Not using curriculum - an update for those of you who are interested

[Kathleen in VA]

I've posted an account of some of our first week at my blog:

 

http://homeschoolblogger.com/lavendersblue/609856/

 

For those of you who missed the previous thread, here's a link:

 

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=204961&highlight=curriculum

[Jean in Newcastle]

What an interesting study you've had! I enjoyed watching "Amazing Grace" but had missed some of those references. Now I want to go back and watch it again!

[specialmama]

Kathleen, I enjoyed reading that, thank you for posting. I also read your previous post. If I didn't have to get up in 5 hours I'd peruse some more! In fact, I think my coffee and I will have a date with your blog in the morning! :D

[NanceXToo]

Thanks for the update! That was fun to read! You're right, they learn all of those "subjects" through conversation, movies, books, getting out and about, it's great the way you are trying to integrate them all in such an interesting way.

[Tess in the Burbs]

Thank you for sharing. I really enjoyed that. And I hope by the time I get to that state in our homeschooling we can be free of the curriculum and just learning from history. Very inspiring!

[Kathleen in VA]

Thanks for your encouraging words everyone. You know, before I wrote that and reread it, I felt that we really hadn't done much school this week. It has been kind of an unorganized mish-mosh of a week because dh took off from work and that always disrupts things. It's nice to have him here, but still it means I must focus much of my energy on him and not school (I'm thinking especially meals, which we usually just scrounge for when he's at work:)). Also, I took Labor Day off to have a family picnic/birthday party for ds22.

 

I didn't even mention what I'm doing with Dd11 so will have to give that a write up as well.

 

Anyway, thanks for all the kind thoughts - you are all very, very encouraging and I appreciate it very much.

[Kathleen in VA]

Just thought I'd bump this for those who may have missed it and are wondering how it's going.:)

[Stacy in NJ]

Interesting reading, Kathleen. Thanks for posting it.

[Quiver0f10]

Thank you for sharing! What an inspiration!

[Paintedlady]

Kathleen, I am so impressed and inspired by your week! My kids are 9 & 10, and still in need of so many basics that I can't see us doing what you're doing YET, but I'd love to in a couple years. Great job! :cheers2:

[lisabelle]

That was so interesting! This is my first year hs'ing, so I'm very curriculum-oriented. For history this year we're using History Odyssey Ancients (Level 2), which I liked because it offers so many ways to incorporate what ds is reading with learning different kinds of writing--outlining, summarizing, essay writing, creating timelines, etc.). I like that it includes YA novels to put a human perspective on life in the ancient world. My hope is that once ds develops those important learning tools (ones that weren't taught much in ps), that moving forward in history we can take an approach more similar to yours. I've already picked out and bought some interesting history books for the future that I hope will take us down many rabbit holes! :)

[Kathleen in VA]

I'm learning a lot as well. The main thing I've learned this week is that I do not know how to teach a 14yo boy how to write. Not sure how I'm going to fix that, but there it is. He's gone to a Washington Nationals game with his dad and brother at the invitation of his uncle today. I'm going to spend the evening trying to figure out what I am doing wrong and how to fix it. All suggestions welcome.:)

[Anne in CA]

I just wanted to tell you that I really enjoyed the blog post. This is how I envisioned home schooling when I began twelve years ago, but there have always been textbooks to do/ finish and we have never gotten to it. I'm glad your family is having this experience.

[Alenee]

Loved the blog post Kathleen! I look forward to hearing more. :)

[HappyGrace]

Way to go, Kathleen! Reading it was so inspiring! I'm proud of you for pushing through fear and taking this step and making it happen. I am trying to incorporate more of this type of learning too this year, so it's especially interesting to me. Please keep blogging-we'd love to see how it's going!