Another School Year Ended

Well, school is now officially over in Nova Scotia, has been for a week. We took our big vacation the week before school let out in PEI. What a wonderful experience that was! I'll be posting more about it in my main family blog when ever I can get around to it. They both came home in love with Anne and her stories. Ethan even read some Anne books and I watched the movies with Shaylee.

I need to get on the ball since it's time to report our year. I need to sit down and write out all Ethan has done and learned, an overwhelming task. There is so much but probably doesn't look so impressive on paper. Sometimes he amazes me with his wisdom and smarts as he'll come out with things that I have no idea where he could of picked it up. I sometimes catch him reading the books I have through the house or working on workbooks or working on the Elementary Advantage cd's we have. I think he has learned so much through video games but people kind of poo poo that (math, reading, maps, creating, following instructions, social skills, ect.....). I need to start getting some more advanced books and games for him to hopefully pick up.

I still firmly believe in unschooling. I know the idea is scary and people can't comprehend how it could possibly works but it does! When a child is motivated to learn something, they will. If they need it down the road, they have the skills to learn it. Something that may take a kid 2 years to learn now may take them a couple days or weeks to master when they are older and ready to learn (maybe longer depending on what it is).

I also have to get Shaylee registered for homeschooling next year as she turns 5 in August. It's hard to believe she will be old enough this year! I am glad I let go with learning expectations for her. She is really picking up on reading, writing and math and I so enjoy watching her enjoy learning. Mark has been telling people she doesn't want to homeschool, which has been upsetting for me. The way he talks I'm forcing her to stay home. I don't feel that I am. She, like so many kids, has been brainwashed (not by me!!) that learning only takes place at school with a teacher to teach them. I've been trying to tell her otherwise but someone really put it in there she can't learn at home, despite the fact she is!

If only our local homeschoolers would get the ball rolling there would be a better social network. My kids really need that, especially Shaylee who is has higher social needs than the rest of us. I feel I may have to step up if no one else does. With all my auxiliary experience with church and work, plus being the co-owner/moderator of the Nova Scotia homeschool groups, I think I could do a pretty good job with it.