April 3, 2007 - Playing at the Park
Today it is 80 degrees and sunny. The forcast for the rest of the week and Easter looks like low 40s, rain and a chance of snow (you guessed it...on Easter). So since today looks like the last nice day for a week or so we kinda played hooky and went to the park. Carter couldn't wait to try out his boomerang so we went down to the soccer fields and gave it a go! He did great! After just a few tries he got it to work. He never caught it when it came back, but he did get it to come back to him. Once he figured out how to do it, he could do it just about every time (you have to wait for the wind to help you out). We were going to go to the playground after we played with the boomerang, but it was packed (it is spring break here this week)...so we just went on home and played in the backyard.
Tomorrow, we will get back to the books!
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April 2, 2007 - Books & Boomerangs!
Well, Carter has done it again...He has read another 600 pages!! He has been just about 30 pages short for about a week, but things have come up, friends have come over to play, so he had not officially read the additional 30 pages to reach another 600 until today.
I told him I would get him a gift for reaching another goal. So off to "Hobby Town USA" we went. I thought we could find something fun at the hobby shop. As soon as I mentioned the hobby shop, Carter said he wanted a boomerang. We are now the proud owners of a boomerang. The bad part about having a boomerang is that you can't just throw it around in your back yard. You need a large area (his can go up to 45 yards) with no trees. We plan to head to the park tomorrow to try it out. Since he could not throw the boomerang tonight, I suggested he go look up the history of the boomerang. Once he learned that boomerangs were once used as "weapons" he became even more excited about owning one.
Hopefully, he can wait until we get to the park to give it a try...if not, we may need a new window...or Luna may have a headache!
Good Night!
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March 26, 2007 - OK...So I changed my mind!
I went to the homeschool convention this past weekend and had a great time. This is the first time I had attended one of these events and it exceeded my expectations. I met up with my cousin and her friend and we had a lot of fun. I have to say, it was quite an experience for all of us!
I went to the convention with my mind made up about what I was going to look for - what curriculum I was going to purchase (if on sale)...I had my whole philosophy about how and what I was going to homeschool set in my mind. About a month or so before the convention, my cousin had told me about a book by Cathy Duffy that helped you layout your goals for your children - what you want them to learn - what you want to teach and how. First you decide just exactly what your goals are for your children's education. Do you want them to get a perfect score on the SAT, do you want them to go to an Ivy League school, do you want them to learn how to learn on their own, etc. I wrote out my goals and went on my way. Next, you answer a series of questions that help you decide (based on your teaching style and your child's learning style) which curriculum would be best for you. After doing all of this, I learned that Carter was not a sit-down-worksheet kind of learner. Instead, he learned best by moving and doing. As for learning philosophy, we came out high on Classical (which is what we had been doing), but I was surprised that we scored almost (within a couple of points) as high in Unit Studies. Well, I just sort of discounted the whole hands on unit study approach because I did not see how we would ever get everything covered and it just didn't seem "serious" enough for me. So again, I go to the conference knowing what I want to do. My cousins friend, who has four boys, was in search for something she could do with all her boys at the same time. She went to talk to one of the vendors for a curriculum called KONOS. Now I had this marked in my Cathy Duffy book as a good fit for Carter and I, but again it was unit study based and I felt it just wasn't right for us. Well, my cousin's friend could not stop gushing about this program. It got me thinking. I went to a lecture on unit studies and it sounded so great, but again I thought there is no way I am creative enough to build a study around whatever it is Carter would like to learn. I thought, there is no way I will be able to work in history and science and geography, etc. So while I loved the idea and I could see how Carter would love school this way, I again thought, "I can't do that." Meanwhile, my cousin went to hear the KONOS guy and she was all excited about what he had to say. Finally, on the last day, I got to hear the KONOS guy speak. When he talked about the goals we wanted for our kids, it was like he was reading out of my Cathy Duffy book. The KONOS program has all the unit studies planned out so that you don't have to be creative and come up with your own hands on activities and it is comprehensive so that you know you are covering what you need to cover. Well, this hit me right in the heart. I want Carter and Cooper to learn together, I want them to learn about God, I want them to love learning and I want them to learn how to learn on their own. So in a nutshell, as a result of this weekend, I have completely changed my homeschooling philosophy. Instead of recreating school at home, I want to make homeschooling fun where we can question and discover and learn by doing and having fun. When we study about listening and the ear, instead of filling out some worksheet with labels of the anvil and the ear canal and the ear drum, we can turn our kitchen table into an ear by draping some blankets over the table and creating an ear canal and an ear drum with a hammar and all the parts. Then the kids can crawl through the ear and become the sound wave and learn about the ear by doing and not through lectures and worksheets. When we learn about the earth and its hemispheres we can put tape from the top of Carter's head to the floor in the front and in the back then he will be split into two hemispheres. His belt will be the equator and he will become the earth. When we learn about the circulatory system we can go outside and draw a large circle with sidewalk chalk, make the chambers of the heart with string, show where the valves are by cutting the string and lay out the hose to follow the blood as it travels through our body. I have been convinced that by creating moments and memories this is how true long term learning is achieved. Do you remember where Christopher Columbus landed and what he named the city and why? Neither do I - I probably did at one point, but after that test was over, that fact was purged. Everyone knows "In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue" It doesn't mention where he landed, what he called it or why he named it that - that is why we don't remember. I think by dressing up like Christopher Columbus and sailing the Nina, Pinta and the Santa Maria (kitchen towels) across your kitchen floor to your living room, staking your claim and naming it San Salvador, you will more likely remember that experience than memorizing the facts, regurgitating them for a test and then purging the info from your memory.
