End of School...Mostly

We have been slowly wrapping up school, and this week we pretty much threw in the towel for the year, except math. It feels good- we are ready for summer (if it ever shows up). Bring on the hiking, the swimming, the lemonade stands, and the care-free mindless days of doing nothing. We have earned it.

This has been a great year. There were ups and downs, but mostly ups. Both girls learned a lot and have really grown in their studies. They both have solid grammar foundations, are reading incredibly well, and their math skills are right on target of where they should be. Educationally, I couldn't be happier as I know they are both excelling.

Especially when I hear stories from other parents who send their kids to school (please know that I love and am a huge supporter of public schools- that's the reason I'm homeschooling, because my community does not support public schools and I was tired of fighting the community. So I'm not in any way trying to bash public schools- ever. I'm just trying to say that some of these comments from other parents made me feel better about our decision to homeschool). One mom told me that she had absolutely no idea what her 4th grader learned all year and was quite certain that his entire 4th grade year was a waste. Another mom who homeschooled her daughter through 1st grade and then sent her to a supposedly amazing charter school where all the kids were taught a full grade level higher (because obviously the average 5  year old should be doing 1st grade work, not kindergarten work-grr, The entire concept of the school makes me want to vomit. OK, so maybe I will disparage this particular public school just a little), told  me that her daughter's test scores actually went down from the start of the year to the end of the year- her daughter actually LOST knowledge at this supposedly great school.

Obviously, not all moms feel this way. Most moms know their kids learned a lot while in school and love their schools. These comments just made me realize that I do know my kids learned a lot this year and I'm glad they are doing so well. It's a lot of pressure to be completely in charge of your kids' learning, and I take the responsibility very seriously.

So it's nice to look back at the year and know that we had a great year. We worked hard, and now we are ready for some fun!