Project Results

The Researcher found her foray into homeschool quite a wild ride! Thing 1 has been learning a ton of things these past few months, and has definitely benefited from the one on one attention and support.

The Researcher was taken by surprised how much work is involved to homeschool progeny! It was a wonderful experience that will continue on in some capacity throughout the summer, but since June is now here we are going to step back from accelerated academics and enjoy the remainder of our days at home.

Thing 1 was wait-listed to three prominent private schools here in the Bay area this past spring. He recently received word that there was an opening last week. But, in a happy turn of events he was also accepted into a progressive lab school for talented and gifted children just last Friday! We are very happy and proud of Thing 1, and can't wait to see what he will do with this magnificent opportunity in the next coming school year!

In conclusion, the researcher enjoyed her experiment thoroughly. She realized a lot about her own capacities and limitations as an educator, and her patience has grown by leaps and bounds. She's also realized, that in the long run, homeschooling is not for her. She has so much more appreciation for all the educators of the world, and is very much appreciative of the magnificent teachers Thing 1 has had in the past and both kids will have in their futures :0)

Thing 1 enjoyed his homeschooling, but is very much looking forward to being in a classroom next year and the adventure of a new up-and-coming school where both our talents will be put to good use for sure!

Homeschool Field Log: Day 20

Homeschooling is harder than The Researcher ever thought it would be (see Examples 1 and 2). We face daily challenges from apathy, to pure pigheadedness (on both our parts).

But Thing 1 is learning, and he's making rapid progress thus far. His reading specialist said he has come a long way in a short amount of time. He read the first chapter of The Boxcar Children all on his own yesterday. It was one of The Researcher's favorites as a kid. He loved it so much we read the whole book in two hours! So we're setting to work on the second book asap.

Example 1, Reading quietly with the cat

Example 2, Darn you Thing 2!!!

Homeschool Field Log: Day 12

Thing 1 has been trying this hand at photography this week. Look at the pictures he took (with a tripod), not bad, eh?

Homeschool Field Log: Day 11

Thing 1 is very much in love with all the science experiments he's able to run-a-muck with. This week's unit has been on liquids, solids, and gas. We're also testing the scientific method and logging our data.

The Researcher and Thing 1 have had long discussions about friction lately, too...he's very into less friction by means of ice and roller skates...sounds like a fast way to break his neck if you ask me.

Example 1, Tiny bubbles

Example 2, Keep on logging

Homeschool Field Log: Day 10

Oh my, The Researcher has been a bad blogger. Over the weekend we traveled up to Berkeley to partake in Cal's Dig Day through the Archeological Research Facility. The whole post about our adventures can be found here and here.

Example 1, grid system mappings

Example 2, making a pinch pot

Homeschool Field Log: Day 9

The Researcher has been a lazy blogger of late. We have been very busy doing lots of activities, and this week has been spring break for all the local schools. Therefore, we've given ourselves a small break from the academics and been focusing on fun outings with our friends who are home right now (see example 1)!

Example 1, Thing 2 about to take a dip

There is one really great project Thing 1 put together this week, though. He was given a task to devise a contraption that shows wind in motion. The materials were a straw, a piece of string and some tape. Here's what he came up with...I thought it was rather clever since I'd have done it a different way (see example 2).

Example 2, wind flutters the string

Homeschool Field Log: Day 8

Today Thing 1 was very cooperative doing all the mundane workbooks and lesson plans The Researcher worked him through. He was rewarded by going to his favorite class: Comic Book Drawing at CSMA in Mt. View. The teacher just showed me some of the anatomy work he did last week...I thought he had the wrong drawings...wow! Thing 1 is a very decent drawer...who knew all those stick figures were just because he was too lazy to take the time to fill in all the fine details. The researcher forgot to take a picture of the work...will try to remember next week.

Thing 2 and The Researcher stuck around while Thing 1 was in class...used the time as photo shoot practice...

Control Variable loves this shot...he is an Apple guy through and through (RIP Microsoft).