Modifications

Today we started cursive writing. Liam sat at the table tracing the lowercase "e." Ewan sat opposite him scrawling flowers onto crisp white paper and utilizing every ounce of his crude motor skills. As they worked in silence I realized that I am more confident today homeschooling than I was a year ago. It's amazing what a year's worth of experience affords.

I was honestly nervous the day I purchased Liam's first grade Abeka curriculum. I was scared that perhaps I hadn't taught him everything a kindergartener was supposed to know, maybe I'd missed an important learning target, maybe he wasn't as bright as I thought.

Then the books arrived and I planned out the first month's lessons. As I pored over the books, I realized that the first six weeks are nothing but review. He already knows this, I thought. And not just "knows it" knows it but knows it so well it bores him to tears. I tried to stick to the book but Liam zipped through the lessons faster than I could present his next workbook assignment. So we've skipped ahead a few weeks' lessons and now he's working at a pace where he feels challenged and I feel as though the material is advanced enough again to engage him.

I love homeschooling.

Comments

[Patti Justice]

My granddaughter was homeschooled from 3rd grade to graduation. Her mom and dad let her go to high school but after 2 years she wanted to finish at home because she was very distracted at school. She wasn't used to all of the kids around her. She finished high school a year early and was very pleased with the outcome. She was like Liam in that they would order a course for her and she would be totally bored until about one third of the way through then she would have to start thinking again. Your Liam sounds like a very smart boy who is going to be like my granddaughter and be challenged by only one half or two thirds of his classes. Homeschooling is great for smart kids because you can let them work at their level you don't have to hold them back because someone else in the class isn't getting it. Good luck in your endeavors.

[Rebecca]

Good for you guys! I love reading about your homeschool adventures.

[Bethiclaus]

Congratulations on your growth as a homeschooler as well as Liam's growth. It sounds like this year is going to be great.

[Marianne]

Seriously ... so inspirational. I'm so glad homeschooling is working out for your family.

[Wendy]

Cursive? WOw. My sons are both in public school(don't even get me started!) and my 4th grader is JUST learning cursive.

I'm trying to find info on homeschooling. A few people have told me that in Wisconsin, you have to have a college degree(doesn't matter if it's on auto mechanics) to homeschool your children.

I'm HOPING that info is wrong, but I can't seem to find out where to get what I need to do to get my first grader out of his horrible school and into homeschooling.

While I think it would be hard, I think at this point he would learn so much better and not get so left behind in class.

[Dana]

Wendy, you can Google (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=wisconsin+homeschooling+requirements&btnG=Google+Search) for the requirements in your state, but you do not have to have a college degree.