• Sep. 13, 2008
Learning Goals
School . About our challenges and our success from
last year. She asked me "What are your goals for this
year." Honestly I have goals for the year things
I want to work on with each child but I really
hadn't put them down on paper yet. So today
I pulled out the Chalkboard and began
compiling a short list. I'll start with my youngest
and work my way up in age.
3 in January but I think he can do it. He already
has learned most of the names of his body parts
and counts to 5 pretty well. He knows a few shapes
and some of his colors so I think in a years time
he will have it. The lacing may even seem like a
challenge but he almost beads on his own already.
Now if only his speech came out clearer.
is for us to do a lot of read alouds and reading
time alone with mom. With these things maybe
just maybe his reading level will jump up. He
does fabulously at math. It is something that just
comes natural to him so we will just move
on at a fairly quick pace. The last one about
being more responsible with his belongings is
something we have been working on all summer.
I had hoped 3 months of work would be the
connection but it seems we will have to keep working
on that one. A male friend at our church laughed
at me. He felt it was a male trait to lose your belongings.
What do you think??
cursive writing this year and creating sentences.
I hope to just do a few practices each morning to
keep the knowledge fresh for her. Eventually
writing sentences will be second nature. As you
can tell most of the things listed have to do
with the memory. That is what we strive to
enhance or ways around it.
can handle her own learning quite well. I do
want to make sure she knows how to do certain things
before she one day heads out of the house. I realize
I only have maybe 2-3 years to impart that to her.
Opportunities to enhance my knowledge and
attend another homeschool convention. I am
already mooning over the idea of going again.
I learned so much and had a lot of fun.
If you would like to try writing your goals
you can snag the blank chalkboard. Highlight
as if you were copying then click the control
key and C. Save the photo and open it to paint.
Click the A for writing and create a box around
the black part of the chalkboard. There are 2
shapes on you toolbar. One will write with a
white background and the other will write with
a clear background . Select the clear. Select
white to type and start writing goals. Dont
forget to save it to put into photobucket or
whatever you use to post later. If you do
decide to make one leave me a link and
I'll come and check it out.
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• Aug. 28, 2008
First day of School
4th for us. Oh well I have some photos of that
day. It seems the longer I homeschool the more
relaxed I become. I am excited for my younger child
who will have a more experienced, relaxed mom when
the time comes. Once the children and I complete
our morning routine their reward for all their hard
work is some bike riding on our local rail trail. The
kids absolutely love it!!
to riding. He doesn't like if the road is bumpy or
if it dips at all. He gets off his bike to ride. lol
Of his big wheel. I don't have it shown here but I
then help him along the trail. Its a long way for him,
yet he begs to go father. The fun part of this time
of day is that there is a group of ederly people
that ride their bikes at this time. Spirit likes to
to wave at each one as they pass. Course he always
get a big grin. When we came back through we say
some of the kindergarteners with their backpacks
getting ready for school. I notices how young those
little ones seemed. Almost to young to go away
from home. The kids and I spent the afternoon
snuggling and tickling each other. We took some
time to relax and created some things with clay.
Oh I know that my chores are getting behind already.
I surely knew they would,but I am so glad that
it is . That I have this time with my children before
they are all grown up and my home is quiet.
I expect some of you will soon be having your
first day of school. (if you already haven't started)
I hope that your day is also full of messy paint,
piles of chores waiting patiently while you giggle
on the carpet tickling one another.
Don't you just love his glowing emblem.
Happy School day!!
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• Jul. 25, 2008
RESOURCES RESOURCES!!
As promised I am finally getting to some of
the new resources that I have come upon. So
sit back , relax and enjoy the links...
Hear history and politics out loud
with these free audios.
www.hpol.org
Need some new worksheets. Creating
your own is easy at this site.
www.worksheetworks.com
Are you teaching a pre reader this year?
You might want to check out this teachers website.
Some of the ideas are obviously classroom setting
only but some can be modifyed and used at home.
www.jmeacham.com
Also for the prereader..
Click the freebies section at the top for
some printables
www.carriesfamilydaycare.com
Creative Pre K activies and elementary
Creative Make and Takes
Learn basic reading skills online
Online basic skills
Free Phonics worksheets
And last but not least is a resouces
I have talked about time and time again
called math wire. Right now you will
find morning math routine ideas, manipulative
ideas, math mats and much more.
www.mathwire.com
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• Jul. 22, 2008
Fun Freebie and Links Across the Net!!
Although I havent been posting very
much . I have been around the net collecting
goodies schooling and other great resources. So
today I will share some of the great things I have come
upon.
