Friday, May 21, 2010
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Stop the Curriculum, summer is here!
My dilemma was answered by default. We accepted a weekly invitation to the beach with good friends, pool party invites, VBS, spontaneous play dates, Disneyland visits, dance camp, babysitting requests, and extra band practices with corresponding parades to march in. By the time we're all home again, I want to go to bed and the children are begging for a little movie time to unwind. I hate them watching TV but I love it when they are all quiet after a busy day!
Wait! What happened to our summer school plans? Did anyone do their math? History? Latin?
I haven't given up on my summer schoolhouse yet. There is always August. Right? Then regular school can start where I wanted it to start in September.
Or maybe regular school can begin with the fall of Rome. I'll call King Arthur and see if he can wait.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
This, my friends, is why we homeschool...
Monday, June 01, 2009
By Adam Brickley
Parents will not be allowed to opt their first graders out of the curriculum.
Members of the Alameda United School District (AUSD) school board voted 3 to 2 last week to implement the “Safe Schools” curriculum, which supporters say is aimed at stopping anti-homosexual bullying in schools.
The program includes a between one and four lessons each year between grades 1 and 5 to introduce students to “LGBT” (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual) issues.
As part of the curriculum, second graders will be exposed to books like “And Tango Makes Three”--a story book about two male penguins who hatch an egg and raise a chick together in New York’s Central Park Zoo--and first graders will see “Who’s in a Family?” which exposes students to a variety of “different” family structures.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: An earlier version of this story incorrectly indicated that first graders would be exposed to "And Tango Makes Three.")
The discussion plan for “Who’s In a Family?” includes asking students to identify a type of family they see in the book.
Teachers are instructed: “If a student responds that one family in the book is made up of a mother, a father, and two children and a cat, you may acknowledge that some families look like this, but ask students for other examples of what a family can look like.”
Unlike for health and sexual education classes, the district will not allow parents to opt their children out of the LGBT curriculum--angering parents and pro-family groups.
“This will be done whether parents like it or not, and it shows the hostility against parental rights and traditional family values,” said Randy Thomasson, president of the Campaign for Children and Families, speaking for parents who, he said, are adamantly opposed to the plan.
School board president Mike McMahon voted against implementing the plan, but not because he opposes the curriculum. When asked about why there was not an opt-out provision for parents, McMahon told CNSNews.com that one was not required.
“It was the opinion of our legal counsel that this curriculum was not health or sex education curriculum,” he said.
McMahon also said the book, “And Tango Makes Three,” was specially chosen for the curriculum.
“It was the selection of a committee that was put together, and they felt that book portrayed the lesson that they wanted to portray,” McMahon told CNSNews.com.
But School Board Member Trish Spencer, who also voted against the plan, said she worries that its implementation could lead to the harassment of students who have religious objections to homosexuality.
“If there were students that answered that they that they did not think that (the two male penguins) were a couple, or that they did not think that they were good parents, based upon their religious beliefs., that could in fact increase bullying against those students from a protected class,” Spencer said.
“We know that there are children that are already being bullied for their religious beliefs,” she said, referring to a case involving a Muslim girl in the district who she said was bullied for wearing distinctive head dress--a hijab.
“I couldn’t see any effort on behalf of the district to teach empathy and being an ally to those students,” Spencer added. She noted that students in the district are not introduced to Islam until seventh grade.
Spencer cited the 2001-2002 California Healthy Kids Survey as evidence that bullying due to religion is a bigger problem for the district than bullying based on homosexuality.
The survey showed that 14.3 percent of students reported bullying due to race or ethnicity and 9.1 percent reporting harassment because of religion. Both ranked ahead of bullying due to “actual or perceived sexual orientation,” which came third at 7.5 percent.
The state survey is a yearly self-reported of school children in compliance with the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
McMahon, meanwhile, said that it was his understanding that young students could express disagreement with the homosexual curriculum based on religion, saying that teacher guides that counsel teachers what to do when children exercise “their First Amendment rights to disagree.”
“If they (children) do, they would be directed to talk to their family, and they would be allowed to disagree,” McMahon said.
