Today DS said the words that every homeschooling mom hopes to hear, “I love homeschooling”. Today was a great homeschooling day with DS. He did his work and then we made dinner together and a batch of zucchini bread. I figure that I will count the time as Home Economics. We found a delicious recipe on Allrecipes.com . It took a very long time to cook, but was very yummy. DS also decorated some scripture signs for me for a program this weekend and practiced a recitation on the history of the Pledge of Allegiance for his volunteer service as a Den Chief (Did you know that the original pledge was not specifically for the United States and did not contain the words “under God”? “Under God” was actually added by President Eisenhower and objected to by the daughter of the author, Francis Bellamy.) Also, after trying to do his geography work. I have realized that there are times that a 43% is still an excellent score. I have been working with the Sheppard Software site to familiarize DS with the countries of the world. He has already satisfied the US states and capitals and so we’ve moved on to Africa. He is working on Level 4, which has him click on the correct country on a bare outline map of Africa. Now I realize that 43% doesn’t sound that good (he actually got a 63% today so we are improving), but you have to click inside boarders of the countries that you cannot see. I might add that some of those African countries are very, very small. So when I watched him today, I realized that DS may be getting marked as wrong, but most of his clicks were within millimeters of the correct location. I had to take my hats off to him. Africa is tough.
Even DD survived her self-test in Math with limited tears and frankly, she did very well. She just needs to relax and think in small steps. On the positive side, she is becoming much more systematic in her math work. I can ask her to read her second or fourth line and she can find it and read what she has. If there is an error, she can even back up through her work to double check her work. This alone has been quite a triumph and will help her tremendously as she continues in her work.
So all and all, today was a great homeschool day.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Fair - Unexpected Lessons
Well our fair is over. Now all that is left is clean up. The lessons from the fair were a little different than expected. The kids learned about erosion, drainage, gravity. In Connecticut, apparently September had 9 inches of precipitation in September with 5 to 6” of that coming this past weekend. The Discovery Tent was redesigned with a river running through it (I think that may be a movie or a book – A River runs through it. It is probably a better book than location at the fair). Two performances on the main stage had to be cancelled and instead kids used the hill as a mudslide. And apparently despite the torrential rain, the fire marshal was still concerned about the fire hazards. He made the fair association fill the mud pits on our town green with gravel instead of hay. You can only imagine what our green is going to look like when the tents come down – maybe we should rename it a brown. I’ve got to tell you that I think the fair grounds were in worse shape than they were the year that Gloria shut the fair down on Friday.
The kids still had a good time and did well in their entries. And fair food is always delicious even if it is becoming ridiculously expensive. Unfortunately, due to the weather many of our non-profits did not make nearly what they normally do and they will all have financial problems this year. Tonight some of them are going to reopen as all of us townies return to pick up our prizes and entries.
DD calculated that she has now been to the fair 37 times and frighteningly, I am at 104 times (and my friends wonder why I don’t get as excited as I used to). So, goodbye fair for at least another year.
The kids still had a good time and did well in their entries. And fair food is always delicious even if it is becoming ridiculously expensive. Unfortunately, due to the weather many of our non-profits did not make nearly what they normally do and they will all have financial problems this year. Tonight some of them are going to reopen as all of us townies return to pick up our prizes and entries.
DD calculated that she has now been to the fair 37 times and frighteningly, I am at 104 times (and my friends wonder why I don’t get as excited as I used to). So, goodbye fair for at least another year.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Survivor - Gabon - Unit study - Episode 1
Ok, I finally had time to watch the entire Survivor episode 1 (If you did not catch it on Thursday, find it on On Demand or at http://www.cbs.com/primetime/survivor/. Here are some ideas to begin creating a unit around the show. I would start with my entry on September 25th, so that you have a little understanding about the location. Then you can begin with some of these ideas:
Careers – Each candidate comes with their own experiences and careers. Listen to all of their jobs. Which job would you like and why? What jobs do you think will help them survive?
Prediction – Having been introduced to everyone, who do you think will be the sole survivor? Why?
Bible –
1. Jeff calls Gabon “Earth’s last Eden”. To what is he referring? Why do you think he makes this comparison?
2. Jeff talks about fire being life. Where else have you seen this correlation?
Government – In Gabon elders are respected as leaders. Why do think this is? In the history of your country, has this idea of elders being leaders been a tradition? Explain.
For those that are in the US, how did our founding fathers ensure that we would follow our elders?
Opinion –
1. What would you consider essentials for survival?
2. In the race for individual immunity or food, which would you have chosen? Would you have turned around to help your other teammates up the hill?
3. What characteristics help a survivor? What characteristics hinder a survivor? Add to these lists throughout the course of the program.
Action –
1. Try to create a hut / shelter in your own backyard. If you don’t have a backyard, create one in your house.
2. With parental supervision, try lighting a fire with two sticks, with a bow, or with flint.
3. Ace had his tribe practice Yoga before the challenge. Learn at least 5 Yoga positions.
4. Puzzles are always a big part of survivor. Try to solve a Tower of Hanoi puzzle.
5. Tree mail and exile hints are often written in riddles. Visit Squigly’s House and try to solve some riddles of your own.
6. Create a map to a hidden treasure. See if someone else can follow it and find what you have hidden.
Science –
1. Elephants are a help and a hindrance. How? What dangers do elephants pose?
2. In the challenge, the contestants have to march through a leech filled swamp. What is a leech? Find out how leeches were once used in medical treatments.
3. The show depicts many different indigenous animals. Identify at least 5 throughout the course of the show. Create a poster that tells about these animals.
4. Hindsight is 20/20. Create a field journal that the survivors would have appreciated at the beginning of their experience. Throughout the course of the show compile a journal that teaches contestants important information and skills that would have helped them to be the sole survivor.
Math – If every contestant’s name was put in the pot to be pulled, what would be the likelihood of any one survivor would be picked out. What increases the odds of having your name in the pot? What decreases it?
Vocabulary – Look up the definitions of the following words. Practice spelling them correctly.
Immunity
Exile
Pedestal
Alliance
Analytical
Come back next week to see what I come up with for episode 2. If you have any additional ideas, please add comments.
Careers – Each candidate comes with their own experiences and careers. Listen to all of their jobs. Which job would you like and why? What jobs do you think will help them survive?
Prediction – Having been introduced to everyone, who do you think will be the sole survivor? Why?
Bible –
1. Jeff calls Gabon “Earth’s last Eden”. To what is he referring? Why do you think he makes this comparison?
2. Jeff talks about fire being life. Where else have you seen this correlation?
Government – In Gabon elders are respected as leaders. Why do think this is? In the history of your country, has this idea of elders being leaders been a tradition? Explain.
For those that are in the US, how did our founding fathers ensure that we would follow our elders?
Opinion –
1. What would you consider essentials for survival?
2. In the race for individual immunity or food, which would you have chosen? Would you have turned around to help your other teammates up the hill?
3. What characteristics help a survivor? What characteristics hinder a survivor? Add to these lists throughout the course of the program.
Action –
1. Try to create a hut / shelter in your own backyard. If you don’t have a backyard, create one in your house.
2. With parental supervision, try lighting a fire with two sticks, with a bow, or with flint.
3. Ace had his tribe practice Yoga before the challenge. Learn at least 5 Yoga positions.
4. Puzzles are always a big part of survivor. Try to solve a Tower of Hanoi puzzle.
5. Tree mail and exile hints are often written in riddles. Visit Squigly’s House and try to solve some riddles of your own.
6. Create a map to a hidden treasure. See if someone else can follow it and find what you have hidden.
Science –
1. Elephants are a help and a hindrance. How? What dangers do elephants pose?
2. In the challenge, the contestants have to march through a leech filled swamp. What is a leech? Find out how leeches were once used in medical treatments.
3. The show depicts many different indigenous animals. Identify at least 5 throughout the course of the show. Create a poster that tells about these animals.
4. Hindsight is 20/20. Create a field journal that the survivors would have appreciated at the beginning of their experience. Throughout the course of the show compile a journal that teaches contestants important information and skills that would have helped them to be the sole survivor.
Math – If every contestant’s name was put in the pot to be pulled, what would be the likelihood of any one survivor would be picked out. What increases the odds of having your name in the pot? What decreases it?
Vocabulary – Look up the definitions of the following words. Practice spelling them correctly.
