End of the School Year Evaluation

It's May. YAY! May is my favorite month. I love the weather in May (although right now it's a bit chilly for my liking) and I've always enjoyed the feeling of relief as the school year ends and summer begins.

We will "officially" be done with school on May 19th. By then, we'll be done with the required number of days for the year and we should be finished with several of our curricula. It'll be a good place to stop, for a while. Right now, I'm planning to take June and July off. We'll probably have a week or so of science projects and art lessons somewhere in there, and we'll do a little bit of math (Prodigy game, which Lexi loves) just to keep current, but we'll also spend a lot of time going to the pool and playing with friends. The plan is to start back up in full at the beginning of August. We start early so we can take some extended breaks during the fall and spring when the weather is nice.

I'm excited to wrap our school year up! Just for fun, I'd like to look back at where we started this school year and explain where we ended up.  I copied and pasted from my Back to School post and noted how things went. The formatting is going to be odd because of that, but it's too much work to change it now ;)

Faces of Homeschooling - The Hook Family

Welcome to a new edition of Faces of Homeschooling!

 This week, we're talking with Jana Hook, a mom who homeschools by day and works by night. Jana and her husband Bradley share the responsibility of homeschooling their daughter.
 

Today, Jana discusses how her family made the decision to homeschool, as well as her unique experience of balancing working outside the home while homeschooling her daughter, who is an only child.   Take a peek into life with the Hook family!

Introduce your family.

My name is Jana and my husband Bradley and  I have one daughter, Arya. She will be 5 in January. We started homeschooling last spring.


What made you decide to homeschool? 

Bradley was homeschooled and always wanted his child(ren) to be homeschooled. I attended a Christian school preschool- 8th grade. I always felt (and I think it was the Lord preparing me for homeschooling) that I would not send my children to preschool and would homeschool for AT LEAST Kindergarten. Our plan is now to Homeschool all the way through high school. Two of my cousins were homeschooled and did very well academically. That made it positive to me. My best friend was homeschooled and is also homeschooling her children.

Bradley and I both feel the traditional school -especially public school- has a lower quality than it used to. In speaking to other parents, teens and children we feel that traditional school is not adequately educating children. We believe Arya can receive a better education when we can learn her learning style and gear lessons towards that. I also like that Arya is being taught my values and that I know exactly what she is learning.


What has kept you at it?

We stick with it because it is something we feel strongly about. We recently moved. Before moving I had a whole room as a playroom/school room. And I was a stay-at-home mom. When we moved, I knew I had to go back to work, and now we do school at the kitchen counter. Bradley and I discussed it and knew we still wanted to homeschool. I am home with Arya during the day while Bradley is at school. Bradley is home with her in the evening while I am at work.

Arya working on an art project.

What does a typical day look like for you?

It really depends. I work and Bradley is in law school. I am home with Arya during the day and Bradley is home with her when I work in the evening. We usually do school in the afternoon after lunch before we go pick up Bradley from school. We do school Monday- Friday. I do writing phonics, math and Bible during the day. Bradley does the others with her in the evening. We both practice her spelling words with her.

How have you been approaching preschool? Do you use a curriculum?

We did preschool workbooks last spring. We are now doing Kindergarten workbooks for phonics, math and writing. We pick out own spelling words for her. She has learned some Greek and philosophy (Plato, Aristotle, etc) from Bradley (my husband) as her history and we do experiments we find on the internet for science. We do devotions and a kids learning Bible for Bible. We believe in a lot of unstructured/unschooling right now. Learning through play, through life. Finding words, sounds, shapes, etc in our world around us. Bradley has started to doing logic with her. And I'm teaching her our address and such.


What's your favorite part about homeschooling?

The freedom. The other day we did school on the balcony since the weather was nice. We can do school work in the morning if we have a doctors appointment in the afternoon. We can do it in the afternoon if we have women's group at church in the morning. Also, confidence and security in knowing what she is learning. We feel that the usual standard of education has gone down a lot lately so we want her to get a perhaps superior education (not to be prideful or egotistical).

Arya made homeschool completely worth it the day she turned to me and said "You sure are a good teacher."  

Taking advantage of a sunny day by working outside!

What's your daughter's favorite part of homeschooling?


