In the first week of our experiment, we tried to do far more than sane people should. We attended a national conference in Minneapolis (I don’t exhibit very often, so this was a rare occurrence). And because the conference was in Minneapolis — a two hour drive from our home — I wanted to add a science museum visit while we were there.
This will be a little more “laundry list” than I had planned, but with so much material, I’ll have enough Pass the Torch Tuesday posts to last me the rest of the year.
For a snarky look at our week, read this.
What went well
Our week started with two days of what I hope will be our typical homeschool day: four hours of academics, spread out from 8:30 AM until about 2:30 PM, with liberal breaks, relaxed lunch and time for crafts or physical activity. I’m still learning their ability levels and adjusting as necessary. Both kids have been very receptive and willing to teach me, while I teach them.
I’ve enjoyed reading to them on the couch, and journaling each day. Deena’s blog has been insightful and smile-inducing. We organized a chore chart to add to their housekeeping responsibilities, and I integrated learning into errands, like grocery shopping.
Wednesday we visited the science museum. We’d created a scavenger hunt and questions list prior to our visit, and this focused our attention to the exhibits that enriched the curriculum we’d already learned at home. The big question Curt wanted answered? How long is T-Rex’s tooth? (answer - about his arm’s length.)
Thursday and Friday the kids helped me to exhibit at the national Healthy Communities/Healthy Youth conference. They participated in the art booth, where patient adults taught them to block stamp and macrame hemp bracelets. It was such a gift that these opportunities were available right next to my exhibitor’s booth!
The kids created a chart to gather statistics about the exhibitors, and they chatted with these professionals like veteran reporters. They helped me to set up and take down the booth, which was very helpful. Deena even played salesperson a few times. Deena read Stuart Little to us in the car, since we missed our “couch” time.
Not so good
I did almost nothing I’d planned to do for homeschooling at the conference. We were never able to attend a conference session because we couldn’t get into a presentation early enough. We had lugged several books to work on lessons, but soon realized I wouldn’t have the time to give them the attention they needed.
And by the time we were halfway into our two hour trip home Thursday night, our overtired cargo (self included) had erupted into a full-scale argument, resulting in a meltdown and tears. The trigger? A shared root beer float. Someday I’ll tell the whole story.
Notes to self
Curt is stubborn and he knows everything.
Deena can be snarky. Don’t be snarky back.
Talk to them, the way you want them to talk to each other.
Slow down. Cut back. (We slept in on Friday, arrived late, and are skipping Saturday’s conference.)
Leave the textbooks, and unschool on wierd days away from home. (They learned a lot at the conference, but those things weren’t on my lesson plans. We’ll process their “exhibitor statistics” chart somehow next week.)
Don’t drive home at night in-between conference days. The kids didn’t have the energy to really make it quality time, and all I did was process orders and worry about inventory issues.
QUESTION FOR YOU:
Next week’s unit is government (tying it into the election.) Do you know of any classic or Newbery Award-type novels related to government, politics or elections?? Racking my brain…
Other Homeschooling Experiment milestones:
The Beginning
Week One - Starting with a Frazzle
Five Steps to Drive Yourself off a Cliff
Week Two - Just when I thought I knew what I was doing
Week Three — Let there be CRAFTS!
One-month Review
D’s Review at One Month
Week Five - Stress and frustration
Week Seven - Flip-flopping curriculum
Note to self - Consider having low expectations some weeks
Two-Month Review — Some aha moments
Three-Month Review — Not all peaches and cream
Four-Month Review — Loving ancient history
Five-Month Review — What I underestimated
Six-Month Review - Let’s Just Skip this Month
Seven-Month Review — Curriculum Review
D’s research paper — Save the Earth Saturday series
Tales of a Fourth-Grade Guinea Pig
All posts about the experiment — including WAY-COOL FIELD TRIPS!
HOMESCHOOL EXPERIMENT RESULTS SERIES:
WHY WE STARTED
the JOYS
the STRUGGLES
the FUTURE for us
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6:59 am
[…] The rest of the story is here. Filed In: The Experiment […]
7:59 am
It sounds like this week was learning experience for you all, Kelly. Don’t beat yourself up about it. You leant lots about your own strengths and weaknesses as a home-schooling mom and also learnt lots about your kids and what they can cope with. Some of the learning experiences were not quite what you were hoping for but you also got lots of terrific positives. I think the three of you deserve a big pat on the back (and maybe an ice-cream cone too!).
8:07 am
Thank you for your encouragement red dirt mummy!! It means so much!
8:25 am
I don’t know about academics, but there was a whole lotta learnin’ going on. Isn’t that the point, dear one?
You’ve got what it takes! (and so do they)
Maybe your best asset (where homeschooling is concerned) is you’re willing to be a student as well; flexibility is a GOOD thing :).
9:07 am
You’re a sweetie, Robin - thanks for cheering me on.
12:48 pm
It takes some time to get into a routine and to no how to handle the non routine days! There is a big learning curve at the beginning. Sounds like you are on the right track!
12:50 pm
I lost my comment! Anyhow. . . sounds like you are on the right track. There is a big learning curve at the beginning!