Immunity
Exile
Pedestal
Alliance
Analytical
Come back next week to see what I come up with for episode 2. If you have any additional ideas, please add comments.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Husband Homeschooling too - Astronomy
I think that I have failed to mention that DH is an astronomy buff. Not a big crazy buff that spends hours behind the telescope, but a mini-buff with a passion to know what is going on in the sky. He was thrilled when DS earned a telescope for selling Cub Scout popcorn and then he found a couple websites that he follows to give him little tidbits about our sky. I think it is funny because he always says that he isn’t smart and that he doesn’t teach the kids, but you should hear him when he talks about these astronomic facts. He is positively giddy. You can't help but be interested too.
Currently he is following the decent of Jules Verne spacecraft as it hurdles toward earth to crash “harmlessly” into the south Pacific Ocean.
The other day he was particularly smitten with PHA’s. He came home asking us if we knew what PHA’s were. Even after our game of coming up with acronyms for STC, we couldn’t think of one reasonable answer to his question. We then heard all about Potentially Hazardous Asteroids and LD's (Lunar Distances).
It is funny because this is his first foray into the homeschooling mindset: learning for the sake of knowing instead of learning to pass a test. He has found it as contagious as we have.
If you have been inspired by his interest too, check out SpaceWeather.com & Satellite Tracker.
Currently he is following the decent of Jules Verne spacecraft as it hurdles toward earth to crash “harmlessly” into the south Pacific Ocean.
The other day he was particularly smitten with PHA’s. He came home asking us if we knew what PHA’s were. Even after our game of coming up with acronyms for STC, we couldn’t think of one reasonable answer to his question. We then heard all about Potentially Hazardous Asteroids and LD's (Lunar Distances).
It is funny because this is his first foray into the homeschooling mindset: learning for the sake of knowing instead of learning to pass a test. He has found it as contagious as we have.
If you have been inspired by his interest too, check out SpaceWeather.com & Satellite Tracker.
Friday, September 26, 2008
The Romance of School to Homeschoolers
Interestingly, when we pulled the kid’s from school 5 years ago, I found that my DD started to romanticize school. It is kind of like when you talk about an old boyfriend. When you tell someone about him years later, instead of talking about all the horrible things that caused you to break up with him, you espouse wonderful dates, his handsome stature, and other romantic details. This is what DD did with school. I was convinced about this when she told me that she even missed lunch. She used to hate lunch. She never had time to eat. The cafeteria would echo horribly and she would complain about headaches almost daily. This romanticism continues to today. She would now be in 8th grade and is blissfully thinking of hanging with her friends and leisurely going from class to class. She thinks of middle school like she experienced 1st & 2nd grade. She has never tried to get to a class in a three minute break. She has never been forced to sit in a class with a horrible teacher. She has never been lost or confused on a subject and begged for help, trying to learn a subject before a test that accounted for 50% of her grade. Sometimes I wish I could put her in school for two weeks so that she could see what the requirements really are, see how teacher’s deal with late assignments, and see how much of her day would be eaten up in meaningless requirements. I think part of this romanticism comes from peer pressure and part from the media. School is seen as the hub of all social activity; sometimes overtly like in Saved by the Bell or the Secret Life of the American Teenager, and sometimes covertly like in Teen Vogue pictures with lockers in the background.
I have heard from some people that have never put their children in school that their children often romanticize the school bus. The kids have never been on the bus so they don’t understand the long rides, the lack of a/c, or the bullying, but instead they see the pretty yellow bus taking kids to an exciting new adventure. The yellow bus is embedded in all of their children’s shows as this wonderful doorway to excitement, knowledge, and a rite of passage. Think of the Magic School Bus.
It is certainly easy to understand why they think so fondly of an ingrained institution: They hear about the great things, but have never experienced the bad. It is a little harder to figure out how to clear their rose colored glasses without getting them caught up in the system, which is not all that they believe it to be. Of course on the other hand, I have DS who would be ok if he never walks into a school again. Even in his short time in school, Kindergarten and 1st grade, he experienced the "bad" of school and he never wants to experience it again.
I have heard from some people that have never put their children in school that their children often romanticize the school bus. The kids have never been on the bus so they don’t understand the long rides, the lack of a/c, or the bullying, but instead they see the pretty yellow bus taking kids to an exciting new adventure. The yellow bus is embedded in all of their children’s shows as this wonderful doorway to excitement, knowledge, and a rite of passage. Think of the Magic School Bus.
It is certainly easy to understand why they think so fondly of an ingrained institution: They hear about the great things, but have never experienced the bad. It is a little harder to figure out how to clear their rose colored glasses without getting them caught up in the system, which is not all that they believe it to be. Of course on the other hand, I have DS who would be ok if he never walks into a school again. Even in his short time in school, Kindergarten and 1st grade, he experienced the "bad" of school and he never wants to experience it again.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
A Study Guide to Survivor - The Beginning Season 17: Episode 1
Our homeschooling will take an interesting turn starting today: Survivor, the show has started. Unfortunately, we were all busy tonight and did not see the whole show, but even in the few minutes we had the show on, a fun fact came up. DS said, “Oh, I’m glad I’m not there right now.” They were showing one of the contestants sitting on the edge of the water with a hippo nearby. DS knows that interestingly hippos are very dangerous and have been recorded as killing humans. He also knows from one our visits at a zoo that Hippos projectile poop and spread it even farther by flipping their tail (there are various YouTube videos to show this phenomena if you are interested – you can’t quite get the full effect because you miss the beautiful scent, but I’m sure you can imagine.).
This will be just the beginning of our exploration. We will have to find Gabon in Africa and research the culture, habitat, animals, etc. Maybe we’ll have to create a little study guide for the season. I’m sure DD would volunteer for that job.
You could always start with some geography games placing African nations in there right locations on Sheppard Software.
You could listen to music from Gabon.
You can color in the Gabon flag.
Perhaps you could even have the kids pretend that you are going to travel to Gabon and ask them to find out about currency, language, weather, etc.
I did not get an opportunity to really see the whole episode, so when I do perhaps I can add some more ideas. In the meantime, you may want to check out their website.
Some people may not feel that Survivor is appropriate for young children. My DD has watched it since the first episode and yes there were a few uncomfortable issues, but we have always watched it as a family and discussed things that we agreed with in the show and things that we didn’t. We have been able to have many interesting ethical discussions and a few conversations about the difference between real life and cyber life. Fortunately, the advent of On Demand and the internet has helped alleviate some of DD’s stress over choosing tv over real life. Now I try to use her tv addiction to encourage learning. II also find it to be a great behavioral persuader. There is nothing that gets DD to rethink her behavior faster than the threat of loosing tv privledges on the night of Survivor.
If your child is like DD, let’s ban together and come up with some activities that can expand their learning while they follow their interests.
This will be just the beginning of our exploration. We will have to find Gabon in Africa and research the culture, habitat, animals, etc. Maybe we’ll have to create a little study guide for the season. I’m sure DD would volunteer for that job.
You could always start with some geography games placing African nations in there right locations on Sheppard Software.
You could listen to music from Gabon.
You can color in the Gabon flag.
Perhaps you could even have the kids pretend that you are going to travel to Gabon and ask them to find out about currency, language, weather, etc.
I did not get an opportunity to really see the whole episode, so when I do perhaps I can add some more ideas. In the meantime, you may want to check out their website.
Some people may not feel that Survivor is appropriate for young children. My DD has watched it since the first episode and yes there were a few uncomfortable issues, but we have always watched it as a family and discussed things that we agreed with in the show and things that we didn’t. We have been able to have many interesting ethical discussions and a few conversations about the difference between real life and cyber life. Fortunately, the advent of On Demand and the internet has helped alleviate some of DD’s stress over choosing tv over real life. Now I try to use her tv addiction to encourage learning. II also find it to be a great behavioral persuader. There is nothing that gets DD to rethink her behavior faster than the threat of loosing tv privledges on the night of Survivor.
If your child is like DD, let’s ban together and come up with some activities that can expand their learning while they follow their interests.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Website Wednesday - Newton's Laws of Physics
Newton’s Laws of Physics – Today’s subject is as much for me as it is for you. I just scored DD’s Science test and we need to understand this subject matter better. So I’m hoping a little web work will help.
http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/newton.html - This NASA site has an explanation of the laws as well as grade appropriate activities.
http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/phys/Class/newtlaws/u2l1a.html - This in depth site will help mom and child understand the concepts.
http://www.physics4kids.com/files/motion_laws.html - When you think you understand the concepts, read and review this site, and then take the quiz.