Alameda stands across the bay from San Francisco.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Q: How do homeschoolers change a light bulb?
A: First, mom checks three books on electricity out of the library, then the kids make models of light bulbs, read a biography of Thomas Edison, and do a skit based on his life. Next, everyone studies the history of lighting methods, wrapping up with dipping their own candles. Next, everyone takes a trip to the store where they compare types of light bulbs as well as prices and figure out how much change they'll get if they buy two bulbs for $1.99 and pay with a five dollar bill. On the way home, a discussion develops over the history of money and also Abraham Lincoln, as his picture is on the five dollar bill. Finally, after building a homemade ladder out of branches dragged from the woods, the light bulb is installed. And there is light. ~Author Unknown
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
The Pope's message in Africa
The Pope, The Rabbi and Condoms
March 25, 2009 on 12:00 am
During his recent African trip, Pope Benedict XVI said that the distribution of condoms would not resolve the AIDS problem. The Pope has made it clear that abstinence is going to be the best way to fight AIDS.
Google “Pope” and “condoms,” and you’ll never run out of reading material excoriating the man for his observation and opinion. Many health advocates have gone ballistic in their criticism of his comments. They feel it is one thing to promote abstinence as part of the Catholic religion, but that it is an entirely different thing to preach it to the world.
On a person-by-person basis, wearing a condom does, of course, offer some protection against contracting various venereal diseases and (of course) unwanted pregnancy. It is also true that condoms sometimes break, slip, or are put on incorrectly (taut to the very end). Everything has its limitations…except abstinence.
I remember listening to a rabbi describing a situation that occurred to his kosher family. His 7 year old child was invited to a birthday party for a classmate at one of those fast-food hamburger establishments. When he came to pick up his child at the end of the party, one of the mothers - clearly annoyed - chastised him for the pain he caused his son. “All the children had hamburgers, chicken nuggets, french fries and dessert, and your little boy had to sit there and eat none of it. Imagine how terrible your son must have felt? How could you do this to him? Food is food. There is nothing sinful about food. What you are doing to him is just cruel.” Just about at the end of her tirade, his son bounded up to him, gave him a huge hug around the waist, and said “I had a great time. This was a fun party.”
The woman blanched and walked away. The rabbi followed her and gently told her the following: animals will eat whatever is around, even if it will make them unhealthy. Humans are to rise above animals and become masters of their urges. Imagine my son in a dorm room where harmful illicit drugs are being passed about. We already know that peer pressure and urges will not force him to relent and give in to the impulse. Learning at his early age to control impulse and desire is not a harmful trait - many times, it might be a life-saving one. Look at him. He enjoyed the company of your son and the rest of the children without giving up his values. He looks happy and satisfied. We really need to bring up our children to be masters of their instincts, not slaves to them, don’t you think?
The woman scowled, but listened to him.
Yes, in any one instance, a condom could protect, but in the overall scheme of humanity, why do so many people wish to push away the enormous protective power of moral values?
When the Pope suggests that human beings are best off saving their sexual passion for the stability of a covenant of marriage, he is making a statement that the act of sexuality is elevated by the context, and ultimately protects both man and woman from a myriad of hurtful consequences from venereal diseases to unwanted pregnancies (complete with abortions, abandonment, single-parenthood, and homelessness to name a few).
The naysayers all have one thing in common: they refuse to want, believe or accept that human beings can commit to a higher spiritual state of thought and behavior. The Pope believes in us more than that.
I am not Catholic, so this is no knee-jerk defense of my spiritual leader. The truth is that he is simply correct and too many people don’t want to hear it, because they want to live lives unfettered by rules. It is sad that they don’t realize that this makes them a slave to animal impulse versus a master of human potential.
http://www.drlaurablog.com/2009/03/25/the-pope-the-rabbi-and-condoms/
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
My new favorite quote
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Brilliant or quirky?
Okay, there's more...
