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Our nearly-six-year-old started school this week, sort of. We all had visions of the walk to the neighborhood elementary and lunch boxes and new supplies. But instead we’ve decided to keep her at home. Some call it home school – Lyda calls it “Road School.” Somehow that sounds a bit cooler.
Our situation is unique. We tour as a family for several months of the year, and we’d love to be able to continue to do that for at least another year. Also, Lyda will be six next month and was too young for kindergarten last year and a bit too old for it this year. And although she it tiny of stature, she’s pretty mature for her age, and she’s reading chapter books, and actually enjoys doing math workbooks. So, the principal said she’d probably be bored and encouraged us to teach her at home.
But in the next breath (in order to keep our proud parent ego bubble in check) the principal quickly noted that most kids “even out” by the time they’re in the third grade. That was a nice of reminding us that our smarty pants daughter may not be so smart (comparatively) by then.
So, this week, it became official! We’ve registered, contacted some of the nearby home-school groups for advice and support, and we’ve been researching and reading. After a few days, it’s been very cool, but I still get the feeling that Lyda’s playing hooky.
I remember as a kid wondering what all the adults did while we were trapped in school. And on those rare occasions when I got sprung from captivity for a doctor’s appointment, it seemed so mysterious to taste the “forbidden fruit” of freedom. I had that same feeling the other day when I took Lyda out to run some errands. I felt like we were supposed to keep it on the down-low and play it cool, so the principal wouldn’t catch us skipping school.
Other than the occasional panic attack when we freak out about whether or not we’ve done the right thing – all is well. We’ve got a girl who is eager to learn and who is self-motivated. She will be taking the P.E. class twice a week at our local school, where a few of her friends go. So, she’ll still get some of that traditional school experience.
And next March when we head out on our annual Spring tour, we’ll be reminded that “Road School” was a great idea. Maybe we’ll stop in and tour Lincoln’s birthplace, or the Kentucky state capital, or Graceland, or see the world’s largest groundhog. Whatever we choose will be an opportunity for a learning experience. And the best part will be that we’re together.
Any other home-schoolers out there who can give me some reassurance?
There are several home schooles or former home schoolers on M2M. I'm sure they'll weigh in! Congrats to your daughter. I think you'll have a great year.I think that's a great idea, especially given your family's unique situation! I've always sort of looked on in awe of the parents who homeschool. I don't have the patience or the brains for it. Good luck to you!!! I'm sure you'll have a terrific year!I think it is wonderful that she is "road schooled". She will learn so much about our beautiful country while getting to spend time with her family. I just can't view that as a bad thing.We did the home school thing for the last year and a half of baby daughter's high school career. She learned so much in that year and a half and we had a blast doing it. Congratulations to your family in seeing what was the right thing to do for your unique situation!I've always homeschooled kindy and first grade; loved, loved, loved that extra time with them. And they've all adjusted well once we placed them in a traditional school setting. You have so many options available to you--you may surprise yourself and do it longer! :-)I was home-schooled full time from 7-12th grade. My family always agreed that one of the beauties of it was that we could schedule our work around those errands or fun things we wanted to do. (As long as we did a little work every day, and finished our tasks by the end of the week.)[I accidentally posted before I finished!] Not only can she go out for fun, taking your daughter along on errands gives the opportunity to teach her things she wouldn't get from books. For example, introducing her to different kinds of produce, showing her how to pick the freshest, calculating the cost, etc. It sounds like you guys are already doing a great job! I'm sure you all will enjoy learning on your road stops, too!Sounds cool. Since she is advanced, have you also considered the option of going to a private school or some other school with advanced students? And, just one more thing... nothing against homeschooled kids, but sometimes homeschool families tend to "bash" the kids/families who go to "traditional" school. I think both methods work. To each their own. I just don't like when someone says "traditional" school is no good. A lot of students who studied in a "traditional" school have turned out very successful as well.I hate to do this to your blog, but I must address Tasha's comment. You'll find advanced students, average students, and those that need help, no matter what the school setting. And I say that as a mom whose children attend a private school. Just because a school has "private" slapped on its label doesn't mean it's full of geniuses. ;-)Never said it was. But the grading scale is much more difficult in a private school. That's why they are "college prep" schools.While that is sometimes true, Tasha, that is not an absolute. While many private schools are academically challenging, that doesn't mean that public schools can't be, or that all private schools automatically are. Private and public should be judged on a case by case basis.Depends on the private school, Tasha. DH went to a private school where the teachers were pretty much all bored housewives who didn't know all that much, and who had not had any teacher training at all. And because it was offered by a very conservative chuch, they had some quirky rules, like girls were not permitted to take shop and boys couldn't take home ec. When parents become parents, it's a good idea to do research no matter what kind of school they choose.Yes, you have to do your research. I know that public schools have advanced classes as well. The point is... there are many options as far as schools go. You don't just have to choose the one in your neighborhood. That is, if you are willing to pay extra money. A lot of families who don't have money still send their children to private schools and receive help from the church or whatever else... so that their child can attend the school they choose and not what the district or city chooses.For your situation "road school" sounds like the perfect solution! Your family has such a unique opportunity to travel and spend such great time to together. I'm no parenting expert but I've been to a lot of your shows! Sweet Lyda is a petite little thing but she seems super social and has tons of opportunities to hang out with other kids which I think some people see as a draw back to home schooling. You've got the best of both worlds. I predict not only won't you regret this decision but you will look back and cherish this time forever! Enjoy it!Thank you for all of the encouraging words. One day at a time! As a product of private school, I've considered it, but just can't afford it. However, I'm a huge believer in the public school system (my wife made it through just fine!) so that's where we'll end up when the time is right. Our district has a fabulous accelerated program. My two nieces recently transferred from a private "college prep" academy to Shawnee Mission East because it offers a more challenging course selection. The love it and have many more opportunities. There are successes at every institution.Thank you for all of the encouraging words. One day at a time! As a product of private school, I've considered it, but just can't afford it. However, I'm a huge believer in the public school system (my wife made it through just fine!) so that's where we'll end up when the time is right. Our district has a fabulous accelerated program. My two nieces recently transferred from a private "college prep" academy to Shawnee Mission East because it offers a more challenging course selection. The love it and have many more opportunities. There are successes at every institution.And, once again, there is a difference between "private" and "parochial." Diocesan schools are "parochial." Schools like Rockhurst and St. Teresa's Academy and Notre Dame de Sion are private Catholic schools. Big difference, IMO. I'm a product of both a diocesan parochial Catholic school (1-5) and public school. I was challenged more in public school. But not all schools are alike, and you have to do their research.I now have my 5th kindergartener homeschooling. It CAN feel like we're playing hookey at times, but we really aren't. My kids learn to read, write, add, subtract, and many other things by the end of kindergarten. It just takes less time to do at home per day than in a classroom environment because we're not stopping for the other kids who are gaining different skills at the same time. Also, I believe it's still true that in Kansas you don't LEGALLY have to put your child in school until 7 years old, so you don't have to register your homeschool until then. We decide on a year by year basis if we will continue to school at home. We've opted for public education at home with our oldest three. We use Lawrence Virtual School, but there are other options out there. We currently use Five in A Row with my younger grade school kids as well as the Core Knowledge books (What My Kindergartener Needs to Know), and different workbooks a retired teacher friend of mine donated to me. There is a lot you can do with an early gradeschool child to get a well rounded education. Field trips are the best. In Kansas, check out Rock City, the Children's Museum, Deanna Rose Farm, the Wyandotte County museum (they brought out carved arrow heads and other items for my kids to touch). So much fun, so much to learn, so little time!This is our first year to home school a 6 and 9 year old. We started August 2nd and so far, love it! We get finished and get to do all kinds of great things while other kids are in school. We have toured a TV station, gone to the zoo and gone to a dinosaur exhibit. Congratulations on a great decision!
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