Although we haven’t officially finished school this year, I’ve already been thinking about next year. So far we have been semi-structured unschoolers for preschool, kindergarten and first grade. It wasn’t what I planned, but that is what has developed. I’m not sure I want to continue in that same vein although I think my hesitation to continue as we are is more out of false sense of guilt than the fact that Caroline isn’t thriving. Caroline is doing fine. She’s reading well and interested in learning. That’s really all that matters with a six year old, in my opinion. She’s creative and happy and inquisitive. I call that success.
But I feel this compulsion to have a list of things to do. A checklist so I can prove we did something. I think it is part of my personality. I’m one of those people who makes a list of things to do and then when I do things that aren’t on the list I write them down too so I can have the pleasure of seeing them crossed off.
At the same time, I’ve been pondering some good posts written by other people. These are helping me think through my priorities and Caroline’s needs. I especially liked these two posts about six weeks on and one week off (a Sabbath).
- Sabbath Schooling – How it saved my homeschool from burnout
- And on the seventh day, God rested (Now in Wayback Machine)
I’ve also been thinking about this one Christian sent me last year.
- Could it be a storybook year? (Now in Wayback Machine)
Ultimately, I’m thinking about what will work for both of us. What will Caroline enjoy and what will I be able to handle the planning for?
I continue to revisit Charlotte Mason and Ambleside, but it always feels like such a huge learning curve. Every Charlotte Mason person I come across online spends so much time reading Charlotte Mason, discussing Charlotte Mason, and analyzing Charlotte Mason. I’m just not that committed to any learning philosophy.
I’d love to do the storybook year idea above, but the thought of constantly creating activities and so on to go with it… I know my limitations in terms of time and energy. I’m not sure that’s how I want to spend the precious hours I have each day. I also know the limitations of our budget and that purchasing lots of picture books isn’t in my budget (as much as I would love it to be). And trying to coordinate ordering books from the library and getting them at the right time? Not so sure.
So I’m pondering (to quote Brenda). And I’m asking God to show me what Caroline needs and what will work in our little home.
Bill Gothard’s Umbrella of Protection
I really like how you approach this topic, Sally. We’ve tried homeschooling twice in the past, as recently as last fall, and gave up both times. I tend to feel like I’m not perfectionist enough, or organized enough, or creative enough to keep momentum going. I’d see other homeschool moms locally who were totally immersed in the experience, almost like homeschooling was a cult or an extreme sport. I didn’t fit in with those circles. We’re in PA and I get intimidated by the laws and requirements and portfolios. I love the philosophy behind Charlotte Mason, but, like you said, I didn’t want to eat, breath, and sleep it. Our kids are in the public school system now – I hate it but the kids like it. We will still reevaluate every year and nothing is ever set in stone. I have enjoyed reading through your links and materials!
I like you. 🙂
In other news…we tried the Sabbath schooling this year. We *mainly* did 6 weeks on and 1 off, but sometimes it fit better to move that week off to a more convenient point–like when I knew I had a goat due to kid and everyone would want to be outside playing with the babies. Anyhow, I really think this was a huge, big, GOOD change for us. I often lose steam around week 6, but push through and push through and never get it back until after our term break. That means I’m not at my best for half of each term! Adding in the Sabbath weeks was amazing. I really felt like school was less draining and more fun, and I don’t just mean for me. 🙂
Hi Sallie,
We’ve been doing the Sabbath homeschooling for many years. I just didn’t know it had a name.
We do 4 weeks on and 1 week off, start first week of October (do you know how fun it is to travel when everyone else is in school?) and end in the middle of August. We take a two-week Spring Break and almost the entire month of December off. I’ve tried different ways but God just kept bringing us back to this way, and it runs smoothly for us.
I love your blog, Sallie. I came here because your comments I would see on other blogs were so common-sense and appealing to me. The title alone describes my yearnings. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Jen – Thank you for your kind comment. Homeschooling is a challenge to figure out. I’ve technically been at it three years and I STILL feel like I’m finding my way. It seems like every year brings a new set of challenges – moving, health issues, work, etc. that I have to adapt to. I do finally feel like I have a grasp of what Caroline needs and what I need. Now I just have to figure out the best way to organize that and move forward. I’m not interested in hsing taking over my life. I have too many other interests to live, eat and sleep hsing. We’re fortunate in Michigan that the requirements are really pretty lax. It would be a lot harder if they were strict and detailed. Hang in there!
Brandy – I like you too!
Did I read those Sabbath school articles on your site? I was trying to remember where I found them. Sometimes I can remember and sometimes not.
I like the idea of having a week off to look forward to. I think that would motivate Caroline as well.
Jerzy – Thanks so much for commenting. I’m so glad to read when what I write here connects with someone!
I’m thinking about the timing of when to start and stop as well. I think I want to keep with the schedule of some other things in our life so that would mean starting in August and ending at the end of April. I’d do school June, July and August if I could get Caroline on board. Summer is boring and I’d rather do school and take off September, October, November and December! LOL!
Sallie, I don’t think I’ve really written about the Sabbath schooling because I needed to do it before I could give an honest recommendation! I may have linked some of the articles I read in one of my links collection…either way it is likely we read some of the same articles. 🙂
ps. I just noticed your pretty header with the blue font. I like it! I don’t know how long it’s been up because I read in a reader, but it is nice!
I think one of the best things about homeschooling is the flexible schedule 🙂 We’re just ending our 8th year of homeschooling and I think we’ve scheduled it differently every year! Years when we’ve moved or had a new baby are always hard and we usually ended up schooling over the summer those years because we’d taken so much time off with big life events. Some years we’ve schooled mostly during the winter and summer so we could take off in the spring and fall. As my kids got older and more involved in organized summertime activities–4H projects & animal shows, summer camps, etc. we tended to stick to a more traditional schedule. I have to admit, I really enjoy 3 full months off! Right now it’s working well for us to school mid-to late-September until mid- to late-May. Our most intense months are January through March because there’s little going on during this time, not a lot of sunlight, too cold for being outside much–it’s perfect for staying indoors in front of the fire reading books and working on schoolwork!
Thanks, Brandy! I need to keep things fresh for my sake and the sake of the folks who come here each day! 🙂
Becky – I agree that the flexibility is great. Even though we will take several weeks off this summer, we won’t really be off. Caroline won’t stop learning. That’s part of what makes us so much like unschoolers. Learning just happens all the time. 🙂