While stopped at a red light, this same child starts calling out numbers excitedly. "2+2+7=11, 2+3+5=10, 2+8+9=19...". I follow his gaze to a gas station sign that reads the prices for various grades of gas: $2.27, $2.35, $2.89. He was adding the numbers!!
How about this one...
We were watching America's Got Talent on television. While the judges from the different countries were assigning their scores to the various participants, my seven-year-old was staring at his fingers and mumbling to himself. Before the final cumulative score was announced, my baby was shouting out the total score, and he was right!!!
So what am I to make of all this? This same kid that runs into walls, trips over nothing, and talks to himself is really quite brilliant yet he just doesn't seem to have a lot of common sense. I can see him as a highly acclaimed college professor somewhere important someday with a polka-dotted bow tie and a quirky personality.
On the other hand, what's wrong with that?
Friday, January 30, 2009
Popcorn and Icees do the trick!!
So now, my 13 year old beginning teenager is so excited about the prize he began the book last night with a book light and was anxiously reading it this morning as well. Who would have thought that pop corn & an Icee would motivated a 13 year old boy!? Other boys his age wear goth make-up, skinny jeans, and text their friends all day. Mine just wants a cop corn condo! Who-ho!! I love homeschooling!!!!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Homeschooling Boys
Being a mother of two boys and two girls, one would think that I'd be prepared deal with the challenges that each provides. Yet somehow, my 13 year old man-cub never ceases to surprise me. Allow me to offer a case in point.
After being in bed the previous day with the flu, I emerged slowly from my room with my head tilted to manage the headache pain. Being somewhat disoriented and groggy, I vaguely heard my son ask me something about his science book. I nodded to dismiss him and went to look for medication for myself. Walking back to the kitchen, I realize that I smell something like burning popcorn. Blinking hard to make my eyes focus quicker, I now see my son with candles lit on the kitchen counter, a cookie rack with a small square of foil under it, and holding a peanut in a pair of salad tongs. He explains to me that he intends to heat the hot water for his hot chocolate by using peanuts for fuel. The peanuts, he explains, are a great source for fuel due to their high oil content. "How harmful can a peanut be?", I muse to myself.
No sooner did that thought arrive when I realized that there was a large flame now on my counter. Apparently the meat thermometer he had in his hot chocolate water was not showing the temperature rising quickly enough. He has now decided to set a cup of peanuts on fire. The other three siblings were behind him staring in amazement. Not wanting to kill his spirit, I asked him to log his science experiment and then clean up. He obeyed, after first using direct flame from a lighter to finish heating his hot chocolate.
At this point in the day I'm feeling stronger and have the children working at different stations on their school work. It's then that I notice that two of our guppies have died and are floating belly up in the fish tank. Realizing that this is why I had sons, to kill bugs and flush dead fish, I ask my man-cub to retrieve the dead fish and flush them in the toilet. Walking away was my first mistake. I came back to the table only to find my son with the fish on my good tablecloth and a pocket knife. "Hey mom, did you know that when you poke his eyes out black stuff comes out? Cool!", he exclaims.
Ah, the wonder of boys!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Sleep Schedules
Where is the sandman when you need him?!? Maybe he takes a break when Santa is in town!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
What this home schooling mom is thankful for...
Give Thanks for Homeschool Freedom!
As parents, Thanksgiving brings to mind the many things we have to be thankful for in our homes, our families, and our country.
While you bask in the glow of your festivities, consider for a moment the freedoms we still have as homeschoolers. Certain states require greater accountability, with some predicting that their laws will become more strict, in the future. But even in the most highly regulated states, homeschoolers still have these freedoms:
- The freedom to read whatever we like. If your young reader prefers graphic novels to the classics, together you can still choose which they will read (hopefully peppered with some works of greater depth). No one is standing over your shoulder to tell you what to read. Don't take this freedom for granted.
- The freedom to think whatever we like. We are not forced to adopt a worldview. We can, indeed, immerse our family in the worldview that resonates with us.
- The freedom to disagree. Some homeschoolers choose to homeschool because of specific educational goals and perspectives. Some choose homeschool so they can also teach their faith. Some choose to homeschool because of what they perceive as a negative indoctrination prevalent in the school system. Whatever our motivation, we still have the freedom to choose.
