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Devotion Home School
Mar. 29, 2008
Go With The Flow!
It's been a busy crazy year. We have spent the last year stepping into the Kindergarten curriculum only to discover that we have another year before Benjamin can enter the grade one program. Apparently his birthday misses the provincial cut off date by two days urgh. So he has another year of Kindergarten before his is permitted to enroll in grade one studies. At first I was annoyed because I really wanted to get in with a school board and start the grade one skills, however after giving it some thought I think this might be to his advantage.
Homeschooling permits such wonderful flexibility in that he can catch up with or accelerate beyond his public school peers at any time. It's been proven that boys mature slower than girls and for that reason tend to struggle a bit more academically in the very early grades. I think maybe having another year to really perfect his basic skills will give him an edge with the levels to come. Your base is everything and as he is already into grade one material in some areas this will give him the opportunity to make certain he has a good solid foundation for learning in every area.
It also gives me the opportunity to do some of the things I missed the first time around, like create a portfolio of his Kindergarten work, take pictures of him doing Kindergarten material and just basically getting organized the way I need to and that was just not possible with the household renovations happening.
What started as a disappointment has actually fostered some new excitement and enthusiasm in a way I didn't expect.
YAY Kindergarten! |
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Aug. 3, 2007
Parent's of Those With Children Progressing On To Grade One or Higher!
Do you have or know someone who has the kindergarten Sonlight curriculum they would like to sell for a reasonable price? I would love to use this curriculum for Benjamin but wow is it pricey! I am open to the possibility of Abeca as well, but I would need a little more information on the difference :)
Please forward this plea on to anyone you know that might be able to help me out.
Thanks and God Bless,
Mum |
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Aug. 3, 2007
Just Around The Corner!
Well here we go! August is here and after a busy summer we are heading into the school year. Currently I am prepping materials for our Kindergarten studies, but I am not rushing into the books until September as Benjamin will have two full years before he is permitted to register with a home school board. Unfortunately his birthday is two days before our provincial cut off so he isn't considered a first grader until 2009!
I am not too bothered by this new development (initially I was quite annoyed) because we have quite a bit going on here personally as Nana is terminally ill and it allows us some much needed flexibility with our deadlines. Benjamin is ahead on some concepts anyhow, so really these next two years will give us time to get into a solid home school routine.
We have really enjoyed our summer so far with trips to the Telus Space Science Centre and the Tyrell Museum in Drumheller. As a matter of fact we all loved the Science Centre so much we bought annual passes! We are hoping to visit Fort Edmonton Park, The Calgary Zoo, John Jantzen Nature Centre, Heritage Park, Devonian Gardens and Innisfail Wildlife Park before the season is through. The luxury of no school registration days and a shift working dad are such that we can be assured to fit it all in without rushing. Benjamin has completed three rounds of swimming lessons and one season of soccer, both of which he very much enjoyed. We are considering martial arts for the winter as he needs another season to get upright on skates before he enters hockey for the first time next year.
Our biggest goal is to finish our basement! The completion of our lower level will provide us with a family room, office/guest room and bathroom. Suddenly we will become far more organized with an office space and homeschooling will be even easier to accomplish. As a matter of fact we purchased a second hand full-sized piano to take up some of the vacancy that will be left once the family room moves from the sitting room to the lower level. I plan to learn along with the kids, how exciting is that!
Anyway I should run and get the baby chicks under wing!
Until Next Time!
Mum |
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Apr. 6, 2007
His Pride, My Joy!
You've come a long way baby! My little Benjamin is now a big five years old and it shows. The combination of age and meds have made a tremendous difference in his abilities and attitudes. Suddenly we are sitting down to work and he is thrilled to do it! What started as spurts of interest have now become proper lessons with Ben encouraging further exploration into what we are doing and why. Nowadays he is calling me to the table instead of the other way around. I am speechless at the amount of learning that has occurred in such a short span of time. I am not only thrilled by the fact that he is asking questions, but in the quality of the questions he asks. Ben is very much a how it works kind of guy and he wants to know every detail. The already sharp memory has evolved into a think tank where he just seems to compile all sorts of information at breakneck speed! I can only imagine what the next few months of instruction will bring. Jacob seems to be picking up on Benjamin's lead, except in the vocabulary side of things. He refuses to talk. It's not that he can't, he just won't unless he decides it matters to him. I have to admit that I am getting a little frustrated by it, but I know the harder I push the harder he will rebel. Strong willed kids are often setting their own boundaries so I really shouldn't be all that surprised. At least they are now at an age where they can interact purposefully with one another and that is beautiful to see. I can't wait until they are at an age where we can have meaningful discussions and debates, as I feel these two will have much to say!
Back to the books!
