Home School

I'm pretty sure that most people who know me or read my blog know that I home school my children.  A few months back someone mentioned that I don't talk a lot about the fact that I home school and I'm not "preachy" about it.  Mostly they're correct.  I don't talk a lot about it on my blog or bring it up a lot unless I"m asked about it.  

Home school is my life.  As I think about it, I guess I don't talk about it a lot because I do it.  I spend all day with my kids, I teach them, I read to them, I play with them, I cook three, four and sometimes five and six meals for them.  We clean together, we make messes together, and we figure things out...together.  To be honest most people tell me they love the idea of home school but a lot of people can't imagine being with their kids all day long.  

And there is nothing wrong with that at all.  Because frankly, I can't imagine being away from my kids all day long on a regular basis.  Ha!!!  But, times are changing.  I knew sooner than later I would really have to give some thought as to what my plan for High School would be.  My Educational Specialist just came to review our children's work, as she does every month, and she mentioned it was time to draw up a plan for Kalen as to what he would do for high school.  

He isn't going into 9th grade yet.  He's only going to be in 8th grade.  However, time flies and these things have to be figured out.  I always thought we would have him home school for the first two years of high school, to then test out and start attending Junior College, around 16/17 years old.  But then, a few days ago, my friend who also home schools said she attended the open house to a charter school called UPA, University Preparatory Academy.  Their mission statement is along the lines of, "a private education in a public setting."  She was very impressed, the school is small, the student body that did the tour were very well spoken, sharp and seemed happy.  As she told me about the school I knew it would be what we would do for Kalen.  And although Kalen has never asked me or given me any indication that he has wanted to attend school, I knew he would love the idea of this school.  

I came home later that night and told Kalen all about the school.  I told him that it was a hard school.  There would be lots of homework, a few hours worth each night.  He said, "I'm ready for it, I really want to do this."  

So, it is the beginning of change.  If I'm honest with myself, I am excited for Kalen.  But, it's bitter sweet.  Currently, I work a lot with Kalen.  I read his history along with him and I write the comprehension questions for the chapters.  I also spend at least half hour going over the questions with him, simply because history is a great place to introduce logic and debate.  I love history and  have a degree in Political Science, so this is my strength.  This is along with all of the other guidance I give to him in his other subjects, like doing dissections for science.

He does science through the Cava K-12 program which is parallel to the public school model.  He loves science and has wanted to be a Pediatric Doctor for nearly two years now.  His dad is his math teacher and he is doing Algebra.  He does a writing program through "write at home," which gives him a real live writing coach on line.  He also does "Lightning Literature," which serves as another writing program to help him become familiar with classics and highly favored cultural novels with which he also practices his writing skills.  

When it comes down to it, the older Kalen gets the more involved his studies are for me and for him.  I'm not sure I can give him what he needs with a house full of six other children.  But, I do honestly feel he has gotten a very good start.  I have no doubt that he will assimilate well when it comes to the the subjects taught and work assigned.  

My concern is with the social aspect of public school.  The irony behind the question, "how is your child socialized," that so often times a home schooling parent gets asked is that really, we usually don't want our children socialized in the very way that most kids in public school are socialized.  

For me and my husband, we wanted our children together with us and with each other for as long as possible.  We are at home learning to build strong relationships with each other, to be able to study the gospel of Jesus Christ along with our studies and to have the freedom to choose what we will teach to our children, without the ill distractions that so often come from public school.

And I've honestly loved this way of life...mostly.  :)  There are hard times.  There are hard days.  Of course!  

I've used Story of the World as our elementary history as so many home schooling families do, it's fantastic.  As the children get older I've used "The History of Us," which is just as fantastic and I've loved reading and studying it with Kalen.  And I will do the same with our children coming up in age.  

Gwyneth's history notebook is below.  She loves history.  Loves it.  

Another most frequently asked question is "what do your other little kids do while the others take up your time?"  This is what they do:  

They get into baby powder, pour it all over the bricks in the backyard and make snow angels, or rather, powder angels.  :)

They play with Legos while the others are studying and writing and doing Arithmetic. 

 They water color right next to their sister as she does her work.

They study different flowers and color them...one of Georgia's extracurricular activities as she waits for her older sister to be done with her work.  :) 

They assist their baby siblings onto the trampoline and then bounce their hearts out!

She plays with her baby, all day long. 

They get into trouble too and have to sit on the bench.  Shane coming off of the bench.  :)

I'm sure it's clear, the little kids play together and by themselves as I do school with the others.  But, I also teach Shane as he has begun reading at the ripe old age of 4 and Summer is coming along with her letters and sounds.  

Reece and Georgia do the same science for now.  They've had a lot of fun this year with it.  

To wrap up this segment on home school life, Kalen will stay at home for one more year and head into UPA for ninth grade.  It is a lottery so we will see.  As for my concerns about a public school setting, we are going to try it.  Kalen has been taught, he knows his Savior and he knows how to make good choices.   If things don't work out for some reason, we have options and choices.  I have faith in that. 

 The other children are thriving and happy at home with their learning.  The other activities they are involved with are:

Piano, year round swim team, park day, baseball, church, youth group, activity day girls, church basketball, tennis and the list goes on.  

When it comes down to it home school is my passion and it always will be.  I believe in keeping children close as long as possible.  I'm in it for the long haul and I feel passionate about giving all of my children my all.  But, I realize that everybody is different.  Not everybody feels this way and I think these differences should be celebrated.  What should be celebrated is that we have the choice here, right now, to choose public, private, home, or charter educations.  We as parents, for now, are able to choose what we think is the best education for our children.   I have loved home schooling my children.  I love to wake up with them, to have no rush, but to learn and be together.  And I am thankful for choices.  Because we are all different.  And that is what makes things great.