Back to School(ish), Maddox Edition

As most of you readers know, my first career was as a teacher. It was not just a career-as-afterthought for me. My mom has childhood photos of me with my stuffed animals gathered 'round as I read to them and gave them homework. One Christmas I got my very own stand-alone chalkboard, and I was thrilled. My little schoolroom had mostly well-behaved children, especially My Friend Mandy (popular with her blonde hair) and My Friend Jenny (a hard-working brunette). Baby Alive was problematic, and was sent to Principal Captain Kangaroo's office on a regular basis. So I have been a teacher in my own mind since my earliest memories, and pursued life as a teacher in college, grad school, and my first career. Even though I left teaching over a decade ago, I still consider myself a teacher; it's just part of who I am.

But never did I think I would homeschool. I could handle a classroom of 28 hormonal 9th ​​graders, or a classroom of too-smart-for-their-own-good AP Physics students, but a 3rd grader? God (and coffee) help me.

Maddox's first day of afterschool, so let's call this the first day of 3rd grade.

Yet here we are. When Zoe started preschool here, I wanted to find the rhythm of our days. It helps me feel grounded, and works well for Maddox. So, we started right in with homeschooling. In general, my approach is quite laid back, partially because we are only here for four months so this is not a long-term contract for me. (Where are the homeschool unions?) But the beauty of homeschooling, as I see it, is to take advantage of field trips and exploration, wherever they may lead. No need to plan a month's worth of lessons when you are living in a foreign country with a rich history So our broad plan is the following:

1. Read every day. This is Maddox's favorite activity, so this is easy.

2. Write every day. This is NOT her favorite, so I save this for "afterschool" when there is another teacher to encourage her.

3. Math: Learn some.  Good stuff.

4. Science: Learn about the unique ocean life surronding Okinawa. While also learning about the big picture, Maddox has chosen to research clownfish (think Nemo); I have subsequently learned that clownfish are sequential hermaphrodites which may mean that science is also including sex education. Fun times.

5. Social Studies: World War II. This is really tough stuff at any age, and there are certainly parts of the War that I do not think Maddox is ready to handle. But we are going to learn what we can, and in particular, learn about the War in the Pacific.  The decision to drop the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was due in part to the ferocity of the Battle of Okinawa. There are memorial sites here that we can visit to learn more. Suprisingly, she is more interested in our study of WWII than math or science.

Our typcial setting: the kitchen table

So most days, she and I tackle some subset of these subjects. Other days, we take field trips. Every day, she attends "afterschool" from 3: 30-5:30 where there are a dozen other kids whose parents work at OIST . Most days also include grocery shopping and other errands, but she is usually a good sport and a fun companion.  

Motivating my own child seems harder than motivating 150.  Maybe because I claim to know what makes her tick, and so I think I should be able to tap into the source of her inspiration. Or maybe because I don't cut her any slack like I did when I was teaching other people's kids.  Regardless, it's a great challenge, and one that I think will strengthen our understanding of one another.  Besides, if all else fails, I can still send her to Captain Kangaroo's.  But that's another post for another time. 

Chaperoning one of our field trips