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I struggle with how to categorize extra curricular activities in our home school schedule. There are times that I feel free to use an activity as a field trip or standard item during school, but other times I do not. Do you struggle with this too? For example, piano. I have a child taking private piano lessons. The instructor is used to having home school kids taking lessons so I can get these scheduled during the day. Can I count that as music for their curriculum or not? See other kids in school have music classes and still might have private piano lessons as well. Hmm…
I am also looking at sports. Can a sport be considered part of physical education? The majority of sports are, once again, extra curricular in schools. I’m just not sure if it’s… HAHAH…. legal?! Can you believe that I feel guilty for using the kids extra curricular stuff on an attendance sheet.
So how do you feel about recording extra curricular activities with a home school schedule? Should it be rolled into attendance for the day or is it simply extra? I still record it as being extra at least.
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6 comments:
I homeschooled my kids for several years and am now enjoying helping with various homeschooling activities for grandparents and grandchildren.
I definitely believe in including music and physical activities in your curriculum. While there are many schools that consider music and PE extra, there are other schools that DO consider it a regular part of the day, along with other extras such as computer classes, language classes, etc. :)
And don't forget to incorporate getting your "I Voted" sticker and voting into your homeschooling schedule. It makes for great educational activities for the whole family - whether you take them with you or just work on it at home. :)
HI! I don't *have* to record any of that (or anything at all) but I still write stuff like that down. And in my school planner I've started writing down anything and everything educational. Like last week when we made an intentional and educational trip to the grocery store. By writing all that stuff down, it helps two things: One, I can look through and see all the things we're doing because sometimes I forget to think of those little things and wonder if I'm doing enough. Two, if I ever DID have to prove that I'm giving my children a thorough and well rounded education, all of that would help. I'd be able to show that in addition to all of the basics, we're filling in with a variety of other learning opportunities, too.
And lastly, even in public school those extra curricular classes still earn credits - so why shouldn't you count them, too? =)
Have a good week!
Learning piano is a very time-intensive thing. I would think as long as your child is learning some standard music theory as they learn piano, you are fine with it being music. It is obvious you aren't fully comfortable with it, so maybe throw in a lesson where you discuss different instruments. Listen to music and try to pick out each instrument in the orchestra. Get a few penny whistles and play with them too. They aren't as expensive as other instruments and are fun.
I'm in Texas so I don't have to record any of that. I think that music and any physical education would be part of a regular school curriculum though I think I'd include it in my homeschool one.
I say to include it in the schedule and not feel guilty about it. As the teacher, how you choose to meet the requirements of your state should be up to you.
I vote for including it too. I was homeschooled growing up, taught at various levels (preschool-college) and now homeschool my own children and am amazed at how much more efficient homeschooling it. We really can pack 'real' learning into everyday situations or the 'extra curriculars' and take advantage of them in a way that just isn't possible in large group/school activities. Most of music class, for example is spent waiting to receive material, waiting for a turn to practice/share/perform and then more waiting to exit the class. One-on-one instruction places your kids at a huge advantage and since as a homeschooler you have time to incorporate daily practice in easier, I would say it should definitely count!
~Heather
http://cultivatedlives.blogspot.com
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