Our Homeschooling Day

I've been very hard on myself lately about not getting enough school book time in.  Not enough worksheets completed, not enough experiments done, and just not enough anything that resembles school.

Today I took a deep breath and really looked at what my kids were learning since we had done no book work as it was Saturday.  Today's lessons included: a teaspoon and tablespoon can make a huge difference in a recipe, washcloths too close to an open flame do catch fire, not getting clothes into the laundry means wearing dirty underwear or go without which led to the lesson of waiting to do a load of whites until after the dishwasher is done and you have showered to make sure you have enough hot water, mom and dad's expectations aren't so bad when you get to do the things you want, that maybe mom does know that hot tea with lemon and honey and a hot tub will help a sore throat, that even if momma gets upset with you she never stops loving you, taking responsibility for something done wrong is much easier than arguing, that not slowing down to let little brother explain what he wants makes for a very mad little brother which led to the lesson of a mad little brother is not fun, putting dog hair on the table does not make for a happy momma, and when times get tough mom and dad have your back even after you have treated them terribly.

All of my children have learned to read or learning to read, they are all learning math, and they will be exposed to everything they are supposed to for history and science.  I guess the most important things in life aren't taught in schoolbooks.

Teaching Multiple Grades, Mutliple Abilities

I hear from credentialed teachers, especially those that teach special education, that they too teach multiple grade levels and abilities.  I have frequently been talked down to about my not being a "real" teacher because I don't have the same college education as a teacher and yet insist on teaching my children.  My continual questions for them are how many of them teach children that are at a preschool developmental level all the way up to those that are reading and comprehending at a college level.  Do they have children with severe mental health disorders in their classrooms with their kids that are significantly delayed?  Do they have monthly IEP's to readdress where the child is making progress and tweak anything if need be? And the one that I love to ask the most, does each child have separate curriculum specifically suited to each individual child's needs so that lesson plans have to be done for each individual child and taught separately, at the child's pace, in order to benefit from said curriculum the most?

By the time I get to the last question, I'm usually being looked at with glassy eyed stares.  The thought of doing all of that for each individual child is mind numbing to any that are involved in the current system.  For many very good teachers, it is what they would love to be able to do for their students as they do have the child's best interest in mind.  The problem is there is no way for it to work within our educational system.


I try to be understanding of those in teaching professions.  I also support those families the public school system works for.  I'm a strong believer in doing what is best for the family - parent and child alike, so I am not anti-public schooling.  I am though anti bash-me-because-I-homeschool.

It is possible to teach multiple grades at multiple levels all in one day and kids get an education.  It is just time consuming.  I do not have time to hang out with friends as much as they or I would like.  I cannot organize all these wonderful outings as much as my friends would like for our kids to attend together.  I am busy getting kids here and there for classes, clubs and events, teaching, doing lesson plans for 4 kids ranging from PreK through 8th grade (depending on the subject and child).  Yes I have to do lesson plans because my kids thrive on structure and I need a way to see if they are making progress because of their abilities, see if they are regressing, and monitor grades to see how well I am teaching them for their needs.


No, I am not super mom or wonder woman.  I am a mom of amazing children that don't fit in with the given system.  I do what I have to do so my children get the best education possible.  This is the "least restrictive environment" not the most because they can learn at their pace and when they can learn the best, not at some predetermined time frame decided by a group of people that don't even know my child or their abilities.

 Yes, I have to keep up the house, grocery shop, prepare meals, keep up the laundry, take care of my disabled husband, get everyone to their doctor's appointments, and still educate my children.  Again, I am not super mom or wonder woman. I am a woman blessed with a family life that allows us to be together, help each other, and us come out stronger for it. I am a woman that does what she needs to do without complaint as this is the life God has given me and it is truly my calling. 