Weekly or Daily Freebies Check often..
www.ecobrain.com
Has an ebook on Surviving Americas
Depression Epidemic.
www.currclick.com
This week they have a old fashioned copy
Book for download.
www.handsofachild.com
Free ebook on Zebras
Freebie of the day
Ebook on learning about time.
You can also download a free audio
This changes daily so if you are here
a different day it will be a different freebie.
Faith and Family
Posts a differnt link each day. I have
found these links really awesome.
Early childhood printable
This week there is a dinosaur flipbook
for download. There are tons of free printables
on this site if you look around a bit.
Reach for the stars
Click daily at the top for this weeks
freebies
School Express
Has a free farm unit for download.
Education center
This was one of my favorites. You can choose
from a variety of education resource to be sent
to your home for looking over. Catalogs, magazines
etc...
I was going to share a few more great links
but think I will save them for another day . Since
this list seems to be pretty big. I have more..OH
do I have more. So check back in a day or so for
the rest of the list.
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• Jul. 15, 2008
Preparations
session is on it's way. I can hardly believe it is
so near and yet we still have a lot of summer days
to enjoy. I am taking my quiet time and preparing lessons
for the fall. Since my management binder worked so well.
I decided to create a school binder. It has my schedules,
attendance, calender, lessons plans, learning goals and
will have much much more. I am excited to be this organized
and have it all together. I have picked the topics for
Spirits lessons and have them all in a monthy chart leaving
room to do the lapbook lessons Valerie offers.
I am also soo excited to have had a conversation with
our disciple coordinator. I asked him a few quesitons
about any resources he might know about for Princess
grade level to learn bible truths or even Creation Science.
I was so thrilled that he took me seriously and wants
to have a meeting to tell me all that he has for me to look
at. I knew that his education would lead me in the right
direction. So just a little side reminder. Look around your
church or community. There are people there that
can be a great resource if you reach out to them . They
want to help and the really awesome thing is when
you do they become a part of your childs learning
as well. Instead of feeling against you and more with
the system they see where you are coming from first hand.
Its funny but the girlscout law comes to mind..
Use resources wisely. lol I guess thats not what
they ment but thats how I'll take it.
Nikki
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• Jul. 3, 2008
Games for Learning
I was reading over at School in R Homes the
other day about some of the great games she created.
I was then inspired to share some of my games. Some
I may have shared before but for the life of me
couldnt find the links so I'll share them here again. This
may be a long post and by no means am I sharing all of
My games. You can check out Games from School
in R home at the link below.
School in R Home File folder games
Games are really easy to make. All you need are some
file folders, velcro, stickers, punches, scrapbook papers,
cut outs, glue, clear contact paper for laminating, zipper
pouches for pieces, dice (which you can get at the dollar store),
little animals or figures for game pieces, and imagination.
This first game I just made the other day thanks to my
friend School in R Home. I loved your Grammer game
idea. Thanks-you You roll a dice and whatever letter
you land on you then pick a card. If the card says noun
and you land of F you would have to name a noun
that begins with the letter F. The star spaces I ask
the child to name an article to move ahead one space.
If they cant think of a word then they move back a space
and try that letter. This game would also work for the
beginning reader. They could name the letter, give the
sound or give a word starting with that letter.
Thanks again for the idea!! I had bought these patriotic
stickers at Target for 50 cents.
I also have some blank board games that I can pull out
at anytime for review games. We can make cards and
review any lesson, or use math flash cards to review math
facts. I also found the idea to put these games in a
three ring binder with a zip pouch. You can then
keep the game piece or cards in the pouches so pieces
dont get lost. I really love that idea and will look
for these things on sale this year.
This camping themed game you start at the ladybug
and move to the tent. I used a square punch from my
scrapbooking supplies to make the spaces. The camping
stickers also came from scrapbook supplies. You can
now get these type of things at the dollar store.
This next one is my favorite. Its a school playground theme.
If children land on the trampline they get to jump ahead 2
spaces. The slide the slide down past
a few leafs spaces and so on. the leaves were
also scapbook punches.
Superboy and I made these going on a trip cards.
I pasted a word he was learning on the card.
He worked for a few weeks drawing a photo with each.
Eventually we had enough cards to play the game.
Cards are layed face down. One play picks up a card
and says.. I am going on a trip and I am going to take
read card. Now flip it upside down and next play
chooses a card. They must remember the last persons
card and read the next card. Continue as long as
possible.
Color Match is a fun game for little ones. I cut
and laminated these snowmen. Each man has a different
color button. The child then matches his hat and scarf that
are the same colors as his buttons.