Math, I think. She loves doing school. Tonight when I was putting her to bed, she said "We never did my school work!" I reminded here we take a break from school work on Saturday and Sunday.


What are the biggest challenges of homeschooling?

Sometimes, I am really tired after work. I am not a very patient person. But I remind myself, Arya is 4. She just learning. When needed, we take a break to stretch out, get our wiggles out and chill.


Has it been challenging to strike a balance between working and homeschooling?

It's been a big transition. I haven't worked since 2009. I was a stay-at-home mom until Bradley started law school this fall. I feel I'm fully time homeschooling stay-at-home-mom during the day and a working mom in the evening. But we've made it with so far because homeschooling her was a priority for us.


Are you worried about the social skills your child isn't learning by not being in a traditional classroom?

Arya has no problem with socialization. She has her Sunday school class on Sunday. We have a Homeschool play group on Thursday. We go to a women's group at our church on Wednesday (which has child care so she is with kids there). We used to be in MOPs and storytime at the library. And you don't get that much socialization in a classroom. You sit at a desk. You get the socialization at lunch and recess.


Do you see any special perks or challenges to homeschooling an only child?

It's nice that I can focus on just the single grade level. I don't have to try and find curriculum that works for more than one age/grade at a time. Also, school doesn't take very long each day when you just have one child doing her school work or needing help/instruction.

Jana and Arya

How are you planning to teach your child subjects you haven't learned?

Bradley teaches her the subjects that aren't my strong suit (Math and Science). They aren't difficult for me now- but higher level math and science will need to be done by him. But for other things, I do research online and study up all I can. I am a huge fan of the public library and they have so many resources.


Where do you find patience?

From the Lord :)


What would you like others to know about homeschooling?

It is fabulous. I truly enjoying teaching Arya. I know it will be harder as she grows older. But it is completely worth it!

Thank you, Jana, for sharing your experiences with us! 

Check out our previous Faces of Homeschooling interviews by clicking here. 

If you, dear reader, are interested in participating in this project, please drop me a line in the comments. 

Faces of Homeschooling - The Lackey Family

Welcome to another edition of Faces of Homeschooling! 

This week, we're chatting with Gretchen Lackey. Gretchen and her husband Brad have two children whom they homeschool, Evan (6 and a half) and Lauren (3 and a half). Their family will also welcome Baby Lackey in January. 

While balancing homeschooling and her family's needs, Gretchen also runs a daycare in their home. How does she do it? Take a peek into their lives to find out!

What brought you to homeschooling?

So many, many things! First off, I was an elementary teacher for nine years. I taught 2nd-5th grades. I absolutely loved my job and was very passionate about it, but there were many glaring faults of such a large system ran by the government. Additionally, once I had my son, my priorities changed and I didn't feel as connected to my profession as I once had. I always felt torn between being the mom I wanted to be and being the teacher I wanted to be. So, I ended up quitting teaching to open my own daycare, which naturally, led me to teaching within the daycare, and eventually, homeschooling.

The kids on their first day of school. 

What has kept you at it? 

Some days, I don't know! But, mostly, I have channeled my love of teaching and learning into my own family which is extremely rewarding. In some way, I have guided a majority of their learning and been there to see all of their "a-ha" moments. I am blessed that my children love to learn, read, and absorb knowledge. They really are eager students, which definitely helps in those tough moments.

Walk us through a typical day in your school.

We are probably different from some homeschool families because we run an in-home daycare alongside homeschooling. So, our mornings are spent welcoming the kiddos to our home, eating breakfast together, free play, then about an hour to an hour and a half of preschool activities right before lunch. Usually these activities include an engagement activity around a central theme that we have been exploring. Then, we'll read a related story, participate in a kinesthetic activity or experiment, do a craft or follow-up activity. Most of this time has been focused around letter recognition, days of the week, number sense, or other preschool standards. All daycare kiddos, as well as my own daughter, starting at about age two typically participate during this time. My son is either my "co-teacher" or he does his own thing at this time. Usually, he is right alongside helping out our littles. I love to see him teaching the little ones; he is so gentle and patient with them.

