Tulani, Ayanna and James , soon after we started homeschooling. Tulani was 11, Ayanna was 13 and James was 7 when we began. This is the story as I wrote it for a newsletter I once published. Click on the pages below to enlarge.
Beginning To Home School – Idlewild 1990
Through your fine writing and beautiful photos, I have been able to live vicariously at Idlewild – the “Black Eden” of the 20th Century!
I have learned so much about this special place from you and have a true appreciation for what this community meant to and for African Americans.
Your newsletter is awesome; great stories, photos, and family memories you have to cherish forever!
I just realized the last three posts are about Idlewild!
Yes they have been about Idlewild. But you’ve blogged about Idlewild last year too. I just click your tag #Idlewild and all your past and present a stories and photos come to life!
Yes, I have so many good stories and photographs from Idlewild.
I loved reading about homeschooling. Loved the choice of song at the school event. It used to be my job to plan our 5th grade commencements. My principal was big on those, feeling our kids would never make it through high school. Little did he know that we have some with advanced degrees now!
One year, I had to put my foot down and insist that we would not “Stroll in” in “Red, Red Wine.”
I can understand why you made the decision from your introductory remarks about the school. How very sad. I am glad for your children’s sake you had the resources to implement home schooling.
It was such a relief to leave a failing system and so sad for those who could not.
Loved reading the whole – but especially the two wishlists of learning of the 13 yo and 11 yo. Such clarity of vision and spot on sense of priorities at such an early age! Children are so much more sensible than we give them credit for.
Yes they are. And now that they are 43 and 41, they can do everything on their lists and more. 😀
I enjoyed reading a little about your homeschooling experiences. Stories of past homeschooling experience can provide so much insight into how it might be done during this current era of distance education.
Although it was totally different from sitting in front of a computer for 6 or 7 hours a day being, I thought it might be at least interesting to those going through it.
I agree! In some ways I think that true homeschooling makes more sense than sitting for hours a day in front of a computer trying to participate in a distance education class.
Some of the stories people are relating about their experiences are troubling. Especially for the youngest children.