10:12 am
Beginning a new thing is not always easy, I think I would have given up! You must have a lot of patience:O) Just like anything else, you are going to have good days and not so good days. I agree, don’t beat yourself up… learn from it and keep on truckin’!
Here from the CFL
10:43 am
I don’t know of any books, but as a former teacher, I’d get them out on the campaign trail. Take them to the local government offices to see how things run and take them with you to vote. It sounds like you’re doing an excellent job with homeschooling. As a teacher, sometimes you give up the “lesson plans” when another type of learning just naturally happens.
Here from the Carnival.
11:01 am
Excellent suggestions! I plan to take them with me to the polls next Tuesday. But I think we may “field trip” to the county seat this week also. Great ideas - keep them coming!
11:28 am
You know there is so much available online via government stuff today too - I’ll bet visiting a few of the personal sites for public officials, etc. would be pretty enlightening. Even understanding how the geographics impact your voting, knowing who you’d send a comment on an issue to etc. is something most people don’t know.
There is something comforting about reading your honest shares about what went well and especially what didn’t. I’m so much alike and know it’s the falling short on my expectations that would be hardest for me. Thanks for sharing!
Hugs,
Holly
Holly’s Corner
12:06 pm
I totally understand. No matter what I do, it’s like my “default” setting is to try and do way more than a sane person should
Here from Carnival of Family Life.
12:57 pm
Even though you didn’t get to do everything you had planned, it still sounds like it was a productive trip. Good going!
1:47 pm
You may not have accomplished everything you set out to do this week, but it sounds like your children were exposed to some great things that won’t be on their day-to-day curriculum. Sometimes the best learning is unplanned.
Give yourself a huge pat on the back, my dear. You have done an awesome job this week!
8:29 pm
Any time you start something new there is always an adjustment period, a learning curve that must be over come. Now that you are learning more about the kid’a abilities it should only get easier from here. Sounds like a good first week to me.
7:07 pm
[…] Notes to self This was a solid week of work, so we were pretty worn out already by Wednesday, let alone Thursday or Friday. (Notice a recurring theme here? Will I never learn??) I need to schedule relaxed days even on the weeks without planned field trips. I think I’ll put library on the calendar so we don’t forget. […]
7:35 am
[…] Homeschooling Experiment milestones: The Beginning Week One - Starting with a Frazzle Five Steps to Drive Yourself off a Cliff Week Two - Just when I thought I knew what I was doing Week Three — Let there be CRAFTS! One-month Review D’s Review at One Month Week Five - Stress and frustration Week Seven - Flip-flopping curriculum Note to self - Consider having low expectations some weeks Two-Month Review — Some aha moments Three-Month Review — Not all peaches and cream Four-Month Review — Loving ancient history Five-Month Review — What I underestimated Six-Month Review - Let’s Just Skip this Month Seven-Month Review — Curriculum review D’s research paper — Save the Earth Saturday series Tales of a Fourth-Grade Guinea Pig All posts about the experiment — including WAY-COOL FIELD TRIPS! […]
7:39 am
[…] Homeschooling Experiment milestones: The Beginning Week One - Starting with a Frazzle Five Steps to Drive Yourself off a Cliff Week Two - Just when I thought I knew what I was doing Week Three — Let there be CRAFTS! One-month Review D’s Review at One Month Week Five - Stress and frustration Week Seven - Flip-flopping curriculum Note to self - Consider having low expectations some weeks Two-Month Review — Some aha moments Three-Month Review — Not all peaches and cream Four-Month Review — Loving ancient history Five-Month Review — What I underestimated Six-Month Review - Let’s Just Skip this Month Seven-Month Review — Curriculum Review D’s research paper — Save the Earth Saturday series Tales of a Fourth-Grade Guinea Pig All posts about the experiment — including WAY-COOL FIELD TRIPS! […]
10:27 am
[…] Homeschooling Experiment milestones: The Beginning Week One - Starting with a Frazzle Five Steps to Drive Yourself off a Cliff Week Two - Just when I thought I knew what I was doing Week Three — Let there be CRAFTS! One-month Review D’s Review at One Month Week Five - Stress and frustration Week Seven - Flip-flopping curriculum Note to self - Consider having low expectations some weeks Two-Month Review — Some aha moments Three-Month Review — Not all peaches and cream Four-Month Review — Loving ancient history Five-Month Review — What I underestimated Six-Month Review - Let’s Just Skip this Month Seven-Month Review — Curriculum Review D’s research paper — Save the Earth Saturday series Tales of a Fourth-Grade Guinea Pig All posts about the experiment — including WAY-COOL FIELD TRIPS! […]
1:47 pm
