Thursday, April 28, 2016

Homeschool Days


A few of you have asked recently if I would share a little bit about how we homeschool, and so I thought with the end of our first grade year coming up, it might be a good time to do that now. We have been officially homeschooling for three years, although I honestly don't count the two years of kindergarten as homeschooling. In those early years we didn't focus on academics, instead the focus was on time in nature, arts and crafts, story telling, reading (me reading aloud), songs and finger plays, and lots of time for uninterrupted, imaginative free play...the real work of childhood. Our days had a gentle rhythm that allowed Reece, and his little friend, to really sink into and soak up the magic childhood. I think back to those days with fondness, and am so happy I was able to let go of societal expectations of what my little man "should" have been learning, and instead let him take the lead and enjoy those early years. It was a gift to him, both of us really, and one I know I won't regret giving him.

Those early years were heavily inspired by Rudolf Steiner, and his Waldorf philosophy, and as we took the leap into grade 1 in the fall I continued to utilize his teachings. Grade 1 was supported with a curriculum from Lavender Blue, a Waldorf-inspired curriculum that really spoke to me. After using it for the year, I can say without a doubt that I loved it, really loved it. And the kids, Reece and his little friend, soaked it up. They have both been eager learners, happy to move from morning free play to main lesson, and at times asking for more. Honestly, teaching them has been a joy, and dare I say, easy.

So just what does a school day look like for us. First of all, when I was pregnant and imagined homeschooling, I never thought I would have "school days", but things change. I was asked to help homeschool another little one and well, let's face it, I work better with a rhythm to our days, and so, yes we have school days. Those days for grade 1 were Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Our main lesson followed a three day rhythm. Day one was introducing a new lesson, day two was review and building on that lesson, and day three again review and more building. Most of our main lesson blocks were four weeks in length. So for four weeks we would focus on one subject, in grade 1 that revolves around arithmetic and language arts, and let the other subject rest, or sleep within the child. That is not to say that we don't do any language arts during an arithmetic block, we still do read aloud every day, we still sing songs and do finger plays, and we still practice our printing by writing letters to penpals, or thank you notes. And during a language arts blocks we still do some math work during our circle time...counting as we toss bean bags, working on our skip counting as we jump rope, and so on.

Our main lesson is always in the morning. When the little one I homeschool arrives we head out for a nature walk, in any kind of weather. It is the perfect way to start our day, get rid of energy before I ask them to focus, and to notice what is happening in nature. When we get back they play while I get a morning snack together, and then we jump into main lesson. Main lesson at this level is about 75 to 90 minutes, although there are some days we have gone for two hours because they have enjoyed the lesson and want to keep going. We then clean up our main lesson area, and I head off to make lunch, and the kids play. After lunch our afternoon consists of outdoor free play, read aloud (for most of the year it was me reading to them, but over the last few weeks we have also added in them reading to me as they get started on their reading journey...I can't tell you how amazing this is), and then an activity for the afternoon. On Monday we knit, Tuesday we make soup and bake bread for dinner, and Thursday we watercolour, and sometimes have an extra lesson in form drawing. The afternoon always finishes up with a little more free play, because these kiddos are still kids, and free play is still where a lot of learning takes place.

For the last three years Wednesday and Friday have been our free days. Wednesday is left open for seasonal activities which could include skating, snowshoeing, hiking, and swimming, followed by running errands. I see running errands as a life skill, and a chance for Reece to interact with people in our community. The people at the post office know us very well, the store clerks at the grocery store do too. We say hello to them, we chat with them, and we get to know them. Friday's are our nature day. We hit the trails with other homeschooling families for a morning of fun in the woods. We don't plan anything on these nature days, no games, no journaling, no lessons in nature, just plain old fun. Climbing trees, feeding birds, having picnics trail side, chatting with friends, and just enjoying Mother Nature and time with other homeschooling families. It is laid back, and fun. Perfect for a Friday morning, and a little jump start on the weekend.

Homeschooling my little man and his little friend is a joy. I knew before Reece was born that this was the path we would walk, I had no idea at the time I would have the honour of homeschooling one of his little friends, but I wouldn't change it. It is amazing to watch them blossom and grow, to see their love of learning develop, and to witness those moments when everything clicks and they get it, you know, that A-HA moment.

Reece and I will move into summer learning mode in about a month, with an easy, go with the flow rhythm. I have a definite idea of what I hope to accomplish with him over the summer months, but I am also not at all worried if we steer away from the plan, it is summer after all. As I mentioned in a previous post, there will definitely be a big dinosaur component to our summer learning, and I am sure Reece will have some other things he wishes to delve a little deeper into. So I will follow his lead, and see where it takes us.

So, that's how we homeschool, for now. I do have plans to change some things up a bit next year, but will still follow along with our Waldorf inspired learning. The wonderful thing about homeschooling is the freedom to make changes, do something a little differently, and spend more time on an area of interest when my little man wishes to do so. It's something I appreciate, and something I know he appreciates.

I hope I have given you an idea of what our homeschool days look like. I am happy to answer questions if you have them, feel free to leave a question in the comment section, or if you prefer, send an email.

Happy weekend, friends!

22 comments:

  1. I love these peeks into how a day of learning looks in others homes. I note that you talk about home schooling I don't know what the law is in Canada but are you required to submit reports or similar? We don't here in the UK so I consider myself/our days to be about home education rather than schooling. I know that some here get quite heated about the semantics of it all so I do hope I am not offending you by asking.

