Our “school” room.
Last year at this time, I was working two days a week teaching piano in Saint John. I loved it, but despite the relatively small commitment, Horus, Treva, and I (and Lee) really felt my absence rather painfully.
It is good to be home. And now that the school year is back in full force…it is good to be home.
Slowly, ever so slowly, even our crazy house is coming together, and I am so pleased that as planned, our third tiny bedroom upstairs is now our “school room”, which the kids find very exciting. We have a little work table in the centre, a cozy sofa in the corner for reading and snuggling, ample bookshelves, and my own desk and workspace is in the far corner.
Now that Treva is 2, and now that Felix is here, our “homeschooling” routine is highly improvisational within the following basic structure: We wake up, we do our morning chores (brush teeth, make beds, fold pjs, spray sink and toilet –Horus’ favourite!). Then breakfast, and our nature walk. Then we come home and head upstairs. First of all, we read. Books, and reading, our manna. Both Horus and Treva will sit for hours and read book after book. Television isn’t an issue, because we don’t have one. Movies aren’t an issue, because that isn’t part of our existence with the kids (Lee and I will watch a show occasionally once everyone has gone to bed). Exception: Lee and Horus are planning on going to see The Hobbit when it comes to the theatres in December. I have acquiesced reluctantly. I feel like this might be a slippery slope, but Lee has promised a movie at the theatre once a year. My concern is mostly that Horus’ imagination will be corrupted. (I know, I know, I know. Relax). Lee just finished reading The Hobbit out loud to both Horus and Treva. Isn’t that enough? Apparently not. I’m getting over it.
Anyway. After reading several books, we do our artwork. Both Horus and Treva have their own big sketchbooks, and they’ll fill a couple of pages a day. Then we write a letter to someone, which covers the spelling, writing, composition etc. A simple-yet-fun introduction to the basics. We usually listen to some classical music during our writing time. The kids love Glenn Gould.
And then we go play music. Drums! Piano! Ukelele! The Clark Family Band! And that’s essentially the structured part of our day.
We tend to focus on certain themes every week, which evolve simply as the kids become interested in this or that. Bats were big this past week–we talked about them, read about them and drew them. Did you know that bat mothers give birth hanging from their front claws, and that the baby falls into the flap of skin hung like a hammock between the mother’s legs? I didn’t! I On our weekly library trek, l look for books on the subjects the kids seem particularly keen on, in a relaxed sort of way.
We also do plenty of “real” stuff every day, which I suppose would fall under that rather goofy term, “unschooling”. Pottery, gardening, washing up, etc. Well, it’s just life, isn’t it?
I think there tends to be a false dichotomy between consciously guiding children towards an intellectual approach to learning, and allowing children to be free to explore the world and their interests. I’m pretty happy with the fact that both Horus and Treva *love* their school routine, and that they will remind me that they have “school” in the morning. And while I absolutely want to allow my kids to grow out into the world in whatever way they feel comfortable, I also want them to experience, in a positive way, how order and, yes, discipline (self-discipline) can be joyful and fruitful.
Some days are more organized than others, to be sure. When we are knee-deep in a woodfiring, as we will be at the end of October, everything is a bit gonzo, but this too, I suppose, is educational, isn’t it?
Your days sound wonderful! I’m actually teaching in China right now, at a Montessori preschool, and we have a whole section of “curriculum” that is called Practical Life. Your “unschooling” makes me think of that.
Hi Amanda! Our days are definitely full, and usually pretty great. What an adventure to be teaching in China! There is a lot about the Montessori approach that I really like. And yes–a lot of our “school” is just that–practical life! Take good care.
This is the most beautiful and honest way ever to educate children. I think it might be parents these days that need educating though. Didn’t we all teach our children this way long ago? And now, who has time for their kids?