Mum |
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Jan. 2, 2007
New Year New Ideas!
| Here we are in 2007! I can't believe that Benjamin will be five years old in just a few months and I can really see the natural progression of his educational development over the past year. He is such an inquisitive child with a hunger to learn, but definately at his own direction. We are making slow progress with his behavioral challenges as well, and hopefully we will continue to make great strides this coming year. I think this month we will work on upper and lower case letters, as well as pre-writing exercises. I find his comprehension and vocabulary are well developed, so the next logical step in his language studies would be pre-reading activities. I am going to leave the majority of the science study for the summer months so that we can get down and dirty with some fun experiments! He is showing interest in the solar system so perhaps we will feed that scientific hunger in the meantime. Little by little it's all coming together, and now that the holidays have past we will attempt to find a routine that works. One idea that I am borrowing from a friend is a home work space. She suggested a tri-fold tabletop display board as a means of creating a personalized learning environment. I am going to pick one up and decorate it with the upper and lower case alphabet, as well as various other fun reminders related to his current studies. I think he will love decorating the board with me, and I know he will definately find it very cool to have a work space all his own. Anything that makes him feel like a 'big' kid really boosts his confidence which in turn boosts his enthusiasm for trying new things. |
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Dec. 5, 2006
Coming Soon!
Sep. 10, 2006
Extra! Extra! Read All About It!
Apparently Ben can sight read! It's a matter of recognizing letters in a certain sequence and not actually reading I know, but it's pretty exciting to watch. He can sound out letters which helps as well, but I am speechless at the number of words he can recognize! Is this normal for four, I don't know, but I guess it is normal for him. Apparently his body and his vocabulary are expanding at the same pace because he has suddenly outgrown all of his size 4 clothes! How did I miss that? Time sure flies when you are having fun. I guess we will have to go shopping this week to replenish his depleted wardrobe! Wow, things are changing all the time.
Until Next Time!
Mum
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Aug. 17, 2006
No Assumptions!
Benjamin shocked me the other day in the most joyful way! Out of the blue he decided he was going to draw a picture (which if you knew Ben, you would know how amazing that is). Upon observing his art work I stood staring at an image that looked very much like a face. As not to encourage a desired reply, I asked him to explain the picture to me, at which point I was informed that the image was Ernie. I said what do you mean when you say it's Ernie, and he replied that it was Ernie's face. I asked him to show me the parts of his face, and it was exactly as I had interpreted! A perfectly preportioned head with eyes, nose and open mouth. I could have cried, as a matter of fact I almost did! Normally I had to encourage the use of crayons and paper with a bunch of rushed scribbling as a result. To see my son choose to draw and then to draw with such accuracy astonished me. I felt proud, excited, and a bit sheepish for assuming that he couldn't do it in the first place. The Lord works in wonderful, marvelous, mysterious ways! Ben has also informed me that he knows his full name, his address, his town, and the names of my husband and myself! I am continually encouraged by his ability to learn and so thrilled that he actually enjoys the process. Now ask me again.....why do I want to homeschool? Why WOULDN'T I! Send him to a public institution and miss all this...NO WAY :)
Until Next Time,
Mum
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Aug. 5, 2006
We're Back and The Easy Button!
Well here we are back from vacation! It's been a busy summer and now we look forward to some cooler weather and more time to explore the book world. I am currently looking into the Grade One requirements for Ben, so that I can help him with his skill building as we wait to formally enroll with a school board in 2008. How do you encourage your child to hold a pen properly, much less write with one! We are working on Upper and Lower Case alphabet, as well as counting to 100.
Canadian moms have seen the Staples back to school commercials running continually recently, but did you know they actually sell AN EASY BUTTON! It's got a voice chip and it's the funniest thing (or at least I see the humorous value to it). I wonder though, what a homeschool mom's easy button would be like. Would it do laundry, cook dinner, or maybe even clean bathrooms!!!!!! Now that would be a bargain at $5.99! I would gladly pay that three times over for that kind of freedom.
Anyway, I guess I should run and get some chores done before beddy bye. I will write more next time.
Until Then,
Mum
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Jul. 6, 2006
Where I Am From (Repost from my Mommy Blog)
Where I Am From
I am from walking to school, the summer craft shack, and swinging as high as my legs could take me.
I am from the popsicle person that rode on a bike, from life lessons started too soon.
I am from roses, orchids, stargazer lillies, and long summer walks along tree-lined paths.
I am from mom's chips (that go perfect with battered fish), creamed peas and carrots, and sentimental thoughts.
I am from good books and the Good Book.
From fearing that I would turn out like my mother, and now so glad that I have.
I am from a separated family, close friends, and a loving home.
I'm from maple syrup, Oh Canada, and a the Queen of England on my currency.
From a little girl who was never quite so 'little' to a woman who learned to love '10' on her feet instead of her waist.
I am from loving, losing, learning, and lasting.
I am from bubble baths, scented candles, and tea with milk.
I am from Coronation Street and County Kerry.
I am from dry British humor, and warm Irish welcomes.
I am from home-baked cookies and dirty handprints on the wall.
I am from the reflection in my children's eyes.
I am from my past, my present, and my future. |
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Jul. 6, 2006
He's Asking How To Spell!!!!!
