School's Out: Reflections

I really have nothing to say, but I just feel like sharing how happy I am to have completed this school year as we anticipate a fun summer.

Insert crazy happy dance, arms in the air, head thrown back in glee, spinning in circles, jumping up and down, and an echoing whooooooooooopppppppppppppppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

It's rather ironic to consider that I would describe this past year as our most difficult year--well, MY most difficult year.  I had the hardest time staying on task, keeping a schedule, being motivated. . .well, simply ENJOYING homeschooling.  At the same time, it was an incredibly productive year for my teens--especially academically, but also in character and life experience.

Destry's violin recital with his teacher, John, accompanying

Next year I hope to reintroduce delight-directed learning, both for myself and for my kiddos.  I recently read that one way to determine subject areas for delight-directed learning is to consider what you are saying to your child when you're annoyed with what they're doing.  "Destry, how long are you going to play that piano/violin today?  You're supposed to be doing your math."  "Briana, it's time to put your quilt/embroidery away and do something else now."  I appreciate that prompt and look forward to seeing how we can better incorporate these skills into our school day next year.

Destry's youth symphony performance

Several years ago, when prompted to name our "school", I named it "Together to Love to Learn."  I felt like there were so many areas represented in that title which captured some of my goals in home education.

Destry and his friend, Jerrit, dissecting a cow eyeball in our study of biology

We are together--and I love that.  I have so little time with my children, only about eighteen years, and I am grateful (most days, ha) for the time homeschooling provides.

Locating the lens of the eyeball

We are together to love each other--and "relationships are what homeschooling is all about."

"Homeschooling is largely heart to heart. The method and even the curriculum do not matter nearly as much as the relationship between child and parent." -Ruth Beechick

Briana dissecting a pig with her friends Adalee and Briana

And one of my biggest goals (after their love and obedience to the Lord) is that my children would love to learn, both now and throughout their lives.  I want them to be lifelong learners, and I'm aware that my attitude will affect their attitude toward learning.

(I love this picture of lil sis peering over Briana's shoulder at the dissected pig!)

So this summer, as I add to their transcripts, write course descriptions, and prepare for next year, I hope to overhaul my perspective and be better prepared to enjoy next year.  Meanwhile, I'm still doing the happy dance.