They did it. All three of them, my husband, daughter, and son, passed their hunters course. I expected my husband to. After quizzing my daughter, I was sure she was going to. But with all my DS’s reading issues, I just wasn’t sure. The test was 100 questions long: 50 true/ false, 50 multiple choice. Frankly, I wasn’t sure he would even make it through reading it all and I know a year and a half ago there is no way he could of. Today not only did he read it, he received an 84% on the test.
As any of you who homeschool know, we are all very confident on the outside about what we do, but inside we worry if we have made a mistake. This was a great test for me to see that they could both survive outside my extended womb.
Of course my husband points out that we have now just gotten both of our children certified to carry weapons, but I have been very pleased with both of their responsibility in this area. And as a mom who grew up without weapons around, I have been impressed with both their shooting ranges safety and now the hunter’s course safety focus. Also, I know they don’t have the combo to the safe.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Homeschooling - Vacation, a Practical Study.
Practical experience – The books have been put away for two days so that we can visit family up at the beach. But certainly the learning did not stop. At low tide, as the water retreated leaving long fingerlings of seeping water trying to reunite eith the ocean. DS decided to alter nature. He made paths and channels, redirecting the water this way and that. He watched how the water pooled and erosion built mini cliffs and fjords. We discussed sea level as water began coming up from the bottom of his creation instead of brought by waves. Also, DH and DS experimented with liquefaction as they agitated the already saturated soil creating quicksand. DS & DD looked like they were making wine and stomp, stomp, stomped getting pulled deeper and deeper.
DD has been reading leisurely and is currently playing dominoes on the front porch. Her map reading could have even gotten us here 30 minutes earlier.
Both have been playing endlessly in the waves. DS has wondered why there are mover waves at low tide than high, but the waves are bigger at high than low.
We have contemplated the idea of a flat world and looked at the horizon to see where once it was though that boats fell off the edge. What bravery it must have taken to breech that edge.
Vacations, I believe, are the seed, the question, the ignition to so much learning. Vacations are a homeschoolers delight (and sine the kids around here have gone back to school it is beautifully quiet – maybe I really am for year round schooling). They are the fodder for weeks and months of future study.
DD has been reading leisurely and is currently playing dominoes on the front porch. Her map reading could have even gotten us here 30 minutes earlier.
Both have been playing endlessly in the waves. DS has wondered why there are mover waves at low tide than high, but the waves are bigger at high than low.
We have contemplated the idea of a flat world and looked at the horizon to see where once it was though that boats fell off the edge. What bravery it must have taken to breech that edge.
Vacations, I believe, are the seed, the question, the ignition to so much learning. Vacations are a homeschoolers delight (and sine the kids around here have gone back to school it is beautifully quiet – maybe I really am for year round schooling). They are the fodder for weeks and months of future study.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Website Wednesday - Eric Carle
www.eric-carle.com
The Eric Carle Official Website. There are wonderful videos of how he creates his work, incredible teaching ideas of how to use his work, and other interesting tid-bits.
www.picturebookart.org
The Eric Carle Museum website. It is located in Amherst, MA if you are interested in visiting personally.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/EricCarlePhotoProducts.jsp
Create cards, invitations, and books using a combination of your photos and Eric Carle’s artwork.
http://www.readingrockets.org/books/interviews/carle
Includes short video interviews with Eric Carle.
http://www.npr.org/programs/watc/features/2007/jul/ericcarle_slideshow/index.html
A video interview with Eric Carle.
http://www.readwritethink.org/calendar/calendar_day.asp?id=549
Some unique ideas of how to work with Eric Carle’s work. Even an online collage making website ( which can be reached directly using http://www.nga.gov/kids/zone/collagemachine2.htm )
The Eric Carle Official Website. There are wonderful videos of how he creates his work, incredible teaching ideas of how to use his work, and other interesting tid-bits.
www.picturebookart.org
The Eric Carle Museum website. It is located in Amherst, MA if you are interested in visiting personally.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/EricCarlePhotoProducts.jsp
Create cards, invitations, and books using a combination of your photos and Eric Carle’s artwork.
http://www.readingrockets.org/books/interviews/carle
Includes short video interviews with Eric Carle.
http://www.npr.org/programs/watc/features/2007/jul/ericcarle_slideshow/index.html
A video interview with Eric Carle.
http://www.readwritethink.org/calendar/calendar_day.asp?id=549
Some unique ideas of how to work with Eric Carle’s work. Even an online collage making website ( which can be reached directly using http://www.nga.gov/kids/zone/collagemachine2.htm )
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Volunteering for Homeschooling
Part of my day today involved trekking DD back and forth to the Library. She has been volunteering countless hours at the Library reshelving movies, readings to youngens, and tracking summer reading of the patrons. Volunteering has been a great way for her to spread her independent wings. I drop her off and come back a few hours later. Occasionally, DS and I find a quiet corner to do his work while she works elsewhere in the library. You would be amazed how much less complaining occurs when you do your lessons in public. I also appreciate the volunteering because they learn new skills, work with other adults, and fulfill their community obligations. Volunteering also gives teenagers an opportunity to test career possibilities.
Some great places for teens to volunteer include:
Fire department
Ambulance corps
Library
Hospital
Convalescent Home / Veterans Home
Sunday School Program
Food Pantry / Soup Kitchen
If you have ideas about places for teens to volunteer, please let us know.
Some great places for teens to volunteer include:
Fire department
Ambulance corps
Library
Hospital
Convalescent Home / Veterans Home
Sunday School Program
Food Pantry / Soup Kitchen
If you have ideas about places for teens to volunteer, please let us know.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Unit Study - Eleanor Roosevelt
Ages – 12-16
Quotation: “If anyone were to ask me what I want out of life I would say – the opportunity for doing something useful, for in no other way, I am convinced can true happiness be attained” Eleanor Roosevelt
Scripture: ”For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. “ Matthew 25:35-36 (KJV)
Books & Periodicals
Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery by Russell Freedman
Who was Eleanor Roosevelt? By Gare Thompson
Cobblestone Magazine’s Eleanor Roosevelt edition – The teachers guide to this edition can be found at http://www.cobblestonepub.com/resources/cob8611t.html
Time for Life : Eleanor Roosevelt: First Lady of the World
Field Trips
* Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum – Hyde Park, NY
* Arthurdale, WV – the first “New Deal” Homestead Community - http://arthurdalewv.org/
* National First Ladies Library – Canton, OH
* The White House – Washington, DC – special arrangements need to be made well in advance of your trip
* Franklin Delano Roosevelt National Memorial – Washington, DC
Writing Topics:
* How do you think Eleanor’s life may have been different if she had lived today?
* Even Eleanor was concerned about appearance. If you could be beautiful / handsome or smart, which would you choose and why?
* When her husband, as a NY senator, originally came out for the women’s suffragist movement, Eleanor was shocked, “ for I took for granted that men were superior creatures”. Later in her life, she was a staunch supporter of the suffragist movement. What do you account for the change in her position?
* Eleanor Roosevelt is famous for her response to a questioner at one of her public appearances. “Do you think your husband’s illness has affected his mentality?” “I am glad you asked that question. The answer is Yes. Anyone who has gone through great suffering is bound to have greater sympathy and understanding of the problems of mankind.” Do you agree with her assessment? Why or why not? Give specific examples.
History:
* Eleanor’s lineage can be followed back to the foundations of New York itself and to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Do some of your own research about your family. Try to trace your lineage back as far as you can. You may find http://www.rootsweb.com/ & http://www.familysearch.org/ helpful. Ancestry.com is a wonderful resource but it comes at a cost.
* Eleanor’s uncle, Theodore, became President himself. Find at least five things that Theodore’s presidency is known for.
* After Eleanor “came out”, she was enrolled in the Junior League. Find out what the Junior League organization is and what it stands for.
* When Eleanor joined the Consumers League, she became more engaged with issues of the common people. She was appalled when she was introduced to sweatshops and saw child labor for the first time. Do some research about child labor. How was child labor halted in this country? Where is child labor still an issue? Find out how you may help end child labor worldwide.
* Eleanor and Franklin were married on March 17, 1905, St. Patrick’s Day. Find out the history of St. Patrick’s Day.
Read the US’s Declaration of War for WWI on April 6, 1917.
* “What hopes we had that this League would prove the instrument for prevention of future wars,” Eleanor wrote. What is the League of Nations? Does it do what Eleanor and others hoped? * Create a two sided time line, comparing Eleanor and Franklin’s life (put one on each side).
* Choose one of these components of the Great Depression:
- Hoovervilles
- Black Monday
- New Deal
Research and report your findings.
* Eleanor served as a UN delegate after her husband’s death. In fact she was elected chair of the Human Rights Commission. What does this mean? What affect did she have?
Language:
* Eleanor learned French from her nurse and actually spoke French before she spoke English. Learn to count to ten in French and a few other helpful phrases.
Science:
* Anna, Eleanor’s mother, contracted diphtheria after and operation and died at 29 years old. Her brother, Ellie, died of it also. What are the symptoms, cause, and cure of this disease?
* Polio, infantile paralysis, struck Franklin Roosevelt in 1921 and was a major health concern for all Americans at the time. Polio is now considered eradicated from the US. Read about childhood immunizations. What other diseases have we warded off through immunizations? What are the world issues related to childhood immunizations?
Literature:
* Eleanor’s father was an alcoholic who fought with boughts of depression. For many years, he was even banned from living with his children. Still Eleanor had a deep need to please him. Eleanor once memorized and recited Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s "The Song of Hiawatha". Read the poem. Memorize a portion and perform it.
* When Eleanor was attending the private school Allenswood, one of the headmistress, Mademoiselle Souvestre, occasionally invited students back to her study to read poems and stories or to discuss current events. In this standard, invite a couple of your friends over to recreate such a poetry reading. Invite each attendee to be prepared to read at least two poems out loud. The poetry can be original or one that is already published.
