Homeschool Must-Haves

March is just around the corner. March and April in the land of many homeschoolers marks the time to evaluate the curent year and make decisions about year to come. Many of us make constant revision throughout the year. That is one of the advantages of focusing on our children individually. But we still need to make decisions about curriculum purchases and goals for the future.

As I have indicated in several recent posts, I have not been satisfied with the level of engagement in our studies this year. So, I have been spending some time thinking through the "must-haves" for next year.

Our list of subjects.  I am happy with this list and feel that we cover a wide variety of essentials, with room to explore special interests. Note: this does not include preschool for the youngest, as I am committed to unschooling him until the first grade to really allow him time to just explore his world.

Math
History - World & US
Reading - Classics related to World History
Writing/Grammar/Spelling
Science & Nature Study
Arts
PE
Next year we'll add Beginning Engineering and Latin.

Looking at  how we are approaching these subjects this year, I see the problem. Do you?

Math Curriculum/Workbook

Grammar Curriculum/Workbook

Spelling Curriculum/Workbook

History Curriculum/Workbook

Writing Curriculum/Workbook

Science Curriculum/Workbook

Readers/End of chapter questions

How to bring wonder into our lessons?
How to guide us toward mastery and engagement?
What has been successful in the past?

nature study in the field

live experiences

getting our hands dirty

bringing lessons to life outside of a workbook

sensory activities

reading, reading, reading

child-led projects

 So, I am looking long and hard at this workbook situation. It's easy, yes. All I have to do list page numbers and prod them along until they finish. But  if that's the way it's going to be, why are we homeschooling? Why are we wasting these precious years, these opportunities?

The plan next year will be different:

Great Books and Living Books for History, Reading, Science with writing/spelling/grammar lessons in relevant, living work ala The Well Trained Mind and Charlotte Mason and Thomas Jefferson Education.

Math and Latin - we'll keep the workbooks here.

Hands on Engineering projects

Notebooks/Sketchbooks

Art supplies, concerts, cds, guitar and piano lessons, and http://www.drawspace.com/

Nature Study in NATURE (gasp!)

Supplies for science experiments

Pet care

Field Trips

PE

We will all be busier, but this plan will save money and force us to all, especially the kids, to actively participate in learning. Our focus will shift once again from workbooks to working together. They are ready and that's my job!

READY!!