Here’s a rather inventive description of the laws:
http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/newton.html - This NASA site has an explanation of the laws as well as grade appropriate activities.
http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/phys/Class/newtlaws/u2l1a.html - This in depth site will help mom and child understand the concepts.
http://www.physics4kids.com/files/motion_laws.html - When you think you understand the concepts, read and review this site, and then take the quiz.
Here’s a rather inventive description of the laws:
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
A Game to Play in the Car
As we drove to drop off our food entries at the fair. DS asked what “STC” stood for on a stop sign. I had no idea what he was talking about. I expected to look over and see some kind of graffiti on the sign, but what he was talking about was the tiny little imprint on the very bottom edge of the stop sign. Leave it to DS to notice the smallest possible thing. Something I hadn’t noticed on a stop sign ever. I’m not sure if it was the acronym of the company that made the sign or the department that might authorize the sign, but of course in a homeschooling car, it led to a game of acronyms:
Save the Camel
Sterile Turkeys Captured
Stalking Talking Computers
Sell the Car (see DD’s post about my car)
Stop the Car
Soon to Collide
See the Color
Swerve Toward Chimpanzees
Sweep to Clean
Service to Country
Stop Talking Computer
See Turbo Chameleon
Spend the Cash
Spare the Child
Shoot to Chill (we’ll it should be kill, but we all know that is not nice)
Spend Time Carefully
Savor the Candy
Sink the Canoe
Sift the cranium
Shake The Caboose
Swim to Canada
Shuck the Corn (which pathetically started as Suck the Corn, but we decided Shuck might be a better word choice)
Service Tall Candles
Supply Treasured cookbooks
Sing Traditional Carols
Silly Trained Chimpanzee
One of them was “Stop Talking C”. DD did not appreciate that very much and was bummed that no one else had an initial that she could use in an acronym.
This is a great silly game that can be played with any letters you might find and is a great way to work on synonyms, adjective, and brainstorming.
Let us know if you come up with any that are really funny.
Save the Camel
Sterile Turkeys Captured
Stalking Talking Computers
Sell the Car (see DD’s post about my car)
Stop the Car
Soon to Collide
See the Color
Swerve Toward Chimpanzees
Sweep to Clean
Service to Country
Stop Talking Computer
See Turbo Chameleon
Spend the Cash
Spare the Child
Shoot to Chill (we’ll it should be kill, but we all know that is not nice)
Spend Time Carefully
Savor the Candy
Sink the Canoe
Sift the cranium
Shake The Caboose
Swim to Canada
Shuck the Corn (which pathetically started as Suck the Corn, but we decided Shuck might be a better word choice)
Service Tall Candles
Supply Treasured cookbooks
Sing Traditional Carols
Silly Trained Chimpanzee
One of them was “Stop Talking C”. DD did not appreciate that very much and was bummed that no one else had an initial that she could use in an acronym.
This is a great silly game that can be played with any letters you might find and is a great way to work on synonyms, adjective, and brainstorming.
Let us know if you come up with any that are really funny.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Homeschooling Can Wait Until After the Fair
In our hometown, all things wait for the fair. In most towns, people get back from the summer schedule after Labor Day, but in our town everything waits for “the fair”. Nothing really begins until after the fair. You have summer and fall, and in between an interlude called fair time that lasts almost the entire month of September. It is our town’s Brigadoon: time stops and doesn’t start again until the big tent is taken down.
Our kids await each August for the booklet with all the possible crafts and cooking that they can enter. They pick a few projects and a few food categories to enter. We then have to plan to create and get their projects there on time. Today is one of those days. Last week, the crafts and photos had to be dropped off, but tomorrow is the day for the cooking to be dropped off. Needless to say, DD has taken over the kitchen and is created her one crust pie and getting ready to begin the Junior baking contest recipe. DS can’t wait to finish his math so that he can cook up a batch of oatmeal Craisin cookies (he doesn’t really like raisins so he wanted to try it with dried cranberries). The neat thing this year is that while DD is cooking, I’m out here on the computer and working with DS on his math. She is doing it all on her own. I will admit that it is difficult for me to release enough to say that what it is it is and not want to oversee everything she is doing. We decided this morning that I have a very specialized form of OCD, it focuses directly at her. When she has a hair out of place it haunts me. If she is making a pie that has even a small issue, I will want fix it and make it perfect. So it is taking me a lot to stay away while she works. I know that she feels very adult working on her own. This year if she gets a ribbon, it will be all hers. DS still needs a little helping hand.
DS has already spent all weekend at that fair putting in community service with his Boy Scout troop and will be back tonight putting out recycling barrels for water and soda bottles. Tomorrow, we will be dropping off the food entries. DH and the kids will all be back down there on Thursday and maybe another time or two in between. The fair certainly messes with our regular schedule, but at the same time in gives us reason to explore some of our other talents. We’ll get back to our regular schedule “after the fair”.
Our kids await each August for the booklet with all the possible crafts and cooking that they can enter. They pick a few projects and a few food categories to enter. We then have to plan to create and get their projects there on time. Today is one of those days. Last week, the crafts and photos had to be dropped off, but tomorrow is the day for the cooking to be dropped off. Needless to say, DD has taken over the kitchen and is created her one crust pie and getting ready to begin the Junior baking contest recipe. DS can’t wait to finish his math so that he can cook up a batch of oatmeal Craisin cookies (he doesn’t really like raisins so he wanted to try it with dried cranberries). The neat thing this year is that while DD is cooking, I’m out here on the computer and working with DS on his math. She is doing it all on her own. I will admit that it is difficult for me to release enough to say that what it is it is and not want to oversee everything she is doing. We decided this morning that I have a very specialized form of OCD, it focuses directly at her. When she has a hair out of place it haunts me. If she is making a pie that has even a small issue, I will want fix it and make it perfect. So it is taking me a lot to stay away while she works. I know that she feels very adult working on her own. This year if she gets a ribbon, it will be all hers. DS still needs a little helping hand.
DS has already spent all weekend at that fair putting in community service with his Boy Scout troop and will be back tonight putting out recycling barrels for water and soda bottles. Tomorrow, we will be dropping off the food entries. DH and the kids will all be back down there on Thursday and maybe another time or two in between. The fair certainly messes with our regular schedule, but at the same time in gives us reason to explore some of our other talents. We’ll get back to our regular schedule “after the fair”.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Elections at the Dining Room Table
I came by an interesting question on www.thehomeschoollounge.com regarding how we were going to teach about the election. My answer was:
“I hate to say that we don't teach it. We live it. I have not set aside special time per se, but they watch the conventions with us. We discuss it at dinner. Fortunately, DS was just working on the Citizenship in the Nation Boy Scout Badge which helped him to understand a little more about the process. Also, as I have run for office twice locally they have had firsthand experience with the ins and outs of an election. While I don't recommend running for office necessarily, anyone can get involved in a campaign on the local, state, or national level.”
Often the dining room table is the most instructive time of the day. There are no specific lesson plans, but instead good, open conversation about current events. Certainly recently, the election is a big part of the conversation. My father finds this to be a concern because people of other opinions may not be at our dining room table and therefore perhaps we are in a way biasing our children. I have tried to counter this by having them talk to other people as well. My mother would never tell us who she was voting for. I take the opposite approach. We talk, discuss, argue the issues. While my husband and I probably dominate the discussion now, we respect what the kids have to say and I'm sure it is not in the too distant future that they may take over the conversation.
During the primaries, DD started tracking the delegates for each state and I’m sure she will do a similar thing on Election Day. We will definitely watch the debates and the children have seen several interviews with each candidate. DD also likes political humor so she has to make sure that she knows enough about what is going on so that she can understand the jokes. DS isn’t as interested but definitely hears the conversation around him. I think just like any other subject some people will be more interested than others.
Both of them really received some insider information when I ran for office and while not everyone will want to run for office, everyone can help on a campaign. Find a candidate on the municipal, state, or national level that you believe in and offer to help on their campaign. Candidates will usually be very receptive to the help and you will get an education that you could never find in a book.
What are you doing to teach about the election?
“I hate to say that we don't teach it. We live it. I have not set aside special time per se, but they watch the conventions with us. We discuss it at dinner. Fortunately, DS was just working on the Citizenship in the Nation Boy Scout Badge which helped him to understand a little more about the process. Also, as I have run for office twice locally they have had firsthand experience with the ins and outs of an election. While I don't recommend running for office necessarily, anyone can get involved in a campaign on the local, state, or national level.”
