Last summer, my daughter’s Chemistry curriculum introduced us to the idea that YouTube could be part of our homeshool science curriculum. Everyone would gather around the computer to watch the explosive reactions of alkaline metals hitting water and beg to watch it again.

Since then, we’ve periodically used Google’s Video search to find other free online videos that demonstrated a concept or inspired our own experiments.

As with anything, there’s a lot of junk out there we don’t want in our kids’ heads, but there is also some wonderful experiments and demonstrations that we wouldn’t be able to do on our own. We use these videos as springboards of conversation – not just on the topic, but also on safety and appropraiteness of the content.

This week my 9-year-old ran across this video on how to make a simple “bb gun” from a toilet paper tube, a balloon, a penny. From this, we discussed velocity, force, safety, when it is okay to replicate the experiment and when it is not, and what we could change to test how it work under different conditions (different type of tube, different balloon sizes, a different type of projectile, etc.)

Over time I’ll share more of our favorite videos with you. But for now, here’s my 9-year-old’s find for the week:

Safety Alert! I’m a big believer in over emphasizing safety. When watching any science videos or demonstrations, it’s always wise, especially with active, indepenent-thinking, creative children, to explicitly discuss when it is okay to replicate an experiment and under what conditions…and be sure to explain why or ask what would happen if they don’t follow the safety instructions.

Last week I moved my office and what a difference it has made – to me, to the family, and to my ability to get things done. 

Up until six months ago, I’ve always had my office in a main part of the house, usually the living room or in a room that opens up into the living room – so I could see the kids while I worked.  But six months ago, I felt I needed an office where I could close the doors and not be disturbed while I was focusing or on a conference call. And that sort-of worked.

Unfortunately, what I failed to factor in is how separate it would make me, how much I would miss the view of the yard and kids playing, and how much less space I would have. So I’ve moved again.

My office is now in front of a 12 foot span of windows overlooking the back yard, where I can see the butterflies twitter about my garden and the dragonflies zoom across the yard, and I can see my kids playing. 

Looking to my right I have the rest of the living room, where I can see my 5 year old working on her art projects, my 11 year old reading, and all four of the kids’ computers (and exactly what is on them). 

I’m so much more accessible here. But also have so much more space to work. Everything feels so much more open, and when I need a break I can just look up and remember why I’m doing this. 

It’s amazing what a little location change can do for productivity and psyche.

Is homeschooling really a lot of work? Is it really that hard?  Lately I’ve been getting comments from those outside of homeschooling who seem to think that it is a just a huge job or hard work.

This attitude always surprises me. I always seem to stammer, “it’s not that difficult” Because quite frankly of all the things I do, I don’t consider homeschooling really that hard. But maybe that’s because I really enjoy spending time with my kids and talking to them, and exploring the world together. And that’s our approach to homeschooling.

I do spend a lot of time thinking about what direction we’re going and looking at ways of facilitating my kids’ education. But once they get to a certain point, I put them front and center in charge of their education and I play a facilitator role. I’m not forcing knowledge into them – standing at the front of the white board lecturing (though I’ve been known to do that if the occasion warrants it).

I’m simply making available the materials they need, having discussions, giving them lots and lots of room to explore their interests and develop their passions. I suggest materials, classes, curriculum, and partner with the olders.  I set expectations and ensure that they are met, but at the same time give lee-way to nurture those natural gifts and interests they have.

So is homeschooling a bunch of work?  In a way it is, but not any harder than just parenting.

And frankly, I find both homeschooling and parenting incredibly fun, challenging (in a good way), and totally worthwhile.

What’s your perspective?