Our Homeschool Diary #10: Looking Back: Our First Year of Homeschooling Plus Getting Ready for Our Second Year
We made it!
We officially ended our first year of homeschooling two weeks ago, and we got enrolled for the 2018-2019 school year last week. It was a roller coaster ride alright, but then again I should say, all's well that ends well.
I would say that I was able to get to know my son a lot more during this time - we tackled different learning hurdles and we managed to pull through. Personally, it was a struggle for me as a full time working mom with 2 smaller kiddos. It required a lot of discipline on my end to be able to keep our schedule flowing without hiccups. It was really a great help that we had an academic advisor who checked in on us regularly, how we were doing and reminded us of our targets.
Learning the fun way!
We had fun learning and innovating on our learning process. Along the way, we made several field trips, experiments and the like.
Everything was a learning opportunity. We just need to approach it that way.
There was a time when we spent a day at the Emirates Park Zoo. The kids had an amazing time interacting with the animals, something that we do not get to experience here in this part of the world often.
For the love of microscopes
Naturally curious, Kuya was so stoked with microscopes. We took the opportunity to visit The Children's City. The kids had a blast, learning about different things from nature to the human body to the outer space.
Next time around, we had the opportunity to visit the Abu Dhabi Innovator's Week last February. At the picture at the right, Kuya can be seen looking through the microscope again. This time around, he was checking out a rock with iron deposits.
The Abu Dhabi Innovator's Week also presented lots of learning opportunities like seeing 3D printing in action, hydroponics and even robotics.
Some video recordings
We also had shared some videos. Unfortunately, some were via DLive and of course, you know what happened... here's a couple of videos I could dig right now...
Looking forward to our 2nd year of Homeschooling
Yup! We're now on our second year. Though we have not yet officially started, we have enrolled already. We are waiting for the link for the 4th Grade Diagnostic test and then the links to the books... and yeah, we should be on a roll in no time!
We enrolled on a different approach this time - it is Homeschool Global's Blended program which is more on e-learning. Of course, the main educator is still the parent, however the books and lessons are mostly online even the tests. I no longer need to make the tests, since they are now to be taken by my child online. At the same time, I also do not need to keep an excel grading sheet. That should be easier for me and take that load off my time.
Further, there will be no more portfolio reviews as all progress will be recorded online. This is the first time our homeschool partner offered this approach. Fingers crossed, we will transition to this new approach without a lot of hassles.
Pray for us, will you?🤗
❤️️ Arlyn
Yay, well done! Good luck for the next year!
And by the way, I really like your son's name, Kuya! where does it come from?
Thanks @frejafri! We're looking forward to more fun activities this year...
Kuya actually is how we refer to "elder brother" or someone generally older than us. Since he's my eldest, we call him Kuya for the 2 smaller ones to follow.
His name is Roulan Geric though. 😊
Ah okay, haha, it sounds really beautiful though! :D
His real name is super beautiful too! <3
Oh thanks! That's my dad and dad in law's names together. 😉
How exciting to hear that your first year of homeschooling went well! It was full of fun adventureous activities that is sure to keep a child’s brain busy and working! We hope the next year goes just as well and you all have loads of fun learning! Thanks for sharing~ 😊
Thanks @steemitmamas it was definitely a relief to get through the first year. A lot of challenges but hey, that's what makes it extra exciting for what it's worth. Haha
Well done! I am slightly jealous of you right now haha I tried homeschooling my son a few years back and I loved it, however he missed being with children his own age and asked if he could return to a school setting. I agreed as social cues are quite hard for him due to his learning disabilities, so the fact he wanted to interact more with other children was not something I could go against.
Good luck for the new year, I can't wait to see what you learn about! :D
Thanks @beautifulbullies! It was a year of everything. Haha. I am so glad we made this decision to become our children's main educators.
If it helps that your son is around kids his age then yeah, go for it mama. Anything and everything for our kids, right?! Best of luck to all of us!. 😊
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I wish you the best this year. Having the program that offers all of that is wonderful, it really takes a load off, and let's you enjoy the most important part without the extra worry. I have really enjoyed homeschooling my 3 kids, I am glad we opted to do it this way. May your family enjoy many blessings!
Thanks @dalipops. Glad we have a homeschool partner that also innovates and finds ways to support us, homeschooling families. They introduced this new program as a reponse to various requests from other families who have full time working parents too. I am still thinking though, whether to homeschool the 2 younger ones... 😕
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Good job I also homeschool I have been doing it for over 10 years. I love field trips and doing hands on projects. Best of luck in the coming year.
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i been living under a rock. 😲
Wow, congratulations! 1 year!