This past spring I wrestled with the decision about whether or not we should send Leah to pre-school this fall. Through prayer and consideration, I finally came to the conclusion that we'll do pre-school "light" here at home. (I won't detail all the reasons for this; let's just say this is what will work best for our family.)
Anyway, the teacher (and dare I say it, "nerd") in me is REALLY excited about this. REALLY excited. I've already started planning some lessons. (Well, I've planned one unit, but I've considered other topics!) Since I don't want to do anything too intense (after all, Leah is only three, and won't start kindergarten for two more years), I thought we'd cover four subjects over the course of two weeks (so two subjects a week). The beauty of PSL is we can cover those subjects when we have time. Thus, one week we could do school M/T, and another week do school T/TH. Plus, I figured this would help us transition into homeschooling (yes, this will be a LONG transition). We could see what works, what doesn't, and of course, figure out how to keep Hunter occupied while Leah is in "school."
The teacher in me is excited because I can create my own curriculum based on Leah's interests, which is why I'm planning units now. She's expressed an interest in learning about bears, butterflies, ladybugs, and flowers, so that means doing the research to find science; math; art/craft; and reading/writing activities that tie in with these topics. Inter-disciplinary learning is so important for encouraging creativity, and making connections (that's one fault I find with our educational system; all subjects are taught in isolation when students should be required to see how they all work together), so the challenge of connecting the topics/ finding activities compels me forward.
Yesterday, we had our first experience with PSL. Leah checked out "Who Ate All the Cookie Dough?", a story about a momma kangaroo on the hunt to discover who ate the cookie dough. (Super cute. Very endearing. Plenty of rhyme and repetition. Beautiful illustrations.) Anyway, we read the book and then made kangaroo cookies (quite tasty, I might add). Thus, PSL. We didn't spend that much time on the "lesson" as a whole, but we could read, discuss the story (comprehension), and bake (following directions; measuring; science). Still, it was a rewarding experience, especially when, while talking to Grandma later, Leah could tell her what we made and why, as well as share bits about the story.
I know not all of our lessons will be successful, but God's grace is bigger than my flops; and, as I reminded myself when I was teaching high school, the students will learn something, even if they don't retain everything.
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2 comments:
Anyone who knows you well is not surprised by this. :) You guys are going to have a blast however long God calls you to home school your kids. Miss you!!! ~ali
LOVE finding teachable moments in everything :). It's so much fun at these younger ages when they enjoy it so much (and when their creativity guides most of the education-discoveries, too :). And L & H are blessed to have a momma who is intentional about planning those opportunities, too. And as a word of encouragement: if you ever do decide to send the kiddos off to school, I know the older grades may not do so, but in the younger grades, they do a pretty good job of tying in a common theme to multiple subject areas (instead of isolating them). My favorite here is Derby time...everything from math, to geography, to science, to history, to reading, to art, to etiquette! :)
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