Peas in a pod..
is played by finding the right number pea in the
sequence. You could use higher numbers for older children.
Great place value game.
This one is for an older child .. Called geometry match.
Child is to match the picture with the word terms.
Very simple to velcro them on and off. (not a clear photo sorry)
You can also do this with vocab. definition or science terms.
Matching
You can use anything for children to match
Turkey count is another fun game. Each turkey has
a number on him. children count out that many feathers.
I also have a squirrel game where children feed him cereal
or nuts. You can also have them add the turkey feathers
together by picking 2 and adding them up.
Word ending Go fish. Make fish cards with for of the same
ending sounds. Play just like go fish except ask for ish words
or ack etc..
As you can see I love to create my own games. I have also made
a travel box with games in for long trips. Travel Box
You might also want to try this phonics stomping or spelling game.
Phonics Game. I hope that these games give you some ideas
to get your juices flowing to create some of your own.
If you want more ideas you might want to check out
these two yahoo groups.
ABC File folder games
Games for Learning
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• May. 28, 2008
Freebies for this week!!
Freebie Share time...
Maybe you have something to share that
I missed. If so please share in the comments
section. I love a good freebie.
Currclick has a free ebook on creating a nature
journal Charlotte Mason style and other
techniques associated with nature journaling.
Nature Journal at Currclick
Also on the website Simply Charlotte Mason
you can download this ebook
Education is an atmosphere, education, and life
This one you might want to check
their website daily because each day they
will give away one freebie per day but the
freebie is only good for that day. When the day
ends a new freebie begins.
Homeschool Freebie of the day!
Lastly is
You can stop by and sign up to
have a story sent to your inbox for download.
So far I have downloaded Rikki Tikki and
Ben and Flynn.
You need a story
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• May. 22, 2008
The Mind is a Terrible thing to Waste...
The mind is a terrible thing to waste...
Who said that anyway. lol The last few days my mind
has just been reeling with ideas. I can't seem to focus
on just one task. Who says I am wasting my time. My
basic chores are finished but I have left the rest of it sit.
Why, because I am reading thats why. I can't seem to get
enough on the topic of homeschooling or raising children.
There are just so many options and resources out there
that I can't seem to get enough. I just finished reading .
Lies Homeschooling moms Believe
by Todd Wilson
Honestly this seems like a really good study if you
believe what you tell yourself you should be. Honestly
the only part that applied to me was that I worry
that I don't do enough in keeping my home clean. That
Every other mom out there has to have it more
together than I do. The rest of the Lies Todd
talks about dont apply because I dont worry to much
about what others think about homeschooling or how I do it.
I do feel that there is a Home school slide rule out there.
One where moms or home school groups in general
judge how home educating is done. I don't feel that is a
Lie. I hear it often. The old way of home educating
is lookedupon as superior model. If you do not do
things a specific way
you are looked upon as different or not doing it
correctly. Is this a lie or a fact. Then you also have
the cyber Charter home educators that are often
judged as having public school brought into
their homes. In essence it is considered as such.
Yet this is the way they feel secure
in educating their children. Isn't education about our
children not about what method we use. Can not the
cyber schooled child also learn about the bible
and study the same things that other children learn
that are home educated. In essence are they not
being educated at home as well. I know that home schooled
families want to keep their way. That
they do not want Cyber education
to mix with home education. Why does it have to . Can't it be
just another education source. I dislike the discrimination
I so often hear. Even the judgment made about
Unschoolers that they may not be doing enough.
What do they teach anyway? Just because a particular
schooling method isn't understood doesn't mean that
it is wrong for all home educated children. It
just might mean it's not right for your child or your
family . So why the judgment or is it as Todd
Wilson said That they are just lies that moms believe.
Maybe it is. Can we take the wall down and just
listen to each other as Godly sister reaching out
to God for the same purpose. Why judge or listen
to the lie. Open up to your friends of faith and
education.
Sheeew and thats not it either.
Thats not all thats in my head.
Then on my newstand I am also reading
To train up a child
by Micheal and Debbi Pearl
and
The secret to true happiness
by Joyce Meyer
I also have 2 old school house magazines
I am flipping back and forth through .
In the spring issue I am reading
The Science of time and Sir Sandford Flemming
and then I have an old Issue I bought at our convention.
Help for special needs learners.
I just can't get enough. Today alone I read on the net.
Amblesides online and Simply Charlotte Mason.
Her methods truely interest me. I can't seem
to get enough.
Please tell me what is you favorite home school
reference book that I would just have to read.
I can't seem to get enough.
