Homeschooling Schedule or Over-schedule

It is hard to imagine when you first choose to homeschool that you can become too busy. No one mentions this as a problem when you first consider homeschooling. Most people warn you of seclusion and isolating your children. Clearly the people that say this have never homeschooled. When we first started homeschooling five years ago, we fell into this trap. And since most homeschool classes / activities are not held in one place at one time, but instead are spread miles apart and are limited only to the spaces in your calendar, we were busier than we ever were in public school. After about 18 months, working slowly started to trim down our schedule. For the most part we ceased doing purely “homeschooling” activities, but instead remained very active in Scouts and church and continued to do interesting things as a family. When we would run into our old homeschooling friends, I would hear how much they all missed us. I missed them too, but I did not miss the craziness, that is part of what I was trying to get away from. When I left work in April, our family finally seemed to meet a reasonable homeschool regular schedule. I’m not implying that the last five years were not reasonable. We did make it through, but that was exactly it: Every day we made it through. Finally, after leaving work, life was calmer and we could better get through their studies and include some fun activities.

Anyway, last week we went to a Not Back to School Picnic with our regular group. It was so good to see everyone and get caught up . . . but, I could see it happening again. “Would you like to . . . ““We have . . . .” “We can make room for you . . .” Whoa, whoa, whoa, I wanted to scream. Let’s enjoy our time together. We’ll probably see each other more (at least until we move), but I like not having to do something every day. I like being able to go with my husband instead of being chained to my calendar (I have enough appointments that already do that).

So I warn you that are new to homeschooling: Beware of the minute / hour steeling activity overload. The activities can be very tempting, but you may soon find yourself spinning. For those of you that already homeschool, I empower you to say, “No thank you. We already have an appointment that day,” knowing that your appointment is with yourself and your kids.

HBO special on Tourette’s Syndrome

If you want to help your children understand the feelings of those that are “different” than others. HBO is airing “I HAVE TOURETTE’S, BUT TOURETTE’S DOESN’T HAVE ME”. This 30 minute documentary lets your children step into the lives of children suffering with the syndrome. Because it is spoken directly from the mouths of kids their own age (8-13), they hear the message. My son was impacted deeply by their statements of feeling different. He could identify with some of their OCD symptoms. While he doesn’t have OCD, he can easily be distracted by things around him. He could identify with the boy who spoke of getting hyper focused on an item in his line of sight and having to remove it in order to focus on the item at hand. The kids spoke eloquently about trying to prevent their tics and how it made their body feel. They discussed the pro's and con's of medication. And one child showed his ability to play classical piano flawlessly without one sign of the syndrome, as he called it being in the zone. I would recommend this movie not just for its message about Tourette’s specifically, but about feeling different in general. This would be a great jump off for a family conversation about bullying or being bullied and about disabilities and gifts.

Fun Fact Friday - School

Since we're off to a Not Back to School Party, we thought you would enjoy some school facts and be joyful that they don't apply to you.


school 1

NOUN:
1. An institution for the instruction of children or people under college age.
2. An institution for instruction in a skill or business: a secretarial school; a karate school.
3.
a. A college or university.
b. An institution within or associated with a college or university that gives instruction in a specialized field and recommends candidates for degrees.
c. A division of an educational institution constituting several grades or classes: advanced to the upper school.
d. The student body of an educational institution.
e. The building or group of buildings housing an educational institution.
4. The process of being educated formally, especially education constituting a planned series of courses over a number of years: The children were put to school at home. What do you plan to do when you finish school?
5. A session of instruction: School will start in three weeks. He had to stay after school today.
6.
a. A group of people, especially philosophers, artists, or writers, whose thought, work, or style demonstrates a common origin or influence or unifying belief: the school of Aristotle; the Venetian school of painters.
b. A group of people distinguished by similar manners, customs, or opinions: aristocrats of the old school.
7. Close-order drill instructions or exercises for military units or personnel.
8. Australian A group of people gathered together for gambling.
TRANSITIVE VERB:
schooled , school�ing , schools
1. To educate in or as if in a school.
2. To train or discipline: She is well schooled in literature. See Synonyms at teach.
ADJECTIVE:
Of or relating to school or education in schools: school supplies; a school dictionary.
________________________________________
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English scole, from Old English sc l, from Latin schola, scola, from Greek skhol ; see segh- in Indo-European roots

http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/school


“Every 29 seconds another student gives up on school, resulting in more than one million American high school students who drop out every year.”
http://www.silentepidemic.org/epidemic/statistics-facts.htm

