>The 2010-2011 Homeschool Plan: Part 1

>It’s been about a month since my last post on homeschooling, and I have to say I’m proud: I’ve resisted my many impulses to hop on here every other day and say, “Hey, I just found this cool homeschooling thing online and I’d love to tell you all about it!”.  You’re welcome.  My self-restraint in this feat for three consecutive months is mighty admirable if I say so myself.  So anyway, another five weeks have passed since I last mentioned this topic and now’s about the time when I’m due to let it all spew out, and while this originally was just one big post I’ve since decided to break it up.  Easier on the eyes (and brain).  For the remainder of this week all of my posts will be about my plans for the next school year, so if that’s just not anything you’re interested in reading about, you’ve got a free pass.  Again, you’re welcome and also? I’m sorry.

So anyway, last time I mentioned that I found a go-to resource on a classical homeschool experience (The Well-Trained Mind or TWTM, for short) that I figured would walk me through everything I could possibly want to do with Bear and Bug for their entire pre-college educational careers, and I’ve since purchased a copy of that book to keep in our collection. But I’ve also branched out a bit.  I had mentioned on my personal blog that I’m going to be taking a secular homeschooling path with our Critters, and a reader/commenter subsequently directed me to a new-ish forum and website for these homeschooling minorities.  On that site are many helpful conversations taking place, from veteran homeschoolers to newbies like myself, and though I’m still lurking I’m trying to absorb as much as possible.

What I’ve discovered?  Piecing together my own curriculum is time-consuming, and brain-power consuming, and a lot of work.  Figuring out how to put it all together is this giant puzzle that, fortunately, I really enjoy working on.  But it’s confusing and intimidating.

Up until the past three months Tony and I gave absolutely no consideration to how Bear was being taught in school.  We were invested in her education, to be certain, but attending parent/teacher conferences and being told that she’s entirely on track doesn’t mean we knew the process by which she’s been taught.  I have devoted an enormous number of hours to researching and learning about different teaching styles and methods, and trying to figure out how to mesh it all with my own preferences and beliefs.  Up until now I had no clue that there were multiple ways to teach or different theories about how kids learn best.  I was just sending Bear to school and letting the pros take care of it all.

If I’m being honest, 99% of the curricula I’ll be using with Bear next year has been researched and chosen by me.  It isn’t because Tony’s not interested, but because it makes sense that the parent who will be assuming the role of teacher is entirely comfortable with it all.  I have asked for his help in wading through the many math curricula, and together we decided on something we think will complement Bear’s learning style.  More on that to come later this week.

After three solid months of deliberation, consideration, changing my mind, and agonizing over all the many, many choices available out there, I’ve finally settled on the curricula we’ll be using next year.  I mentioned before that I initially felt entirely unprepared and unqualified to put together and choose my own first grade program, and was going to go with a pre-assembled first grade program.  It’s only been after some intensive research that I’ve moved into a state of mind where I feel confident that I’m going to provide her with a well-rounded education this next year.  TWTM has helped in that pursuit incredibly; it’s been my impetus to feel as though this is something in which we can succeed.  But it turns out I’m not as much of a strict follower of the authors’ edicts as I’d initially thought.

For instance, TWTM recommends that we use a specific spelling program that they endorse. But when I researched it, I didn’t like it, and after reading reviews and critiques of many others I finally settled on a completely different program, which I’ve already ordered and received.  When I initially started branching out, part of me felt as though I was cheating on TWTM by actively choosing something they’re not recommending.  But then I got over myself and remembered that those are their recommendations; I’m not in any way required to use those.

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At this point, my plans for the next year are already set.  I’ve purchased all the programs and workbooks we’ll need from day one through the end of week thirty-six, which might sound strange given that we won’t be starting our school year until the end of August and we’ve got a big move in front of us.  But Tony and I both agreed that it’s better for us to gather and assemble these materials now, and only need to figure out the setup of and gather the basic supplies for our home classroom when we get to Colorado.   Plus I hope that being prepared now will give me the chance to do the majority of my lesson planning ahead of time, rather than consuming my nights when I’m going to want to be resting instead.

Over the next few days I’ll be sharing with you my choices for each subject, and for my grand finale I’ll also outline my general plan for the school year, as well as what I’m hoping my school days/weeks will look like.  I think it’ll be interesting to look back a year from now and be able to say, “Wow, look at that – I made those plans actually happen!“.  Well, that or “What kind of crack was I smoking to think that this would actually work out?!“  Let’s all hope for the former, eh?

Also, just so you know, it’s really my intention that this blog will not turn into a homeschooling showcase; rather I’ll just occasionally incorporate this topic as I would do with any other subject that I normally jabber on about.  So even though this week is being taken over to this particular pursuit, this is not going to be a regular occurrence.  Promise. 

Up tomorrow: All Things Wordy (otherwise known as Reading, Writing, Grammar, Spelling, and Handwriting)

*Disclaimer: I’ll say this today, and will repeat it at the bottom of each of these posts, but please note that every product I mention or link to is of my own volition.  I haven’t been asked to discuss or review any products, nor am I receiving any compensation for doing so. In fact, I’ve linked to all of these products’ main websites, but have made the majority of my purchases from other companies in order to make this more affordable for our family.  And now you know.