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• May. 13, 2008
Harrisburg CHAP Homeschool Convention
On Saturday I went to my very first homeschool
convention. To say it was enlightening was putting it
mildly. I learned so muchthere it was so refreshing and
renewing. It was just what I needed. I think that every
mom at some point in their lives has that feeling
of wanting to give up. The convention for me gave me the
drive to come home and be a great mom to my kids just
how I am. My kids aregreat and my homeschool is great!
Thats what I came away with... A peace of knowing
I am doing what is best for them.
Phillippians 4:11
For I have learned in whatever state I am to be content
I also came home with some great resources and
some ideas of whereI want to take my school in
the fall. I am sure this is a normal thing for all
you homeschooler out there that have gone to these
before but I had pilesand piles of catalogs when I came
home. Then sat and sorted and decidedthat way. It was
overwhelming at first but now I think I know what I am
doing more. Here are some of the places on the
web I didn't know about.
One of the workshops was a talk on the Right Brained Child.
I did not attend this workshop but I have heard it was
wonderful and now wish I had. However I was able
to find the link from our Catolog..
Dianne Craft
I was also impressed with this...
Homeschooling the challenging child
And lastly I may have my head in the sand but this
mom created thiscurriculum to go along with the Charlotte
Mason style of learning. I wasin love with her stuff and
will definately be purchasing some of her
writing programs, Cursive in particular.
Queen Homeschool
There is more I got from this but I am still kind
of mulling thingsover in my mind. It was a lot of information
crammed into only 2 daysand I only went one. Next year
I'll have a better plan of attack and hope to
get to listen to more of the talks. Maybe purchase them on tape.
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• May. 3, 2008
Food,Toothfairy,Driving,God, Music and BOXES!
What do Food, The tooth Fairy, Driving, God , Music
and Cardboard boxes have in common?
Well they all were a part of our day yesterday.
The day started out and I had to take Toad to his bus
stop as usual. (Few more weeks only a few more weeks. lol)
The next thing on my list was baking some
muffins for our Co-op end party. I checked email and bagged up
all our belongings for the day. At 11:00 it was time to pick up
Toad from school. He wants to go to Culinary Arts school after
he graduates in June. Today he was going to a local
school to shadow for the day. He loves to cook and throughly
enjoyed his session. He said they were grilling everything. He had
to make some simple things , salmon and grill rice pilaf. From
Toads perspective grilling rice can be difficult. As soon as
he got in the car he said mom I want to go there right now!
I was so glad he enjoyed the day.
After dropping Toad off we headed to Co-op. The
little kids were having a visit from the tooth Fairy.
The children seemed mesmorized by her. She showed them
how to brush their teeth using a kangaroo doll and how to floss.
Our tooth fairy is a dental hygentist in a local dentist office.
She left the kids with little mini bags of goodies to take home.
At this point I had to go and pick up Toad.
Then Stop at the store. Then Stop at home
and whip up some sandwiches. This is where the driving
part comes in and more food.
Since this was a Friday It was also a J-train night.
It was a music and praise night and I
was so surprised with things they came up with.
We will continue with this in 2 weeks because
attendance was low . Busy time of year for all.
One child played his recorder, sang a song with his mom,
and we had a sing along. Another child played the harpsichord
and Superboy decided to show some of his art.
Since attendance was low we decided to do this again
in two weeks when we hope that attendance will be better.
Most kids had after school activities this week.
It was an awesome evening anyway and I can hardly wait
to see what else the children bring to the next meeting.
Since there were only 3 families including mine we
gave the children some free time while the moms had
a little mommy time. Spirit got a chance to play on the
church scooters.
Our day was finally over and the kids were
tired and happy. I truely love days like this one.
The kids were ready for bed so I went up to see how they
were doing . Just to check up on things. I see my son
found the empty box I sat in the hall to store in the attic
just incase we needed one. :)
He has since today(Sat.) created a house out of it.
I went up later in the night about 3 am and he was
still sleeping in the box. I promise we have a roof. lol
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• Apr. 24, 2008
Stain glass and Beach Vacations :)
This week in Art we are studying Stained
glass windows. Superboy created this art
to depict what a stained glass looks like.
I think he really captured the essence of it.
I would love to do a real stained glass but have
no idea how to begin. At least this one was easy to
create. He simply drew a picture, outlined it in crayon
and then water color painted it. I just love his eagle
on the left and the cross on the right. Most
of the Stain glass we looked at dipicted
scenes from the bible. In particular we looked at...
