The Barren Blog...or Because I'm Not, This Blog Is
Jul. 26, 2008
Minute to Minute - How To Get Out Of The Kindergarten Corner
Posted By Gena Suarez, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
Minute to Minute
Readers Helping Readers
Greetings!
Last week Minute to Minute received a letter from a new homeschool mom who felt unable to homeschool her kindergarten age daughter while taking care of her ill, elderly mother.
This week, homeschool moms wrote in to encourage Tammy and tell her that she can homeschool. If the Lord has given her a calling, He will help her to do what seems impossible. She's not alone, and she has people and resources that will help her.
We at TOS also wanted to remind Tammy and other homeschool moms of the wonderful resources TOS Magazine has to offer to those homeschooling kindergarteners. Numerous TOS articles covering teaching tips, fun ideas, and helpful resources can be found in the Kindergarten Korner. Also, be sure to order the TOS Spring 2008 Digital Back Issue which features wonderful kindergarten articles and resources.
Something Special
You Can Do It
Dear Tammy,
I believe that you can homeschool with an aging parent. It will take a lot of planning, and let me tell you, helping out my father has felt like having two children to look after, again. Is your mother coherent enough to read to your daughter? This may be the time to enlist her help (if able) so that you can do lesson planning. Your mother may interrupt because she desires the attention (just like a child) and giving her something to do may provide that attention. I have found that the best time to get things done was while I was waiting at the doctor's for appointments, and believe me, my father has plenty of appointments. We never went anywhere without our "carschooling bookbag."
This may also be the time to check out pre-packaged curriculum programs. My son was always happy to be with me in the kitchen while he did his little workbook pages. This requires some multitasking, but it truly can be done. There are also some computer-based programs that require limited supervision, as well as online programs that you may check out, and these begin as early as kindergarten. I also purchased a plastic bin where I kept a learning center. I switched these out about once a week. One week it was full of "red" things, "blue" things, etc., then we started with letters and sight words.
Does your mother take a nap in the afternoon? Does your preschooler still need one? If you have quiet time in the afternoon, use that time for lesson planning (I know how tempting it is to use this for chore time, but you do need planning time).
Check with your church about adult respite programs. There may be an adult daycare that you can afford for a couple of mornings a week. Home healthcare organizations may also have someone on the staff qualified to "babysit" your mother. Ask around, you may be surprised. I'll say a prayer for you and your family.
A Homeschool Mom Who's Been There,
Kathy
Don't Underestimate 5 Minutes
Dear Tammy,
We just started first grade with my oldest this month. Though I do not have the challenge of caring for an ill adult in my own home, our past several years have definitely been full of challenges. Several close family members have required extended hospitalizations. We were away from home several times for long periods helping those family members. My husband is also active duty military, and we have dealt with very erratic schedules and extended separations, with a year-long deployment to Iraq coming up this fall and the birth of a baby, who is a very active and interruptive 2 year old this year.
I have a few rather practical questions. Does your mother take naps? Could you work with your daughter during this time? We had a new baby and had to work around naptimes and interruptions quite a bit. We would also play tapes with the alphabet or number song in the car or while preparing meals. I pointed out things in our home: letters on the fridge, numbers on the phone or calendar. Count out x number of eggs for me for this recipe. Something else my son really loved was simple educational computer games. We saved them for special occasions, but once you got him started he could sit and play the games for a while by himself, and he was actually learning all at the same time.
I was really scared when we started kindergarten with my son last year. Two things helped me to overcome my fear. First, I noticed that it didn't take more than a half hour each day for my son to do his "school work". Sometimes it seemed like it only took 10 minutes, then he was off playing again for the rest of the day. What really set the tone for the whole year for us was finding the right approach to teach him reading. He just didn't understand at first. Then we picked up the book Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. That book just spoke his language. The light bulb went on, and he was off and reading. It really eased all my fears and built up my confidence to realize that it could be done and in such little time.
I guess what I am trying to say overall is, don't overestimate what your daughter "has" to learn this year, and don't underestimate the impact you can have in any given 5 minutes.
