Jul. 29, 2007 - The best news ever
I have now been granted formal permission from my ex husband to homeschool our child, Christopher. I cannot tell you how happy this makes me. Words are simply not sufficient. I have hoped for this day for years, literally. I cannot wait and am very excited. This year has the potential to be a serious turning point in Christopher's life.
Christopher is 14, soon to be 15 next month. He has been in the public school system all his life and has been "left behind". But, this is my year to catch him up! This year will be hard work but will pay off handsomely. This year, for him, will focus on remedial work.
It is my ex husband's decision to return Christopher to the public school system next year. He is formally entering 9th grade this year, so in addition to remedial work we will also be working on high school credits. We have enrolled in the JCPSeschool to cover the Freshman English credit.
It's a little costly (and possibly ineffective) but it will cover things "officially".
Christopher and I have been working as a team discovering things that need more work, finding which methods work best for his learning style, etc... Basic evaluations but we've had a lot of fun. We have identified a need for phonics training.
Anyone know of a good phonics program that will not be too "cutesy" for a soon to be 15 yo boy?
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Jul. 19, 2007 - A process and a new adventure
Necessity is the mother of invention
I've had the worst time trying to find the perfect homeschool planner.
I've found some really good ones and I've found some that simply would not work for my family.
Years ago I sat down to design my own planner only to throw my hands in the air and give in.
But not this time.
This time I am sticking with it and, I must admit, I am a bit impressed. My project has certainly evolved over time to accommodate things I feel are important. My design has changed radically.
Gone are the standard pages of calendar blocks. I need room to free hand write. The boys do so many interesting things that just don't "fit" into one of the lovely blocks but should certainly be recognized. If any lessons deserve being formally recorded they are the Natural Learning moments. I find it hard to fill a planner with blocks of "Math- Lesson 5". Blah... how boring! I want to look back through our journals and read entries about the boys discovering the red headed woodpecker living in our tree. I want to record the books and websites they visited or what information they gathered. I want to write about the beautiful drawing they sketched of the woodpecker. (Maybe the journal should include folders for items such as art?)
I tend to use quite a few different educational approaches. I suppose you could say we have an eclectic educational style. I enjoy Unit Studies for the in depth knowledge they can offer on a specific topic. But, I also find it very important to appreciate Natural Learning. And quite the opposite of either of these approaches I enjoy the peace of mind some workbook lessons can provide.
So, you can understand why finding a homeschool planner has been difficult for me. But I'm *really* excited about designing this homeschool planner. I was discussing the planner with my best friend last night. I told her about the 20+ hours of planning I have into designing this project so far. She suggested perhaps other mothers would also be interested in my planner. Hmmmm.... maybe?
Everything almost seems to be falling into place. My sister in law and close friend is a graphic designer itching for a project. She is also a, now retired, homeschool veteran. We've discussed the basic design of the planner and I'm really excited!
Okay, I confess.... I'm a bit of a dork. I use the word swell on a regular basis. I enjoy looking at old 50's advertisements and I love the swanky look of them. So, my planner will be swell. :) I still haven't thought of a name yet but I believe the word swell should be in it. Also, I believe the word school should not be in it. ;)
Well.... I've rambled quite a bit about his project. Bless your heart if you've read all this. I welcome any and all comments or suggestions.
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Jul. 17, 2007 - Yes! A homeschooling magazine which is *actually* about homeschooling!
Through the years I have searched through many magazines for homeschoolers with much disapointment. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm positive some of the magazines I have scoffed at are a perfect fit for other families.... just not my own.
And finally, after much searching I have found the perfect homeschooling magazine for our family.
If you are like me, you have found yourself growing tired of searching through other magazines for some information on homeschooling. Strange how that happens, isn't it? How I had longed for a magazine that stayed on the focus. After all, the topic IS homeschooling.
;) If I had a penny for everytime I realized a "homeschool" magazine was actually a homechurch magazine I would be a rich woman.
