Homeschooling in 2012

     Up to this point in our homeschooling journey, I have leaned more to the unschooling side of things. Letting the kids follow their own interests, and exposing them to a variety of topics to discover.
     Albert Einstein said, "I never teach my pupils. I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn." I think this, without knowing it, has been the core to my philosophy on learning and teaching.
     The first couple of years I tried here and there to teach school at home, I set yearly, semester, and quarterly goals for the kids in all areas of their lives, but that all eventually just came down to yearly goals. One to learn multiplication, one to learn to read, so on and so forth. This last year - nothing. Not. One. Goal. I do buy them each a yearly curriculum and encourage them to complete it, but it is very literature based, so does not really seem like 'school'. They do complete a grade of math each year, because let's face it, that is really not something I want to try to catch them up on.
     But this year I want things to be a little different. I want to be able to look back and say, oh yeah, we did this and this and that. So, although I have not sat and made specific plans yet, these are a few things I would like to add in or expand upon for 2012.

1. Lapbooks for History/Geography, Science, Reading, and Home Economics
          This is a big one! I have wanted to add this for about a year, but have just been really unfocused in my overall outcomes, therefore, my plans have not made it past the drawing board.
 2. 4-H Projects as part of our yearly schooling plans
          I thought this could be added into the Home Economics area and they could put recipes they have      tried, material samples, etc. into that lapbook. Also, as part of their science for the non-home eccy stuff.
3. Record keeping!!!!
          I would get a big, fat F for this one. When the kids were younger I could plainly see what they were accomplishing so didn't feel I needed this. And as I don't grade anything other than math, is just seemed like a waste of time. But as the kids get older and closer to high school levels, I realize this is a very crucial part of my job as teacher and I am slacking. But, I do not need to be excited about it...
4. More Hands-On Activities
          We do quite a few but I could definitely add more in as the kids all like them so much. Just plain fun!
5. Last one --- More Physical Education, Music, and guided Art classes
          I would like to begin teaching them self-defense again, especially as we don't do a lot in the winter. Just got a piano so we all need to learn to play it. And we need to utilize our art curriculum; although they are all very busy with artsy type stuff in spare time.

So, I guess that is my 2012 New Year's Resolutions for Old Oak Home School. Not real specific, but that is okay as I am sure you do not want to read about that, and I certainly do not want anything too concrete.

Hope everyone has a safe and fun New Year, and blessed and peaceful 2012!!!