Noah’s school supplies are arriving
Aug 9, 2007 Homeschooling
Now I’m kinda hep to the virtual schooling again because of all the free stuff. Sure, a lot of it is books we’ll have to return but we get to keep all “consumables” and that includes two boxes of washable paint that I’m sure Madison will get to enjoy as well. Also maps and globes, and science experiments. There are also two art books that have been on my wishlist for awhile.
What we decided to do is set up the other half of this half of the basement (the basement is in four quadrants and so I’m talking about the half where I work) with the school stuff and the computer. Then every day he can login and get his assignments, share them with me and then head up to his room to work or work here with me at my desk. I was originally thinking he could use the big preschool-sized table we have down here but it is pretty short for him and also it’s too easy for Madison to mess with his stuff.
I also went through our scads of preschool-age activity books and things to come up with projects Madison can do if she wants to play school with brother.
I’m really thinking Noah will like this — although he will complain because he’s all about complaining — and am hoping that it keeps all of us happy. I’m also really curious to see what kind of potential homeschooler Madison turns out to be. She’s such a different personality than Noah but I can’t predict how it’ll relate to formal learning.
Sometimes I think that as social as she is she’ll insist on going to school but I also think that as social as she is, homeschool would be a better fit. It is way easier for kids to socialize in homeschooling (at least in my experience here in Columbus). There are so many activities to do so there are lots of different groups of kids — although you’ll see the same ones at a lot of events, too. But there’s also just more opportunity for play because so many of the activities don’t have to be as rigid as regular school has to be. (Smaller group-size and different teaching philosophies.) My big concern is finding her other black kids to be around. The homeschool community is pretty damn white but even our district isn’t as diverse as I’d like so either way we’d be supplementing with activities with more black kids. (When she’s four or five she’ll be old enough for African drumming and dance classes and I think she’ll like those.)
Finally, Allyo needs your help. If you had sleep advice for me but kindly didn’t leave it ‘cuz I asked you not to, she’s asking for it!!
August 9th, 2007 at 10:04 am
Ugh. School. Cannot believe it is starting again soon. My boys are transferring to a new school (a magnet school that employs Gardners theory of multiple intelligences) and I am nervous about the change. (Our blue ribbon public school system failed my son miserably)
My youngest is entering kindergarten…full day…yikes.
They grow up so fast!
August 9th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
I’m wondering if we are going to the same virtual school? Our supplies should be arriving today and I am so excited. I missed the UPS man yesterday and was sad. We are hanging out here today waiting for him!
August 9th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
Noah’s doing K12.
August 9th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
K starts a Montessori pre-school in a few weeks. I was going to keep her out, and maybe home school, (which I may do in the future) but she just wants to play and learn all day long and I can’t keep up…:) homeschooling at this age wouldn’t be practical for me, so we are trying it. She’s so excited.
August 9th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
I think Montessori is swell.
I bet she loves it! Madison is just doing plain old preschool in a couple of weeks and I think she will be hooked. I just hope she comes back and lets us homeschool later!!
August 9th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
Hey! I didn’t know you were a homeschooler! So are we! Schooling four this year, 6th-K. Hope all goes well for ya!
JJandfive
August 10th, 2007 at 9:04 am
Four! My hat’s off to you! This is our first year using a curriculum and I’ll be interested to see how it goes. (We unschooled before this!)