We are about to begin formal lessons again and what strikes me most this year is how this last season of mothering little ones looks so very much like the first season (and many in betweens). We are enrolled with the same program our oldest boys used when they began gradeschool. For my littlest learners I have dusted off the Hainstock and Gettman books. I am putting together file folder games like these to replace those played to bits over the years and gathering Montessori tray materials. I may need to replace my current edition of 100 Easy Lessons because it is now in two sections having broken completely in half from teaching eight children to read. It looks a lot like home around here and I love that.
A quick perusing of the internet for preschool printables really amazed me. It's like the curriculum world has supersized itself in past several years. I say to my young homeschool mom friends, "Do you realize we literally had these handful of books when we started? Literally! Do you realize you could not buy a Catholic reader set? There were none in print. Do you realize that the homeschool 'vendor hall' fit nicely inside the church basement and it took you maybe a half hour to read the title of every single item stacked up there?" It's different now.
Looking around me though, I realize the old standby's have served us so very well. Perhaps what has served us even better is that annual determination these past several years to stay off the curricular inspiration merry go round. Are we missing new and exciting ideas and materials? Very likely. Are we actually "missing" them? Probably not. Sewing, walking, feeding the dog, and learning to play checkers still trump a brand spankin' new program.
So what do I have to say this year about Back to School? Nothing new and nothing you can't live without hearing. : ) That is the big news. Staying the course has blessed us. Success - in this area (there are ALWAYS areas for growth and improvement however, and most especially in my life) - has inspired me more than continual change could. Since some other bloggers have been reposting some old links from here this past week I figured I would grab a few myself.
Hope your new school year is full of hope and promise, wherever your children are attending.
Fwiw:
On Blogging (mine)
Is blogging like porn for women? thoughtful post to remember before opening your Reader
On homeschool books, internet gurus, and who the real experts are - the reason why I believe this blog must remain descriptive and not prescriptive
Homeschool Overload - "You see, there IS a very real price for the multitude of "free" homeschool
resources you can find on the internet.
It is the cost of your time, mental energy and focus.
YOU ARE PAYING MORE DEARLY FOR THAT RESOURCE THAN YOU REALIZE. "
Perseverance or why we aren't unschoolers and the very important Part 2
Our Binders and here
Reading Ahead - an advantage to using the same material with succesive students
Kim, I have 100 Easy Lessons. I bought it intending to use it to teach my children to read. They taught themselves and it's brand new sitting on the shelf. I'll send it to you free if you want it. :)
Posted by: KC | August 18, 2011 at 03:46 PM
Lovely, peaceful, encouraging post! It is indeed a wonderful feeling to not be in 'curriculum frenzy' as we prepare for a new year, the blessing of being secure and at peace and comfortable in our own skin as long time homeschoolers.
Posted by: Kimberlee | August 19, 2011 at 02:51 PM
Excellent and thoughtful post as always. As I sit here with a newborn, my 17 year old is busy writing essays for his college applications. It is amazing to think back to available home school resources then compared to phone book sized catalogs now. His homeschool journey has gone so well, I am committed to bringing that same education to my others. My only stumbles with him were "jumping on the bandwagon" so to speak when some latest and greatest homeschool item came out. This year, we are loving homeschool, loving Seton, and living life.
Posted by: margot | August 19, 2011 at 03:22 PM
Lots of wisdom there. It is a relief to finally hop off the curriculum merry-go-round -- especially when you have a 17-year-old, a newborn, and several in between. :o)
Posted by: Wendy in VA | August 19, 2011 at 07:52 PM
Nice visiting with you Kim. My husband was just in Germany a few weeks ago and has to go back again two times before the year is out. I am due with number 10 in November and still thank God for reading your post on the Raspberry Leaf years ago as it really does work mixed in with a lot of prayer! :)
Have a great school year! It always feel nice to get the family back into the normal school year routines.
JMJ,
Laura
Posted by: Laura | August 20, 2011 at 01:34 PM
Hi, just wondering if you are going to use the same curriculum this coming year. I am loosing my mind over here on the internet. I want my kids to be well rounded, classical, more reading and literature approach, i want them to be all that those things promise. My husband is loosing his mind watching the price as we add more stuff, he would just want me to continue using Seton. I feel like maybe I am missing on some more fun and more character forming, soul moving books and ways of education...AAAAAA!!! Maybe if I use only living books, and this nad that my kids will grow to be better educated and more intelligent, better human beings moved by the beauty of those books instead of dry textbooks....I HAVE NO CLUE !!! Help!!!
Posted by: Dessi | March 12, 2012 at 02:48 PM