Second Year
After a long summer of not thinking about classwork and teaching, my son and I picked up right where we left off in June. Only this time, with one year under my belt, I consider myself a homeschooling veteran.
Our first week of fourth grade was easy for both of us. I'm better organized and, most importantly, I think I'm better able to read my son's moods and abilities. I already know that he eats up spelling and vocabulary like candy. I know that he needs more time with math. He views history as a treat, so I use it as such: "Finish up those math problems and we can learn about Benjamin Franklin."
One big change this year was a major furniture rearrangement. Our classroom is at one end of the family room. Last year we had two large desks that stretched from one wall to the other. My wife then found an old school desk, with attached chair, for five dollars at a thrift shop. My son loves that desk, and all last year he sat at it by the window. It was in an awkward place, though. And we had no shelf for his books, so they ended up in a pile on the floor. Plus, one of the big desks became a repository for all sorts of clutter.
A few weeks ago I removed that big desk and used the space for a bookshelf and my son's little school desk. He's still near the window, but not so close that it's a distraction, and now he has easy access to his workbooks and notebooks. Behind him is a couch, where he goes to read, and above him is the kitchen table, where we sometimes spread out his math work.
My son likes the fact that he has various options for his learning environment. Big desk, little desk, couch, kitchen table, backyard, floor. Oh yes, sometimes he likes to sit on the floor and work. Only he has to share it with Basil the cat, who has been planting himself in the same spot in the middle of the family room for his morning nap. He lays there until we break for lunch. He's our school mascot.
Our first week of fourth grade was easy for both of us. I'm better organized and, most importantly, I think I'm better able to read my son's moods and abilities. I already know that he eats up spelling and vocabulary like candy. I know that he needs more time with math. He views history as a treat, so I use it as such: "Finish up those math problems and we can learn about Benjamin Franklin."
One big change this year was a major furniture rearrangement. Our classroom is at one end of the family room. Last year we had two large desks that stretched from one wall to the other. My wife then found an old school desk, with attached chair, for five dollars at a thrift shop. My son loves that desk, and all last year he sat at it by the window. It was in an awkward place, though. And we had no shelf for his books, so they ended up in a pile on the floor. Plus, one of the big desks became a repository for all sorts of clutter.
A few weeks ago I removed that big desk and used the space for a bookshelf and my son's little school desk. He's still near the window, but not so close that it's a distraction, and now he has easy access to his workbooks and notebooks. Behind him is a couch, where he goes to read, and above him is the kitchen table, where we sometimes spread out his math work.
My son likes the fact that he has various options for his learning environment. Big desk, little desk, couch, kitchen table, backyard, floor. Oh yes, sometimes he likes to sit on the floor and work. Only he has to share it with Basil the cat, who has been planting himself in the same spot in the middle of the family room for his morning nap. He lays there until we break for lunch. He's our school mascot.
Permalink posted by Phil at 9:48 PM
14 Comments:
looks like a nice environment. And a very relaxed cat
Your son looks lonely?
Today I stood outside my son's classroom as I waited for school to finish.. (he's 7) It was really warming to see him interact with the people at his desk (6 to a desk).. sharing pencils, swapping ideas, comparing work..
I wonder if your son would benefit from that?
Dunc.
http://www.duncanmargetts.com
Lonely? He looks pretty comfortable to me.
My boy would trade his recess with buds to get to do math with his shoes off or laying on a carpeted floor.
We're still talking about homeschooling. I just don't know how I would do it with 10 hours of me working at home and the baby. Still an option though.
Dunc,
Two things... How can you tell someone is lonely from a picture like that? He's hunkered down over his desk drawing cartoons!
Second, my son has never been lonely in his life. He's one of those people who enjoys his own company. But beyond that, he's constantly around other kids with outside activities, field trips, soccer, etc.
The "lonely homeschooler" is a myth nowadays.
Whit, I hear you. This would be impossible if I was working at home. I devote 7 to 8 hours each weekday to homeschooling. Then, once the day is done, there's the house to look after, kids to shuttle around to activities... It's exhausting, but worth it.
awesome
Oh, and I suggest Dunc read this to understand.
Ah shoot, wrong post. I meant this one.
Note the definitions of extrovert and introvert:
*You are an extrovert if you gain energy by spending time with other people.
*You are in introvert if spending time with other people depletes your energy, and you require time to yourself to recharge.
It's such a lovely environment where he can absorb as much as he can and feel peaceful at the same time. And I love the idea that he would be able to shift to the couch, computer table and carpet freely! That's like a school made in heaven..Good job again you guys!
That looks like a nice set up. I bet Dad would like to switch desks some day.
Go Napping Cats!
What a peaceful learning environment! Looks perfect! (That picture's making me want to clean my desk...lol!)
Love the cat shot! Nothing like a cat to show you how hard you work and how easy the cat has it...
I think we all need 19 naps a day, don't you? :) As long as there's no school work due!
It takes 2 or 3 years for most public school teachers to get in the groove. Next year you'll be offering seminars :)
Awww, that's suh a cute homeschooly picture -- it's ALWAYS good to have a big yellow cat nearby. And I don't know many public school classrooms that offer that important feature.
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