“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” Colossians 3:23
September has arrived and with that it means school is getting back into the full swing of things.
This year, I have only one student to teach. Mellie will be in 6th grade. Since moving to the States over 20 years ago, this is probably the latest I have ever started school.
The summer was full of new experiences, a big move and lots of activities. It was not the time to start a school routine as well.
However, all good things must come to an end (what a cliche) and so next week, something wonderful begins – school.
Am I prepared?
Thankfully, I spent some time this summer, deciding on her classes and at least setting them up. I have many classes planned but I’ll be tempering classroom instruction this year with outdoor work, art, music and lots of free time to read to her.
School isn’t just opening one textbook after another and slogging through them. I, being a student at heart, would love doing this. Mellie is a creative learner with so many artistic abilities in her.
The beauty of homeschooling is that I can use her bent to my advantage. I can teach her many things using her creative side!
One of the major “subjects” I am most interested in returning to is reading. I can’t wait to read books again to her (the move got us off kilter a bit) and have her drawing, painting, coloring while I do so.
My expectations?
This year, being in a new state, we have different conditions to meet with said state. But, thankfully, they meet most of my expectations so I don’t think they will be difficult. One of my major expectations is to take her on a journey from book to book and show her worlds she wouldn’t see just on her own in our house every day.
Another hope I have is that she will fall in love with history. I have a wonderful textbook for this and I don’t plan to rush it!
Homeschooling isn’t about rushing through lessons and putting checks next to your to-do list. Homeschooling is rather, learning at a speed that is gentle and well-rounded. It is taking the time to stop and discuss interesting facts. I love that I can choose how our day will develop as we learn from our textbooks or just every day events.
So, here’s to a wonderful 6th grade and may she fall in love, this year, with school, as much as I have!