Home Education Magazine was the answer to my frustrations. Gone are the sermons, in their place you can find information on different homeschooling approaches. Would you like to know how to raise a writer, use boomerangs, or become a more effective homeschool advocate? Perhaps you are interested in teaching your chidren a foreign language, music or the real meaning of large numbers. You can find all this and more in this month's Home Education Magazine!
I feel the need to point something out- I am not ANTI-religious homeschool magazines. I understand why many families wish to have a strong focus on their religious beliefs integrated throughout their homeschooling studies. But I can't for the life of me, justify reading a homeschool magazine which actually has *very little* homeschooling information. :)
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Jul. 17, 2007 - My favorite view
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Jul. 8, 2007 - Great answer to the socialization question
Someone asked the same old question, "How can homeschooled children be capable of making it in the real world if they haven't socialized in public school?"
And the answer is.....
"When did the real world become small enough to stuff into a classroom?"
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Jun. 30, 2007 - Here's your socialization
Check out this little site. A member has posted a thread asking the question,
Things that come to mind when you think of high school?
Please, I beg of you, read the responses.
***Warning- Do NOT read the responses with your child present.***
Hmmm, for some reason the link isn't working. Let's try this, go to my other blog and link to the site. Sorry for the run around.
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Jun. 24, 2007 - Paperback Book Swap
Wow! Has anyone introduced you to PBS yet?
I found this site today via a link on someone's blog. (I wish I knew now, I would thank her.) It's a nice online book swap. (Kind of like the homeschool group's book swap.. only more books!) I've added 14 books to trade and so far 4 have been selected by someone. Once we finalize the swap and they receive the books I will get credit to choose my own books for free.
But wait! It gets better. Apparently the company realizes people like me need instant satisfaction. :) So, once you list 9 books to swap you receive a 3 book credit. Oh.... I've already spent my credits. That took about one minute. Here's what I ordered:
Don't leave yet! There's still more to this deal. It's FREE! Yup, I swear, honest to goodness FREE. The only money involved is what you pay to ship a book to some one. Yes, really really.
So, come to the swap! I've added a quick link in the sidebar on the right. If you decide to join, which I would recommend you do, please keep me listed as who referred you. LOL, I get more book credits that way.
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Jun. 24, 2007 - How to put Word document onto blog?
So, does anyone know how to show a microsoft word document on the blogs?
I've put together a personal planner and I would like to share. :)
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Jun. 23, 2007 - Teaching right brain learners by Wade Hulcy (conference notes)
Teaching right brained learners by Wade Hulcy
http://www.konos.com/
Mr Hulcy gave the background information about Patrick Henry. It was said that he would not reach any success in his life and would be, at best, mediocre. (Guess they were wrong, huh?)
He shared this information because it seems, like many others, Patrick Henry was a right brained child.
I'm sure we've all heard before that left handed children tend to be more sensitive and creative. We've also heard that left handed children use the right side of their brain which explains why they are more sensitive and creative. I know I had heard this before but had never heard about right brained learners. I hadn't planned to attend Mr. Hulcy's class, I had planned to attend a teaching Latin class. But, one look at the curriculum and I ran for the closest class available and as such stumbled into Mr. Hulcy's right brained learners class.
It was amazing! It seemed he was speaking about my 8yo child, Devan.
Left brain thinkers-
Taxon memory
Facts, stats, names, lists, etc…
Learn best parts to whole
Right brain thinkers-
Spatial memory
Colors, feelings, storytelling, experience
Learn best whole to parts
Think you may have a right brain learner?
Does he/she have an aversion to desk work?
Does he/she become easily distracted?
Does he/she learn best with immersion and activity?
Is he/she sensitive, artistic, more of a free spirit, "opposite the norm"?
Have you been told your child may have a learning disability?
Perhaps they have no learning disability but have lessons presented in a manner, which they cannot grasp. Traditional school methods focus on rote memory . This is just fine for left brain learners who thrive on facts but for a right brain learner it is torture. They just can't make it work.
So, what do you do? First you remove all obstacles.
How is your child's vision? Does your child have problems with eye tracking ?
How is your child's hearing?
Does your child have allergies?
The body greatly affects the mind's ability to learn and retain information. If the child has problems tracking the words on a page, hearing the lesson or an allergy headache he/she will have problems focusing on the lesson.
