my google search for the day-- "animals that live underground"

In my attempt to make 2008 a little more organized and efficient, I decided to make a schedule for weekly activities, specifically for homeschooling. In 2007, Friday in our home was known as "Field Trip Friday" and it made life simple. We all knew that Friday was a day to pack a lunch and head out the door. So, after talking with my kids about what they wanted to learn this year, I asked them to come up with a few things they wanted to focus on and make a weekly calendar with specifics.

Ben was enthusiastic about this idea and quickly made his list..
Monday=Math day.
Tuesday=Geography.
Wednesday=History.
Thursday=Science.
and so forth.

Luke's ideas were so off the wall. I couldn't help but laugh when I saw his categories..
Monday=Underground Animals
Tuesday=State Flags
Wednesday=What's inside animals bodies
Thursdays=Oxygen
EXCUSE ME? I mean, how many underground animals are there, really? When I laughed at what he wrote down, he was annoyed-- because he didn't want to make the list in the first place. I felt bad.. but hello, that's funny!

Luke is really going to struggle if I ever do send him to school. I try to be relaxed about him and just let him join in whenever he wants... because frankly he isn't 5 yet. But a little while ago, I gave him a worksheet of simple math problems.. you know, 2+2. I have no idea what level of math he can comprehend, but he's definitely past the simple addition/subtraction phase, so this would be easy for him. He took one look at the page and started a debate that left me without an argument..

Luke: Why do you want me to fill this out?

Me: To see how well you know your math.

Luke: Well, what are you doing to do with it after I fill it out?

Me: I am going to correct it to see if which ones you got right.

Luke: and then what?

Me: Maybe put a sticker on it or put in on the fridge. (said with lots of enthusiasm!)

Luke: No, I don't really want to do this. There is no story with it.. like 2 elephants are drinking at a lake and 2 more come. This isn't fun.

Me: Um... well, I guess you don't have to do it... ??? (I mean, where do I go from there.)

If he ever goes to school, he might have some major issues with structured learning.. but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Ben, on the other hand, LOVES worksheets and wants me to put a sticker next to every question. So-- I am working on finding a balance between the two of them. I don't have any idea school teachers handle a classroom full of kids who all learn so differently... and here I am struggling with two-- sometimes three.

Anyway, it's Monday morning and I am blogging instead of studying the life of meerkats and groundhogs. better get going....... I have a lot of research to do.