Three Weeks In….
Well, we are three weeks into homeschooling and everyone is still alive. I must say it has been a journey but I am still happy we are making it. My wine cooler has a little more stock but we are all happy.
The daughter, 3rd grader, has been the biggest challenge. We have been struggling with the fact that this is REAL school even though we are at home. Staying focused and not wanting to play all the time was a challenge in weeks one and two but as time passes and the realization that there are quizzes and tests following each lesson (and the threat of disposing of all the Littlest Pet Shops) have brought a new light on the situation.
Even though we are home I still maintain a schedule to avoid chaos. We rise get dressed and have breakfast like normal (at 9 instead of 6:15) and start school around 10. I have found that it works better for us to take a 5 minute break between each lesson and a 30 minute lunch around 12:30. Our day ends generally between 2 and 3 each day. I am enjoying the Connections Academy system because you are not held to a regimented inflexible schedule daily.
In working through the past 2 weeks with the regular schedule of each different class each day I found that it worked but it seemed like pulling teeth to stay invigorated daily for my little learner. So…… we tweaked the schedule. We decided that we would rather to a different subject each day for the entire day to build and retain easier. Now, we have Science and Educational Tech (typing) on Monday, Social Studies, PE and ScootPad on Tuesday, Math on Wednesday, Math Review, Independent Reading ScootPad and Art on Thursday and English/Language Arts on Friday. We complete all the lessons for the week in each subject on the day we have that subject thus never falling behind. Thursday is our review day where we go over Math and anything else we may be “ify” on and ScootPad. ScootPad is a website that the kids can go into and practice in a fun and innovative way. It correlates with the work being covered in the lessons but in a more relaxed way.
Moving on to my son (8th grader)..... Like last year, he is very independant and I hold him accountable for his assignments. We worked together to negotiate the online system so we know just where to find everything we need to complete each lesson thoroughly. Participating in discussion allows the kids to interact with other. SO far our middle school journey has been absent of any speed bumps.
Live Lesson sessions….. This is what I like most. They are sessions where the kids are all online together with their teacher and truly e=interact with each other. They play games while learning and can actually see and talk to each other.
For those that are worried about socialization…..
There are plenty, and I mean plenty, of field trips offered through Connections Academy. You also have the option of joining the ever growing groups of homeschool families for field trip opportunities. This keeps the kids around their peers to have fun. For my crew, they are active in so many endeavors outside of school and in our neighborhood that socialization has never been an issue.
As I close I must speak on what most people have been asking me….. The difference in the curriculum in their previous brick and mortar school and homeschool curriculum. Let’s refresh…. My children attended a private christian school prior to homeschooling. I was totally satisfied with their curriculum and their progress. I must say that I think (remember I said “I”) most parents of private school children believe that they are receiving a more advanced education than what is being taught in the public school system. Well I have found that in MY situation that was not necessarily the case. In English/Language Arts they were pretty much equal. There were some things that were missing but not a lot. In Math, I must say the curriculum we are on now shows me the private was behind. I realized this at the close of last school year and took the initiative to work on some things over the summer…. Like multiplication fact/tables and division. Needless to say I am glad I did, the curriculum we are on now confirmed my suspicions that they was something missing at the end of 2nd grade.
What I have learned thus far is that change will always make shortcomings apparent, but I think every system will always have shortcomings in one form or the other. It doesn’t make since to whine….. Keep it Moving Nothing is Perfect!!
