So, to get welfare assistance where I am at, the application process is pretty extensive. One of the proofs needed is who is going to school, what school, and what are they learning. Since my husband and I both go to university, that's a bit easy. We can give them a partial transcript that has all of that information. There is the cumpolsory attendance here in Texas, but if you homeschool, according to state law, you don't need any paperwork. You don't even have to notify the school. However, the department of health and human services wants to make sure that your children are at least being taught the basics of every grade level. When I was told this by my caseworker at my interview yesterday, I almost threw a fit.
It is not mandatory to get this information unless requested. Most children go to public school, so they could always just check with the school, but it is still not a requirement for *me* to give them any sort of paperwork, and I told my caseworker that same thing. I understand she is trying to do her job, and this is apparently a first for her, so she just asked me to write her a letter saying that I am homeschooling so that no one gets up my ass about not sending my child to public school. Either way, no court could convict me. To be nice, however, I'm making a copy of what we plan to do this year, which is where I hit the roadblock.
I have absolutely no idea what we are doing this year. We've started taking an unschooling approach. We have a personal library full of non-fiction that the girls can peruse through. We like it when they pick a book and say "I want to learn that." They even have a set of encyclopedias for that purpose. We then take whatever information we can find on that topic and teach it to the girls. So I'm thinking I might as well just pull something out of my butt like I normally do. I didn't create the OMB curriculum last year just for S & Gs.
So this is what I'm planning...
Lily: age 5, grade 3
- Reading: Short-story workbook for reading comprehension practice. Books to read (in no specific order) - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Veleveteen Rabbit, The Phantom Toll Booth. Reading comprehension tested.
- Writing: Composition practice in manuscript - daily journal. Practice cursive.
- Mathematics: Adding and Subtraction practice. Introduce multiplication
- Social Studies: History Channel documentary - America: The Story of Us. in conjunction with The American Nation, Volume 1, John A. Garraty and Mark C. Carnes
- Science: Introduce basic chemistry with toddler-safe expirements
- Art: A World of Art by Henry M Sayre, third edition
- Physical Education: 1/2 hour of Nick Jr. Wii Fit
- Foreign language: Continued from last year - Bookwork: Using BBC's Muzzy series, draw picture, label picture in English, Spanish, French, German, and Chinese. Continue practice of these languages.
- Theology: basic history and practices of holidays
- Reading: Phonics practice. Read level 1 books (with help when needed). Lapbook activities for reading comprehension
- Writing: Practice manuscript. Daily journal - topic given, picture drawn with descriptive words below.
- Mathematics: Practice addition
- Science: Basic chemistry with toddler-friendly expirement
- Physical Education: 1/2 hour of Nick Jr. Wii Fit
- Foreign language: Continued from last year - Using BBC's Muzzy series, practice English, Spanish, French, German, and Chinese
- Theology: basic history and practices of holidays.
Rose: age 2, grade PK
- Continue to work with vocabulary, shapes, colors, and letters. Story and nap times included.