Evan's school work is mostly done in the afternoon. After lunch, we have about an hour of quiet time for the bigger kids or nap time for the littles. Then, Evan gets started on school. He is doing Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool this year and really enjoys it. It is mostly done online, but there are a lot of experiments and engaging hands-on activities as well. Typically his school work takes about 1-2 hours depending on the day. If needed, he'll take a couple ten minute breaks throughout that time. I am usually with or near him guiding him or helping if need be. He is currently capable of doing about half of his work independently, but we enjoy doing it together as well- I learn so much from teaching him!

After he is done with his work for the day, Evan & I co-teach two of the older girls, Lauren, and a 4-year-old daycare kiddo, the preschool curriculum on Easy Peasy, which is mostly literacy based right now. So, I'll supplement with some math games or other learning activities as needed. This preschool time is usually about 45 minutes or so.

Working hard and having fun!

Do you have a Secret Weapon or Hidden Gem that you'd like to share?

I don't know that it's a secret weapon, but I struggle with anxiety and have just learned that sometimes I have to relax. Rome wasn't built in a day, right?! The same goes for homeschooling, not everything will come together at once and some days, nothing does! But, I just remind myself to keep things in perspective and to not be so hard on myself if things don't work out the way I had hoped or imagined. Tomorrow is always another day to make it right.

Lauren practicing her letters in shaving cream.

Favorite moments?

I have so many! Reading with my kiddos every day is huge for us. I also love that at any point during the day I can pull my kiddos close and just cuddle them and let them know that I love them. And, I absolutely treasured teaching my son to read from infancy to now. It's been an amazing, constantly progressing and evolving process, but so incredible to get an up-front seat for!

A pajama day read-a-thon.

Biggest challenges?

The one thing that we struggle with each day is writing. Evan will fight me on him having to write the smallest of sentences just because he doesn't like to do it. So, we are working on that. Also, some days, motivation to "do school" dwindles now that I am so pregnant & exhausted! But, I typically work through that! ;)

How do you pick curriculum?

Last year, which was the first year that I was consciously homeschooling, was Evan's kindergarten year. I created all of the curriculum for him based on month-long thematic units of particular areas of interest to him or things I thought he'd enjoy. So, all of the subjects- math, science, history, literacy- were worked into one particular theme each month. I got most of my resources from various blogs, experience, teaching manuals, and, of course, pinterest. I did the same with preschool plans last year as well, while using the same themes, concentrating on different indicators for the little ones.

This year, I knew that I wouldn't be able to be so hands-on in the curriculum creation department since I am expecting and due in the middle of our school year. So, I wanted to choose a curriculum that was all there for me, which ended up being Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool. At first, I was hesitant to use an online curriculum of sorts because I didn't want the kiddos on the computer all the time. I wanted their learning to be more engaging and active. But, after looking through Easy Peasy, researching it, and learning from other families who used it, I thought that a lot of it was quite hands-on, motivating, and interactive. So, we gave it a chance. And, it has been wonderful! The children love it and are learning so much. Plus, when the baby comes, we will hopefully be able to stay reasonably on track with our school work.

Evan showing off his model of The Great Sphinx .

When do you lesson plan?

With Easy Peasy, there isn't much lesson planning that I do. Typically, on Sunday night, I take some time to look over what I anticipate Evan doing the following week and print anything that is applicable. Also, I determine if I want to make any substitutions or additions to what is planned in EP. For the preK activities, I have to devote a little more time (probably about 2 hours a week) drawing on various resources I've found and putting together what looks like a good plan for the kiddos. I do this on Sunday evening as well.

How do you homeschool while nursing/with an infant?

Since I run a daycare, I am faced with this challenge daily. Our major chunks of homeschooling times occur throughout the day when the younger kids are sleeping. For our morning preschool time, the youngest child here (18 months) is napping. Then, in the afternoon, when a bulk of our work gets done, the toddler aged kids are napping. However, I have a feeling that once January comes and I will be nursing a newborn, all of this will be up in the air!

Lauren proudly showing off some flowers she planted.

Where do you find the patience?

Some days are easier than others, but I have been blessed with a natural patience for children. And, I pray! I pray a lot!! ;)


What do you say to people who say, "I could never do that--I don't know enough about all the subjects kids need to learn!"

Evan with his tomato plant.

So far, I just kind of laugh it off and reassure them that I too, don't know everything. But, there are so many helpful resources and guides to ensure that I am not messing it up too badly!





