We unschooled.
That doesn't necessarily mean that I couldn't have posted what we did each day or week or whatever. It just means that blogging wasn't on my radar. We were actually super busy. We joined a brand-new co-op last September and it turned out to be an incredible blessing for us. I was able to teach several classes, which gave me a huge confidence boost and the opportunity to do something I love away from home. The kids were able to take a bunch of classes and try things that they never would have had the opportunity for outside of the co-op. They also made some awesome (hopefully lifelong) friends.
I actually am not happy with the way things went last year. We were supposed to make sure that everyone did some math, writing and reading every day. They did the reading (I couldn't have stopped them) but that's about it. We did a few math lessons and almost no writing. We did educational things, don't get me wrong. Most, if not all of the kids did a science class at the co-op at some point so that was covered. We discussed historical events when the topics came up and of course, like I always say, you can't stop them from learning. So learning took place, but like most homeschooling moms, I worry that we didn't do enough.
Except Emmy. Nearly two years ago Emmy decided that she wanted to graduate early and wanted to know what to do to make that happen. So the two of us went to lunch and discussed what I would like to see her do and what she would like to do. We made a list and I turned her loose with it. She finished a few months ago and was able to participate in the homeschool graduation in Salt Lake in June. Now she's trying to figure out what she wants to do next.
I actually spent all of last summer planning out our school year and then when it was time to start, it just didn't feel right. I really felt like we needed to unschool - so I don't really regret the decision, just the execution. Anyway, so I had all of these plans just collecting dust for a year and decided that this year we will use them. I think we were approaching burnout and needed a year off. This year I am ready to go back to the structured days.
One problem, though. I don't have any of the stuff. Back in May, we decided it was time to put our house on the market and look for a bigger one. We were told it should sell within a few days. It's been more than two months. Still waiting. Getting increasingly frustrated. And worried, because I want to start school on September 13th - the day after co-op starts. That's less than a month away and most of our stuff is in storage and the house isn't selling and we need to have time to close on this house, find another, close on it, move and at least mostly empty and unpack one of the two storage units. I don't think it's going to happen.
So, I am improvising. I checked out a bunch of history and math books from the library. We will read those, then return them and get some more on other subjects. I'm hoping to keep things going until we move. It's still not giving me the structured "lesson plan" days but at least I know they are learning something.
So I'm learning to be flexible. Meanwhile, we have park days to look forward to, as well as mom's nights and I've joined a book club and the kids have Mutual and activity days. So, at least there's some structure.
What did you learn today?