Often the dining room table is the most instructive time of the day. There are no specific lesson plans, but instead good, open conversation about current events. Certainly recently, the election is a big part of the conversation. My father finds this to be a concern because people of other opinions may not be at our dining room table and therefore perhaps we are in a way biasing our children. I have tried to counter this by having them talk to other people as well. My mother would never tell us who she was voting for. I take the opposite approach. We talk, discuss, argue the issues. While my husband and I probably dominate the discussion now, we respect what the kids have to say and I'm sure it is not in the too distant future that they may take over the conversation.
During the primaries, DD started tracking the delegates for each state and I’m sure she will do a similar thing on Election Day. We will definitely watch the debates and the children have seen several interviews with each candidate. DD also likes political humor so she has to make sure that she knows enough about what is going on so that she can understand the jokes. DS isn’t as interested but definitely hears the conversation around him. I think just like any other subject some people will be more interested than others.
Both of them really received some insider information when I ran for office and while not everyone will want to run for office, everyone can help on a campaign. Find a candidate on the municipal, state, or national level that you believe in and offer to help on their campaign. Candidates will usually be very receptive to the help and you will get an education that you could never find in a book.
What are you doing to teach about the election?
Saturday, September 20, 2008
What does your home school look like?
I love finding a fellow homeschooler to talk to. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak at length with a friend who I knew homeschooled but with whom I rarely have had a chance to talk to about it. It was extra special because she took me down to their school. We don’t have anything nearly so formal – our school work occurs at the dining room table, on my bed, or on the couch. There is no dedicated section of our house. In their house the cellar is their school. As soon as I walked down the stairs, I knew why Paula and I got along so well – books, books, books. She had shelves and shelves of books. She also had set up work stations for the kids and had a white board to work on and a desk area for herself. It was awesome. I’m not sure that we will ever go that way, but I sure admire her set up.
What does your homeschooling area look like? Is there even a designated area?
What does your homeschooling area look like? Is there even a designated area?
Friday, September 19, 2008
Fun Fact Friday - First Ladies
Today's topic was inspired by DD blurting out fact number one as she worked on her homework. I'm sure that we could go on and on with these facts, but hopefully these interesting facts will just inspire you to continue the journey:
Rutherford B. Hayes’ wife, Lucy Webb Hayes, had a college degree. She was the first among the national first ladies to have one.
- LifePac, Grade 8, Unit 6, page 65
Caroline Harrison, 1832-1892Benjamin Harrison’s wife was the first to use electricity and have a Christmas tree in the White House. She was the second first lady to die in the White House.
http://www.firstladies.org/FacinatingFacts.htm
Rutherford B. Hayes’ wife, Lucy Webb Hayes, had a college degree. She was the first among the national first ladies to have one.
- LifePac, Grade 8, Unit 6, page 65
Caroline Harrison, 1832-1892Benjamin Harrison’s wife was the first to use electricity and have a Christmas tree in the White House. She was the second first lady to die in the White House.
http://www.firstladies.org/FacinatingFacts.htm
Elizabeth Monroe became a popular figure in France, where she was affectionately called la belle Americane because of her beauty and style. . . Their youngest daughter, Maria, was the first presidential child to be married in the White House, in a small, private ceremony. . . The couple supplied some of their own furniture to the government because the White House was almost empty when they moved in. . . Nine pieces remain in the White House today.
http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/firstSpouse/?action=monroe Note: The USmint has a wonderful array of teacher resources - not just related to money, but also history, math, and other subjects.
Dolly Madison prevented a valuable painting of George Washington from being destroyed by British soldiers during the War of 1812.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/firstladies
“I do not believe that being first lady should prevent me
from expressing my views . . .”
—Betty Ford
http://www.aetv.com/class/firstladies/index.jsp
The first Thanksgiving dinner was hosted by this First Lady.
Sara Polk. Sarah Childress was born in 1803. She helped her husband during his political career. Sara was a devout Presbyterian and as such would not let anyone drink or play cards in the White House. During the inaugural ball, she would attend but not dance. Sarah would not let any business be conducted on the Sabbath while they were in the White House. Sara's home was not destroyed during the Civil War because it was deemed neutral by the Union and Confederacy. Sarah Childress Polk remained in 'Polk Place' until her death in 1891. http://www.funtrivia.com/en/subtopics/Behind-Every-Great-Man---155170.html
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Homeschool Speedbump - Telephone Calls
Today as DD and I were slugging through her math, the phone kept ringing. Poor DD needed my full attention and I kept being diverted by the ringing and then the ensuing conversation. We did finally finish, but it took at least twice as long as it should have. I have always joked that one day you will find me living on an island without a phone. Ironically, one of my friends has done just that. She didn’t really move to an island, but instead created an island of her home by turning of the phone ringer. As she joked, “I figured I was an adult. I could take control of this technology.” I’m not sure that I can turn it off permanently like she has, but I certainly could turn it off for a couple of hours.
Does anyone else have creative ideas to control the outside world for the betterment of your “school” day?
I must also tell you that before she had turned off her ringer, she used to tell people that did not understand that she had to cut the call short to get back to teaching, “Would you like me to call your child’s teacher right now?” Usually they would get the hint after that.
Does anyone else have creative ideas to control the outside world for the betterment of your “school” day?
I must also tell you that before she had turned off her ringer, she used to tell people that did not understand that she had to cut the call short to get back to teaching, “Would you like me to call your child’s teacher right now?” Usually they would get the hint after that.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Mythbusters Science
One of our favorite shows is Mythbusters. It is a great combination of Science and the explosions. A recent episode centered around a very simple idea that had been sent to them about the force needed to seperate two phone books that had their pages overlapping. Here is the viewers video that was sent to Mythbusters to spark the idea . . .
This is a great project to test your kids with because it just seems impossible. It can be a great jump off for conversations about force and friction. While I don't recommend trying to rip it apart with cars, you could make for a very interesting tug of war.
What have your favorite Mythbusters episodes been? Have you done any great experiments after the fact with your kids?
This is a great project to test your kids with because it just seems impossible. It can be a great jump off for conversations about force and friction. While I don't recommend trying to rip it apart with cars, you could make for a very interesting tug of war.
What have your favorite Mythbusters episodes been? Have you done any great experiments after the fact with your kids?
Sunday, September 14, 2008
What Does A Homeschooler Look Like
Can you believe after 5 years people are still surprised to find out that we homeschool? It is particularly funny to see their reaction because I can almost hear the other side of what they allow themselves to say out loud. “But your kids seem so normal.” I always wish that I could ask them to draw a picture of a homeschooler. We used to do this with young Girl Scouts when before our first campout. We would have them draw a picture of a latrine. Since other than camping the work “latrine” is almost never used, the pictures that the kids came up with were priceless. They were then shocked to find out what it really meant. I figure the representation of “homeschooler” would be very similar. From my experience, we would either be drawn as ultra-conservative, rigid, and reserved
or as clog wearing, granola eating, creative hippies .
They would be very shocked if I showed them my average joe family or very outgoing Jehovah’s witness friends (who broke some of my own stereotypes) or my artist friend whose husband is a Ferrier or the Doctor and his housewife and their two boys.
What do you think people “see” when they hear the word “homeschooler”?
What do you think people “see” when they hear the word “homeschooler”?
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Words that You Should Never Speak to Your Children
DD and I are watching the Lifetime movie Coco Chanel. DD is sitting beside me designing away. It is transporting me back to a day when I would draw and draw away. Ideas swirling around in my head. If I do not say so myself, I had wonderful ideas. I started to think; perhaps I would follow this interest toward a career. When I finally got up the courage to tell my parents my plans, she replied plainly, “If that is all you want to do with yourself, why did you bother getting good grades?” It was that day that I put away the idea, and followed in the expected path.
I don’t expect that this same conversation will occur with my children, but it will be similar, just different enough for me not to recognize it when it is here. I pray that I never squelch their dreams, but instead help them strengthen their wings.
I don’t expect that this same conversation will occur with my children, but it will be similar, just different enough for me not to recognize it when it is here. I pray that I never squelch their dreams, but instead help them strengthen their wings.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Fun Fact Friday - I'm not a label. I am a child.
One of the great things about homeschooling is that your child can be a child and not a label. Teaching / Learning is based on their strengths not their weaknesses.