* Eleanor was an author herself. She wrote for many newspapers and magazines. Indeed she even authored her own syndicated column called “My Day”. Read at least three articles penned by Eleanor. Write a critic of her writings.
Economics:
* Compare today to the 1940’s. Find the prices of at least 5 staples (bread, milk, eggs, etc), an average house, and an average salary back then and today.
Geography:
* Print out a blackline map of the world. As you read about Eleanor’s travels, color in the country on the map (Be sure to find a world map from the time period).
* As Eleanor pushed for women’s rights, she held a woman’s only press conference and flew with women pilot, Amelia Earhart. Use a map to calculate how many miles they flew together from DC to Baltimore.
* In her later life, Eleanor traveled worldwide to places like India, Israel, Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Iran, Turkey, and Morocco. Choose one of these countries and create a travel brochure that might entice others to visit these places.
Music:
* Eleanor Roosevelt resigned her membership to the Daughters of the American Revolution when they refused to let Marian Anderson sing at their Constitution Hall in DC. Listen to Marian Anderson’s music.
Public Speaking:
* Eleanor Roosevelt became a very popular public speaker. She hired vocal coaches to help her with the pitch and tremble of her voice. What made her a good speaker was her passion for her subject matter. Research a subject that matters to you. Give an oral presentation persuading people to action on your cause.
* Eleanor’s uncle was Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States. Research his Presidency. Pretend to give a press conference on one of the important issues of his Presidency. Be prepared for questions from the press.
Arts & Crafts:
* Eleanor Roosevelt was listed in “the 10 Most Powerful People in Washington” by political commentator, Raymond Clapper. Who do you think the 10 most powerful people in the world are? Create a poster that represents your opinion.
* Find out about fashions of the time period. Create an Eleanor Roosevelt paper doll and show at least three outfits that she may have worn.
Computer Skills:
* Create a power point presentation summarizing al that you have learned. Introduce someone else to Eleanor Roosevelt.
Vocabulary:
* Eleanor lived through both the 1st and 2nd World Wars. Relationships between countries were in flux. Different countries ran their governments in different ways. Look up the following words. Write their definition.
Totalitarianism
Socialism
Fascist
Democratic
Republic
Imperial
Pacifist
Neutrality
Project:
* Eleanor and two of her friends bout a private girl’s school in New York. Eleanor taught American History & English Literature. If you could design your own private school, what would it be like? Be creative. Present your school model in any format you wish. Think about the campus, the faculty, the courses, and the student body.
Missions / Action:
* Eleanor often visited military hospitals to improve moral. Follow in her footsteps. Arrange to visit with patients at a VA hospital.
* Eleanor often worried about people less fortunate than herself. Volunteer to serve at a local soup kitchen.
See Website Wednesday - Eleanor Roosevelt for related websites.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Fieldtrip - Eric Carle Museum
DH needed help delivering a firetruck today, but he also needed to do some work. So we needed to "waste" a few hours in Mass. I took the opportunity to take the kids to the Eric Carle Museum in Amherst.
It is not a large museum. We spent about 2 1/2 hours there. The museum included three galleries, an art studio, a gift shop, an auditorium, a cafe, and two video productions. They generously gave me a teacher's admission as a homeschooling mom and their youth admission extends to 18 years old. I found the fee to be very reasonable.
If you are not familiar with Eric Carle read any of his wonderful children's books The Very Hungy Catepillar, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, or Walter the Baker. He has several others as well. Eric Carle's collage style intregues kid's and adults alike. His artwork is very identifiable.
I think when the kids were young, DH and I knew every word to Brown Bear, Brown Bear.
Our trip was very inspiring, so I think next week DS and I are going to try to use his collage idea to create some pictures. Both of us were fascinated by the video segement about how he created his artwork.
Eric Carle has a style all his own and his artwork is everywhere in the museum. The gift shop had Eric Carle clothing material and even the bathroom was decorated with Eric Carle decorated ceramic tiles. 
While we were there, we tried creating our own style in the art studio by creating texture creations. This is the best kind of art - created with everyday items and glue. Even reluctant DD (13 year old), got caught up in the act and was the last to finish.
PS. If you keep your eyes open over the next week or so, I will put up an Eric Carle Unit Study. It will certainly be fun for the whole family.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Fun Fact Friday
The 1900 Paris Games remains the only Olympics where no medals were awarded. Instead, winners were given valuable pieces of art.
http://www.nbcolympics.com/medals/funfacts/index.html
DD wanted to know where future Olympic games will be held:
Vancouver 2010 (Winter)
London 2012 (Summer)
Sochi 2014 (Winter) - It’s ok. I didn’t know either. It is in Russia.
http://www.olympic.org/uk/games/index_uk.asp - you can also find out about previous Olympics and see the previous logos.
Groak – means to look at or stare at longingly
Heard on Reading the OED (OxfordEnglish Dictionary) on On Air with Tom Ashbrook, NPR
Dr. Seuss' real name is Theodor Seuss Geisel. He was born on March 2, 1904 in Springfield, MA.
http://www.seussville.com/seussentennial/resources1.html
http://www.nbcolympics.com/medals/funfacts/index.html
DD wanted to know where future Olympic games will be held:
Vancouver 2010 (Winter)
London 2012 (Summer)
Sochi 2014 (Winter) - It’s ok. I didn’t know either. It is in Russia.
http://www.olympic.org/uk/games/index_uk.asp - you can also find out about previous Olympics and see the previous logos.
Groak – means to look at or stare at longingly
Heard on Reading the OED (OxfordEnglish Dictionary) on On Air with Tom Ashbrook, NPR
Dr. Seuss' real name is Theodor Seuss Geisel. He was born on March 2, 1904 in Springfield, MA.
http://www.seussville.com/seussentennial/resources1.html
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Lessons During the Busy Times of Life
To those of you that are new to homeschooling, you may ask, “How do you homeschool on days when you are busy with other chores?” The answer is two fold. One, the reason we homeschool year round is to make up for days that we are unable to. Two, we look at the day using a broader interpretation of homeschooling to see what we learned.
When my children tell people that we homeschool year round, they often get looks of pity while I get glares. I usually quickly interject that I am no slave driver. By schooling a little everyday, we avoid having marathon sessions. Also, if something comes up and we miss our base lessons then I know that we can make it up on another day or relax and know that we do enough on the other days that I don’t have to worry.
Furthermore, as I believe that living is the best teacher, sometimes instead of planning lessons for the future, we look bak at what we did learn while living. With the vision of hindsight, you can often see that you learned far more than you could have with regular lessons. Accept the gift and record your achievement.
Any veteran homeschooler will tell you that home schooling is a misrepresentation of who most of us are doing. Schooling / learning happens everywhere and every day often without any planning or preparation.
Can you name the capitols of all the states? Can you name the states in order that your family drove through on their trip to Florida? Do you know the formula for calculating area of an irregular shape? Do you remember how you and your father figured out how much tile to buy for the bathroom floor?
When my children tell people that we homeschool year round, they often get looks of pity while I get glares. I usually quickly interject that I am no slave driver. By schooling a little everyday, we avoid having marathon sessions. Also, if something comes up and we miss our base lessons then I know that we can make it up on another day or relax and know that we do enough on the other days that I don’t have to worry.
Furthermore, as I believe that living is the best teacher, sometimes instead of planning lessons for the future, we look bak at what we did learn while living. With the vision of hindsight, you can often see that you learned far more than you could have with regular lessons. Accept the gift and record your achievement.
Any veteran homeschooler will tell you that home schooling is a misrepresentation of who most of us are doing. Schooling / learning happens everywhere and every day often without any planning or preparation.
Can you name the capitols of all the states? Can you name the states in order that your family drove through on their trip to Florida? Do you know the formula for calculating area of an irregular shape? Do you remember how you and your father figured out how much tile to buy for the bathroom floor?
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Website Wednesday - Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt is an amazing women. I became interested in her as I worked on the Dear American Unit Study that I posted last week, so I have decided to investigate her a little more.
"One thing life has taught me: if you are interested, you never have to look for new interests. They come to you. When you are genuinely interested in one thing, it will always lead to something else."
Eleanor Roosevelt
I hope that you may find these web sites interesting:
An American Experience: Eleanor Roosevelt – DVD and the related website http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/eleanor/
The website includes a Roosevelt genealogy, copies of her “My Day” article, timelines, maps, and even a tv appearance by Eleanor. It also include transcripts from her FBI file and information on clothing of the time period.
The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum - http://www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/
It is wonderful to visit this location first hand, but if you cannot get to Hyde Park or in conjunction with your trip, visit this website. There is information about both Franklin and Eleanor, curriculum guides, and tons of additional information.
Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kil - http://ervk.org/index.htm
Includes some unknown fact, audio recordings of Eleanor, and information about a workshop that is continued in her name
Biography of Eleanor Roosevelt - http://www.biography.com/search/biography.do?keywords=Betcha+Didn
Specifically check out the videos & Audios to the right upper corner. There are several Bio’s related to her life.
The Eleanor Roosevelt Papers Project - http://www.gwu.edu/~erpapers/
National Park Service – Eleanor Roosevelt: American Visionary - http://www.nps.gov/history/museum/exhibits/elro/index.html
Garden of Praise – Eleanor Roosevelt - http://gardenofpraise.com/ibderoos.htm Check out especially the middle of the page where there are some online games that you can play.
"One thing life has taught me: if you are interested, you never have to look for new interests. They come to you. When you are genuinely interested in one thing, it will always lead to something else."
