We live in a state that has relatively strict homeschool reporting requirements, including a comprehensive year-long plan due in the summer before the upcoming school year, with plans and curriculum for each of the required subjects. While I’m diligently completing this requirement to convince the district that we take home education for our six year…
Tag: homeschooling
Permission to Stop
Dear Mom, I’m giving you (and myself) permission to stop. To stop Potty training, and try again in a couple of months Dance classes, even though you (we) paid for the session already Reading a book that you or your child just isn’t connecting with In the middle of a math lesson, where you’re both…
It’s Not a Waste of Time
We have a problem in our culture. We prize being busy and productive over being present. We glorify worksheets, flashcards, and learning drills over time spent experiencing life with our little ones. When my oldest started reading at the age of 3, the question came over and over: how did I teach him? And they…
Moving beyond “Why?” to “What If?”
A few months ago, J and I were reading a book about inventors. It began with the sentence, “Thomas Edison’s favorite word was “why”.” I almost closed the book and returned it to the library. There’s no way that was Edison’s favorite question. “Why?” implies a concrete, right answer. Why is the sky blue? Why…
Teaching our kids how to look
Children are natural observers. They’re great at noticing differences and asking about them. Most parents have a story about the time their kid asked a stranger about a mole, pimple, or similar taboo topic. We want to harness this power and help our kids learn how to see. This morning, my three year olds and…
It all started with a shadow
My 6 year old and I were waiting for the bus. The day before, we’d traced some shadows.
“Jeremy!”, I said, “Let’s check your shadow – see if it’s the same!”
Wonderschooling 