learning period 1: 2019-2020

We are in a season of busy! I have been wanting to find a time to blog about how our school is going so far, but time for me to pause, reflect, and write has been so limited. Right now, I am sitting in M’s car next to the soccer field, where Lala Bug has practice. Normally, I don’t wait here, but today, my car is in the shop (again), M is just home from a business trip and worked from home, so he and Brown Mouse are having time together, and with darkness coming earlier, soccer practice end-time feels unpredictable on this field has no lights. So this nets me a little time to write!

I looked back on some of my personal journaling from the past couple of years and the start to the school year has rarely felt smooth. This year felt even less so, as it was very, very drawn out, and growth has made our learning choices different this year. Lala Bug began a part time program at a small high school, which began slowly with orientations and community building, before classes began. The school requires we drive, so this commute is a change, too. Brown Mouse is still in our beloved charter school, and although we had to begin documenting our learning activities in early August(!!), the physical activities and classes didn’t begin until late September. There has been much change with our charter too, bringing more uncertainty. The same late start was true for 4-H, so it felt like we were trying to launch the school year over the span of about two months!

So here we are heading into late October and I feel like we are finally settled into a routine. I hesitate to use the word groove or rhythm, because our schedule just feels too full. We have quite a few things we have to be at, at specific times. It took me several weeks, and a comment from my friend Vanessa (of Wright at Homeschool), for me to realize that I needed a mindset shift to accept that this is our normal right now. We are intentionally busy. We won’t be busy like this all year. (We can’t be. It isn’t sustainable for me or for my differently wired girl.) Right now, we have activities out of the house 4 evenings per week, plus weekend games, in addition to daily classes and/or 4-H, and our homeschool. I have tried to keep Fridays clear, but Lala Bug does have Friday evening soccer practice and we have ended up needing to make appointments on some of the Fridays.

 

So for learning period 1, August and September:

Lala Bug, grade 9, is studying  algebra 1, biology with lab, American History, and English. The first two are classes she is taking and the latter two are been addressed in a less formal way at home with literature, documentaries, and discussions. In addition, she is in soccer, dance, 4-H, and is pursuing her own passions, including knitting, sewing, and fashion design. We haven’t been able to find a way to do block learning with her current classes.

Brown Mouse, grade 6, is doing language arts (rotating through grammar, cursive, typing, and writing, usually through dictation), science (we started the year with a lovely geology block), American History (I can combine with his sister and he is taking a class on American tall ships, navigation, and sailing history), and daily math. (We haven’t settled on a single curriculum for the year. He previously enjoyed Teaching Textbooks, but despite moving him up a couple levels, he is bored. He will likely get practice through Key To workbooks, Khan Academy, and ALEKS.) Brown Mouse is also in soccer, 4-H, and is interested in survival gear and skills.

We have managed to sneak in a couple family camping trips and a weekend in the mountains since this learning period began, which fuels the soul. M has had a couple of business trips. We've attended a harvest festival and a celebration of Monarch migration, which are near and dear to our hearts. So it has been a full couple of months.

I have had to make an intention to include some restorative self-care into my days and be clear and loving with my boundaries, because I know if I am well rooted, my branches are strong enough to help everyone else.

What has been keeping you busy this 'season?'