Posted in relaxed homeschooling

Posted in relaxed homeschooling

We've been homeschooling for over 10 years and until this spring my children had never taken a standardized test.  However, with my oldest finishing his 9th grade year, we decided he would take the California Achievement Test when it was offered to our homeschool group in late March.  My younger son said he would try it too - so our adventure began!

Over the years many moms have asked me why I don't test.  In fact, we joined an umbrella school that doesn't require evaluations or testing a few years ago because I was tired of the pressure I felt to have work on paper to show an evaluator (especially for my younger son who didn't read until he was 10).  I've enjoyed the freedom :-)  My main aversion to standardized tests is that they don't really show what the child knows - only if they know what is on the test.  Also, I feel like I already know my children's weak points academically since I'm with them everyday.  We went into our test experience with the mindset that it was for the practice of test taking.  However, I did find myself waiting anxiously for the scores to arrive.  My children also asked regularly whether the results were back yet.

Even though I knew that I probably wouldn't be surprised by the results, I still felt that somehow those test scores reflected heavily on my teaching.  With my oldest fast approaching his entry into higher education, I wonder sometimes if I should have taken a more "formal" approach to learning rather than the relaxed, delight-directed path we chose.

The scores arrived a month or so ago and although they didn't tell me anything I didn't already know, I was pleasantly surprised by how well my younger son - almost 13 (who really didn't "take off" in reading until he turned 12) scored on the reading portion - 95th percentile!  Both boys overall were well above "average" and the areas they scored low in were areas I already knew they had weaknesses.

Now for a interesting twist - since taking the CAT, my oldest recently took another big test.  He and some other students who recently completed Apologia Biology, took the Biology CLEP.  He passed!  Now he is studying an hour or so a day to take the Natural Sciences CLEP next week.  I was reading last week that this test is 50% biological sciences, so it makes sense to give it a try after all his studying for the Biology CLEP.

I'm sure I'll be writing more about our adventure with credit by examination!  After reading College Without Compromise, we have been inspired to actively pursue this route.  I don't know where he will end up as far as college goes, but I do know that taking these exams and gaining college credit will save him time and money in the future.  It will also allow him to move into his preferred area of study sooner, since he'll have the General Education credits out of the way.

As I type this I realize that I have moved from my kids never having taken a formal "test" to utilyzing testing to allow my children to move into their chosen careers more effeciently.  I guess since we've always disliked jumping through hoops, it makes sense to spend study time and family time pursuing areas of interest, rather than taking courses "just because you have to have them."  Since most CLEPs can be taken right after a student has completed the high school equivalent (with a bit of studying in a prep guide), it makes sense to pursue those exams that fit with what we're already studying in High School.

Oh, did I mention that as I've researched some distance learning opportunities for degrees, that I am considering completing my own degree that I started 20 years ago?  Now that should be an adventure!

Blessings,
Cindy

Posted in relaxed homeschooling

Posted in relaxed homeschooling

Posted in relaxed homeschooling

Posted in relaxed homeschooling

• Multiple choice
• Remove a word
• Remove punctuation
  
• Unsort selected paragraphs
• bingo card maker
• match two parts of a sentence
• crossword maker
• verb form
• flashcards
• AND MORE!
  

The "remove punctuation" option really apppeals to me - imagine being able to input (type or simply copy/paste) any block of text.  The program removes punctuation, you give the worksheet to your child and they need to find/replace what's missing.  You could use Bible passages, interesting articles, material related to history or science studies.  Cool, huh?!?!

Blessings,

Cindy

Posted in relaxed homeschooling

Posted in relaxed homeschooling

We're home from an exciting weekend at our state homeschool convention!  It was so much fun getting to talk to so many homeschool families.  We also got to meet the ladies at the TOS vendor booth.  I missed the bloggers meeting - that would have been fun.  Kate, Jen and their crew (I can't remember everyone's names) were still kind enough to give me a Homeschool Blogger t-shirt, which I will wear with pride :-)

Even though we were exhausted after working in our booth, plus set up and tear down, we kept a promise we had made to our boys to take them to the MGM theme park for Star Wars Weekend.  We weren't there long before we met several homeschool families who were adding some fun to their convention weekend too!

While we were waiting for our youngest to participate in a kid's Star Wars trivia event, a gentleman began asking us if we had watched that morning's "Who Want's to Be A Millionaire" at the park.  In this game, contestants answer questions for points, rather than dollars, striving for the 1,000,000 point mark to win the game.  We had not seen it, but our new friend told us about the contestant they chose to play that morning - a homeschooled girl, who had finished her schooling at 11th grade and graduated the night before at the FPEA Convention.  She played the game answering all the questions (the questions were all about Star Wars) and scoring 1 million points to win a 7 - day Disney Cruise for herself and her family!  Of course, we weren't surprised - it seems homeschooled kids regularly achieve high scores in whatever area they pursue :-)

As for our family, we had a great time just being together after a busy weekend serving others.  Now we have the work of unpacking, restocking and getting ready for the rest of our summer.  We've been off from our formal schooling for several weeks and will take the final part of our "break" to go visit my mom next week.  Then we'll "hit the books" for the rest of the summer to finish off our official school year.  I know this kind of schedule might seem strange, but it fits our lifestyle for now.  I love the flexibility that homeschooling gives our family!

