A recent question from Sylvia:
Dear Dawn, I was wondering if you are still homeschooling your two older boys or not any more. Rarely do you mention them and their subjects. Would love to hear about them more.
Sylvia, I am always happy to talk about my older boys! Here's a brief rundown of their studies this year:
Bookworm (grade 12):
*At Home*
*Outside Classes*
Calculus (evening classes at a community college)
Biology (small homeschooled class taught by a tutor)
Public Speaking (small homeschooled class taught by a tutor)
Photography (small homeschooled class taught by a tutor)
Bookworm is also vounteering at the library once a week, helping neighbors with pet sitting and lawn care, and teaching CCD (with me) twice a month at our church. He made his Confirmation last month and is also currently working on his driver's permit - and his college applications!
Crackerjack (grade 8)
*At Home*
Saxon Math 8/7
Nature Study
Faith @ Home
*Outside Classes*
Middle School Art
Spanish I
Drama Class
Crackerjack performs with his Mime Troupe at area events, helps his older brother with lawn care and pet sitting, and attends his monthly book group when he can (this month they are reading The Hobbit). CJ is also thinking about joining our church's children's choir. (And he's fairly addicted to Minecraft these days, lol!)
***
As you can see the older boys are quite busy with their studies and activities this year! We have used Oak Meadow curriculum for years, but as they get older we take advantage of the many opportunities in our area for learning experiences outside the home - for example, state colleges offer dual enrollment, and a local homeschool center offers classes of all kinds. I think it's great for the boys to learn how to learn from different teachers, and to work independently, seeking out knowledge on their own. Most importantly, I want them to take responsibility for their studies. I am still in charge of course - with their input, I piece together their curriculum, and they coordinate with me each day over what they are working on and where they have to go.
So there's a look at what and how my older boys are learning this year! It's been a great, albeit super-busy, semester and I'm very happy to see them enjoying their different experiences. I'm also grateful they have been so helpful and understanding these past couple of months as I've had to slow down so much. All of my boys are truly wonderful young men, and it's been such a joy to watch their personalities, interests and opinions develop and mature over time. :)
Well I wish you all a very happy weekend ~ take care of yourselves and your loved ones ~ and I will see you here again very soon.
❤
