Well, I haven't posted here in a while, but life has brought many wonderful unschooling moments to say the least. I thought I'd post a bit to try and just catch up....
Ages and grades:
Rylan:
birthdate: June 24 1998
age 13
grade 8th/9th grade. We are combining these two this year because of his high EOG scores last year.
Nolan:
birthdate August 31 2000
age 10
grade 6th
Gideon:
birthdate June 12 2004
age 7
grade 2nd
Layla:
birthdate January 14 2007
age 4
grade Pre-K
Lincoln:
birthdate August 10 2009
age 2
Rylan will be starting duel enrollment at the local Community College as of Aug 17th. We officially applied early last week, but have not received his acceptance letter yet. We are scheduled to attend orientation this Wed though and are excited about that! Rylan has decided to focus on US History this year (his choice) as well as getting his book, Crow published. He also wants to submit many of his short stories to local writing contest to earn some money and notoriety He has such a love for playing piano and I love to just sit and listen to him play. He is looking into volunteering his time to play piano at the local nursing/retirement homes. Summer is coming to an end and he has served over 100 hours of community service at the housing office at SEBTS. No, he's not a delinquent or doing time . He has enjoyed every bit of it and asked to continue 1-2 days a week throughout the fall and spring.
Nolan has been blessed with our neighbor, who is a mechanic, allowing him to apprentice under him. He has learned SOOOOO much! He changed the oil on our van by himself!!!!!!! He has found his gift and loves it! He's worked on cars with AC issues, put on brake pads, rotors, changed spark plugs, oil, filters, etc... with Mr. Chuck (seminary student who is a mechanic here) and Chuck lets him do the work by himself and just guides him..all in front of our house. He's "paid" Nolan for his apprenticeship through buying him tools. So far Nolan has received a ratchet set and a very cool screw driver set! It has been such an edifying experience for him and we are so thankful for the Godly influence in his life. Who knew that a preacher and a mechanic could be one in the same...Nolan has been so impressed by this!
So, along with the basics this year I am looking forward to him focusing on his mechanic apprenticeship. He has expressed some desire to re-start guitar lessons. He took them a few years ago, but decided he wasn't willing to put in the time practicing, so he put it on hold. We will be working on pulling in daily opportunities where he can practice his division and spelling. Nolan has dyslexia, so spelling and reading have always been a struggle, but through these past 2 years I have seen him push through his dyslexia and create coping mechanisms that have made him soar in reading. Is is an amazing reader now with fantastic tone and inflection! I am so proud of him! I know the same will happen with his spelling too. There is no time limit. When he is ready he will succeed. We will continue to present opportunities to help him practice and be successful, but true learning and understanding does not come from regurgitation, but from desire and understanding. He has accomplished some great books this past summer: Oliver Twist, Frankenstein, Great Expectations, and The Witches by Roald Dahl.
Gideon hasn't found a niche yet, but tons of time still. Everything comes so easy to him. I realized the other day that he started reading at 4.5 and guess what Layla is 4.5 and I started panicking. lol. I don't know why, because I know eveyone is different. Sometimes we need a reminder not to compare our children. She does love books and that is where it all begins.