Eleanor Roosevelt
I hope that you may find these web sites interesting:
An American Experience: Eleanor Roosevelt – DVD and the related website http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/eleanor/
The website includes a Roosevelt genealogy, copies of her “My Day” article, timelines, maps, and even a tv appearance by Eleanor. It also include transcripts from her FBI file and information on clothing of the time period.
The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum - http://www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/
It is wonderful to visit this location first hand, but if you cannot get to Hyde Park or in conjunction with your trip, visit this website. There is information about both Franklin and Eleanor, curriculum guides, and tons of additional information.
Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kil - http://ervk.org/index.htm
Includes some unknown fact, audio recordings of Eleanor, and information about a workshop that is continued in her name
Biography of Eleanor Roosevelt - http://www.biography.com/search/biography.do?keywords=Betcha+Didn
Specifically check out the videos & Audios to the right upper corner. There are several Bio’s related to her life.
The Eleanor Roosevelt Papers Project - http://www.gwu.edu/~erpapers/
National Park Service – Eleanor Roosevelt: American Visionary - http://www.nps.gov/history/museum/exhibits/elro/index.html
Garden of Praise – Eleanor Roosevelt - http://gardenofpraise.com/ibderoos.htm Check out especially the middle of the page where there are some online games that you can play.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Hunting for Lessons
Sometimes when you follow the interests of your children, you end up in very strange territory. Currently, we are studying the Northeast Hunter Education Manual. I know it seems like an odd line of study, but this is where we have been led. We began being led a long time ago thanks to a Boy Scout camp BB gun range. DS’s marksmanship impressed the range master. From there we joined the local range and both kids took shooting lessons. They have both now been shooting competitively for three years. DS was even named as an honorable mention member of the State rifle team this year.
Two years ago, the boy that I only thought would shoot an animal with a camera went hunting for the first time with friends of ours. Last year, they actually got a deer (more like our friend got the deer and my son was present). This year, he will turn 12 and be eligible to hunt himself: thus, the Northeast Hunter Education Manual. The sportsman club that my husband is a member of is sponsoring the course for free, but it is put on for people of all ages, so we are getting some pre-course studying done to help the kids to be prepared. The funny part is Mrs. Not Hunter herself is reviewing the book with them. I have only held a gun twice in my life. On the positive side though, the course has required READING, quite a bit of MEMORIZATION, and SCIENTIFIC information about habitats and animal conservation. There are GRAPHS to read and VOCABULARY to familiarize yourself with. To ease my mind, there is plenty of safety review. So, we will review the book in advance and then the kids will take a two day course. I’m not sure if I’m rooting for them to pass or not. This is a new realm for me.
So needless to say I’m getting lessons in, they’re following their interests, and we’re both getting yummy venison.
Two years ago, the boy that I only thought would shoot an animal with a camera went hunting for the first time with friends of ours. Last year, they actually got a deer (more like our friend got the deer and my son was present). This year, he will turn 12 and be eligible to hunt himself: thus, the Northeast Hunter Education Manual. The sportsman club that my husband is a member of is sponsoring the course for free, but it is put on for people of all ages, so we are getting some pre-course studying done to help the kids to be prepared. The funny part is Mrs. Not Hunter herself is reviewing the book with them. I have only held a gun twice in my life. On the positive side though, the course has required READING, quite a bit of MEMORIZATION, and SCIENTIFIC information about habitats and animal conservation. There are GRAPHS to read and VOCABULARY to familiarize yourself with. To ease my mind, there is plenty of safety review. So, we will review the book in advance and then the kids will take a two day course. I’m not sure if I’m rooting for them to pass or not. This is a new realm for me.
So needless to say I’m getting lessons in, they’re following their interests, and we’re both getting yummy venison.
Monday, August 18, 2008
That's a great DAM BRA
One of the great thing about homeschooling older children is there sense of humor. I just commented to dd that it is funny to watch the Brazilians and the Americans playing beach volleyball in the Olympics because the Brazilians shirts say "BRA". Obviously, it is an abreviation for the country name, but it reminds me of when I had everything labeled for my young readers. So I mentioned it to my dd, she thought it was funny too, but reminded me of one of our favorite puns. While traveling with my husband in Denver, we visited the Denver Art Museum. We had a wonderful visit in the museum and then as we were leaving, dd says "DAM that was great art." I looked at her shocked. Just as I was about to let her have it for her poor choice of words, she interupted, probably knowing that I was not happy, "Mom," she pointed into the gift shop, "see 'DAM that's great art'". There it was on t-shirts, cups, and other paraphanalia. Now that was funny - Denver Art Museum - DAM.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Homeschooling While Working
For about three years, I was able to bring my kids to work. People often asked how I got their work done while getting my work done. They would have their school work set out on the conference room which they would work on independently. Then, I would often set them up at the end of my desk, one at a time, to review their school work or answer any questions that they may have had. I also had a few secret ways to sneak in some extra work and gain myself a few quiet minutes.
One of my great secrets was actually Netflix. Netflix has a huge library of documentary films, so I would call in films related to whatever we were working on. The children would watch them and then write a brief paragraph about what they had seen. Through this they were able to explore space, learn about the concepts of strands, and explore the new continent with Lewis and Clark. My dd, who is older than ds, also watch documentaries like Walmart: The High Cost of Low Prices and Bowling for Columbine . The most interesting and frightening was Super Size Me (be warned if you choose to watch this one, you will never eat McDonald's again) .
Another trick that I employed was the use of NPR during the ride to and from the shop. National Public Radio brought new ideas to our mind and incited interesting conversations. The kids never saw NPR as a trick, but as an interesting form of entertainment. Recently when dd was riding home with a friend and her father, the friend kept asking her father to change the radio station. He was listing to NPR which the friend considered “old people” radio. Her friend’s father in order to appease his daughter asked dd what radio station she would like to listen to. Little did he know that dd loved NPR. Her friend’s hopes were dashed when dd revealed her love of NPR. The father and dd began discussing some of their favorite NPR shows like Car Talk and Wait Wait . . . Don’t Tell Me. Her friend slid back in her seat and knew that she had lost the battle. I think developing a love for talk radio is like acquiring a taste for Opera, you have to be introduced to it early. You also have to train yourself to be an active listener.
I wished that I had been able to harbor the ability for them to each help each other, but unfortunately that occurs very rarely and there is no way to predict when it may happen.
One of my great secrets was actually Netflix. Netflix has a huge library of documentary films, so I would call in films related to whatever we were working on. The children would watch them and then write a brief paragraph about what they had seen. Through this they were able to explore space, learn about the concepts of strands, and explore the new continent with Lewis and Clark. My dd, who is older than ds, also watch documentaries like Walmart: The High Cost of Low Prices and Bowling for Columbine . The most interesting and frightening was Super Size Me (be warned if you choose to watch this one, you will never eat McDonald's again) .
Another trick that I employed was the use of NPR during the ride to and from the shop. National Public Radio brought new ideas to our mind and incited interesting conversations. The kids never saw NPR as a trick, but as an interesting form of entertainment. Recently when dd was riding home with a friend and her father, the friend kept asking her father to change the radio station. He was listing to NPR which the friend considered “old people” radio. Her friend’s father in order to appease his daughter asked dd what radio station she would like to listen to. Little did he know that dd loved NPR. Her friend’s hopes were dashed when dd revealed her love of NPR. The father and dd began discussing some of their favorite NPR shows like Car Talk and Wait Wait . . . Don’t Tell Me. Her friend slid back in her seat and knew that she had lost the battle. I think developing a love for talk radio is like acquiring a taste for Opera, you have to be introduced to it early. You also have to train yourself to be an active listener.
I wished that I had been able to harbor the ability for them to each help each other, but unfortunately that occurs very rarely and there is no way to predict when it may happen.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Internet Resources
I want to let you know about a website, Homeschool Helper, that I found that has some great homeschool rescources. It seems that they are building the site and some of you may have resources that they could add to it. They have unit studies, worksheets, and record keeping forms.
Of course it does not have as many entiries as Enchanted Learning, but on the otherhand, it is free. When the kids were younger though, the $20 that Enchanted Learning charged was well worth all that I received from the site. It actually probably saved me money in fact, because I did not buy whole books for things that I only needed one or two pages of. Better than that, Enchanted Learning offered me meat in my hands when I was hungry i.e. when a question or thought came to mind, I had information and activities in my hand within minutes. I did not have to wait for the next time we went to the library or the store.
I often wonder how I would have survived before the internet.
Of course it does not have as many entiries as Enchanted Learning, but on the otherhand, it is free. When the kids were younger though, the $20 that Enchanted Learning charged was well worth all that I received from the site. It actually probably saved me money in fact, because I did not buy whole books for things that I only needed one or two pages of. Better than that, Enchanted Learning offered me meat in my hands when I was hungry i.e. when a question or thought came to mind, I had information and activities in my hand within minutes. I did not have to wait for the next time we went to the library or the store.
I often wonder how I would have survived before the internet.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Fun Fact Friday
As I promised, Fridays are going be filled with facts accumulated throughout the week. I did not accumulate as many this week as I expected, but here are a couple to tickle your gray mater:
“In the mid-19th century, horses struck and killed pedestrians in New York City more often than car accidents kill people today”
Found in the August edition of Discover Magazine page 74, a blurb regarding the book Traffic: Why we drive the way we do (and what it says about us) by Tom Vanderbilt
Halloween is second only to Christmas in consumer spending. The average American spends $98.00 per year.
Sorry to be a little early on this one – I am writing an article for the local paper. http://www.albany.edu/~ca3975/halloween.html
Eleanor Roosevelt and her husband, Franklin, were fifth cousins, once removed.
