I have decided to not try and do the Plato and Sophocles and Aristophenes etc this term. It feels like it might be the straw that breaks the camel's back. I will wait. I might add them in in another year or two as literature.
I think maybe we would be better served going down to the river and watching all the birds rather than trying to cram our brains with more ancient classical literature. Gotta draw a line somewhere!
I remember being my kids' age. I loved nature. They are not so keen- neither goes off for walks alone like I did at that age- but they are both far more social than I was at their ages. But I also haven't really spent so much time in nature with them- I tend to take my daily walks alone with the dog. We do check out the wildflowers most years and that has been a shared bond as they know many of the names. But that is a short, spectacular season.
So, less Plato and more nature walks!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Holidays
We are on holidays. Our autumn holidays. And finally the weather has cooled to a decent temperature so that I can go out walking at any time of day, not only just before sunrise!
Genevieve is away up north at Fitzroy Crossing with a selected group of Scouts, having a cultural exchange with aboriginal kids up there. We all miss her terribly. And Vish said she better not come back all grown up! Even Jared has been a bit upset at not having his sister around. I forget sometimes how much he is just used to her presence- she has been around him his whole life.
However tomorrow I am taking him camping- just him and I- to a folk music festival for 3-4 days. We will pick up Gen from the airport on the way home. Vish wonders how i will live without my computer for that long...he is teasing me of course, but actually I don't tend to miss it when I am away from it. I am taking lots of books to read though! And I am glad Jared is a Scout because its been so long since I camped I have probably forgotten how to put up a tent!
I just put the Green Hour on the blog because I really want to make an effort to get outside with the kids more often. The weather is great for it now- summer isn't the best time to be outside around here, other than the beach in the early morning.
Genevieve is away up north at Fitzroy Crossing with a selected group of Scouts, having a cultural exchange with aboriginal kids up there. We all miss her terribly. And Vish said she better not come back all grown up! Even Jared has been a bit upset at not having his sister around. I forget sometimes how much he is just used to her presence- she has been around him his whole life.
However tomorrow I am taking him camping- just him and I- to a folk music festival for 3-4 days. We will pick up Gen from the airport on the way home. Vish wonders how i will live without my computer for that long...he is teasing me of course, but actually I don't tend to miss it when I am away from it. I am taking lots of books to read though! And I am glad Jared is a Scout because its been so long since I camped I have probably forgotten how to put up a tent!
I just put the Green Hour on the blog because I really want to make an effort to get outside with the kids more often. The weather is great for it now- summer isn't the best time to be outside around here, other than the beach in the early morning.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
2008 Term 2
I am feeling better about the blog now. I feel that by calling myself classical, I set up an image that I then try to fulfill or project in some way, but I just want to be myself, whatever that is. I am not that educated. There was a wonderful debate on the WTM message boards recently about whether the progym is a better way to go with teaching writing, than modern programs. I realised how highly educated some of these women are! I have a gut feeling, an intuition about things, and I follow my passion or enthusiasm, and I learn as I go. But I am not in any way, over the next few years of homeschooling my kids, going to be able to draw from the experiences and knowledge these women can draw from, for example with teaching writing.
But, although I am a bit in awe of them, I don't feel I am any less qualified to homeschool my kids. One things I notice is that a lot of people on the boards spend a lot more time doing academic work than I want to, even as the kids get older. I am feeling far more attracted to the Charlotte Mason ideals of a rich, "generous" education. Lots of exposure, lots of experiences, lots of books read. And, I still feel that it is good to go into some things more deeply, so that things don't become shallow.
Here is a list of our plans for next term:
Both kids (age 12 and 13/14) will do their maths (Haesse and Harris), music practice, Queen's Language Lessons (which include copywork, dictation, editing, writing), and Latin programs pretty much daily, although Latin often drops to 3 days a week because we leave the house so early on Mondays and Fridays. Gen will do Analytical Grammar part 2, and some Biology from Singapore's Biology Matters. She outlines this one week and does the workbook the next.
Then both will read from this list of books. We will be studying Ancient Greece for 10 weeks, using K12's History Odyssey as a spine. I love this book. Other books:
Children's Homer (we have already studied the Iliad in depth. I have decided we have covered the Odyssey enough, so Children's Homer will do.
Geurber's Story of the Greeks.
Hawthorne's Greek Myths, with a written narration each week. They both love to do this- write the myth in their own words, and Gen loves to illustrate as well, sometimes with a watercolour painting.
