Reviewing the current year
Well, it’s that time of the year where I start to look back and reflect upon the growth and change in the members of our family, including myself. While we don?t have school report cards or achievement cards I will be writing letters to each of the children. I shall tell them areas where I think they’ve had growth or that they need to focus upon in the future are areas such as:
- SPIRITUAL LIFE ~Bible reading, study, worship, prayer, fellowship, devotional readings, journal writing.
- LIFE SKILLS~ Chores, serving others, life skills.
- RELATIONSHIP/CHARACTER~ Relationship to others, God and self. Exercise, sport, nutrition, hygiene, personal development, health.
- ENGLISH~The art of communication – copywork/dictation, grammar, poetry, writing/composition, spelling/vocabulary, literature.
- MATHEMATICS~ Problem solving, thinking skills, logic studies.
- SCIENCE~Nature study, typing/technology, study.
- HISTORY~Past people and events. History and biography.
- GEOGRAPHY~ people and places of the world. Government, Economics, Foreign Language.
- WORLD VIEWS, CURRENT EVENTS ~
- CREATIVE ARTS ~ Music, art, crafts, drama, Shakespeare, instruments, and other creative activities.
- AUDIO, VIDEO, TV & DISCUSSIONS~ Things I’ve discussed or learned by listening or watching.
This activity is much more important than an ‘A’ or 80%. Really, what does that tell a person? How does that encourage them? How does that help them to one day be self governed in the important areas of life? Our home learning journey is about real life, so I’ll want to let them know how they are going in those areas especially. So I’ll write them about their Spiritual Life, Life Skills, and Relationship and Character. I’ll probably spend more time in these areas than on the other academic areas. I have found that it?s of little use to focus heavily on academics if the child doesn’t have the ability to focus or apply themselves to a task. Similarly, it?s more important that they know how to relate to other people than have their touch typing skills at a high level. I find this sort of review helpful as I begin to pray, prepare, plan and ponder and peruse in preparation for a new year.
For those who don’t give grades or make yearbooks, how do you review the current year in preparation for the coming new year? I’d love to hear from you!
If you liked this post, you may also enjoy:
- http://susanpriolo.com/blog/?p=42
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oh susan, I left out a ‘not’ in my last comment lol …. not to worry 😉
Reading about your review I feel like doing the same but with going into a different ‘school year’ I am in two minds about when to do my overview of where my children are at. Might leave it until early next year, …. maybe. I appreciate how you put other life traits above the academics. I haven’t yet been able to let that one go totally, having Marcel around does certainly help me to not worry about the ‘A’ word as much 😉
Susan, I haven’t been by in a while and have moved my blog from here to blogspot. I just wanted to check in with you and always love reading your posts. Hope you are doing well, friend!
Susan,
I really like this idea. It is so much more encouraging to our children to hear our words. It also shows how much we love them to take the time to write to them.
Blessings,
Stacy
Hi Susan
Great idea! I wrote our report for the moderator in much the same way this year and it was very enthusiastically received (Starting with Relationships and having academics last) But I like the idea of converting my thoughts to a personal letter to my children. I’ll have to put some thoughts to this!
Belinda
Review is important. We tend to veer off course after a while.
I hope your time of giving thanks is truly blessed and special.