“The Boston Latin School is a public exam school founded on April 23, 1635, in Boston, Massachusetts, making it the oldest public school in the United States”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Latin_School

“1639 - The first free American public school, the Mather school, was founded in Dorchester, a neighborhood of Boston.”
http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=gov3terminal&L=3&L0=Home&L1=Constituent+Services&L2=Kid's+Corner&sid=Agov3&b=terminalcontent&f=kids_corner_state_firsts&csid=Agov3

“According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there were 98,905 K-12 public schools across 14,598 school districts in the 2005-2006 school year.”

“Nationally, the number of students per teacher was 15.7 in 2006. A comparison across states shows that the number of students per teacher can range from 10.9 to 23.6.”

“More than 49 million children attend public schools in the United States.”
http://www.givekidsgoodschools.org/main/learn.cfm?Category=Public_School&Section=Five_Things

Unit Study - Dear America: A Line in the Sand

Dear America – A Line in the Sand: The Alamo Diary of Lucinda Lawrence (Gonzales, Texas 1836)
By Sherry Garland
Age: 11-14

Additional Reading:
Illustrated Alamo 1836: A Photographic Journey by Mark Lemon, Craig r. Covner
The Alamo by Tamara L. Britton
Remember the Alamo: Texians, Tejanos, and Mexicans Tell Their Stories by Paul Robert Walker
Alamo: An Interactive History Adventure by Amie J. Leavitt, Mickie Ross

For adults to read along:
Three Roads to the Alamo: The Lives and Fortunes of David Crockett, James Bowie, and William Barret Travis by William C. Davis

Field Trips:
The Alamo – San Antonio, TX
Goliad State Park & Historic Site – Goliad, TX
Town of Gonzales – Gonzales, TX
Sam Houston Memorial Museum – Huntsville, TX
Crockett Tavern Museum – Morristown,TN
Pioneer Farms – Austin, TX

Video:
The Alamo – DVD
PBS: American Experience: Remember the Alamo
Discovery Channel: The Alamo: The Five Hours that Changed History

Websites:
http://www.thealamo.org/main.html - The official website of the Alamo
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/alamo/index.html - The PBS site laying out the film and related historical information. Includes teacher lesson plans, maps, and timelines.
http://www.shsu.edu/~smm_www/index.html - Includes recipes, info on Texan Flags, and pictures from the time period.
http://www.geocities.com/the_tarins@sbcglobal.net/adp/archives/archives.html An extensive history of the mission itself. Include maps, lesson ideas, and lots of detailed history.
http://military.discovery.com/video/alamo.html Video Clips about the Alamo and some of the more famous men lost there.
http://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/ Learn not just about the Alamo, but the entire history that built Cinda’s state.

Vocabulary:

Ruckus (9/9)
Democracy (9/6 – later)
Delirium (9/20)
Dissidents (9/20)
Dictator (9/22)
Grievances (9/22)
Dragoons (9/30)
Ford (9/30)
Fandango (10/2)
Presidio (10/6)
Premonitions (10/27)
Ornery (11/15)
Cahoots (11/15)
Morale (12/3)
Harboring (12/6)
Forlorn (12/23)
Puncheon (12/24)
Churned (2/1)
Joshing (2/4)
Adobe (2/8 – later)
Garrisoned (3/6)
Palisades (3/6)
Sacristy (3/13)

Arts & Crafts:
-There is a brawl over a whittling knife. Learn knife safety and try whittling something yourself. (If you are not comfortable with your children using a jackknife, try using a plastic knife and either a bar of soap or a bar of canning wax). (9/10)
-Make homemade soap.
-Try your hand at creating a braided rug (12/24)
-“Mama started a new quilt. She let (Lucinda) choose the color for the border.” Draw and plan out a quilt. Depending on your interest and talent create your imagination. Create it with cut out paper, perhaps create just one square of your plan, or if you are really daring, create your entire quilt.
-See if you can find a farm, yarn store, or museum that cards and spins fibers. Visit and see how it is done. See if you can help with part of the process.

