The End of 9th Grade

Shortly after my last blog in January, my husband had a heart attack.  He is doing fine, but as you can imagine, it was quite the shake-up.  For three months, he stayed home to recuperate while Zack and I tried to keep up with our school day routine.  Being together was comforting to all of us. 

Then, I thought perhaps I, too, was having a heart attack!  But, I have been assured by my doctor and a few tests, that my heart is healthy.  However, there were days when teaching Zack was out of the question; I just didn't feel well.  Fortunately, he was able to do a good deal of the work independently and we were able to finish the school year.

It's already been two weeks since we finished 9th grade.  Zack took a week off and then went to a local summer camp for Anime cartooning.  It was a 3 hour class every day from Monday through Thursday.  I wasn't sure if he'd be able to be in a classroom for that long, but he loved the class!  He will take the second part of the course in two weeks for the same duration.  I am thrilled that he was able to participate in this class.  It gives me hope for future classes that he may want to take.  The solution is to find a high-interest class, a good teacher, and a classroom of nice students.

Considering the health challenges my husband and I have had this year, it makes me wonder if the stress of being a one-income family has been too hard on us, especially my husband.  Should we find a different school setting for Zack?  Would a regular public school be appropriate for him now that he's older?  Maybe a different charter school that has more classes?  Would that free me up so that I could work and contribute to our income?  Seeing how independent Zack can be when needed, and seeing how the right class can work for him, I feel like we do have more options.  However, it would be less stressful to change schools, and there are so many positive benefits with our current situation.  Maybe the changes we need to make as a family have more to do with finding a better balance... 

Being Present

     The hardest months to homeschool are January and May.  January, because the sun isn't shining and I want to stay in bed all day; and May, because the sun is shining and I want to play all day.  This week has been all about getting back into the swing of things after our holiday break.  It's been relatively smooth, but I just haven't been in the mood.  I find myself being distracted by other things that need to be done.  Bills, appointments, housework.  But mostly, I just want to go back to my warm, cozy bed. 
     It's helpful for me to take the job of homeschooling as that: a job.  If I was working for someone else, I would have to put those personal agendas aside, and just do my job.  When I am able to be 100% present for Zack, I enjoy the school day so much more.  Sitting beside him, working the math problems with him, learning Earth science with him, and listening to his writing, a certain peace comes over me.  Sometimes I think, "My gosh, how can I do this for 3 and 1/2 more years?  I'll never make it!"  But then, I rethink it, and say, "Wow, only 3 and 1/2 more years!"  This time is so special right now.  We won't always be here at the kitchen table, me with my tea and him with his juice, opening the textbooks to see what we will learn today.  In just 3 and 1/2 years, this particular schooling will be behind us.  It will be a memory that I will probably think, "My how fast it went!"  Or, "Oh how I wish it was like that again!"  On Monday, I vow to be in that place of complete presence again, not only for my son, but for me as well.  Because it is in that state of being present that I am at my best and the best of Zack is revealed.    

Live to Dance?

     Dance class resumed this week at its usual time of 10:30 in the morning.  It's an hour and 15 minutes, great exercise, and a lot of fun for the kids.  Unfortunately, it makes Zack really tired.  When we got home, it was time for lunch and then we sat down to continue the school day.  We got through spelling, grammar, and note taking for his Great White shark report, but then his energy crashed.  We weren't able to get through the science.  I used to ask him to push through the sleepiness, but I've come to the conclusion that it isn't worth it.  It takes twice as long to get through the lesson, and he doesn't retain the information.  I have discovered that it's much better if we cover the heavy subjects like math and science before lunch, and leave the easier assignments and the P.E. requirement for the afternoons.  I am thinking of dropping the dance class, but it's the only time Zack is exposed to pop music.  (He only likes to listen to Disney movie tracks.)  Plus, it's an opportunity for him to socialize with other kids his age.  For now, dance stays and the brainy subjects get moved to a different day! 

    

Back to It!

     The Christmas tree has been picked up by the Boy Scouts for recycling, or whatever they do with it.  The decorations have been boxed back up and stored in the garage.  There's still fudge and gingerbread boys in the refrigerator, but it's been pushed to the very back due to over-consumption.  It's Monday and that means, back to homeschooling. 
     Let's see, where did we leave off?  Ah, algebraic equations, volcanic activity, and Great White sharks.  I like getting back into the routine of it all.  But, the stress of getting ready for the holidays has been replaced with the stress of getting assignments done for the end of the learning period.  The learning period was split in half due to the holidays.  I left off in convenient places, though.  Finished chapter 9 in science, stopped after a review and a test in math, and got a good chunk of all the other subjects done.  It shouldn't be too hard to pick up where we left off.
     I'm apprehensive as we get started.  Usually, Zack has a hard time after a weekend break.  What would two weeks do to him?  It's nice to have a break, but often, I feel like we shouldn't take any at all.  We lose so much momentum. 
     Nice surprise!  Zack is doing well with all his subjects today.  Math, which is usually the hardest to continue with, went amazingly well!  I wonder if it has anything to do with the Pharma GABA tablets I've started to give him.  Or, maybe reviewing the difficult areas before going on break made the difference.  I'm hopeful that the rest of the week will go smoothly, and we won't have to review too much from before the break.