- The freedom to choose our comings and goings. We can start "school" at 8 a.m. or 11 a.m. We can pick vacation times that make sense for our family. We can even go to class in our pajamas!
Educational choice for our children today and tomorrow -- it's what homeschooling is all about. It's what freedom is about. Live it, love it, celebrate it, and guard it.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
At War With The Media
With the invention of TIVO and DVR I can record what I consider appropriate and we watch it at a convenient family time. We record shows like "I Love Lucy", "Little House on the Prairie", and "The Brady Bunch". We also check the History Channel for shows that enrich what we may be studying at the time. The point is that I don't have to feel forced by the media to teach my children anything I don't want to teach them. I don't care about what everyone else is watching. I want to build strong foundations in my children and I want to keep their hearts towards God.
I was surprised when I found a Catholic website for renting films, sort of like Netflix. It makes me feel good to know that I'm not alone in my philosophy.
Piusmedia.com is a Catholic DVD Rental Membership Club! They are a source for movies depicting the lives of the saints, children’s movies, educational tools for Religious Education teachers, conversion stories from the greatest apologists, Catholic-friendly Hollywood movies, and some great old television series.
As stated from the Catechism of the Catholic Church 2525-
Christian purity requires a purification of the social climate. It requires of the communications media that their presentations show concern for respect and restraint. Purity of heart brings freedom from widespread eroticism and avoids entertainment inclined to voyeurism and illusion.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Teaching about the election year
After watching the debates as a family, the children were naturally interested in who we were planning on voting for. We tried to explain to them that Catholics have a moral obligation to promote the common good through the exercise of our voting privileges, but voting cannot be arbitrary. Some things are always wrong, and citizens support these evils indirectly if they vote in favor of a candidate who proposes to advance them. The five non-negotiable issues that fundamentally conflict with moral law (abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem call research, human cloning and homosexual marriage) are looked at in the following video.
Let us all pray for guidance as we select the next leader of our great country.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
You know you're a home schooler when...
Saturday, September 6, 2008
This first week the big kids tackled math first as I did grammar and phonics with the little kids. Then I checked the math work as the big kids started vocabulary. The little ones were left to do their writing assignments and play with the dog. After this we all did some reading and religion. By the end of the week we added our Latin class. By Friday the children we greeting each other with "Salve!" and "Salvete!" Our meal time prayers now begin with "Oremus". It's actually a lot of fun and we don't even mind the DVD instructor with the heavy southern accent any more.
Our science books arrived this weekend so we are looking forward to beginning our joint science class. Yes, all 4 children will be on the same subject and participating in the same experiments. We will, however, be at different levels. More will be required of the oldest. We are followingThe Well Trained Mindand doing a classical education approach.
This week we should be adding grammar, writing, history, geography, literature, penmanship, Spanish, logic and bible study. My husband tells me I look pensive lately. I guess it is a lot to think about! Let's keep all homeschoolers in our prayers this month!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
A successful event!
But the highlight of the evening was watching the excitement in my children as they ran from the kitchen door to the front door to let in our guests and give their "tours". They would squeal with excitement at the sound of the doorbell as they ran to figure out which door had people waiting to enter. We had about 30 people trickle in and out who patiently listened to their piano songs and eagerly accepted the children's narrated tours throughout the house.
Somewhere along the way the Open House turned into a karaoke and line dance party! It was great! Thank you so much to our family and friends for supporting our children so lovingly!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Homeschool Open House
Now that we have the idea, a date, and invitations sent out, all that we need to work on is what we will share. Art projects are a given, as are book reports, field trip pictures and our year book. We also plan on giving a sneak preview of our piano recital pieces. Any other ideas out there?
Friday, June 13, 2008
Summer Schooling?
What is "summertime schooling" anyway? Do we use this precious time to further our educational goals for our children? Do we use it to pursue interests that we don't have time for the other months of the year? Should we continue with our regular schedule....or use the time just to brush up on basics while enjoying the good things that summer brings?
