Since our life has settled a little bit here in Virginia, I've had some time to really start to think about how I am going to tackle this huge undertaking to keep Mairead home from Kindergarten and Lilah from preschool. I haven't regretted making this decision for a single second and for the majority of the time, I am excited to tackle this challenge. And if you don't know me well, I like challenges.
From the moment we've made our decision final, I thought I'd not use a curriculum for Mairead this year. I thought it would be pretty easy to use various resources from workbooks to the internet to community outlets. But, for the last week, I have started to doubt myself and wonder if I am making a mistake. I am thinking I may need some sort of guide on what to do and when to do it. Having four kids makes my brain a big jello mush on some occasions, okay a lot of occasions, and the last thing I want to do is hold Mairead back. So maybe "winging it" may not be the best option for me or the kids!
I have already applied for a local Waldorf co-op for Mairead. I hope to have an interview with the head of the co-op this week. If we are not accepted, then I may opt for Oak Meadow which is a Waldorf based curriculum. I like this because it gives a different approach to learning and education, and the curriculum would allow Lilah and even Clara to easily participate and learn on their own terms. I like this. I like this because it sounds like a realistic way to homeschool our children without sticking Mairead in a book. Another curriculum I am looking into is an online based one called Time4Learning. I like a lot about it, and I love the fact that it is a monthly fee instead of putting all my chips on the table hoping that some curriculum will be great. If we like it, we keep going, if we don't, then we don't have to continue. I like it because it can supplement anything we are doing, so I don't even have to use it for the "full" curriculum.
Others I have looked into are: Sonlight, which I like because you can pick and choose which parts of the curriculum you want. For example, we are looking for a secular curriculum. Now, we are Christian. Catholic to be exact, and Kevin and I have had some doubts on how to raise our children with Faith. At this point in our childrens education, I don't want to mix the teachings of the Bible with ordinary education. I can completely understand why people want to - it's just not where we are at right now.
I have looked into the K12 and Calvert program, too, but, they are pricey and seem a bit academically rigid for us, and I am trying to stray away from that for Kindergarten.
Hmmmm.....there's a lot to do in a short amount of time. It is the middle of August and I need to get my ducks in a row to start playing school house here at the crazy Ferrie funny farm!
This will be another interesting challenge! I wonder where it will take us.................................
Ahhhh, the fun of beginning to home school. :) I think you all are going to have a blast....and on the days you don't then have an extra drink! LOL!!!!
ReplyDeleteThere are almost too many choices out there. it's part of the reason we stuck with what we did last year.