Where Are We Going? And Where Have We Been?

It seems that we have all spent this year adjusting and exploring different educational philosophies to find one that works for us.  I can honestly say that we have not found one single approach that works well for us, but we have found elements of several approaches that do work.  Certainly each of the children are different and there are different things that work for each of them.

Madeline really thrives on structure, but it has to be self-imposed structure.  She has taken things that I have introduced and changed them to make them her own.  For example, the workboxes system was successful for a short time when I was in control of it, but it worked much better when she took control of it.  She decides which things she works on and in which order.  She loves the whole structure of everything being in its place and working through the boxes.  She even seems to enjoy moving the numbers as she completes the tasks.  She likes to see progress and she is eager to learn.  She does, however, go in spurts.  This applies both to her interest in formal "school work" and each individual subject.  There are days when she has absolutely no interest is sitting and doing anything formal, and then there are days when she can't get enough and works well into the evening.  She will also get excited about a particular subject and work for an extended period of time on it.  One day she may complete an entire unit in math, or she may spend an entire week learning about ancient Egypt or dinosaurs or the American Revolution.  Her thirst for knowledge on a particular subject can sometimes seem unending.  Whatever this system is that we have in place for her right now, which I have no name for, works for her.  She amazes me daily!

Isabella has really spent this year recovering for her experience last year and finding herself, in a sense.  She is really the opposite of Madeline in many ways.  She resists structure, either externally or internally imposed.  She likes to make her decisions minute by minute.  She is incredibly imaginative and creative. She is easily frustrated when asked to sit and complete more formal work.  She is a very hands-on learner.  We have tried several approaches with her, but mostly she has spent the year exploring the world her own way and the growth I have seen from her this year is incredible.  She has grown as an individual.  She has figured out who she is.  I anticipate that future attempts to control her learning are going to be met with frustration, and I suspect a more unschooling approach may be best way for her to grow.

Hailey seems to fall in the middle.  She enjoys "school-type" tasks, and does occasionally like to use the workboxes system.  She is still young, though, so play really is her primary means of learning at this point.  Most of the time she is just trying to keep up with her sisters.

So, as I prepare for the next school year, I have been thinking about what we will do.  Will we be using a curriculum?  What type of structure will we have in place?  I have been debating these questions all year.  It seems that in many ways the girls have answered these questions for themselves.  My plan is to continue to let them figure out their own path, but with some guidance and direction from me.  They do seem to all enjoy the Moving Beyond the Page curriculum, so we will continue with that.  Madeline will be moving into the 7-9 curriculum, which she is actually very excited about.  She has looked at the concepts that are covered and is interested in the topics and the literature that is used.  Isabella is slowly working through the 5-7 curriculum.  She has almost completed the first concept.  She really enjoys the creative aspects of the curriculum and it works for her as long as she is working at a pace she dictates.  Madeline has been using Singapore Math for the past 2 years, and she will continue with it this next year.  She should move into 3A as our new school year begins on June 1.  Earlier this year I decided that Singapore just was not working for Isabella, so she and Hailey have been using RightStart Math Level A sporadically this year.  I plan to continue to work with this curriculum with them.  They seem to like it and it is a good fit for Isabella.  It includes lots of hands-on learning.  We have been using both ABeCeDarian Reading and All About Spelling this year with Madeline and Isabella.  I am considering choosing just one for next year, although there really is nothing more I need to buy in either curriculum for the next year, at least not immediately, so I think we may just play it by ear and use what works.  I'm still considering pulling activities in for science and social studies for the Pandia Press curriculums R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey and History Odyssey because the girls have been really interested the lessons we have done from them this year.  Madeline in particular has enjoyed the extra history and Isabella has enjoyed the science.  I am also fairly sure that I am going to introduce Madeline to the Michael Clay Thompson Language Arts curriculum.  I think she will really enjoy it.  I am also considering getting Discovery Education streaming which I found a good price on at Homeschool Buyers Co-op.  What I do know is that we will not be having a set schedule.  They will be deciding what, when, and how they would like to learn and I will be providing them with opportunities.  We will be spending LOTS of time outside and with friends. I am hoping for many field trips this year.  We will continue to try to find the best way for each of them to learn and grow!