Writing:
-Lucinda says on September 15th that her biggest fears are Comanche raids, rattlesnakes, and black widow spiders. Do a little research on each. Which of these would be your biggest fear and why? Be sure to support your position.
-Lucinda read an editorial bout how cruel Santa Anna is. What is the difference between an editorial and a regular newspaper article? Read the editorial page of your newspaper for a week. Choose one of the editorials to respond to. Write a letter to the editor about it.
-On January 6th, there is a conversation between two neighbors, Wilis, and Papa in which one of the neighbors said that they are going to move back to the states. “I’ve got no business fighting in a war. Why, I’ve got a wife and six children. What would they do if I got kilt?” Willis stood up suddenly and says right to the main’s face, “Well, if something ain’t worth fighting and dying for, then I say it ain’t worth having.” He stomped off. Papa says, “Was I ever that young?” the neighbor says, “IF wars were lift up to old codger like me and you, Aaron, I reckon armies would be put out of business.” Take either Aaron and Papa’s side or Willis’. Who do you think is correct and why? Write a persuasive essay to convince others of your opinion.
-Cinda compares the Mexicans march on the Alamo to David and Goliath. Reread the story of David and Goliath in the Bible. Decide if this is a reasonable comparison. Write an essay to show the similarities or differences.
-On December 6th, Cinda’s family finds out that San Antonio is being overrun. The family fears for Uncle Isaac’s family. Cinda tells Green that Uncle Isaac will put up a sign to that their house will not get attacked. She wishes that she could believe her own lie. Is lying ever ok? If so, when and why? If not, explain why not.
-On December 20th, Mittie and Cinda discussed what to give their families for Christmas given the many shortages. Reread this entry. Write an entry in your diary about all the things that you are thankful for.

English:
-Cinda memorized a sonnet as they worked on school work trying to pass the time as the Mexican’s invaded their town. Find out what defines a sonnet. Then choose one. Memorize it and recite it.
-On December 18th, Lemuel brought home a black crow. Cinda is concerned that maybe this is a bad omen. Does this foreshadow what is to come? What other foreshadowing did you notice in the book?

History:
-Research one of the following people and introduce him / her to others through either a power point presentation, a character monologue, or a traditional report:

General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna
Stephen F. Austin
William Travis
Davy Crockett
Sam Houston
Col. Burleson
Ben Milam
General Cos


-Comanche Indians are mentioned several times in the book. Where was the Comanche territory as compared to Gonzales and the Alamo? Find out about the nation’s traditions and culture. Share what you found with others.
-Find a picture of the “Come and Take It” Flag. What did this flag stand for?
-The Alamo was once a mission. Find out what a mission is. Create a model of the Alamo.
Cinda was very excited about having mistletoe above her doorway for Christmas. Research the tradition of mistletoe. Where does it originate from?

Government:
-Lucinda’s father is frustrated by reports that Santa Anna wants the people of Gonzales to turn over their disabled 6 lbs cannon. He says, “ This is the beginning of the disarming of the colonies. If we give up the cannon, next thing you know, Santa Anna will want our hunting rifles, then our pistols, then our Bowie knives, then our whittling knives.” Why does this bother him? How does this relate to the 2nd amendment of the US Constitution?
Extra Credit: Find out where the term Bowie knife comes from.

Science/Technology:
-Lucinda’s family picks cotton. Find out about the cotton plant. What part do they use to make clothe? Make a thumbnail board (picture board) that describes the process.
-Mr. Roe died of smallpox, as did some of Cinda’s cousins in Nachitoches, LA. Research smallpox. What are the symptoms, causes, cure,etc?
-On December 18th, Lemuel brought a black crow home with a broken wind and cared for it. Find an animal rehabilitation hospital near you. Arrange a tour to see the work that they do.

