As I mentioned before, we’re trying to finish up our school year before we leave on holidays later this week (probably not going to happen….). I’m happy with where we’ve gotten in math and language arts but there were a couple of science units to finish up.

Science is a favourite of mine – especially at these early levels. I remember quite clearly doing many of the same experiments we’ve done this year during my elementary years. As much as I enjoy the lessons, though, I get a little nervous of all the many hands that will want to be involved and the different levels at which to teach. We end up doing a lot of exploring and I chat away to the older girls while we discover together.

We recently studied boats and buoyancy as a part of our grade two requirements. It was amazing to see how the four older children worked together testing different materials for buoyancy. Each having great satisfaction in developing hypotheses for the different materials. Each constructing many different boat shapes in search of a winner. Each doing it their own way – through the eyes of a 3, 5, 6 and 7 year old.

Any guesses on whether this one stayed afloat?

This boat was our winner.

Elizabeth worked so hard on her creation of toothpicks and foil. It was a success!

I never tire of witnessing just how much children love to learn – albeit not always on my schedule but what is a schedule to a child deep in the throws of discovery?

Although these days it feels as though school is being left by the wayside while we enjoy longer days and warmer weather, there are still a few things I’d like to have finished up before the “end” of our school year. Rather shockingly I’m realizing there are only 2 1/2 weeks until we take our break for the summer months. I’m also mindful of the fact that the beginning of August will bring our new addition. I have a feeling that I may not be ready to jump back into schoolwork come the beginning of September. I’m more likely to be found in the kitchen prepping foods for canning with a little one snuggled on me.

Homeschooling is such an incredible journey for us. There are plenty of highs and rewards along with the great benefits of having more time shared as a family. But just as we can’t imagine changing this pattern (albeit a pattern in relative chaos), there are certainly moments of great frustration and many questions.

With three children homeschooling and two younger children with needs of their own our days are busy. And for daddy whose office consists of a desk five feet away from our kitchen/school table and a mama who lately seems to need a nap after a third breakfast of her own, things can get a little overwhelming.

And those questions that nag me as one child faces lessons with enthusiasm, one child with begrudging acceptance and one child with flat out reluctance leave me wondering if we need to change our approach. Questions about how to deal with a stubborn child who gets away with cutting out on lessons (or sitting at the table until everyone else has finished) while the two other little students complete their lessons. How does that makes them feel (both as the happy students and the unhappy student)? How do I encourage the child who has decided to hate everything to do with school? How do we face their frustrations without resorting to a system of rewards vs punishment?

While I ponder these dilemmas I think we will spend most of our school time on the most enjoyed subjects of science and art and hope that a few months of summer break will freshen us all.

I know many of you sweet people who visit this space are homeschooling parents. How do you deal with obstacles in learning? Do you back off until your children are ready or are some subjects considered non-negotiable? I haven’t educated myself in many homeschooling theories and I’m thinking I may have some summer reading ahead of me. Can you recommend any good titles that may be helpful?

Thanks for listening to my thoughts, dear friends. I’ll be back tomorrow for yarn along!

One day recently in the middle of schoolwork we got a little distracted.

Scissors and stapler were out…er, along with half-eaten banana bread and porridge bowls…and one thing led to another.

Before I knew it we had many of these little books.

In different sizes.

Along with paper pouches…

…like this.

And they became books like this one (anyone else have trouble with those pesky “b”s wanting to be “d”s?)…

Somedays homeschooling has me wanting to pull my hair out but I’m always thankful for the opportunities and freedom it gives us – and for moments like these.

When I was younger I had a couple of very special pen pals. I was not the best correspondent – especially when it required a stamp and a trip to the mailbox (and I haven’t improved on that point with age) but I loved getting that return mail!

I still love the excitement of personal mail – especially during these days when most of our mail comes with a financial request of some sort. In these days of email and social networking, a handwritten letter is nearly unheard of, making it all the more special.

Last year Elizabeth, my seven-year-old, began exchanging letters with one of my dear friend’s daughters across the country. It has been thrilling for her to send off her notes and anxiously await the return letter. Their letters are short and sweet but oh so charming with their questions of, “How old are you?” and “What’s your favourite colour?”

Seeing big sister receive special mail has given a couple of the siblings the letter-writing bug and I’m thinking we may work letter-writing into our weekly schooling.

This has been a rather longwinded way of sharing a link to the kiddie pen-pal club over at Twig and Toadstool. I think it is a wonderful idea and wanted to spread the word. The full details are here but to summarize, she is collecting names and ages of interested children until February 25th and pairing them up with pen-pal matches.

For a little extra letter-writing inspiration here are some sweet Etsy finds:

counting birds postcards

Index Envelopes

Resolve to Write More Letters Clutch

Custom Note Cards

Priority Post

Swallow Mail Stamp

Bunting Flag Stationary Set

Are there any letter writing supplies you can’t live without?