In addition to finishing our "regular" studies this summer, we're looking forward to launching a summer of star gazing when we visit my mom.  She lives out in the country and the night skies will be beautiful with no light pollution to cloud our view.  I think it will be a perfect way to kick off our summer astronomy focus!

If I have time later, I'll put together some of the resources I've used to plan our summer Astronomy study and post it here on my blog.

Posted in relaxed homeschooling

Posted in relaxed homeschooling

• Counting games with candy, Legos, or anything else you might have lying around.
  
• "War" with a regular deck of cards or make your own deck with numbers to 100 and maybe a "wild card" or two to make things more exciting.
• If you have them, Snap Cubes (a popular manipulative) are great to play with, making "trains" of different color patterns.  You start the pattern, and your child adds on to the train following the pattern.  Then let them start a pattern and you finish it.
• Any board game that requires dice and counting.
• Use standard and non-standard items to measure things around the house.  "Hey, Mom, did you know the cat is 50 paper clips long?"
  
• Kitchen - baking involves using lots of real life fractions - while you're at it,how about sharing the "fruits" of your math lesson with a neighbor!
• Play store
  

• Math with Literature!  We love Sir Cumference, A Place for Zero, Equal Schmequal, and other titles in the math adventure series. 
  
• Our favorite math games are S'math and Knock Out! from Muggin's Math - we just purchased their new fraction games, too.
• Board games, including Monopoly, PayDay!, Sequence and more.
• Card games like UNO and War.  A favorite is to use flashcards with math facts as our "war" deck.
• Videos: Multiplication Rock, Money Rock
• Play store and many of the other activities from the above list
• If you have any of the handheld, electronic math toys, Lab Day is a good time to make sure they are put to use
  
• Computer games - Money Town, Math Blaster, etc.
• Use activities from "Family Math", "Math for Smarty Pants" or "Games for Learning Math."
• Plan an imaginary trip and use a map to figure how many miles you will travel.
• For kids interested in the Stock Market, you can use Lab Day each week to track and check on a couple of stocks, plotting their progress on a graph.
• Visit one of the fun, free math game sites online like the Math Arcade at funbrain.com.  There are lots more free websites for online learning in my book, Using the Internet In Your Homeschool.
  

The above lists are just a few of the things we have done on Math Lab Day over the years.  I'm sure there are some I have forgotten in my old age :-)  Do you have some fun activities that take your math lessons "Outside the Books"?  Please share them in the comment section! 

Writing this article has reminded me that my own homeschooling has fallen into a bit of a rut.  Sounds like tomorrow needs to be an "Outside the Book" kind of day.

Blessings,
Cindy

Posted in relaxed homeschooling

Today is a beautiful, balmy day in Florida.  We have a brisk breeze and, though it is a bit muggier than I like for this time of year, I decided to open up the house and get the boys working with me to straighten things up a bit.  You see, we still have our Christmas tree up, decorations scattered everywhere and stuff sitting around from our trip north to see family over the holidays!

I've been a bit under the weather and we have just been getting by since coming home on 1/8.  So, this morning we did a bit of history reading, devotions and my oldest finished an assignment from Literary Lessons From Lord of the Rings (we're trying really hard to stay on track).  While he studied, N. and I got to work un-decorating the tree, putting away all the Christmas knick-knacks, etc.  We're also in the middle of some major re-arranging of rooms, so some of the clutter will have to stay until my husband finishes building shelves, etc. -- but the house looks so much better after a couple of hours of concentrated effort.  PTL!

As I wrote yesterday, we're really trying to get back on track with our school work.  I had quite the conversation with myself this morning as to whether to do school or clean today.  I finally decided that we would get more done the rest of the week if we had a more organized, clean house to work in.  I'm NOT very skilled in homemaking (no Martha Stewart here!), but when things really get out of hand, even I have to get a grip on the situation  !

All has not been lost in the learning department though - life skills were definitely built today.  Also, our weekly worldview/logic class meets at our house tonight (another motivation to clean up, though they're used to my dust bunnies).  The kids also started working on their own projects creating animated cursors yesterday and early this morming, so art & computer skills were covered today too!  I'm always amazed how much learning happens even when we don't "hit the books"

So, if you're having one of THOSE days, and you think that school didn't happen - sit down and make a list of your family's activities (even those things that seemed like work, play or wasted time).  You might be surprised to find that your kids were more productive than you thought!  Then invite the kids to play a board game - they're sure to reinforce math, reading and many other skills while enjoying a family game and you can add that bit of learning to your list, too!

