The transition went amazingly well given it’s still just us but no longer in “summer” mode. I made a big deal of starting our schooling routine. Anika was on board from the minute she woke up. Dante had a need to test the boundaries and exactly what I meant by “homeschooling”. That said he still did amazingly well, fully engaged in everything I presented today.
“Homeschooling” can mean a whole number of things depending on who you talk to and how it works for each child and family. Here is a general description of different methods. I have selected a classical approach and am going with a book titled The Well Trained Mind by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer as a framework. It is academically rigorous and comprehensive through high school and I think provides an excellent roadmap on how to get going. I’m sold. I’ll let you know how it goes as I proceed in implementing its methods.
Today I focused on introducing materials and the general routine and expectations. We really had a full day starting with Spelling books then a short grammar lesson, math and then a snack. Anika and Dante fully participated in planning out our days of learning, social activities, fun and all. They both really like to have a plan and know the plan which certainly works for me. After snack I introduced our history books. We’ll be focusing on Ancient History this whole year and spent a good amount of time learning what an Atlas is and how to use it. We then had lunch and then on to science where we will be focusing on Biology for the year beginning with Animals, then the Human Body and finally Plants. I’m hoping to keep the Animal section brief since both kids have had quite a bit of exposure to this area and move right into the Human Body within a few weeks where we’re all looking forward to getting more in depth. Other subjects we’ll be covering include art, music, US Gov, and Physical Fitness/Health/Nutrition. We’re also planning on a once weekly library reading group for Dante, Choir at NYU for Anika, Playground Wednesdays with homeschooling friends, a family lifegroup (through Origins, our church) AND lots of field trips. I’m very aware of the fact that this is all fluid and subject to the realities of life and the kids but for now we’re all excited about the plan and this general roadmap for the life ahead.
That pretty much took us to 3pm (we got started at 9:30am) where we then prepared for a playdate with a friend of Dante’s and a nice time at the playground and then scootering around town as I ran a couple of errands. We got home and I immediately set to dinner which has been streamlined in recent weeks and is generally kept very simple following these general guidelines. We started that whole thing because I like to keep things as easy and healthy as possible when it comes to meals and Melvin got started on this as he took on the initiative to get healthier. Tonight I grilled (stovetop two burner iron grill) 3 whole trout, asparagus and then served that with whole grain bread & olive oil for me and the kids. (Mel skipped the bread.) Anika did her piano practice while I was preparing dinner and when Melvin got home he helped Dante with his piano practice. After dinner I mopped and swept the floor and got going on laundry while Mel put the kids to bed where they spent about an hour reading for pleasure before lights out.
At this point the kids are out and we’re finishing folding the last of the laundry while watching our last recorded episode of the Daily Show. It’s been a good and productive day. Tomorrows the big Not Back To School PicNic organized by the local homeschooling network NYCHEA which we’re looking forward to especially since the weather is still just fabulous.