A Fellow Homeschool Mom,
Regina
Cherish The Moment
Dear Tammy,
While I didn't have exclusive care of my father, he did take ill and pass away during my daughter's kindergarten year. I was so thankful that we were homeschooling at the time because I was free to take my kids (my daughter, and also my, then 3 year old, son) to visit him without guilt and without question. I have never regretted the time we spent with my dad during his last days with us. My dad and my daughter had a very special relationship, and it was a blessing when she could be with him.
Don't worry about interrupting your kindergarten schooling to take care of grandma. You're teaching your child something much more important than her ABCs and numbers. What's more, she will get her ABCs and numbers one way or another, perhaps just not on your timeline. Here is where teaching at home is so different from teaching in a classroom. You don't need to look like you're in "school" to learn, and you don't need to follow a pre-determined schedule.
As a teacher-mom you can incorporate your lessons into everyday life. . .count the steps as you both go up and down, count spoonfuls as you cook, count how many plates you need to set the table for the family; draw numbers and letters in the sand or with the ingredients of your cookies; read aloud at bedtime when dad can help with grandma. Mostly, relax and know that your child will learn what she needs to know, plus she will see your loving care of grandma in action. What classroom school could ever equal that?
Having Homeschooled With An Aging Parent,
Wendy
Redeeming The Time
Dear Tammy,
I had a similar experience when my daughter was in 3rd-4th grade. My advice is to remember you have many years to teach academics. You may never have another opportunity to care for your mother or to show your daughter God's design of how we take care of the ones who cared for us when we were small. The lessons she learns cannot be found between the pages of a book but through life experience, lessons she may have to return to one day herself. God has called you to this time, and He will not let you down. He will redeem the hours you miss. I KNOW it is easier said than done, but try not to add the stress of feeling like you are letting your daughter's education suffer during this difficult time. She is learning far more than you can imagine. I wish you could speak with my child to hear for yourself what she experienced as we cared for my mother.
Make up songs about the alphabet and sing the sounds they make. Count the pills you are giving your mother with your daughter. Although not ideal, there are reading shows on PBS and The Magic School Bus on The Learning Channel. Also ABEKA and Bob Jones offer DVD learning. Little brains are like sponges. You will be surprised what she will absorb. Let her pretend she is a nurse and "write" things down for you. Perhaps dad can take 30 minutes in the evening for reading, or if your mother will sit or lie down long enough, perhaps your daughter could read to her. The elderly often revert and enjoy children's books themselves.
I lost almost an entire year of school. My daughter will be in 7th grade this upcoming year and scored in the 99 percentile in all subjects on the standardized test and has no problems with academics.
Most importantly, find a time to take care of yourself! Even if it is only for half an hour. Perhaps a sibling or your husband can take over long enough for you to have some alone time to renew your strength.
Praying For Your Strength And His Guidance,
Jackie
From The Experienced. . . .
My main piece of advice is that you don't stress about kindergarten. Five isn't a magic age to teach them stuff, and if you miss it they won't be delayed or deprived. If you must do something, do it in short blocks of time (which is good for that age anyway). I don't have an aging mother in my home, but I do have 8 children, seven of whom are school age. That makes Kindergarten take a back seat to the 10-yr old who is still struggling to read.
~Carol
Not sure if this is a possibility, can your mom be included in your kindergarten lessons? Have your mom, read to your daughter or practice doing some basic stuff that your mom CAN do with your daughter. Take pictures of them together too as it will be priceless when she is gone. I say this as I lost my mom on April 7, 2007, and I just loved it when she came to visit. I have only a handful of pictures of them doing things together; my child learning from my mom. Act like you are busy and that you need your mom's help, maybe she is interrupting because she wants to be included in some way, even if it is small. You can have your mom "HELP" with your daughter's learning and then later let your mom know that this is your time to review or to teach some new things. Remember, to do what is best for you and your family. Please be careful not to show your impatience towards your mom, as your daughter will pick up on that.
