Since enrolling my kids in a homeschool charter at the beginning of this school year (just about a month ago)…I’ve had a chance to see what I now strongly believe education SHOULD look like. Multi-generational.
NOT segregating specific age groups and having them in a classroom with just one or 2 adults…but the WHOLE FAMILY being involved! My kids now get to go to classes which might be similar to their public schooled peers (although I like to think these classes are higher quality…) BUT the difference is that they only have to go to a 2 per day/2 days a week (this is what I have chosen for them…other families will pick differently. The classes are entirely optional.) AND there are ALL AGES on the grounds at all times!
I LOVE watching the children in between classes (and even IN the classes sometimes, as siblings sometimes accompany mom/dad into the classroom to watch big brother/sister) playing with all ages…even babies and toddlers! There are even the occasional grandma/grandpa, and there’s more than a couple dads. It varies day to day, but on any given day, the children on the property are surrounded by MANY loving adults, many of whom they know quite well! (As time goes on, I expect to continue to get to know more and more of these families…we’re still quite new.)
Its truly heart warming. And makes me realize that THIS is what I’ve been wanting! Multi-generational education!
This week there are no classes but instead a family class and field trip! On Tuesday we will get together with friends of all ages at the school and learn about caves…Then on Friday, all of the families that attended the class will be taking a field trip to the Crystal Caves! Adam even took the day off of work!
This is really just so exciting to me. THIS is what I’ve been missing. THIS is what I’ve been wanting for my kiddos. I’m not at all interested in sending them away to school. I want to be a part of it! But not JUST me. I have wanted a community. And even though now I have to drive an hour to get to it, I finally have this.
I’m still sad we couldn’t create something like this here in Fresno…but I’m happy that I have access to it anyway. Its well worth the hour long drive.
And having the accountability of having to report to someone what my kids are doing (but in a pretty relaxed manner…I simply have to show that we are covering all subjects. Its much simpler than I had originally thought.) has really helped me to get on top of things. Before I had a hard time getting anything done regularly…It was here and there and while we certainly did a lot of educational things (I mean, heck, Maeven’s a little book worm and Tyren is picking up both math and reading REALLY FAST, so I must be doing SOMETHING right!) it wasn’t anywhere near the level that *I* wanted it to be.
I don’t care about the standards. I just care about MY standards. And I wasn’t happy with what we were accomplishing. Now I am MUCH HAPPIER. This seemed to be just the kick in the butt I needed to be able to get a schedule going and maintain it, for the most part. I’ll probably never be a really strict, structured homeschooler. I don’t really want to be. And I know I will NEVER follow the schedule of learning that the public schools use…but I am feeling MUCH better about how I’m able to keep things moving forward now. And we’re having FUN!!
And, a side benefit seems to be that when I keep the kids busier during their day, they fight a bit less. Still happens, but I’ve definitely noticed a decrease in recent weeks since we started our new schedule.
The kids are still not entirely certain about all these changes…but they seem happy, for the most part. And they are adapting. In class, they seem to enjoy their times with new friends…and at home, the fighting with me when I ask them to do something is decreasing. (They do this whenever I present any new rules or things to do. So it wasn’t a surprise.)
I’m really really glad I did this for our family! Now, hopefully, we can maintain our ability to pay for all this extra gas and wear and tear on our van!
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