Sometimes I take for granted the opportunities and advantages that come with homeschooling.
This is what we are used to, after all - and often times I see those advantages and opportunities as just normal parts of our life.
My children are able to pursue their interests, dig DEEP into subjects, work at times of day when they function best, and seek out unique learning opportunities.
We don't have to buy into a large group school mentality and all of the hassle that comes with it. Sometimes I forget this is HUGE.... really HUGE.
This week, as I look back upon our activities and accomplishments, I try to see it from the lens of an outsider, and am cognizant of just how many wonderful opportunities and advantages we have as homeschoolers.
Educating the WHOLE Child
One of my favorite books is Educating the Wholehearted Child, by Sally Clarkson. It's one I pick up each year - because each year it reminds me WHY I homeschool, and to nurture the precious souls that have been entrusted to me.
I can see so clearly (as I make collages of our week), that we are educating each of our wholehearted children. And, when days get tough, I remind myself that they are better off in our care than the state's care.
Grant has REALLY started to enjoy reading. He finished Adam & His Kin, which goes along with the Veritas Self Paced History Course he is doing. In past years he would have asked me how many pages the book had, and looked at the size of the print, and then probably whined about it all. Not so this year. He just willingly READS.
Our weather has been beautiful. Schoolwork is being done outside, and as the kids sit outside they hear birds, enjoy the breeze, and just RELAX. I believe this good for their soul - it's good for MY soul, too.
The science memory work this week about animal cells, so Grant created a LEGO model of an animal cell. Did you see the video he made about it?
What an advantage to learn science in this way! Grant could choose a way to demonstrate his knowledge that was most meaningful to him.
Finally, fall baseball season began, and Grant had a SUPERB first game. He got to pitch, and he also had quite a great hit to left field. We took last year off from ball because of a coaching situation that didn't work for him. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
PE in the Homeschool
Anna has been playing tennis for several years. In the picture below she is playing tennis at the age of 9 and now at the age of 14.
We have had the opportunity this year to join a homeschool tennis team. This is a USTA team and Anna has been getting in a lesson each week and playing a lot with a good friend.
We will be using this as her PE credit for high school.
Tennis matches begin this Saturday.
For a child who doesn't like competitive sports too much, this has been an answer to prayer for Anna. The other children on the team and the coaches are very supportive and encouraging. I'm looking forward to the matches and hopefully tennis will be something Anna can enjoy for the rest of her life.
Marking It Off the Bucket List
Completely unrelated to homeschool... I checked a big item off my bucket list last weekend!
Two words: JOSH GROBAN
My good friend Lynn and I went to dinner at a lovely restaurant and then to see Josh.... if you haven't listened to anything from his Stages album, you really should. (My favorite song of the whole concert was You'll Never Walk Alone from Carousel)
I have been a long time fan and to see him in person was AMAZING.
I kept teasing my family that if I didn't return home it was because Josh plucked me from the crowd and ran away with me, but alas - that didn't happen - so it's back to real life!
Collage Friday
What are some opportunities and advantages that you have in your homeschool?
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