Category Archives: Oak Meadow

Weekly Wrap-Up: Lesson 1

Best. Week. Ever.

We explored the five senses, talked about territory, started piano lessons,

had cats in the classroom

had cats in the classroom,

played a bunch of games, studied China,

started a mask (expect a tutorial)

started a mask (expect a tutorial),

reviewed word families, sang songs, knit, recited verses,

played word games - the whiteboard was an excellent decision by the way

played word games – the whiteboard was an excellent decision by the way,

read books, composed sentences, had a friend over after school, went to Play Group at the park on Friday, and

worked in the Main Lesson Books

worked in two of the Main Lesson Books.

That’s not even everything. In case anybody is sitting around wondering if Oak Meadow’s curriculum actually has enough to keep the student busy: we could have easily made all of the activities in Lesson 1 last for a week and a half. I sorted out our weekly schedule for Lesson 2 and I feel like the same thing is true. Ellie and I do tend to get really involved in most everything we do, but I have a hard time imagining anyone just blowing through these activities, stories and projects.

In spite of our longer-than-anticipated school days last week, I managed to make all of the Mermaid but one arm and her hair, kept up with the house, fixed all the meals but two*, and read to myself for fun. Oh wait. All the meals but three. I forgot about the donuts on Monday morning. I will also say (lest you think that there is too much Donna Reed over here) that I wrecked one dinner with my illiteracy and had to make Emergency Substitute Dinner from the freezer. I like to cook, but I am not always good at it.

MY POINT IS: It was a full week but not hectic or rushed. It was a full week with a relaxed pace.

I’ve got to start planning for Girl Scouts this week, so we’ll see if I feel as relaxed at the end of Lesson 2.

*That sounds super domestic and like a weird thing to be proud of. If you need to judge me for it go right ahead. When you’re finished, please cross your fingers that Devoni’s Pizzeria reopens in September like the sign says they will…

Oak Meadow Family (What We’re Doing About School)

Ellie has been accepted to Oak Meadow, a distance learning program based in Vermont.

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She’ll work from home, but her school is in Vermont. Just like Michael works from home, but his office is in California. Or like I work from home and my office is where I’m sitting. I’ll be her main teacher, but she will also have an Oak Meadow teacher who will review and grade her work, provide support and help keep us on track, and maintain her transcript with this fully-accredited school. Oak Meadow has a curriculum-only option, but enrollment feels like a much better choice for our family this year*.

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The curriculum has a wonderful Waldorf flavor in the early grades without placing limitations on academic endeavor (unlike traditional Waldorf-Steiner programs). In second grade, Ellie will study poetry, history and geography, fables and folklore, and multiplication. Her science program and the reading selections are focused on animal study (Yay!). Art is integrated throughout the curriculum. If I were going to hand pick a curriculum tailored to Ellie’s strengths and interests, I’d end up with something very close to what has been working for Oak Meadow for 40 years.

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As students move through the grades, the curriculum grows and changes. In fourth grade the focus shifts: the syllabus speaks to the student rather than the parent, who begins to take a supportive role rather than one of leadership. It is gratifying to see that the progression of the curriculum reinforces the natural development of the child. This is a program that we can continue all through high school if Ellie chooses. We are incredibly excited. The minute I found their website, I knew it was an exceptional choice for Ellie and for us as a family.

*Left to our own devices, Ellie and I might just read and paint all day. And bake (to learn fractions). With enrollment, not only is my life simplified as far as record keeping, dealing with the local school board, providing balanced learning, and staying on track, but I don’t have to be the bad guy when we’ve got to get stuff done! It’s actually DUE! It has to be TURNED IN! As a first time homeschool parent, this makes me feel a lot less pressured. And Ellie gets to have school swag. Which she loves.