~Valerie
I have been in the same situation (although my dad doesn't wander or get into things). I would include him in the learning while I was working with my daughter doing kindergarten. A lot of the time, she would answer the questions I was asking him or vice-versa. It was great for us. He has Alzheimer's, and it helped to keep his mind tracking, too. During times when I needed my daughter to focus, I would put my dad to bed for a nap. I hope this helps just a little. I know it's hard, and I commend you for
taking caring of your mom. Stay strong.
~Candi
I have 4 children that I homeschool, and their ages range from 1 year to 10 years. I believe the challenges you face with Grandma may be similar to those I face with my 1 year old. They are needy in different ways of course, but they can both be a sweet little source of interruption while trying to school your other children. For instance, my baby is constantly asking for things, crying, wanting a snack or a drink, needing entertainment, and wanting to be held. Neither you nor I would want to ignore our precious needy family members, so we have to figure out a way to balance it all! I believe my solution could also work for you. I have learned to engage my baby in learning with my older children. This could be of great help to Grandma! Even if she has lost some of her faculties, you can allow her to exercise her mind (and her fingers) by giving her some manipulatives to work with! Alphabet puzzles, building blocks, pick-up sticks, color matching, etc can be wonderful for young children and the elderly alike! I have found preschool manipulatives to be a life-saver when it comes to entertaining my children, and it is a much healthier option than plopping them in front of the TV. If Grandma thinks this task is silly, simply let her know that she is helping to teach your little one. I believe she will feel appreciated and important, while she is also being entertained.
~Anna
We have three children ages 2, 5, and 8. For the alphabet we have used several things including Leap Frogs Fridge Phonics Magnets, Leap Frog Videos, Dover Publishing ABC coloring books or free printouts from enchantedlearning.com and cartooncritters.com. We also play with ABC stamps and playdough with ABC cookie cutters. You could also bake sugar cookies and cut out ABCs. When traveling in the car we listen to phonics songs and play I Spy alphabet and number games. I also have used and love the free curriculum from Brightly Beaming Resources and Old Fashion Education. You can also find at your library or at the bookstore several books including simple hands-on games for reading and math skills. Don't forget to check The Schoolhouse Store first! All these things take little time and believe me having three kids, I need quick and easy lessons! I could go on and on forever on this subject, but my best advice is to just relax and enjoy this time! You have a lot of schooling years ahead of you and your daughter and whatever she does not learn this year, she'll learn the next. Take care of mom and enjoy her also. Happy homeschooling!
~Autumn
Homeschooling Resource
The Upper & Lower Case Magnet Sets from Eager Mind are extremely unique. Each set contains the long and short vowel sounds. Each letter/picture combination is fully backed with a 1 mm magnetic layer, and each letter and picture are together on one magnet.
Homeschooling Resource
Adventures in Phonics Level A Workbook from Christian Liberty Press begins a formal study of phonics-starting with short vowel sounds and logically progressing through consonants, long vowels, and beyond. It uses drill, repetition, and writing activities to ensure comprehension. It is designed to work with the Kindergarten Phonics Readers, where students are prompted to begin reading once the phonics concepts for a given title have been studied.
Click HERE to view the Christian Liberty Press Adventures in Phonics Workbooks, Teacher's Manuals, and Flashcards for Kindergarten through third grade.
Thank you for writing in and encouraging Tammy as she attempts to homeschool her kindergartener while taking care of her aging mother. Remember, if you have a question you would like to ask the Minute to Minute Readers, please email us. Emailing or otherwise responding to this email constitutes permission for The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC to publish, post, reprint and distribute part or all of your response in the Minute to Minute E-Newsletter, the print, digital and online versions of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, on Company websites and in other Company publications.
I was talking with several different people today and something struck me, not for the first time. In our society today, the way kids are growing up, once they hit the teen years, they just have to have a boyfriend or girlfriend. It's just a fact of life for them..like that they get a job when they're 16. Or that they go to college after graduation..only more definite. It's sad...becuase they don't even see it. Instead they get hurt over and over again, thinking that each new boyfriend (or girlfriend) is "the one." It's really sad to see it on a first-hand basis like I have been. But it makes me feel even more sure about my commitment to not date....and to not even THINK about marriage until GOD does something..not me.
Well, I better go..battery signal's bad. :) Tata for now!
