So...Italian School

So...two weeks ago as my homeschool buddies back in Texas were attending a bookfair to buy their curriculum, I was signing my children up for Italian Elementary School.  It was intimidating, yet exciting...and oddly ironic.  We have always homeschooled, so this was a huge step for us as a family.  The boys have now attended Marsure Primary School for two weeks.  We love it!  Don't get me wrong--there have been HUGE adjustments to make for the entire family.   There have been tough days for my boys and I miss having them home all day, but we are so thankful for this opportunity.  Mason and Bradey are not required to be enrolled full time in the Italian school, so we still continue with some homeschool.  They both attend school part-time and have several days a week that they are only there for a partial day. 

So...why Italian school?  Well, we wanted the boys to learn the language while we are here and after looking into several options, we felt that this was the best one.  The school year will conclude in the middle of June, so we felt that it would give us a "trial period" to see how the boys did before the new school year in the fall.   So far the past two weeks have gone really well and the boys are adjusting well.  We will re-group as a family at the conclusion of the year and make a plan for next year.

So...what is Italian school like?  Italian School reminds me of my elementary education...simple...back to basics.  Instead of smart boards there are chalk boards.   Math is REALLY, REALLY important...hours daily are spent on this one subject.  The kids are...kids! (Media, tv, and computers have not dominated the youngest generation of this culture yet!)  They play ball, tag, jump rope, clapping games, kick ball, etc.  The school that the boys attend is very small.  It houses 1st - 5th grade, a small gym room, a tiny library, and a lunch room.  Aaaah...the lunch room.  A highlight of the boys' day is the family style 1 hour lunch that they get.  They are served several courses that begin with homemade bread from a local baker.  Second, a homemade pasta dish, risotto, or soup.  Third is their main dish of meat and a vegetable.  They receive a piece of fresh fruit from a local farm for dessert.  That is about as far from "cafeteria food" as there is!  Mealtime is a huge deal for the Italians!  They believe it is a time for conversation and relaxing with friends and family. 

So...how do the boys understand what is going on?  Mason and Bradey are both already picking up on the language.  They have patient teachers...who actually speak no English.  (I think there are alot of charades going on! ha ha!)  They are COMPLETELY submersed in the language daily.  Both of the boys have a student in their class that speaks pretty good English.  They are not American but were taught English in their home.  They are a huge help to Mason and Bradey when they get stuck on something.  There are 7 other Americans in the school, just none in the boys' classes. 

So...we are busier than ever, but loving it.  I run back and forth to the school often and try to keep up with the boys' homeschool in between.  We will keep you posted about this newest adventure!

Ciao!

First day of school

Bradey in his classroom with two new friends.  (They wear uniform smocks over their clothes)