ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Virtual Elementary School VES and VHS Present: The Sommer Family
The Sommer family has a unique approach to education that focuses on a balanced lifestyle. They make sure their kids get plenty of sleep, enjoy outdoor activities, and have the freedom to just be kids. While they do spend some time on screens for learning, the family encourages them to be active outside as much as possible.
The Sommer family began homeschooling when Ethan was in junior kindergarten. They initially registered him for school but realized it wasn’t the best fit. Ethan is very active, and they couldn’t imagine him sitting still in a classroom all day. So, they decided to homeschool him. By grade 5, Ethan started using the AES program, and Paige joined in grade 6, focusing on subjects like science. Most of their courses have been independent, but Ethan took a facilitated course in grade 8 to learn how to work with a teacher.
Currently, Ethan is studying grade nine math, healthy active living, and science. He recently finished his English final exam. He appreciates his teachers because they are friendly, helpful, and offer great advice. Ethan has had a positive experience with quick responses to his tests and assignments.
Paige hasn’t used the pacing tool yet, but Ethan finds it helpful. It lets him set a finish date for his courses, which helps him manage his time better. Although English isn’t his favorite subject, he’s making good progress. On the other hand, he enjoys math and is moving through it quickly. Paige, who is officially in grade six, has already started grade seven English because she’s doing so well in it.
The flexibility of their homeschooling program is a big plus. It’s easy to set up, and there are many fun activities. Paige enjoys doing her schoolwork while cuddling with her dogs, which adds a cozy touch to her learning experience.
In December, the kids participated in a play, which took up a lot of their time. During rehearsals, they paused their schoolwork but caught up on weekends when necessary. Their teachers are very supportive and act as tutors when needed.
When the family goes camping in the fall, the kids don’t have to do schoolwork during that time. They can catch up before or after the trip. The Sommer family believes that children are growing up too fast, and if it takes longer than four years to complete their education, that’s perfectly fine. The most important thing for them is their children’s happiness and mental health. If it takes five or six years and they are happy and engaged in other activities, they see that as a great success.
Take a break from screens and spend a day exploring nature. Document your findings by taking photos or drawing sketches of interesting plants, animals, or landscapes you encounter. Share your discoveries with the class and discuss how outdoor activities can contribute to a balanced lifestyle.
Create a weekly schedule that balances schoolwork, outdoor activities, and relaxation time. Use tools like planners or digital apps to set goals and track your progress. Present your schedule to the class and explain how it helps you manage your time effectively, similar to how Ethan uses the pacing tool.
In small groups, role-play different homeschooling scenarios based on the Sommer family’s experiences. Assign roles such as students, parents, and teachers, and act out situations like planning a camping trip or preparing for a play. Discuss the benefits and challenges of homeschooling and how flexibility can enhance learning.
Write a short story or diary entry from the perspective of a homeschooled student like Ethan or Paige. Describe a typical day, including both educational activities and leisure time. Share your story with the class and reflect on how homeschooling can offer a unique educational experience.
Engage in a hands-on math or science project that interests you, similar to Ethan’s studies. This could be a simple experiment, a math puzzle, or a science model. Present your project to the class, explaining what you learned and how it relates to real-world applications.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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[Music] They get good sleep, lots of outdoor activity, and the chance to be kids. [Music] They spend some time on screens for educational purposes, but we make sure to encourage them to go outside and be active.
We’ve been homeschooling since Ethan was in junior kindergarten. We registered him for junior kindergarten but decided it wasn’t the right fit for him. He’s a very active child and we couldn’t see him sitting in a classroom. We started using the AES program in grade 5 for him and grade 6 for Paige, focusing on subjects like science. They’ve mostly done independent courses, except for Ethan’s grade 8, where he took a facilitated course to help him learn how to work with a teacher.
I’m currently taking grade nine math, healthy active living, and science. I recently completed my final exam for English. I really like my teachers; they’re friendly, helpful, and provide good advice. Ethan has had a positive experience and they’ve been quick to respond to tests and assignments.
Paige hasn’t used the pacing tool yet, but Ethan has found it helpful. It allows him to set a finish date for his courses, which helps him manage his time. English isn’t his favorite subject, so it took a bit longer, but he’s progressing well. With math, he’s moving through the material quickly and really enjoying it. Paige is officially in grade six but has started her grade seven English because she excelled in it.
The flexibility of the program is great. It’s easy to set up, and there are many engaging activities. Paige enjoys cuddling with her dogs while doing her schoolwork, which is a nice touch.
The kids participated in a play this past December, which took up a lot of their time. During the rehearsals, we paused schoolwork, but they caught up on weekends when needed. The teachers are very supportive, acting as tutors when necessary.
When we go camping in the fall, they don’t have to do any schoolwork during that time, allowing them to catch up before or after the trip. We believe that kids are growing up too quickly, and if it takes longer than four years to complete their education, that’s perfectly fine. The most important thing for us is their happiness and mental health. If it takes five or six years and they are happy and engaged in other activities, we see that as a solid win.
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This version maintains the essence of the original transcript while removing any informal language and ensuring clarity.
Education – The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university. – Education is important for developing critical thinking skills and preparing for future careers.
Health – The state of being free from illness or injury. – Maintaining good health involves regular exercise and a balanced diet.
Homeschooling – The education of children at home by their parents or tutors. – Homeschooling allows parents to tailor the curriculum to their child’s individual needs.
Flexibility – The quality of bending easily without breaking, or the ability to be easily modified. – Flexibility in school schedules can help students manage their time better.
Math – The abstract science of number, quantity, and space, either as abstract concepts or as applied to other disciplines. – Math is essential for solving everyday problems and understanding the world around us.
Science – The systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. – Science classes often include experiments to help students learn about the natural world.
Active – Engaging or ready to engage in physically energetic pursuits. – Being active is crucial for maintaining physical health and mental well-being.
Teachers – Individuals who provide education to students. – Teachers play a vital role in shaping the future by educating young minds.
Learning – The acquisition of knowledge or skills through study, experience, or being taught. – Learning can be a lifelong journey that extends beyond the classroom.
Happiness – The state of being happy, often characterized by feelings of contentment and joy. – Happiness can be enhanced by a supportive school environment and positive relationships.
