When my oldest two were in 3rd & 4th grade (or 2nd & 3rd -- I can't remember exactly any more), we participated in a home-school co-op with about 30 kids. On my lunch hours I taught Spanish to the older part of this group twice a week. My older brother taught twice a week as well.
This past Spring, I taught the three youngest about drawing. I think the course lasted for about 4 or 5 weeks. We'd meet for half an hour before I started work everyday. Maybe I'll post something about that drawing experience some time.
Well, that's my teaching part of the home-schooling. How does my support role work?
Besides providing money for computers, software, books and other materials, the biggest part of my support role is to listen to my wife's ideas and then give my encouragement. Occasionally, I share an idea with her as well -- but I really try to let her run her own show.
Another big part I play is the role of "principal" which is the process of talking to the kids when they become less than cooperative. I like to think that in this role I take an active part rather than a reactive part, but lately it seems to be much more reactive than active. I need to think of and implement ways of being more active in this role.
I also keep the computers and software running. I write code (that is, software) most of my waking hours (and sometimes in my sleep, too) which means I spend a lot of time at the computer. I really don't like messing with computers once I'm done writing software. That is, I need a break. This is why I haven't kept a blog up-to-date -- this is why I drag my feet when it comes to configuring new software for the kids -- this is why I don't write software for myself after I am done writing software for someone else -- this is also why I got Macs for the house instead of Windows PCs. (Okay, this idea of Macs instead of Windows is really because I got sick of fighting viruses literally every day.)
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