Pretty good week so far, but why do I do this to myself?

Why? Why did I have to look at Oak Meadow? Maybe because during my meeting with Elf's IST yesterday, I noticed it sitting on the shelf? Maybe because I was thinking of Fairy starting kindergarten in the fall? Maybe because I like to doubt whatever I'm doing now? Aaaarrrggghhh. All I know is that now I want to actually look through the materials at the charter school, and see what Oak Meadow is really about, although looking at the summaries on their website, I'd have to put the kids ahead, or tweak things somewhat substantially (i.e. second grade is all about animal studies for science, and we just did those this year, so I don't know how excited Elf would be). I also am always tempted by AmblesideOnline (which actually works well with classical education). I need to just stop tormenting myself (and anyone who reads this) - obviously what we're doing now works, at least to some degree! Thank you, I just need to get some of that inner angst out!

Anyhow, back to actual life. We have finished ETC 2! Today I'm going to sit down with Elf and look over both 2 1/2 and 3, to decide which we want to move into next. We also decided, mutual consensus, to extend our Egypt studies a while longer, since Elf is enjoying them so much. I did decide to set aside SOTW for now, and just use all the other books we have piling up! We haven't gotten very far with the tomb project, and I am thinking it might be a little much for a 1st grader (maybe in 6th grade?), so we may just do a mummy doll and sarcophagus instead. Elf also got a gift from his best buddy A at school yesterday. A missed him while in Hawaii last week and so brought him a gift, which was sweet. I really need to set up a playdate for them.

I got a chance to sit in on Elf's new Wednesday afternoon music classes, and I really like what I saw (as did Fairy). The mom teaching the class was teaching them note value, rhythym, singing, and more. Fairy didn't want to participate, but she kept edging closer and closer to the other kids. She and I spent the time while Elf was in Spanish at the library, which was nice since we don't get a lot of time together with just the two of us. We read about 8 books, some of them better than others. My two favorites were Bebe Goes Shopping, so Fairy got in her Spanish lesson too ;), and a really gorgeous one called Good Night, Fairies. I need to start thinking of good birthday gifts, since my "baby" will be FIVE next month.

I had my first biology test yesterday. I think it went really well, but keep your fingers crossed for me! This Saturday I'm going to an information program regarding the college program I hope to enter in the fall. Should be interesting!

Hmmm... maybe need to rethink things a little...

Elf told me yesterday that he really doesn't like SOTW. Which, in retrospect, I can see, in that he can't remember anything I read out of it for more than 30 seconds. He says he "loves" the other books on Egypt that we are reading right now, but not SOTW.

So, what do I do? Do I continue reading it to him in the hopes that he'll learn to like it? Do I just move to the original ideas behind WTM and read aloud good books? I am much more tempted by option #2. Forcing things on my two has never gone over well, and I want him to enjoy his schooling process. I want him to be intrigued and to learn because he's enjoying what we're doing.

I also need to decide if we're going to stick with the charter school or strike out on our own in the next couple of years. Pros for sticking with it: Elf really enjoys it and Fairy is looking forward to it. I do like having them in a couple of classes to be around other kids regularly. I like having so much curriculum to pick and choose from. I like not having to keep extensive records (laziness?), though I do keep some for my own peace of mind. Cons: There's testing in 2nd grade, though I think it's somewhat optional. I also believe that we may have to start following the California State Education Content Standards more than we are now, in the areas of history and science (since we are essentially on target or ahead in the other areas). Looking at them, I can tweak things I am doing now (like chronological history) to essentially fit them since I am already extending our current history cycle. But it does mean I need to weigh options carefully over the next several months. So, just in case, so I am prepared either way, I have started compiling a list of resources that I like and that would work with the aforementioned standards. So far, I've only got some bare bones of history figured out, and haven't touched science.

Just have to move forward and see!