So we are changing our approach to homeschool...we will still have to be serious when it comes to math and grammar (that's all that's on the SAT anyways), but all the rest, we are going to have FUN!
I can't wait!
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March 19, 2007 - Back in the Swing...
It has been a while since I have had a chance to update this blog...
Right now I am getting ready for the big convention that is coming up! I have been looking over the classes and exhibitors, I have been making my schedule...I think I am going to be running around like a chicken with my head cut off! I am sure I am planning to do too much. The problem is, I want to go to about every class that is offered and I want to spend as much time as possible in the exhibit hall checking out all the different curriculums. I am just going to have to come to the realization that I can't do it all! I still can't wait to go - - I think it is going to be a lot of fun and I am sure I will learn a lot as well! Note to self...pack the tennis shoes!
The little guys are doing well. We are getting back to schooling and our routine. Carter told me today that he liked everything about school except spelling. If he didn't have to do spelling, he would not complain about school. I tried to explain why it is important to learn to spell and write and he understood, but he still said it was boring and he did not like it. I guess I have to come up with a fun way to teach spelling. If you have any ideas, please leave a comment!
This week we are working on school, going to art class, going to our piano lesson and just trying to stick to our schedule. Hopefully, we get everything that we have planned done!
Good Night!
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March 6, 2007 - Cooper is the BIG "2"!
Cooper turned 2 over the weekend and we had a big celebration. Jill and her family came up and spent a few days with us and everybody in town came to celebrate as well.
We did not get too many pictures because we were filming it most of the time, but here are a few.
Here's Cooper on his second piece of cake...I guess he liked it! His cake had a beach ball on it - you can see it in the foreground!
Here he is surveying his gifts and being the center of the party!
He had a great time and we were so glad everyone was able to come and have a great time. He received so many nice gifts - I'm sure they will keep him busy for some time.
Here is a picture of him on his actual birthday (the party was the day before). He is 2 and he is ready to go!
Happy Birthday, Cooper!
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February 27, 2007 - Art and Update
Carter started a new art class today. We have a lovely little place here that gives Homeschool Art, Music, and Drama classes. Carter's class is an elementary art class where they are introduced to different types of art (painting, drawing, chalk, clay, etc.) He really enjoyed his first day and did not want to leave! His teacher, Miss Jane, is a retired art teacher and she was great with the kids. There are 5 boys and 1 girl in his class.
After the class, Carter annouced he wanted to go to school because he thinks it would be so much fun to ride the school bus. Those of you who had to get up early and stand at the bus stop waiting for the bus (rain, snow, whatever) - could you please let this boy know that the fun wears off fast! The only reason he ever mentions he wants to go to school is to ride the bus... I guess I will have to take him on some bus rides to get it out of his system.
School is moving along. Carter still enjoys math, reading, grammar and science, but he still could do without spelling. He is a really good speller, but he says it is boring and takes too much time. Oh well, you have to learn to spell!
We have just started "Pickup Points" in our house. A fun activity designed to get these boys to pick up after themselves. We are starting with Carter, but Cooper will be joining us soon (basically once I get his room organized). Carter receives "pickup points" at the end of the day when everything is put away - properly and in the right place! He can receive a maximum of 10 points per day. He is working toward 150 points and a prize! After one day...he is doing great!
We are still struggling with our Science curriculum. I love the Apologia science program that I purchased about the oceans, but I think it is just a little bit advanced for Carter. I am going back to what we used last year (Scienceworks for kids) to make sure he has all of his basics. We will probably be doing this thoughout the summer, but then again, I did not plan on stopping for summer break anyways. I'm not a slave driver - we will probably take the month of August off! With all of the time off we have taken throughout the year we have to keep going!
That's all I know...
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February 22, 2007 - Mind Your Beeswax!
Yesterday, we had the privilage of going on a field trip with our co-op group. We went to a local historical park and took part in their "Mind Your Beeswax" program. The kids really had a lot of fun and got to get a taste of what it was like to live back in the 1800's - especially how cold it was INSIDE in the winter time. We went into one of the old houses and talked about the differences from then as compared to now. We especially talked about electricity and all of the things in our homes that we would not have if we did not have electricity. One of the main things being - lights. This led us into a discussion about candles and the different types of candles that were made and used in the 1800's. While 1/2 the group learned about and looked at different candles, the other 1/2 began dipping and making candles. After some time - they switched. By the end of the day, they had made enough candles so that each child could take one home. They weren't pretty, but they worked! After that part of the day, we then got a tour of the rest of the park which includes steam engines and airplanes and old trolly cars. The kids really had a great time and I think learned a little too!
Of course I have no pictures!
Good Night!
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February 19, 2007 - Catching Up!
Here are some pictures of the snow we recieved about 2 weeks ago. We got about 4 or 5 inches and Carter and Cooper and I had a blast playing in it. It was too dry to make a snowman, but that didn't stop us from having fun.
Here is a picture of Carter making a snow angel.
Here's a picture of Cooper with snow up to his knees.
Here they are out by the play gym - the snow we got while we were in Florida last week comes up to the top of the small slide...
I guess we stayed out too long - Carter has grown an icicle beard!
I'll update soon with pictures from Florida!
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February 7, 2007 - I Did It!
I can't believe I got this to work...I have been working on the video montage and I actually finished it and got it to display! I'm pretty proud of myself - check it out!
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February 6, 2007 - SNOW!
It's snowing! Yesterday, they said we would get 2-4 inches of snow today, then they said it would not be significant - now they are saying 3-5 inches. It has only been snowing a couple hours and I'd say we are well on our way to the 3-5 inches mark! It is still VERY cold!
Luna is enjoying it!
The fire is still roaring!
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