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    1. I love it too, so nice to get a peek into how others do it. No, we are not required to submit reports here, in Ontario. I do think each province has different policies though. No offense taken at all, home education sounds lovely, in fact many times when I get asked why Reece is with me during the day, I say that we home educate. Either works for me :)

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  2. It all sounds so wonderful! Looking back on my childhood I know I would have simply thrived in this environment. It certainly sounds as though both Reece and his friend are.
    I met a little boy and his Mum the other day who were both on a homeschooling journey. The boy was so enthusiastic about his learning and discoveries and was so eager to talk with me about them even though we had only just met. His enthusiasm and excitement was infection. He was hungry to learn. I couldn't help but think of you and Reece after this encounter.
    Blessings to you both, my friend xo

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    1. Thanks Leisa.

      What a lovely encounter. It truly is a wonderful way to live life, and I am happy I can support my little man in this way.

      Thank you. xo

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  3. sounds like you have a lovely rhythm with your son and it's all going as it should!! so many good things are happening for you and R!!!

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    1. Thanks Karen, it is moving along so well, and we are both enjoying our homeschool days. Yes, lots of good things, and I am trying my best to keep those good things in the forefront of my mind at the moment :)

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  4. Lovely Kim and sounds similar to our homeschooling days. I love having the kids just be able to play and learn from life as well (running errads). It's so nice when kids want to play outside. You don't see many out there anymore. At least here anyway...

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    1. Thanks Tiffany, it doesn't surprise me that our days are similar my friend :) Yes, those life lessons are some of the most important ones, and I am so glad our homeschool days allow us to take our time with errands and really connect with people. Same here, to some extent, with the playing outside. It really is to bad.

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  5. Dear Kim, it all sounds wonderful! In Sweden it is not allowed to homeschool, so I had´t heard about it when my kids where that age. I think I would have liked to do it if it had been an option for us over here. I loved the years when I was a stay at home mom, as we moved to Austria and we had all afternoon to do things together! I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to spend so much time together with my children as I feel it brought us very close together as they are (almost) adults today but we still have a wonderful connection and they are such precious, thoughtful, loving and good persons;)

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    1. Thank you Karin-Ida. I think you would have loved homeschooling my friend, from what I know of you :) I am grateful too for the time Reece and I get to spend together, it is such a special time, these early years. Our plan is to homeschool right through highschool, and while I know there will be challenges with that, I do hope that the foundation and connection we are building now will help us move through those teenage years a little easier :)

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  6. It's all so very wonderful (and so very familiar)! :) I just adore this path we are walking down, and am so glad that I get to share each day and it's many adventures and learning experiences with my sweet girls! I just love that their childhood has been just that- a childhood and that it's one full of wonder! Our morning lessons are a much looked forward to time of our day and I am so grateful that they have the chance to learn things at their own pace and when they are truly ready/the timing is right!

    We have about a month left before we shift into our summer rhythm, too. We will continue to read through the summer, and I think we may work on a bit of a math too, but our formal morning lessons will take a break until September (though they may begin in late August as the girls are usually ready for morning lessons to begin by then). I do feel that our days may change a bit next "year" as they are moving further into the grades and seem to want/be ready for something more. I know we want to keep mornings for lessons and afternoons for adventures, play, or wherever the day takes us but I do feel like some kind of change is coming (I'm just not entirely sure what that change is just yet). xo

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    1. I figured that Shel. I get the feeling we move through our days in the much the same way you and your girls do :)

      I look forward to chatting with you about the changes that are coming. I kinda feel a shift here too,as I mentioned, but not quite sure where it will take us yet. I am planning for next year, but also keeping things open to change if Reece takes us in different direction.

      xo

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  7. Love the look into your life and routines! We do a little Friday forest school too with friends.

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    1. Glad you enjoyed it Jen. Friday in the woods is the best, I would never change that part of our rhythm...such a perfect way to end the week and start the weekend :)

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  8. Sounds a lot like our days. Though we do things on different days than you. I know its not all sunshine and butterflies but your description of your rhythm makes me so happy! :)

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    1. Thanks my friend. You know, it rolls pretty good around here. Yes, there are some moments, but for the most part the kids seem to connect to the rhythm and flow of our days, and we never have too many struggles. It truly is a joy.

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  9. Thank you for this great walk through of your daily rhythm. I'm starting to peice together what we will do for Panda this fall. Any and all words of added wisdom are welcome.

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    1. You are welcome my friend. A few people had asked, so I took the time to share :) If you have any questions you know how to reach me, always happy to answer questions, if I can.

      How exciting to be putting together plans for Panda next year, such a fun process. Enjoy it.

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  10. I always love reading about your homeschooling journey. It's always so inspiring. His writing hand is wonderfully steady. Little Miss has quickly gotten the hang of it as well. What joy to see them grow and learn.

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    1. Aw, thanks Yanic. It is such a joy, and one I am enjoying so very much.

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  11. Your rhythm sounds perfect for you all, we're still part and part here with Maria, which is working well but I think we'll have to change in some way next year as things start to become slightly more serious at school. If we carry on part time then we'll have to have a bit more structure on the days out of school I think, and not sure how either Maria or I will like that! But planning on enjoying some more relaxed, fun and completely unstructured, spontaneous learning for the rest of this year at least!

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    1. Thanks Sally. It fits us well, and I love the flow of it for all of us. Sounds like there are some big decisions in your future about next year. Hope that all goes smoothly.

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