| Author | |
Martha
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 25 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2291
|
| Posted: June 25 2006 at 10:51am | IP Logged
|
 |
|
I'm one of those ultra organized people, so our matterials are already purchased, planned out, and begun for the "next year". We started June 5th after an almost 2 month break.
Well, now I find myself where I always do... I'm in love with the "relaxed homeschooler" idea... FIAR, Catholic Mosaic, FUFI, Prairie Primer, nature walks, ect...
But the reality is that does not come naturally to me at all. I crave structure and I have to have a "plan". My dh says, "Hey let's just go for a drive today." and I say, "Where to?" 
Does anyone else here have a type A personality? How do you manage a "relaxed" method without letting things go due to being over-whelmed by the mixed grades/subjects and projects or getting stressed out while doing it?
__________________
Martha
mama to 7 boys & 4 girls
Yes, they're all ours!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Elizabeth
Founder
Real Learning
Joined: Jan 20 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5595
|
| Posted: June 25 2006 at 11:10am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Martha wrote:
Well, now I find myself where I always do... I'm in love with the "relaxed homeschooler" idea... FIAR, Catholic Mosaic, FUFI, Prairie Primer, nature walks, ect...
|
|
|
I'm not sure that the above choices add up to "relaxed," in terms of planning. The children may feel more relaxed, but you'll be like that duck who is calm on the surface and paddling like crazy underneath  . And that's not necessarily a bad thing. I use FIAR, Catholic Mosaic, nature study and unit study. I find integrating it all takes a whole lot of planning. I  planning so that's a good fit for us. Frankly, for me, with my kids at the ages they are and my dh doing what he does, nothing worthwhile would happen without planning. We can't even get out the door to "hang out and do nothing at the pool" without a significant amount of planning on my part. So, are you saying that you'd like a curriculum change to a more literature-based, unit study-oriented,lifestyle of learning or are you saying you want a break from structure and planning?
What I'm saying is, if you want to do FIAR, Catholic Mosaic, and/or Prairie Primer, you need to gather books and materials, you need to look ahead to what comes next, you need to be sure you make the time for the snuggles with good books and crafts and activities that extend the learning. You still need to be fully present to make it all happen. You need to plan.
If you want to do nature walks and create nature notebooks, you need to pack a backpack with necessary field guides, art supplies, water and snacks. And you should probably have some idea where you're going.
If those things appeal to you and you're a planner by nature, I'd say you're in a very good place.
__________________
Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Martha
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 25 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2291
|
| Posted: June 25 2006 at 12:16pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Elizabeth wrote:
| are you saying that you'd like a curriculum change to a more literature-based, unit study-oriented,lifestyle of learning or are you saying you want a break from structure and planning? |
|
|
I want BOTH, with cake and ice cream too if possible!
Elizabeth wrote:
| If those things appeal to you and you're a planner by nature, I'd say you're in a very good place. |
|
|
What you describe is very much how we are too. Maybe I'm in a beter place than I think....
__________________
Martha
mama to 7 boys & 4 girls
Yes, they're all ours!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Elizabeth
Founder
Real Learning
Joined: Jan 20 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5595
|
| Posted: June 25 2006 at 12:33pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Martha wrote:
Elizabeth wrote:
| are you saying that you'd like a curriculum change to a more literature-based, unit study-oriented,lifestyle of learning or are you saying you want a break from structure and planning? |
|
|
I want BOTH, with cake and ice cream too if possible!
|
|
|
Hmmm...
Well, you're talking to someone who gave up cake a couple of years ago and passes out when she eats ice cream,and I've already told you I have to plan just about everything so...I can only speaking to being able to have have a literature-based, unit-oriented lifestyle of learning. YES, Martha you can  ! And you might find that when you do, even though you still have structure and planning, you feel more relaxed! Works for some of us!
__________________
Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: break for freedom to be relaxed?