The Notre Dame Stain glass
Notre Dame Jigsaw puzzle online
Chartes
I have always had a fasination with them. This
was a fun lesson. We may do more with it. :)
On top of Superboys amazing art, Princess
gave me a happy happy day. I was just talking
yesterday how frustrating math can be and how
hard helping a dyslexic child is. Today she
may have it and tomorrow she may not. Writing
Is one of the things she stuggles with but today ..
Oh today she did a wonderful writing. She was
to describe a vacation spot and began with the rough
draft yesterday. Today she edited it . I hardly had
to make any marks or corrections. Low and behold
she had complete sentences, describing words and
the sentences actually made sense and werent
scambled. I was so poud of her. I know that
tomorrow we might be back to the old way but
today I will celebrate the best writing I ever have
gotten from her. So you want to read it .Here it is...
Ocean City is an amazing place. I love it!
The beach is a blast. When you get there you will
need to unpack. Then go in your bathing suit and go
to the pool. The next day you go to the beach. You hear
the sea gulls and smell the fresh air. You need suntan
lotion on so you dont burn, in the hot sun.
You step in the sand and it is so hot your feet hurt.
The ocean is big and sparklers when the sun hits it.
Then you hear the waves hitting the sand. It is a
relaxing place.
The boardwalk has the best fries and cool shops.
We love the candy shop. At night when we
are walking you can see the sunset. That's
very pretty. You can hear the music from the shops.
The ocean has good scenes, great food, shopping,
and the hotels are always nice. The maids come
once a day . Most of all have fun, be with your
family. I promise you will not be sorry.
Isn't that awesome . Good job Princess.
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• Apr. 15, 2008
Do You need Nanny 911?
This week has slipped away from me. Organization has
basically gone out the door and it's only Tuesday. Once
it begins to slip I feel like I am paddling up stream with
only one oar. If I let one thing go then that goes into another
thing left go and it grows and grows till I want to give up the
struggle. Maybe read a book, blog or take a nap. Only I
know I can't do that. For Some reason every Monday when
I am all organized and ready to begin Spirit is moody. He
doesn't like us having structured time. He wants to participate
but because of his age an activity might only last 2 minutes.
So then he begins distrubing everyone. Poking Superboy,
trying to sit on Princess lap and on it goes. Which makes
learning hard when you have all those distractions. In particular
for Princess who has her own distractions in her head.
Then there are the toys. The endless toys scattered about
while I do get some lessons in. All day I feel like I am
prompting to pick up. No sooner than its picked up ,then
Spirit has it all back out again. That kind of mess makes me
crazy. It makes it hard for me to think much less stay on task.
I dont know why I am like this but I just cant focus when
chores need done.
Today as I was looking around at my afternoon chores
and then feeling completely overwhelmed, I sat down
with my lunch and watched Nanny 911. The kids had eaten
earlier and were playing in their rooms. Much needed mini
break for mom. On Nanny 911 I'm sure it was a repeat
was a Homeschooling Family!! I was so excited to
see one and at the same time skeptical about what the Nanny
would say about homeschooling. I was truely surprised
to see that she neither accepted it or condemned homeschooling.
It was just what the family did and it was excepted without
question.
The homeschooling family in question was doing fairly well
with their endeavers. The mom was a bit frazzled as most
of us are. The school day was a bit chaotic
and bedtime. The resolution
was so simple. The Nanny implimented a few school
organizational tactics. Simple yet so effective in getting their
lessons completed without so many distractions.
Bedtime was just a matter of dad not laying with
each child each evening. Which was harder on dad than
on the kids.
Most of the time that is my problem. The problem
of keeping things organized. I am either great at Organizing
The home and then not at school or organizing school
and then the home falls apart. Doing all is really hard
sometimes. I organize a lot of things for our church family.
I honestly am very good at it. Maybe to good at it because
then I feel I fall short at home. I want it to be completely
organzed and we all know things come up in home
and in life. I dont have that extra time like I do
when I plan a church event to think it through. Quite
honestly if I did have time and thought my day
though throughly I probably wouldnt be able to
enjoy that time. Watching Nanny 911 made me think
a little about our schooling day and how I could make
things go a little more smoothly.
Last week Superboy was losing all of his
belongings and we had stopped and cleaned our school
room or was it the week before. Anyway, that hasnt
really helped him. He is still losing his belongings and
not able to locate them. Nanny had created cubbies for
the children so that when school time came around they
just took out the work that needed finished. Princess
with her difficulities has a checklist but Superboy has
nothing. I am thinking that organizing his belongs ahead
Of time might help in time wasted and distractions for him.
I still want him to learn responsibility but maybe his job
can be to put those things away at the end of the day.
