Homeschool Preparations: A Lifestyle of Learning Method

There was a time when these summer months would have been spent organizing curriculum and making schedules.  I would spend hours combing over my resources, creating unit studies, looking for supplemental activities on the internet, creating pin boards on pinterest, and creating timetables.  I loved doing this.  I loved researching all the options.  It contributed to a heightened sense of anticipation.  The "school year" would begin and I would start out strong, following the plan and making the boys follow the plan.  But it wouldn't take terribly long before we would deviate from the plan.  A new opportunity or a new interest would arise and we would find ourselves quite a distance from the plan.  Now I do not spend my summer months in that manner.  That doesn't mean that I don't spend time anticipating what is to come.  And it doesn't mean that I don't spend time preparing.  It just looks different now.

Although I consistently have conversations with the boys about their aspirations, I began this summer having detailed conversations with them about what direction they intend their studies going so that I could best determine how to encourage and support them.  I will spend some of this summer accessing resources that will enable them to pursue the things that are important to them.
I will also spend the summer pursuing my own studies, reading my own books.  It is important that I continue my educational journey so as to serve as a good model, to enable me to create a stimulating environment, and, quite honestly, the more I know the more I am able to offer them, to support them.

When conversing with Maceo he revealed that he wanted to continue his private vocal training and his endeavors at the theatre, including troupe.  He is considering returning to choir and beginning opera specific training.  He intends on continuing his studies of vocal pedagogy.  He wants to take piano lessons, learn Italian, and German and Italian diction for singers.  He is wanting to study whatever is necessary to perform well on the ACT.  He would like to visit NYC, hopes to apply for MFAA for summer 2016, and also aspires to study opera in Italy in summer 2017.

Bishop expressed that he wanted to continue expanding his knowledge in the area of gastronomy.  He wants to finish working his way through the textbook "The Professional Chef" and have as many gastronomical experiences as possible.  He is considering starting a gastronomy club and he would like to explore teas as well.  He wants to continue studying the cajon and drawing routinely and would like to have an opportunity to engage in more blacksmithing.  He will continue pursuing Eagle Scout and will continue with history group, service project group, nature study group, pottery and working at the food pantry.  He wants to learn French and possibly Japanese and Swedish.   He wants to take piano lessons, go hiking and work out, including possibly going to the American Ninja Warrior gym.

As for me, I want to do more hiking and bird watching.  I want to learn to identify mushrooms and other wild edibles and incorporate some in my meals.  I want to bake more yeast breads.  I want to finish reading "The Triumph of Christianity" (a great read!) and Jane Eyre.  I want to learn to play my mandolin, view live productions of Shakespeare and continue learning more about how to use my camera.  I want to work on genealogical and family history projects.  I recently read "The Mystery of the Periodic Table"  (another great read, I highly recommend it) and now I want to pursue chemistry a bit more.  I also want to pursue anything on this here goal list, such as gelatin printing and making a monarch waystation.

Mostly I want to provide opportunities for my boys and I to live a life of curiosity.