One of the reasons we were able to skip town with the Three is because we home educate our children. 

I have rarely talked openly about our home education process. For so many of those early years when I would mention it, I was met with questions that, although great, had an aura of negativity rather than honest curiosity...

"What about socialization? How will your kids know how to play with other kids?" 

"What is your problem with local public schools? Or teachers? Do you think I'm a bad parent for using public school?"

"How does the state regulate you to make certain your kids are learning the right things? Do you test them? What are their tests scores?"

"Are you some kind of religious nut job? Are you in a cult?"

While I don't mind answering any question (with love and patience and kindness on my part), the constant negativity was too much. From then on, I decided to keep the whole home education thing on the down low. But quite honestly, recent interactions at a networking event gave me hope that the times are changing - so I don't mind sharing what we did now...

And California would be the first time we were going to home educate on the road. This seemed like something of hippies and VW vans, RV living and learning by osmosis. But for me, I wanted to make certain it a valuable trip for the kids' education so I planned out our school year accordingly. Since we would be driving across the country to the west - we studied the westward expansion. In the school months before we left we studied the Louisiana Purchase, Lewis and Clark, the Oregon Trail, etc. Once we got to California, we studied more specific California history, early settlement and the gold rush, as well as studied the art and ecology of California.

From reading books like Naya Nuki to watching documentaries about the redwoods, we took our new knowledge and made it tactile that school year and it was very successful for all the kids. Yes, we did the normal lessons of math (Teaching Textbooks / ABeka) and language arts (Sonlight / A Beka), but our science and history were truly brought to a whole new level.

So, what did I pack?

I was able to put all student books and teacher books (and some art supplies) in one decent sized box that fit perfectly next to Oscar (our espresso maker) in the back of our car. As the years have passed, I have switched between using the kids' backpacks and using my school travel box - each has its perks. With the backpacks there's more storage-room in the back of the car, but with the box, the toys are out of sight while in the car, making more person-room. I prefer my box because since we are staying in random accommodations, our schoolwork has a place to go, it's organized for us, and it keeps things in the houses more tidy. (Which I appreciate! :)!)

I'm really not this micro-managing of a person - making Google slideshows of driving routes and writing my own full-blown science and history curriculums. But taking our education on the road opened a whole new world for me in how we approach our kids' education, modeling it more for them, their world, and their success. 

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