As I ask these questions to other homeschoolers, I find that the answers are as different as the families. Some take a complete break, some do light schooling some days of the week and some school year round. Being that we are in our first year of homeschooling, I'm not sure of where my "happy place" is. Part of me feels that I could have done more, and should still try to attain my original goals(ie completed texts and workbooks thoroughly). On the other hand, I don't want to miss out on the joys of summer and the ability to let the children's play and interests direct our summer. This actually is the first year that I'm not thrilled it's summertime. It arrived so fast that I don't feel like we're ready yet.
I am praying for discernment. For now, I think I will just set a time block, such as two hours, and have the children put forth at least that much effort. It could be in the morning, afternoon, or evening. It really doesn't matter. Being flexible this way will hopefully allow us some summer playtime.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Kindergarten Graduation?
Now we're a homeschooling family and my 3rd child is finishing his Kindergarten year. But somehow it's not the same. He finished all of his Kindergarten curriculum by last December and has now worked through all of his 1st grade books except for math (he's half way through with that). So what grade is he in now? I would love to celebrate his academic accomplishments. He loves to "do school" and works constantly in his workbooks. I want to encourage this enthusiasm. Should I create some type of graduation ceremony to invite extended family to? Or did he technically graduate from Kindergarten last December? We plan to continue schooling during the summer since he loves it so much. Do we need the kind of closure that a graduation ceremony provides or is there another idea out there?
Friday, April 25, 2008
Socially challenged?
From Jennie von Eggers, for About.com
I was recently in a checkout line and the clerk asked if my kids were home schooled. When I answered "yes", he responded as any caring citizen concerned about the social welfare of my children would, and asked, "aren't you worried about them not getting enough socialization?" The "socialization" question seems to be the old-standby, passive aggressive attack, by those outside spectators of the homeschool movement. How would my children be able to integrate into society, without first learning the valuable "social skills" that only a public school experience could provide? After all, the socialization part of a typical day-in-the-life of a home schooled child, looks nothing like the government school experience. Many homeschoolers spend their day doing things such as; helping out with family business', running errands, going on field trips, visiting relatives and friends, doing odd jobs for neighbors and partaking in family responsibilities. As the "socially challenged" homeschool kids are out and about, partaking and interacting in real life situations, the government students are "socializing" under a controlled environment, behind four walls with a controlled group of people (also known as their peer group). Yes, the sales clerk that offered his unsolicited opinion on my choice to homeschool, was right! My kids are "socially challenged" by not going to public school!
This "social" problem comes out in other areas as well. For instance, when a group of home schooled kids are playing together, it is typical to see older kids playing with children years younger. Don't they know that "social rules" dictate you only play with kids of your own age group? You also might find boys jump-roping along with girls! No one told these poor kids that jump-roping for boys is an open door to being labeled a "girly boy", a reputation that could follow you all the way through high school! And the way these homeschool girls dress is so out-of-style, and dare I say… modest. Where's the low cut pants and the revealing spaghetti string tops? Without learning how to focus on their sexuality, how are these "fashion misfits" ever going to make it in the real world someday? They might have to rely only on their talents, skills and abilities to get by in this world, such a shame. Speaking of the "real world", did you know that a vast majority of these home schooled, social-misfits are sheltered from the mainstream media by their parents not having cable hookup? Without unlimited access to cable t.v. shows like MTV how will they know the pillars of our society like Brittney Spears, Paris Hilton or Snoop Dog? Without the influence of these pop culture icons, they will be totally in the dark to what society values in people...it's a crying shame!
So the next time some well meaning stranger decides to bring up the "socialization" question, my answer will simply be, "Yes, my children certainly are socially challenged and that's fine with me!"
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Inch by inch it's a cinch!
Since the school year began I've been giving our two oldest children a lesson plan that spans the week from day one to day five. The idea is to start on day one and check off what you complete for that day. The next day you start checking off the items on day 2 unless you worked ahead. Either way, by Friday all work should be completed. Our 12yo gets this. He completes each day and checks the assignments off. Sometimes he works ahead. Sometimes not. The point is he does it. He may whine about it a little bit, but he does it.
