Homeschool Tuesday

In an attempt to bring some rhythm to this blog I am declaring Tuesday homeschool day.  A peak into the daily goings on around here most weekdays.

Saying we homeschool really tells so little about what goes on each day.  There are so many different approaches and philosophies to education (at school and home), and people tend to get quite passionate about which is the "right" way.  I typically try to avoid labeling us as one specific type of philosophy so as to avoid any prejudices.  But, for the sake of explanation, I would say we use a combination of Secular Charlotte Mason ,  and a project approach, with a tad of unschooling attitude thrown in for good measure.  (Right now I'm sure the Charlotte Mason advocates are tsking, and the unschooling purists are rolling their eyes).  But really that's the beauty of homeschooling--being able to choose what works for each family, each child, and even, truth be told each week or day.  This is not to say that we are scattered or inconsistent (maybe a little) just flexible.  And it works, for us.

 Mondays and Fridays are our Reading/Project days, when we do a lot of reading aloud and work on various ongoing and spontaneous projects.  Tuesday-Thursday we do some more traditional lessons (math, handwriting, and history) with a good amount of play thrown in.

So here are a few of the things we've been working on:

A tiny theater with working curtains and stage lights.  This began as a diorama for a project on turkeys that Wylie has been working on, but then ended up as this.  I love the Playmobile guys in the audience.  Its hard to tell in the picture, but they are actually sitting in little chairs!  The turkey diorama is forthcoming.

Juniper is learning to knit.  Both kids have tried off and on over the last year or two, but haven't quite figured out the coordination involved.  This time it seems like she may have it.  She working on a gift for Rob (aka Papa).  

This is a gift Wylie made for his good friend.  He made the entire thing himself (sewed the bag from an old pant leg) wrote and illustrated the book, and even made the button (with some assistance drilling).

I love that so many of their projects are gifts. (Its such a nice thing for me to keep in mind when they are squabbling about sharing with one another, or being otherwise less than pleasant.)

Some color mixing work

Carving a penny whistle

And plenty of "help" from Kale.


I could go on and on, (like any gloating mama)
but I'll spare you.

Until next week.