"Well, unless your kid is a genius" and other things NOT to say to this homeschooling mom...

I admit that when it comes to my son, I am for sure a mama lion, bear, tiger...any vicious creature that will protect her offspring with a swipe of a paw, a growl, etc (hence the name "Cub..." that and the fact he was born a Leo in the Year of the Tiger!) You name it, I'll accept that label.  I don't think I love my son any more than you mommies and daddies out there, I'm just sayin'--this is who I am.

When we made the decision to homeschool Cub, I knew I would come up against people who didn't necessarily agree with our decision.  I touched a little bit upon it in my very first post "Fighting the Power" but really it deserves its own place.

One thing that I cannot understand is the judgement of homeschoolers in general.  In my time as a homeschool teacher, which I am currently, I have so many wonderful families and not one story is the same.  The choice to homeschool is personal and all the reasons vary--it's incredible to hear why people have chosen to take on not only raising their children but to also be responsible for their education, run a household--have more than one child, I know many who have careers!  They are not "strange" they are parents doing what they feel is the best fit for their children.

Is this the right thing for everyone?  Absolutely not.  But I don't question anyone sending their child to a local public school, paying a TON to send them to private school...not my kid, therefore I don't have a say.  Nor would I even want to make decisions for someone's family!

 

 So--here are some things I have already heard in regards to Cub and our choice...

5. "But how will he learn to listen to other people?"
Easy to answer--he will attend some classes on our campus.  But really, is it that big of a deal?  We go lots of places, he learns to interact will all sorts of different people.

4. "He will be one of 'those' kids."
If by "those" you mean kind, respectful, articulate and sweet--yes, he already is.  If you're referring to inquisitive, self confident and strong willed--again, beat you to the punch.  I still don't know what "those" means, all I know is every person on earth is unique and special.  So--can't say I'm concerned.

3."Why would you want to be stuck with your kid all day every day?"
Well, because I like him.  I love him because he is my baby but I can say I genuinely like who he is.  We have fun.  He makes me laugh.  He makes me think.  He asks the best questions and has hilarious one-liners.  I had to leave him at home at 3 months old and go teach other people's kids.  I loved them but I was dying inside because I wanted to be with my own child.  Here I have this golden ticket to be home, teach him AND work?  Yes, please.  Dream job is a reality. 

2. "As long as he's 'socialized' it's ok."
I have thought long and hard about this one.  I have seen the monkey see monkey do behavior Cub exhibits when with other kids his age and it does not please me.  Is socialization being put in a room with a random collection of kids all the same age from relatively similar socio-economic backgrounds?  If so, then I don't know that I want him to be "socialized." Civilized of course, but he's not a puppy to be introduced to the world at large.  I socialized my bulldog "daughter," not my human son.  And who's the judge on how social he is?  Trust me, this boy needs NO help talking to people, making friends or taking center stage wherever he goes. 

1. "Well, unless your kid is a genius, just send him to a school."
This is the one that blows my mind.  I don't even know what response can be formulated.  I know my son better than anyone and I know in my heart that this is the best option for him.  I also know that I can teach him the way he learns without having the responsibility for teaching 22 other littles, dealing with typical classroom things and trying to manage it all. This one on one attention is something only I can give.  Is he exceptional? I'd like to think so. Am I doing this simply because I think he's smart?  No.  I feel that so many children can achieve so much with one on one teaching. 

If you decide that this teaching your own is something you want to do, go for it.  Don't let people make you question your decision.  I have zero doubt this is the right thing so really nothing anyone has said changed my mind.  This is not the norm therefore people will always be apprehensive.  

Bottom line: if you are confident in your choice, people will see that and there will be fewer questions.

Or you can always just growl and pretend to swipe a paw or two at them to get your point across. That usually works for me!

My Cupcake Theory and How it Applies to Homeschool

Cupcakes.

I love them.  Who doesn't?

They are the center of my latest theory of homeschooling curriculum.  

I've found that many parents new to homeschooling can have a difficult time choosing the right curriculum--and sometimes they are so caught up in doing the "right" thing, they might choose too much or not enough.

This is where cupcakes come in.

A cupcake is cake-frosting-sprinkles (at least my favorites are!) I look at setting up curriculum like that:

cake-frosting-sprinkles or 

core curriculum-workbooks/supplemental material-online/games/field trips-projects.

But, how does this work? 

There are a TON of choices when it comes to Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies.  I can't tell you what's right for your family, but I can explain how I've set up Cub's subjects using my "method" : ) 

Using Language Arts as an example: 

 

Cake-All About Reading!

I LOVE All About Learning Press and their materials!!!  This is totally my own opinion and what I've seen both personally and professionally.  I'm using AAR Level 1 for Cub and within 5 short lessons he was reading--no kidding.  He started with a strong base knowledge of letters and their sounds which is making the process that much faster. Phonics patterns and word families make up most of what is learned and it is in a fun, short and sweet way.  Cub is SUPER active and will only sit for short bursts...if he's interested.  This has worked so well for us! 