I also created a box for our completed work. So
the kids just drop them in and then mom checks
them when I have time. Princess is alway in the drawer
beside me so we have baskets now with our own
personal pencils, crayons etc.. but I had to add sharpies
to hers because she loves using them instead of washable
markers that the boys use.
My home is as organized as it can be. Just that mom has
to actually follow it. Its just been one of those weeks.
If you have any organizational ideas or tips please leave
them in the comment area. I will comment to your comment
there as well so check back.
Tomorrow I want to discuss children that are to
attached to a parent and what things we
as homeschoolers might be able to do to teach
them to be able to do things more on their own.
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• Apr. 3, 2008
Not as Productive as Yesterday...
Why is it that you can have a perfectly good
productive day one day and then the next day
bombs? Do you think it might be that that productive
day makes you think that you can do every day that
way? In reality I know for sure that isn't true but
still one can hope for it right???
Today was one of those bomb type of days.
It wasnt as bad as some but it ranks near the top.
Some how though I have turned it around somewhat.
To begin with our day started out slow. I
could tell right away Princess was going to have
one of those days. She was still in her pjs at 10am.
and just eating breakfast even though she had been up
since 7. Try as I might I could not get her going. It
became a battle of wills and I decided to pick mine.
So I started with Superboy. He was a more willing
subject .Yet it still took him 2 hours to do
his math assignment. He enjoyed all I had planned for
him but was slow at it... enjoying to much. lol
Princess on the other hand was moaning about
us making to much noise and how would she read
Riki Tiki Tavi with us talking like that. So she grabbed all
Her belongings and headed up the stairs.
Meanwhile I am trying to potty train Spirit boy
but for some reason today hes not playing.
He says no and down right refuses to try. sighh..
At about this point Princess comes down crying
because she doesnt understand my notes in math
and cant do her corrections. I told her maybe she
should take a mini break. She doesnt want to
be beaten by her brother having more done than her
so she decides to keep at it. Super boy and I begin
searching again for lost school items and princess is
complaining because she cant find something of
hers. I look around the room and said.
Stop!!! Lets put our books away and clean up our
school room. It was getting so bad I can tell you.
You know its bad when you clean the shelves
and find things like undergarments(dont ask)
and shaving cream cans.
It took us awhile but everything is organized now
again for a brief moment in time. lol
I took out one very large bag of trash. Things
I felt we not longer needed and 5 boxes of things
I felt honestly could be stored in the attic till
we needed them again. Very simple to go up there
and get something. I have it very organized.
After the room was completed we decided to try
a little dancing and music. That worked wonders
and right now Princess is begrudingly giving
Those corrections with moms help a try.
Meanwhile the dog still has to go out. The baked
beans are in the oven. Spirit boy still has yet
to go on that potty and is fussy because he skipped
his nap. The boxes to go in the attic are in the kitchen
the lunch dishes need done and Princess doesnt want
to do her work without me,which leaves
Superboy hanging for now.
All in the day of a homeschooler....
We all have Good days and not so good days. :(
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• Apr. 1, 2008
Home Education week --Profile..
Describe yourself, your family or one of your children.
What is it like to be home educated in
your family? What is “normal” for you?
Most of my days go about the same. The childrens included.
Our school looks more like school school.
My day usually begins with Spirit boy waking up and fussing
at about 6 am. I am not sure why he does this cause he
always goes back to sleep. Its like a personal alarm clock.
If you know me you know that the slightest sound wakes me.
So I then lay there contemplating getting up to use the
bathroom or staying warm under the cover. Many times
one of my teens has already inhabited
it so then I dance around the kitchen or play on
the net to keep my mind busy while I wait.
Eventually I get in there and get my self ready and cleaned up.
Both of our teens attend public school but ride two entirely different
buses. (dont ask lol) Hearts bus is right in front of the house
and Toads is down the street. So I drive him down there
to get on his bus. Its not a long drive or even a long
walk but days of late its been raining or cold and
this is how it goes.. I come back and Carl is usually up
and getting his breakfast or lunch ready. Rarely do I get
it for him as he is sooo picky about what is in there.
I go into the school room right away and from
my lessons write out Princess lesson sheet. This is a list
of lessons for the entire day or even just our itinary. If
I dont do this she is a mess asking me over and over what
is happening and upset she doesnt remember. This is a
checklist of sorts that she can check off and see. Right down
to taking her bath or doing her chores and when to do them.
This is a must for her or she is overwhelmed right away
and is upset to start the day and all day continuing
like a spiral effect Sometimes I check my email or
blog a bit. As the kids are waking up and getting dressed
I pick up the living areas if need be from the night before.