My little boys "reading"

One day of schoolwork for 4 kids

Day 10 of 31 for 21 - Socialization

Socialization is always an issue that's raised when a child is homeschooled.  In fact it's usually the first thing parents are asked when they tell people they will be homeschooling their children.  What about their socialization?  Isn't it funny that no one asks about their academics?  Kids go to school to learn, to become educated so it's interesting to me that so many people are concerned children won't be socialized when they are homeschooled and never question the academics.  Thinking back to my own brick and mortar education, it was come in, sit down, shut up and do you work.  The only socialization happened at recess and lunchtime.  Occasionally we would have group projects or have an assignment to do with someone else, but for the most part school was a singular thing.

Today we were informed by a SLP that my son with Down Syndrome throws things because he's not properly socialized from being homeschooled.  He's 4 years old and yes he throws things.  He doesn't do it maliciously or out of anger.  He does it because he loves to see things fly through the air.  Anything that goes through the air is cool to him.  It started when he was about 2 and first noticed helicopters.  After that everything started to fly.  Basketball is his favorite sport and is incredibly happy when we play with him because we can throw the ball up higher than he can (not by much anymore).  My son does not have meltdowns, hit, spit, kick or bite like his public schooled counterparts.  He is polite, has and maintains friends, and is very outgoing.  Don't get me wrong he's quiet keen on showing his displeasure and has learned the art of pretend crying while squeezing his eyes closed as hard as he can to try to get tears out.

What's also interesting is I have had more calls in the past year from parents looking to homeschool their child with Down Syndrome than I ever have in the past.  The major complaints are that the child is miserable at school, they have developed terrible behavioral problems, and that the school does not seem to be able to reach their child.  It only makes sense to me to have a child in a setting where they are comfortable, loved, accepted and supported for who they are - a person first, a son or daughter, a sister or brother, a friend, and somewhere down the way a child with Down Syndrome.

Cameron was leading the YMCA at a good friend's wedding reception.  Everyone in attendance ended up on the floor with Cameron in the middle of everyone doing the YMCA at a whopping 3 y.o.

Cameron and his older brother Dustin having a peaceful moment.  Like I said a child, son, brother, friend and somewhere down the way, a child with Down Syndrome.

Day 2 of 31 for 21, Unschooling and Downs

I love homeschooling my children. When Cameron came into our lives, homeschooling him seemed like the natural thing to do. With his attachment issues, the thought of sending him away to school at three years old for so many hours a week seemed to be the wrong thing to do. Not to mention I was not comfortable with the preschool program he would go into.

We have chosen to unschool Cameron. He's such an eager learner and so willing to try I really did not want to do anything to change that. He's never been forced to learn anything, made to sit through lessons, or put in a position where he was not in control of his learning environment. As I am writing this he and his eldest sister are sitting on a bed watching Signing Time videos because he asked for them. She's working with him on his signing and they are both absolutely loving their time together. This is how all of his lessons work. I have picture vocabulary cards (160 of them) and math manipulatives for him to use. He goes and gets them, we go over his work until he tells me he's all done.  As soon as he says all done, then we stop. We play with playdough, color, paint, match Legos by color and build them bigger and smaller to compare them, match same and different with toys, set the table and count the plates for one to one correspondence, work in the garden, go on nature walks, read books, and watch educational shows and videos. The best part of all this, Cameron never has any negative behaviors when it comes to learning. He only tells me no about doing something only to find something else that's educational. He may tell me no about doing his vocabulary cards, but go get his Legos or want to do Wii (which is great for gross motor skills) or read a book.

I do have resources that I have used to give me ideas to make his learning more effective. I have found Teaching Reading to Children with Down Syndrome and Teaching Math to People with Down Syndrome and Other Hands-On Learners to be invaluable.

I have had many people ask if this really works. Cameron is 4 y.o. and reading site words, counting to 5, almost has a regular pencil grip, is potty training himself, bathing with very little help except for his hair, he can run and jump not to mention climb just about anything, is saying 3-4 word sentences, helps with chores, and has friends. I think he is a huge success.