We've been studying "Explorers" for the past 5 weeks. We've covered everything from Leif Eriksson and the Vikings to Marquette and Jolliet. What an exciting study this has been! I think that I've learned just as much as the kids have! I'm sure that is pretty common with homeschooling moms, though. I guess one of the most important lessons I have learned is that I don't have to know everything about a subject in order to teach it. As "Miss Jessica" (Jessica Hulcy of Konos Curriculum) has told those of us in the online co-op, you just have to DO IT. Just jump in and get started, and the rest will fall into place. I've been just learning as we go along.
Speaking of learning, have you ever had to come up with some clever ways to remember something? We've been learning so many new names that it's been a little difficult to keep them all straight. So, we came up with ways to help ourselves remember them. For example:
Q. What is the name of the explorer who was the first to sail from Portugal, around the continent of Africa, to India, and back?
A. Da Gama (we remember it by saying, "It wasn't 'da Grampa.... It was... Da Gama!")
Q. What is the name of the explorer who explored what is now Florida, searching for the fountain of youth?
A. Ponce de Leon (We remember it by saying, "First he pounced on it, then he 'lay-on' it.")
Q. What is the name of the explorer who explored the southwestern parts of North America?
A. Coronado. (We remember it by saying, "He went just south of Colorado... so it must have been Coronado!")
Yes, those are pret-ty cheesy, I know! But, do ya think my kids will forget them?
After reading your blog the other day, I checked out KONOS again, and I reallllllllly want to do it (and I'm pretty nervous about whether or not I can pull it off). I don't want to do it alone (the co-op sounds great, but I also want someone closeby to work with).
Do you have any other families in your online co-op who live closeby?
No, I don't have anyone close by doing Konos. But, the online co-op really fills in that gap. If you hadn't noticed, we dearly love Konos! I'd love to talk to you more about it, if there's anything I can help you with. :)
I was wondering at what age people generally start. I really don't want to start too soon (nor too late) and waste the great material on a child who's not ready to be engaged...
My sister burned out on KONOS--I was wondering how you managed all the preparation amidst managing your family and discipline, etc....
Well, the recommended ages are from K-8th grade. There are suggested activities for each age group (younger, middle, older), and it's just up to the parent to pick and choose what they want to do. Sometimes we do tons of activities, and sometimes we hardly do any. It just depends on what is going on in our household at the time.
I can understand how someone could burn out. I almost did during our first semester - trying to do it all! But our 2nd semester, I joined the online co-op and that made a world of difference. Wade and Jessica Hulcy prepare videos for each week, along with detailed lesson plans that I can print off and keep in a binder. They give book lists, vocabulary lists, supply lists, suggestions for field trips, etc.. Basically all I have to do to prepare is to watch the videos, print off the lesson plans, gather any supplies that we'll need - then jump in!
During weeks that are especially trying, for whatever reason, we may only get the very basics done. And that's okay! Everyone needs a breather sometimes.
Have you checked out the online co-op? There is a week's worth of videos and lesson plans offered for free, so you can try it out and see what you think. The address is www.homeschoolmentor.com.