"Princess" and Superboy generally get their breakfasts
themselves. I allow them to choose from a variety of things.
Princess will get Spirit boy the same thing they have
then they eat. While they are eating I set up the schoolroom.
Get Superboys belonging out and things to keep Spiritboy busy.
"Princess dives right in (8am) to the things she can do alone
and begins crossing them off her list. Handwriting, silent
reading time , the questions that go with it, and her grammer
skills. Superboy keeps an eye on Spirit boy while mom goes
and grabs a quick bath and a pc. of toast.
Then I work with Superboy on math, literature/reading.
Althogether we end the morning with Art or Music fun.
The kids absolutely love dancing around the living room
or making up games. We end our morning time at 11. At
which the kids get a premade lunch from the fidge and eat
lunch. This is the easiest way for us. At this time
I work on my management binder. The cleaning things
on my schedule. Then I sit and have tea and check the
blogs or play with spirit boy if he doesnt want to play with the
big kids.Sometimes we all play a learning game.
Around 1:00 I grab him and snuggle him in for a nap.
This is my time to get things done with the big kids.
I call them for History or Science depending on the
day and then we all do phonics and spelling because
Of princess dyslexia she practices at superboys level and
her own. Just a good reminder for her as she forgets
at times what is going on. I also will sit down
sometime in the afternoon and work with her on math
she needs me for this and one lesson could take almost
2 hours for her to understand. At this time Princess is
on her own for history . She has taken on the idea
of creating her own lapbook and reading material herself.
She likes to do things by herself but just cant always do that.
By now its about 3:30 (or I should say on a good day. )
and we all start our chores . The baby is up too and
toddling around. He usually intently plays during this time.
Princess-feeds and waters the dog with spirit boy
picks up her room. Beds are made from morning routines.
Makes tea and makes ice.
Superboy-picks up his room and plays with spirit boy
While I work on dinner sometimes with Princess or
all the kids depending on what we are making.
During this time Heart gets home first and loads
her day on me talking up a storm and rattling on about
her friends and her school work. The daddy comes
home and he chats away about his work buddies.Toad comes
later and is quieter. I have to ask questions to get
Results but eventually hes talking away also.
On a good nite we all are eating dinner by 5. Sometimes
I am not eating but running to pick up one
Of the teens from some friends or school activity
Or even running to youth, choir, boy scouts or
Toad architecture apprenticeship
Heart then cleans up after us and we all kind of settle
in for the evening. If we didnt complete our work
we might finish something we are working on or
play some games. Usually I try to stear toward fun family activities.
I also take time to play with
spirit boy. We sit and play cars or whatever. Its a time
of quiet and hugs. :) Then off for bath time and
stories for baby. After the kids are set for bed I
might do some grading for princess day , read a book
or plan for the days ahead .(menu, school, youth,
sunday school etc..) I go to bed most nights around
10 or 11pm. As soon as my head hits the pillow I am
out and before I know it I am doing that morning
Kitchen dance again. :)
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• Apr. 1, 2008
Home Education Week..
I am so excited to see someone give credit
to the homeschoolers. It seems that in Nebraska the
governor has given homeschoolers a holiday and Flordia
has followed suit. That is such great news in the mist
of all the California turmoil. No matter how small it seems
a gift is a gift after all. :)
Principled Discovery
has started a Home Education week meme. It was
actually started on Sunday but the week is not over
and you can still jump in.
Share your personal history…before you
were a home educator. What was life like?
Think about things you miss and
things you and your family have gained
Before we were homeschoolers I worked at
a daycare center. I really began working there
because "Hearts" dad had left me for someone
else. We were getting a divorce and I needed a job.
Working at the center was my way of keeping an
eye on Heart and making sure she was safe. "Hearts"
dad and I had talked about homeschooling but when
he left that was no longer a possiblity. Heart was 2 years
old at the time and to me that was just to early for
a little one to be alone. At nap time if heart wasnt sleeping
I would take her with me to the market house and
buy her a little snack. She still remembers that. :)
As time went on I began to get really good at my job
and became the teacher of the 4 year old class. Eventually
I had Heart with me in my class. In that time I had
met Carl and we had Princess. Financially I had to stop
working because I couldnt afford the cost of the
childcare on the wage they paid me. I would have
Handed my pay check back to the center ! Truely
early childhood workers arent paid very well at all.
We decided what would be the point.... And so I became a
stay at home mom. Piddling now and then as a teachers
aide at our church and doing other various child related
positions. I still always had the homeschooling idea in the
back burner and since I truely enjoyed teaching children
it eventually became an easy decision or not so easy.