Learning All the Time,

Cindy

Posted in relaxed homeschooling

After a busier than usual week last week took us from our studies, I had taken time to do some planning this weekend and eagerly anticipated getting lots accomplished today.  I had the naive' expectation that THIS would be the week we would start and stay on my "dream schedule" - HA!  The word "schedule" and me don't even go together, it is a constant struggle for a free spirit like myself to keep on task - let alone keep my kids on a consistent rounine.  This is an area that God has been growing me -- I know my kids and I both need a consistent, yet flexible routine.  The Lord has been so faithful to lead me in baby steps and I have come a long way over the past couple of years - Praise His name!  I could never do it on my own!

Okay, so what about my "best laid plans"?

Well, suffice it to say that I overslept, ended up on the phone and we didn't really get started with much until 10:30 -- so much for my plans .  I remember as a new homeschool mom getting very discouraged on days like this -- thankfully, I've covered enough ground in my homeschool journey to know that these days do come (often more frequently than I'd like) and I can either give in to my disappointment, or choose to take what I've dealt myself (yes, I am my worst enemy when it comes to keeping on a schedule) and make the best of things.

One thing that really helps when I have one of "those" days, is to sit back at the end of the day and consider what we did accomplish - even if it wasn't "on schedule".  We recently started a Bible study in the poetry/wisdom books.  Even though I was tempted to put this aside when we got a late start, I remembered that God has brought several messages to me through His word and His people about keeping the main thing, the main thing - so we started our day with our Bible study as planned. 

By just taking a few minutes and a little workbook from Walmart, we did a quick oral review of the continents, oceans and directions.  We've been reading Bob and Arty Missionary Adventures, so we read another chapter and reviewed some of the geographical locations we have "visited" in the book.  Noah did a bit of seat work (reading comprehension and his math), Zack and I went over his math orally so I could make sure he was understanding things.  I also got him started thinking about a writer he would like to do a short paper about -- he chose the creator of Mario (not exactly the kind of writer I had in mind, but I've decided to be flexible).  He has been doing a short unit on J.R.R. Tolkien as part of his English curriculum, Literary Lessons from Lord of the Rings, and the author suggests doing a report on an author they enjoy reading.  I guess in this case, my son at least enjoys playing what this author creates .  I know, I know, Charlotte Mason would be cringing and saying, "Twaddle!" -- but with my writing-resistant son, I'll take a report on Shigeru Miyamoto.

We took a trip to the grocery, came home and read a few chapters of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe -- I had planned for us to start reading this LAST week, so I'm glad we got going today.  I want to finish it before we watch the movie in theaters in December.

Let's see, it seemed the kids kind of floated around the rest of the day.  They would like to find some things to sell on ebay, so they did a bit of research into what toys are hot this year so they can keep their eyes open for good deals.  I've been amazed at how much money a kid can earn, if they learn to spot a bargain!  Of course, we still have our whole evening ahead of us - Zack needs to practice his drums, Noah will probably spend some time messing around on our keyboard, and we'll play a couple of board games.

As I look at things from this perspective - it seems we accomplished quite a bit after all!  Reading, language arts, geography, Bible, literature, research, life skills, math and more.  Of course, the best part of our day was just being together.

I hope this little blog has been an encouragement to others who have "those days".  It is easy to read these blogs or go to support group meetings, hear about all of the wonderful things other families are accomplishing, and get discouraged thinking you are the only one who can't seem to get it together.  Oh, my friend, that is just not true!  We all have rough days or just times when things don't go as we'd like in our schooling - take heart, this journey is a marathon, not a sprint!  The God who called you is faithful to lead you and your family in the way you should go!

Blessings,

Cindy

Posted in relaxed homeschooling

Every now and then I pull out one of my copies of "What Your ______ Grader Needs to Know" by E.D. Hirsch.  I use these not to tell me what to teach, but find the information presented on various topics to be interesting.  Since we have chosen a less than traditional approach, referring to these resources also helps me to see something important that I might overlook or that is lacking even in the more traditional text-based learning offered in our schools (afterall, that is why the Hirsch series was written to begin with!).

So, last night I was reminded about various idioms and expressions that are important for my kids to know in order to understand references to them in conversations, movies and literature (this is part of what is meant by the term "cultural literacy".  Here are a few expressions that I asked my kids the meaning of - and they didn't have a clue: "Birthday suit", "Bite the Hand that Feeds You" (they had a close guess on this one), "Catching forty winks".  We had fun discussing these phrases and plan to cover a couple a day for the next month or so.  I'm already planning a fun matching game we can play and I may even have my older son do some research into the history behind these phrases/expressions.  I believe this is an important part of language arts and cultural literacy. 