According to Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery by Russell Freedman
To answer my daughter’s question this week:
The five rings of the Olympic symbol represent the 5 significant continents (their comment not mine – I can see getting rid of Antarctica, but who else is getting ditched?) and are interconnected to represent the friendship between the continents. The colors were chosen because every flag in the world bore at least one.
http://history1900s.about.com/od/greateventsofthecentury/a/olympicfacts.htm
“In the mid-19th century, horses struck and killed pedestrians in New York City more often than car accidents kill people today”
Found in the August edition of Discover Magazine page 74, a blurb regarding the book Traffic: Why we drive the way we do (and what it says about us) by Tom Vanderbilt
Halloween is second only to Christmas in consumer spending. The average American spends $98.00 per year.
Sorry to be a little early on this one – I am writing an article for the local paper. http://www.albany.edu/~ca3975/halloween.html
Eleanor Roosevelt and her husband, Franklin, were fifth cousins, once removed.
According to Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery by Russell Freedman
To answer my daughter’s question this week:
The five rings of the Olympic symbol represent the 5 significant continents (their comment not mine – I can see getting rid of Antarctica, but who else is getting ditched?) and are interconnected to represent the friendship between the continents. The colors were chosen because every flag in the world bore at least one.
http://history1900s.about.com/od/greateventsofthecentury/a/olympicfacts.htm
Thursday, August 14, 2008
A Literature Unit Study - World War II
Literature Unit Study
Book: Dear America Series: My Secret War: The World War II Diary of Madeline Beck (Long Island, NY 1941) By Mary Pope Osbourne
Grade Level: 5-8
As this is a diary, entries are made by date. I have attempted to notate relateable sections of the diary to the activities recommended. By no means is this list of possible activities meant to be done 100%, instead it should be large and varied enough to allow families to choose activities that interest and best suit their needs.
WRITING
- Mr. O’Malley quoted from a newspaper column written by Eleanor Roosevelt. “Mrs Roosevelt wants all Americans to ‘pledge to be a little thoughtful every day about the meaning of freedom.’” Think about what freedom means to you. Find a way to express your thoughts to others. Write a poem, song, or story to express yourself. Share your expression. (12-5-41)
- Write and perform a radio script that may have been heard by Madeline and Johnny.
Maddie writes quite a bit to her father, but on April 4th, 1942, she laments “But then I haven’t written him in a while, either. I have to buckle down . . .” Is there someone that you should write a letter to? Sit down and write them a note. (4-4-42)
- Choose your favorite character in the book with the exception of the main character Maddie. Write three diary entries from their perspective.
READING
Choose one of the following:
- Franklin Roosevelt
- Eleanor Roosevelt
- Tojo – the Premier of Japan
- Mary Pope Osbourne, the author
Read biographical information about one of these people. Share what your found.
HISTORY
- Create a timeline of Madeline Beck’s life as portrayed in her diary. Make at least 10 entries. Research WWII. Add at least five more entries to your timeline that are not mentioned in the book.
- Make a poster that shows and explains the differences (appearance and usage) of an aircraft carrier, battleship, cruiser, destroyer, submarine and German u-boat (10-19-41 & 12-29-41)
President Roosevelt proclaims a National Day of Prayer on 1-1-42. What does this mean? When else has a National Day of Prayer been proclaimed?
- Make a list of the allied and axis countries of WWII. (1-1-42)
- Find out who Rosie the Riveter is. Write a compare and contrast report about her vs. the women of today. (1-28-42)
- Maddie believes she met the Germans on Long Island. Find a newspaper article from the time period that relates to the Germans breaching our shores. (6-12-42)
- Research one battle of World War II. Create a model to show what occurred.
- Research the ranks in the military. Write them in ascending order.
GEOGRAPHY
This book is sprinkled with locations of the war and other important events. Find a map (be sure that you have one that is accurate for the 1940’s) and locate the following places (notated by the underlined word):
-Dad’s ship leaves from San Francisco (9-29-41)
-Mrs. Rosenthal & Clara are refugees from Germany (10-11-41)
-US Navy delivered war material to Russia and Great Britain (10-14-41)
-Hitler’s army was in: Austria, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France. (10-20-41)
-Her father has been located in California, New Hampshire, Virginia, Florida, Panama, and Far Rockaway. (10-20-41)
-Is Dad going to fight in the Pacific? (11-9-42)
-Theo told Madeline to “keep an eye on Japan.” (11-24-41)
-The Japanese have attacked Pearl Harbor. (12-7-41)
-Mussolini of Italy declares war on the US. (12-11-41)
-Manila, the capitol of the Philippines, fell to the Japanese. (1-6-42)
-The Japanese had taken over Wake Island, Guam, and Hong Kong (1-9-42)
-The Japanese troops attacked Bataan – (3-26-42)
-Johnny added more Japanese flags to his map: Papua and New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Burma and all of Borneo. (4-2-42)
-Maddie and her mother plan a train trip from New York City to Chicago and then finally to San Francisco. (7-22-42)
ARTS & CRAFTS
- Madaline is touched by Eleanor Roosevelt words, “You are going to have a great opportunity. There will be high moments in which your strength and ability will be tested. I have faith in you.” This quote so inspires her that she writes it down and posts it on her wall.
- Create a poster of your favorite inspiration quote and post it up. (12-8-41)
- Sew a dress for a doll or for yourself (12-18-41)
- Maddie and Johnny decided that they should make special insignias for people that help in the war effort. Create special awards or cards to give to people in your community that help others and deliver them. (2-22-1942)
- Learn about a victory garden (3-7-1942). Plant your own victory garden. If you are short on space or it is winter consider a container garden or spice garden.
Draw, paint, or sculpt a character or setting from the book using the descriptions found in the book.
PHYSICAL EXERCISE –
- The K3F club puts together a calisthenics program. Research calisthenics and create a program for yourself. Follow it for 1 week. (4-1-42)
- Maddie recounts a recital where she forgot all the planned steps and just danced as she pleased. She said she felt like a wind chime. Choose a piece of music and create a dance of your own. Perform it for someone else. (4-4-1942)
VOCABULARY – Look up each of the following words and be sure that you understand what they mean. Write a sentence using each of the words. As this is a long list, you may want to break it into several sections depending on how long you are planning to spend on the unit study.
Exploratory (11-14-41)
Maneuvers (11-14-41)
Negotiations (11-28-41)
Envoy (11-29-41)
Ominous (12-3-41)
Declarations (12-8-41)
Sabotage (12-8-41)
Inspirational (12-8-41)
Infamy (12-9-41)
Premeditated (12-9-41)
Coincidence (2-2-42)
Censored (12-13-41)
Infantile (12-21-41)
Alliance (1-1-42)
Rendezvous (1-1-42)
Periscope (1-18-42
Sympathizers (3-3-42)
Arsenals (3-4-42)
Calisthenics (4-1-42)
Munitions (4-14-42)
Resignation (5-19-42)
Waylay (6-21-42)
Saboteur (6-21-42 – later)
Theoretical (6-23-1942 – later)
Recuperating (6-28-42)
- Explain what Theo meant by her description of Hitler as a “deadly microbe” (12-12-41)
AUDITORY
Pick one of the following songs to listen to:
Freddy Martin and his Orchestra – “To Each his own”
Harry James Orchestra – “You Made Me Love You”
Bing Crosby – “Junk Ain’t No Junk No More” (4-21-42)
Choose one of the following:
- a World War II veteran
- a emigrant from another country
- a refugee from another country
Attend a speech given by one of the people in these categories or arrange for a personal interview. You may be surprised to find people from these categories in your very own family.
VISUAL
Choose one of the following movies and watch it:
Citizen Kane (10-18-41)
Pearl Harbor (12-7-41) – NOTE: This is rated R, but due primarily to the violence which is a reality of war. I would suggest that you watch it first to decide if it is appropriate for your children.
Molly : An American Girl on the Home Front
COOKING
_ Cook and serve a Thanksgiving Dinner. Be sure to share all that you are thankful for (11-27-41)
- Blackouts were scary, but the crew at the Mansion-by-the-Sea were comforted by Mrs. Hawkins Blueberry Pie. Find a good recipe and bake a Blueberry Pie (4-24-42)
-Due to the war rationing, sugar was hard to come by. Therefore, Mom had to make a sugarless desert called a “war recipe”. The recipe is in the back of the book. Bake it and try it. How does it compare to what you are used to? What did the recipe use in lieu of sugar for its sweetness? (5-17-42)
LANGUAGE
- Mrs. Rosenthal sometimes “talks to herself in German”. Learn to count to ten in German and at least 5 other helpful phrases (i.e. hello, goodbye, thank you) (11-11-41)
- Create a code letter like Johnny and Maddie did. See if someone else can “read” it. (1-16-42)
CULTURE / RELIGION
- Maddie is very surprised on her 10-25-41 entry to find out that Clara and her mother are Jewish. If you are not Jewish, try to find someone who is to discuss the similarities and difference in your beliefs. If you are Jewish, find a Christian to compare and contrast with.
BIBLE
- Mom reprimands Madeline for not being charitable and thinking of the sacrifice of others. Find two scriptures that Mom could have used in her argument. (10-11-41)
- Johnny and Maddie decide not to tell anyone about their part in the solving the crime. Maddie writes “Isn’t that what you learn in church – Do good works for their own sake and not for a reward?” To what scriptures might she be referring? (7-9-42)
MISSION / ACTION
- There are many times in the book when Maddie, her mother, and the K3F club give of their time. Fin a worthy cause that you can help. Either raise money to donate to the cause or find a way that you can donate your time to them.
- Johnny and Maddie came up with a motto for their club: “Victory does not come without a price”. Learn about what a motto is and create a motto for your homeschooling group. They also choose a “guiding light” quotation. Find a quote or scripture that your family can use. (2-13-1942 – Later).
