Decision Made

After many hours of thought, prayer, consideration, weighing options, listing pros and cons, and talking with MANY different people about it, I have decided to opt Carson out of public education and homeschool him. In reality, I am SO excited for what is to come for him! I am currently propped on my king-size bed surrounded by curriculum books, bibles (different translations), curriculum catalog, accordian files, notebooks, sticky notes.... and I know my pencil is here somewhere! I have already decided what curriculum I will use for each subject, but am wading through it preparing myself for what is to come. I'm making a list of things I need to buy (some supplies and more curriculum programs), and searching the internet for the greatest deal- of course!

Here's what's in store for Carson for the 4th grade: For his core he will be following the My Father's World curriculum, a Christian-based program that encompasses Bible, Reading, Geography, and Science (although he loves science, so we will be supplementing with Apologia's Exploring Creation with Zoology 3: Land Animals of the Sixth Day). We will be using Math U See for Mathematics, and The Phonics Road to Reading & Writing for Spelling, Grammar, Writing, and more Reading as well as using Rosetta Stone's language development program for Spanish. We will be joining Joyful Journey Homeschool group, a group of like-minded Christian parents and children, and I cannot wait for the annual school year planning retreat in a couple of weeks! For socialization (as I'm sure some of you are really concerned about right now) we will meet with the homeschool group (about 40+ kids) twice weekly for group classes (to be planned at the retreat) and for Physical Education and feild trip Fridays! Additionally, Carson will continue his involvement in Cub Scouts as he advances in rank to a Webelo. I have opted to keep him in Pack 500, the pack from the area we used to live in, in the Northwest, which we'll travel to 4-7 times per month. Additionally, our homeschool group gets fantastic rates on swim lessons (once/week from about January through Aprilish?), and he is currently considering what classes he would like to take at the community center up the road from our house (although Thai Kwon Do is at the forefront of his mind at the moment)! So, lots of learning to be had (at his own pace and from the level that he is at I'll add :) ) and lots of opportunity for being the wonderfully social 9-year old we all know him to be!

I know that this decision is leaving some of you scratching your heads right about now, so let me just say this: I love you and I'm already aware of your opinions regarding homeschooling, and although I value you, you are not the sole weight in my consideration. As I stated in the beginning, much consideration for the needs of my profoundly gifted son, much weighing of the pros and cons related to lifestyle, time, money, social exposure, etc, and much quiet prayer were spent prior to coming to this decision.

The CCSD has failed to provide the level of education my son needs, and it is shameful like denying a special needs child their remedial education services would be. Our nation has it backward: catering to the less-than-status-quo while the remainder are left to their own accord. Carson was "so bored!" for the majority of his classroom time for the past 3 years. He stated as a first grader, "Going to school is a waste of my glorious days."

While in the car on our way home he would tell of his typical school day: "We waited for everyone to get ready for the day, then the teacher taught and I understood and just tuned her out while she explained it again so I could do my work. When I was done though, I got bored because most of the rest of the class was doing their work, and the rest of them were still trying to get it while the teacher explained it AGAIN! I didn't have anything else to do then, so I just took out my markers and stuff and started drawing until it was time to go to lunch. After lunch we had a little bit of recess then went to library, and then in the afternoon I went to GATE. Oh, here's the papers I have to do for [additional] homework because I missed them while I was in GATE [doing other awesome studies because I'm a smart kid who is rewarded for his good job and effort with.... more work]. Momma, can I have a snack when we get home?"

I grew tired of hearing this same story, knowing he wasn't reaching his potential, and I know that he will be all but bored with what I have planned for him now- although recess at the park across the street from our house is on the agenda, as are library days... and maybe even doing school in the park! The possibilities are seemingly endless, and I am EXCITED for each and every adventure, challenge, and opportunity this decision will bring to us! Perhaps we could start early and have our first day at the pool... I could take his materials in a backpack, pack a lunch in the cooler, and we could sit by the pool and do school, taking "recesses" in the pool- I could call it PoolSchool! :)