Monday we will start school again from a three week break. The break comes at a very odd time in that it is in the middle of my quarter (my quarter ends September 30) and everyone else on the planet is going ‘back to school.’ In that, actually lies the real genius in taking a break now. You see, my husband still has off–he doesn’t have to return to work until mid-September, and places are not crowded because everyone is back into their old routine.
But I will be ‘behind’. In fact, since my quarterly reports are due September 30, I will have to admit that we are ‘behind’ in our curriculum because technically, that’s what we are. I have friends who forego lengthy vacations or breaks, and even field trips during their ‘school year’, just so that they don’t have to ‘fall behind’. But I’m happy to be behind. It doesn’t bother me one iota.
If you are one who is prone to think in terms of being behind or ahead, let me ask you one question: Who said you were behind?
The Curriculum
I have mentioned before that we use a pre-packaged curriculum and then I also supplement with other stuff. I have a lesson plan book that tells me where I should be when. If you are prone to thinking that you’re always behind or in danger of falling behind–I suggest that it’s because you’re giving your lesson plan book far too much authority in your life!
Don’t get me wrong, I am neither saying that you need or don’t need lesson plans and scheduled assignments. I use mine to help with the mountainous pile of paperwork that I have to complete every year. But if you’re afraid to take advantage of the everyday learning opportunities because your curriculum lesson plan book says you’re behind–consider rethinking that method. One of the great advantages of home schooling is that you are able to provide children with an education that maximizes opportunities because you can be flexible. So go be flexible.
Remember: You cannot fall behind if your kids are presented with genuine learning opportunities.