School

So since before we even had children Curtis and I often talked about homeschool.  We've always been attracted to the idea that our kids could have a better education, less exposure to bad behavior/words/etc, more exercise and extracurriculars... 

But as each of the boys has entered kindergarten we felt great about sending them.  And for the most part, our public school experience has been wonderful.  (Texas attendance laws notwithstanding!)  The boys like the structure and have fun seeing their friends.  We are pretty fortunate here in Katy to have a strong school disctrict.  But we've always told our kids that we are open to the idea of homeschool and if they are interested to let us know. 

So Jonah entered Junior High last year and overall had a great year.  His grades were good and he worked hard.  But I could tell that Junior High was definitely not as enjoyable for him as elementary.  If there were any year of school that I would seriously consider homeschool it would be junior high.  I think of all the years of a person's life these are often the most difficult and confusing.  And I am amazed at the number of adults who seem to still define themselves by the way they were perceived in Junior High.  As everyone who has attended knows, it can be brutal...

Anway he has been asking for several months now if I would homeschool him for a year of two.  I kept saying no because frankly I was really excited about having some mommy time this year.  Lucy is doing preschool two days a week which would mean temple trips, shopping and lunch with girlfriends and long days to get LOTS done around the house.  Glorious.  Then I thought that maybe he was just hoping for some extra video game time.  But I made it clear vids would be off limits during the day and still he persisted.  arghh!  It was then that I started to realize this could really be an amazing opportunity.  We could just enjoy some one-on-one time together- which is such a gift b/c I know that once he's in high school I'll barely get to see him.  I was also looking forward to scripture study and service together.  We're also planning to be exercise buddies. 

So I finally agreed and was planning to do K12 because I just wanted to something easy and online.  But at the last minute I've decided to do my own curriculum. I am so excited about it. Nothing too revolutionary.  Saxon for math, Apologiea for science and the one I'm really stoked about: Sonlight for History/Geography & Literature.  Sonlight is so up Jonah's alley. We will be reading 45 books this year!!  (He read 4 last year for school :O)  This curriculum uses historical fiction and non-fiction to teach these subjects.  Here's an excerpt from the overview:

This study answers real-life questions such as: Where did the Greeks come from? How did Western history progress during the so-called Dark Ages? How did the Renaissance pave the way for the Protestant Reformation? How was Asia growing and changing during this time? Why did Colonial powers conquer so much of the world? What tensions led to the explosion of two world wars?

I am SO excited!! 

I remember detesting history when I was in school.  But then as I got older I realized how facinating and relevant it all was.  How did my school teachers manage to take such a great subject and turn it into torture?  I'm hopeful this curriculum can make Jonah's experience better.

I sort of hate talking homeschool with most people because everyone has an opinion.  If they do it they want you to do it and if they don't, you are weird for considering it.  Several people have asked about socialization.  Dude- I am not concerned about that at all. I mean how many awkward anti-social people do you know who went through 13 years of public schools? I think parents are a much better indicator of socialization than where they child is schooled. 

So we will see how it all goes.  I'd love it if somehow I could have a year or two with each of my kids.  One-on-one time is so precious.  Curtis and I always comment on how much we love to be with just one of the kids. It's when they're together that they drive us crazy! :O

Wish us luck.