Now that we have a full semester behind us of trying out the hybrid model school with our children, I think we can give you all a fair update on how it’s all going….the pros and cons, as well as thoughts moving forward! I know it is something many of you have been inquiring about, so if you have additional questions feel free to leave them below.
In the first few months Gabe and I were trying to tag team teaching lessons to Gabriel and Veronica on the days they were home. It was a little bananas to be honest. Trying to adjust to working together on the blog, a new family routine, and trying to understand curriculums to teach our kids while juggling babies. I was completely overwhelmed, but had been given the heads up that it takes time to adjust.
I admit we were a little ambitious thinking we could make so many big changes and not get overwhelmed by them. Thankfully the school they attend is full of wonderful families and very helpful administrators that assured us things would get easier, and it has! For those who haven’t heard of the hybrid model, it is a school that allows you to have the school experience 2-3 days a week, and the other days schooling at home with the assignments the teachers create for you to direct. I thought it would be helpful to break it down into pros and cons.
Cons:
The school days at home require more time than we originally thought. We assumed we would be able to wrap lessons by midday or early afternoon, but its a solid 6-7 hr. day. I think this is because instead of one teacher assigning lessons there are a few (each for different subjects). We came up with the solution that Gabe would take the kids to the library on these days. My college aged brother (who is so good with kids), helps me with Rocco, Azelie, and Max while I try to squeeze in a few hours of work. We are realizing Gabe is not getting time to do the many things we were counting on to keep the blog content flowing. Tuesdays and Thursdays when they are in school, we still have the babies so there is zero time during the week where we can both work at the same time. This is a dilemma we are still trying to figure out. For now, we work our tails off on Saturdays and after kids are in bed.
Weekends are not as flexible either. – We were hoping to use this schedule to bring lessons with us and explore some historic cities and such this year. Since it takes more time to administer tests and lessons, this has not happened, but we are hopeful for the summer.
– We had to hire more help. – Since we quickly realized we would need more help to make these family goals happen. We hired my brother as mentioned, as well as more help running blog administration and accounting. I am so thankful my kids get time with my brother. He is a role model for them! We might be enlisting the help of my mother as well one day a week (who has an education background) in order for Gabe to get a few more work hours in during the week.
The school is 25 minutes away. – Anyone who has to do the carpool run for the kids knows why this is on the con list. Two hours in the car on Tuesdays and Thursdays is a tough one to swallow. This is when I cram in all of the podcasts.
Pros:
The kids have more time with each other. – This has been my favorite thing that the hybrid model allows. Last year, they were coming home with homework after long days at school, and overall were tired and cranky. I felt like I didn’t see them during their best hours, and they were mean to each other because they were all overstimulated or tired. This is a normal part of life, but I am so happy to see that with having more time at home together, their friendships have grown in really cool ways. They still fight and squabble, but the bonds are evident. I value this because I had this experience with my own brothers and sisters growing up, and their friendships now mean so much to me. Gabe and I both want this for them too.
More time for creativity and expanding interests. – Since the kids are wrapping up with school by 3, and there isn’t homework after that, it has given them those hours before dinner to do things they really love. For Gabriel, that involves a lot of construction, drawing, archery, and soccer. He spends hours creating comic books or electronic lego mobiles, and it makes me so deeply happy to see him use his abilities. He just didn’t have the same motivation and energy
They get to see us work together. – Being at home some days, our kids get to hear Gabe and I’s little business meetings or see us work on a home project dilemma together. They ask us questions, and it gives us an opportunity to share how we are a team. They understand we work hard so that we can have more time together, but also that everyone has an important unique role in the family. I love seeing the conversations that stem from this, and hearing about all kinds of things they want to do when they grow up.
Independence and confidence in learning. – It was a struggle the first month to get our kids at a place where they were confident and focused enough to do certain school assignments on their own. Gabe would guide and direct of course, but they had been so used to doing everything in a large classroom instructed format that it was a curve to figure out another style of learning. However, the more they practiced, the more confident they became on practicing drills, study guides, writing exercises, etc. after simply reading directions. It has been really good for their problem solving and reading comprehension skills as well as confidence in their abilities to learn. I never thought I would see Gabriel willing to do his own research for a book report. They still require a lot of guidance and work checking, but it is exciting to see these qualities develop.
Smaller school benefits. – I was doubtful Max (4) who is really high energy and hard to focus, would be ready for a full day of school. However, since it is a smaller classroom setting for the days they are actually at the school (Max has only 7 students in his classroom), it has allowed him to thrive this year. They have learning stations, plenty of breaks to shake out the energy, and lots of opportunities to work one on one with them for basic reading and math. They make morality a prime focus at the school as well, which I am so grateful for.
Their dad is their teacher! – Gabe was an educator and education administrator for ten years. So he is an incredibly patient with them even on the most hair pulling days! I love that they get to learn from him on this different level now because this is the first year in a looong time they get so much quality time with him. I don’t think you have to have an education background to do the hybrid model, but it doesn’t hurt that’s for sure!
Each family will have different circumstances and individual capacities, so I don’t think the hybrid model is the right choice for everyone. In fact, it would have probably been impossible for me to attempt on my own with Rocco and Azelie’s ages. This year, it worked for us because of our work circumstances, and it continues to be hard, but well worth some of the sacrifices we are making because we see how happy our children are. I don’t know what we will do for next year to be honest, but for this year I have so much peace it’s what was best for us.
If you have any additional questions I would be happy to answer below!
Here are some great additional resources I have on hand for Max and Rocco to use while their older siblings do school, as well as some supplemental studies for all of the kids:
Usborne Books, learning and sensory stations and toys, Wild and Free curriculums.
