Homeschooling: Private Lessons

Band Performance

We just got home from the kids' performance at Music Discoveries. Music Discoveries is a weekend music program put-on by the UVic Music Education Students.  It was awesome and the kids are proud of the performance with their fellow musicians.

This got me to reflecting on how grateful I am for the amazing teachers and coaches I have supporting me as I home school this year.  In B.C. as distance education students we receive an allowance from our school district which we can apply to classes ($1000.)  Essentially, this covers the cost of their music lessons once per week for the school year (Muffin Mouse plays the clarinet and George plays the Alto Sax.) 

I love the idea that the kids will be instructed by people who are passionate about what they do.  So, choosing which subjects to provide in private lessons is easy - what ever their Dad or I are not great at doing!  Here is a summary of the great teachers supporting my kids this year.

• Language Arts. The kids take bi-weekly lessons for one hour in Creative Writing at Blue Octopus Studio.  I enjoy writing, but don't have the exposure to techniques and genres that their teacher does. Plus, she LOVES to write - I get excited about writing just listening to her speak about writing!

Musical Theatre Performance

• Music.  As I mentioned both kids take a half-hour private music lesson each week.  It is a choice which instrument they play (with some guidance:), but having a musical education is mandatory.  We are fortunate to have an excellent music teacher who relates well to the kids and inspires them.  I don't think music should be taught be a general-education teacher.

• Art. Muffin Mouse has a keen interest in visual art.  We made it a goal in the New Year to develop a fine arts program that is the heart and soul of her education. Fleshing out the details has been a little more challenging than I had hoped, but it continues to be a priority.

Spectators

• Physical Education.  I simply do not have the talent, or knowledge to teach or coach any of these.... Muffin Mouse takes 2 Highland Dance classes each week, is a teaching assistant, and competes monthly.  She is also registered in a youth Yoga Class.  George plays hockey with the Saanich Braves about 4 times per week.  All three of the kids swim twice a week with Island Swim Club.  Banana Bread also takes a preschool highland dance class and a Friday afternoon preschool class.
   

• Spiritual Education. My kids have the most wonderfully dedicated Sunday School teachers. Not only are their classes relevant and interesting, but the teachers also support the kids by attending their special events (such as today's performance:)

• Public School Teacher.  The kids are registered as Distance Learners with EBus Academy in B.C.  I am so grateful to our teacher, Mr. Thompson, for his natural ability to balance our desire for autonomy, with the structure and support we need to accomplish the curriculum.   There are a variety of options for homeschooling in BC (a later post), but as we chose to remain public school students who learn from home, I am grateful for the subscriptions and books available through EBus.

One of the often underappreciated aspects of homeschooling is the freedom in our schedule to facilitate all these classes. We had a limit of one sport and one music when the kids were in school to allow them adequate down-time. Certainly they received instruction in elective subjects at school to compliment this, but there was not the same degree on choice in what they studied.

Joyfully grateful for my team,
Caz.