Summer School is not going as planned. Well, unless I find a way to designate the hours spent immersed in aquamarine pool water, the early morning and late night fishing/boating trips, and escaping the afternoon heat with video gaming and rented movies as part of our school’s academic rigor.
Academic rigor? *snort*
Recently, I hinted that our year-round homeschooling approach did not quite get off the ground; well, that was putting it nicely.
Before anyone think I’m a slacker who should not homeschool her kids, rest assured, there is another side to this tale–even before the summer solstice–and no, it doesn’t involve procrastination. In fact, if you’ll remember, I laid the groundwork for a well-planned year-round homeschooling approach waaaaaaaaay back in April, and by mid-May I was completely ready.
Completely.
And then? LIFE.STRUCK. It came with a strong storm surge, and we’re still sorting through the debris, but the after effects have settled into a peaceful acceptance and thankfully, a new day has dawned.
So here I am, reticent to fall back into what I’ve dubbed the 180 Day ‘Sentence’, but at the same time, I cannot ignore the fact that July is here, and we’ve not thought about Algebra once.
Nah, that’s not exactly honest–I’ve thought about Algebra on multiple occasions, but more along the lines of, “I’m so glad to be floating in the pool, at the movies, and riding on this boat, rather than doing Algebra.” If I were a more motivated mathematician, like Bon Crowder, I could successfully turn swimming, fishing, boating or gaming into Math, but I’m Heather; so, I don’t…won’t.
And? While my loose summer school plan just untangled, I’m remarkably still whole.
I’m calling this response to the summer discombobulation a triumph over my old self. Since I’m not hyperventilating while watching my plans come undone, I’d say that my sanity in the midst of schedule failure is personal progress, plain and simple.
…or something like that.
In September, after the pool closes, we will pick up and begin homeschooling again. THAT is the current plan.
Also? IrishMum, you are not allowed to tell me “I told you so.”
Tell me–how is your summer coming along? If you’re a year-round homeschooling family, how is THAT going (go ahead, make me jealous)? If not, when do you plan to begin again?
Give me the scoop. I love reading all the different ways all of you make things work for your families.
Heather Sanders is a leading homeschooling journalist who inspires homeschooling families to live, love and learn. Married to Jeff, Heather lives in the East Texas Piney Woods where she currently home schools two of her three kids.