Fall 2008

[veganmama]

Although we are of the unschooling mindset, we are going to try a relatively new program offered through our school district.

Part one is the online curriculum. This is put together by k12.
"...six core courses—Language Arts/English, Math, Science, History, Art, and Music—can be taken separately for supplemental learning or enrichment, or combined into a full-time schooling option. The lesson plans for each subject are integrated, so your child may be reading literature from the same time period as the art or history lesson she is studying. What begins as a story about a king who lost his wife may end up with an examination of the architecture and history of the Taj Mahal, built as a monument to a dead queen."

They set us up with a computer for Sophie to use for her studies (which as a kindergartner, is minimal) and a monthly stipend (not sure how much it will be yet, varies per area) to help pay for internet or supplies. We should be getting our boxes of curriculum and supplies in a couple of weeks. I'll post when we get that, so you can "see" what we get.

By the way, this program costs approximately $600 for the year. . .BUT because we are enrolling through our school district, we pay $0. How do you like them apples? :0)

Part two is called Cottage School. This is not required. Neither is the online program required for participation in Cottage School.
Cottage School is a two afternoon per week attendance at the Elementary school. From approximately noon - 3:50 pm. The students are broken into two groups, the k-2 graders and two different afternoons per week it will be for the 3-5 grade kids. These kids go to a classroom with the Cottage School teacher and they practice spanish, reading, etc, then they will go to an art class, or PE class or Music class or Library time, and recess too.
Another cool part of this is that the school recognizes that home school kids are a bit different than the full time kids and they allow the parents to be in the classroom with the child as needed. If the parent prefers, can just volunteer on campus to be close to the child, or can just leave the child and go, if everyone is comfortable with that situation. Whatever works is what the school is willing to do. Which is great.
Another cool thing about being enrolled in this Cottage School program is that anything that is offered to full time students is offered to the part time kids as well. For instance, choir, extra science, or math, use of the library media, sports or any extra curricula opportunities, tutoring. . .it's all available to us if we need it!

So there is it. . .this years schooling plans in a nutshell.