On the whole, we've all really loved homeschool. We all agree that we didn't love distance learning - that is, the online work that their 3V teachers assigned coupled with bi-weekly google meets. No one liked the half hour to 45 minute class meetings and all three were always anxious to exit as soon as they could. I felt like some of the assignments were worthwhile, but they were only good as stand alone activities and one each day made the week as a whole feel disjointed. I appreciate how hard the teachers worked to come up with anything at all with such short notice and so little training, but the fact that there wasn't really new information and none of it was required, made it hard to motivate the kids to do it. Mercy was the only one who had any affinity for the online work and often asked for more to do. Abraham hated the online work and was constantly procrastinating or getting distracted. He kept asking if he could do assignments from me instead, but little did he know that mine would have been harder and required more from him. Hyrum plugged away each day and did his work without enthusiasm or complaint.
After the first four weeks, our schedule was a mix of Khan Academy, distance learning, and electives. All three passed their grades in math on Khan Academy with full mastery. The boys also spent half an hour three days a week doing grammar lessons on Khan, then they'd get 50 minutes a day to work on 3V assignments. Hyrum did ELA work from the enrichment teacher and math from his regular teacher. Abraham did ELA from his regular teacher and math from the enrichment teacher. I also had them reading half an hour a day, doing typing 2-3 times a week, and if they were done with all their required assignments they got to do computer programming or CAD at the end of the day. Mercy did Khan math, and got a mix of ELA and math from her 3V teacher. Mrs. Hoehne also had a science experiment for them each week, which Mercy loved doing. Mercy did some typing and CAD as well, and I'd assign her writing prompts to supplement her online work. All three did journal writing three times a week, and we incorporated music practice into their schedules every day. Abraham and Mercy have both been doing an hour of piano, but once Hyrum passed Musiah, he started doing half an hour of piano and half an hour of guitar.
We've been starting our day with family scripture study at 8:30, then did school from 9 to 2:30, with an hour break for lunch and several 10 minute breaks between subjects. The kids have loved jumping on the trampoline (often with Dad) during their short breaks, and they've used their afternoons to make up elaborate Lego games and run a "Dungeons and Dungeons" campaign with the mini's they 3D printed and painted. They've been bike riding all over the neighborhood, baked cookies to stealthily deliver to friends, and have enjoyed playing Minecraft on our server with Harry, Spencer, and Jackson.
I've loved that their school day isn't so long and that they've been able to explore so many extracurricular interests. I like knowing exactly how well they're understanding concepts and that they can move on at their own pace. I think we all like that they can ask questions and get one on one help whenever they need it. Hyrum sits in the corner, puts on headphones, and is thriving with the ability to remove distractions. Abraham sits at the table, spreads out in his work space and often sings or makes strange noises while working. It's perfect for him. Mercy is usually at the desktop in the music room, which is a happy medium between how the brothers work. She does best when she's forced to figure it out on her own and can't rely on mom for approval of every keystroke. We've been working on her ability to function more independently in all areas of her life and homeschool has really facilitated that.
I've gone back and forth seriously considering homeschooling for real next year. We don't know what public school will look like, and if it's not full time and normal, I'd rather do my own thing than deal with distance learning. There are definitely social elements that homeschool can't provide, but with social distancing out of the equation, I don't think my kids are lacking in friends or opportunities to interact with their peers. It will be interesting to see what August brings, but for now we will be eternally grateful for this opportunity and experience we've been blessed with.
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