Day One

The day began at 4:00 am (as most of my days do). I was at work by 5:00 am. By 9:00 am, I was on my way home, transitioning to "homeschool mom".

The girls and I began our day at 9:30. As most first days, there was nothing challenging to learn and no tests of will. Those trials will come later in the year. Today was a day of enthusiasm and good intentions. The 15 year old, (who doesn't remember homeschooling. She was only in 1st grade when I stopped), kept trying to figure out what was required, what was the schedule. She was more than slightly disappointed at the laid back feel to the day. I didn't give her a list of homework to be completed by Friday 5:00 pm. Instead, we sat at discussed ideas for how Aristotle could have tested his hypothesis that all material for the growth of a plant comes from the earth. Then we read a chapter of "Le Petit Prince" alternating paragraphs, so she could practice her French pronunciation and translations. Math was a review of Algebraic concepts taught last year.

The 17 year old loved every minute of it. I haven't seen her so enthusiastic about learning in years. The 15 year old and I well.... it might take us a while. I don't feel a sense of accomplishment yet. I know that this is a better way. My daughters will actually remember what we discussed today. They caught the enjoyment of spinning creative ideas around a given problem (how to determine where the matter for growth comes from in a plant.) They had an opportunity to practice learning how to think for themselves. It was good.

But, I miss my check boxes.

T -14

Two weeks until school starts.

So, I've done this all before. It's only been 6 years that I've been out of homeschooling. How could I forget how to make a lesson plan?

There are so many different expectations now versus when I had the older children at home. They had been trained to be very independent learners. I'd hand the oldest a book and say read it. It would be read and comprehended and assimilated. With the youngest, she is equally as intelligent. But, if I just hand her the book, and don't have assignments based upon the text, I doubt that she will assimilate any of the knowledge.

But, how do I develop assignments for these courses? She wants to take Asian History. So, I have found two excellent textbooks on Asian History. But, both are for college courses. Neither comes with a workbook or test. Yes, I have the ability to sit down and write test questions. But, I don't really want to. Part of the idea behind bringing them home this year is to get away from the busy work and the monotony of learning in a traditional setting. I want to give her the joy of learning. And that will not come through read and regurgitate lessons.

I could read ahead and write prompt questions for myself and make this a discussion based course. However, there isn't just Asian History to deal with. She is also taking Latin, and Philosophy. Where do I find the ability and the time to create discussions for all three? (on top of her Physics course, her Calculus and French) All while still working and keeping a house.

Oh yeah, now I remember why I chose to do one history course for all six when they were at home. ::sigh::

This is going to be more difficult than I thought.