Most everyone is familiar with the widely known and loved tale, The Little Engine Who Could. When a long train breaks down, the Little Engine is tasked with pushing it over a high mountain. While the Little Engine's job seemed too much for him to handle, he used positive self talk, "I think I can, I think I can" to help him reach his goal.
If I were to describe how I felt about homeschooling my children before I actually tried doing it, my mantra would have been, I think I can't, I think I can't...
I couldn't envision myself as a homeschool mom. The idea of teaching Noah, especially, seemed like an insurmountable mountain. However, after four weeks of dealing with Zoom breakdowns every single day, listening to my children express how tired they were (upon waking), how uninspired they had become with life, my mindset began to change from I think I can't...to...I MUST.
I MUST release my kids from the prison of their rooms.
I MUST help my children find joy again in learning.
I MUST do my best to lead them back to their faith in Jesus and all that is good about themselves and their abilities.
With only one week of homeschooling under my belt, to say the changes in my children are dramatic, would be an understatement. Both kids are sleeping better, arguing less and working harder in all areas -- even those they previously struggled with. I've taken a sort of Montessori approach with their education. For Noah, Star Wars fanatic, I handed him a book on UFOs. I told him to read several pages and then we would discuss them. I asked him to write down words he had difficulty with and look up their definition on the Internet. His response, "Ok, Mom."
It was like Christmas.
I began a process of having him read and look up words and then I would reread the passages aloud to him and discuss the information. He was animated and excited about what he might learn next. Steve found several National Geographic programs to go along with our space theme. Noah and I watched a program called Apollo: Missions to the Moon. The program chronicles 12 years, 12 manned missions to the Moon. We also watched UFOS in Europe. Afterwards he and I had some interesting conversations - a boy for whom connecting with can be difficult when he just wants to repeat a meme or dialogue from a Star Wars movie. I challenged him to take what he had learned and create a fictional, short story. His response, "Ok, Mom."
At this point, I was pinching myself.
Prior to this, he had been unable or unwilling, now it seems, to produce more than a couple of sentences for his English classes. However, a few hours of homeschool and he had created nearly three pages of work.
Along with studying ELA, Math, Science and History, I told the kids homeschool would include them each preparing dinner AND dessert one night a week. Suddenly, Noah's attitude about cooking changed. Whereas before I could hardly get him to make a boxed cake or brownies with me, he is now cooking from scratch with support, but without complaint! So far he has made Sally's Baking Addiction's yellow cake with chocolate buttercream, quiche and dog treats.
I've found an innovative math program for both kids called The Life of Fred. The Unexpected Homeschooler does a fantastic job of explaining what sets these math books apart from anything else you have seen or your child has experienced. All I can say is both my kids are now working on their math independently and with zero complaints.
Hallelujah!
This past week Natalie completed a week's worth of Lightning Lit for Eighth graders in 3 days. Next up! Treasure Island. She expressed an interest in learning about geography. I challenged her to select a continent and begin researching it. She chose South America. I asked her to demonstrate her knowledge of the five purposes for writing shared in her ELA lesson by writing a report on South America utilizing those methods. Done. As she was studying the 4th largest continent, she learned about some of their favorite dishes and decided to make Argentinian empanadas for dinner.
I could get used to this.
We've spent more time outside together...watering the plants, walking and having impromptu picnics.
Thanks to all who have cheered us on with past adventures and continue with this new one.
A special thank you to Sarah, Tonya, Jodi and Leslie who have been extra supportive and terrific about sharing resources with me.
Sarah -- whom I only knew through acquaintances of ours in MOPS, but who was persistent and creative with her approach.
Tonya -- whom I haven't seen or talked with since our kids were preschoolers in MOPS, but whose calm/no fuss approach, gave me confidence.
Leslie -- a former teacher of Noah's, who has always had his back. She recommended some great books for me to work on social skills/language with Noah.
Jodi - whom I met by chance, but more likely -- divine intervention. I truly believe our meeting will forever change the trajectory of my children's lives.
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