School

So, Jess and I have decided to homeschool Paige for the rest of this year.  I know people definitely have opinions on the subject, but we have always sort of wanted to, but were unsure for a few reasons.  One, I was overwhelmed with how to choose a curriculum, and don't have a teaching degree.  I know you don't need one, but I felt like I would be pretty lost, not knowing as much about child development and what concepts to teach at what ages.  I'm no pro like certain people I know.

But honestly, Paige is the perfect student for it.   She was reading at like a 3rd grade level before she ever started kindergarten, without us (or her) even putting much effort into it.  She has an awesome combination of intelligence, crazy memory, and a LOVE of learning.  

Another reason we were nervous is the social part of it.  Don't get me wrong though, I don't feel like homeschooling makes kids weird.  I remember thinking that a long time ago, but once I had kids and started actually giving it some thought, I realized that makes no sense to me at all.  I know there are some weird people who homeschool, and their kids will probably end up weird.  But I think that's because they were raised by weird parents.  Ha.  I knew plenty of weirdos in school who weren't cured of it by being in public school.  

Also, I went to school and trust me, it did NOT turn me into a social butterfly.  I wasn't meant to be that way.  I like people.  I just don't want to have to spread my time and energy around between my husband, kids, family, AND 100 different friendly acquaintances.  Also, I AM a little weird(once again-I went to school and wasn't cured of it.)  I don't click with many people.  I very rarely meet a girl that I can be myself around.  In fact, I can think of 3.  Ever.  I am really girly in a lot of ways, but not the same ways as other girls.  I feel more at ease around guys, or older women.  I guess because I kind of AM an old lady.  One time, at a bridal luncheon I was sitting with all the bridesmaids and younger female guests.  They were all so nice and talked to me plenty.  I just didn't feel like I fit in and couldn't come up with anything to talk about.  I felt awkward.  Then I had to nurse my baby, so I traded seats with someone for a while and sat with some of the moms and grama's in a booth, where I could feed the baby more discreetly.  Suddenly I was super comfortable, chatting away.  Anyway, I'm getting off track a bit, but my main point is, I really don't feel like school made me ANY more comfortable socially.  The only time I can remember feeling like I came out of my shell was with my traveling softball team, and it was totally separate from school.  

Basically, I understand why people feel like school is necessary for you to become comfortable in social situations, because I used to think that too.  I just don't agree anymore.  Our kids weren't antisocial troglodytes who need public school to rescue them and make them normal.  Paige is shy in certain situations, but she regularly made friends at the park during my softball games, and anywhere else we went really.

Also, I think it has to do with priorities.  This is one of those times I really do think what's best is different for every family.  My priority is not to make my kids fit into our culture.  I don't want them to be outcasts, but as a Christian I really don't think they SHOULD fit in TOO well.  I don't want to myself.  I want them to fit in as far as being comfortable with people and loving people, but there are certain ways I want them to be very different from others.  That said, I still think you have to get them in social situations, not stay home all the time.  We'll do the usual, signing up for activities, and Oklahoma City has tons of homeschooling groups and coops and classes. 

Finally, this felt like the perfect time to try, since Paige had to be pulled out of the class with a teacher she loved and her Grama as principal, in the middle of the year.  She would have had to be popped in to a new class right after Christmas.  She would've done fine, but it seemed like a good time to try homeschooling out.  If she hated it, we'd only have to get through a few months and she could start 1st grade in public school next year.  I know a lot of you reading my blog aren't Christians, so you won't care about this or believe it-but I really feel that God wants me to do this.  I've prayed about it and talked with Jess a ton, and this feels like what we're supposed to do, at least for right now.

SO.....I talked to a few moms I know who are homeschooling, and who have some of the same priorities and goals as I do.  In the end I decided to go with My Father's World curriculum.  

It is a Christian one and I'm REALLY impressed with it so far.  It is definitely very easy for Paige though, because I started at the beginning even though it's half way through the school year, not wanting her to miss out on some of the fun projects, and the bible study.  Cason ended up joining us and he's been doing it too.  It's really cool.  Yesterday he was doing his drawing of the 5th day of creation, when God made the sea animals and the birds.  He drew this "whale blasting out of the ocean" and it is the best.

 Paige and I skip the super simple stuff, like teaching her her letters, and she writes a letter to someone or reads during that time instead.  

She does 2 or 3 lessons each day, depending on how long they take.  We'll do that until the material catches up with her and then go to the 1 lesson a day.

So far I love it and am so happy we're doing it.  Paige was hesitant at first, but once we got started, she realized it can be fun and that she can actually learn more with me able to focus on just her and Cason, and not having to spend too much time on things she's known for a long time.

 

Sometimes Neely colors with them, or she goes off and does whatever she wants.

 

Yesterday Paige also had her first class at the zoo.  This one was about reptiles.  She learned about and then got to touch a bearded dragon and watch it eat, and then they got a little tour of the reptile area.  

 

 

 

 It's specifically for homeschoolers to get together with other kids their age and learn without their parent being involved.  You can go in and watch or just drop them off.  Yesterday she wanted me to go in with her since it was her first time, but she said next time I can drop her off and pick her up.  :)  It was really cool and she loved it.  So did I actually, now I can't wait for our first trip to the zoo.

Anyway, any family members who aren't fans of homeschooling, just know that we didn't jump into this without any thought or planning, and we plan to do a good job of it.