Cooking:
-Due to the war, food was very scarce for Lucinda’s family. Much of what they ate they had scavenged for. Plan to go pick food at a local orchard. Cook something with the food you picked.
-On November 5th, there is a very descriptive passage about cutting apart a pig for food. Look in a cookbook to find all the different meat that can be cut from one animal. What are the differences in the cuts of meat? What should you consider when you choose a cut of meat?

Geography:
-On a blackline map of Texas, mark at least five town locations and two rivers that exist in the book.

Music:
-Listen to some fiddle playing. Imagine that Davey Crocket is playing for you.

Physical Fitness:
-Find a pair of castanets. Try playing them and dancing to some Mexican music.
-Several dances are mentioned in the book: the Virginia reel, the cotillion, the waltz, and the polka. Learn one and perform it for others.

Mission / Action:
-The Volunteers were often stealing from the townspeople because they were so hungry. Hunger is still a problem today for many reasons. Research hunger in the world today. Find a way to help and do it.

Website Wednesday - The Alamo

http://www.thealamo.org/main.html - The official website of the Alamo

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/alamo/index.html - The PBS site laying out the film and related historical information. Includes teacher lesson plans, maps, and timelines.

http://www.shsu.edu/~smm_www/index.html - Includes recipes, info on Texan Flags, and pictures from the time period.

http://www.geocities.com/the_tarins@sbcglobal.net/adp/archives/archives.html An extensive history of the mission itself. Include maps, lesson ideas, and lots of detailed history.

http://military.discovery.com/video/alamo.html Video Clips about the Alamo and some of the more famous men lost there.

Look for a Unit Study related to the Alamo on Thursday.

Appreciating Art While Feeding the World

DS and I got caught up in my own post yesterday. We have been enjoying the art section of Free Rice. We started on the vocabulary, but then moved our way over. Vocab can only hold his attention for so long, but pictures, paintings, or anything visual can hold his attention forever. This section was kind of neat because it had classic paintings and you were supposed to identify the artist from the four listed. DS caught on right away. He was not familiar at all with the artists, but once he realized that you could identify the artist by looking at their style, choice of subject, and color pallet, he was hooked. This was right up his alley. He is the dear boy who while still in diapers pulled all my cans out and reorganized them by height and volume for fun. When he was younger, he would not eat his m&m’s until they were in order and matchboxes weren’t for driving, they were tools to classify and organize.

Of course, in the beginning it was easiest for him to identify Vincent Van Gogh

with his deep strokes and repetitive subject matter, but then we moved on to Monet, Michelangelo, and Rembrandt. He particularly liked Franz Marc,

a Picasso style but with wildlife. He also asked for a Van Gogh print for his room. (He is really becoming my kind of man – a Kenny G. listening Van Gogh fan who likes long walks in the woods – boy will he be able to write a personal ad one day). He also quickly caught on that we could identify Georges Seurat by his use of dots and Pieter Bruegel the Elder by his use of detail.

We also cheated a little or you may call it using your resources wisely when we found out that some of the pictures were signed in the corner. Albrecht Durer’s signature was the most interesting (look in the plaque just below the horse's lifted hoof - there is a "D" inside a rough "A")

.

I guess it is time to head back to the Wadsworth Anthenum or maybe a trip on the T into Boston.

Homeschool with Heart Means Helping Others

Here is a game that you and the kids can have fun playing while helping others at the same time. The game includes vocabulary, world capitols, language, art, multiplication. Free Rice asks questions which get more difficult based on correct answers. If you get a question wrong, it reappears again to reinforce the knowledge. And while you play, grains of rice are being calculated and donated to the UN World Food Program. A simple and fun way to become more educated and change the world at the same time.

For those that are interested in learning more about the poverty side of things, you can follow the links in the FAQ section and learn about poverty issues around the world.