Pro-school. Pro supplemental curriculum (part 2)

(9/2011)  Source:  

Coily Embrace Blog Homeschooling Articles:

Homeschooling Children who go to school - Best of both worlds?

And Part II

I LOVE the idea of enhancing my child’s *life* education in a more methodical fashion (with lessons, and points of focus).  I agree that the family bonding created by these activities can only be accomplished by spending this time together…growing, learning, and interacting.  And, of course as a mother, I have an internal sense of obligation to spend *some* time teaching my own children…stuff.  So, I decided to add a pseudo-homeschooling sentiment into the lives of my public school attending children.

It started with summer vacation – a low stakes time where *anything* I do is better than doing nothing.  I wanted to focus on “fun” educational activities that exposed them to NEW opportunities (things that they would otherwise NOT experience through the school).  I wanted the activities to be worth the effort – meaning, if the kid happened to enjoy the activity, or had undiscovered natural talent, there was the opportunity for further development.  I wanted a diversity of activities.  I wanted each child to have their *own* activity.  I wanted the various activities to fit into a category:  fine art, performing art, sport, life skills, and health education.  And I wanted some history, politics, social and spiritual consciousness mixed in for good measure.   I wanted sincere and memorable family interaction, and I wanted to incorporate some travel and sight-seeing using the world as our classroom.

I spent hours/days/weeks in late Spring scouring our local accommodations for educational, child-friendly activities that fit my various criteria.  Emailing ranch owners who teach children to care for and ride horses.  Photography classes, learning to type, canvas painting, yoga, scrapbooking, swimming instruction, basketball camps, book clubs.  We “took a week off” to be with visiting family…and had a fabulous stay-cation learning how to be good hosts and learning all about hospitality.  We ate at nice restaurants and learned about etiquette and proper manners.   We planned an extremely busy road trip were we saw many national monuments, various cities, and practiced our social skills by interacting with pubic officials and politicians.  All the while reading books and flash-cards along the way to help solidify and add perspective to the journey.

And it was *difficult* planning this summer curriculum.  It was time-consuming to execute this program.  But it was rewarding, because the kids actually *learned* EXTRA stuff…and saw things they otherwise wouldn’t have.  And by the time summer was winding down, I was ready for a “break.”  And the kids going back to school offered the perfect opportunity for me a break.

And I realized (again) that home-schooling was just too big of project for me.  But I also realized that, I could ADD TO their education…and I could pick and choose all things NOT math, spelling, reading, and writing.  My supplementation could include music, art, sports, education about health and fitness.  We could plant organic gardens together, care for animals, learn to sew.

I could spend time actually teaching them how to properly clean the house, wash clothes, read food labels, and prepare simple nutritious meals.  I can teach them about relationships (those relationships that begin with school friends) and help them navigate the social nuances of school yard life that will extrapolate into work-place life.

If they go to school I am free to pontificate their lives, and create afterschool and weekend learning opportunities that I would not be able to do if I were busy teaching the basics all day.   I could relax and take care of myself, and be fully available to teach them my supplemental curriculum.

Suddenly, it was all crystal clear:  I did not have to pull them out of school to home-school.  There’s plenty of time to home-school my children, after they come home from school.  And by creating a supplemental tailored curriculum for them to implement, my children will get the very best I have to offer (especially as sane and happy Mom).

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- Update 2/23/13 - 

Reemphasize:  What I failed to realize back then was the option to have MORE time for our Taylored Curriculum...and allow Traditional School be the "supplement."