Not Another Homeschool Blog

Here is a photo from her Sr project/ performance and entire graduation class.

I'm on the verge of pulling out my hair!  This is no ordinary graduation! Homeschool graduations are an interesting thing with no two being the same. In this case, we are working our way to a graduation that includes Arts presentations (my daughter's self designed show is timed at 20 minutes and includes costumes and songs... hard songs).  We have been to rehearsals twice this week already, and there could be one tomorrow, to make sure she feels secure. Costumes need adjustments... partly my job.  And daughter is still trying to add things.  I am certainly drawing the line there. In addition to the Arts presentations, there is a reception and award ceremony, then caps and gowns.  The affair will last pretty much from 1-6, meaning we will very likely be there from 12-6:30.  I'm going to need to rest up. Friends are coming over tonight, and I hope they help me power through. And then, I've got to do The Diva's hair.  (From now and henceforth,...

In exactly 1 week, Jordan will be in the midst of graduation exercises along with 10 fellow homeschoolers in the same Arts Program as she.  Some also did the academic leg, but Jordan did most of her core courses independently.  I am looking forward to seeing everyone's senior presentations, as I am only privy to what my daughter is doing.  If the rest are giving presentations as ambitious as my kids, and I am sure they will, I will be so thrilled and happy! Meanwhile, I spent the bulk of this morning calculating grades for the 2nd half of the year and reporting those grades to her homeschool Accreditation agency .  I already actually have her diploma on my desk, as it arrived a couple weeks ago.  Before I get up from this chair, I will also submit attendance for the year.  I am gathering that will take an hour. Plus, I am scheduling her road test Monday morning.  She would have been driving sooner, but I refused to move forward if she refused to fi...

As we finish up our homeschool experience, and evaluate what we have accomplished and where we have weaknesses, there are 3 major things I would change. 1.  I would have unschooled through grade 5.  I have determined that the only thing a student really needs to know to prepare for middle school are: Math: add, subtract, multiply, divide Language Arts:  How to read and be able to comprehend what is read Exploration: so much about all other subjects can be learned through exploration, field trips, and group activities.  Some might not call it unschooling if you are teaching math and reading, but that would be where I would draw the line.  I guess you could call it uber-relaxed homeschooling.  2.  I wish I had found ALEKS.com earlier.  I have found this to be the most intuitive and affordable system of teaching math to date.  It allows kids to learn math at their own pace whether it be slower or accelerated.  This program is ...