O.K.  I will admit it; I am a field guide junkie! 

I've got field guides for birds, rocks, flowers, butterflies, mammals, edible plants, amphibians, reptiles...stars...what else...?  Hmmm. 

 How about a field guide for homeschoolers? 

Zip over to Dana's blog, Principled Discovery.  She is hosting the ninety-zillionth carnival of homeschooling with this wonderful field guide to homeschoolers!!   Wish I wasn't so busy, I'd have loved to get in on this one. 

Can't wait to read all the entries!!

Nancy

P.S. My Hollyhock Doll page is up over at Remembrance Press!  See it right here.

Every inquiring Homeschool Mom wants to know:  Which Curriculum do I need to have in order to teach...(fill in the blank.)

As much as I LOVE "stuff" ie, curriculum, books, workbooks, field guides, reference books, yada, yada, ad nauseum, (hope that is spelled right) I need to tell you something:  You don't need curriculum or curriculi, or curricula, whatever.  Remember what Psalm 23 says? 

The Lord Is My Shepherd.  I SHALL NOT BE IN WANT.

Maybe I am taking that a bit out of context, but seriously, what do you need?  A pencil, a piece of paper, and a brain!  If you are reading this blog, you have a brain.  And you know how to use it! 

So Homeschool Mom, you can do whatever you want, seriously.  It is no skin off my nose if you go out and buy a $300 pre-packaged program.  But I bet you could put that money to better use.  If you are selling a $300 program, I'm not trying to put you out of business.  I just know that we can MORE than "get-by" with a few tools that we already have, than "get-into-debt" with the latest and greatest falderal out there just to keep up with the Joneses or whatever other rationalization you have irrationally swirling around in your Mommy brain.

You know my philosophy is "we are learning all the time."  And yet I do believe that time can be squandered, and once it is gone you can't get it back.  But we can redeem it wisely while we have it.  So don't fret, just start doing something.  Seriously, just do SOMETHING with your kids today!  The will learn, you will have accomplished something and it will add up line upon line, even if you didn't just go into hock to put it on the dining room table. 

Are you paralyzed with your homeschooling?  Do you feel like you can't do anything, because everything is too intensive to even try?  But you know you NEED to do more than you are doing?  But you want to be a relaxed homeschooler?  LOL!  I'm not laughing at you, but with you.  Here are some ideas for some things you can do RIGHT NOW with your kids. 

 Just do it, ok?

So here are those ideas:

Cook something together.  Even if it is simple, like instant oatmeal---just do it!  Enjoy being together and talk about what you are doing.  In a natural way, you aren't giving a lecture.

Do the dishes as a team.  Practice a poem, Bible Verse or song together while you work.  Whistle while you work!

Get some colored pencils and a plain white sheet of paper.  Have your kids, no matter what ages they are, write their name.  (Homeschoolers often miss this step! ) 

Next, write their phone number, address and age.

If they can't spell it, don't tell them to "look it up."  Tell them what it is!

Ask them to write the abbreviation for the state they live in. Then, the country they live in.  Then the continent they live on. 

Have them put their age down in numerals, then spell the word.  Remember, if they don't know it, how can they "look it up?"  That skill will come with time.

Ok, so there you go.  That was today's lesson.  It's pretty much time for lunch now, right?

Here are some other things to do with your kids.  Remember, learning happens all the time!

Sorting and doing laundry, that is home education.

Watering the plants inside and out, taking care of pets, daily chores.  That is learning.

Know anyone with a birthday coming up?  Make them a card.  If the child is too little to do the writing, have them dictate it and then you write in it for them.  Have them attempt their name!  They will do just fine. Don't correct it, just let it be.  :)

Draw pictures for Grandma and Grandpa, Aunts, Uncles, etc.  Then send them!  Let the little kids decorate the envelope, put on the labels and stamps.  Have the older kids address them.  Teach them how to keep an address book!  (This teaches organization, alphabetization, etc.)

Take your kids to the library.  Get a library card.  Look for books on favorite subjects. Then sit and READ to them.

Get old magazines and cut them up!  Make scrapbooks of favorite pictures.  Let the little kids cut, glue and staple!  Hands on.  Hands on.  Hands on.  Did I mention hands on?  Kids NEED to use their hands to learn.  They also need LESS time sitting.  That will drive your kids crazy.  Seriously!

