"How do you homeschool?"

Today's Back to Homeschool Week question is "How Do You Homeschool?"



Well, that's a great question! I can't wait to read other's responses to that one.



We are what's considered 'Eclectic' homeschoolers. What does it mean to be eclectic? According to the World Book Dictionary, 'eclectic' means "selecting and using what seems best from various sources, systems or schools of thought."



We've never used a 'boxed' curriculum where all subjects come from one source. While one curriculum may be great for English, their Science may be as boring and dry as the Sahara (speaking from personal experience here). So years ago I wrote down all the subjects I felt we needed to be covering and then took them one by one and researched each until I found the one I felt 'fit' our children. As we add or try new things I do the same. Some things I thought were a 'fit' turned out not to be and we had to go searching again, but for the most part, I believe we have found just the right fit for each subject thus far.



I also consider 'other' things part of our schooling as well, whereas others may not see it that way. If we go to the park to feed ducks and play, that's family time together, we pick out the male and female ducks, we take the time to watch their webbed feet paddling under the water, we watch them preen their feathers, and whatever else may present itself. We play a lot of board and card games. There's LOTS of learning there! When our boys go with dad to the high school football camp Daddy helps with, they learn how to work hard and help others by getting water for the players, going after stray balls, etc. Going to sing at the nursing home with our church group? Pricesless learning. And I can't tell you how much they (we) have learned from different TV programs and movies (GASP!). Oh, and chores. Shoot, do I need to say any more?!



Our kids are also involved in sports... basketball, football, baseball, cheerleading, and gymnastics are the ones we've tried so far. Organized sports provide so many great learning opportunities.



And THAT'S how we homeschool. It's just a natural, normal part of our daily lives. We 'school' around 'life', we don't live and plan our lives around school. Life IS constant learning!