POSSIBLE FIELD TRIPS
Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial – Hawaii
WWII National Monument – Washington DC
The National WWII museum – New Orleans, LA
Wright Museum – America at War – 1939-1945 – The Home Front – Wolfboro, NH
National WASP WWII Museum– Sweetwater, TX (WASP means Women Service Airforce Pilots)
Eldred WWII Museum – Eldred, PA
RELATED READING
Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
Fence Away from Freedom: Japanese Americans & World War II by Ellen Levine – 1st hand accounts of youth and teenagers who endured internment camps during WWII.
Eleanor Roosevelt – A Life of Discovery by Russell Freedman – A Newberry Honor Book.
The Moved-Outers by Florence Crannel Means – a Newberry Honor Roll Book about the Japanese Interment camps during WWII
Journey to Topaz by Yoshiko Uchida
Any of Molly books from American Girl
Book: Dear America Series: My Secret War: The World War II Diary of Madeline Beck (Long Island, NY 1941) By Mary Pope Osbourne
Grade Level: 5-8
As this is a diary, entries are made by date. I have attempted to notate relateable sections of the diary to the activities recommended. By no means is this list of possible activities meant to be done 100%, instead it should be large and varied enough to allow families to choose activities that interest and best suit their needs.
WRITING
- Mr. O’Malley quoted from a newspaper column written by Eleanor Roosevelt. “Mrs Roosevelt wants all Americans to ‘pledge to be a little thoughtful every day about the meaning of freedom.’” Think about what freedom means to you. Find a way to express your thoughts to others. Write a poem, song, or story to express yourself. Share your expression. (12-5-41)
- Write and perform a radio script that may have been heard by Madeline and Johnny.
Maddie writes quite a bit to her father, but on April 4th, 1942, she laments “But then I haven’t written him in a while, either. I have to buckle down . . .” Is there someone that you should write a letter to? Sit down and write them a note. (4-4-42)
- Choose your favorite character in the book with the exception of the main character Maddie. Write three diary entries from their perspective.
READING
Choose one of the following:
- Franklin Roosevelt
- Eleanor Roosevelt
- Tojo – the Premier of Japan
- Mary Pope Osbourne, the author
Read biographical information about one of these people. Share what your found.
HISTORY
- Create a timeline of Madeline Beck’s life as portrayed in her diary. Make at least 10 entries. Research WWII. Add at least five more entries to your timeline that are not mentioned in the book.
- Make a poster that shows and explains the differences (appearance and usage) of an aircraft carrier, battleship, cruiser, destroyer, submarine and German u-boat (10-19-41 & 12-29-41)
President Roosevelt proclaims a National Day of Prayer on 1-1-42. What does this mean? When else has a National Day of Prayer been proclaimed?
- Make a list of the allied and axis countries of WWII. (1-1-42)
- Find out who Rosie the Riveter is. Write a compare and contrast report about her vs. the women of today. (1-28-42)
- Maddie believes she met the Germans on Long Island. Find a newspaper article from the time period that relates to the Germans breaching our shores. (6-12-42)
- Research one battle of World War II. Create a model to show what occurred.
- Research the ranks in the military. Write them in ascending order.
GEOGRAPHY
This book is sprinkled with locations of the war and other important events. Find a map (be sure that you have one that is accurate for the 1940’s) and locate the following places (notated by the underlined word):
-Dad’s ship leaves from San Francisco (9-29-41)
-Mrs. Rosenthal & Clara are refugees from Germany (10-11-41)
-US Navy delivered war material to Russia and Great Britain (10-14-41)
-Hitler’s army was in: Austria, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France. (10-20-41)
-Her father has been located in California, New Hampshire, Virginia, Florida, Panama, and Far Rockaway. (10-20-41)
-Is Dad going to fight in the Pacific? (11-9-42)
-Theo told Madeline to “keep an eye on Japan.” (11-24-41)
-The Japanese have attacked Pearl Harbor. (12-7-41)
-Mussolini of Italy declares war on the US. (12-11-41)
-Manila, the capitol of the Philippines, fell to the Japanese. (1-6-42)
-The Japanese had taken over Wake Island, Guam, and Hong Kong (1-9-42)
-The Japanese troops attacked Bataan – (3-26-42)
-Johnny added more Japanese flags to his map: Papua and New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Burma and all of Borneo. (4-2-42)
-Maddie and her mother plan a train trip from New York City to Chicago and then finally to San Francisco. (7-22-42)
ARTS & CRAFTS
- Madaline is touched by Eleanor Roosevelt words, “You are going to have a great opportunity. There will be high moments in which your strength and ability will be tested. I have faith in you.” This quote so inspires her that she writes it down and posts it on her wall.
- Create a poster of your favorite inspiration quote and post it up. (12-8-41)
- Sew a dress for a doll or for yourself (12-18-41)
- Maddie and Johnny decided that they should make special insignias for people that help in the war effort. Create special awards or cards to give to people in your community that help others and deliver them. (2-22-1942)
- Learn about a victory garden (3-7-1942). Plant your own victory garden. If you are short on space or it is winter consider a container garden or spice garden.
Draw, paint, or sculpt a character or setting from the book using the descriptions found in the book.
PHYSICAL EXERCISE –
- The K3F club puts together a calisthenics program. Research calisthenics and create a program for yourself. Follow it for 1 week. (4-1-42)
- Maddie recounts a recital where she forgot all the planned steps and just danced as she pleased. She said she felt like a wind chime. Choose a piece of music and create a dance of your own. Perform it for someone else. (4-4-1942)
VOCABULARY – Look up each of the following words and be sure that you understand what they mean. Write a sentence using each of the words. As this is a long list, you may want to break it into several sections depending on how long you are planning to spend on the unit study.
Exploratory (11-14-41)
Maneuvers (11-14-41)
Negotiations (11-28-41)
Envoy (11-29-41)
Ominous (12-3-41)
Declarations (12-8-41)
Sabotage (12-8-41)
Inspirational (12-8-41)
Infamy (12-9-41)
Premeditated (12-9-41)
Coincidence (2-2-42)
Censored (12-13-41)
Infantile (12-21-41)
Alliance (1-1-42)
Rendezvous (1-1-42)
Periscope (1-18-42
Sympathizers (3-3-42)
Arsenals (3-4-42)
Calisthenics (4-1-42)
Munitions (4-14-42)
Resignation (5-19-42)
Waylay (6-21-42)
Saboteur (6-21-42 – later)
Theoretical (6-23-1942 – later)
Recuperating (6-28-42)
- Explain what Theo meant by her description of Hitler as a “deadly microbe” (12-12-41)
AUDITORY
Pick one of the following songs to listen to:
Freddy Martin and his Orchestra – “To Each his own”
Harry James Orchestra – “You Made Me Love You”
Bing Crosby – “Junk Ain’t No Junk No More” (4-21-42)
Choose one of the following:
- a World War II veteran
- a emigrant from another country
- a refugee from another country
Attend a speech given by one of the people in these categories or arrange for a personal interview. You may be surprised to find people from these categories in your very own family.
VISUAL
Choose one of the following movies and watch it:
Citizen Kane (10-18-41)
Pearl Harbor (12-7-41) – NOTE: This is rated R, but due primarily to the violence which is a reality of war. I would suggest that you watch it first to decide if it is appropriate for your children.
Molly : An American Girl on the Home Front
COOKING
_ Cook and serve a Thanksgiving Dinner. Be sure to share all that you are thankful for (11-27-41)
- Blackouts were scary, but the crew at the Mansion-by-the-Sea were comforted by Mrs. Hawkins Blueberry Pie. Find a good recipe and bake a Blueberry Pie (4-24-42)
-Due to the war rationing, sugar was hard to come by. Therefore, Mom had to make a sugarless desert called a “war recipe”. The recipe is in the back of the book. Bake it and try it. How does it compare to what you are used to? What did the recipe use in lieu of sugar for its sweetness? (5-17-42)
LANGUAGE
- Mrs. Rosenthal sometimes “talks to herself in German”. Learn to count to ten in German and at least 5 other helpful phrases (i.e. hello, goodbye, thank you) (11-11-41)
- Create a code letter like Johnny and Maddie did. See if someone else can “read” it. (1-16-42)
CULTURE / RELIGION
- Maddie is very surprised on her 10-25-41 entry to find out that Clara and her mother are Jewish. If you are not Jewish, try to find someone who is to discuss the similarities and difference in your beliefs. If you are Jewish, find a Christian to compare and contrast with.
BIBLE
- Mom reprimands Madeline for not being charitable and thinking of the sacrifice of others. Find two scriptures that Mom could have used in her argument. (10-11-41)
- Johnny and Maddie decide not to tell anyone about their part in the solving the crime. Maddie writes “Isn’t that what you learn in church – Do good works for their own sake and not for a reward?” To what scriptures might she be referring? (7-9-42)
MISSION / ACTION
- There are many times in the book when Maddie, her mother, and the K3F club give of their time. Fin a worthy cause that you can help. Either raise money to donate to the cause or find a way that you can donate your time to them.
- Johnny and Maddie came up with a motto for their club: “Victory does not come without a price”. Learn about what a motto is and create a motto for your homeschooling group. They also choose a “guiding light” quotation. Find a quote or scripture that your family can use. (2-13-1942 – Later).
POSSIBLE FIELD TRIPS
Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial – Hawaii
WWII National Monument – Washington DC
The National WWII museum – New Orleans, LA
Wright Museum – America at War – 1939-1945 – The Home Front – Wolfboro, NH
National WASP WWII Museum– Sweetwater, TX (WASP means Women Service Airforce Pilots)
Eldred WWII Museum – Eldred, PA
RELATED READING
Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
Fence Away from Freedom: Japanese Americans & World War II by Ellen Levine – 1st hand accounts of youth and teenagers who endured internment camps during WWII.
Eleanor Roosevelt – A Life of Discovery by Russell Freedman – A Newberry Honor Book.