Hmmm....well, just a few things off the top of the old noggin.  Please add your own to this list, ok?  I'd love to hear from you! Please leave me a comment with some of your own ideas. 

One last thing.  We all have rules we have to abide by, our state statutes etc., but I know from all the Moms I talk to that there are some who are just flailing about and need to be encouraged to do something.  Just do ONE thing, and see how good it makes you feel.  You CAN do it! 

Blessings!

Homeschooling Is Life!

Nancy

Copyright © 2009 Nancy K. Baetz

Hi friends,

I wrote an article for Stepping Stones on Relaxed Homeschooling and you can read it here.  I'd love to hear your thoughts and if you leave me a comment I'll send you a copy of "Homeschooling Is Our Life" an Ebook of several mini-articles and blogs and assorted stuff on unschooling.  You only have to leave me your email in order for me to send you the download, ok? 

(Please, for your own protection from the spammers, disguise your email ok?  Like:  homeschoolmommy at whatever dot com, or something like that. )

Blessings!

Nancy

Hope all is well out there! 

Recently I had  friend ask me what we had been up to lately and I thought for a minute then said, "Let me go look on the camera!"  What a funny thing, eh?  But so true!  Most of the important things get chronicled on the camera and it makes it really easy to keep track of what we've been doing. (It really comes in handy when I am trying to put together a Christmas newsletter too!

My blog has been a great source of "history" for me too.  Although I am not blogging as much now, it is a great way for a "keepsake" of photos and thoughts on all we are doing and learning.  I am amazed at how far we have all come in these recent years.  Another fun thing about blogging is that (I've said this many times,) I love my sitemeter!  I enjoy looking at the referrals and seeing how visitors arrive here.  It can be such a help to know exactly what people are looking for--one of my biggest page views is people looking for good biographies for their kids to read.  We have done so much with living books; biographies of both famous and obscure folks from all over the world.  Here is the link to that entry, in case you have anything to add to it or you want to just find out some new books you haven't read yet with your kids. 

I wish I could say that I have a great handwritten journal (in code even, like Beatrix Potter did) but I don't.  I had plenty of those as a young lady, but typing is so much faster for me than writing (my 1st grade teacher called it "chicken-scratch") and I love to type!  My handwriting has come a long way since first grade, but some might say I would have made a great doctor because of it.  You know, I'd be real good at writing out those indecipherable prescriptions! 

At any rate, I just wanted to pop in a note here before I get some much needed sleep.  Be sure to stop by and check out this new "blended" blog of two of my old favorites; Wandering Quail Road.

While you are out and about, do you have a Shelfari account?  Not to get you hooked on "one more social network" or anything.  My favorite Childrens' Librarian invited me to join her on this one, and it is so great to be able to see what all we've been reading (collectively and individually) and make a list of what we want to read in the future!  I can't believe the amount of reading material that we go through here.  It is a wonder that we ever get anything else accomplished! I've added a list of books I've read, many of which I own and LOVE, so check it out on my sidebar.  Many of them are favorite homeschooling resources, so take a peek at those; you might see something unfamiliar to you.

Have a fabulous week! Keep looking up!

*Don't waste any time on temporary things, your kids will be graduating too soon!  Don't you know it!?  Yikes!

Nancy

Will you help me?  I need about ten quotes on "relaxed homeschooling." 

Tell me how it works for you.  Tell me what you really like about it.  Tell me the pitfalls you have with it, or the blessings.  I'd like to be able to quote you in an article, so if you respond here be sure to give me at least your first name and an initial. 

The first five who leave me a comment will receive a free download of my E-book, "Homeschooling Is Our Life!"

I need those right away, so please leave me a comment with your thoughts.  Thanks so much!

Nancy

Hey Friends!

Are you a relaxed homeschooler?  Are you wishing you were?  I've got a proposition for ya!  I have written a new e-Book to encourage you and I need some help.  If you would consider looking over my e-Book and giving me a quick critique' I'd be ever so thankful!  It's about 30 pages I think, but there are several photos so it's not heavy reading.  I'd like to have your comments back in a couple of weeks, at the latest.  Just leave me a comment and let me know so I can send you a copy.  For security reasons, you can use the message feature on the blog if you are a member. Otherwise, be sure to disguise your email address so you don't start getting spammed!  (Not by me, of course!)