Are you giving your child the "fight or flight" mentality?
Picture this, you are sitting at your kitchen table with Johnny. Your main goal is to teach Johnny 4x3. This should be no problem because you have gone over this one again and again and sometimes Johnny can pull out the answer, but not always.
"What is 3 times 4 Johnny?" you ask nicely.
"Ummmm, wait a minute… I know this one. Oh man, I just can't remember. Aagh." Johnny is becoming frustrated. He knows the answer but just can't come up with it.
Equally frustrated you say, "What is 3 times 4 Johnny? I've taught you this one hundred times, you should know this." (Sometimes we talk through our teeth at this point. I know I do.)
Sound familiar? (It does for me.) Guess what we've just done? We have given Johnny's brain the "fight or flight" mentality. Johnny now knows you are frustrated and is wondering just how angry you will be if he cannot come up with the answer. His brain has down shifted because adrenalin produces cortisol which decreases one's ability to learn and remember.
Remember; do not dump adrenalin into your children. Watch your tone of voice, it causes stress with causes adrenalin which causes cortisol which causes downshifting into the lower functions of the brain.
So, how do you teach right brain Johnny?
Try brain gym before a lesson.
Remember how Johnny learns best. He is a right brain learner; he needs the experience.
Try these methods over rote memorization-
Maps, measuring, props, models, costumes, experiments, cut aparts, cooking, timelines and figures, games, arts and crafts, music, singing and color.
Remember, you are trying to get the lesson into Johnny's right brain that will require more than a textbook. If you use a textbook the information will be stored in Johnny's left brain which he has severe problems accessing.
Remember the multiplication lesson described above? Try showing Johnny the problem using manipulatives. Or, if you want to stick with flash cards try writing the proble with the answer. 3x4=12 Better yet, make it a colorful flash card.
"But wait, I'm giving Johnny the answer!" you may say. Well, yes. We are giving Johnny the answer; we do want him to learn it, right?
If Johnny is learning about the globe and all it's parts turn him into the globe. Pull out the tape and tape down the center of his body and around his waist. Explain the prime meridian and equator now; he'll get it.
If you want Johnny to understand the size of something give him a visual. If he is learning about hummingbirds go to the fridge and pull the cap off our milk jug. Show Johnny the cap and explain that a hummingbird's nest is the same size. Throw in a pea to show the size of a hummingbird's egg.
Want Johnny to understand who long the human lower intestine is? Pull out the twine, cut it to length and allow Johnny to stretch it out. He needs the visual cue to remember the fact.
Are you studying a historical time period? Perhaps you are studying the colonial time period. Make an easy costume and act out daily life for the period.
Mr. Hulcy says the did not sew one costume. They stuck with the simple versions. If you need to have short pants try sweat pants pulled to under the knee with gym socks pulled all the way up. Add a cowboy hat shaped into a triangle form and you've got the costume! Keep it simple.
Are you covering Columbus' trip to America? Try laying three dishtowels on the floor; you've just created the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria! Let the kids sail across the floor while singing, "In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue."
I'm sure by now you get the point. Make the lesson come alive! Also, do not get so caught up in creating the best experience that you spend more time preparing the lesson than covering the lesson; keep it simple.
Little Johnny is easily distracted: the tag on his shirt is bothering his neck, his pants have a bit of wool in them and are itchy, a bird just landed outside the window, he's wondering if he will be able to play with those new trucks after lessons, the chair is hard and he wants to get up and move, etc… He needs the lessons to be engaging. He needs to move about and be active.
Don't fight Johnny's energy; it is a losing battle. You can get Johnny to sit in a desk but he is daydreaming of walking around; think he can concentrate while he is daydreaming?
Get him up, moving and experiencing the lesson. He will remember because it will be stored in his right brain.
This doesn't sound as easy as handing Johnny a workbook, does it? You may LOVE workbooks but Johnny doesn't; he hates them. Think he will learn a lesson delivered in a manner he hates? Remember; this is not about your preferred teaching style. This is about teaching Johnny in a matter he can learn.
