After asking how much my husband makes and how much we pay for rent the next most common question from relative strangers sounds something like this,
"Do your children go to school?"
"No." I reply.
"Why not? How old is he?"
"Well he just turned three in July so he is still very young. It is my job to watch over him."
"Where will they go to school?"
"We will see." I always say with a little head bob to match the sentiment of not knowing the future. That seldom satisfies. Hot on the heels of the questions come suggestions. A friend who also has children around my kid's ages does not meet with this scrutiny. Why? Abe's height and weight match my Indian friend's five year old grandson (the one at whose circumcision I was the designated photographer). Zana is often mistaken for her brother's twin. They are both large. So in a nation where three year olds attend school shuffling along with their humungous backpack weighing them down from behind and their water bottle counter balancing the weight to the front, the expectation that our children attend school is understandable.
We'll see about school. Many different schools have been suggested to us. All private. All expensive. All English Medium. All at long distances away (sometimes hours) to be traveled in a little tin can school bus with no air, little room, and children of all ages. Needless to say we are not ready for this leap.
So when my itchy teaching feet started to hurt I planned my fall of school and on September first we started our year of school. At home. There is no, may I add no, frame of reference for homeschooling. Education depends on schools and tutors. So the fact that in our home school began is my dirty little secret.
I do not have homeschooling figured out by any means but I have to say I love it. It is simply fun. Abe just turned three a few months ago and Zana will turn two in about a month and a half. Pre-school for now looks like controlled chaos for about 90 minutes five times a week.
So for a few weeks I am going to share "our school doings" for two reasons. I know who reads my blog and it includes some of my favorite teachers. Two of whom are currently not in the classroom but never fail to teach everyone around them. They are merciful and joyful in their teaching styles and both immensely creative and Christ centered in their outlooks. There are at least three more teachers who follow so I crave feedback people. Give me ideas. Please.
Secondly, in our city there are currently six families with pre-school age kids. That deserves some sharing of ideas. Some honesty about the mistakes, the simplicity, and the reality of what happens at home so everyone can grow. Every time I enter these homes I learn and get ideas from these moms. Not all of them can physically visit me so here is a tour of our home and homeschooling.
"Do your children go to school?"
"No." I reply.
"Why not? How old is he?"
"Well he just turned three in July so he is still very young. It is my job to watch over him."
"Where will they go to school?"
"We will see." I always say with a little head bob to match the sentiment of not knowing the future. That seldom satisfies. Hot on the heels of the questions come suggestions. A friend who also has children around my kid's ages does not meet with this scrutiny. Why? Abe's height and weight match my Indian friend's five year old grandson (the one at whose circumcision I was the designated photographer). Zana is often mistaken for her brother's twin. They are both large. So in a nation where three year olds attend school shuffling along with their humungous backpack weighing them down from behind and their water bottle counter balancing the weight to the front, the expectation that our children attend school is understandable.
We'll see about school. Many different schools have been suggested to us. All private. All expensive. All English Medium. All at long distances away (sometimes hours) to be traveled in a little tin can school bus with no air, little room, and children of all ages. Needless to say we are not ready for this leap.
So when my itchy teaching feet started to hurt I planned my fall of school and on September first we started our year of school. At home. There is no, may I add no, frame of reference for homeschooling. Education depends on schools and tutors. So the fact that in our home school began is my dirty little secret.
I do not have homeschooling figured out by any means but I have to say I love it. It is simply fun. Abe just turned three a few months ago and Zana will turn two in about a month and a half. Pre-school for now looks like controlled chaos for about 90 minutes five times a week.
So for a few weeks I am going to share "our school doings" for two reasons. I know who reads my blog and it includes some of my favorite teachers. Two of whom are currently not in the classroom but never fail to teach everyone around them. They are merciful and joyful in their teaching styles and both immensely creative and Christ centered in their outlooks. There are at least three more teachers who follow so I crave feedback people. Give me ideas. Please.
Secondly, in our city there are currently six families with pre-school age kids. That deserves some sharing of ideas. Some honesty about the mistakes, the simplicity, and the reality of what happens at home so everyone can grow. Every time I enter these homes I learn and get ideas from these moms. Not all of them can physically visit me so here is a tour of our home and homeschooling.
Kids returning home after school Thursday last.
Don't miss the man in the back with his wares on his head.
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