homeschooling

We have been on a roll with homeschooling these last few weeks... I love that we have some sort of a schedule now, the kids are doing math pretty much every day, reading, science gets done in a variety of ways every day too. We have made good use of the microscope I bought a little while ago, and have looked at so many interesting things thru it. Snail poop(once you add water to it) had to be the most interesting thing for me. The kids are so much more interested in things this school year and it's so great to see. I know that a big change was that I bought a lot of different things that were more hands on, like the microscope, the polydron shapes so they can build 3D models of various things using geometric shapes. J. was building smt. last night after we got home from our field trip to the Bklyn. botanical gardens (4 hours of walking around and playing with friends)then some more walking and collecting leaves in Prospect Park. While she was building her things she said mommy this is not learning, this is fun! She has also developed an interest in fractions, and has a book on drawing various animals and things using fractional pieces.
A. decided a few weeks ago that she'd like to learn how to read, so we are doing phonics, starfall, and reading simple books. She is really happy when she can sound out a word and it's so great to be there with her 1 on 1, and to see her smile and realize that she can read!
I am so grateful that I can be home with them and even more that I can homeschool them. I totally believe that children have to be interested in what they are learning or they will be so resistant to learning it and will not remember what it is they 'learned' as soon as the class is done. I have had this discussion with numerous moms who homeschool and have had their child in a traditional school at one point in time, and we all see the same thing. Children have a natural curiosity and they want to learn new things and be out in the world and experience things. When they are so open to learning something they will receive it better and retain the information much much more than if they are just learning it for some test. At the same time, as a parent you also have to be open to learning things and be excited about them, and support their interests. Take them on field trips, read with them, take an interest in science and history and geography and all the great things this world has to offer.