Changin' It Up

I applaud those homeschoolers who can get into their routine & do their thing, day in & day out. I think. At least, I applaud them insofar as I recognize that they're doing something that is SO not a good fit for us.

Yes, yes, kids love routine, yada yada. I know, I know.

Well, for starters, "kids" don't all love one thing. Some do love routine. Many do. Some do better with an ever-changing menu. I happen to have one of each. But the cool thing, so far at least, is that the one who loves routine is also quite flexible & game to try just about anything, so we're good to go.

Where am I going with all of this? Well, we're on about version twenty of what our homeschool week looks like this year. Crazy, isn't it? But there you have it. And this week, it's about to look different - again. I'm very excited about the coming changes, and am really optimistic that all three of us will have a great time while really learning a lot.

E, for all who know her, is an extremely socially-driven person. She also loves learning in a fairly social setting much of the time. So, she enjoys our co-ops & other group activities. Don't get me wrong - she also loves her hours of reading, art time, etc. - a good mix is just perfect for her. She's had a hankering for some science lately. Some good, hands-on, experimental science. I vetoed her first request for "mythbusters" style science (yipes!), but we've got lots & lots of cool stuff to cover, just waiting for an enthusiastic student or two to want to do it. So I was delighted to hear that she's eager to tackle some of it. But she also said she'd like to do it with more people - it's "better" with more. So, why not? It is better with more, if it means more enthusiasm, more ideas, more fun... that all amounts to more learning. Happily, we are able to hook up with a fellow homeschooler & her family, who also enjoy having some joint learning in their weekly "menu" - so now, every Monday morning, we'll be able to kick-start our week with a science morning, followed by co-op afternoon!

That's such a fun way to start the week, I just can't think of a finer way to stir up enthusiasm and eagerness to get back at it. The moms will take turns hosting the science days, meaning that it also buys each mom alternating Monday mornings off, for homeschool prep or groceries or just R&R. Also a wonderful off-shoot of this arrangement. Maybe even a regular cuppa together. (o:

In our family, Tuesdays are already plan-free. We have no extra-curricular or group activities, so it's our wide-open day. Yes, we school, of course ... but because we have no sports or kid activities or group activities, we're free to plan field trips, or have a PJ day, or get together with others for playdates, or do whatever fits. It's kept intentionally free from recurring activities so that we have that freedom - a weekday breather - and it's so very worth it.

Wednesdays - crazy Wednesdays! E has her job on Wednesday mornings, volunteering with the gymnastics class. We have group art class in the afternoon, then the girls both have musical theatre, and M has swimming. We're not home 'til about 7 pm ... busy, busy!

Thursdays for now will still be school in the morning, then Recess followed by History in a group setting for E - then the kids are off for their weekly sleepover with Amma 'til Friday afternoon. That'll change in April when homeschool swimming starts Thursdays ... but for now ...

So between group activities of history, science, art, co-op, recess, swimming, musical theatre, gymnastics ... we squeeze in circle time where we can, some math for E, some reading for M, english lit for E, and we're all filled up. This is promising to be a fun couple of months! (Yup, I said couple of months ... my mind's already working on the changes we'll make once the Spring weather hits!).