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| So we spent the morning at the Montessori. The girls really enjoyed it. To be honest, it wasn't really that different than how things were around here when we were more structured. Circle time, poem, date, weather chart, and then after that keeping themselves interested in the different activities around the room. They have a garden they are growing, and free suzuki violin lessons, and one day a week they work with horses. Pretty cool. So I am signing them up. Usually only k-8 is charter, and therefore free, and the preschool you have to pay for. But they're giving Sophia a scholarship to go for free. Aw, my baby got her first scholarship! haha, no it wasn't like that, she didn't have to pass anything to earn it... It's just for families who want to send their kids but can't really afford it. So, we qualify. The ratio is 6 kids to 1 teacher, which is pretty darn good. So definitely for the next two weeks they'll be going, and then it'll be summer break and we'll decide from there if it's something we want to keep up with in the fall. What I'm excited about- getting my house clean, top to bottom, these next two weeks. After the last seven years, having one baby to tend to during the morning/afternoon will be cake! | | |
| So, usually these posts are for myself. But this one is directed towards anyone interested in giving me their input. I really need some help with working this one out. It seems like such a huge decision and I don't want to do the wrong thing. What do you guys think? Either leave me a message or email me at elephantheart4 @ yahoo.com.
I'm considering checking out the Montessori school here in town. I had a pretty good conversation with the pre k/ k teacher on Saturday. She was telling me that the main focus of the school is child-led learning; allowing the children to move at their own pace and focus on things that they are interested in. The school is so small, which is a good thing to me. The prek/ k are together and then 1-6 is all together. So the girls would still be spending their days together, not in segmented classrooms, which I really like. It just seems so much more natural. It's on 38 acres, and the proprietress of the school is actually the owner of New Harvest Organics, and so, according to the website, there is a huge focus on gardening, farming, and animal husbandry. Which is awesome. That's something I really can't provide right now, you know? I'm so on the fence about this. I've believed in homeschooling for so long, I hate to give it up. I hate to admit that I might like a little help with the kids and their education. That maybe putting them in a school could be the best choice. But with a school like this, it seems a far cry from putting them in public, you know? Ugh. So the teacher invited us to come out and spend the whole day there, for me to observe how it goes and for the kids to experience it. I am interested, but I don't want to take the kids out there unless I'm almost sure I want to do it. It's going to be so exciting to them, of course they're going to want to do it, and I don't want to take them out there and then decide 'no'. All over the place on the website it reiterates this idea that the children are allowed as much time as they want for each task, so say Eden was reading, they would leave her alone until she was done. No one would ring a bell and force her to move on to some other, completely disconnected subject and then send her to detention for coming in 30 seconds late, you know. It seems like a pretty good scenario. Alot of the families in town I know have expressed some unhappiness with the Montessori, saying it's not a true Montessori, it's what the people in charge want their kids to experience. But what if I am on the same page with their philosophy? It certainly seems like I am, from what I have read, and what the teacher said to me. And I have to be honest. The idea of being able to focus on being a good mother and wife, and let someone else facilitate their education along with me, seems quite enticing. Seems like it might be a welcome helping hand.
There have been alot of ideal life styles that we have looked into and been in love with that we have realized didn't work for us in the long run, from being a working musician to homesteading. That music, and farming, and horses, can all be a part of our lives, but that we are just not going to do this as our way of life. Is this where we are heading with the homeschooling too? I mean, if there was ever a situation where school was a good thing, wouldn't it be in a child-led environment in a tiny country mountain town where you personally know all the teachers, staff, parents, and other kids as friends and neighbors?
I feel like I am just kind of floudering with this question. It won't leave me alone- this idea of moving on and trying something new. Im a loyalist, so changing course is really hard for me. But I guess if there was ever a time to explore this idea it's now. There are only 3 weeks left of the school year, so it would give us enough exposure to make an informed decision, but it's short and sweet so if it isn't what we want it would be over soon. And, the three weeks of help with two or three of the kids during the day right now would be quite a relief.
Click here to go to the school's website. Then tell me what you think you'd do in my situation. I need advice! | | |
| We're about halfway through with Harriet the Spy now. Eden is really interested in it; the littler girls are not into it at all, but they'll get to pick the next book we read together....
Eden has been going everywhere with a little notebook, writing all sorts of observations down in it.
She's also been using her metal detector alot with Ava, and they are currently digging up some 'treasure' in the backyard.
She's been really into sending ecards lately, so alot of people have been getting sweet little blessings from her.
We basically spent the entire day today getting together with different friends and then we made pizza for dinner. It was fun; each girl made her own little pizza with her own toppings. What a great way to get them to eat fresh tomatoes and spinach! They loved it. Nothing got picked off these pizzas. haha.
Coco got the kid broom and swept off the front porch today. She did a great job!
Sophia has been asking to do the dishes everyday, all week long. And she is doing a really good job. She seems to have found a chore she enjoys doing.
Tomorrow we have another birthday lunch at the Gathering Grounds; this time for me! Hopefully the girls will behave as well this time as they did last time. Then after that a friend of mine has offered to watch the girls for me so I can take a hike by myself. That will be a lovely blessing; I don't care how hot it is!
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| So I'm thinking that the posts around these parts are going to be getting fewer and farther between. Our more structured activities have been slowing down dramatically now that certain things have happened in our lives. It's pretty good timing, seeing as how it's almost summer anyways, and all the other kids in town will be getting out of school soon. Learning is taking place in leaps and bounds, but in some not-so-easy to record ways, such as how to survive when things get tough, the value of being self sufficient, and also, that when pressed hard enough, mamma can cook some dinner too.
I'll be posting now and again to record the books Eden is reading, for future reference. Also, any major milestones we cross through or interesting discoveries we happen upon. Not so much different than how it always has been; just a bit less often.
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| We're sending a care package today. That's what we've been focusing on. The girls are all working hard, pouring all their love into their pictures. We love you, miss you, and stand behind you!!!!
Lesson of the day- mermaids can live to be 300 years. Practical info? probly not. haha.
Coco has been using the potty all day, no accidents! This is the best she's done so far. She's been backwards of most kids- good about pooping but peeing all over the place. Today she's peed in the potty! I am beyond excited about this!
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