Frosting-Sight Words & Writing 

It's not all about reading though (see what I did there? : ) Kiddos MUST have sight word instruction as well.  These sight or high frequency words make up most of the print we see daily. Most do not fall into typical phonics patterns that littles will learn, so memorization is key.  I personally haven't found an organized "big box" kinda curriculum I love so I am armed with my sight word lists and I choose 5 a week, put them on post-its and stick them on the pantry door.  When Cub pops in for a snack, he must read them.  When I introduce them, I read them to him, then I have him echo me (I read-he reads) and then I point and have him read himself.  Cub was blessed with a wicked memory so this comes easy to him.  Is he always eager to read them?  No.  Do I let him slide and get something without reading?  Never.  Consistency and practice is instrumental in getting these words to stick.  

Writing is our biggest struggle.  I've found using a highlighter on primary lined paper--asking Cub what words he'd like to write--has worked.  We also use Star Wars workbooks (he LOVES any and ALL Star Wars so he is interested!) We use shaving cream on his outside table, chalk on the pathway outside our front door, the fog on the glass in the shower...anything and everything that gets him to practice!!!  Since he's starting K in September (I still absolutely positively cannot believe that almost 5 years have gone by--but that's a whole different subject : ) I don't push as hard as I will once schooltime has officially started for us.  I'm trying to make it as fun and exciting as possible.  It has worked well so far...we shall see if it continues!

Sprinkles-Online Activities/Games

My director introduced us to Reading Eggs which is an online program.  It's cute, it's fun and it's worthwhile.  What it's not is a full blown core curriculum.  Cub has fun with it but I don't look at it as something that is instructing.  It's a nice added activity, but it is not a substitute for something like All About Reading or sight word instruction.  Games we play are fantastic--stores like Lakeshore have fun educational games & I get a TON of things from Teachers Pay Teachers--but they are just "sprinkles" on your curriculum cupcake!

I hope this delish little post helps in de-mystifying the core choices a little and what might be cake, frosting or sprinkles!  

Decision to Homeschool: Fighting the Power

When you think you want to homeschool...

So, when you're deciding on Kindergarten, what to you do?  Of course you think about the fantastic school less than a mile from your house, maybe a private school, and if you're me--you immediately think you can do it better. 

Let me clarify: I don't think I'm better than teachers.  I am a teacher.  It just so happens that I have found my way into a homestudy position (that I LOVE) and that my son is heading into Kindergarten.  No brainer, right?  Well, not quite. 

Is this going to be the right fit?

As much as I wanted to, I really had to see if this would be the right fit for not only me (hello!  It's another full-time job on top of my homeschool position, being a momma and wife and just life!) but will Cub respond to me as his teacher?  Will this work for our family? 

As far as scheduling, we have it made.  I can take him to work with me, he would take some classes, Daddyguy has varied hours so this would actually give us MORE time as a family.  So, check this off the list as a "pro."

Will Cub respond to me as his teacher?  That's more complicated.  He knows I'm a teacher--he's been in my classrooms since he can remember, he has been to my classes this year and has gone to a meeting or two with me.  He gets that part.  It's been a transition to bridge that momma-teacher relationship.  This is something that we have already started to work on.  I was surprised Cub took to it as quickly as he did!  So, check that off as a "pro!"(Just know it's a day-to-day process, we are always working on it!)

I am confident it will work for our family.  Cub loves to learn, I love to teach.  Works for me!

Getting Daddyguy on board...

Don't think Daddyguy was an easy mark.  He was not.

Cub and I came home from a Rainforest class I was teaching at the time, and he yelled, "DADDY I WANNA BE HOMESCHOOLED!" To which my dear sweet husband replied, "YOU WILL NOT!  YOU WILL GO TO 'REAL SCHOOL!'"

Yes, homeschooling is "real school" and we both know this.  However Daddyguy was taken SO off guard and felt trapped.  I completely swear that I had nothing to do with it--Cub had a spontaneous confession!  He knows what he wants, that's for sure.

After this, I went about my duties of checking with the public school he was slated to attend.  We went up, I filled all the paperwork out, I went to the parent info day.  I wasn't sold. This is not to say that it's not a great school (it is) and that it's not a good fit for most kids (it is--I only hear great things from people!)  In my heart, I knew that this wasn't for us. 

I started working with Cub.  Just here and there, little things.  He picked them up in minutes.  One night we went out to dinner.  Cub and I played "I Spy" with letters and Daddyguy was amazed.  He softened a little to the idea...

Another night a couple weeks later, we were sitting at the dinner table eating and Cub started using crayons to "build" words.  Then he read them.  Daddyguy threw his hands up, told me I've done amazing things and told me I could make the decision on schooling.  So I did.  Homeschool it was!

Making the announcement!

I have a loving mother, a wonderful pair of in-laws and fabulous friends.  Of course I was thrilled about our decision but I had a feeling people wouldn't all be super supportive. I was correct.

My mom?  Totally ok with it--she's seen the process, watched me teach Cub, and is always supportive.  My in-laws?  They didn't say it to my face, but I could tell they were a little skeptical.  They might still be, but they're supportive.  I find that "socialization" comes up A LOT.  I have several things to say about that--but that's a whole other post! Friends have been pretty quiet.  I admit I have been defensive about it because I assumed people would fight me.  But I've realized that he is our child and as long as we know it's working, we don't need any validation from others. 

Bottom Line...

I am so excited to start this adventure.  We've been trying things out here and there, I'm looking forward to sharing what we've learned and document what we do this year!  Bottom line?  Cub is happy, I am happy and Daddyguy is happy too.  I say that's a huge WIN for homeschool already!