One of the things that we love about "homeschooling" is that we can mold and adapt the school year to fit our family. We've had a great first month of schooling yet some of the things (and structure) just wasn't seeming to work for us.
I decided to have an interview, if you will, with the children to see what they thought was working and what wasn't. Basically, what things they like and don't.
Looks like unschooling was a better option for us. We are beginning again!! I am excited.
They all voted that when we were flying by the seat of our pants (so to speak) it was much more interested. So many of those things were what they missed now.
Here are 10 Reasons We Are Going Back To Unschooling:
1.) It was more fun. We were all excited to see what "school" became for us each day. You never knew what we would discover.
2.) We spent more time browsing the books together that got to be read and less time with mommy dictating.
3.) Art was a part of our life. Art Journaling, family drawing time, music.
4.) Freedom: No schedule to stick to. No stress over something that is left undone.
5.) Adventures/Relationship: Lessons end up sticking with them. When they choose a passion, a topic to learn more about, they form a relationship with it and remember it much better than memorizing content.
6.) Mommy was more "yes" focused. I admit it, I'm usually a glass half empty kind of gal. For some reason when the pressure of school is lifted, I'm able to see, to play better and teach in the more natural way. Guess it's the hidden hippie within me.
7.) More outdoor time. Mountain biking, hula hooping, playing. Play leads to learning for us.
8.) Traveling. We are all about travel, adventure, journeys. With unschooling we feel more open with our days. Why not hop in the car and spend a few days in the mountains?
9.) Kids miss and loved going to work with daddy and not having to worry about checking off a list of subjects. They miss these family memories that were made one on one.
10.) It's what works best for our family. Perhaps another way of homeschooling is working for you. I'm not saying that you need to make this same change. This is simply what works for us.
Glad you are doing what works best. I missed when you switched to a more scheduled learning... I guess at the beginning of this school year? Or I'm oblivious... that could be it too
ReplyDeleteThis school year, since moving out of the RV we were back to our usual Homeschool schedule. Lesson Plans and all. We just had our one month re-evaluation.
ReplyDeleteOh, wow. I love y our reasons for going back to Unschooling. We've 'always' been on the Unschooling path (my children are 7, 5, 3, and 1). Our reasons are all about Freedom and Joy, much like your reasons. I just can't come up with a reason why enforcing a structure and schedule would benefit the children. Your blog is so beautiful and inspirational. I look forward to visiting often....
ReplyDeleteI love that you are so intentional about choosing what works for your family. We have moved toward a freer structure in some subjects and still have structure in others. We like a schedule. The only one who isn't that personality is Maddy and I allow for her to have some leeway. I will be so excited to follow your journey with your kids!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your sweet comment. It's been hard for me to completely embrace unschooling because of my old self saying I need to plan, I need to teach, I need to do more...etc. I'm learning how to quiet those voices.
ReplyDeleteI love how encouraging you are for each of us to follow our own journey. You are truly a special friend!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful piece. Re-inspiring me in my own journey towards unschooling.
ReplyDeleteAwesome!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post! Unfortunately my husband and I don't have any children yet to home school and so I had never given much thought to the curriculum except I am certain I do want to school them self. The concept of "unschooling" sounds so delightful - I'm sure even as mommy/teacher I could learn and discover new things too! :)
ReplyDeleteI wrote a post about why we love unschooling a few weeks ago too!
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of yours.
So nice to "meet" fellow unschoolers... Love your blog :)
we swing back and forth - but are very unschooly. we have season where we work on basic skills, but the best is life learning. and saying yes is the biggest thing i have learned from unschooling. i am excited to read through your blog.
ReplyDeletehello, I stumbled onto your blog, this morning. I really like this post, Thank you! Hope you're having a lovely morning. Barefoot Mama
ReplyDeleteSo true! I don't think you'll regret your decision. We lean towards the unschooling side of things as well, although sometimes I'm not brave enough to admit to it! I wrote about on unschooling once on my blog if you're interested (this is not a vain solicitation to get you to follow my blog, promise): http://thedazeofus.blogspot.com/2011/04/confessions-of-unschooler.html
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is only a toddler, but I have a feeling we're (or she is) more the 'unschooling' type. My problem is, I'm not sure how I would explain that to some relatives! They know very little about homeschooling and I think unschooling would make them raise A LOT of questions. I'm not the least bit worried about unschooling not 'teaching my kids enough', I'm just wondering how others will react to it.
ReplyDelete"It's been hard for me to completely embrace unschooling because of my
ReplyDeleteold self saying I need to plan, I need to teach, I need to do
more...etc."
Oh, that is me, totally me!
It's hard explaining it to others but I try to err on the side that this is what we need, it's best for my children in this season. I know that doesn't make it any easier but thought I'd let you know that you are not alone. :)
ReplyDeleteI loved reading this post!! Thanks for sharing it with me. As Anastasia mentioned.. the hardest part in all this for me is trying to explain it to others.. any tips :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment! It's nice to know that there are others traveling this journey with me.
ReplyDeleteThank you!! It's nice to "meet" you too! I am finding such a great community here through unschooling.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize that you unschooled. How awesome! I'm still learning what it all means. Having fun along the way.
ReplyDelete