Please, only do this if you can fit it in.  I don't want you to take time away from your family for me.  They are WAY more important than this is, BUT you might need to read it.  It could just be just what will lift your spirits and encourage you!

Thanks!

Nancy

I don't know about you, but I can't wait until this one comes off the presses!  If you haven't read anything by John Taylor Gatto, hop to it right now and get'er done! 

Hi!

Hey, I just got home from a homeschool convention, and boy what a deep time of reflection it was!

There is really so much to talk about! 

 I got to hear a wonderful, soul searching, convicting talk by Norm Wakefield of Spirit of Elijah Ministries.  He's a pretty neat homeschooling Dad who reminded me of Peter Graves, I think that was his name.  You know, he was one of the actors on that old show "Mission Impossible."  Hmmmm....I wonder if there is some connection there, you see I caught one of his talks and it was called "What's a Mom to do with her teenage son."  That seems like an impossible mission to me on most days.  But not for the Lord of course.  With HIM, nothing is impossible!  It was good, good stuff. There is so much to consider in each stage of our development; both in our kids and ourselves!

I took my two oldest kids with me, and they heard Jay Wile speak.  They loved him!  My kids are totally into creation apologetics and they learned a lot from Mr. Wile.  They have been sharing it with me so much that I think I am changing the name of our homeschool from "Briarknoll Cottage" to "Punctuated Equilibrium Academy."  Doesn't that have a nice ring to it?

Next on the agenda was Lorrie Flem, who I had the pleasure of meeting for the first time in person!  We have known each other and worked together on projects online for a few years now and we just finally met.  I was so happy!!!  She's an amazing lady and they had her speaking back to back, I think, FIVE times at the conference at least on one day - barely time to catch her breath in between.  But she is such a lady of composure and grace that she just took it all in stride and gave God the glory.  My kids and I had a great time meeting her family members that were there and spending time helping out at the TEACH booth.  It was great!

Oh, I managed to make a few of her talks too which were great!  "Teach So They Will Learn" was a very informative session on methods, pros and cons and resources.  She was so encouraging to me!  Our "non-method" is so misunderstood and hard to explain at times and Lorrie really spoke to my heart about what we do, or don't do with our kids.  Frankly, there was a common thread through each of the conferences that I attended, and only God can orchestrate such a thing.

For one of the opening sessions the speaker was Kris Klicka of HSLDA.  He was very instrumental in helping here in our lovely state as far as our legislation goes and we are so thankful to him for all he has done!  He is such a humble and content man, and loves the Lord with all of his heart.  I was completely touched by his testimony and all of his Godly encouragement. Please keep Kris and his family in your prayers, as well as HSLDA.

Three other ladies that were speaking that I was able to hear were Maggie Hogan, Mardy Freeman and Carol Barnier.  Maggie is another one of those gals that I have worked with online and blogged with and was SO thrilled to finally meet her!  She is great fun!  My only regret was sitting too far back in her session:  None of the chocolate she threw out into the group made it back to where I was.  Maggie, please work on that arm muscle, OK?  Or maybe I just better sit up front!  Actually, it was the squirt guns and bubbles that I would have loved to have instead of that old nasty chocolate...

When I was walking the vender hall I met Mardy Freeman and her husband and they noticed where I was from and said they had just celebrated their anniversary here!  So we got to talking and she was so sweet and radiant that I really wanted to hear her speak.   She has an amazing life story too, what a testimony to the Lord.  What a real live person.  She was great!  She talked on Character, and I gotta get her session on MP3 so I can listen again.  It was that good!

Carol Barnier is FUNNY!  I have loved seeing her sweet face alongside her articles in TOS, and it was so fun to hear her in person.  She has a son who sounds like a twin of one of mine, and her talk was about not missing the Gift that your child IS.  Basically the premise was that even if a child is very, um shall we say "challenging" in one way or another, that we need to see them through the eyes of God, and HE sees their potential down the road.  He knows the end product, and we need to look forward to that day and not get bogged down with the things that seem difficult.  We need to recognize those quirky things that drive US to distraction as distinct gifts that the Lord has placed there for a reason.  Anyway, it was awfully fun, and after missing several sessions due to not getting there soon enough for a seat---I kid you not, standing room only, over and over----I got to Carol Barnier's session EARLY and sat right up front and center!  I wasn't going to miss a thing! 

