Friday Morning Lazy Homeschool





Brave Knight, Sir Denver, prepares for battle.



Sometimes I wish I could post pictures of handsomely groomed children sitting happily at their homeschool tables reciting their multiplication tables or doing trigonometry without a calculator. Heck, I'd like to post pictures of myself looking like June Cleaver-- maybe holding a pointer in my hand as I smile and appear to be teaching about Argentina. Alas! Our homeschool is far more leisurely. Okay, sometimes it looks downright lazy! But wonderful things are happening . . .

Denver acts out much of his history reading. We're exploring the middle ages. Today he insisted on raiding the kitchen to make armor while I was making everyone a late breakfast. He then requested photographs!

One of the happiest developments in our homeschool is the reading skill of both Denver and Spencer. Since this past May, Denver has gone from memorizing words and reciting them to actually looking at the words and reading them. It is a joy to sit beside him as he reads. He is proud of himself (no big surprise!) and often requests two or more books at a sitting.

In the past, Spencer has always been a non-fiction reader. His tendency was to read factual bits on one page and then skip to another page. To my delight, he has discovered Tolkien's The Hobbit, and can often be found in a quiet spot curled around his book. He is such an imaginative little boy; I am so happy he has discovered the joys of fiction!

This afternoon we have a friend coming over to go swimming. In preparation, Denver leaped out of bed and began homeschool immediately so that he would be completely done before his friend arrived. His brothers are less motivated. Besides, they have Spanish with Mimi this morning before they can really get started on their other work. Nevertheless, all will be accomplished. It is wonderful for them to have such an open span of time in which to complete their studies. As a teacher, it is nice not to have to rush anyone.

 

Spencer enjoys the adventure of The Hobbit.



Yes, our homeschool experience is not the pretty, organized picture one might imagine. Yet the boys are enjoying life and learning, and John and I get to see so much more of it than we would if they were in school. It's almost noon and we can still be in our pajamas while we work. Life is good.





John Robert quietly contemplates a trip across the Atlantic Ocean.