The Moved-Outers by Florence Crannel Means – a Newberry Honor Roll Book about the Japanese Interment camps during WWII
Journey to Topaz by Yoshiko Uchida
Any of Molly books from American Girl
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Website Wednesday - The Titanic
Today, DD and I went to see the Titanic exhibit at the XL center, so I will make our first edition of Website Wednesday be about the Titanic:
http://www.titanic-online.com/
RMS Titanic, Inc - Has the schedule for the exhibit that we went to see and other information about the exhibition pieces and conservation process. Unfortunately, you have to register to activate some of the content. Although we did enjoy the exhibit, I felt that it was overpriced (even with a coupon that the nice lady in front of us gave to us) and had expected it to be more hands on, based on the description that I had read.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/secrets/previous_seasons/case_titanic/index.html
PBS – Secrets of the Dead – This website looks at the sinking from a completely different perspective. It explores the identification process of the over 300 bodies that were recovered after the sinking. After reading the article, be sure to visit the interactive which allows you to try to forensically identify one of the passengers.
http://www.sfmuseum.org/hist5/dodge.html
Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco - A great series of articles from the time of the Titanic’s sinking.
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Vines/8059/main.htm
Brett’s RMS Titanic Web Page - Not the most technologically advanced website, but full of information, statistics, and pictures.
http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=mini_home&mini_id=1067
Titanic – History.com - Site includes video interviews with survivors, survey the site of the sunken ship, read primary source paperwork from the Titanic, find biographies of some of the passengers, and explore interactive about the making, passage, and sinking of the “unsinkable” Titanic”.
http://www.immersionpresents.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=4&Itemid=11
Immersion Presents - Titanic Live - This site is too cool for words – let your child read interviews with Dr. Ballard, scour through pictures and interviews, AND MAKE THEIR OWN TITANIC MOVIE!
Here are some websites that have unit study ideas for the Titanic:
* http://www.homeschoolhelperonline.com/units/titanic.htm
* http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SmallWorld/69044/
* http://www.rmstitanic.net/index.php4?page=422 - not quite a unit study but some great “classroom” ideas
* http://content.scholastic.com/browse/unitplan.jsp?id=89
DD recommends the following book about the Titanic:
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Homeschooling in Germany
As I finally headed to bed last night at 11:30, late because without my husband here there seems to be no reason to retire and two, I am fascinated by the Olympics, I flicked the tv on in my room so that I could maneuver around in the dark. What was on caught my eye – Homeschooling in Germany. The CBN News, of Pat Robertson’s 700 Club, was on. Now I don’t normally watch this show, but the subject peaked my interest because the topic was of persecution of homeschoolers. To confirm this story today, I googled “Homeschooling in Germany” and the HSLDA came up with a fact page about homeschooling in Germany and tags to several related articles. This site confirmed what I had heard. It is illegal to homeschool in Germany. “There are about 400 home school families. Almost all are operating underground or are in court.” (HSLDA). Children have been taken away from parents. Families have fled the country. Fines for homeschooling have crippled families financially. And this wasn’t even the troubling part. The story, which can be seen on the August 11th edition of CBN news and begins at the 17:45 mark of the broadcast, quotes the governments official response to their reason for opposing homeschooling as, “ The government has a legitimate interest in countering the rise of parallel societies that are based on religion or are motivated by different world views and interested in integrating minorities into society as a whole.”
Even more interesting is that this “illegal” status does not just apply to Germans, but also to non-Germans who reside in the country. However, German diplomatic families that are abroad are encouraged to homeschool their children using a State sponsored curriculum. One of the interviewees in the piece stated that he thought that the Germans were not afraid of homeschooling itself but of the type of citizens that homeschooling produces. I take this to mean individuals who are free thinking, creative, and spiritual. The type of people that may have stood up and defied the Nazi’s so many years ago.
Interesting, Pat Robinson concluded after the story by reminding us of the origins of public education in Germany. He cited that public education was founded by Martin Luther as a way to teach people to read the Bible. Now that very same institution was trying to ban people that are trying to do just that.
Even more interesting is that this “illegal” status does not just apply to Germans, but also to non-Germans who reside in the country. However, German diplomatic families that are abroad are encouraged to homeschool their children using a State sponsored curriculum. One of the interviewees in the piece stated that he thought that the Germans were not afraid of homeschooling itself but of the type of citizens that homeschooling produces. I take this to mean individuals who are free thinking, creative, and spiritual. The type of people that may have stood up and defied the Nazi’s so many years ago.
Interesting, Pat Robinson concluded after the story by reminding us of the origins of public education in Germany. He cited that public education was founded by Martin Luther as a way to teach people to read the Bible. Now that very same institution was trying to ban people that are trying to do just that.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Homeschooling - Reality TV Style
Homeschooling is not always goodness and light. I think so often we homeschoolers want to portray everything as good. We are afraid that by telling some of the frustrations we are admitting failure. I fervently disagree with this notion, because I know from firsthand experience in a classroom that frustrations exist on the teacher’s and student’s side. Usually this is displayed in a child a child shutting down and failing out or a child acting out and having behavioral issues. At home such confrontations are more personal, the kids aren’t coming home to complain about a teacher, they are butting heads with you.
Today, DD and I are butting heads big time. She has been putting off and putting off math. Today, I put an end to it. I had her get out her math book. The problem is that when you put some of the harder subjects off for a while, it is very hard to recall where you are. Plus, she plays a game of push /pull which I must admit aggravates the daylights out of me. She doesn’t want me to help with her math, she wants me to do her math. I tried to point out to her how silly her question would sound in an 8th grade classroom, “Does 16 go into 84? Does 16 go into 84? Does 16 go into 84?” This isn’t a question of the process that we are working on, but a simple mathematical calculation. Then she starts with the little pushes – not enough to be a hit, just little defiant pushes. You would expect this behavior from a 3 year old not a 13 year old. Her behavior ended her up in her room as I am not going to waste my time teaching someone that doesn’t want to at least meet me half way. She did come out with an apology and we finished her math. But her time out, gave me time to think.
This little outburst wasn’t her fault but mine. I have been too lenient. I have not kept to a good enough schedule. Too much time is being spent on the computer by her. This I will need to change. The last time I had this melt down, a chore chart was devised. I think now we need to get back to a better school schedule with earned time on the computer. The hard thing about the whole earned time on the computer is that so much of their work is done on the computer, so how do you best control the leisure time while insuring the work is done? I find that our time homeschooling is constantly being tweaked to adapt to the issues that arise. The difference between this and traditional school is that I have the control over the tweaking and I know about the issues before progress reports.
So, I hope the depressing story of my math work with DD today makes you all feel like your little skirmishes are within the acceptable norm of homeschooling. Knowing that we all go through this is an important part of interacting with the homeschool community. Tomorrow, we will be factoring higher degree polynomials. I hope that it will go better.
Today, DD and I are butting heads big time. She has been putting off and putting off math. Today, I put an end to it. I had her get out her math book. The problem is that when you put some of the harder subjects off for a while, it is very hard to recall where you are. Plus, she plays a game of push /pull which I must admit aggravates the daylights out of me. She doesn’t want me to help with her math, she wants me to do her math. I tried to point out to her how silly her question would sound in an 8th grade classroom, “Does 16 go into 84? Does 16 go into 84? Does 16 go into 84?” This isn’t a question of the process that we are working on, but a simple mathematical calculation. Then she starts with the little pushes – not enough to be a hit, just little defiant pushes. You would expect this behavior from a 3 year old not a 13 year old. Her behavior ended her up in her room as I am not going to waste my time teaching someone that doesn’t want to at least meet me half way. She did come out with an apology and we finished her math. But her time out, gave me time to think.
This little outburst wasn’t her fault but mine. I have been too lenient. I have not kept to a good enough schedule. Too much time is being spent on the computer by her. This I will need to change. The last time I had this melt down, a chore chart was devised. I think now we need to get back to a better school schedule with earned time on the computer. The hard thing about the whole earned time on the computer is that so much of their work is done on the computer, so how do you best control the leisure time while insuring the work is done? I find that our time homeschooling is constantly being tweaked to adapt to the issues that arise. The difference between this and traditional school is that I have the control over the tweaking and I know about the issues before progress reports.
So, I hope the depressing story of my math work with DD today makes you all feel like your little skirmishes are within the acceptable norm of homeschooling. Knowing that we all go through this is an important part of interacting with the homeschool community. Tomorrow, we will be factoring higher degree polynomials. I hope that it will go better.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Thankful for Homeschooling Freedom
As today is our Sabbath, I am reminded to be thankful. It is easy to forget those that fought for our freedoms. No, I am not talking about George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and others (although they certainly deserve our respect). I am talking about the families that fought for their right to homeschool. I am talking about the families that used to have to draw their curtains and not go out during the day. Those that were brave enough to come forward and let others know that homeschooling could work for their family. To these people, I am grateful. For those of you that are still battling to keep this right available to us: both the families themselves and the attorneys that take their cases. To these people, I say thank you. These pioneers no matter what they year, blazed a trail for a better life for my family.
I have already shared with my children the importance of their right to educate their children in the way that they see fit. They thought it was a guaranteed Constitutional right but realized that it may be secured only as it relates to the first amendment, not as a specific right to homeschool. At first my daughter thought that she would lobby for a Constitutional amendment, but we then discussed the problems associated with defining homeschooling. In defining homeschooling, we may in fact define ourselves into rules and regulations that may not be in our best interest.
So thank you to all of you that have come in the past and all of you that will come in the future. My family is better because of your sacrifices.
I have already shared with my children the importance of their right to educate their children in the way that they see fit. They thought it was a guaranteed Constitutional right but realized that it may be secured only as it relates to the first amendment, not as a specific right to homeschool. At first my daughter thought that she would lobby for a Constitutional amendment, but we then discussed the problems associated with defining homeschooling. In defining homeschooling, we may in fact define ourselves into rules and regulations that may not be in our best interest.
