Learning in the Sunshine State

I’m suffering from a severe bout of indecisiveness when it comes to next year’s school plan. It’s not that I have to decide what to buy, just what to use. If you came to my house, you’d see bookshelves full of books. And stacks of books in front of the bookshelves. And stacks of books next to my bed. And stacks of … well, I think you get the picture. So, now I have to choose what to use, and what to let go.

Things definitely in our plan:
Singapore Math — I hope to get through levels 2A and 2B. We might get started on 3A, depending on how it goes.

Sequential Spelling I am a natural speller. I never remember having trouble spelling, or even learning how to spell. I bought into the belief that with practice, all kids will magically learn how to spell. Not true. As I started to realize that Kiddo is more like his dad when it comes to spelling, I realized he would need some help. This program is really doing a good job of giving him the help he needs. He’s a strong reader, so the way this program focuses on spelling patterns seems to be just the thing for him.

Nature Study — A mom in our homeschool group has started leading nature study walks. She just sets up where the walk takes place, and each family does their own form of nature study. We’ll continue to attend these walks, as well as do some nature study on our own.

We’ll do unit studies, and those are pretty easy for me to plan. I let Kiddo have input and tell me some things he wants to study, then I fill in with units I choose.

Now comes the stuff I want to do, but can’t figure out how to fit it all in:

Art — I have Drawing With Children, Artistic Puruits, and Art in Story. I like different aspects of all three of those.

Spanish and/or Sign Language — We used to do a little of both of these languages, and I’d like to get back to it.

English From the Roots Up — I’m not sure where, or even if, this should fit into the plan.

Grammar — English for the Thoughtful Child and First Language Lessons. There are things I like and don’t like about each of these, and I’m trying to figure out how to blend the two.

4H — I’d like Kiddo to get involved in 4H, and there’s a new club in the making that sounds right for us.

Science club — another mom who has 3 science loving boys wants to start one. Kiddo is interested in joining.

Cub Scouts — He’ll be a Bear this year, and I want to find a way to incorporate some of his requirements into the school plan.

So much stuff, so many ideas. There’s no way everything will fit, and there’s no need to even try. As long as I keep reminding myself of that, I’ll eventually map out a plan. Whether we follow the map or take many side trips remains to be seen.

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