"Nationally, 1.6 to 2 million people have been diagnosed with ADD and ADHD."
http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/archives/2004/10/20/news/11159.shtml
"ADHD was first described by Dr. Heinrich Hoffman in 1845."
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/adhd/nimhadhdpub.pdf
This truly surprised me, because I had always heard differently:
"The main finding was that the variation in prevalence associated with the samples’ geographic origin did not fit a pattern consistent with the notion that ADHD is a byproduct of American culture. The North American rate (6.2%) only slightly exceeded the European rate (4.6%). The highest rates emerged from Africa (8.5%) and South America (11.8%). Corroboration comes from a dimensional ADHD scale used in 21 countries. Japanese and Finnish children scored lowest, Jamaican and Thai children scored highest, and American children scored about average (7)."
http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/164/6/856
“Dyslexia, a reading disorder that persists despite good schooling and normal or even above-average intelligence, (is) a handicap that affects up to 1 in 5 schoolchildren in the U.S.”
“"The majority of students who get identified with learning disorders get identified between the ages of 11 and 17," says Robert Pasternack, Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services at the U.S. Department of Education.”
“Dyslexics are also more likely than nondyslexics to end up in prison. According to Frank Wood, a professor of neurology at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, new research shows that children with dyslexia are also more likely to drop out of school, withdraw from friends and family or attempt suicide.”
My Comment: I found this comment interesting, it leads me to question if the causes of dyslexia causes these affects as well OR is it the social – emotional issues that arise because someone exhibits the symptoms of dyslexia. It would be an interesting study to compare the rates of prison and suicide with children that have dyslexia in the school system compared to the same rates of homeschooled children with dyslexia.
http://www.time.com/time/asia/covers/501030908/story.html
"75% - 80% of special education students identified as LD have their basic deficits in language and reading; Source: National Institutes of Health"
"50% of all students in special education in the public schools have learning disabilities -- 2.25 million children; Source: U.S. Dept. of Education 1992"
My Comment: Does this lead anyone else to wonder that maybe this issue is our definition and not our children?
http://ldhope.com/statistics.html
The DSM diagnosis will qualify one for accommodations in school and in standardized testing such as on the GED Tests.
My Comment: And schools get more money for student’s identified as needing additional help – HMMMMMM! They give you a reason to be labeled and they received a financial benefit to have you labeled. Does anyone see a problem here?
http://www.floridatechnet.org/bridges/factsandstats.pdf
"Nationally, 1.6 to 2 million people have been diagnosed with ADD and ADHD."
http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/archives/2004/10/20/news/11159.shtml
"ADHD was first described by Dr. Heinrich Hoffman in 1845."
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/adhd/nimhadhdpub.pdf
This truly surprised me, because I had always heard differently:
"The main finding was that the variation in prevalence associated with the samples’ geographic origin did not fit a pattern consistent with the notion that ADHD is a byproduct of American culture. The North American rate (6.2%) only slightly exceeded the European rate (4.6%). The highest rates emerged from Africa (8.5%) and South America (11.8%). Corroboration comes from a dimensional ADHD scale used in 21 countries. Japanese and Finnish children scored lowest, Jamaican and Thai children scored highest, and American children scored about average (7)."
http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/164/6/856
“Dyslexia, a reading disorder that persists despite good schooling and normal or even above-average intelligence, (is) a handicap that affects up to 1 in 5 schoolchildren in the U.S.”
“"The majority of students who get identified with learning disorders get identified between the ages of 11 and 17," says Robert Pasternack, Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services at the U.S. Department of Education.”
“Dyslexics are also more likely than nondyslexics to end up in prison. According to Frank Wood, a professor of neurology at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, new research shows that children with dyslexia are also more likely to drop out of school, withdraw from friends and family or attempt suicide.”
My Comment: I found this comment interesting, it leads me to question if the causes of dyslexia causes these affects as well OR is it the social – emotional issues that arise because someone exhibits the symptoms of dyslexia. It would be an interesting study to compare the rates of prison and suicide with children that have dyslexia in the school system compared to the same rates of homeschooled children with dyslexia.
http://www.time.com/time/asia/covers/501030908/story.html
"75% - 80% of special education students identified as LD have their basic deficits in language and reading; Source: National Institutes of Health"
"50% of all students in special education in the public schools have learning disabilities -- 2.25 million children; Source: U.S. Dept. of Education 1992"
My Comment: Does this lead anyone else to wonder that maybe this issue is our definition and not our children?
http://ldhope.com/statistics.html
The DSM diagnosis will qualify one for accommodations in school and in standardized testing such as on the GED Tests.
My Comment: And schools get more money for student’s identified as needing additional help – HMMMMMM! They give you a reason to be labeled and they received a financial benefit to have you labeled. Does anyone see a problem here?
http://www.floridatechnet.org/bridges/factsandstats.pdf
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Homeschool with an accent on Home not School - Child directed learning
When we choose to homeschool, sometimes the accent gets stuck on the wrong syllable. We put more emphasis on the school rather than on the home. All activities begin to be an opportunity to teach and learn. The problem is that sometimes this emphasis begins to negatively affect naturally occurring learning; taking educational activities that the kids consider fun and turning them into boring, mandatory lessons.
For example, your daughter loves the new blog you have together. She loves to write posts, but to fulfill her writing for the day; you begin to make them mandatory. Perhaps your son, enjoys learning different phrases in foreign languages to impress his friends, but instead of accepting that this is interesting an most certainly educational in its own right, you require him to write down the phrases and make flash cards to make sure that his pronunciation and spelling are correct.
Who can really blame a parent from pushing and wanting their child do better, especially a parent that is also responsible for the education of their children to the extent that a homeschool parent is? But of all the people to get caught up in the “schooling” ideal and the do better, brighter, more concept, it is the very people who understand that all learning goes beyond school. The very people that understand that learning can be found anywhere, that every interest can be nurtured into a skill, and that our individual desires to learn more is stronger than any exterior force.
So as you plan out you homeschool year, ignore your impulse to organize everything. Make sure your kids have interests of their own that they can develop without your input or oversight. Encourage them to explore and try new things. Try, despite your inclination, to let them develop these interests on their own without your oversight. Only comment to encourage or to help as requested. Let them put the accent back on the Home and away from the school.
For example, your daughter loves the new blog you have together. She loves to write posts, but to fulfill her writing for the day; you begin to make them mandatory. Perhaps your son, enjoys learning different phrases in foreign languages to impress his friends, but instead of accepting that this is interesting an most certainly educational in its own right, you require him to write down the phrases and make flash cards to make sure that his pronunciation and spelling are correct.
Who can really blame a parent from pushing and wanting their child do better, especially a parent that is also responsible for the education of their children to the extent that a homeschool parent is? But of all the people to get caught up in the “schooling” ideal and the do better, brighter, more concept, it is the very people who understand that all learning goes beyond school. The very people that understand that learning can be found anywhere, that every interest can be nurtured into a skill, and that our individual desires to learn more is stronger than any exterior force.
So as you plan out you homeschool year, ignore your impulse to organize everything. Make sure your kids have interests of their own that they can develop without your input or oversight. Encourage them to explore and try new things. Try, despite your inclination, to let them develop these interests on their own without your oversight. Only comment to encourage or to help as requested. Let them put the accent back on the Home and away from the school.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Website Wednesday - Homeschool resources
My favorite Christmas gift magazine came in the mail today. It is packed with terrific ideas for “educational” toys. I have ordered from Museum Tour several times and have always been satisfied with their service and the products that I received. They also have some neat educational activities on their site like: detarnishing old pennies, making your own ice cream, and creating balloon cars.
Another great website for easy, fun activities is activities is PBS’ Zoom. My friend, Jenn, and I actually used many of these activities to create a science co-op.
My favorite homeschooling magazine is Home Education magazine. Yes, I’m slightly biased since they have published my writing, but I have adored their magazine prior to ever writing for them. If you hurry you can take advantage of their current special $20.00 for 6 issues instead of the regular $32.
We use portions of the Alpha Omega curriculum. It has worked well as the core of our homeschool lessons. I don’t hesitate to add to the base Alpha Omega subjects and occasionally I may slightly alter something that they have included. Basically though, Alpha Omega forms the support post which all else is hung. Particularly, we use their Alpha Omega, from Christian Book Distributors, or from Amazon
. 
