This year however, the kids are older and smarter and have noticed that other children are not in school for the summer months. I suppose it was bound to happen eventually because contrary to what people think of homeschoolers, we do not live under a rock. The kids joined forces and protested doing school work this summer. They had some really well thought out reasons for it and I made a show of listening to it all, knowing that I was very much keen on a break myself. I agreed (probably to quickly and in hindsight I could have held the whole "summer break" over them to get lots of chores done) but for only 1 month. That was 2 months ago. Turns out, we needed to have a little fun and are having the most amazing summer. It is so nice to not feel I have to explain why my kids are with me at the grocery store at 10am! It is so nice to just be mom for a while. We have been blackberry picking, blueberry picking, swimming, to the library (which my kids think is a type of mecca), watched tons of movies, to a science show, to summer camp, baking cookies, having sleepovers, fishing, participated in a boat race, played Wii fitness and Wii Dance Revolution all summer, and now, in just a few weeks, we are going to Costa Rica, paradise on earth! The rainforest and pacific ocean are so close we cannot contain our excitement.And yet, lingering in my mind is school. After the Costa Rica vacation of a life time, it is back to work for us all. Well, that isn't a big deal to Jus because he hasn't had a break this summer. I feel a little guilty sleeping in and reading books while he slaves away but I know what's coming so I don't feel too bad.
This is going to be the best homeschooling year yet! I know because I have begun to get organised so the kids are a little worried already. Just how I need them to be, mwa ha ha ha. It will be tricky to be the hard nosed teacher again because I really like not having to be so strict but we are committed to a top class education this year and spent Daddy's hard earned money on actual curriculum packages for 4th and 6th grades. Daddy wants results and is happy to help enforce the slightly more demanding schedule than last year. I am super excited because it takes a lot of the planning that I usually have to do for our curriculum and does it for me. Yay!
This year we are using Memoria Press's Latin centered curriculum for 4th and 6th grades, with the exception of substituting our usual math for theirs. I am excited for the kids as I know they will enjoy this year's material. In addition to the core curriculum (Latin, math, literature, spelling, composition, grammar) the kids will learn about famous men of Greece and Rome, biology, insects, more astronomy, geography, American History, the Trojan War and more. I am so ecstatic that we can afford to do this type of curriculum this year and so grateful to my hubby for making it happen. It is truly going to be a great school year! I have always leaned toward the classical education (Latin centered) but not been in a position to go the whole distance. So, we have always done what we could with what we had. I feel this year we are able to provide the kids with everything I could have wanted. That is an awesome feeling! Now, I just need God to help me implement it all and stay the course which I know He will if I just take the time to listen to His guidance!
