Now I will take on a topic that has been on my mind lately.
I am sure all of you homeschooling moms are aware of all the diverse educational philosophies out there.
Unschooling.
Traditional schooling at home.
Project based learning.
Classical education.
Hebrew education.
Unit Study based curriculum.
Child led learning.
Boxed curriculum.
Online charter schools.
Eclectic curriculum.
Christian curriculum.
Secular curriculum.
Anyone dizzy yet?
There is a model of education for every kind of kid out there. That's the beauty of homeschooling...finding out what works for your children and what propels you toward your educational goals and using it.
Sounds perfect, right? I mean, everyone doing their own thing and not worrying about anyone else and what they are doing.
WRONG.
I understand passion. When you are excited about something that you believe to be the best thing ever and want to share. Nothing at all wrong with that.
What I don't understand are the homeschool moms who drag down the philosophies of other homeschool moms...who openly ridicule methods of teaching that do not align with what they are passionate about. Which leaves me pondering...is it truly passion? Or are they that insecure with themselves their own choices that they feel the need to lash out at others who are content with what they have chosen?
It's hard enough being a mom. Add to that the stresses of being a homeschooling mom. We all know how it feels living in a society that constantly questions our motives for homeschooling.
Shouldn't we all kind of 'have each others back'? I think we should.
So I am here to tell you...I don't care if you use secular curriculum, if you use unit studies, if you let your kid play video games all day and call it Technology 101...if it aligns with your families goals and your child is working toward becoming a happy and well rounded adult...
I got your back.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Cemetery Field Trip
I know right? What says 'field trip' like a cemetery?
I'm morbid I suppose, but I love old cemeteries. I wonder about all the lives of all the people we encounter. I love the epitaphs and tombstone carvings and peace and quiet.
We went on a field trip yesterday with some fellow homeschoolers to a local cemetery to learn about the different symbols on head stones and mausoleums. We saw some graves of historic figures and learned about our areas history as well. I truly learned so much more than I was bargaining for.
A century ago people had such a solid understanding of Christianity, indicated by the symbolism everywhere. Maybe that's what is so nice about those old cemeteries...people were certain their loved ones were with Christ when they passed from this world.
I wish I would have remembered to bring a camera.
Anyway, after we left our field trip, we decided to drive to Milledgeville, Georgia and make a stop by the old cemetery over there. Here's the back-story:
A month or so ago we attended a field trip at the Atlanta History Center. It was an interactive field trip about the Civil War, and at one point each child was assigned a real Civil War soldier to portray during the field trip. My daughter was assigned Edwin Jemison, whose picture is shown above. He was only 16 when he went off to fight..and only 17 when he was decapitated by a cannonball.
Like good little homeschoolers we came home and did a little research on our soldiers...and found out that Edwin Jemison was from Milledgeville and buried there.
So, yesterday we made the trip to pay homage to him.
After the excitement of actually finding his grave, a somber mood hit us all.
It suddenly became very 'real' for us. Nothing is more sobering than words and dates carved in marble on a tombstone.
I silently thanked him for his patriotism. He wasn't much older than my son. He even looks a little like my son.
We left his grave with a better sense of the reality of war. That the Civil War really happened. Young boys really died. Here, in our 'backyard'. Thousands of them.
I think we all learned a lot more than we even thought we would.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Change is a Good Thing!
I have heard it said that 'The only person who likes change is a wet baby."
False! I LOVE change. I thrive on it. When something is the same, day in and day out...after a while I just want to scream.
So, since this is the time of year when all homeschool moms contemplate what their course of action will be for next school year, we have some changes in store.
Next year we will be enrolling in an online charter school.
The reasons I have are varied, but the biggest ones are:
1. My daughter thrives on schedules. She even 'schedules' when she drinks water during the day. She likes neat and orderly and predictable. When she's done with her work, often times she wants more. Mommy doesn't always have more planned for the day. (Can I just say she is her father's child? :) ) Most of all she is a very independent learner and driven. When I presented the idea of her being responsible for logging in each morning to view her assignments and then tackling them, a gleam came into her eye.
Not to mention, art class. She can take art classes.
And grades. The kid loves getting grades.
2. My son NEEDS schedules. He is his Momma's child...floating through the day and oh look! Shiny thing! Lets do math! He needs structure to his day.
3. My son is a huge techie and there are several technology courses that I could never afford to pay for in the real world.