Wise Guy a book about Socrates.
They will also read an Australian history book each this term (Gen- My Story. Jared- Verity of Sydney Town.) Jared will also read Little Men.
And, they will read the 1st half of Augustus Caesar's World (which is Roman, and we will read the 2nd half in 3rd term).
They will do a history assignment or other narration as well.
And then together we will read:
Plato's Republic, and perhaps some Spophocles and or Aristphanes, time depending.
Poetry by Sappho.
Theseus' life by Plutarch.
Shakespeare's Hamlet (we have an audio and a highschool text with notes).
French together- we have an informal class with another mum who speaks French.
Poetry - Robert Frost
Artist- Waterhouse
Thinking Toolbox for Logic.
I am excited! The intention is about 90 minutes to 2 hours on independent work in the mornings. Then an hour or so together doing read alouds and oral narrations and discussions. Then another hour on their reading and on some days, another hour on writing. Since we are out of the house on Mondays and Fridays, and only get basics done, I don't mind if they do 5 hours on T/W/Th, but its up to them whether they want to work on Fridays rather than play, while the other is doing their Science class.
But, although I am a bit in awe of them, I don't feel I am any less qualified to homeschool my kids. One things I notice is that a lot of people on the boards spend a lot more time doing academic work than I want to, even as the kids get older. I am feeling far more attracted to the Charlotte Mason ideals of a rich, "generous" education. Lots of exposure, lots of experiences, lots of books read. And, I still feel that it is good to go into some things more deeply, so that things don't become shallow.
Here is a list of our plans for next term:
Both kids (age 12 and 13/14) will do their maths (Haesse and Harris), music practice, Queen's Language Lessons (which include copywork, dictation, editing, writing), and Latin programs pretty much daily, although Latin often drops to 3 days a week because we leave the house so early on Mondays and Fridays. Gen will do Analytical Grammar part 2, and some Biology from Singapore's Biology Matters. She outlines this one week and does the workbook the next.
Then both will read from this list of books. We will be studying Ancient Greece for 10 weeks, using K12's History Odyssey as a spine. I love this book. Other books:
Children's Homer (we have already studied the Iliad in depth. I have decided we have covered the Odyssey enough, so Children's Homer will do.
Geurber's Story of the Greeks.
Hawthorne's Greek Myths, with a written narration each week. They both love to do this- write the myth in their own words, and Gen loves to illustrate as well, sometimes with a watercolour painting.
Wise Guy a book about Socrates.
They will also read an Australian history book each this term (Gen- My Story. Jared- Verity of Sydney Town.) Jared will also read Little Men.
And, they will read the 1st half of Augustus Caesar's World (which is Roman, and we will read the 2nd half in 3rd term).
They will do a history assignment or other narration as well.
And then together we will read:
Plato's Republic, and perhaps some Spophocles and or Aristphanes, time depending.
Poetry by Sappho.
Theseus' life by Plutarch.
Shakespeare's Hamlet (we have an audio and a highschool text with notes).
French together- we have an informal class with another mum who speaks French.
Poetry - Robert Frost
Artist- Waterhouse
Thinking Toolbox for Logic.
I am excited! The intention is about 90 minutes to 2 hours on independent work in the mornings. Then an hour or so together doing read alouds and oral narrations and discussions. Then another hour on their reading and on some days, another hour on writing. Since we are out of the house on Mondays and Fridays, and only get basics done, I don't mind if they do 5 hours on T/W/Th, but its up to them whether they want to work on Fridays rather than play, while the other is doing their Science class.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
time for more change
I just changed the layout and name of my blog....it felt like it wasn't really reflecting me so well. Even though we use many Classical resources and ideas that coincide with others who identify with the classical label, sometimes it feels pretentious to go around saying "we are classical homeschoolers". I am not sure what we are. And I like it like that. I don't want to be narrowed down to any label.
It has occurred to me lately that it would have been far easier to have stuck with Saxon maths and Rod and Staff English, in many ways. We would be much "farther ahead" on the academic trail than we are now....or at least, we would be getting up there to the higher levels of those programs. But, I couldn't do it. Not to the kids and not to myself. It would feel very satisfying in a certain way. But think what we would have missed. A year on Lord of the Rings. A year or more on Classical Writing. Trying different things. Bravewriter freewrites. I feel that the different curricula I have used has enriched us, rather than scattered us, but when I try and share what we are doing NOW with friends, it sounds kind of flaky because my closest homeschooling friends tend to stick to...Saxon math and Rod and Staff. I don't feel flaky..but I feel i sound it! It feels like we are eating from the smörgåsbord of educational experiences available. We are having a wide range of experiences. And I think that is my aim. To give a rich education, rather than a strongly academic one.