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
One Day at a Time - A Day Makes all the Difference
Yesterday, DS made me want to write an article called, “Can I have some Ritalin, Please!” I could not get DS to focus. He was anxious and easily distractible. Trying to get through our work was like pulling teeth.
Today, a new day has dawned. He is rocking on his work. He has even stopped to ask extra questions. And then was able to explain the answer in correct geometric terms.
“Mom, if you have two lines next to each other,” he placed a pencil and a plastic piece next to each other, “are they still parallel?”
As always I tried to understand the question and answer it. “Yes.” I just thought he wondered if parallel only worked in one plane i.e. on top instead of next to. “It doesn’t matter if they go this way or that. They are still parallel.”
“No, Mom, I know that, but are the lines parallel if they are different sizes?”
“Well, we need to start the conversation using proper terms. Is this,” I held up the pencil, “a line?”
A light bulb went off in his head, “No, it’s a line segment. A line goes on in both directions forever. A line segment has two endpoints. If it were a ray it would end on one side and go vomph on the other.” He pointed to the ceiling.
He gets it.
Of course to balance the positive exciting portion of my day, math with dd turned into a disaster. We did recover, but trying to get her to listen sometimes can be quite frustrating. When her answer is not correct, she will often go back, make a quick change or two and quasi guess at the answer. If it’s not 2, how about -2.
I tried to get her to back up and go through the process. I tried to get her to understand the process, but I could not get through her. This was not an issue of this specific problem but of the process in general. I blew up and walked away.
When we finally had both calmed down enough to talk again, I tried to explain that she would probably never see that exact same math problem again, but she would do the same process over and over again. She apologized for her behavior. I told her that there were three things I expected as her teacher:
1. Respectful Attention
2. Thoughtful Questioning
3. Patient Listening
Being that she was pulled out of school in 2nd grade, she has had no experience with a school teacher that leaves you behind, while the class moves on and no idea how lucky she was to have a teacher who was completely individualizing their program to suit her needs. After her apology, we were at least able to finish the section, but I’m sure it won’t be the last outbreak.
Yesterday, I was looking for Ritalin today for a Valium. Homeschooling is nothing if it isn’t exciting. Wouldn't it be great if they both had a good day on the same day? I don't want to think of the flip side of that though.
Today, a new day has dawned. He is rocking on his work. He has even stopped to ask extra questions. And then was able to explain the answer in correct geometric terms.
“Mom, if you have two lines next to each other,” he placed a pencil and a plastic piece next to each other, “are they still parallel?”
As always I tried to understand the question and answer it. “Yes.” I just thought he wondered if parallel only worked in one plane i.e. on top instead of next to. “It doesn’t matter if they go this way or that. They are still parallel.”
“No, Mom, I know that, but are the lines parallel if they are different sizes?”
“Well, we need to start the conversation using proper terms. Is this,” I held up the pencil, “a line?”
A light bulb went off in his head, “No, it’s a line segment. A line goes on in both directions forever. A line segment has two endpoints. If it were a ray it would end on one side and go vomph on the other.” He pointed to the ceiling.
He gets it.
Of course to balance the positive exciting portion of my day, math with dd turned into a disaster. We did recover, but trying to get her to listen sometimes can be quite frustrating. When her answer is not correct, she will often go back, make a quick change or two and quasi guess at the answer. If it’s not 2, how about -2.
I tried to get her to back up and go through the process. I tried to get her to understand the process, but I could not get through her. This was not an issue of this specific problem but of the process in general. I blew up and walked away.
When we finally had both calmed down enough to talk again, I tried to explain that she would probably never see that exact same math problem again, but she would do the same process over and over again. She apologized for her behavior. I told her that there were three things I expected as her teacher:
1. Respectful Attention
2. Thoughtful Questioning
3. Patient Listening
Being that she was pulled out of school in 2nd grade, she has had no experience with a school teacher that leaves you behind, while the class moves on and no idea how lucky she was to have a teacher who was completely individualizing their program to suit her needs. After her apology, we were at least able to finish the section, but I’m sure it won’t be the last outbreak.
Yesterday, I was looking for Ritalin today for a Valium. Homeschooling is nothing if it isn’t exciting. Wouldn't it be great if they both had a good day on the same day? I don't want to think of the flip side of that though.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Library Lock-in
Ok, I’ll go from writing about too much to do to being excited about one of the activities. We received an invitation to a Lock-in at the local library. The homeschooling community is going to have a sleepover with literary scavenger hunts, a video game area, movies, authors’ reading their work. As Regenia said, “Don’t plan to get too much sleep.” I wasn’t too sure how the kids were going to react, but both said they were in so I have signed us up.
Of course since our group is well known for its cooperative management, I now have to think of some activity that might blend with what they have planned. I’ll have to really think on this one.
One of the great things is that it will cost me a whopping $15. $5 for each of us and that will cover the cost of pizza. I love when cheapness collides with fun and education.
I encourage you to find a homeschooling group if you haven’t already. If you have found one but did not mesh with it, I encourage you to look again. We are very lucky that we found a great group right from the beginning.
Of course since our group is well known for its cooperative management, I now have to think of some activity that might blend with what they have planned. I’ll have to really think on this one.
One of the great things is that it will cost me a whopping $15. $5 for each of us and that will cover the cost of pizza. I love when cheapness collides with fun and education.
I encourage you to find a homeschooling group if you haven’t already. If you have found one but did not mesh with it, I encourage you to look again. We are very lucky that we found a great group right from the beginning.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Homeschooling Schedule or Over-schedule
It is hard to imagine when you first choose to homeschool that you can become too busy. No one mentions this as a problem when you first consider homeschooling. Most people warn you of seclusion and isolating your children. Clearly the people that say this have never homeschooled. When we first started homeschooling five years ago, we fell into this trap. And since most homeschool classes / activities are not held in one place at one time, but instead are spread miles apart and are limited only to the spaces in your calendar, we were busier than we ever were in public school. After about 18 months, working slowly started to trim down our schedule. For the most part we ceased doing purely “homeschooling” activities, but instead remained very active in Scouts and church and continued to do interesting things as a family. When we would run into our old homeschooling friends, I would hear how much they all missed us. I missed them too, but I did not miss the craziness, that is part of what I was trying to get away from. When I left work in April, our family finally seemed to meet a reasonable homeschool regular schedule. I’m not implying that the last five years were not reasonable. We did make it through, but that was exactly it: Every day we made it through. Finally, after leaving work, life was calmer and we could better get through their studies and include some fun activities.
Anyway, last week we went to a Not Back to School Picnic with our regular group. It was so good to see everyone and get caught up . . . but, I could see it happening again. “Would you like to . . . ““We have . . . .” “We can make room for you . . .” Whoa, whoa, whoa, I wanted to scream. Let’s enjoy our time together. We’ll probably see each other more (at least until we move), but I like not having to do something every day. I like being able to go with my husband instead of being chained to my calendar (I have enough appointments that already do that).
So I warn you that are new to homeschooling: Beware of the minute / hour steeling activity overload. The activities can be very tempting, but you may soon find yourself spinning. For those of you that already homeschool, I empower you to say, “No thank you. We already have an appointment that day,” knowing that your appointment is with yourself and your kids.
Anyway, last week we went to a Not Back to School Picnic with our regular group. It was so good to see everyone and get caught up . . . but, I could see it happening again. “Would you like to . . . ““We have . . . .” “We can make room for you . . .” Whoa, whoa, whoa, I wanted to scream. Let’s enjoy our time together. We’ll probably see each other more (at least until we move), but I like not having to do something every day. I like being able to go with my husband instead of being chained to my calendar (I have enough appointments that already do that).
