This time of year I am usually busily planning for the upcoming school year. There are charts, checklists, and plans. And alongside those are bins of books and materials I hope to use. Whether it’s the teacher or the planner in me, getting ready for the new school year has always been something I love to do.
But not this year.
This year is different.
This year is full of changes — some expected, many unexpected.
I’m now a single, work at home, homeschooling mom. It’s a new title. One I didn’t expect. One I didn’t want. But it’s our new reality.
Since I started Fantastic Fun and Learning blogging has mostly been a hobby, a way to share with and learn from others while I have the pleasure of staying home and teaching my girls. I never dreamed I would need it.
When my husband left, I had big decisions to make. Go back to teaching? Daycare for Tinker? Public school for Lovey?
I wasn’t happy with those choices — for me or for the girls. That isn’t to say I have anything against any of those options. And it doesn’t mean we’ll never pursue them. I just don’t feel they are right for us right now.
So this year, I’m embracing my new title and thankful that your support of this website is giving me the opportunity to work full time from home while also being there for my girls and homeschooling full time. Even if it isn’t exactly how I envisioned our future.
We’re moving. Less than two weeks before the school year starts we are moving. We’ll likely be spending those first weeks back to school finding stuff in an array of boxes, adjusting to our new home, and easing into our new normal.
We said goodbye to our buddies. With all of the changes and the need to blog full time, we had to say goodbye to Little Buddy and Big Buddy. We’ll still see them all of the time in real life, but you won’t be seeing them on the blog regularly and they won’t be with us daily.
Lovey is going to be a kindergartener. We’ll be transitioning from home preschooling to homeschool with her. In and of itself this isn’t a huge change, but the word “kindergartener” makes it seem so BIG. We’ve decided to utilize our school district’s virtual school program this year, so we’re actually somewhere between officially being “homeschool” and “public school” students. I’ll know more about what all this means once we actually get started with the school year.
Our homeschooling philosophy is continuing to evolve. As I learn more about the girls’ learning styles and my own teaching style, we continue to revise our homeschool schedule and goals. When I first started staying home with them our days ran very much like my days in the classroom and their days in preschool. It was what we all knew, and it worked well for us then.
But as I see more about the way they prefer to learn and read more about different homeschool options, we are naturally moving toward a more flexible, child-led approach. The affiliate links below are two books I really enjoyed reading this summer as I thought about the upcoming school year.
Project-Based Homeschooling: Mentoring Self-Directed Learners
The Unschooling Handbook: How to Use the Whole World as Your Child’s Classroom
Even though I’ve always left time for unstructured learning and play, too often last year I felt like I was pulling the girls away from meaningful self-directed learning just to accomplish some preplanned activity that was in our lesson plans. Unintentionally, I put my agenda before theirs, and well–that never works out for anybody!
I’m starting with a very short list of key skills I hope the girls will work on this year. I’ll be providing some minimal instruction based on those few skills, but other than that our activities and projects will be even more child-led than in years past.
Soon I will share our tentative schedule for the upcoming school year, but you can also view our schedules from 2013-2014, and 2012-2013.
How are you getting ready for the upcoming school year?
Stephanie
You are such a strong woman, mother, and teacher. I am so excited to see where the homeschooling journey takes you- Project Based Homeschooling is one of my go-to books, but the Unschooling Handbook is a new one for me! And as for the rest of it- I agree with the others. It will be tough but I know you’ll come out of it stronger!
Ann @ My Nearest and Dearest
Hugs to you, my friend. What a strong woman you are.
Looking forward to seeing what you and the girls get up to this school year. 🙂
Shaunna Evans
Thank you so much, Ann! I’m excited about the school year.
Jacquie
Sending tons of good vibes as you begin your new school year and journey with the girls! I love hearing how parents evolve with their children’s learning styles which change as they grow. You are an amazing mom and educator to be able to keep their education top of mind. Can’t wait to see what you have planned!
Shaunna Evans
Thank you very much, Jacquie! I almost always feel like I am learning and changing just as much as they are as we journey through a school year, and I am sure this year will be no different. I appreciate your kind words and support!
Rachael @ Nothing if Not Intentional
I can’t wait to see how you and the girls grow and thrive this year! No matter what title you take on, I know you will wear it well. P.S.–I need to check out The Unschooling Handbook! Thanks for the recommendation.
Shaunna Evans
I think you’ll enjoy reading The Unschooling Handbook, Rachael. It gave me a lot to think about!
Megan
I’m going to “third” what Chelsey said!!! Hugs to you my friend. I’m quite excited to see how this year unfolds for you with homeschooling!
Shaunna Evans
Thank you, Megan! It should definitely be an exciting year no matter what.
Jessica @ Play Trains!
I agree with Chelsey — your daughters are so lucky to have you! As difficult as these changes must be, I see you moving toward a positive place.
I’m excited to check out the books you recommended! I need to start thinking about what we’re going to do this year.
Shaunna Evans
Thank you very much, Jessica. I do hope something positive lies ahead for all of us.
Planning for the upcoming year can be quite a task. I’m interested to hear what you think of the books and what approach you guys will be taking this year.
Chelsey
Those girls are so so lucky to have you for their mother- kind, strong, brilliant, and resilient. I know the next few weeks will be quite a challenge, but I know you will all come out stronger and ready for an amazing year together!
Shaunna Evans
Thank you so much, Chelsey. I do hope we can have an amazing year together, and I really appreciate your support.