{This is an installment in a continuing series on our family’s experience with the home school. Parts 1 & 2, here & here.}
This year I’m participating in a program through a local school district (actually 45 miles away), where my children are enrolled.
The program works like this: my kids get a budget amount for curriculum & supplies for the year. I choose whatever curriculum/supplies I want with that money, & as long as fits in a learning plan, I am free to do as I wish. The kids report to a mentor once a week to let her know what they’ve been learning, & once a month I send in a monthly report.
I choose to go with the K-12 curriculum.
After doing it for 6 weeks I have a better picture of the pros & cons of this approach. K-12 is an intensive curriculum. There is a lot of material, & since I ordered 5 courses for both Hyrum & Asher (2nd & kindergarten, respectively), there is a lot to cover. Much more than I’ll be able to, in the year. At least for some of the courses.
The first day I cried–I was so overwhelmed with the massive amount of information & material. I thought–oh mercy, what did I get myself into?!
Over the weeks, as I’ve gotten a handle on how the curriculum works, I’ve developed a loose routine & schedule, & this has made it easier in some ways.
I’ve also realized, yes, I’m using a curriculum, but I don’t have to go by the book. I’m the boss, & I have the final say in how we’re going to do things.
Pro’s of using K-12
A lot of it is online.
This alleviates some of the work load from me, because most lessons include an online portion where the kids can navigate themselves. Often, I’ll still engage & be a part of the lesson, but it adds a depth to the lessons you wouldn’t otherwise get.
Tests, lessons, games, narrated stories are some of the things found online with the K-12 curriculum. The entire course schedule is also included online, so as we complete a lesson, we mark it off & keep track of it that way.
Con’s
It’s too much like public school.
I understand why public schools use a uniform curriculum, lots of worksheets, & textbooks. It’s mostly because that’s the most efficient way to distribute education to a classroom of 30 students.
But when you’re working one on one, or one on two or three (as I am), you can tailor fit the curriculum & the assignments to fit the needs, interests, & learning styles of the student. A standard curriculum doesn’t leave much room for interpretation. I’ve discovered I can pick & choose what I want to cover. That said, I still feel pressure to follow the curriculum fairly closely.
Truth be told, I’d like my homeschooling experience to be a bit more free-spirited.
I’m not talking just let the kids decide everything, or play all day, but rather, leave open spaces in the day for reading & writing & more imaginative play & games. After all, that’s a huge part of why I’m choosing to home school in the first place.
Once we move to Texas in December, I’ll figure out whether or not I want to continue home schooling, & if so, whether or not I want to continue using K-12, or go with a different approach.
Next week, in the series: the reality of home school life
♥♥♥
Have you ever signed up for something, & later discovered you were in over your head?
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