So thank you to all of you that have come in the past and all of you that will come in the future. My family is better because of your sacrifices.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Scheduling Blogs for Wednesdays & Fridays
I swear I do some of my best thinking when I am not i.e. in bed and in the bathroom. Don’t even ask about the second that is worthy of a whole other post. Suffice it to say that whenever I was stuck on a problem at work, if I broke walked away to go to the restroom, I undoubtedly would come running back to my desk with the solution. My secretary just thought that this was weird and would often send me to the ladies room if she heard me grumbling at my desk too much. Anyway, last night an idea came to mind for this blog. Fortunately, I have learned to keep a pen and paper by my bed stand so that the idea did not evaporate into the night. I have decided that on Wednesdays and Fridays we will have a reoccurring theme: Website Wednesdays and Fact Filled Fridays. I will post on these days, but I hope that you too will comment so that we can share some great ideas.
Website Wednesdays can include Blogs, educational websites, or any intriguing information on the web that can help us all homeschool better. Maybe it is a site for a great curriculum or a site with lots of information about current events. Perhaps, it is a blog of a fellow homeschooler or a place to get great worksheets. I look forward to hearing about some of your favorite sites.
A Friday of Fun Facts will be like no other. I don’t know about you, but I hear facts all week long that I find fascinating and I want to tell someone, so let’s share them with each other. This idea came together because of the Olympics last night. As our family tried to figure out what order the countries were coming in in the announcer explained that what seemed random to the Western world actually made a great deal of sense in Chinese. The counties were put in order of the number of strokes needed to write their name. Also, the NPR show “Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me” has always piqued my current events interest. Facts can be fascinating. And I think most homeschoolers are fascinated by them by nature. So let’s collect our interesting facts and then share them on Friday.
I hope that these sound like interesting ideas and that you will join me in creating Website Wednesday and Fact Filled Fridays.
Website Wednesdays can include Blogs, educational websites, or any intriguing information on the web that can help us all homeschool better. Maybe it is a site for a great curriculum or a site with lots of information about current events. Perhaps, it is a blog of a fellow homeschooler or a place to get great worksheets. I look forward to hearing about some of your favorite sites.
A Friday of Fun Facts will be like no other. I don’t know about you, but I hear facts all week long that I find fascinating and I want to tell someone, so let’s share them with each other. This idea came together because of the Olympics last night. As our family tried to figure out what order the countries were coming in in the announcer explained that what seemed random to the Western world actually made a great deal of sense in Chinese. The counties were put in order of the number of strokes needed to write their name. Also, the NPR show “Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me” has always piqued my current events interest. Facts can be fascinating. And I think most homeschoolers are fascinated by them by nature. So let’s collect our interesting facts and then share them on Friday.
I hope that these sound like interesting ideas and that you will join me in creating Website Wednesday and Fact Filled Fridays.
Friday, August 8, 2008
The Olympics Begin
8-8-08, 8 pm the Olympics began. What a beautiful opening ceremony? We are watching it now.
It was interesting that dd realized that such a correspondence in day, month, year cannot happen again for almost 100 years (89 to be precise). Next year is 2013 and there is no month to correspond to. DS came out with the fact that white is a symbol of bad luck in China. Where he picked up this fact I do not know.
One of the great things that will come out of this Olympics will be that we all will become more familiar with the Chinese culture, their history, and their beliefs.
Are any of you doing anything special to delve into Chinese culture or the history of the Olympics with your family? What interesting facts have you come across?
It was interesting that dd realized that such a correspondence in day, month, year cannot happen again for almost 100 years (89 to be precise). Next year is 2013 and there is no month to correspond to. DS came out with the fact that white is a symbol of bad luck in China. Where he picked up this fact I do not know.
One of the great things that will come out of this Olympics will be that we all will become more familiar with the Chinese culture, their history, and their beliefs.
Are any of you doing anything special to delve into Chinese culture or the history of the Olympics with your family? What interesting facts have you come across?
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Rebuilding Public Education
Today on Oprah, discussed the crisis in our educational system. She partnered with Time magazine to explore the drop out nation. She quoted a statistic that a student in the United States drops out every 9 seconds. Of course that was followed up by the fact that some schools can have up to a 75% drop out rate while others have a mere 1% rate. The difference was graphically depicted as two schools at opposite ends of the spectrum were toured. As a country, we should be appalled. Most of us would be enraged if these conditions existed in prisons, let alone schools. As a homeschool community, perhaps we should work with parents in these school districts to empower them. I’m sure not all would be interested, but I’m sure that some would.
One of the kids who had dropped out at 16 felt that school had not seemed relevant to him and did not realize how important the education was until after he had quit. The guests on the show seemed to imply that we should change the age at which students can quit.. They felt that certainly a 16 year old could not make decisions for themselves. More government oversight by an institution that already is causing these children to run away in droves Of course, as a homeschool parent I thought that perhaps if the education was presented in a more “real” life way that students would see the relevance. If they felt their knowledge had application, they would not be so board. While painting the walls and improving the gymnasium will improve the environment, I don’t think it will reduce the dropout rate with any significance.
It amazes me that the cost of education continues to rise and yet the overall quality reduces. Have we just created a behemoth, intent on growing itself? Perhaps as we think of a solution, we need to think radically different. As one of the growing and successful segments of education, perhaps some of the homeschooling ideas could assist in the newly devised system. Perhaps most importantly the role of the family as an integral part of plan.
One of the kids who had dropped out at 16 felt that school had not seemed relevant to him and did not realize how important the education was until after he had quit. The guests on the show seemed to imply that we should change the age at which students can quit.. They felt that certainly a 16 year old could not make decisions for themselves. More government oversight by an institution that already is causing these children to run away in droves Of course, as a homeschool parent I thought that perhaps if the education was presented in a more “real” life way that students would see the relevance. If they felt their knowledge had application, they would not be so board. While painting the walls and improving the gymnasium will improve the environment, I don’t think it will reduce the dropout rate with any significance.
It amazes me that the cost of education continues to rise and yet the overall quality reduces. Have we just created a behemoth, intent on growing itself? Perhaps as we think of a solution, we need to think radically different. As one of the growing and successful segments of education, perhaps some of the homeschooling ideas could assist in the newly devised system. Perhaps most importantly the role of the family as an integral part of plan.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Cooking with the Kids
Cooking is one of my favorite things to do as part of our homeschooling. It has been a way to learn how to add, understand fractions, read, follow directions, and explore other cultures. It is also a great way to foster cooperation, improve listening skills, and emphasize the importance of following directions. This is true when they were little and continues in their teens. Today they decided to cook Pecan-Crusted Chicken Tenders for lunch.
Yesterday at the library ds picked up Rachel Ray’s Top 30 30-minute meals - For Guys. I think he was attracted to the small size of the book and the many pictures. But no matter what the attraction, the three of us cooked lunch today and both of them have been pouring over the book planning our upcoming meals. (Thanks, Rachel!)
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Fair Experiences
It came today . . .The Fair book. Our town is known for its late September fair. It is all consuming for everyone in our town. In fact as we are selling our home, I think I should add a disclosure “Home includes requirement to attend and work local fair for 3 days in late September.” We grew up here so we knew what we were getting into, but someone from out of town could be caught off guard. Truly, the only way to avoid all that the fair entails is to leave town completely. As a homeschooler, the fair is wonderful diversion from the regular day. This is not just true of the actual fair days, but beginning with the arrival of the fair book.
For a week, the kids will flip through the pages back and forth trying to decide exactly what they want to enter. Then we have to send in the registration forms and beginning planning to get the projects done. Some projects can take weeks like paper mache and others can’t be done until the day before you drop them off. We won’t even discuss the fun of trying to drop them all off. In my brilliance last year, I decided that it would be easier without bringing the kids along - - -a clear example of not thinking a plan all the way through. Who did I think was going to carry all the stuff? Lego towers can get very heavy when you stand in line for 20 minutes.
The most embarrassing and funniest year of fair preparations was many years ago when my children were young, idealistic, and did not take disappointment well. I had set up the kitchen to work with one child at a time. I was only there to supervise and make sure that they did not replace flour with sugar or tablespoons for teaspoons. Poor dd waited patiently for her turn to cook, while her brother made oatmeal raisin cookies. She was very excited to make a layer cake. She carefully measured and cooked. Everything was ready to be put together. So I stepped in to carefully lay one cake atop the other – vump! The top layer went right on the floor – perfectly flat, perfectly on floor. She just looked at me. I knew I had cut it all too close and there was no time to do it again. I looked at her. I looked at the floor. I calculated how much dirt could have been on the floor, when it was washed last, and what other options I had. At the mere mention of not entering, tear welled in dd’s eyes. I looked at the cake again, scooped it up, and put it on the cake. (I know – gross, but you would be amazed what you would do for your children.) We delivered it on time. And to our great surprise, she took first place. Maybe we should throw all our meals on the floor.
So, off we are on our new fair adventures . . .I promise not to drop and serve another cake.
For a week, the kids will flip through the pages back and forth trying to decide exactly what they want to enter. Then we have to send in the registration forms and beginning planning to get the projects done. Some projects can take weeks like paper mache and others can’t be done until the day before you drop them off. We won’t even discuss the fun of trying to drop them all off. In my brilliance last year, I decided that it would be easier without bringing the kids along - - -a clear example of not thinking a plan all the way through. Who did I think was going to carry all the stuff? Lego towers can get very heavy when you stand in line for 20 minutes.
