I realized the other day that at some point during all the chaos- the sick kids, the holidays, and the house under construction- I had neglected to jot down daily notes about our homeschooling days. I am relaxing into a homeschool rhythm!
Folks, it’s been weeks since I jotted anything down in my homeschoolin’ notebook. Clearly, I’ve been slacking in a big way. When I realized this, I didn’t stress about it. To be honest, my immediate reaction was to view the note-neglect in a positive light: we’ve relaxed into the whole homeschoolin’ thing. We have a rhythm, and it’s working at the moment.
Even though it hasn’t been recorded, and even though we’ve had illness and holidays and preschool functions and construction, learning has been happening. Books have been written, paintings created, songs written and sung, and there’s been lots of community service. There have been new words learned in both Latin and Espanol, math completed daily through various channels, and -as always- oodles of reading. The list could go on and on. Left to his own devices, Leo is learning all the time, and he does it joyfully.
People often ask me if it is “hard” to homeschool. Those that know Leo in real life, those who know how intense he can be, often ask how I am doing. They wonder if it is difficult to spend so much time with him, and to be “in charge” of his learning. My answer is a resounding no. If anything, life feels easier, lighter. What a difference a year makes!
I know myself and I have little doubt that I’ll return to jotting down notes, if only because I enjoy such things. While I like to see what we’ve done each day written out in front of me, I don’t need to see it: I witness joyful learning all day long. My understanding of learning has changed. My understanding of schooling has changed. My understanding of homeschooling has changed, and I like what I’m seeing.
Homeschoolers out there, what has changed since you’ve started out? Did it take long to relax into a rhythm? Share here!
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It is as true now as it was then that no matter what tests show, very little of what is taught in school is learned, very little of what is learned is remembered, and very little of what is remembered is used. The things we learn, remember, and use are the things we seek out or meet in the daily, serious, nonschool parts of our lives.
~John Holt
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Your experience sounds amazing. I won’t start homeschooling for another couple months, but I’m excited to hear about a relaxed flow being possible.
Thanks, Bob! It has been wonderful so far. Certainly not all sunshine and roses but when I compare it to last year, or imagine him in a first grade classroom, I know it’s the right path for us right now. I think you’ll love it, too 🙂
This is our first year homeschooling and our December calendar is also yet to be filled out. Between visits from out of town family, lots of community service and field trips and holiday prep, our days are less routined than they were before but still full of learning. I love the positive spin you put I this because I’m still not sure how I feel about how this month has unfolded, but I do love the relaxed feeling in our home. It’s a gift I don’t take for granted!
Thanks for reading, Jess! There are certainly times that I question how relaxed we are, but overall I’ve been quite pleased with the way the year has progressed. This is our first year, too! Whenever I compare it to last year, or when I imagine him in a first grade classroom, I know I’m doing the right thing regardless of my concerns over pace and whatnot 🙂 Best wishes to you on your journey!