This was our first year with our district's virtual school program called, K12. I have to admit having a curriculum completed for me and signing on each morning to a bright and beautiful schedule has been a HUGE stress relief. I no longer spend countless hours researching curriculum options online. However, there are pros and cons to each choice in home school.
Pros:
We chose a public school option this year because our state offered a Kindergarten and First grade waiver. Sea was entering First grade. We had no idea if the option would be available the next year. We decided to go for it and have been pleasantly surprised at the wealth of knowledge this program offers to our family. It allows flexibility in our schedule. We can sign on at any time and complete the 4-5 hours of course work due each day. History and Science have been an all-time favorite in our home.
Florida requires course work in both Math and Language Arts to be completed each day of the week. We have the flexibility of rearranging History, Science, Art, and Physical Education to the days we see fit. And the most rewarding aspect of K12 is we LOVE our teacher. She calls every quarter to test and chat with Sea. She is always available online and by phone if needed.
K12 offers everything you need to teach your child. Yes, TEACH. Don't allow their terminology "Learning Coach" to lead you to assume the online teachers teach your child. They call once a quarter and are available to answer questions within reason. However, you are responsible for staying up-to-date on your student's needs, wants, and desires for learning. You must be organized, structured, and most of all proactive every single day.
Cons:
I used to have blond hair and now I have really light gray hair, including my eye brows (that I dye brown)! Yes. I transferred from late night/early morning stressors to daytime stressors. The pretty bright schedule that greets me every morning is attached to a cord which is WIRED five days a week. I feel too plugged in to our new way of schooling.
I'd love to sit back and read a book all day with Sea and Shell. I'd love to have the luxury of diving into a unit and staying there for a while (more than 4 to 5 hours in one day). I'd like to pick a topic that Sea is passionate about and incorporate all aspects of learning into that particular subject. Unfortunately, I no longer have that luxury while using K12. I'm tied down to their curriculum and their topic of interest; along with their time frame.
Don't get me wrong, the topics are interesting. The method of engagement is thrilling. I am excited to learn with K12. I pick up on new ways of thinking and learning. I LEARN EVERY DAY alongside my daughter. We love the Reading Rooms, where stories come alive with animated characters. It's the control of CREATING the curriculum, I miss dearly.
I feel RUSHED all day and every day. I feel a rope pulling me towards the little unchecked box at the beginning of each subject. I feel the need to plow through the lesson, check the box, and continue to the next unchecked box. Some days I don't even recall what we learned the day before and I'm sure Sea feels the same way. I'm starting to feel what it would feel like to be a "regular" school teacher. I cannot imagine how I will feel next year once the FCAT preparations are introduced into our lesson plan.
I'm not going to lie. I'm totally freaked out about the FCAT. Sea's weakest area in school is testing under pressure. She gets really stressed out when she is aware of a timer. Her brain freezes up and she becomes extremely tense. She starts to weep. Her teacher has been amazing in this area of concern.
We started sending her teacher photo collages of her activities since she was last tested. They break the ice by talking about the collages and the fun she has learning new information every day. They talk about what she will be tested on and then slowly begin the test (while starting the timer). Mind you, this is NOT the FCAT. She is tested on various subjects each quarter.
However, I have no idea what I will do when I am instructed to walk into a public school and drop her off to leave her alone behind closed doors to take the FCAT. Even the thought brings me anxiety. This isn't the vision I had of home schooling. I didn't want to feel rushed every day just to check a box. I am concerned her lesson plans will be designed to teach the test, instead of instilling the love for learning.
Final Decision:
What's next on our home school journey? I'm not sure. Last month I wanted to return to traditional home school. I needed to regain control in our home and in the lives of our children. I needed to turn off the computer and pick up a book. I wanted my teacher's closet to come alive again with arts and crafts. I wanted to watch our learning videos and play outside.
And then, I realized maybe the grass isn't always greener on the other side. K12 saved my daughter's education this year. Shell contracted a very dangerous bacterium and was hospitalized twice. She endured a three to four hour surgery. By the grace of K12, Sea was able to keep trucking through the next lesson because the computer was PLUGGED in, even at the times when we were overwhelmed and distraught.
Virtual school saved our family this year. It allowed me to hug my daughter when I would have been caring for both a very sick little baby girl and attempting to sort through unit and lesson plans on my own. I am thankful for our public school. It was there when I needed it most. Thank You, K12! We've decided to re-enroll for the 2012-2013 school year. I'm not sure what 2013-2014 will hold for our home school journey. You never know, it could change again before the next school year begins. And that is the BEAUTY OF HOME SCHOOLING IN FLORIDA. You have the RIGHT TO DECIDE!
Hugs, Love, and Home School ~ Summer
