A brief history of why I need to go fishing

So, who am I and what the heck is this blog all about? Well, after years of minor discussions and flirting with the idea, I have decided to homeschool my kids. OK don't get too excited I don't plan to start until the Fall of 2009. I like to be prepared. I like to know what is coming. And I love to plan things out clearly. Despite these handicaps, I am going ahead with the plan anyway.


I've decided that I'd ought to chronicle my journey on this adventure. I plan to document the process, the exploration, the confusion, the experiences when I actually begin (or should I say formally begin as I feel as though I have been homeschooling for years in many ways), and beyond. As I have just begun to do some research I am filled with questions, concerns, fear, excitement, and overall a huge feeling of overwhelmedness (OK I don't think that is a word but it sums it all up pretty well).

My plan is to be honest in my observations, please know that much will be my thoughts and opinions not necessarily truth and and fact. This is for me but maybe also for someone out there who can learn from my process. It will be an edventure (ha I made a typo here but left it in as I thought it was very Freudian). Maybe I will find that I can't or don't want to do this, but I hope not.

First of all, I have four monkeys. I haven't figured out how to refer to them or if I should use their names- this blogging thing is all new for me. For now, lets call them by age: Schnuckie8, a boy, in 3rd grade, Schnuckie6, another boy, and in 1st. Schnuckie4, my only girl, and is in pre-school and then there is Schnuckie2, and most definitely every inch a 2 1/2 yr old.

I love the local elementary school. I have been very involved and am known there. I enjoy the students and the teachers and the new principal seems very committed to excellence. So, why homeschool you ask? The school finds itself in the position of simply being unable to meet the needs of my kids, at least in my opinion. They agree, for example, that Schnuckie6 is performing well above grade level in math but are unable to provide him with a higher level curriculum due to scheduling issues. Yes, they have made accommodations to try to address his needs, and yes they are giving him more challenging first grade material, but sorry, that is not enough for me. I want more. I have tried to do everything to support the school: I have been a member of the G&T Community Advisory Committee to the Local Public School Board. I volunteered in a Kindergarten math research program for bright kids last year, I managed to get invited to be on the G&T committee in the school, and I have supplemented my children's learning for the past few years to try to meet their needs. Despite all this I am starting to see my children fail. No, not academically but in their desire to learn. Over the past two years I have seen my oldest slowly lose interest and motivation in school as he was not being engaged, his curiosity is waning. And I see my second son pleading with me to not go to school because "it takes so long" so many hours of waiting.


It is time to fish or cut bait and I've decided that I need to go fishing.