I spent the better part of this afternoon and evening planning out our upcoming school year. Paul very generously let me get away by myself so I could have some uninterrupted time to think. We plan on starting back to school on Monday and although I have been thinking, reading, researching and praying about which direction to take this year for a while, I had nothing concrete to begin with on Monday.
Every year is different. Our circumstances are different, the children are different, I have different students (OK, they're the same kids but different ages), I'm different, etc, etc., etc. I have found that not many things work the same from year to year. I envy those homeschoolers who use 1 curriculum all through their children's schooling. I have some things that we do the same, but those are few and far between.
I had some ideas of things I wanted to change and things I wanted to stay the same and in about 4 hours, I was able to get those thoughts translated into some day to day plans. I still have some work to do, but at least now I have the starting place for Monday. I was thinking back to our first year of homeschooling. I had no idea what I was doing and there was no Internet to consult. I did not know anyone who home schooled. All I knew of homeschooling was what I read in books I borrowed from the library and from 1 catalog I sent away for. Things have certainly changed. What took weeks and months to research and accumulate, now takes minutes and hours on the Internet. I was able to compile and research within a short amount of time.
We are beginning our 12Th year of homeschooling. I am cautiously optimistic about our year. I am praying God gives us our best year yet and hopefully, next Spring, we will be able to look back, amazed at how much we have accomplished.
I covet your prayers for our school year.
There was no way he would let us start school without him! He misunderstood when I told him he would be "going to school"- he thought he would be going somewhere. But, he was ok with it when I told him we were doing school at home. He has his own school box and books, and LOVES it!
Sam made himself into an "Indian Chief" all by himself while we weren't watching. He is crying because he didn't want his picture taken.
Just because he's cute!
Me and my little boys.
Poor Sam did not feel well today. He fell asleep in Dad's chair.