Wesley read The Hobbit in first grade, then the rest of the series and now she is in film school writing screenplays. She was telling me the other day that those books had a profound effect on her and she is probably a writer because of them. I spent a lot of time teaching Wesley before 1st grade and she was way ahead of most of the kids in her school We were lucky to have a very non traditional school near us and Wes got a fantastic education, but not everyone is that blessed. Kids deserve so much more than what they are getting these days!! Your kids are the really lucky ones 🙂
Hi Tracey,
Lee and I are so lucky to be able to work from home (such as it is!!), and I hope that we can keep our kids with us. To be sure there are some great schools out there, but unfortunately not where we are–the public school system in New Brunswick is pitiful, and I have to say that the overall standard of education in our part of the world is extremely low. I do think, too, that for many parents, school is free babysitting. It’s a complex issue: everyone needs to be able to make a living, and again, we do consider ourselves to be so fortunate to be at home. It *is* challenging to be an artist and to run businesses while taking care of kids simultaneously. I set my alarm at 3am most days, and try to work from 3-7am. But even if daycare were a financial possibility, I couldn’t do it. And honestly, I think we all tend to waste a whole lot of time: internet crap, tv, sitting around feeling sorry for ourselves, etc. Don’t get me wrong, I do these things too. But having kids and taking care of them and also trying to build things and make stuff really clarifies priorities. I sure hope our kids grow up to be as lovely and brilliant as WEsley. Can’t wait to watch one of her films. xo
I wholeheartedly support seeing The Hobbit! However, this is coming from someone who has a LOTR tattoo 😉 I agree with Amanda, your day sounds pretty amazing. You inspire me!
P.S. I admit! I thought Felix was one of Treva’s dolls until I zoomed in. Too precious.
Ha! Ok…I guess it could be worse than The Hobbit! Although I do think he might be a little bit young…and all of this recent business about bows and arrows and fighting and battles? Hm. Hobbit. Felix does look tiny and doll-like in this picture!
Ahhh, its nice hearing about the ‘school’ day… i was the only one out of my 3 other siblings who went to school. I remember enjoying it at points, being completely ridiculously bored at others and generally learning lots only to have forgotten it all now. Seriously long division?? Pythagoruses therum…where did all that go! My other sisters on the other hand are all ‘un schooled’ by my ma, who was a teacher when i was a kid, then re trained in montessori, then gave up completely on the school system! Their days revolve around tending their flocks- chickens, geese, ducks, pigs, the cows from the next farm that escape and lick the kitchen window, a million bunnies (the family lesson on the term ‘breeding like rabbits’) and generally crafting, spinning wool, learning sciency interesting stuff and facts about deadly australian insects and acracnids that they delight in telling me when we skype (i live in australia now having fallen head over heels for an ozzie who just happens to be unschooled…ha.)
xx Bex
Wow. It sounds like you had a wonderful childhood. I am envious! I am just now (at 32 years old) recovering from a public school experience that was much less than optimal–again, inspiration for doing better for my own kids.
Oh Yolande! This sounds amazing.
Hi Victoria! Honestly, some days, it really is amazing! And (as I know you know!) other days are complete and utter mayhem. But on the whole, we’re having a good time! Lots of love to you and your little ones. Had a good talk with Tegan the other day, and we dreamed a little bit about ideas…let’s talk more. I think Spring will bring some good opportunities for more realistic visioning. xo
Hi!
I just watched Pt1 (waiting for pt2 to load) of Felix’s birth and have to say it was amazing (but I’ll comment that later on YT haha).
Are you just homeschooling as preschool? Or are you going to plan on homeschooling once Horus is school-age? I love your ideas of schooling and was wondering if you could give me any tips on how to go about it with a free-spirited 3 y/o. I really love all your parenting methods, as I’m kind of a naturalist/traditionalist (I grew up wanting to live in a non-plumbed, non-electrified cabin in the moutains lol. that’s still me at heart but frowned upon by society).
Also looking forward to reading your blog very much! I’m so glad I found you looking for freebirths!!
xo April
Hi April! Thanks so much for commenting. Our plan is to homeschool for as long as it works for us…I suppose I hope/suspect that we will have our kids at home with us for several years, at least. There are many reasons why we have chosen to homeschool…And I think I DO have some tips that I’d love to share with you on ways in which we have successfully implemented homeschooling ideas…In fact, you have inspired me to write a post on this, April. So thank you again, and take good care. Yo
I love this, I love your blog. You are an amazing mother and teacher….home school was an option for me, this makes me reconsider next year.
Thank you so much, Yina. Muddling through, doing my best! I wish the best for you and yours.