[…] Other Homeschooling Experiment milestones: The Beginning Week One - Starting with a Frazzle Five Steps to Drive Yourself off a Cliff Week Two - Just when I thought I knew what I was doing Week Three — Let there be CRAFTS! One-month Review D’s Review at One Month Week Five - Stress and frustration Week Seven - Flip-flopping curriculum Note to self - Consider having low expectations some weeks Two-Month Review — Some aha moments Three-Month Review — Not all peaches and cream Four-Month Review — Loving ancient history Five-Month Review — What I underestimated Six-Month Review - Let’s Just Skip this Month Seven-Month Review — Curriculum Review D’s research paper — Save the Earth Saturday series Tales of a Fourth-Grade Guinea Pig All posts about the experiment — including WAY-COOL FIELD TRIPS! […]
7:20 am
[…] Other Homeschooling Experiment milestones: The Beginning Week One - Starting with a Frazzle Five Steps to Drive Yourself off a Cliff Week Two - Just when I thought I knew what I was doing Week Three — Let there be CRAFTS! One-month Review D’s Review at One Month Week Five - Stress and frustration Week Seven - Flip-flopping curriculum Note to self - Consider having low expectations some weeks Two-Month Review — Some aha moments Three-Month Review — Not all peaches and cream Four-Month Review — Loving ancient history Five-Month Review — What I underestimated Six-Month Review - Let’s Just Skip this Month Seven-Month Review — Curriculum review D’s research paper — Save the Earth Saturday series Tales of a Fourth-Grade Guinea Pig All posts about the experiment — including WAY-COOL FIELD TRIPS! […]
7:44 am
[…] Other Homeschooling Experiment milestones: The Beginning Week One - Starting with a Frazzle Five Steps to Drive Yourself off a Cliff Week Two - Just when I thought I knew what I was doing Week Three — Let there be CRAFTS! One-month Review D’s Review at One Month Week Five - Stress and frustration Week Seven - Flip-flopping curriculum Note to self - Consider having low expectations some weeks Two-Month Review — Some aha moments Three-Month Review — Not all peaches and cream Four-Month Review — Loving ancient history Five-Month Review — What I underestimated Six-Month Review - Let’s Just Skip this Month Seven-Month Review — Curriculum Review D’s research paper — Save the Earth Saturday series Tales of a Fourth-Grade Guinea Pig All posts about the experiment — including WAY-COOL FIELD TRIPS! […]
8:18 am
[…] Homeschooling Experiment milestones: The Beginning Week One - Starting with a Frazzle Five Steps to Drive Yourself off a Cliff Week Two - Just when Ithought I knew what I was doing Week Three — Let there be CRAFTS! One-month Review D’s Review at One Month Week Five - Stress and frustration Week Seven - Flip-flopping curriculum Note to self - Consider having low expectations some weeks Two-Month Review — Some aha moments Three-Month Review — Not all peaches and cream Four-Month Review — Loving ancient history Five-Month Review — What I underestimated Six-Month Review - Let’s Just Skip this Month Seven-Month Review — Curriculum Review D’s research paper — Save the Earth Saturday series Tales of a Fourth-Grade Guinea Pig All posts about the experiment — including WAY-COOL FIELD TRIPS! […]
8:21 am
[…] Other Homeschooling Experiment milestones: The Beginning Week One - Starting with a Frazzle Five Steps to Drive Yourself off a Cliff Week Two - Just when I thought I knew what I was doing Week Three — Let there be CRAFTS! One-month Review D’s Review at One Month Week Five - Stress and frustration Week Seven - Flip-flopping curriculum Note to self - Consider having low expectations some weeks Two-Month Review — Some aha moments Three-Month Review — Not all peaches and cream Four-Month Review — Loving ancient history Five-Month Review — What I underestimated Six-Month Review - Let’s Just Skip this Month Seven-Month Review — Curriculum Review D’s research paper — Save the Earth Saturday series Tales of a Fourth-Grade Guinea Pig All posts about the experiment — including WAY-COOL FIELD TRIPS! […]
8:24 am
[…] Other Homeschooling Experiment milestones: The Beginning Week One - Starting with a Frazzle Five Steps to Drive Yourself off a Cliff Week Two - Just when I thought I knew what I was doing Week Three — Let there be CRAFTS! One-month Review D’s Review at One Month Week Five - Stress and frustration Week Seven - Flip-flopping curriculum Note to self - Consider having low expectations some weeks Two-Month Review — Some aha moments Three-Month Review — Not all peaches and cream Four-Month Review — Loving ancient history Five-Month Review — What I underestimated Six-Month Review - Let’s Just Skip this Month Seven-Month Review — Curriculum Review D’s research paper — Save the Earth Saturday series Tales of a Fourth-Grade Guinea Pig All posts about the experiment — including WAY-COOL FIELD TRIPS! […]
6:37 pm
[…] Homeschooling Experiment milestones: The Beginning Week One - Starting with a Frazzle Five Steps to Drive Yourself off a Cliff Week Two - Just when I thought I knew what I was doing […]
7:47 am
[…] Homeschooling Experiment milestones: The Beginning Week One - Starting with a Frazzle Five Steps to Drive Yourself off a Cliff Week Two - Just when I thought I knew what I was doing […]
9:47 am
[…] Homeschooling Experiment milestones: The Beginning Week One - Starting with a Frazzle Five Steps to Drive Yourself off a Cliff Week Two - Just when I thought I knew what I was doing […]