Yesterday was a big day for
chemistry here: Aengus and my daycare kid experimented with baking soda and vinegar, which is always fun. They explored variations on the "volcano," too. Then we made lollipops with a "Sweet Science" kit we had from years ago. We discovered what happens when the heat is too high (burnt lollipops -- ew!) and that no amount of flavoring can overcome certain tastes.
We're trying a new approach beginning today in our academics. Not a huge change, mind you; our philosophy remains the same. But each of us realizes the need for some focus and challenge, so I'm instituting a loose schedule for everyone. "Everyone" being Noah and Aengus, of course.
I kid, I kid.
I probably need this more than anyone else.
So here's the plan (assuming plenty of multi-tasking, like playing with the daycare kid or impulsively investigating a subject that pops up or foraging for food): Each person gets a half-hour wake-up time (regardless of what time they actually wake up). This time is for whatever they need to get their motors running, whether it's coffee and the news or a hit of
Nazi Zombies. Then it's time to get dressed and cleaned up for the day, followed by structured academic work.
Now, I know what you're thinking: a "real unschooler" doesn't have structured academic work. Well, I call bullshit on that one. And I'm not tied to any label; "unschooling" is the closest name I've found for what we do here, but that doesn't mean it's the
only way we operate. Especially since "unschooling" has such controversial definitions and dogma linked to it. But I digress.
The focus of Aengus's academic time will mostly be on his reading skills, but as he enjoys math so much, we'll do plenty of that, too.Well, actually, we'll do plenty of whatever he wants to do, as long as it
includes a focus on reading. Today, we explored Google
Earth (VERY cool!) and did some
phonics.
Noah is interested in biology and probability and statistics, so it's on me to get it together and teach him. Yes, SandramotherfuckingDodd, I said
teach. As per his very specific request. I have some resources for both subjects, but I always like to hear about freebies and cheapies to enhance his learning. Specifically, right now I'm looking for practice problems for prob/stat. Can anyone hook a sistah up?
After a little academics (no more than thirty minutes for Aengus and an hour for Noah), we each get some free time. For me, that means I "get" to clean the kitchen or run some laundry or other such relaxing pursuits. And I definitely will be working out.
Who am I kidding? We all know I'll let the dishes and laundry and treadmill just sit there while I get on Facebook.Aengus will have a pretty big window of free time before dinner, which will usually include playtime with my other daycare kid and some play outside. Noah's bigger chunk of free time will be later on, in the wee hours after the rest of us are in bed. He likes it that way, and I've no intention to take away from that. But as he wakes up much later, he'll pretty much have to jump right into dinner mode after his academics.
We've always had a quick cleanup time before dinner. This will continue, but with a twist: the boys will take turns each day being either the cleaner or the cook. One of them will help me make dinner while the other will do the before-dinner straightening spree
and the after-dinner dishes. (Do you think that's motivation enough for them to finally help me cook?!)
After dinner, I'm planning for a little family together time, something we rarely have right now. We spend all day,
every day together . . . but we're rarely
really together, know what I mean? So, I'm putting my foot down and insisting on a little family time every day, even if it's just watching some TV together. Let's face it, that's probably what it will usually be. I'm hoping this time will include watching Discovery and History Channel shows or other such academic pursuits (I'm always thinking about transcripts these days), but I have no agenda. I'm hoping the boys will offer up some ideas, because I hate the feeling of dictating how they will live their lives. I'm sure they hate it, too.
I just hope they don't see it that way. That's certainly NOT my intention.
Wish me luck. Anyone placing bets on how long this will last?
(She says as she surfs the web and the dishes pile up . . .)
Comments (2)
It sounds like a good, flexible arrangement -- you're nurturing the
skills of setting and following through with goals while remaining true
to your core philosophy. I think some people get so hung up on the
*concept* of unschooling -- and worrying about staying in line with the
unschooling groupthink -- that they're more focused on the *philosophy*
than on the needs of their kids.
Logo .eps | Logo gif