First Day of School!

Katrina and Heather reading about the Earth's crust, mantle and core.

I can't believe it's already the start of school.  We started a little early, because we always end up taking off for traveling, long Christmas break, etc.

 

Jonathan and Heather studying.

 This year, I'm doing things a little differently.  I'm using an approach called "self teaching". (Read more at her website here: http://homeschoolcoach.wordpress.com/)  For Katrina and Heather, they are self-directed in their studies.  Jonathan of course, needs my one-on-one attention.

Jonathan coloring in his devotional book.

The basic theory is to allow the child to decide when and what they will study, and then allow them to do so without much interference.... and to be available to answer questions, and to generally facilitate the learning process.



 

"Study Hall", doing homework in the afternoon with a snack.

I admit, I was a little hesitant at first. "How can this possibly work?"  Let me tell you that I was very apprehensive about whether my children would "choose" to not do a subject, or other tactics that would make my life difficult.

 

 

But, as of day one, it worked amazingly well.  If they didn't understand something in the lesson they would come to me for a quick explanation, and then do they work by themselves.

 

So far, so good.  My oldest daughter, especially, is a leader and she has always balked at my constant instruction, looking over her shoulder, and "reminding"...ok, nagging.  She is loving this new system where "she is in charge".  (Of course, she must be studying, and not just goofing off.  But, I think she knows that if she does start wasting time that I'll come in again and start micro-managing her life!)

 

 

The real reason I know it's working-- Katrina was happy and excited about school.  She even lead a science project for the other kids, on her own initiative- using play dough to create the layers of the Earth's crust.  Go for it, girl!