The most embarrassing and funniest year of fair preparations was many years ago when my children were young, idealistic, and did not take disappointment well. I had set up the kitchen to work with one child at a time. I was only there to supervise and make sure that they did not replace flour with sugar or tablespoons for teaspoons. Poor dd waited patiently for her turn to cook, while her brother made oatmeal raisin cookies. She was very excited to make a layer cake. She carefully measured and cooked. Everything was ready to be put together. So I stepped in to carefully lay one cake atop the other – vump! The top layer went right on the floor – perfectly flat, perfectly on floor. She just looked at me. I knew I had cut it all too close and there was no time to do it again. I looked at her. I looked at the floor. I calculated how much dirt could have been on the floor, when it was washed last, and what other options I had. At the mere mention of not entering, tear welled in dd’s eyes. I looked at the cake again, scooped it up, and put it on the cake. (I know – gross, but you would be amazed what you would do for your children.) We delivered it on time. And to our great surprise, she took first place. Maybe we should throw all our meals on the floor.
So, off we are on our new fair adventures . . .I promise not to drop and serve another cake.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Mom & Me - Living with a Teenager
My dd is pushing the boarders every day. I guess that is the definition of a teenager. “I want a cell phone.” “Can I start a facebook account?””How do I look – wearing skirts way too short?” We have for the most part found middle ground, when necessary she has borrowed my cell phone with instructions to use as needed but not as wanted. The facebook right now is on hold. And she has agreed to wear leggings under the skirt. I know that I cannot maintain the walls forever so I have to think carefully about what I will and will not allow and how far I am going to fight. Since I actually want to win when I argue and not just cause her to hide her activities, I do have to relent to some of her requests. One which I may relent to is allowing her to blog.
Caelyn has been watching me blog and has been interested in the idea. So she came to me to ask if together we could create a blog site. Not her alone, but us together. Maybe, she saw this as a strategy to an approval. Of course, I’d prefer to think that she thinks back to the days when we used to write together. We would both get our journals our and write on a common subject. It was a special time together. I guess a part of me hopes that she longs for that. So, whether she has just calculated well or she sincerely looks forward to working together, we will be beginning a mother daughter blog. How I’m going to maintain four blogs, I don’t know, but when teenagers ask to spend time with you, you’ve got to take it when comes along. Plus think of all that writing she will have to do and I have supervisory capacity at her request. This could be - - -ok! I’ll let you know the info on the site when we set it up.
What battles have you relented to with your teenagers? What things have you remained staunch on?
Caelyn has been watching me blog and has been interested in the idea. So she came to me to ask if together we could create a blog site. Not her alone, but us together. Maybe, she saw this as a strategy to an approval. Of course, I’d prefer to think that she thinks back to the days when we used to write together. We would both get our journals our and write on a common subject. It was a special time together. I guess a part of me hopes that she longs for that. So, whether she has just calculated well or she sincerely looks forward to working together, we will be beginning a mother daughter blog. How I’m going to maintain four blogs, I don’t know, but when teenagers ask to spend time with you, you’ve got to take it when comes along. Plus think of all that writing she will have to do and I have supervisory capacity at her request. This could be - - -ok! I’ll let you know the info on the site when we set it up.
What battles have you relented to with your teenagers? What things have you remained staunch on?
Sunday, August 3, 2008
September School Scramble
Another school year is soon upon us. Even though we obviously don’t go to school and have no obligation to follow the school calendar, there is that itch and I know that I am not the only one that feels it. Summer has led us to be lax and now we must tighten up the reigns. I start flipping through curriculum catalogs, crawling through homeschool webpages. I even consider buying that teacher’s planner. This year is going to be different, more organized. I write out plans through Christmas, order curriculum. Everything needs to be ready for September . . .
Wait – Stop! I think we did this last year and the year before. Oh my goodness. This is a sickness. If you look on the bookshelf, you may still see the books that seemed so promising last year. The first few pages filled in and dated chronologically, but then September faded to October and every day became once a week. By Thanksgiving, the books were pushed aside for more pressing issues. January and February brought a slight revival, but as the crocus burst forth the books closed again.
Maybe it is not the kids that need to be deschooled but me.
Have you felt the itch? What do you do to get ready for September schooling? Do you stay on track?
Wait – Stop! I think we did this last year and the year before. Oh my goodness. This is a sickness. If you look on the bookshelf, you may still see the books that seemed so promising last year. The first few pages filled in and dated chronologically, but then September faded to October and every day became once a week. By Thanksgiving, the books were pushed aside for more pressing issues. January and February brought a slight revival, but as the crocus burst forth the books closed again.
Maybe it is not the kids that need to be deschooled but me.
Have you felt the itch? What do you do to get ready for September schooling? Do you stay on track?
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Who is the Teacher?
I find it funny that my husband always claims that I am the homeschool teacher. He says that he is not smart enough to teach them. I see it a little differently. I may be the one that does their book work with them, but he is the one that teaches them the skills they will use in life. He is the one always working around the house with the kids – fixing outlets, putting up closet doors, repairing air conditioners. He is the one that taught them to use maps when we go hiking, to plant squash with the corn, to cook on the grill. I think we both bring our skills to the table and each teach the kids in different ways. Hopefully, they will benefit from having learned from each of us. Maybe now they can name the capital Kansas and how to get their on a map : )
How do you and your husband break up the teaching responsibilities? If he is a hesitant husband to “teach”, how have you encouraged him?
How do you and your husband break up the teaching responsibilities? If he is a hesitant husband to “teach”, how have you encouraged him?
Friday, August 1, 2008
The Mission of Missions
There is one week a year when no school books come out in our house: the week that we join our church on a trip to Kentucky on our annual mission trip. We opt to drive ourselves separately than the main group and join them down at Bonanza. Months before we go, I crawl the internet to find places for us to visit on the way down. The first years that we went, this was done out of necessity. With our children only being 6 and 8 at the time, the idea of a 15 hour car ride was not appealing to us. But now these diversions have become an exciting and informative part of our trip. Some of our favorite stops have been:
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center– Cincinnati, Ohio
Philadelphia – Where instead of following our plan we got wonderfully side tracked with the storytelling at the “Once Upon a Nation” stations (We have also since visited their stations at Valley Forge). We also loved the Lights of Liberty show that made the history come alive as we toured the city at night.
Gettysburg – We were lucky enough to catch a reenactment behind Boyds Bears.
Lancaster, PA – It was amazing to see buggies for real, sharing the road with us (I would love to live with them for a month to see if what I think of their society is what it is really like – I think that I could learn a great deal). We did learn one thing on this trip – Sunday is not the best day to visit – dUH! But who thinks of that when their real purpose is to get to Kentucky.
Carter Caves – We have found that we love Spelunking. Our trips have included Lurray Caverns and a couple others, but we really enjoyed Carter’s Caves and their 52 degree constant temperature was certainly welcome against the heat.
We have done tons of other things as well including DC, Zoo’s, other historical sites, but the above are our favorites.
When we get there and join our church, we spend the week building houses for the economically disadvantaged. The first year that we were there, we were lucky enough to have a guest speaker who explained to us how Appalachia became as we see it now. Our kids, while not understanding all the implications of signing away mineral rights on your land, were amazed at this different lifestyle. A true appreciation for all they had started to arise. Where we live, we may seem to be on the poorer side of the spectrum - - - my car is 12 years old, our house is only a raised ranch, their clothes don’t have labels on them all the time, but in the area of Kentucky we were in, we seemed wealthy beyond comprehension. Then the real work began. Although young, the kids were part of the crew and they were expected to work as such. They got to hammer and saw. They got to backfill foundations and lay in roof trusses. All the skills that they learned in school books suddenly had application – measurement, area, volume, angles, linear feet - - - created houses. They built houses.
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center– Cincinnati, Ohio
Philadelphia – Where instead of following our plan we got wonderfully side tracked with the storytelling at the “Once Upon a Nation” stations (We have also since visited their stations at Valley Forge). We also loved the Lights of Liberty show that made the history come alive as we toured the city at night.
Gettysburg – We were lucky enough to catch a reenactment behind Boyds Bears.
Lancaster, PA – It was amazing to see buggies for real, sharing the road with us (I would love to live with them for a month to see if what I think of their society is what it is really like – I think that I could learn a great deal). We did learn one thing on this trip – Sunday is not the best day to visit – dUH! But who thinks of that when their real purpose is to get to Kentucky.
Carter Caves – We have found that we love Spelunking. Our trips have included Lurray Caverns and a couple others, but we really enjoyed Carter’s Caves and their 52 degree constant temperature was certainly welcome against the heat.
We have done tons of other things as well including DC, Zoo’s, other historical sites, but the above are our favorites.
When we get there and join our church, we spend the week building houses for the economically disadvantaged. The first year that we were there, we were lucky enough to have a guest speaker who explained to us how Appalachia became as we see it now. Our kids, while not understanding all the implications of signing away mineral rights on your land, were amazed at this different lifestyle. A true appreciation for all they had started to arise. Where we live, we may seem to be on the poorer side of the spectrum - - - my car is 12 years old, our house is only a raised ranch, their clothes don’t have labels on them all the time, but in the area of Kentucky we were in, we seemed wealthy beyond comprehension. Then the real work began. Although young, the kids were part of the crew and they were expected to work as such. They got to hammer and saw. They got to backfill foundations and lay in roof trusses. All the skills that they learned in school books suddenly had application – measurement, area, volume, angles, linear feet - - - created houses. They built houses.
During this one week, actually two if you count the travel to and from, we probably experience and learn more than in the other 51 weeks put together. Most importantly, they learn how truly blessed they are and that with their blessings, much is expected. Through their hands, God touches the world. Their hands help to bring heaven to earth. Their hands ease the difficulty of others. Their young hands are powerful. We have had to forgo this trip twice since then and we miss it greatly, but are thrilled to know that our church continues the mission.
What ways do you make learning real for your children?
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