Ella has the most varied weekly schedule and school settings and is progressing through the 6th grade curriculum as we expected. She loves her yoga class, her film narrative class, her music class ("... even though it's hard"), and her reading teacher. She's also excited to be furthering her sign language skills and is thinking of high school foreign language credits through ASL. She aced two essays right before Thanksgiving break and is proud to see her efforts pay off.
Rex has a fantastic team of in-home teachers and therapists and he's working very hard. He enjoys being at home and having the opportunity to learn through instruction that leaves room for spontaneity, creativity, movement, and outdoor time. We have discovered that he likes crafts and I Spy and stories. He's never once asked about school and actually has been getting upset when we pass the school building on our way through town sometimes. Don't worry, son, you'll never have to go into that building again.
We adjusted Emilia's instruction a couple of times at the start of the school year, trying to find the right fit. We finally landed on an in-home intervention specialist who has really tuned in to her and whom Emilia is delighted to see twice a week. All of her other academic hours are delivered by me and we do make a good team. I understand how Emilia's cognitive process works and can roll with her as she makes connections, recalls, problem solves, asks questions, etc. It's hard to describe and few have witnessed it, but it is an unusual and wondrous sight to behold. Most importantly, there is progress. The public school district left us with a completely broken and defeated learner in March and it has taken months to rebuild confidence, cooperation, and curiosity. We're not totally out of the woods yet, but we can definitely see the light now. Emilia does miss extended family, friends, and community events very much, but right now her health and safety take priority.
Because we are home schooling, we have had time to enjoy autumn together as a family more intentionally than ever before. We have been hiking and scavenger hunting, crafting and trying new recipes, home improving and sometimes just doing nothing. Even though the house is never really picked up or organized, everyone seems more relaxed and more connected to each other. The freedom and flexibility of home schooling allows us to meet needs that went under the radar in the last few years and to focus on skills, lessons, and accomplishments that are not addressed or acknowledged in the public school.
So glad they are all thriving!
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