It’s incredible how quickly this term has gone by. We have only 2 days left this week to catch up and complete the last few pages of the NSW curriculum, and then head straight into the Holidays. Into the mix of all the things we already had going on, we started Drum lessons, and Ceramics. Soccer is now ramping up! Surprisingly, we were ahead just because the children were keen to do the work. 

The way we broke our semesters up is as follows (Note: we are located in the Southern Hemisphere):

Term 1

February and March plus 1 week in April

Break for 2 weeks

Term 2

April 22 to end of June

Term 3 

July

Break for Summer in Canada August to September

Term 4

October to end of November

Break for 2nd Summer in Australia December to end of January

Total “work” days: 170

Knowing this, we break down each work book, to find out how many pages per day we need to complete to meet NSW curriculum standards. 

During our “breaks” we continue to work on individual Project based work. Building, painting, coding, etc. There are no rules during this time and NO NSW Curriculum. 

Just to be clear, we are not fans of the curriculum - however, we are instilling structure and discipline into the first few years of home education by following this routine. We are hoping that when they are into the rhythm, they will go at their own pace, learning through life, and practicing other things because they enjoy it. It has been a difficult decision to make. No school to Home school to Home Ed, to Learner Lead, or Project Based…. Parent Lead interaction, or staying back, observing and assisting when needed… I think that ramping them all into a daily routine, with expectations of some sort of education - what ever that may be for them individually - is the way to go for us, and our family.

Now it’s time to seriously PLAY!

Wow! Well, this is moving along very quickly.

I have spent time working out what we need to do to get through the Australia curriculum. It’s not much! It works out to be about a page a day in each subject, IF the children focus it takes about 2.5 hours (including breaks!). This leaves our WHOLE afternoon free for play, classes like drumming and karate, and of course swimming, skateboarding and surfing. 

4 terms, 2 months each. Seasons as general themes, as we have done in the past with NinthCloud and YuuMii before. This gives us over 4 months of free-play travel and open plan learning. Projects based on location, or desires.

The first week was easy.

The second week was impossible. They did NOT want to do any worksheets or anything, really. We had a day or 2 of free play.

The third week was all about negotiations, balance and happiness. I also tried out several methods of compiling the children’s projects. EVERNOTE won.

This week, we are finding our way… and you know what? These kids are now eagerly doing most things on their own. I am always there to help, with their projects, play, or experiments… there has been little conflict. 

Having a 3.5 year old in the mix has made it challenging. Having their uncle in town will help for sure.

We have watched our children grow more loving, caring, thoughtful, energetic, enthusiastic, helpful, and generous. They still squabble over silly things but watching them work it out has also been interesting. They are spending more time to be sure they fix their wrongs. 

All this in just 4 weeks! 

Science after ceramics in Narabeen

Skateboarding break

Making boats that float… sometimes!

It’s OFFICIAL!

Drum lessons!

We found a shark egg in Manly Lagoon! (It was empty)

Today is our super social day. Starting off with some outdoor running around, on the beach, then getting through the paperwork, and onto Ceramics, and then Karate. 

We’ve lined up some playdates around town this week.

My fear, as with most parents (so I have heard) is that the children will be too isolated, and feel alone. I am going to be sure that they do not feel this way, right from the start. 

Coming from 6 weeks in Canada - with nothing but family around then will make this process seem easy. 

If you are in the Sydney region, as a home educated family, please contact me! We would love to meet up!