Can I just say I love the Leap Frog Word Whammer! My son thinks it's great and suddenly he wants me to spell everything. Everywhere we go he will ask about what he sees and then ask me to spell it! I think the combination of the Whammer with the Leap Frog videos is the catalyst. I just think it's so great that he is showing a real interest in learning new concepts! His knowledge excites me. I am so proud of my little man!
Off for more learning adventures!
Mum
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Jul. 3, 2006
Educating Mum
I have decided it is time to educate Mum. I have begun reading the book "Homeschooling The Early Years" by Linda Dobson and I am really enjoying it. I have the early assessment sheets from my school board, and I am attempting to discover where Benjamin's knowledge is at it's strongest/weakest. In doing so, I am hoping that I can determine what learning style would be advantageous to him, and test it out over the summer. I will then be able to assess what curiculum (s) might be useful for his studies. I know that his behavioral assessments will help in this regard as well, so I feel fortunate that they should be complete before the summer is over. I will continue to seek advice from other homeschool families as I continue my learning process. In the meantime, I have to figure out a way to get Ben to quit this teeth grinding/jaw popping thing he has aquired over the last few weeks. I can't figure out why he does it, but it seems to coincide with excitment, aggitation, or exertion. To be honest it's driving me mad! I am concerned that he will damage his teeth, and I am not being very tolerant of the behavior. If it were something he had always done that would be different, but he's begun doing it deliberately over the last few weeks and it needs to quit. I am taking him back to the dentist and having him checked for damage. I know he does have my overbite, and the dentist did question if he did this sort of thing, but a few months back when he saw him the answer was no. My son is going to be so thrilled if it turns out he has to wear a retainer (not to mention the molding process will send him into a tither!). It just really never ends does it? Homeschooling is great in this regard, because you cut out the middle man. You see the problem and seek the solution in less time than it would take to hold a parent/teacher conference.
Anyway, onto another busy day!
Mum
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Jun. 27, 2006
Moving Forward
We met with the behavioral therapist today to discuss her report in detail. She is so wonderful! I can't tell you how much more in control of the situation I feel. It's so nice to know that we have resources to work with. Benjamin will be so much better off with educated parents by his side! We also received the sensory evaluation that we must provide for the occupational therapist. I am so excited to find out what will work for Benjamin (is that wierd to be excited?). I am so thrilled to get this under way before we start home schooling because I feel we will be so much better off from the start. The best part is that Ben loves her! It's actually a treat to see her and he is always asking when he will see her again. I am so proud of my little man, and so looking forward to beginning our learning journey together. Just knowing that we have so much support is truly a blessing!
Until Next Time,
Mum
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Jun. 25, 2006
This Is Encouraging
After delving a bit deeper into the school board that I have chosen to affiliate with, I have come to realize that they have an assistance program for children with ADD/ADHD! I didn't notice this initially because I was unaware that we would be looking for such a thing when we first decided to go with them. They are definately a 'School of Hope'. I will continue to pursue more information, but at least I know my needs can be facilitated.
Thanks to everyone who has stopped by already, posting welcomes and encouragement. I am so grateful to have found this place and I feel so blessed to be a part of this community.
Another update to come!
Mum
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Jun. 23, 2006
The Beginning
Here is where we begin the home school journey. My son Benjamin is four years old (he will be five in March), and will not make the traditional cut-off date required for entrance into his first grade studies. I could place him into an organized preschool and onto a regular kindergarden program, but for some reason I hesitate. It's not the desire to keep him a baby, or to shelter him from the world, it's just that I think there is something better suited to his needs that I must discover.
Recently we had Benjamin assessed for ADHD and he is considered high risk. I didn't desire to do this assessment through the school system, as I feel it's just too easy for children to be labelled without proper study. I located my own specialists, and had them do a study that I felt would not incur any bias. It appears that we are going to move further with the testing, moving from the behavioral therapist to trained medical professionals in this field of study. I didn't want some generic GP giving him a five minute once over and determining his needs in this marathon meeting. I most certainly did not want anyone playing pharmacy with my son. To be honest I am afraid of childhood medications for serious issues and would much rather find other methods of working with the issues at hand.
I must say that this diagnosis brings forward a new batch of questions regarding our decision to home school. How does home schooling impact ADHD? Is it beneficial or a hinderance to the child's development? Can I access the same resources for him that he would be provided with in a traditional school setting (ie the same types of helpful materials, specialists) that may be required to enhance his learning? How do you go about home schooling a child with ADHD? Are there home school specific materials to assist this process? Is there even any difference when you are home schooling? Right now these questions are swimming in my mind and I am hoping to have the answers shortly.
I am also wondering if there are materials available for pre-school children. I think it would be helpful for Benjamin if we could begin a schooling routine that would get him comfortable with learning time and that would give me some guideance as to his developmental needs at this stage.
Oh there is so much to consider, but it really is exciting! My first step was to name our home school as was suggested in many of the materials I read. I can see how it makes the whole thing more tangible for the child and the parent. You wouldn't think a name would make a difference, but somehow it does. You wouldn't think that home schooling vs. the traditional system would make a difference, but somehow it does.
Until Next Time,
Mum
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