Happy New School Year!

I had someone ask me today how I teach 3 different grade levels all in one day.  I answered honestly and said, "I don't know yet!"  It looked like doubt in their eyes.....and then.....I had a moment of panic.  Am I pretending at too great a cost?  Do I really think I'm able to do this well, all by myself?  Am I crazy?  I'm coming off of a great summer.  I've been reading and reading and reading some more.  I've been planning things out in my mind, and my confident inner voice has been winning for the most part.  I have been talking with my kids, every chance they'll give me, and discussing their education. They are excited too, which is all that really matters to me right now.  I want them to love learning, and I can see that their feelings about schooling and studying are changing.  It's becoming joyful.  I have been feeling very positive about the direction we're going, I feel ready to tackle another year.  Summertime is so rejuvenating! 

I really don't have the specifics down but these are my ideas and this is what we've got going so far:

1.  Once a week everyone except Sadie will be attending Options.  All day Monday will be a day for them to go to "school" (its more like an enrichment program) with other homeschoolers and participate in some fun classes like Robotics, Investigative Science, Guitar 1, Geoblaze, Arts out Loud, Artistic Designs, Recorder/Chimes and P.E.  We met their teachers this week and Cassidy and Xander got to see their classroom.  They were very disappointed when they learned they weren't there for a full day of activities.  I'm excited and hopeful about this program.  I think the kids will enjoy it, make new friends, and have experiences that I just can't give with just our family at home. Classes start on September 12. 

2.  We've signed up for Statesmen and Leadership Academy this year.  It's on Wednesday mornings from 9 to 12:30 and it is run by parents who are homeschooling the TJ ed way.  We tried it out a few weeks at the end of the year last year and the kids really enjoyed it.  This year I'm co-mentoring the Shakespeare Class and also filling the position of secretary for the school.  Nicole and Heidi are part of the "Love of Learning" girls group and Caz, Xander and Sadie will be in the CORE group.

3. Nicole and Heidi will have year 2 with Gay Slade for piano.  Nicole is still in clogging classes and Heidi is starting Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at McMahon BJJ.  We're considering 4h also...growing chickens!  Wouldn't that be fun? 

4.  Other than that, we're going to do our best at following the TJed principles  "Inspire, Not Require", "Classics, Not Textbooks".....we shall see (that's all I can say!).

Happy New School Year!