How did I forget that not all children learn alike? A mother of 4 should ALWAYS remember this. You can guess where I'm going with this. 12yo is done and 10yo is not. She's on day 4 in this subject but day 2 with that one. These over here she's done with but she never started day one in that thing. Yikes! It takes me sitting side by side with her to get her day completed. It would be fine if she were an only child. The fact is that there are three other people walking around the house calling me "mother".
Last week I had an epiphany! I never handed her the lesson plan on Monday morning. I just told her which pages to do in English. When she was done I asked for her religion book. We read the chapter together and she answered questions (this was actually two assignments for two different days). She was done in minutes. Then I assigned the next pages due in reading. The day went on like this for three hours. When we decided to stop, she had completed two days worth of work in half the time it usually takes her to complete half of one day. Amazing.
Apparently, the lesson plan was too overwhelming for her. It looked like a big stack of "things to do" and she froze. The job was too big. But when I gave it to her in pieces(inches)it was more manageable.
I think we both learned a lot this week.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Kindergarten at all hours...
We get up in the morning and I do the Distar Reading Program with the little ones first. Then they do their writing tablets. I move on to the older children and then focus on math with the 6 year old. The children go out to play while I fix lunch. After lunch I'm focused on the older children so we can finish up before ballet/soccer/piano/art lessons/choir etc. During this last stretch of school work, 6yo wants to work further in his math or phonics book. "What does this say?", "What do I do next?", "Is this right?", "Can you help me?", are being endlessly chanted to the point of getting annoying. I really need to be with the older children, but how do you bark at a child who only wants to work harder?
After our afternoon activities, we come home hungry for dinner and I'm busy cooking, cleaning up "school" from the table, continuing with the laundry, and/or helping the older children tie up any loose ends.
"Can I do another math lesson?"
"Not now, I'm busy."
Minutes later I find that he did in fact continue with his studies and has done an entire chapter incorrectly in his book because he couldn't read the directions. Uggh!
This continues through to bedtime where he wails that he can't sleep and wants to do phonics now.
I love his enthusiasm, but when does the bell ring to signal that school is out?
Friday, November 9, 2007
The challenge with multiples...
However, as with life, there are still challenges. My 6th grader is very bright and a quick learner. He is capable of independent study and can retain an incredible amount of information. He's also an energetic boy who gets bored easily and feels the need to run around at top speed at least once every hour. He has trouble finding the need to sit still and loves to talk continuously! He does his best work when I can dedicate my attention to him as he talks me through his assignment or reads out loud to me. He prefers all his quizzes to be oral and detests anything he has to write down and turned in (math being an exemption). He likes me to read ahead of him in his texts and assigned reading books so we can discuss the information. Dialogue is his favorite past time second only to sports.
Then comes my 4th grader. She a much quieter personality and needs the quiet to focus and retain information. Unfortunately, even when she's struggling she remains quiet and forgets to ask for help. Suddenly out of nowhere she'll have a break down and I'll realize that she's two chapters behind on something or hasn't understood the foundation of something and now she's overwhelmed. Tears flow freely at this point and I need to remember that hugs work better than getting mad or impatient. She has also become best friends with her sister (which is a good thing, don't get me wrong). This, however, leads to many distractions as playing "Polly Pockets" or doll house can become more interesting than a boring lesson. Baby sister also cries for her attention and begs for her playmate, very dramatically I might add.
Our six year old is bright and very eager to learn. He goes to bed looking for promises that the next morning we'll do "school" again. He has finished a year's worth of math in two months and is beginning to read. He is also our most sensitive child and spends part of every day crying that someone hurt his feeling. Although academically he's been quick to catch on, logically he seems a little slow and often repeats the same questions regarding daily living as though he has never heard the answer. His attention span is short most of the time and he requires a change of activity frequently.