My entire story on why I homeschool and about my
childs Adhd and dyslexia is on my sidebar.
When I think of things I am missing . I really cant
measure any of that to my childs education and quite
honestly I dont feel like I am missing much. I dont
really think of anything as a loss except maybe my time.
I am a very internal person and need personal time
to myself and often. Yet even still I manage to get
that as a homeschooler it is just now done in a
different way. More condensed and productive use of my
time. So honestly it cant even be calculated as a miss.
Sometimes though I do remember my high school years
and things I did through the public school years that were
fun . I dont want my children to miss out on the
fun of friends and activities. Yet I realize they arent
Missing out on that either. It just kind of changes forms.
For example spring concerts= Choir at our church.
Passing notes=email and letters
Time with friends=Youth and Co-op
So honestly the only thing I can think of my children are
missing might be.. Yucky school lunches, bullies,
having to line up , Learning the facts of life
to early, and spending less time with parents. Course
we all know that list could go on and on.
The things I have gained are huge. I have gained
a love and respect from my children that is insurmountable.
My Princess is calm and no longer feels she is dumb or is
made fun of everyday. This is so hard to explain but life
Just feels complete, full , whole, encompassing. ....and Good.
No matter how busy I get or how hectic a day turns out
to be it is still worth the tension and worth the fun.
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• Mar. 19, 2008
Home School Finds and Freebies
www.handsofachild.com
Has their new Lapbook up for the quarter.
You can get a lapbook on Amelia Earhart
www.currclick.com
The new homeschool estore has available
An ebook lapbook on the History of sports
There is also a virtual egg hunt going on right now
till March 23. You can get a ton of discount codes and
7 more freebies if you can find them all.
www.persecution.com
Has some free downloadable workbooks
for Christian families trying to teach their children
about how other families live in the christian faith
all over the world. They will appreciate the freedoms
that our children have. We happen to have a compassion
child from India so I choose that one to go over
with the children and they really enjoyed learning
about our childs country and their stuggles.
www.toyswap.com
I also came across Toy swap. I have not throughly
investigated this one yet but looks very promising.
The prices are very reasonable if you are just purchasing
or you can swap out your toys and exchange them for
something different. For the month of April it is free to list
and free to join so get swapping. !!
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• Feb. 22, 2008
John Taylor Gatto
Have any of you ever read the
Underground History of American
Education by John Taylor Gatto.
Gatto was a school teacher in New York City and one
of the finest. After recieveing the teacher of the
year award he shocked many
with his accounts on education. He is very blunt
in his account and all for homeschooling.
If you have not read this book.
Now you can online!! Check it out!
http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/chapters/
I am so excited that this book will be available to
many. I cant wait to read it myself.
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• Feb. 20, 2008
Physics Fair
Toad has a physics fair this evening.
Last night was the beginning of the fair.
His team and Toad created a car that is
powered by a mouse trap. I dont have
a photo of that car as it fell apart. lol
Todays car is supposed to be powered by
a balloon. This time Dad jumped in and gave
them a hand at it. They ended up making
two cars.
This car went the entire length of the kitchen last
night. So then they had an idea to make it go even
farther. They decided to make the car pointed.
At this point I am not sure which car was the
car of choice because I went to bed. lol
I'll let you know how he fairs this evening
and which car he chose to run.
Good luck Toad!
*Update Toad got Third place. :)
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• Feb. 5, 2008
Homeschooling
Freebie
The homeschool estore has the Beatrix Potter story
set up as copy work. I really was so glad to see this.
Superboy has finished his handwriting without tears
workbook but I felt he really needed more practice.
What a fun way to practice . If you would like to
download this ebook go to
www.homeschoolestore.com
Resource for Math
I have sent many of you to math wire before as well.
If you havent been there in awhile you might want to stop
by . They have up on the website some new
math ideas to go along with Valentines day!
www.mathwire.com
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• Nov. 21, 2007
Homeschool estore soon to be Currclick!
Did you see the new ad from the homeschool estore!! ? They are giving away 20 ebooks on black friday. Starting at 9 am friday till 9 saturday. They had a giveaway during Motherday and it was just so much fun to get all those ebooks for free. We definately got a lot out of each!!
Here is the sale...
(9:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. CST)
Get up to 35% OFF on your holiday schooling needs,
Nov 23rd - Nov 25th!
you make, Nov 23rd - Nov 30th!
with any purchase, now through Dec 31st.
Just use coupon code, 19a2fe
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