4. I want them to diverge and try out things that are 'just for them'. Because they are so close in age, much of our schooling is done together, except math and language arts. But art, foreign language, electives in general...I want them to be able to customize their educations to suit themselves.
5. Accountability. Huge reason. In order to prepare them for college and the working world, I want them to learn accountability. And deadlines. Sure, I could impose deadlines in our homeschool...but I don't. It's just not something that ever happens.
And lets be honest here...I find myself losing steam. I think it's because I am craving change. I can tell my kids aren't as invested in their school time as they used to be. And in my opinion, homeschooling works best when EVERYONE is engaged, especially mom.
In years past I have contemplated going this route, but my heart would always say 'no'. This time, my heart is saying 'yes'!
False! I LOVE change. I thrive on it. When something is the same, day in and day out...after a while I just want to scream.
So, since this is the time of year when all homeschool moms contemplate what their course of action will be for next school year, we have some changes in store.
Next year we will be enrolling in an online charter school.
The reasons I have are varied, but the biggest ones are:
1. My daughter thrives on schedules. She even 'schedules' when she drinks water during the day. She likes neat and orderly and predictable. When she's done with her work, often times she wants more. Mommy doesn't always have more planned for the day. (Can I just say she is her father's child? :) ) Most of all she is a very independent learner and driven. When I presented the idea of her being responsible for logging in each morning to view her assignments and then tackling them, a gleam came into her eye.
Not to mention, art class. She can take art classes.
And grades. The kid loves getting grades.
2. My son NEEDS schedules. He is his Momma's child...floating through the day and oh look! Shiny thing! Lets do math! He needs structure to his day.
3. My son is a huge techie and there are several technology courses that I could never afford to pay for in the real world.
4. I want them to diverge and try out things that are 'just for them'. Because they are so close in age, much of our schooling is done together, except math and language arts. But art, foreign language, electives in general...I want them to be able to customize their educations to suit themselves.
5. Accountability. Huge reason. In order to prepare them for college and the working world, I want them to learn accountability. And deadlines. Sure, I could impose deadlines in our homeschool...but I don't. It's just not something that ever happens.
And lets be honest here...I find myself losing steam. I think it's because I am craving change. I can tell my kids aren't as invested in their school time as they used to be. And in my opinion, homeschooling works best when EVERYONE is engaged, especially mom.
In years past I have contemplated going this route, but my heart would always say 'no'. This time, my heart is saying 'yes'!
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Proof That I Am No Princess
My daughter has been begging....BEGGING to have a pedicure.
Not a cheap, "Let-Momma-Wash-My-Feet-And-Paint-My-Toenails-At-Home" pedi, but a real pedi, in a nail salon.
Yesterday she came to me with a wad of bills out of her piggy bank (how does that kid have more money than I do??) and posed this question to me:
"What if I pay for it with my own money? PLEEEAAASE?"
Sigh.
I know...mother-daughter pedis! Squee! How fun and girly and just...fun!
This is where I am weird.
Confession: It kind of makes me feel weird to let someone give me a pedicure.
Don't get me wrong- all that massaging and having feet that look smooth and pretty is wonderful, but...it just feels wrong to me to have someone else 'waiting' on me like that.
So I get tense and twitchy on the inside. I feel guilt. Horrible guilt. I wonder about those poor girls who have to rub all KINDS of feet, for hours every day, and think to myself...they deserve the pedi, not me.
I am much more comfortable in the role of 'care-giver' than 'care receiver'. Which makes me a very bad patient when I am sick.
SO, despite the weirdness it inflicts into my soul...I will suck it up and get a pedi with my girl today.
Wish me luck.
Not a cheap, "Let-Momma-Wash-My-Feet-And-Paint-My-Toenails-At-Home" pedi, but a real pedi, in a nail salon.
Yesterday she came to me with a wad of bills out of her piggy bank (how does that kid have more money than I do??) and posed this question to me:
"What if I pay for it with my own money? PLEEEAAASE?"
Sigh.
I know...mother-daughter pedis! Squee! How fun and girly and just...fun!
This is where I am weird.
Confession: It kind of makes me feel weird to let someone give me a pedicure.
Don't get me wrong- all that massaging and having feet that look smooth and pretty is wonderful, but...it just feels wrong to me to have someone else 'waiting' on me like that.
