History will be made this weekend, commencing Sunday morning at 4:30 a.m., when the talented and prepared teacher of our homeschool (me) will embark on a journey of real homeschooling. The kind of homeschooling I have always dreamed of in my thoughtful homeschooling mom head. Living, breathing homeschooling that doesn’t involve a home at all.
Thinks outdoors. Think BIG trees. Think granola bars and foil packet dinners over the campfire. Think long johns and wool mitts. Think thin nylon tent and freezing temperatures. Think long johns and wool mitts again.
YES! It’s true. I found another crazy homeschool mama who has also envisioned outdoor homeschooling for her 11 years of teaching her kids at home. Thankfully we both have just enough brains now missing to undertake this task …. just the two of us…. with eight kids. Don’t gasp. At least 3 of those kids could probably survive in the wilderness unassisted.
And we’ve done bear training! We’re good. We all have safety kits in our backpacks including whistles, compasses, knives, waterproof matches, rain ponchos and little reflecting mirrors to signal the search helicopter if need be. As is my spend-thrift nature, I was not going to spend hard earned dollars on those items which could be salvaged from the current supply of junk in the house. Yes, my 16-year-old son’s mirror has fuzzy leopard fur on the back… and he’s okay with that. My 14-year-old son’s mirror is the lid of a make-up compact… and I think he may still be adjusting to that idea as I type.
As mentioned previously, we are studying national parks…. seven parks to be exact… the flora and fauna of each… including botany and geology. I am the art teacher… the other mama is the science nerd, thankfully!
So as the sun rises Sunday morning, please say a little prayer for us as we drive to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in California. It’s all good.
My Sister's Jar 