Today we attended the Southeastern Homeschool Expo, a huge curriculum fair that I have been participating in for about eight years now. One of the interesting things I found was a microchem lab. Using the 18 labs in that would simplify things enormously. I have no idea if they would be considered AP worthy...
Today the girls and I attended our yearly curriculum fair. We go the Southeastern Homeschool Expo which gets larger each year. This year's keynote speaker of interest to me was Susan Wise Bauer. I read The Well Trained Mind when Josh was in the fourth grade and I have to say it was the book that has had the most profound effect on how we homeschool. It's been wonderful to hear her speak--and it doesn't hurt that she speaks very well: amusing and informative giving lots of info in a small amount of time. Tomorrow I"m going back and I can't wait to hear her thoughts on writing and how to read a book!
The girls were supposed to be helping me choose stuff for the coming school year. Well, they keep the convention hall at absolute arctic temperatures and Rebecca was not a happy camper. She wanted to go home after lunch, but there were too many workshops that I didn't want to miss. She made out like a little bandit however because she picked a T-shirt and she bought a couple of books written by a homeschooled 17 year old!
Rebecca bought a t-shirt and a copy of the first Mighty Stallion for her friend's birthday next week and the author signed the book, so Rebecca is really excited about giving this particular book. She also bought a copy of the book for herself as well as a copy of Iron Heart. I will review these after I get a chance to read them.
Unfortunately it was difficult to get her opinions about the things I wanted to look at. Had I done the looking first thing when we arrived there wouldn't have been a problem, but because there were back to back workshops I didn't want to miss, it was 3:00 in the afternoon before we really started "shopping" and after freezing for five hours, my baby was cranky. She did take a look at the most important things: Omnibus I, Tapestry of Grace, and a couple of personal finance workbooks, but she flat out said she couldn't make a good decision. We have a disc with a three week sample of Tapestry of Grace and so we will look at websites and the sample over the coming week and make a decision. Or else I'll just pick one tomorrow and we'll do it for the next twelve months!
My mom is nearing retirement age and the closer it gets the more she talks about moving in with us. We've joked around about it for years, like how I'll keep her in a high turrett where her grandchildren can throw food up to her through the window.
My mom claims she will be very cranky and a pain to live with because she will be old, tired, and in pain. She'll be angry that she can't do all the things she wants to do. In one way I can understand that but in another I keep telling her she's just going to have to accept it. It's a fact of life and I don't know why she has to make all of us miserable to boot.
While Dear Man likes my mom he wonders if he might lose his sanity living with someone who chooses to be a grump. He decided we would be a little house on wheels so when my mom is good we'll park her house next to ours and when she is being a pain we'll park her in the back forty.*
Actually my mom will need to have a house on the ground floor so a two or three story house with ground floor apartment would be best. We could also go with a house that has a ground floor mother-in-law house on the property. Either of these could be hard to find in our price range and in our neck of the woods.
So we've been looking to see what kind of houses are out there that we could add to our property. Here are some possibilites. Some are just fun, some are ugly, and some you just have to look at because its there.
Tumbleweed Houses - It's a house, it's on wheels, it's cute! Eco-Pod House - For the bee in your family Micro Compact Home - It's ugly and one might be called in to social services if you actually housed your mother in it. Just a house pod - Might work if we lived in the arctic. Shell house - Since my mother says she'll be a crab... Simon's Eco-house - My mom would actually like this even though she doesn't have hairy feet. ICOSA pods - You could always hope Han Solo might stop by. A Yurt - You want a reindeer with that? Loft Cubes - I'd be worried that an alien ship might mistake it for a spare part.** Pumpkin House - To prevent it from decaying would you have to shellac it?
* I hope you know we are just kidding and that we would take good care of my mom. Maybe.
** I don't believe in aliens but that's what it makes me think of.
I'm Stephanie, thrilled to be Gary's wife since May '85 and mom to six girls (9/89, 7/91, 5/93, 4/96, 11/04, 1/07) and three boys (2/98, 1/00, 11/01). We live with Gary's parents (ages 89 and 87) on an acre of land in western CO.
