Now that we are into the New Year, the whole family is really having a hard time getting back on track. Our hybrid method is being met with lethargy and an all around bad attitude. Thus, it's time to revamp yet again. I am finding that this year is just so darn hard to find a good routine that works for us! Other years abiding by a loose schedule fit us just fine. The kids were happy, I was happy, work was done, things were learned. This year everyone seems a bit grumpy, learning seems as though it's taking longer and is met with more resistance, and no matter what we just don't seem to accomplish all that we want to.
The kids have agreed that while they like the free unschooling method, they feel a bit lost. Z in particular has a real hard time with it. I think B is doing ok. He usually chooses to spend his time working with his snap circuits, reading books, doing puzzles, art, Legos, K'nex, and occasionally typing and adding to his book, playing math games, doing cursive. But Z is cranky, can't figure out what she wants to do, wants to play games but I'm busy with the baby at that exact moment and B is busy doing his own things, etc.
This week I let them continue to use their new kits and such they received at Christmas. B has been addicted to his Snap Circuits and his new K'nex motor. Z has built a birdhouse with nails and painted it, and has completed fun glow in the dark experiments and slime experiments. We also received a cool little microscope with slides and experiments. We have started with the slides, we've checked out cheek cells, and we are hoping to start the rest of the experiments next week. Zahra has also been eager to get back to her math and her reading. B has been getting his math and reading with his kits this week and so I've let him go, making sure he knows next week it's back to the grind.
I have decided to schedule our days fully again, perhaps at some point maybe including elective fun things they can do on the weekends as "homework". They have both stated that they'd like to fit in more art and fun projects and often forget all the items we have hanging out in the house. For example, B received a gold digging kit and he's super excited to do it. However, he'd like to wait until spring so he can really get into it outside and I know he'll forget all about it. I figure things like that I can remind him about for the weekends but we can study a bit about the history of it during our week.
Here's our plan for next week. We'll see how it goes having a full schedule again. The kids used to whine about it, but after having freedom for a month and a half, it seems they are craving structure. Obviously, we don't live and die by our schedule. So if something needs more time or a kid isn't digging how it's going, we'll adjust...again...
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The exercise component is more for me than it is for them, but they actually enjoy doing many of my exercises along with me in the mornings. Z adores her gymnastics conditioning so squats and lunges and hopping from place to place is right up her alley and she often asks if she can join me.
So...after all that, how was the holiday season for you? We actually had a great time.
Right before we had our first Christmas celebration Z had her first gymnastics meet! She did great! She got first place for her age group on the floor routine. I was so darn proud of her. She remembered her routines and held herself with a confidence I didn't know she even had. It was AMAZING, I mean really AMAZING to watch her in that competitive element.
B received Pie Face for Christmas and so of course we had to try it out on New Years! It was fun. The kids had a blast. They also had a great time playing with their younger cousin all night long.
Lastly, here's a bit of what B has been working on lately. He really is loving the Snap Circuits. Each project is explained in the book along with a diagram of what to put where. The description talks about what each project is, why it works, and any other info about it. Some projects specifically are made to "not work" to show examples of wrong circuits. B has made so many things so far but he just can't get enough.
His first project, a light switch. Zahra is also working on a blanket kit she received. She's not the best at tying so it's a fun project for her because she can work on a skill she is lacking while making something amazing.
How are you restarting after the holiday break? Did your kids receive anything that they just can't get enough of so far?
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