So I get tense and twitchy on the inside. I feel guilt. Horrible guilt. I wonder about those poor girls who have to rub all KINDS of feet, for hours every day, and think to myself...they deserve the pedi, not me.
I am much more comfortable in the role of 'care-giver' than 'care receiver'. Which makes me a very bad patient when I am sick.
SO, despite the weirdness it inflicts into my soul...I will suck it up and get a pedi with my girl today.
Wish me luck.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Top Ten Bits of Advice for New Homeschoolers
And none if it is about curriculum!
1. Have a deschooling period. The most valueable thing you can do to start off on the 'right foot' to to allow your child a period of time to decompress. Trying to jump right into a full schedule right away can backfire into burn-out and frustration.
2. Learn your teaching style. Pick up this book from your bookstore or local library:
Cathy Duffy gives numerous check lists to help you evaluate what your teaching style is and what knowledge and skills.you want your student to walk away with.
3. Learn your student's learning style. Believe me, nothing is worse than investing in curriculum that is pure torture for your child to comprehend or one they simply do not enjoy. It's a proven fact that kids retain more of what they learn if they are engaged in what they are studying.
4. DO NOT think you have to subscribe to every club, method, curriculum, field trip, group, activity! Again...take it slowly. Maybe pick one extra-curricular activity and allow plenty of breathing room. Nothing is more defeating than taking on too much and realizing you can't (or don't want to) keep it up. Believe me, even in the homeschooling world there are pressures abound...to join this group or that class. Learn to say 'no' to the good stuff so you can save time for the BEST stuff!
5. Find a homeschool group or co-op. I know, I just contradicted #4. But a homeschool group, even if it is just a group of homeschooling moms that casually meet once a month at the park, is a great resource. They are a wonderful place to air out your doubts, fears, concerns, successes.
6. This is something I do all the time...ASK your child what they enjoy about school and what they hate about school. Now, if they hate math, well, there's nothing you can do about that. We all have to learn math! BUT if you can find a program or teaching method they prefer...why not?
7. If something isn't working...dump it. That goes for curriculum, activities, etc.
8. Allow time for your child to pursue their interests. One big mistake I have made is packing our schedule too much and not allowing for 'down time' for my children to explore new things.
9. A bad day doesn't make a bad homeschool! We all have days that are less than perfect. Don't let that stop you. There are days that will knock your socks off. Just have faith!
10. Don't worry about what the kids in public school are doing. As long as they have what they need at the end of 12 years, who cares when they learn it? It's the end result that matters!
Don't forget to enjoy this very special time with your children. It will pass by too soon.
1. Have a deschooling period. The most valueable thing you can do to start off on the 'right foot' to to allow your child a period of time to decompress. Trying to jump right into a full schedule right away can backfire into burn-out and frustration.
2. Learn your teaching style. Pick up this book from your bookstore or local library:
Cathy Duffy gives numerous check lists to help you evaluate what your teaching style is and what knowledge and skills.you want your student to walk away with.
3. Learn your student's learning style. Believe me, nothing is worse than investing in curriculum that is pure torture for your child to comprehend or one they simply do not enjoy. It's a proven fact that kids retain more of what they learn if they are engaged in what they are studying.
4. DO NOT think you have to subscribe to every club, method, curriculum, field trip, group, activity! Again...take it slowly. Maybe pick one extra-curricular activity and allow plenty of breathing room. Nothing is more defeating than taking on too much and realizing you can't (or don't want to) keep it up. Believe me, even in the homeschooling world there are pressures abound...to join this group or that class. Learn to say 'no' to the good stuff so you can save time for the BEST stuff!
5. Find a homeschool group or co-op. I know, I just contradicted #4. But a homeschool group, even if it is just a group of homeschooling moms that casually meet once a month at the park, is a great resource. They are a wonderful place to air out your doubts, fears, concerns, successes.
6. This is something I do all the time...ASK your child what they enjoy about school and what they hate about school. Now, if they hate math, well, there's nothing you can do about that. We all have to learn math! BUT if you can find a program or teaching method they prefer...why not?
7. If something isn't working...dump it. That goes for curriculum, activities, etc.
8. Allow time for your child to pursue their interests. One big mistake I have made is packing our schedule too much and not allowing for 'down time' for my children to explore new things.
9. A bad day doesn't make a bad homeschool! We all have days that are less than perfect. Don't let that stop you. There are days that will knock your socks off. Just have faith!
