A lot has changed as the kids have progressed in their schooling. We are embracing a very eclectic mix of traditional schooling, unschooling, Montessori elements, inspirations from Waldorf and many other types of homeschooling methods. On a fairly daily basis the kids are responsible for their "binders" which includes a few activities to be completed with their dry erase crayons on page protectors. There is a calendar to fill in, graphing the weather, writing the date, day of the week, number of that day in words, filling in a digital and analog clock for the time they are working, a thermometer in Celsius and Fahrenheit, and drawing appropriate clothes for the weather. They also need to roll a die that has a die inside, essentially two dice in one, and make a number sentence. They recently started doing negative numbers in those. They never cease to amaze me with what they know. In their binders I usually put a reading page/activity, a math page/activity, and a coloring page/activity. Some days this is all done in 15 minutes, other days a couple of hours depending on their moods and attention level.
In addition to their binders we take frequent field trips. We currently have memberships to Mystic Aquarium, thanks to an amazing Christmas present from my parents, Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, the CT Science Center, the Florence Griswold Art Museum, and we have a reciprocal children's museum membership through the Children's Museum of Southeastern CT. We take all kinds of trips, and we take advantage of free classes through Otis library and the Connecticut College Arboretum. The kids are finishing up a second session of science for homeschoolers through the CMSECT and we just joined CHEER, CT homeschool educators east of the river. We are involved in a book club at the local homeschool store, the Curriculum Coop, one of our favorite places, God bless the McClearys for opening it, and are trying to become involved in a larger net of homeschool families. I find the support of other moms and dads invaluable.
We also try to spend as much time outside as possible, and in physical activities. Rich built the kids a mud pit in the yard, in addition to their swimming pool, water table, sand box, sand and water toy, and all the other crazy big toys they have out there. We are also in the process of building a large outdoor scrabble board on our stone patio. We take lots of hikes and did a service project as a family of setting up a Ranger Rick family geocache trail in Bozrah. We are also getting into letterboxing this year. We encourage a lot of nature play, and nature observations. This is one reason we love Denison. We spent an hour one day on one of the trails observing a vernal pool. Before we became members I didn't even know what a vernal pool is, but it is a water feature that is seasonal. Mostly occurring in the late winter to late spring, and it is a crucial type of wetland that is critical to many native species of insect, amphibians, and reptiles, as well as small creatures like fairy shrimp.
One of the other things that has changed is my keeping track of stuff. I keep some major work from them, or things that really showcase something they have learned. Daily I write down activities that they did that constitute school, even if it is only puzzles, playdough, and the magnet center. I have been keeping track of their interests, and made a spreadsheet of what I want to accomplish by each grade level. Unfortunately I am a little over my head as they charge far ahead of where I expect at every turn. At some subjects they are in a second grade level, but there are still so many things they can't do because of their age. It can be difficult to find appropriate materials for them.
We have tried to set up the house to be as conducive to learning as possible. Rich built the kids a lego table, we have a marble run out on the train table, they have science learning centers, as well as books available, we take frequent trips to the library, and buy educational toys and tools all the time. When we hear about good opportunities we take advantage, which is why we are often busy. We went on a super discount day to Old Sturbridge Village, we took part in CT trails weekend, and CT Open House day, and we have crazy discussions at mealtimes. One morning over family breakfast, we had a lesson on molecular and chemical structure. I told Rich a joke I read on facebook, "Two men walked into a bar, one ordered h2o, and the other said I will take h2o too, the second man died." Rich laughed and we had to explain that the molecular change between water and hydrogen peroxide changed it so much that it made it deadly. We looked at microscopic pictures of the two molecule chains and the way they are written. Quite a learning experience.
I will post pictures soon, as I really want to use this blog to capture memories and talk out my plans for the continuation of this crazy amazing adventure. It is a marvelous journey to be sure, one that really is just beginning in earnest. Can't wait to see where we go next!