How do you respond to,"Are you worried about the social skills your kids aren't learning by not being in a traditional classroom?"

Oh, this question! Usually, I just respond with a generic, "No, I'm not." Typically, people don't really go much further with that line of questioning. But, I have many, many thoughts that I would share if pressed. Kids don't need to be in homogeneous peer groups for a majority of their educational experiences- most adults aren't! My children are learning how to socially interact with children their own age, younger, and older than themselves. Also, school settings really aren't the best atmosphere to develop social skills. A lot of what happens in school is too structured (learning conversations) or not structured at all (recess situations). Children learn conformity in schools and rarely learn the value of uniqueness or being able to get along with all ages. Additionally, my children are learning how to get along with people of many walks of life, not those who are ultimately very similar to themselves.


How do you find balance?

This is tough. I am a perfectionist by design and it is hard for me to balance work, homeschool, being a good wife and mother. But, the bottom line is prioritizing and trying my hardest to do as well as I can at any given time in any of those arenas. Sometimes, one area demands more of my time and I have to step back and decide what I can take off of my plate for awhile. Then, the scales will shift to another area demanding more of me. It's a constant evaluation of myself and my surroundings. And I can't forget that I need time to spent solo and some time with friends, too.

The kids unwrap brand new school supplies they received during a First Day of School Scavenger Hunt. 

How do you teach your child something you don't really understand?

In these cases, we do research together. I am not ashamed to be a constant learner. In fact, my children eat it up! They love teaching me or discovering alongside me. We are all in this together.


How do you go about your schedule when you teach different grades?

It goes back to balance and prioritizing. Also, determining if there is any aspect of the different levels that can be taught using the same concept or theme, but going deeper with those in the higher grades.

Hard at work in their school space!

Do you plan to homeschool through graduation?

This question is very up-in-the-air. Right now, we are taking it year-by-year and continuing because it works best for now. I am absolutely falling more in love with homeschooling the more experience I gain, but you never know what could happen in the future.


What would you like others to know about homeschooling?

There are a lot of things I wish people understood about us as homeschoolers:

1. We aren't weirdos or religious fanatics or eccentrics, we are just doing what we feel is best for our family at this time. 
2. We love our children with all of our hearts and want to extend that love to their education and just to be with them as much as we possibly can! 
3. My children are social, smart, creative beings- have a conversation with them and you will discover that beyond a doubt. 
4. Homeschooling and public education are not foes. One is not better or worse than the other. Both are choices that families can make. 
5. I absolutely love homeschooling and feel incredibly blessed that I have been led down this path.

The whole family celebrating the Royals' victory together. 

Thank you Gretchen for sharing your wisdom and for giving us a peek into your world!

If you'd like to be a part of the Faces of Homeschooling project, just leave a message with your contact information in the comments.

Faces of Homeschooling - The Hoagland Family

Welcome to another edition of Faces of Homeschooling! 

This week, you'll get a peek inside the lives of the Hoagland family. 

Mom Melanie and Dad Brian have two daughters who are 7 and 4.

What brought you to homeschooling?

I never wanted to homeschool, especially as my firstborn approached kindergarten age. We just butted heads too much. But I also didn't want to send her to public school - she was just too easily influenced, and I didn't like where that was going. So we talked private school for a while. But my husband came from a big pro-homeschool church and his sister was homeschooling all 6 of her kids. So when he asked me to consider homeschooling our kids it wasn't a surprise, but I was NOT happy about it. I agreed to pray about the decision, went to bed, and woke up the next morning super excited about the idea! I guess that's what you'd call an answer to prayer. :)

The Hoagland family's homeschooling space.

What has kept you at it?

Sheer will. Seriously. I've had days where I literally almost called to enroll her in the local public school. But then I would tell myself that I would probably regret that decision the next morning. It takes reminding myself why we are doing this... sometimes hourly. :)

Walk us through a typical day in your school.