10. Don't worry about what the kids in public school are doing. As long as they have what they need at the end of 12 years, who cares when they learn it? It's the end result that matters!
Don't forget to enjoy this very special time with your children. It will pass by too soon.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Homeschool Anthem
This could very well be the anthem for homeschoolers everywhere...
No Such Thing~ John Mayer
"Welcome to the real world", she said to me
Condescendingly
Take a seat
Take your life
Plot it out in black and white
Well I never lived the dreams of the prom kings
And the drama queens
I'd like to think the best of me
Is still hiding
Up my sleeve
They love to tell you
Stay inside the lines
But something's better
On the other side
I wanna run through the halls of my high school
I wanna scream at the
Top of my lungs
I just found out there's no such thing as the real world
Just a lie you've got to rise above
So the good boys and girls take the so called right track
Faded white hats
Grabbing credits
Maybe transfers
They read all the books but they can't find the answers
And all of our parents
They're getting older
I wonder if they've wished for anything better
While in their memories
Tiny tragedies
They love to tell you
Stay inside the lines
But something's better
On the other side
I wanna run through the halls of my high school
I wanna scream at the
Top of my lungs
I just found out there's no such thing as the real world
Just a lie you got to rise above
I am invincible
As long as I'm alive
I wanna run through the halls of my high school
I wanna scream at the
Top of my lungs
I just found out there's no such thing as the real world
Just a lie you've got to rise above
I just can't wait til my 10 year reunion
I'm gonna bust down the double doors
And when I stand on these tables before you
You will know what all this time was for
No Such Thing~ John Mayer
"Welcome to the real world", she said to me
Condescendingly
Take a seat
Take your life
Plot it out in black and white
Well I never lived the dreams of the prom kings
And the drama queens
I'd like to think the best of me
Is still hiding
Up my sleeve
They love to tell you
Stay inside the lines
But something's better
On the other side
I wanna run through the halls of my high school
I wanna scream at the
Top of my lungs
I just found out there's no such thing as the real world
Just a lie you've got to rise above
So the good boys and girls take the so called right track
Faded white hats
Grabbing credits
Maybe transfers
They read all the books but they can't find the answers
And all of our parents
They're getting older
I wonder if they've wished for anything better
While in their memories
Tiny tragedies
They love to tell you
Stay inside the lines
But something's better
On the other side
I wanna run through the halls of my high school
I wanna scream at the
Top of my lungs
I just found out there's no such thing as the real world
Just a lie you got to rise above
I am invincible
As long as I'm alive
I wanna run through the halls of my high school
I wanna scream at the
Top of my lungs
I just found out there's no such thing as the real world
Just a lie you've got to rise above
I just can't wait til my 10 year reunion
I'm gonna bust down the double doors
And when I stand on these tables before you
You will know what all this time was for
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Sticking It To 'The Man'
One reason I love saving money is that I feel, in my own little way, that I am 'sticking it to 'The Man''. Yeah, that's right. The Man THINKS he's going to charge me $9.00 for that toilet paper...huh uh. I'm only paying $4.00! How about them apples!
I know. Such a rebel.
Anyway, I found some great deals at Publix today, along with coupons.
The best deals:
Finish dishwasher Powerball detergent : The Man's price $11.99
My price $3.84
Right Guard deoderant: The Man's price$3.15
My price $0.57
Prego Spaghetti Sauce The Man's price $2.05
My price $0.62
Viva Paper Towels The Man's price $9.99
My price $4.00
AND I scored a free King's Hawaiian Rolls with my purchase of 3 Hormel All Natural sandwich meat,which was on sale 3 for $10.00 and for which I had two coupons which totalled $2.00 off the meat itself. (I got tired of all this 'figurin')
I feel so vindicated.
I know. Such a rebel.
Anyway, I found some great deals at Publix today, along with coupons.
The best deals:
Finish dishwasher Powerball detergent : The Man's price $11.99
My price $3.84
Right Guard deoderant: The Man's price$3.15
My price $0.57
Prego Spaghetti Sauce The Man's price $2.05
My price $0.62
Viva Paper Towels The Man's price $9.99
My price $4.00
AND I scored a free King's Hawaiian Rolls with my purchase of 3 Hormel All Natural sandwich meat,which was on sale 3 for $10.00 and for which I had two coupons which totalled $2.00 off the meat itself. (I got tired of all this 'figurin')
I feel so vindicated.
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