I'm just ending the very short break between the winter and summer university semesters, and as usual, my son's first grade teacher has complaints about his behaviour. His last interim report, dated April 24th, includes the following comment: "writing challenges prevail. Rory's behaviour continues to interfere with optimal classroom learning. It also hampers him from developing classroom friendships." The following week, he was sent to the principal's office for touching another boy's 'privates' in class - Rory was trying to get the boy's attention. The other boy was listening to the teacher. The principal was great about it and felt it was more about attention than anything sexual, however, this learning environment doesn't seem supportive enough for Rory's emotional and behavioural needs. So I've been researching home schooling options for next fall.
There are so many great options out there! BC purportedly has the best home schooling laws in North America. I would go with Distributed Learning, which isn't actually homeschooling. Rather, it's distance education with Ministry-approved curriculum and a teacher. There's a program in Surrey that could include Fine Arts, PE and music instruction through Jessie Lee, one of my local elementary schools. There's a Fraser Valley school that also does this, but in Chilliwack and in Langley. Also, this school allows the parent to work with the teacher to alter specific elements of the curriculum according to the family's interests. There's an independent school in Victoria that sounds amazing, they incorporate a program on local biodiversity and global sustainability.
My main concerns are around my own time and education. Will I be able to study 20 hours a week, on top of facilitating Rory 20-25 hours a week and attending three 3 hour classes? Will I be able to maintain some form of childcare subsidy, so as to be able to afford child care while I'm in class, maybe even some extra study time? Will my childcare provider be able to accommodate these new, strange requests? Will I be able to motivate my child? Can I manage this all? Will I burn myself out?
But, really, if I could ever manage to carve out the time to home school, this is the best time. I've only got 2 1/2 years left of school before returning to the full-time workforce. I haven't been working since last summer, and I've been able to manage, financially. I have an extremely flexible schedule and a lot of family support. I'm envisioning incorporating piano and painting lessons, and doing lots of cooking and gardening together. I'm hoping to utilize elements of the "unschooling" philosophy and to blend our daily activities plus my own university activities into Rory's home learning experience. I'm excited!
