One Sixteenth

No, really

I am still here.

I am in the final stages of planning for our next homeschool year. The problem is that I am in the mood to really accomplish a lot this year; however, I already know that family/friends/outside issues are going to take up a huge chunk of our time. This is fine, but it takes a bit of mental readjusting.

I have finished my history planning (which depends way too much on the library having materials available to me when I want them). I spent days working up a beautiful science plan, but now I know that I will not use it. It's far too ambitious. And really, it's silly for us to schedule a science plan. With no plan at all, my boys are going to learn stargazing, and all about the planets this year. They're also going to continue learning about dinosaurs, the human body, and spaceships. ("Connor, did the dinosaurs have flowering plants?" "No ... not until the Cretaceous. Or well, really the late Jurassic.") Aidan is really curious about black holes right now. So who needs to schedule anything?

I get confused about science. I really like The Well-Trained Mind's approach to practically everything, so I am subject to feeling like we "should" be following their science plan as well. But really, we don't need to. Not at this age, and not with my kids' interests. Then I'll find something like Nebel's and get excited and make a new plan based on that ... and then I end up frenzied and confused.

So here is my conclusion: we'll keep the WTM topics in mind each year (second grade is "supposed to be" astronomy and earth science); I'll keep Nebel's on hand for ideas and to fill in any potential gaps that I feel should be filled in. I'll probably order some kits so we can do some fun activities. But I will not stress about science any more this year. Period.

I'm also tweaking my Tanglewood-like planner. Almost done. I feel guilty. But I want something completely personalized, and there are areas of her planner that simply would not work for us, as nice as it is. I may buy her timeline, though. And maybe the nature journal, if it also includes blank paper for drawings.

What's left? Not going to plan math, or spelling. I would like to plan out some copywork and/or dictation, though. We never do this, because I never know what to give him to copy.

New handwriting program we're going to use (new to us): Peterson's Directed Handwriting. Because I'm insane.

Aidan is already several lessons into Primary Preschool Math 2A. He's the type to just suddenly ask to "do school" and then hammer out six lessons. He's finished his Handwriting With Tears book as well, and wants to do it again. I'm going to use Alphaphonics to help him learn to read. I think that will be easier to start with than Phonics Pathways, which requires you to learn all the vowel sounds first.

So, I'm excited and raring to go!

But first ... we're going to help Susie move. And play with some other friends before they go back to school. And do some more Hogwarts (this week: 2nd Wizarding, Care of Magical Creatures and Potions lessons; 3rd Astronomy lesson).

Anyway, that's what I've been up to. I hope you've been reading my blogroll, because there has been much more interesting blogging going on there (my link to No. 2 Pencil is incorrect, got to fix that).

I'm still looking into info on the GED and state laws, as well as HONDA (which relates to that whole issue). So more on that soon.

Posted by Steph at July 28, 2003 03:54 PM