Our pre-schooler enjoys completely being the baby of the family. She expects everyone to adore her (which we do of course) and looks for love all day. She is also very bright and has been keeping up with the kindergarten curriculum easily. She is a born leader and drags our six year old behind her throughout her daily adventures. She lives for attention and is a complete clown! She sings, dances, and parades around enticing her oldest brother to leave his school work and begin a game of chase. Before I know it I have all four of them running at top speed around our kitchen. I have since began opening the back door and resigning to the fact that it must be recess time and shooing them all out for a few minutes.
Now, add to all this two different history lessons, two different science topics, two different reading assignments, and four different math lessons. No wait, it gets even better! Every ten seconds or so, some calls out "Mom!", "Mommy!", "Mama!", "I need help!", "He hit me!", "She's bothering me!", "He took my...". What's a homeschooling mom to do?
Monday, October 29, 2007
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Insecurities eased
We are only two weeks into the program and already insecurities over my decision are taunting me. Our Liturgy Director at our parish saw my children doing their religion out of the Baltimore Catechism and was shocked at my allowing it. It seems our arch-diocese only approved Sadlier for religious education. Did Seton lead me astray?
I'm also concerned with the 15 subjects my two older children are carrying. Because they are in different grades, hence have different subjects, I don't feel that I get to be a part of their studies the way I wanted to. I give them their lesson plans for the week and they are pretty much on their own after that. Of course they come to me with questions periodically and they enjoy answering the reading and history questions orally as opposed to writing them down. Sometimes they will retell a story they have read and that keeps me in the loop as well as lets me check their comprehension. But I really envisioned myself relearning along with them. They both move through their subjects so fast that I'm left wondering if there is a better way.
And then there's my 4 and 5 year old. They need direct "in your face" instruction but their attention span is so short that I feel their daily formal instruction time is only about an hour. Could there be a deficit in my teaching style? Do they need more? And how do I give it to them when they are no longer listening and the older children are asking questions? Why on earth did I think I could teach four different grades at one time?
Well, I had an epiphany last night. I decided to go back to those books on designing my own classical curriculum to see if they could tell me what I'm doing wrong. Reading through these books a second time without the frustration of choosing a curriculum in time for school to start allowed the information to really sink in. In fact, they proved to me that I'm actually doing things right! According to my findings, home-schooled children who are strong readers should be studying independently. The information they are studying is important, but even more important is that they are learning how to learn. The retelling of stories and answering questions orally are the best way for the information to really take hold.
And furthermore, the Baltimore Catechism has been suggested by several sources because it is an excellent preparation for theology because it is St. Thomas distilled. Pick a topic, see what the Baltimore Catechism says, and then compare it with the relevant article in the Summa Theologiae. St. Thomas is much more complete, but the basic position is in the catechism. Therefore, using the Baltimore catechism in the early years makes St. Thomas much easier. And the format in the catechism is perfect for little children, who can memorize so much more easily than we can do.
As for my 4 and 5 year old, only about 45 minutes of formal instruction a day is recommended. The rest of their learning will come from interacting with the family and participating in daily life.
Even more reassuring, several of these books actually recommended Seton Home Study and their chosen curriculum. I feel so much better for my decisions and for the way our day to day home school life is going. I feel more confident now even though I haven't changed anything that we are doing. I guess I am learning along with my children, just not the way I had envisioned.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Classroom disruptions!
And what about the door bell? All four seedlings seem to feel a sort of surge when the door bell rings and race each other to the door in excitement. The Sparkletts man never felt so welcome! We regularly greet our mailman and the UPS guy is better than Santa; you don't have to wait until Christmas! Children, come back!
Recess in the backyard and lunch at the park are offered. So why do we feel compelled to chase each other around in circles after every other subject?
Lord, thank you for my happy children.
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine. Proverbs 17:22
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Curriculum is in!
My next step was to review the lesson plans and note supplies needed as well as come up with a weekly schedule. This wasn't too hard. I have a decorated notebook for each child that holds their lesson plans, attendance sheets, quarterly reports and quizzes. I just need to come up with one schedule that has everyone's required daily work on it so I can get used to the rhythm of our day. I'm hoping that once we get started this will fall into place.
