How do you quantify the value?
Your 4th grader comes over to sit with you during your 2nd grader’s history lesson, after overhearing your discussion about the ancient Egyptians.
The giddy anticipation when it’s time to open the ancient Egyptian treasure chest, and to discover games and activities that teach about this strange and skilled civilization.
The discussion about death and body, vs. spirit — springboarded by learning about mummification and ancient Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife.
The “I love you, Daddy” note that D writes in hieroglyphic stamps.
A child’s enthusiasm — “Let’s hurry up and finish so we can move onto the GREEKS!”
The flexibility, to pause study about the American Revolution, so that your 4th grader can learn something that really interests her.
And how do you reckon with the fact none of this learning would be tested on state standardized exams, so it often isn’t taught in elementary school?
More Homeschooling Experiment milestones:
The Beginning
One-month Review
Two-Month Review
Three-Month Review
Four-Month Review
Five-Month Review
PS – Ree, from Pioneer Woman, was instrumental in our transition to homeschooling. She was a great support to me as I made big decisions the first few weeks. She talks about her homeschooling today.
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Tags: ancient civilizations, ancient Egypt treasure chest, Egypt curriculum, Egyptian, homeschool, homeschool experiment
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1:21 am
Thats a much deeper education than kids get in public school
(Ps. the Egyptian stuff reminds me of a Where’s Waldo Book)
10:32 am
Hon, it’s PRICELESS. And if you needed validation for what you’re doing, I imagine a day like this one would be just what the doctor ordered…
I don’t think you “need” validation, I think the experience is speaking for itself
.
7:30 pm
They wouldn’t get that kind of individual attention in public school. Sounds like it’s going great for you guys!
10:28 pm
[...] Kelly presents Homeschool Experiment – 4 Month Review posted at Pass the Torch [...]
11:46 pm
We’re homeschooling (K), and I’m still debating whether or not it’s really for us. These stories remind me of why I’m trying in the first place. Thanks for sharing!
Here via CoFL
2:55 am
Pamela — yes in many ways, it has been a deeper experience. Many ways.
Robin — I look for validation a lot — I think I need to in an “experiment” like this one. And days like this one really do validate.
Kailani — I think in many ways it really is going great.
Kerry — Like you, we’re still debating as well. If you’ve read the other posts in this category, you’ll see we’ve had our share of struggles too. We’re very much in the “not sure” category. But days like this make all the effort seem so worthwhile.
7:50 am
We’re home schooling because our son has Aspergers and struggles in a class room. I have completely turned my life upside down and can now only work minimal hours. I resisted the idea of home schooling for months but finally in desperation gave in.
I am so glad that I did as our son is now calm and learning through play, curiosity and undivided attention.
I frequently read what other home schoolers are doing as a check that I’m not way off beam.
Your post is beautiful and it made me want to play the Egyptian game too.
I found you through the Carnival of Family Life and I’m really glad you sent this post in.
Take care
Megan from Australia.
8:12 am
[...] The Carnival of Family Life is up at Be A Good Dad. I submitted my Homeschool Experiment — 4 Month Review. Filed In: Blogging Like this post? Subscribe to Pass The Torch [...]
12:16 pm
[...] Kelly presents Homeschool Experiment – 4 Month Review posted at Pass the Torch [...]
10:13 pm
Homeschooling wasnt’an option when my son was in public schools. He got a good education – better than many of his peers because he was in an early-model gifted and talented program – but I still wonder how much much richer the experience could have been. I envy all of you who face the challenge and share so much of your children’s lives. Way to go!
I’m also here from the Carnival of Family Life and enjoyed your post very much!
8:08 am
I just found your blog through Wordless Wednesday. Although I don’t write about it much, I’ve been homeschooling my 4th grader for a year (my younger son is still in public school). I’m impressed by how you’ve chronicled your “experiment” in your blog! It’s very motivating and energizing to read. I can’t wait to read more!
10:39 pm
[...] More experiment milestones: The Beginning One-month Review Two-Month Review Three-Month Review Four-Month Review Five-Month Review [...]
4:21 pm
[...] Treasure Chests – Greece, Roman, Egypt, Viking, China. We loved them all. They were the highlight of the curriculum. I would strongly encourage anyone to find these treasure chests if you study ancient history. They’re fun, they’re hands-on, they’re games. Excellent. I’m selling ours, although the kids would rather keep them. I just think someone else could really benefit from them like we have. And all those small pieces will eventually get lost around here;) [...]
9:26 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 [...]
7:26 am
[...] We’ve discovered we LOVE social studies — particularly history! I didn’t even know that about myself until this year. In fact, after D finished with her American History lessons, she’d come and sit with C and I as we read about the Egyptians. She loved it so much, I finally decided to postpone the rest of American History for a different year, so we could all enjoy the learning together. Her fascination for history has followed into our field trips as well. At Old World Wisconsin, she insisted on visiting every exhibit — so much that we barely finished it all before closing. I can’t wait to go with D to Boston next week. She’ll make an excellent partner for “traveling through history.” [...]
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! [...]
7:33 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! [...]
7:21 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! [...]
9:30 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! [...]
8:19 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! [...]
6:37 pm
[...] 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 [...]
7:48 am
[...] 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 [...]
7:54 am
[...] 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 [...]
8:45 am
[...] 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 [...]
9:06 am
[...] 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 [...]