Sometimes Johnny will look off into space while answering the question and you will be tempted to call him back in. Don't! When Johnny looks to the side he is using a different part of his brain. (Our FBI and other agencies have long trusted eye movement as an indicator of lying.)
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Jun. 23, 2007 - Amanda Bennett (conference notes)
My child Gifted? By Amanda Bennett
http://www.unitstudy.com/
This session/class didn’t focus too much on the gifted aspect as it did unit studies. J
Remember, this is all about your child. It doesn’t matter if you do not like the topic.
Don’t be surprised when their interests change, because they will.
She says they (they who, I don’t know) have found you can teach a 17-year-old child in one year what they will learn in twelve years of public school. So, don’t sweat any gaps. If your child needs to pass a test for college, cover any aspects you have missed. Focus on their interests; you can catch up the rest later.
My thoughts on this- Even if you manage to cover everything with traditional methods they will likely forget. How much do you remember from your own schooling? Ever heard of that new show Are you smarter than a fifth grader?
If you have children who are not interested in experiments/projects that’s okay. She recommends doing them yourself where your child can “catch you”. It’s likely they will join in. If not, they may still get the lesson. (I can’t imagine my children not wanting to do a project/experiment!)
Encourage, encourage, encourage! NEVER nay say their idea. You never know, it may be their passion.
If your children aren’t interested in doing a study because it’s not on the list of daily workbooks they are used to then walk away from the workbooks. (Except for math) She says when she first asked her children about studying a particular topic they asked, “I don’t know… is it on my checklist?”
The more studies the children do the more confident in their own study/research skills they will become. Eventually, they will set out on their own studies and research.
Trust that your child will learn, they will.
Amanda recommends using the internet when available. She stresses that you must first check out the website yourself. Do not trust the site to be safe. A prime example: One of Amanda’s books has a web site she recommended, now the website is porn.
Don’t forget all the cool sites like:
Bill Nye the Science Guy
Zoom
Also, on an unrelated note- Amanda offers free curriculum to any missionaries. So, if you know any pass along the word!
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Jun. 23, 2007 - Unit Studies 101- Amanda Bennett (notes from conference)
Okay, these notes are a bit scatter brained but I guess will do. ;)
Unit Studies 101 by Amanda Bennett
http://www.unitstudy.com/
She spoke a bit about Bloom’s Taxonomy and how rote memorization is low on the list. (Which is the very method we were all likely trained in and the way we are likely training our children.) She says she has found that her children retained the information much better when it is presented in unit studies.
Here are her tips:
Privately ask each child what they want to learn. “If you could study anything, what would it be?” She prefers to ask privately so the siblings won’t nay say the idea. Also, she points out you should never nay say the idea either… no matter how silly it may seem to you. (Even if they want to study bubble gum!) Always show enthusiasm over their choice. Remember, it is their interest, not yours.
Try 4-week unit studies with 1-week breaks. Briefly prepare the lessons during the 1-week break and count it as an “in service break”.
Do not try to plan too far ahead, interests change.
If they lose interest in the study then stop. If there is no interest they will not retain the information.
To cover grammar skills have the children write about their research everyday.
If you have a reluctant writer try Write Source. (LOL, I didn’t realize I have this book until today!)
Don’t worry about covering it all. There will be holes no matter what method you use to educate your children. But with unit studies, you are teaching your children to teach themselves and research topics that interest them.
Don’t worry if you seem to be mainly focusing on science unit studies with little history unit studies. (Or visa versa.) Eventually it will balance out. (For example- most of your studies have been inventions, machines, weather, etc…)
She suggests some children will not pick a topic because they realize it will mean reading. If this is happening then volunteer to read to the child. Eventually the child will realize there is a lot of cool information to be had by reading and will begin reading themselves.
Do NOT make it a big deal if your child will not read. (Apparently one of her children just would not read. They never made an issue of it and read to him. You guessed it; he picked it up just fine.)
If you want to create a butterfly display quickly freeze them after their capture. (Apparently they will stretch nicely this way.)