Typical? That means a schedule.... hmmmmm. Well, we have a fairly basic layout of our day. Get up around 7:30. I read to them while they drink their morning cup of milk. Then we eat breakfast, get dressed and ready, and start school around 9:00 or 9:30. First we do Bible together, then my 2nd grader works on some things independently (cursive handwriting, spelling, and math) while I go through my 4-year old's pre-k curriculum with her. How much she and I get through depends on her mood. :) Then I do history, language arts, and science with my 2nd grader again, while the preschooler does some on-line learning games. We can usually get done around 11:00 or 11:30, but there are days it takes us until 1:00. It all depends on how motivated the girls are to finish their work. We do a lot of extracurricular things in the afternoons and evenings.

Panning for gold at Mahaffie Farmstead.

Favorite moments?

Seeing my oldest "get" reading, and watching her take off with it. Learning and watching their strengths, and not just being told by their teacher once a semester. Like discovering that my 4-year old has a serious math bent. It's so awesome!

Biggest challenges?

Ugh. The lack of motivation and perseverance (some days) of my second grader. It can take 15 minutes to get through math, but sometimes it takes 2 hours. Very frustrating.

What do you (and your kids!) like best about homeschooling?

My fave thing about HS is the flexibility we have in our schedule. Fun new park to visit on a beautiful fall day? Girls, let's do double school tomorrow! Family in town? We'll work some extra to get done early. Vacation in October? Take the books with us in the car. Also, the community and support there is in the HS world. My kids and I have made some great friends doing this. And I think they would say the same thing. I point out to them frequently that they would just be getting back from school at 3:30 in the afternoon, followed by an hour of homework. They love not having to get up early in mornings too.

Tribal necklaces and bark "cloth" that were part of a unit on Africa.

What have you learned in your time as a homeschooler?

Patience. Perseverance. Humility. Complete dependence on God.

Tell us about the curriculum you use. How did you select it?

Trial and error! We pick some things that I think they'll love, and 2 months into the year I see it's not working at all. So we switch, and we CAN! I love that. We used Logic of English to teach reading and I really loved it. Now that we finished that one, we are doing Rod & Staff for spelling, and just reading & writing poems for LA. Life of Fred for my non-math-loving 2nd grader. Reading really cool living books for Early American history. And Rod & Staff Pre-K books for my 4-year old. Those are really great! We do Notgrass Draw-to-Learn Bible with both of the girls.

A peek at the curriculum the girls use!

Do you have a "Hidden Gem" or "Secret Weapon" to share with other parents?

Let it go. If it's not working, it's ok. Just let it go. Not worth your relationship! A really great book I would recommend is "Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler's Guide to Unshakeable Peace" by Sarah Mackenzie. Very game-changing book that all HS moms should read.

How are you going to teach your kids subjects that you haven't learned?

Oh dear, I haven't gotten that far yet. I have no idea. I will say though, that I am learning right alongside them. It's really fun! Hopefully I will approach those subjects the same way.

What about socialization? Are you worried that your kids are missing important skills by not being in a traditional classroom?

Seriously? If my kids were any more "socialized" we wouldn't have any time for school! And no. A traditional classroom is not prep for "real life". As mom, I have the opportunity to instill our family's values in my kids before we send them out into the wide world. In a classroom, they learn their peers' values. Which aren't much to speak of. We are involved in enough other activities to teach them skills like taking turns, helping out, being kind to each other.

A chromatography experiment in which the colors separate as the liquid moves up the paper.

How do you find balance between homeschooling and your other responsibilities?

I don't! Ha ha! Don't show up at my house unannounced please! :) We get school done in the mornings, so we can get the house cleaned/laundry done/dinner made in the afternoons. That's the plan at least. Some days we just have to take a day off (or have a light day) for getting things done.

How would you respond to someone who says they are not patient enough to homeschool?

Then don't. I don't think everyone must homeshool. Although if you feel like this is something you are supposed to be doing, consider it a great growth opportunity! I'm not patient either, but I am learning to be. Slowly. It's like saying that you aren't fit enough to work out. Hmmm. How is that ever going to change?

What keeps you sane?

My HS friends! I live for our weekly get-togethers! And the chance to have spontaneous down-time during the day.

Watching a blacksmith at Mahaffie Farmstead.

What would you like others to know about homeschooling?

You CAN do it. It's the best, hardest, coolest, most challenging adventure you will embark on. But having the opportunity to teach your child not only school subjects, but also values and life skills, while watching them grow and grow up is priceless. I wouldn't trade it for anything.