School Update

It's been a while since I've done any sort of school update.  I emerged from our Sabbath week more relaxed about school in general.  In some ways, I've become a different sort of homeschooler, and I think it is a good thing.  I am seeing the big picture, and it's a beautiful big picture. 

My kids are learning in all sorts of ways and at so many times during the day, even when they are not at their desks.  Nowadays, if I see Brishen and Basia playing Legos together when they really should have a pencil in hand, I see it as a thing of beauty.  For how long will they want to play with each other like that?  When Basia wants to take an extra long break to do some art projects, I see the value in her creative brain working overtime.  When I see an empty drawer that needs an assignment, I may just put an Uno deck inside instead of a worksheet.  My dad will never forgive me for this one, and I cannot believe that this is happening in my house, but I even let my kids sleep in.  And, get this, even I am sleeping in.  I am finally realizing that we are not in a rush.  We don't have a crazy timeline.  We are not in a race.

All that said, we are still taking their education seriously.  I am worried about Basia getting behind in math and reading, so we have put some other subjects on hold while we do lots of extra reading, writing, and math for this 9-week period.  I have already noticed so much improvement.  The dyslexic program we are using is great, but she also has needed a lot more time and experience practicing what she is learning.  She is nowhere near where Brishen was at this age or any of her cousins, but she is at a perfect place for a 1st grader.  When I consider how much harder she has to work and concentrate to read, how can I be anything but proud of how well she is doing? 

I am trying to be patient with her math skills.  I have known since she was little that it was taking her at least an extra year to really understand concepts with numbers and math than it is supposed to take kids.  I have always worried and then been amazed that it did finally come to her in her own time.  She just needs that extra year or so.  There are things she is getting and many more that she is just not yet ready to understand, no matter how many ways we try to learn it.

Brishen is one month away from finishing his Middle Ages history.  I can't believe he's that close already.  I will then have him do a good refresher course in American History and then some more modern world history if we have time before he starts 7th grade.  I have big plans for his 7th grade year, so there is a lot I want to get through before then.  It's nice that he continues to get through things quickly.  Anyone who gets (or has) to listen to him go on and on about anything he's learned thus far knows he is still soaking it all in.  I am so happy to have discovered the classical education route I did when I did.  I am amazed how well it is working for him.  He will be going into the study of the Great Books with such a huge foundation of knowledge and understanding.  As far as math goes, he's been going through a book on probability and will then take on number theory before going on with geometry.  I do miss the days when I was more involved in his school time.  I miss reading to him.  I am trying to find new ways to connect with him, and it seems the best way right now is through board and card games.