Supposed to be working, photo wandering instead

September 9, 2008

Ok, I'm supposed to be working right now (self imposed) on learning objectives for this year. By the way, none of the planning stuff, schedules and such I'm doing is required by the state. I do it because I love planning, I love charts, I love organization. I'm a little bit uptight that way, just a teensy bit.

But more than that I love writing out learning objectives because I'm verbalizing what's important in our home - love, creativity, diligence, kindness... We determine what we want our kids to learn, their curriculum, based on our values as a family and our kid's innate interests and abilities. Time to craft, build & dream each day is just as, if not more important than math.

Yeesh, this was NOT going to be a blog post about homeschooling, can't help it. My mind is in "educate my children" mode these days. But what I really wanted to share with you was a couple photos because instead of working on the objectives I've spent time jumping around flickr. Doing so reminded me I haven't posted a photo for oh, about a day or so. Gotta do something about that. Here's a couple favorites from this past week:

Driveway Zinnia</span>

Compost Zinnia</span>

Andie on Sept. 10, 2008, 9:35 a.m.

I so love these two flowers. I imagine them printed out in large format, matted in lovely white gallery style mattes and a beautiful frame and hanging in your home. Yes?!

Ok about what you said regarding home schooling. See we had a bad day yesterday at school. Which makes me question our decision to send them to public school. Then I came here this morning and i read you little bit about kindness, creativity, etc vs. Math. And I feel torn. I mean, how does that work? We were just slaving over math sheets last night after dinner and I have to tell you how you crazy hard the stuff is even in the 5th grade. I don't think I worked algebra like that till h.s. But this is the future now. They learn this stuff early. Do you plan on home schooling till college so your kids will eventually get it or do you think they will ever transfer into public education like say in H.S and do you worry that they won't be ready? Any way, I so admire you for doing this. I think you do a beautiful, beautiful job and I only wish I had the courage to do so as well.

Hugs, a.

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- renee on Sept. 10, 2008, 8:15 p.m.
  
  oh.. what a lovely idea. I only have framed shots (bad ones mostly) of the kids on the walls, imagine that! Now that my photography is improving, that is going to have to change. Thanks for the vote of confidence.
  
  Ok, my mind is whirring after reading the rest of your comment. The very short answer is we have no plans of having them go to HS full time (for some courses if needed), and we totally intend on them being ready for college if and when they want to go. The long answer is a blog post because I don't see homeschooling as a preparation for high school or college I see it as a preparation for a certain kind of life. Something I hadn't intended on writing, I really don't want to preach homeschooling but you asked for it babe!
  
  Let me say lastly, I am not as courageous as you perceive, but I am passionate. Even though some days I have doubts (about our method of HS, not the decision to do so) the beauty and quality of relationship I enjoy with my children continues to convince me we're on the right path.
  
  I am so not trying to convince you (what does it matter to me if someone I've never met in person homeschools or not), but if you ever decided to do so I know you'd have the courage.
  
  Hugs to you too my friend.
  
  Stay tuned for the long answer. Renee
  
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Wayfaring Wanderer on Sept. 10, 2008, 1:05 p.m.

I'm supposed to be working, too.......shhhh

Pretty zinnia's!

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Andie on Sept. 11, 2008, 9:04 a.m.

Oh see there you go right there with this line: "I don't see homeschooling as a preparation for high school or college I see it as a preparation for a certain kind of life.".

This is what always confused me with home schooling. I am so worried I'm going to to screw up their future by not providing enough academics, etc. Any way please don't apologize, I truly, truly want to learn more which is why i asked. I believe there is a reason I found your site (and other homeschool blogs-I seem to stumble on them all of the time, lol).

Thanks again, a.

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