I remember standing on a stool in a friend's kitchen, surrounded by a group of little girls and boys dressed in a mix of "strap dresses" and "tunics," all of us up to our elbows in flour. We were pretending to be little Vikings making brauðiskr, a type of Viking flatbread.
Another time, we wore togas while reclining around low tables, enjoying dates, olives, and goat cheese drizzled with honey. We discussed the legacy of Roman roads and the history of Christians in Rome. We also created salt maps of Italy and built small-scale Motte and Bailey castles. During our time in Northern California, we studied the pilgrims, and about 20 of us were sent to "scour" the woods for food. In a precocious moment, I led my patient old horse around the garden, pretending I had spotted a white-tailed deer.
My homeschool years were not just about learning, but about building a community. We came alive through the co-ops we did with families in our neighborhood. The mothers took turns teaching us different subjects, and the workload was shared. Families brought in cultural or historically relevant dishes and pastries, adding a touch of diversity to our learning. We made flapbooks, presented book reports, and even had fun performances. I remember one year, my brother, who was about 6 or 7, sang the School House Rock version of the 'Ride of Paul Revere' and galloped off the stage on his hobby horse, to the cheers of our co-op community.
When we lived in Mexico, there was no homeschool community. However, that didn't stop my mom. She took the initiative to establish the first homeschool community by inspiring families to embrace home education.
Years later, my mom continued her passion for community and home education by creating beautiful, easy-to-follow co-op guides to accompany each of the Peaceful Press elementary bundles. These guides ensure that the benefits and enjoyment of learning with others are simple and straightforward.