It has occurred to me lately that it would have been far easier to have stuck with Saxon maths and Rod and Staff English, in many ways. We would be much "farther ahead" on the academic trail than we are now....or at least, we would be getting up there to the higher levels of those programs. But, I couldn't do it. Not to the kids and not to myself. It would feel very satisfying in a certain way. But think what we would have missed. A year on Lord of the Rings. A year or more on Classical Writing. Trying different things. Bravewriter freewrites. I feel that the different curricula I have used has enriched us, rather than scattered us, but when I try and share what we are doing NOW with friends, it sounds kind of flaky because my closest homeschooling friends tend to stick to...Saxon math and Rod and Staff. I don't feel flaky..but I feel i sound it! It feels like we are eating from the smörgåsbord of educational experiences available. We are having a wide range of experiences. And I think that is my aim. To give a rich education, rather than a strongly academic one.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
time for another update
Someone from the Well Trained Mind message boards encouraged me to write in my blog more. So here I am. But as I wrote to her, it is embarrassing because I constantly fluctuate and change what we do. From my perspective, I just like homeschooling that way. I make plans a way ahead, I tweak them, life does it's thing, but in the process, lots of learning appears to happen! I have never felt the need to use the same programs for years or decide now what we will be doing next year.
We are starting our autumn holidays, so have done 1 term of school in our year. We have four 10 week terms. I am very happy with what we have done this term, even though we have had a week long trip to Bali, and Easter, all packed in there too.
I am relaxing more and more with homeschooling. I dont feel like I am so fear driven, so anxious any more. I have stopped aiming for the stars, as far as classical education is concerned. I can't do it, and enjoy my life too, and enjoy my kids' childhood. Nothing matters so much as it seemed to before. Of course, I was always heading this way, but something has really shifted in me.
On Mondays we are out at French class, then Sport and Drama. And you know what I do while Sport and Drama is on? (3 hours?). I drive home (20 mins each way) and have a nap. I get a solid 2 hours at home. Enough time to read as well! What luxury! The last 2 years I hung around and chatted or went to the shops. But this way feels right for this season.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, we are mostly home, and these days we get most of our work done. And, we still finish by 1 pm. Or perhaps I should qualify that- I finish by 1pm. Genevieve often works longer. Jared reads. I nap. Getting a theme here?
Fridays we go to Science classes. Both kids do one now, and it takes us just about all day for them both to do a class, but its nice to sit in the park outside the hall and chat, knit, walk for exercise, or go off to the shops and buy coffee. The Science teacher is very good and it has relieved me of my stress about this subject.
I will post about what we are doing with school another time. This is enough for tonight.
We are starting our autumn holidays, so have done 1 term of school in our year. We have four 10 week terms. I am very happy with what we have done this term, even though we have had a week long trip to Bali, and Easter, all packed in there too.
I am relaxing more and more with homeschooling. I dont feel like I am so fear driven, so anxious any more. I have stopped aiming for the stars, as far as classical education is concerned. I can't do it, and enjoy my life too, and enjoy my kids' childhood. Nothing matters so much as it seemed to before. Of course, I was always heading this way, but something has really shifted in me.
On Mondays we are out at French class, then Sport and Drama. And you know what I do while Sport and Drama is on? (3 hours?). I drive home (20 mins each way) and have a nap. I get a solid 2 hours at home. Enough time to read as well! What luxury! The last 2 years I hung around and chatted or went to the shops. But this way feels right for this season.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, we are mostly home, and these days we get most of our work done. And, we still finish by 1 pm. Or perhaps I should qualify that- I finish by 1pm. Genevieve often works longer. Jared reads. I nap. Getting a theme here?
Fridays we go to Science classes. Both kids do one now, and it takes us just about all day for them both to do a class, but its nice to sit in the park outside the hall and chat, knit, walk for exercise, or go off to the shops and buy coffee. The Science teacher is very good and it has relieved me of my stress about this subject.
I will post about what we are doing with school another time. This is enough for tonight.
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