My kids are away this week with their grandparents on vacation. While they are gone I've had a bit of a break from the homeschooling process and I've been using the time to reevaluate our homeschooling experience.
The main question I've been asking myself is "Why do we homeschool?" I think the answer to that will give me the basis for providing the best experience for my kids.
I know there are many different reasons that people choose to homeschool but for us it comes down to two basic reasons.
1. Both Austin-12 and Amanda-10 have very unique learning styles that I believe would be very poorly served in the traditional school setting. Learning for Austin is a very auditory process. If he hears it he knows it. A learning regimen of mostly textbooks and worksheets would completely snuff out his love of learning and leave him extremely frustrated. We do use worksheets and textbooks but on a limited basis. Amanda on the other hand loves worksheets and textbooks and is a very creative thinker. She is also a private learner, taking her books and papers to a secluded area and working on her own. When she has reached a satisfactory conclusion on a subject she than happily shares her findings with everyone else. And as I am watching Michael-2, grow and learn I am seeing in him also his own unique learning style. He is a very active, hands-on type of learner.
2. The second reason it that we really, truly love working and growing together. I am fortunate to be self-employed and able to work from home. My kids play a vital part in the successful organization and running of this business and we love doing it. Not that every day is perfect. We have our off days when nothing seems to go right and everyone is a little (or a lot) grumpy and grouchy. But overall-we're having a blast.
I'll be so glad when Austin and Amanda get back home.
In other news here at Roseshouse-
It's really been pretty quiet. My helper has not worked at all this week. I gave her a few days off and she has not been feeling very well so she took two days off. But it's been so quiet I've been fine on my own. Because two kids moved away and the mother of two other kids quit her job our number of kids is down. Another mother has a job that she can sometimes to her kids along too so they are not always here. We've put an ad in the paper to fill our vacant spots so the quiet will probably not last very long. I'm enjoying it while I can.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Book Review
I love to read and find it to be necessary to my feeling of mental well-being-almost like eating is to my physical well-being. Brain food I guess.
This week I'm rereading a book that I've read before-several times. It always inspires me. The book is "Reposition Yourself-Living Life Without Limits" by T. D. Jakes.
The book is divided into three parts with five chapters in each part- Part 1-The Sky's the Limit
Part 2-Beyond the Limits of Mediocrity Part3-Beyond the Limits of Success.
I appreciate the way that T. D. Jakes offers encouragement to for for the dreams you hold dear. But he also provides a common sense approach to dealing with obstacles and an understanding that each of us has to start with what we have at this moment. He also acknowledges that there are challenges that come with success and provides encouragement and strategies for dealing with these challenges and moving on to even greater success.
This week I'm rereading a book that I've read before-several times. It always inspires me. The book is "Reposition Yourself-Living Life Without Limits" by T. D. Jakes.
The book is divided into three parts with five chapters in each part- Part 1-The Sky's the Limit
Part 2-Beyond the Limits of Mediocrity Part3-Beyond the Limits of Success.
I appreciate the way that T. D. Jakes offers encouragement to for for the dreams you hold dear. But he also provides a common sense approach to dealing with obstacles and an understanding that each of us has to start with what we have at this moment. He also acknowledges that there are challenges that come with success and provides encouragement and strategies for dealing with these challenges and moving on to even greater success.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Goals
I love Mondays. I always get the feeling that there is an adventure ahead of me in the coming week and I can't wait to see what it is.
I have several goals this week that I am looking forward to accomplishing so I'm going to put them in writing. Putting goals in writing and sharing them creates a sense of accountability to myself and to others that helps me stay focused and productive.
1. Get up at 5:00 every morning this week. (Except Saturday)
2.Post on this blog every day this week.
3.Post pictures on my blog.
4. Create a new blog for the daycare as a tool for staying connected with the families of the kids I care for.
5. Finish stripping the wallpaper in Amanda's room so we can paint it.
On Friday I will review my progress toward these goals and post how I've done.
I have several goals this week that I am looking forward to accomplishing so I'm going to put them in writing. Putting goals in writing and sharing them creates a sense of accountability to myself and to others that helps me stay focused and productive.
1. Get up at 5:00 every morning this week. (Except Saturday)
2.Post on this blog every day this week.
3.Post pictures on my blog.
4. Create a new blog for the daycare as a tool for staying connected with the families of the kids I care for.
5. Finish stripping the wallpaper in Amanda's room so we can paint it.
On Friday I will review my progress toward these goals and post how I've done.
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