I posted only yesterday about our new schedules and routines that I am planning to implement when we get back to Louisiana {in two weeks or so!}. However, last night I was talking with the kids about what is working this year, what isn't working, and what they would change if they could.
There was an almost unanimous vote to go back to family-style learning.
I love family learning. I really do. I know it works, yet I was struggling with believing it was working. I worry too much, wondering if my older two kids are "getting enough meat" so to speak. I worry if my younger ones are being left behind and left out. I felt stretched, trying to reach two middle schoolers and two early elementary kids, while keeping a preschooler out of trouble.
However. I feel even more stretched now, with everyone doing their own thing! I feel disconnected from what my older ones are learning. I struggle with fitting it all in every day. I have no energy to grade the papers and quizzes, which I have to do now because I honestly don't know what they are learning each day. They have been reading their own lessons and completing their own assignments {which isn't a bad thing, necessarily}.
I miss learning alongside with them. I miss us all discussing things, reading together, doing family projects versus individual projects. I miss knowing what they are learning, not having to give tests and quizzes because I can gauge on a daily basis what is being retained and what is not.
As we prepare to go home, we are taking a small break from homeschool. We will take off the next two weeks. I am going to sleep in, rest, watch movies with the kids, play outside, go shopping, and just relax. The kids need a small break, as well, and homeschooling makes this possible.
I have a feeling we will be returning to BiblioPlan, picking up where we left off. Doing unit studies is a possibility for science. I'm still thinking and praying.
Why do we always try to fix what isn't broken?
We love family learning; though I too worry if it's "enough." My kids have their own math, spelling & lang. arts work but we read all the same stories and work together for science, geography, history and art.
ReplyDeleteWe love family learning; though I too worry if it's "enough." My kids have their own math, spelling & lang. arts work but we read all the same stories and work together for science, geography, history and art.
ReplyDeleteThat is what I am considering, but my 8 year old doesn't want any changes!
Delete((((Megan))) I remember going through that when Jordan started independent learning - he was 10th grade, haha! It was hard on me too - I missed not learning beside him and knowing what he was learning, but I also knew I had to let him fly. We were doing MFW WHL at the time and I looked forward to our 30 minute meeting every Friday to hear what he was learning and go over all his work together. (I hated the grading part too). I hope you quickly find your groove with family learning after a nice rest! <3
ReplyDeleteIt is a struggle, letting them "go"! I undecided, as I really want the older ones more independent... still praying about it! Thanks for the encouragement!
DeleteThis is such a hard decision. When I chose to separate my boys it was really hard for me, yet for us it was necessary. If I had a bigger family, however, I would more likely try and make family learning work. My oldest is at such an independent stage now at almost 14. He changed a lot over last year, and I think that even if I had kept them together he would have eventually craved the independence. It all depends on the personalities of the kids you have though. You know your kids best, and know what works best for your family. You will make the right decision for this season :)
ReplyDeleteI'm starting our HOD "guides" next week, and I'm a bit nervous running two guides vs. combining the girls. I'm sure that you will enjoy the family learning style.
ReplyDeleteI am dealing with the exact same thing!! I started the year off preparing to use Biblioplan, but at the last minute decided to go a more independent route. My 7th grader is using Notgrass Adam to Us and I am floundering in history for my 9yo. He is just a bit young to be completely independent. My 6yo is getting no history and a little science. I am really considering just going with my original plan and use biblioplan. We have ALWAYS done history together at least, and I am missing it. I feel disconnected. I felt like the kids understood it better when I read aloud and stopped to discuss something or answered one of their questions.
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