Flat (Tire)d A Home School-Life Blog: Jot it Down Tuesday/Sweet Victory!

As a home school mom, you hope it will happen. You don't know it, but you sure as heck hope it. The whole time you have been saying things like, "Just do it." ("Why?") "Because, I'm the mom, that's why." "I promise, you'll thank me for this later." "Seriously, I know what I'm talking about, just do the work." "NO, it's not pointless, that's the point." "This is a core subject. If you don't learn it well, high school and college are going to stink."

And then it happens:

HIGH SCHOOL.

I mean, all you did was blink your eyes, and *BAM*... high school???

Then you hear it. (Did you actually just hear it?)

"Mom, I wouldn't have understood this (points to high school writing book) if I hadn't taken "it".

"It? You mean, Shurley English?"

"Yeah, none of this would've made any sense without that."

>Insert mom trying really hard not to squeal,
or bust out some happy dance moves.<

Sweet victory.

This was a free writing exercise.
If you'd like to link-up, please visit Heather at the E.O.

Because you asked:

*Side note* Several months ago, I wrote a post that included a quick blurb about Shurley English. I was surprised that, out of all I had written about in that post, Shurley English turned out to be the most asked about and/or controversial topic. It was kind of a head scratcher for me. Some were curious about it, which was my goal. Some just flat hated it. Okay, that's fair. In fact, that's the beauty of home schooling. We have the freedom to pick and choose from a banquet of resources. So, this note isn't for those who hate that curriculum. It's for those who asked me questions, or expressed that when they flipped through the books, they felt like it was too much, or too involved. Okay, yeah...I agree. I think that if you did every single assignment, it would be too much. I also think that it would be extremely difficult to begin Shurley English after the first grade year. Why? Well, because it is a rather complex program, and if you don't learn the "lingo" early on, you might find yourself beating your head against the wall. I was somehow blessed to have discovered it during Skyler's first grade year, and my other two boys have studied it since Kindergarten. There is no way I would have bothered with it otherwise. I would have said it was more than any of us could handle. But if you are new (like, K-1st grade new) to home schooling, and looking for a great English curriculum, I really think that you should give it a try. But don't set out to do every single bonus assignment. Don't feel pressured to listen to the CD every. single. day. (Once a week is enough.) Don't mom-guilt yourself into thinking that you've failed if you only made your child write one three point expository paragraph, in one day...because two paragraphs is insane. Unless you are teaching your first-born. Then you'll make him do them all. Because that is the first born curse. ;) As far as the extra/bonus assignments go, we rarely do them. We have enough on our plates. If your students have their basics (parts of speech) down solid, and if they can write the paragraphs/vocabulary words/practice-improved sentences, then doing all of the extras is craziness. Why do extra work if they are understanding the lessons? Once in a blue moon, you'll have a slow school day. You might be looking for one more thing to do, just so you don't feel like you're lettin' 'em off too easy (wink). That would be the opportune time to pull out an extra Shurley English activity. Then you'll have the time to cut out those magazine pictures, or write the extra paragraph, etc. Remember, home schooling isn't a religion. It's not a legalistic movement filled with "have-tos" and "gottas". It's supposed to be a place of freedom, where your little birds can spread their wings. Those wings get clipped if they are bogged down with too much work. That said, "Yes, we have to do English."

"Why?"

"Because I'm the mom and I said so. That's why!"

Cheering you on & checking the fuel gauge,

Layla