 Anyway, Carol is another one with an amazing testimony of God's grace and mercy in her life.  He is so good to use all of these gals (and guys) for His glory and for our encouragement.

Ok, lets see....we also got to see and hear the Colorado Wranglers and the Von Trapp Children!   That was a highlight and a delight!  It was all a great way to recharge and try to get a new strategy for the next season of our homeschooling journey. 

Be looking in an upcoming TEACH Magazine for some photos I took of Lorrie and some of her colleagues and friends encouraging each other at the conference.  I think truly a good time was had by all.

Homeschooling Is Life,

Nancy

p.s. thanks friends, for praying for us these last few weeks.  We appreciate it! 

Hi friends!

I just want to tell you a bit about this whole homeschooling/life journey that I have been on for quite awhile now.  In a nutshell, I didn't have a clue about how ANY of this would turn out.  (Of course we are still in the process here.)  But, I am seeing the fruits of my labors, both good fruit and sometimes, unfortunately, the bad. 

But God is merciful and I am SO thankful that I don't have to always get it right the first time!  I can keep trying, keep praying and keep seeking to do the right thing. 

Before I got married and had children, I had an extremely varied experience in my life, my jobs, my hobbies and beliefs.  Slowly, the Lord chipped away at me like a sculpture made of stone. (Sometimes I even felt his mightly hammer ever so patiently chipping off the unwanted portion to reveal the miracle inside. )

 He is still working, and His pleasant breath is blowing away the chaff and the fine dust that still clings to the yet unfinished product.  Someday He will stand back and say, "Yes!  That is what I had in mind all along."  Of course, He can see where He is going with the process.  I can't, and sometimes all the workings of His hand can be downright painful!  Mostly because I tend to think that I am the expert in the way I should go.

There were many directions that I went as a young lady that I truly was never sure were the right path for me, and many weren't.  But some of the "ways" in which I went were all part of a useful plan that the Lord had for my life; plans in which I never imagined would all fit together for His good.

How does this all equate into teaching an old dog new tricks?  Well, for one thing I have learned that the Lord has put together my family, to love me and help refine me into His image; and for my friends, to encourage me, help me, bless me and enrich my life.  And my past?  Those experiences that have become a part of me are even now coming together as a rich tapestry that only the Creator could orchestrate for His and my good.  How wonderful it is!

Blessings to you and yours!  May you each discover how your life experiences will be woven into just what God had planned all along.

Nancy

p.s. Take a look at this!  After many revisions and "creative changes" I want to unveil a new banner for my e-book.  Tell me what you think!  I have also lowered the price a bit to make it more affordable to you, my dear homeschooling friends. 

Just click on the banner and see what happens!  My dear friends over at Remembrance Press have been helping me with this and I am so thankful!  And just to say "thank you" all over again, I want to give away a free copy of this labor of love to you!  Please leave me a comment and I will throw all them in a hat and pick a winner.   Just give me a couple of days to give everyone a chance to enter.

Blessings!

     The Carnival of Unschooling Voices is up!  If you aren't familiar with it, just check it out.  Variety is certainly the spice of homeschooling, and the varied accounts of unschooling days and ways is a treat in itself!  There are some amazing people out there doing some very fun and very normal, everyday, learning type stuff out there.  I wish I could meet them in person!

Go and check it out, click HERE.

I submitted a photo/essay I wrote which I entered into the "Capturing The Educational Moment" contest last year which was hosted by Spunky.  (I didn't win) However, it was great fun putting it together.Click here to see it.   I also wrote about it, and even this many months later I am amazed at what I wrote.  

 I think it even means more to me know than back then! 

Hope you enjoy it too.  Let me know!

Homeschooling Is Life!

Nancy 

P.S. My daughter now has 65 purses in her inventory!  We have a couple up for auction on homeschoolbuy.  Check them out on my sidebar!

 Related Tags: unschooling voices, carnival of unschooling, what is unschooling, home education, deschooling, lifestyle of learning, photo essay on homeschooling, homeschooling