The First Day of School

Today marks the first day of school for Huntsville City Schools, and though as a homeschooling family we have no need to follow a traditional school calendar, it is in many ways a "first" for us, too. The first day of the season with no summer activities, lemonade stands, or knocks on the door.

This summer was my first summer as a homeschooling mom. As a homeschool educator, it doesn't take long to learn why school curricula are so repetitive, or why schools and teachers like to emphasize summer reading lists and mathematics practice. Kids can lose their momentum fast, and it doesn't take long before you find yourself needing to review previously mastered material. As damage control, I decided to continue homeschooling through the summer.

However, I also made it a conscious policy not to let my plans to homeschool through the summer interfere with any summer fun enjoyed by friends and neighbors in public or private school. Aside from all the fabulous summer camp opportunities that I feel are especially beneficial to my home-educated children, I'm fortunate to live in a hopping neighborhood with a high population of schoolchildren.

Needless to say, our "homeschooling" this summer ended up being reduced to 1-2 hours a day, if that. By mid-July, I had pretty much given up, and kept it simple with basic math drills and reading.

The start of the public school calendar for us rang in a new school year as well. Calendars were made, and posted. Folders were organized, and we even purchased a brand-new bookcase designated for our school materials. Even a first-day-of-school-picture was taken.

Happy schooling!