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Monday, August 15, 2011

My School Monday: A Good Start

 











Last Wednesday was our first day of homeschool, as well as Brandon's first day of his Junior year at the public high school. I still had Amy home so I had her join in and do a few lessons too. We're using SOS 8th grade Bible and I had both girls do lessons in that. I also had Amy do a few lessons from our MFW history, focusing on the Dispersion and Ice Age. My goal is to get her ready for her public classroom where they'll be talking about "early man". Gag.

She started today. My heart is torn in this decision to let her finish out her elementary career at our public school. I often wonder if it's weakness on my part. I am basically inviting an anti-Christian teacher to influence and instruct her from his worldview. And I am giving him six full hours a day to do it. But that's not the biggest concern. Because I can stay on top of the curriculum and we can read the corresponding material from a Christian perspective and all that. The bigger concern is that I am also inviting 30 immature, inexperienced and untrained age-mates to influence her socially. How will my little girl change over the course of this year in her attitudes and heart? Sigh. I'm committed to keeping on top of everything that goes on in her life at school and preparing myself to pull  her out and bring her home at the first sign of trouble.


So as I said, I did some light schooling with her for a few days last week. She was here for Kaitlyn's first science experiment (see what fun homeschool can be?) and asked to help as we taped copper wire to a 9V battery and put the other ends into a glass of baking soda water. I laminated a pullout from an AIG magazine on fossil layers, we watched a video on the origins of humans, we prayed and did daily morning devotions. Last night and this morning I prayed over her that she would go out in her spiritual armor, protected from anything in that classroom trying to lure her away from the Lord. I hope that hearing me pray that aloud will make an impact.

I also have done some "school" with Trevor. He's only 2 so it's very informal, but it's just to give him something to do and keep him stimulated. He was very excited about his "school"--the Cars notebook I purchased at Staples. He loves to scribble in it as he sits in his little desk. We spent three days learning about the color blue and doing various art projects in that color. (This week we are moving on to red.)  The first day, we used several shades of blue crayons to color a blank white paper. The next day, we tore up construction paper in both light and dark blue and glued them to a piece of black construction paper on which I'd drawn a basic cloud shape. Friday, we used blue water color paint on white printer paper. He got to use some other colors that day too since he just couldn't resist. It was a lot of fun for all of us and I think it inspires Kait as well. She likes the privelege of being home to help teach her brother.

Kait is falling right in and doing very well. She thrives on workbook style material which is a bit surprising to me. She tends to do the minimum she can get away with, so workbooks with specific Q/A's keep her on top of her material better than essays alone. Therefore, the Abeka history is looking like a real good fit and I may look at their Health curriculum as well.

So there you have it. Our first (short) week. Now it's time for me to get back to the kiddos in the other room and get the Bob & Larry fruit snacks out of Trevor's reach!  I hope you all have a blessed week.

Share one good thing that happened to you last week.

9 comments:

Marji Laine - Faith Driven Fiction said...

Oh, that's a hard choice. May you have peace that it is the right one! It is hard to hand over the authority for your child to anyone, but when you're active and involved in her education, regardless of whether it is public, private, or home school, you'll be able to off-set stinkin' thinkin' and keep an eye on her attitude for poor influences. (Which can happen regardless of the schooling atmosphere!)

Michelle Massaro said...

Thanks, Marji. It's not an easy choice. This is my third kid going through this class so I know what's coming. Lots of jabs at the Bible with this particular teacher. Really did a number on my oldest.

I realize now that my post might have come across as judgemental and I regret that. It wasn't my intent at all! I mean, I have my kid there too. So I apologize if I made any other parents feel judged.

Jamie Adams said...

We started school today also. I use the K12 program and love it. It's public school online but I control what they are taught. Not every state offers it but I know it's available in California. I would highly recommend it to anyone. They provide all the material and curriculum. It's a great way to give kids an accredited education without worrying about what they are being taught.

Jessica R. Patch said...

I've heard K12 is the best, but here it isn't free, like in other states.

We've done private school, now we're in public. But you know, down here in the south, my kids haven't learned about early man and they still talk about Jesus and get away with it. :)

Michelle Massaro said...

Jaime, really? You have control of what's taught? I thought they did. I'm getting her enrolled in a charter school nearby. We'll get public funds annually but I can't use them on Christian materials. I can still teach with Christian curriculum, I just can't use state funds to do it. I can use the money for extra classes like pottery, music, photography, horseback riding lessons. And for supplies like paper, ink, lab supplies for science, and any approved curriculum I want to use. They also have a lending library and I can possibly find curricululm to use the entire year for free! Hoping to score Math U See that way once we're official. =) Thanks for stopping by!

Jess, you're so lucky! We have teachers telling students that Jesus and the apostles were made up based on Zeus and the 12 lesser gods. And declaring the book of Genesis to be a fable along with a long list of other cultural fables. :(

Jamie Adams said...

Their curriculum is already set but we rarely see something we don't agree with. History and creation are presented with Bible stories and secular theories. As the 'learning coach' I tell them 'this is truth and this is another of the many changing ideas of different groups of people. God's word never changes'

Michelle Massaro said...

Jamie, that's awesome to hear! I'm so happy to hear another success story. Actually, I have very rarely heard anyone say they had a bad experience with homeschooling. That's a strong testimony right there! I know it gave me courage to take that step when we entered the homeschooling ranks last year.

Gina Conroy said...

Michelle, I can so relate to your schooling dilemmas, but thankfully I made my decision and I'm sticking with it. Though it's breaking the bank at times, we found an amazing Classical Christian school that caters to homeschoolers as well, so five years ago we sent our 5th and 7th grader full time and then eased our other children in by just taking a few classes. Last year I put my 3rd son in 5th grade full time and decided to homeschool my last, but a month into it it was clear it wasn't going to work with just us two, so I began schooling her to get her up to speed to go full time in January. And she did, and had a great year! Though the mom in me wanted to hold on to the last two longer, I finally gave and put them in school full time. But it was an easy decision for me because I love their school. I'm praying for your peace of mind and God's direction as you make these decisions in the next couple of years!

Michelle Massaro said...

Thanks, Gina. I'm thrilled to hear what a great experience you are having--and what great luck (okay providence, you know what I mean) that you found a school that is Classical Christian and caters to homeschoolers. God-thing I'd say. As far as the bank, He owns the cows on a thousand hills so if He wants you there, He'll continue to provide. =) Thank you for your prayers. I surely need them, not just at the beginning of the school year but every day. As you know, these decisions aren't easy!Thanks. =)