I even thought it might be fun for them to pick for me to share here on HSB from time to time!  So, here's our first one - we hope you will enjoy sharing it with your family!

 "Bite the hand that feeds you." -- An ill-tempered dog may bite his master, even though he depends on his master for food.  When you do something to harm a person or thing that supports you, you are "biting the hand that feeds you."  Can you think of a sentence using this phrase?  (What You're Fifth Grader Needs to Know, E.D. Hirsch, editor. (c)1993, Dell Publishing. New York, New York)

Have a blessed day!

Posted in relaxed homeschooling

I read earlier this morning about someone's child having a birthday today and thought I'd pipe in to share that this is my oldest son's 14th birthday!  Boy do I feel old !

I can't believe how fast they grow up!  Although I get a bit melancholy when I think about my baby growing up, I am also excited to see what God will do in his life as he matures into a godly young man.  Contrary to what many have shared with me over the years, we have found this season in our family's life to be a joy.  Oh, the hormones are still raging -- I thought it was only girls who had hormones (boy was I surprised!). LOL 

It is challenging having 2 men in the house and another not far behind -- I'm really outnumbered , but I'm also blessed to be the "queen" of this castle.  I always have someone ready to protect me, to pick up things when I drop them and open the door for me.  I'm quite spoiled by the men in my life!  God is so good!

I usually don't have much time to blog, but we don't do any formal school work when it's someone's birthday!  So we all have the day off today!

Oh, do you know who else shares this day as his birthday?  Billy Graham!  He is 87 years old today.

Posted in relaxed homeschooling

Today is a day for catching up and planning for the next few weeks.  It seems we got quite "off balance" preparing for and the dealing with various outages after Hurricane Wilma.  Everything is back to normal - whatever that is!

One thing that did stay on track was my son's first Video Game Programming class.  Z. decided to offer a class for young people who have an interest in game programming and make a little extra spending money in the process.  The first of 5 classes was held Tuesday afternoon and, although there were a few glitches, things seemed to go fairly well.  He has 4 students, all boys (surprise, surprise).  Having a technology-rich home, we are able to allow each student to have their own computer while in class.  The software is called Stagecast Creator, which has a "point and click" programming environment, perfect for introducing kids to the concepts involved in "real" programming.

I must say, it was weird listening to my usually quiet 13 year old leading this class.  I was available to help and he did need my guidance, however it made me realize how quickly he is growing up and "coming into his own".  His "school work" has taken on new meaning as he has plugged away at writing lesson plans, creating sample teaching environments, etc.  That's the way it usually is around here - someone gets started on a project and the next thing you know, we're too busy learning to do "school"   I love homeschooling!

Of course after reading SpunkyHomeschool's blog about parental rights being trampled AGAIN, I appreciate the freedom we have even more.  It is important that we be vigilant to protect our homeschool freedom AND that we keep up with issues that don't seem to affect us personally (after all, I don't have to worry about the school giving my child an explicit survey).  These issues that involve public-schooled kids and parents still lay dangerous precedents as they erode parental rights for all of us. 

Okay, off of my soap box!

I've been working on reviews all morning with hopes of getting my long overdue issue of Homeschool Reviews for You finished by the end of next week.  I've already picked out the next prize to give away, too!  Each issue I have a little contest and give away a neat homeschool resource, so if you haven't subscribed, now would be a GREAT time!

Look at the time...need to get my son to drama practice!  If I'm homeschooling...why doesn't seem I'm never home?!?

Blessings,

Cindy

Posted in relaxed homeschooling

Over the past few months I have been led to consider a part of my "curriculum" that might be lacking -- World View Education.  I was not raised with a Biblical world view, the schools did not teach from this view point, the media and current culture are definitely NOT presenting this view, so what is a mom to do? 

If we do not purposefully teach our children what a world view IS and, more importantly, provide them a strong foundation of seeing the world through Biblical "glases", then it will be too easy for them to be, "tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming..."

(Eph. 4:14,15)

Of course, I have definitely been convicted that first I must grow in my knowledge of God, love of God and walk with God!  So, I'm homeschooling myself this year -- with God's help, designing a course so that I can be better equipped to, well, equip my children to make a difference in our culture.

I've always felt that the best way to encourage our children that "school" is more than the time they are sitting at the table, is to have interests of my own.  To MODEL that learning really does happen all the time and that we never stop learning!

I'll share some of the resources I'll be using in a future post!  I've just finished reading, Let Us Highly Resolve , by David and Shirley Quine.  This book has profoundly affected my decisions regarding our "school". 

I'm looking forward to sharing what our whole family is learning!   

Okay, one of our SW Florida thunderstorms is knocking at our door -- time to shut down the computer!

'Til next time!

Cindy