“... as my kids got older and I had more in the homeschool program , it became easier to do things within my own family and stay at home ...”
Photo by Jassica Lewis on Unsplash
Another aspect of homeschool Ulakovits loves is being able to take current obsessions and turn them into learning experiences .
“ When it first came out , all the kids were obsessed with the National Treasure movie ,” said Ulakovits . “ I just remember sitting around one night and the kids were talking about the movie and how cool it would be to see the Declaration of Independence in person .”
Thinking about how the distance between south Georgia and Washington D . C . in her head , Ulakovits realized they weren ’ t that far away .
“ We took them the next week so they could physically see all that history and learn about it while they were excited about it ,” said Ulakovits . “ It ’ s one of my favorite memories .”
Big trips aren ’ t the only way that Ulakovits was able to tailor her curriculum to cater to her children ’ s learning .
“ My youngest is super into space at the moment ,” said Ulakovits . “ She decided on her own to work hard to finish her other subjects months early so that she could focus on learning about space .”
Taking her daughter to the library once her course studies were completed , they went home with reading material about astrophysics .
“ I don ’ t know anything about it ,” said Ulakovits . “ But , that ’ s part of the beauty of it - I get to learn right along with it and we are learning together .”
Even things that can ’ t be looped into a larger unit , Ulakovits found ways to tailor her teaching .
“ I would go through the dictionary with each of my kids until I would find words they couldn ’ t spell ,” said Ulakovits . “ That would be their spelling list they had to study .”
To those parents new to homeschooling or thinking of homeschooling , Ulakovits has two major tips from 22 years of experience thus far .
“ So many parents want program when their kids are four or five that will teach them how to read or math ,” said Ulakovits . “ But , just enjoy your kids - they are sponges . My kids learned to read because we went to the library and just spent time reading books .” Each student learns at their own way . “ When my second began school I tried to teach her like I was doing with my eldest , but it wasn ’ t working ,” said Ulakovits . “ Whereas my first was go go go with the course books , my second learned better being outside doing things like going for nature walks and getting her hands dirty .”
With three years remaining before her youngest graduates , Ulakovits wouldn ’ t change the experience for the world .
“ Having my children home has been the greatest joy ,” said Ulakovits . “ I know I haven ’ t done things perfect , but they have turned out to be good human beings and that was our goal .”
32 MoultrieScene AUGUST 2024