A Year of Home Schooling - Our First Year

This is more for our records then anything else.

A year has passed since we 'started' our 'official' home schooling. By all meanings of the word we started homeschooling the day our baby was born. The time came when my then 4yr old was crazily hyperactive and out of control behaviour wise. He was so bored all he would do would be to irritate me. The kid had too much 'free time' so I ordered my first set of official homeschooling books and we got started.

I am fairly certain that I learnt more than he did. For example, my then 2yr old would steal his work out of his folder. So I started home schooling her too. Behaviour and attitude is more important then the quantity of work done. There is nothing wrong with planning but flexibility is the key. Flexibility is great but you need to be prepared with a variety of activities at any given time. As time and seasons change so does the methods/activities/sources of schooling.

We did a variety of 'lessons' from shapes, colours, counting, alphabets, animals. Following instructions, bible readings, craft, outside play, car schooling, singing, errand running. Some activities are games, others puzzles, drawing, listening, talking about, practicing, natural learning.

Natural learning is the best option (as yet) in our home. The kids seems to learn more through play, talking/listening, experiencing. You'll often find me around town. Usually I am home schooling them of some sort. Even if it is simply sitting in a cafe. Obedience, manners, and behaviours are important in this place. Believe me! We need as much practice as possible.

I most definitely prefer the method of learning/teaching through NATURAL LEARNING over other 'methods' of learning/teaching. The knowledge seems to stick longer whilst the understanding is beyond my level at around that age or even when in high school.
The picture below was during a shopping trip. Amalia & Jarah sitting in a double trolley. Jarah fell asleep and Amalia was holding him up so he could sleep - so sweet, so serving.
Grocery shopping is one of the best places to 'school' children. There are so many things to see, look at, behaviours to train, stuff to talk about. Science, Maths, Social Studies, English, LOTE. Grocery shopping is easier (I find) by using it as an opportunity to school. Other shops the children are not so great at being in :(

The children learnt lots through play and yes I do refer to play as being home schooling. More so when the play involves something that I could pass off as 'educational' by school standards. Just below the children had been hunting for worms amongst our garden. They also made mud which naturally came with a backyard full of mess. They learn how to play together, fight and resolve conflicts, to be kind and gentle. Important qualities for adults to have in the work environment.

They learnt a little bit about responsibilities. Feeding and watering the fat rabbit (the dog chased it out of its cage and it ran away a year later).

We did science in the kitchen. Heat produces boiled water and cooks our lunch. All these sorts of things and more take place in that normal, every day home (school) environment. I want these children to have the ability to live independently of me (one day).

They learn how to show love to one another, kindness, gentleness, servant heart attitude. This particular time it was Amalia (age 2) who told Jarah (age 1) to lie down and held him while he drank his milk.

A favourite activity (maths) is problem solving, puzzles, activities, etc.

Practicing forming alphas and numberals on our laminated work sheets used with white board markers and rubbed off for more practice. We have multiple books on this sort of thing with a wide variety of activities that will be useable for multiple children on multiple occasions.

Isaiah taught himself 'take away' using these chooks. We bought 5, 1 died then we had 4, etc etc etc. They learnt the life cycle of a chicken, responsibilities of feeding/water and checking for eggs.

So many different things to learn, things to teach, ways to teach them, activities to do, resources available. 

It will be interesting to see how different this year goes for us with our 'schooling', and then how different it goes next year when we go "Official" with our states requirements and are registered for the first time.

The more that we do it, the more I know that for *US* I am fully convinced that this is what *WE* are meant to be doing for our children. I love it. I love the opportunities. I love being with these children (most of the time). I love teaching them (I am fairly certain I have a natural teaching gift). We have a lot of fun and we have alot of fights. It is a MAJOR sacrifice of time, energy, emotion.

I have (personally) found that most people are supportive of this decision in our lives. Although I often find that people think that I am amazing for doing so - not true. I'm just your typical crazy mother.

When it comes down to it, its the qualities on the inside that count for more than the qualities on the outside.

5 Things I am Thankful for:
1. That in the country I live in I have the option to home educate
2. Home Education is as cheap or as expensive as *I* choose it to be
3. Learning alongside the children
4. Supportive behaviours/attitudes from family/friends/acquantences and strangers
5. Educational DVDs for when I just 'can't do it!'

Home School Curriculum Completed:
Rod & Staff ABC Series (pre-schoolers)
Variety of activity books