Try letting your children scrapbook their findings. This is especially true if you have non-readers or writers.
Amanda makes sure math is covered via workbook each day. (Unless the child happens to be doing quite a bit of math with the unit study. For example, she found her 2nd grader doing geometry once while designing the tiled floor for a tree house.)
Math should be done when your children are most energetic. For example, her children were more alert in the mornings so they covered their math lessons then.
After you have chosen a topic make a diagram with the topic as the center circle. From that circle draw 5 other circles. These cover: who, what, where, when and why.
Who- did the event, did it involve, invented it, etc… Whenever possible tie in “real people” to the unit study so the children can relate.
What- (Science or History) This obviously changes with the unit. Basically this section covers all details about the topic.
Where- (Geography) Get as specific as you would like. Continent, state, city, etc…
When- (History) Try to discuss what other events were happening in the world at the same time as well. Try using a time line to reinforce this lesson.
Why- Why did this even occur, etc…
If you have problems incorporating all 5 aspects at once then try a 5-week unit study. Designate each week to a different aspect.
She recommends using one (cheap) notebook per child, per unit study. This way the children will have record of their findings, which they can refer to in the future. Also, they may decide to add to the study as some point.
Let the child decorate their notebook according to the unit study.
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Jun. 23, 2007 - Ants Unit Study
Watch ants eat (Time lapse)
Leaf cutter ants video
Watch ants create their tunnels (Time lapse)
Connect the dots ant print out
Ant external anatomy diagram
Ant Life Cycle Sequence Cards
Insect Lore
Anthony Ant
The Gordon Lab (ant research)
Chocolate covered ants recipe
Do ants shoot acid as a defense?
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Jun. 23, 2007 - Lewis and Clark Unit Study
The Lewis and Clark expedition
Lewis and Clark for kids- Their journey of discovery with 21 activities
Lewis and Clark hands on art/english activities
The Lewis and Clark expedition coloring book
A picture book of Sacagawea
Lewis and Clark and Me
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Jun. 23, 2007 - Organizing homeschool
Lately I've been bombarded with an overwhelming desire to organize. I know, I know... crazy. But, when I get this feeling I run with it. :)
My particular goal was to organize my family's daily life. I have tackled three different sections so far. They are home cleaning, cooking and organizing our homeschool.
1. Home Cleaning:
My part- I've been doing deep cleaning and organization lately. My latest projects: school area, pantry, dresser drawers and kitchen cabinets.
The boys- Before they only had one assigned chore but I fixed that. Besides, we get to count it as Home Ec. right? *snicker* All the boys all put away their own laundry and clean their own rooms.
Richie's chores
load and unload the dishwasher
vacuum living room
water goats and chickens daily
Devan's chores
bathroom- wipe down, take out trash, restock towels and tidy up
put goats out to graze once per day, bring back in afternoon
feed goats corn daily
Remington's chores
keep common areas free of toys
2. Cooking:
My part- I've decided to give The Homeschool Mom's menu a try. So far it's been easy and is quite the weight lifted from my shoulders to *know* "what's for dinner".
The boys- Richie has really shown quite the baking skills this year. He seems to enjoy making breakfast and dessert the most. He's been quite the little chef.
3. Organizing our homeschool:
The location-
Well, we've been using our attached garage as the official homeschool room but never completed our lessons in there. It mainly served as our storage facility. I became weary of the running back and forth between kitchen, living room and garage. It wasted quite a bit of time looking for curriculum or supplies as well. (This is because it was not organized well.)
So, now I have given in and "set up shop" in our kitchen. The dining room side of our large kitchen, that is. Really though, I've decided there is no point in having a homeschool room in a homeschool. I decided it would be far better to have a homeschool home. ;)
The stuff-
I began analyzing what we really need for each day. It basically came down to this:
somewhere to write
our core curriculum and curriculum items (located in individual stacks, bottom shelf)
reference books
writing items (small basket, top shelf)
books and items for our current unit study (large basket, top shelf)
time line
cork board (to display anything related)
chalk board (just because I like the idea)
manipulatives (small baskets, second shelf)
art materials (small baskets, second shelf)
Mom's books (teacher editions, etc...)
individual daily planners (with individual curriculum items)
All other books go in the new bookcases in our living room.
