school's out

  We watch a lot of PBS at our house. It is free and educational and Mom can take a shower. Win-win-win. There is a particular show called SuperWhy that  Collin watches with baited breath.The super heroes are readers that help fairytale characters change their story. 


  Changing your story. Hmm, that grabbed me one afternoon because I think that is precisely what the Seattle Experiment has been all about. It has also been the driving force behind our plunge into online homeschool. 


  As we wrap up the school year, (I know all you Idaho lucky ducks are done already, I am trying to be happy for you.)  I thought I'd share a bit about our journey.

I got to be home all day with my boys! Also, I had to be home all day with my boys :( 

It was always bittersweet. I loved all of us, sleepy eyed and still in pajamas, diving into ancient Rome or the Metric system together. I did not love a lot of it, though. People just grate on you, given enough time together. 

Matt jumped in most days to help. He tackled Math and Science frequently, he remembered a lot of it from his school days! 

The boys and I read the same books. Harry Potter, as I blogged about, was the favorite but also the Hunger Games and the Gregor series (also by Suzanne Collins). We are now going through the Kane Chronicles at the same time. I feel connected to them the most this way and it brings up some great conversations. 

I am looking forward to just being Mom next year, and not also Teacher. Teachers are seriously such bad@sses! It is hard work, under appreciated and underpaid. I thought I knew this from substitute teaching, I was reminded for sure. 

I learned each of our 3 boys in school has a different learning method. One small example; Kaleb's handwriting will get really sloppy unless he has a mechanical pencil. These lessons I learned about them will be invaluable next year, even in the public school system.

Being home all day brought about a lot of natural curiosity... okay, maybe they were just bored. Anyhow, it is exciting to see them investigate and explore.

Their storytelling was a bright spot in my day, everyday.

Homeschool also forced some interaction with Collin that did not happen otherwise. Instead of me just catering to Collin, the boys took turns playing with him while I worked with the others.

 Parker went back to public middle school in April. He loves it & he has all A's. I felt a little defeated when he wanted to go back but then the school switched his teachers (kind of a last straw for me). He has a healthy competitive spirit when it comes to academics and a traditional brick and mortar school brings out the best in him. (The photo above shows some of the art he created in the online school.)

Aden enjoyed art immensely this year. The picture is his self portrait from Sept. verses June. He even sold some drawings at the park!

End of the school year, we did it. We told a different tale. It was painful and difficult but I feel much wiser for it. And, Matt & I have some seriously smart kids. Go us!