Saturday, June 07, 2008

Homeschooling? Huh?

So it's official. I'll be homeschooling my 13 year old daughter next school year. What on earth am I thinking?! She is so distracted in school by all the Junior High garbage that goes on, is struggling academically, and is starting to act out. That's the trifecta for us, so now mom gets her hands on her! Christina is a smart, capable, fun-loving, inspiration girl who thrives on her independence, stubbornness, and freedom--3 things that will make homeschooling her a challenge! We really want her to have a strong school year before she heads into High School--here they do HS in 9th grade. We will be using the k12 curriculum, because homeschooling for us is about academics. But, I'll supplement with "my own" curriculum...I'll do home ec with her (cooking, sewing, budgeting, etc), computer literacy (she'll blog, photoshop, type), as well as enrich other subjects. She's really excited to write her own book of short stories and poems, illustrate it, and publish it.


For outside activities, she is on the high school prep softball team, she is learning golf at the golf course a couple of blocks from our house, we'll do a teen book group at B&N, and in the winter, we'll let her take snowboarding lessons.
I'm pretty excited about it? Her? Not so much! She is worried about missing her friends and being isolated. We keep telling her that right now, she's as isolated as she can get (she's always grounded for grades and homework) Both of those become non-issues with the homeschooling, so she'll actually end up with more freedom than she has now. Sometimes, it's hard to see the forest for the trees though, so she is a hard sell.

One thing she is looking forward to is helping me teach my refugee English classes and signing up to volunteer at the zoo when she turns 14 in October. And with homeschooling, she'll have that flexibility to be able to do them!
This is a layout I did of my sweet daughter last year. I love this layout because it just shows her personality so well! I used my Fall into School kit to make the layout.




Of course, this one also fits her personality to a tee as well, so I think we can look forward to an interesting year!


I used Dana Frantz' kit "Amazing Spirit" for this layout. You must check out Dana at Scrapbookgraphics--she's got some awesome designs!

Ok, now I need to get off! I've got to clean the house today, prepare a lesson for church tomorrow, and jump on the blog train at DST!

THanks for hanging out with me today! Be sure to scroll down to my last post for a freebie!

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love the attitude layout! It sounds like you have put a lot of thought into a variety of things your dd will enjoy and learn from. Best wishes!

Melissa said...

Best of luck with homeschooling. Your daughter sounds like a great kid, and I'm sure that she will thrive in the home school environment.

Unknown said...

I think you'll both love homeschooling. It certainly sounds as though you've got a well-thought-out plan and her interests are being taken into account.

Barb said...

Good for you and good luck! I bet you're all going to thrive!

Summer said...

I best her independence, stubbornness, and freedom will making homeschooling fun. :)Good luck!

Shavari said...

Wow .. you are truly brave homeschooling .. especially at this time in her life. I would have to say that between 12 and 14'ish are the hardest years .. both for the daughter and for the mum .. I know, my daughter is 16 now and only just becoming human.

I love the attitude layout .. I remember those days oh so well .. but it will pass .. eventually.

Good luck with home schooling - you're a braver mum than I am!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I bet it will be an awesome year, once she gets started! And love those layouts...

My daughter is only 14 months old, but I expect to have a few (hundred?) pictures like those attitude pictures someday. She is already a stinker and she's barely a toddler! LOL

Emma said...

Sounds like you have a great plan for the homeschooling. I wish you great success with this, school isn't what it was when I was growing up. We had our distractions too but nothing like today.

Lisa said...

Cute layouts! Sounds like you have great plans for her homeschooling and she will be busy expanding on a lot of interesting and fun things. Thanks so much for sharing another beautiful tag.

Not Everyones Mama said...

I LOVE those layouts!

Good luck with homeschooling! I've always wanted to do it but haven't taken the plunge yet.

J9 said...

Oh, bless your heart Amanda! I had to try it years ago when our school closed because of budget shortfalls, and I was NO good at it. I admire those who can.
I somehow missed this blog page, but I LOVE that wanted LO! I have a 13 year old granddaughter, and wow, how true is that?!
Best of luck with everything, sounds like you have a very good handle on it. Love Tina's blog title. Too funny, especially when reading the full explanation. As I tease a friend of mine that has homeschooled her kids, paints and draws, teaches piano and sings, makes gluten faux meat, yes GLUTEN,(and it's good!) it's just too bad that she never got any talents to work with. LOL That reminds me of you! LOVE your artwork. So lush and beautiful. Wish you all the best in your new venture.
From Oregon. Already gave your daughter the particulars. ;)

Anonymous said...

Wow..good to know I am not alone in thinking about homeschooling my 14 yr old daughter. Everyday a new problem, someone doesn't like what she wears etc, etc. Many things distracting her from why she is there in the first place. I hope it goes well for you, I am a bit terrified to even attempt Homeschooling, and I still have 3 more younger daughters. :)