Mondays we will have our homeschool playgroup, and every day after we'll be going to the gym & also the park/play center for more socialization. I'm also signing Diego up for a tumbling class next month & also continuing his swim classes.
Like another homeschooler said - you really don't know what's going to work, or how things will pan out, 'til you get down in the trenches. So that's where I'm at. I'm flexible and will revise what needs revising, and will re-plan what needs re-planning. It may be a bumpy beginning, but that only serves to pave the way for a smoother trip later on.
- Bible
- Language Arts
- Handwriting
- break - place a snack in the drawer
- Math
- Social Studies
- Phonics/Reading
- Structured Fun - game, craft, puzzle, cut & paste etc
- Spanish
- Computers
- Bible
- Language Arts
- Handwriting
- Break - place a snack in the drawer
- Math
- Art
- Spelling
- Structured Fun - game, craft, puzzle, cut & paste, etc
- Phonics/Reading
- Science
Mind you, even though there is one break & one pseudo-break (Structured Fun), we won't be sitting all day long doing seat work. On Mondays we will have our homeschool playgroup, and every day after we'll be going to the gym & also the park/play center for more socialization. I'm also signing Diego up for a tumbling class next month & also continuing his swim classes.
Like another homeschooler said - you really don't know what's going to work, or how things will pan out, 'til you get down in the trenches. So that's where I'm at. I'm flexible and will revise what needs revising, and will re-plan what needs re-planning. It may be a bumpy beginning, but that only serves to pave the way for a smoother trip later on.
Kindergarten Curriculum
This is our K5 curriculum for 2011 - 2012:
We'll also be doing lots of lapbooks, file forlder fun, games & puzzles, and printables from sites like Education.Com & Scholastic.Com. I also get lots of ideas from other homeschool blogs.
- Math - RightStart Math & A Beka
- Spelling - All About Spelling Level 1
- Social Studies - A Beka
- Handwriting - A Beka & Zaner-Bloser
- Creative Writing - My First Writing Prompts Journal
- Phonics/Readers - Flash cards, games, do-a-dot bingo, printables, & lots of leveled readers & trips to the library
- Science - EarlyBird Science & My Big Science Book & maybe use some kits from The Young Scientists Club
- Bible - Kids' Bible, Devotional, ABC Bible Verses, Awana Cubbies printables
from HomeSchoolCreations
- Spanish - (???) There's R.E.A.L Homeschool Spanish, but it's a bit pricey!
- Computer - Online games & programs (Like Starfall, ReadingEggs, Zoodles, Progressive Phonics etc)
We'll also be doing lots of lapbooks, file forlder fun, games & puzzles, and printables from sites like Education.Com & Scholastic.Com. I also get lots of ideas from other homeschool blogs.
Family Summer Fun
This summer has blown by pretty quickly. School is just around the corner and we are so thankful for the family time we've had over these summer weekends.
Deerfield beach
Gumbo Limbo
Yet Another Year
I can't believe a year has already gone by. I haven't done much of a job on this blog during, either. Wow! Well, this year, for kindergarten, I will be tackling homeschooling. Yes, I have been called crazy. It really does amuse me - the reaction and the feedback I get from others. I'm usually met with a kind of negative undertone to the "good luck with that" comments. I expected it, though I still think they are closed-minded and negative. Homeschooling is not like it used to be. More and more educational websites will have an option for homeschoolers. There are far more resources available these days; more playgroups geared toward homeschoolers, more support groups, co-ops, spelling bees, even prom for the older kids. There are sports groups, musical groups, and the list goes on. Homeschooling is no longer unheard of.
Either way, the bottom line is this: Diego is our child. And this is our decision to make. Period. We have prayed about this and before my husband and I spoke about homeschooling it was already laid upon our hearts to do it - there was hardly a discussion - we were already on the same page!
I am, and have been, looking forward to starting our curriculum. My 4yo is just as excited, which is even more of an impetus for me to do far beyond just a great job. I am also excited to meet the homeschool playgroup down in Hollywood every week, and also the support group at Calvary Chapel. It's going to be an awesome experience being around like-minded moms (and dads, as I see more dads are getting involved in the homeschool experience) and being able to learn from their journey: their mistakes, their triumphs, and everything in between.
Either way, the bottom line is this: Diego is our child. And this is our decision to make. Period. We have prayed about this and before my husband and I spoke about homeschooling it was already laid upon our hearts to do it - there was hardly a discussion - we were already on the same page!
I am, and have been, looking forward to starting our curriculum. My 4yo is just as excited, which is even more of an impetus for me to do far beyond just a great job. I am also excited to meet the homeschool playgroup down in Hollywood every week, and also the support group at Calvary Chapel. It's going to be an awesome experience being around like-minded moms (and dads, as I see more dads are getting involved in the homeschool experience) and being able to learn from their journey: their mistakes, their triumphs, and everything in between.
Thank you, heavenly Father, for giving me this wonderful opportunity. Your blessings are abundant.
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