So I warn you that are new to homeschooling: Beware of the minute / hour steeling activity overload. The activities can be very tempting, but you may soon find yourself spinning. For those of you that already homeschool, I empower you to say, “No thank you. We already have an appointment that day,” knowing that your appointment is with yourself and your kids.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
HBO special on Tourette’s Syndrome
If you want to help your children understand the feelings of those that are “different” than others. HBO is airing “I HAVE TOURETTE’S, BUT TOURETTE’S DOESN’T HAVE ME”. This 30 minute documentary lets your children step into the lives of children suffering with the syndrome. Because it is spoken directly from the mouths of kids their own age (8-13), they hear the message. My son was impacted deeply by their statements of feeling different. He could identify with some of their OCD symptoms. While he doesn’t have OCD, he can easily be distracted by things around him. He could identify with the boy who spoke of getting hyper focused on an item in his line of sight and having to remove it in order to focus on the item at hand. The kids spoke eloquently about trying to prevent their tics and how it made their body feel. They discussed the pro's and con's of medication. And one child showed his ability to play classical piano flawlessly without one sign of the syndrome, as he called it being in the zone. I would recommend this movie not just for its message about Tourette’s specifically, but about feeling different in general. This would be a great jump off for a family conversation about bullying or being bullied and about disabilities and gifts.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Fun Fact Friday - School
Since we're off to a Not Back to School Party, we thought you would enjoy some school facts and be joyful that they don't apply to you.
school 1
NOUN:
1. An institution for the instruction of children or people under college age.
2. An institution for instruction in a skill or business: a secretarial school; a karate school.
3.
a. A college or university.
b. An institution within or associated with a college or university that gives instruction in a specialized field and recommends candidates for degrees.
c. A division of an educational institution constituting several grades or classes: advanced to the upper school.
d. The student body of an educational institution.
e. The building or group of buildings housing an educational institution.
4. The process of being educated formally, especially education constituting a planned series of courses over a number of years: The children were put to school at home. What do you plan to do when you finish school?
5. A session of instruction: School will start in three weeks. He had to stay after school today.
6.
a. A group of people, especially philosophers, artists, or writers, whose thought, work, or style demonstrates a common origin or influence or unifying belief: the school of Aristotle; the Venetian school of painters.
b. A group of people distinguished by similar manners, customs, or opinions: aristocrats of the old school.
7. Close-order drill instructions or exercises for military units or personnel.
8. Australian A group of people gathered together for gambling.
TRANSITIVE VERB:
schooled , school�ing , schools
1. To educate in or as if in a school.
2. To train or discipline: She is well schooled in literature. See Synonyms at teach.
ADJECTIVE:
Of or relating to school or education in schools: school supplies; a school dictionary.
________________________________________
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English scole, from Old English sc l, from Latin schola, scola, from Greek skhol ; see segh- in Indo-European roots
http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/school
“Every 29 seconds another student gives up on school, resulting in more than one million American high school students who drop out every year.”
http://www.silentepidemic.org/epidemic/statistics-facts.htm
“The Boston Latin School is a public exam school founded on April 23, 1635, in Boston, Massachusetts, making it the oldest public school in the United States”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Latin_School
“1639 - The first free American public school, the Mather school, was founded in Dorchester, a neighborhood of Boston.”
http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=gov3terminal&L=3&L0=Home&L1=Constituent+Services&L2=Kid's+Corner&sid=Agov3&b=terminalcontent&f=kids_corner_state_firsts&csid=Agov3
“According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there were 98,905 K-12 public schools across 14,598 school districts in the 2005-2006 school year.”
“Nationally, the number of students per teacher was 15.7 in 2006. A comparison across states shows that the number of students per teacher can range from 10.9 to 23.6.”
“More than 49 million children attend public schools in the United States.”
http://www.givekidsgoodschools.org/main/learn.cfm?Category=Public_School&Section=Five_Things
school 1
NOUN:
1. An institution for the instruction of children or people under college age.
2. An institution for instruction in a skill or business: a secretarial school; a karate school.
3.
a. A college or university.
b. An institution within or associated with a college or university that gives instruction in a specialized field and recommends candidates for degrees.
c. A division of an educational institution constituting several grades or classes: advanced to the upper school.
d. The student body of an educational institution.
e. The building or group of buildings housing an educational institution.
4. The process of being educated formally, especially education constituting a planned series of courses over a number of years: The children were put to school at home. What do you plan to do when you finish school?
5. A session of instruction: School will start in three weeks. He had to stay after school today.
6.
a. A group of people, especially philosophers, artists, or writers, whose thought, work, or style demonstrates a common origin or influence or unifying belief: the school of Aristotle; the Venetian school of painters.
b. A group of people distinguished by similar manners, customs, or opinions: aristocrats of the old school.
7. Close-order drill instructions or exercises for military units or personnel.
8. Australian A group of people gathered together for gambling.
TRANSITIVE VERB:
schooled , school�ing , schools
1. To educate in or as if in a school.
2. To train or discipline: She is well schooled in literature. See Synonyms at teach.
ADJECTIVE:
Of or relating to school or education in schools: school supplies; a school dictionary.
________________________________________
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English scole, from Old English sc l, from Latin schola, scola, from Greek skhol ; see segh- in Indo-European roots
http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/school
“Every 29 seconds another student gives up on school, resulting in more than one million American high school students who drop out every year.”
http://www.silentepidemic.org/epidemic/statistics-facts.htm
“The Boston Latin School is a public exam school founded on April 23, 1635, in Boston, Massachusetts, making it the oldest public school in the United States”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Latin_School
“1639 - The first free American public school, the Mather school, was founded in Dorchester, a neighborhood of Boston.”
http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=gov3terminal&L=3&L0=Home&L1=Constituent+Services&L2=Kid's+Corner&sid=Agov3&b=terminalcontent&f=kids_corner_state_firsts&csid=Agov3
“According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there were 98,905 K-12 public schools across 14,598 school districts in the 2005-2006 school year.”
“Nationally, the number of students per teacher was 15.7 in 2006. A comparison across states shows that the number of students per teacher can range from 10.9 to 23.6.”
“More than 49 million children attend public schools in the United States.”
http://www.givekidsgoodschools.org/main/learn.cfm?Category=Public_School&Section=Five_Things
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Unit Study - Dear America: A Line in the Sand
Dear America – A Line in the Sand: The Alamo Diary of Lucinda Lawrence (Gonzales, Texas 1836)
By Sherry Garland
Age: 11-14
Additional Reading:
Illustrated Alamo 1836: A Photographic Journey by Mark Lemon, Craig r. Covner
The Alamo by Tamara L. Britton
Remember the Alamo: Texians, Tejanos, and Mexicans Tell Their Stories by Paul Robert Walker
Alamo: An Interactive History Adventure by Amie J. Leavitt, Mickie Ross
For adults to read along:
Three Roads to the Alamo: The Lives and Fortunes of David Crockett, James Bowie, and William Barret Travis by William C. Davis
Field Trips:
The Alamo – San Antonio, TX
Goliad State Park & Historic Site – Goliad, TX
Town of Gonzales – Gonzales, TX
Sam Houston Memorial Museum – Huntsville, TX
Crockett Tavern Museum – Morristown,TN
Pioneer Farms – Austin, TX
Video:
The Alamo – DVD
PBS: American Experience: Remember the Alamo
Discovery Channel: The Alamo: The Five Hours that Changed History
Websites:
http://www.thealamo.org/main.html - The official website of the Alamo
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/alamo/index.html - The PBS site laying out the film and related historical information. Includes teacher lesson plans, maps, and timelines.
http://www.shsu.edu/~smm_www/index.html - Includes recipes, info on Texan Flags, and pictures from the time period.
http://www.geocities.com/the_tarins@sbcglobal.net/adp/archives/archives.html An extensive history of the mission itself. Include maps, lesson ideas, and lots of detailed history.
http://military.discovery.com/video/alamo.html Video Clips about the Alamo and some of the more famous men lost there.
http://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/ Learn not just about the Alamo, but the entire history that built Cinda’s state.
Vocabulary:
Ruckus (9/9)
Democracy (9/6 – later)
Delirium (9/20)
Dissidents (9/20)
Dictator (9/22)
Grievances (9/22)
Dragoons (9/30)
Ford (9/30)
Fandango (10/2)
Presidio (10/6)
Premonitions (10/27)
Ornery (11/15)
Cahoots (11/15)
Morale (12/3)
Harboring (12/6)
Forlorn (12/23)
Puncheon (12/24)
Churned (2/1)
Joshing (2/4)
Adobe (2/8 – later)
Garrisoned (3/6)
Palisades (3/6)
Sacristy (3/13)
Arts & Crafts:
-There is a brawl over a whittling knife. Learn knife safety and try whittling something yourself. (If you are not comfortable with your children using a jackknife, try using a plastic knife and either a bar of soap or a bar of canning wax). (9/10)
-Make homemade soap.
-Try your hand at creating a braided rug (12/24)
-“Mama started a new quilt. She let (Lucinda) choose the color for the border.” Draw and plan out a quilt. Depending on your interest and talent create your imagination. Create it with cut out paper, perhaps create just one square of your plan, or if you are really daring, create your entire quilt.