I'm trying to get back to basics. At one point I was very excited about buying TONS of "educational stuff" to hang on the wall. But, it didn't feel like home. It felt... well, like a school. Then there's all the unused curriculum. I too have purchased curriculum with the highest hopes only to find it wasn't a good fit. For some reason, I have held onto this stuff... just in case. I've now decided to donate, sell or trash unused items. I think this is a good quote,
A book in the hand is worth two on the bookcase.
The planning/official paperwork-
I've been creating my own homeschool planner. I would continue using the home schooler's journal but I've found I require more free room to write. Also, I will begin keeping more notes on Remington's lessons next year and that will take up more room.
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Jun. 23, 2007 - Bookcases! Every homeschooler's dream
Last week I fell in love with a bookcase. It was just a simple and cheap case. Yesterday I bought four. Yes! Four new bookcases! Isn't that every homeschoolers dream? :)
So, out went the oversized entertainment center. (We have no tv anyway.) In it's place, the four bookcases all in a row. Oh! It's so wonderful to have most our books ready and waiting. I'm not the only one enjoying this either. Remington has kept me quite busy reading all the newly rediscovered books to him.
I think I need to buy another bookcase, we have too many books to fit into the four cases. Besides, my wall will fit another. ;)
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Jun. 23, 2007 - Okay, I confess.....
I've missed you all!
Now, don't get me wrong. I certainly prefer the other place for the ease of template design. Well, a few other things are more easy as well. And I'm sure I'm not the only one who apprecitates the spell check option over there. ;)
But, I've missed all my HSB friends! So, I've decided it's time to run dual blogs.
So, "Hello everyone! I'm back!". I'll copy a few of our other blog's posts here to get things started.
I can't wait to make the rounds and visit every one's blogs, did I mention I've MISSED you all?
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Mar. 15, 2007 - New blog... at least for while
Well, I've contemplated switching to another blog for some time now. I really love HSB but I want to give this other one a shot. So, you can find us here at our new location: http://rollslife.blogspot.com/
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Mar. 12, 2007 - Under reporting school violence
There is a problem with under reporting violence in schools. This is mainly due to two different reasons:
1. It makes the school look bad.
2. It makes the school lose funding.
Here is an interesting article about this topic.
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Mar. 12, 2007 - Teachers plan to walk out of students
BRIDGEPORT -- Some teachers and service personnel still are unsure whether they will participate in a planned walk-out Wednesday.
The West Virginia Education Association's president announced Saturday that its members planned to walk off the the job this week.
But WVEA President Charles Delauder said he didn't know which counties -- or how many members -- will participate.
The group is protesting a 3.5 percent pay raise passed by the state Legislature last week. Critics say that raise isn't enough. "Teachers are very passive people," said Paige Moccia, the president of the Harrison County Education Association. "To get a teacher to leave their classroom and even think about leaving their classroom, they're frustrated, and they're very angry."
But not everyone is on board yet.
Moccia plans to meet with Harrison County members at 7 p.m. Monday at Bridgeport High School to decide whether to go through with it.
A similar meeting for the Monongalia County chapter is planned for at the Knights of Columbus building at 7 p.m. in Star City.
"We have to make a stand for public education," Moccia said. "If we don't, no one else does."
The uncertainty over the WVEA's proposed walkout comes after another rally Saturday in Charleston, organized by the American Federation of Teachers West Virginia chapter.
The AFT-WV has denounced any walk-out this week, saying it's not part of the group's strategy.
Instead, the AFT-WV has sent ballots to its members. If more than half support a strike, the group will call for one in May.
"This isn't about one organization or another," Moccia said. "It's not about just salary. It's about the future of education in West Virginia."
****Hmmm, looks like it's about salary to me. There is an interesting poll at the website as well.
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Mar. 12, 2007 - Homeschool convention
So, you can't make it to the homeschool convention this year? Check this out! I'm listening to Rick discuss "What about socialization?" It's really great so far and very inspiring!
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