-See if you can find a farm, yarn store, or museum that cards and spins fibers. Visit and see how it is done. See if you can help with part of the process.
Writing:
-Lucinda says on September 15th that her biggest fears are Comanche raids, rattlesnakes, and black widow spiders. Do a little research on each. Which of these would be your biggest fear and why? Be sure to support your position.
-Lucinda read an editorial bout how cruel Santa Anna is. What is the difference between an editorial and a regular newspaper article? Read the editorial page of your newspaper for a week. Choose one of the editorials to respond to. Write a letter to the editor about it.
-On January 6th, there is a conversation between two neighbors, Wilis, and Papa in which one of the neighbors said that they are going to move back to the states. “I’ve got no business fighting in a war. Why, I’ve got a wife and six children. What would they do if I got kilt?” Willis stood up suddenly and says right to the main’s face, “Well, if something ain’t worth fighting and dying for, then I say it ain’t worth having.” He stomped off. Papa says, “Was I ever that young?” the neighbor says, “IF wars were lift up to old codger like me and you, Aaron, I reckon armies would be put out of business.” Take either Aaron and Papa’s side or Willis’. Who do you think is correct and why? Write a persuasive essay to convince others of your opinion.
-Cinda compares the Mexicans march on the Alamo to David and Goliath. Reread the story of David and Goliath in the Bible. Decide if this is a reasonable comparison. Write an essay to show the similarities or differences.
-On December 6th, Cinda’s family finds out that San Antonio is being overrun. The family fears for Uncle Isaac’s family. Cinda tells Green that Uncle Isaac will put up a sign to that their house will not get attacked. She wishes that she could believe her own lie. Is lying ever ok? If so, when and why? If not, explain why not.
-On December 20th, Mittie and Cinda discussed what to give their families for Christmas given the many shortages. Reread this entry. Write an entry in your diary about all the things that you are thankful for.
English:
-Cinda memorized a sonnet as they worked on school work trying to pass the time as the Mexican’s invaded their town. Find out what defines a sonnet. Then choose one. Memorize it and recite it.
-On December 18th, Lemuel brought home a black crow. Cinda is concerned that maybe this is a bad omen. Does this foreshadow what is to come? What other foreshadowing did you notice in the book?
History:
-Research one of the following people and introduce him / her to others through either a power point presentation, a character monologue, or a traditional report:
General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna
Stephen F. Austin
William Travis
Davy Crockett
Sam Houston
Col. Burleson
Ben Milam
General Cos
-Comanche Indians are mentioned several times in the book. Where was the Comanche territory as compared to Gonzales and the Alamo? Find out about the nation’s traditions and culture. Share what you found with others.
-Find a picture of the “Come and Take It” Flag. What did this flag stand for?
-The Alamo was once a mission. Find out what a mission is. Create a model of the Alamo.
Cinda was very excited about having mistletoe above her doorway for Christmas. Research the tradition of mistletoe. Where does it originate from?
Government:
-Lucinda’s father is frustrated by reports that Santa Anna wants the people of Gonzales to turn over their disabled 6 lbs cannon. He says, “ This is the beginning of the disarming of the colonies. If we give up the cannon, next thing you know, Santa Anna will want our hunting rifles, then our pistols, then our Bowie knives, then our whittling knives.” Why does this bother him? How does this relate to the 2nd amendment of the US Constitution?
Extra Credit: Find out where the term Bowie knife comes from.
Science/Technology:
-Lucinda’s family picks cotton. Find out about the cotton plant. What part do they use to make clothe? Make a thumbnail board (picture board) that describes the process.
-Mr. Roe died of smallpox, as did some of Cinda’s cousins in Nachitoches, LA. Research smallpox. What are the symptoms, causes, cure,etc?
-On December 18th, Lemuel brought a black crow home with a broken wind and cared for it. Find an animal rehabilitation hospital near you. Arrange a tour to see the work that they do.
Cooking:
-Due to the war, food was very scarce for Lucinda’s family. Much of what they ate they had scavenged for. Plan to go pick food at a local orchard. Cook something with the food you picked.
-On November 5th, there is a very descriptive passage about cutting apart a pig for food. Look in a cookbook to find all the different meat that can be cut from one animal. What are the differences in the cuts of meat? What should you consider when you choose a cut of meat?
Geography:
-On a blackline map of Texas, mark at least five town locations and two rivers that exist in the book.
Music:
-Listen to some fiddle playing. Imagine that Davey Crocket is playing for you.
Physical Fitness:
-Find a pair of castanets. Try playing them and dancing to some Mexican music.
-Several dances are mentioned in the book: the Virginia reel, the cotillion, the waltz, and the polka. Learn one and perform it for others.
Mission / Action:
-The Volunteers were often stealing from the townspeople because they were so hungry. Hunger is still a problem today for many reasons. Research hunger in the world today. Find a way to help and do it.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Website Wednesday - The Alamo
http://www.thealamo.org/main.html - The official website of the Alamo
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/alamo/index.html - The PBS site laying out the film and related historical information. Includes teacher lesson plans, maps, and timelines.
http://www.shsu.edu/~smm_www/index.html - Includes recipes, info on Texan Flags, and pictures from the time period.
http://www.geocities.com/the_tarins@sbcglobal.net/adp/archives/archives.html An extensive history of the mission itself. Include maps, lesson ideas, and lots of detailed history.
http://military.discovery.com/video/alamo.html Video Clips about the Alamo and some of the more famous men lost there.
Look for a Unit Study related to the Alamo on Thursday.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/alamo/index.html - The PBS site laying out the film and related historical information. Includes teacher lesson plans, maps, and timelines.
http://www.shsu.edu/~smm_www/index.html - Includes recipes, info on Texan Flags, and pictures from the time period.
http://www.geocities.com/the_tarins@sbcglobal.net/adp/archives/archives.html An extensive history of the mission itself. Include maps, lesson ideas, and lots of detailed history.
http://military.discovery.com/video/alamo.html Video Clips about the Alamo and some of the more famous men lost there.
Look for a Unit Study related to the Alamo on Thursday.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Appreciating Art While Feeding the World
DS and I got caught up in my own post yesterday. We have been enjoying the art section of Free Rice. We started on the vocabulary, but then moved our way over. Vocab can only hold his attention for so long, but pictures, paintings, or anything visual can hold his attention forever. This section was kind of neat because it had classic paintings and you were supposed to identify the artist from the four listed. DS caught on right away. He was not familiar at all with the artists, but once he realized that you could identify the artist by looking at their style, choice of subject, and color pallet, he was hooked. This was right up his alley. He is the dear boy who while still in diapers pulled all my cans out and reorganized them by height and volume for fun. When he was younger, he would not eat his m&m’s until they were in order and matchboxes weren’t for driving, they were tools to classify and organize.
Of course, in the beginning it was easiest for him to identify Vincent Van Gogh
Of course, in the beginning it was easiest for him to identify Vincent Van Gogh
with his deep strokes and repetitive subject matter, but then we moved on to Monet, Michelangelo, and Rembrandt. He particularly liked Franz Marc,
a Picasso style but with wildlife. He also asked for a Van Gogh print for his room. (He is really becoming my kind of man – a Kenny G. listening Van Gogh fan who likes long walks in the woods – boy will he be able to write a personal ad one day). He also quickly caught on that we could identify Georges Seurat by his use of dots and Pieter Bruegel the Elder by his use of detail.
We also cheated a little or you may call it using your resources wisely when we found out that some of the pictures were signed in the corner. Albrecht Durer’s signature was the most interesting (look in the plaque just below the horse's lifted hoof - there is a "D" inside a rough "A")
.
I guess it is time to head back to the Wadsworth Anthenum or maybe a trip on the T into Boston.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Homeschool with Heart Means Helping Others
Here is a game that you and the kids can have fun playing while helping others at the same time. The game includes vocabulary, world capitols, language, art, multiplication. Free Rice asks questions which get more difficult based on correct answers. If you get a question wrong, it reappears again to reinforce the knowledge. And while you play, grains of rice are being calculated and donated to the UN World Food Program. A simple and fun way to become more educated and change the world at the same time.
For those that are interested in learning more about the poverty side of things, you can follow the links in the FAQ section and learn about poverty issues around the world.
For those that are interested in learning more about the poverty side of things, you can follow the links in the FAQ section and learn about poverty issues around the world.
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