I'm noticing that with the curriculum required by Seton as well as the subjects I have added, my older children have 15 subjects they are working on. It sounds a little intense, and we joke about them begging to go back to the institutionalized school for a lighter schedule, but every subject is not every day. Hopefully they can handle it. I guess we can adjust as we go along.
So, books are here, supplies have been purchased, cubby holes are organized and lesson plans are ready. We are really doing it! We are homeschoolers!!
Pray for us :)
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
California Standardized Test Scores
I tested my 9 year old one night after ballet camp at 8:30pm. We were home alone so it seemed as good a time as any. Even after her physically exhausting day she finished in less than an hour. My 11 year old came home after football practice and began the test just before 10pm. Not the ideal testing circumstances! Nonetheless, I packaged the tests up and rushed mailed them the next morning. In just three days I received a phone called that the tests were graded and the results were amazing! My oldest received a near perfect test score missing only 1 question out of all 5 testing categories! My 9 year old only missed 4 questions! It was my choice if I wanted to move them up a grade.
Being a novice home-schooler, I was a little uncertain. In the end I chose to keep them at their age appropriate grade level but placed them in accelerated Saxon math. Seton's curriculum is already advanced so I am opting to try it before exchanging it for the next grade level up. I pray this is the right decision.
My accolades go out the the Catholic school where they have studied since kindergarten. They obviously have been academically challenged and I plan to continue that tradition.
Friday, August 10, 2007
The Socialization Question
How to Answer the Socialization Question Once and for All
by Marsha Ransom
I am beginning to tire of the many articles, essays and responses I keep running across on what has become to be known as the "socialization question."
Homeschooling families, please listen carefully: What people refer to as socialization is a non-issue! It has become a buzz-word among the Official Homeschool Nay Sayers Society. When someone asks you the question ("What about SOCIALIZATION!?"), I suggest you begin by asking them, "What do you mean by socialization?" They will more than likely proceed with some variation on the following theme: "You know, having your kids spend time with other kids their age. Hanging out with their friends, stuff like that." At that point do not, under any circumstances respond with, "Oh my little Susie gets plenty of socialization! She's in 4-H and Awanas, and Sunday school and HomeSchool band and she volunteers at the nursing home etc.etc. etc. In fact she has so many opportunities for socialization that I hardly have time to teach her some days..YaDa YaDa YaDa." Why not? Because this is not what socialization really is!
Here is a more appropriate response: "Oh, I think the word you are looking for is socializing. Socialization is actually defined as the process by which the norms and standards of our society are passed from one generation to the next. I've never really thought that a complete stranger's six-year old child would be a good source of information on the correct standards of behavior in our family and in society as a whole. As for socializing, I remember from my school days that it was something you weren't supposed to be doing during class!"
We do not have to defend homeschooling based on false assumptions, false accusations, and false information. Please stop telling others about all the opportunities your kids have for "socialization" and start gently exposing them to the real issue here-- a lot of what kids learn from other kids in social situations is simply living according to "The Law of the Jungle." In our family, we have a higher set of laws to follow and I bet your family does too. Next time, don't be afraid to say so!
Friday, August 3, 2007
Jumping off a moving train...
- Our two older children are advanced, self-motivated learners who could retain their love of learning with a lesson plan that accelerates with them and allows them to dig deep into subjects instead of just skimming the surface.
- Our child who went from two years of Special Ed into the regular classroom without mainstreaming (which was recommended by his IEP team) can be given all the love and attention he needs without the stigma of being "slow". His lesson plans can be adapted to fit his own needs and he doesn't need to sit in an overcrowded classroom with a distraught teacher who just doesn't have time for a child who needs extra care.
- My oldest was 1 out of 33 students, my next child was 1 out of 29, my third was 1 out of 22, and my baby was 1 out of 17. Doesn't 1 out of 4 sound marvelous?!?!
- My husband, who by the way is wonderful, loving AND handsome, works 12+ hours a day and travels frequently. Although we get his financial support it is up to me alone to handle teacher meetings, parent meetings, homework, school projects, school fundraisers, after school activities, ballet, soccer, football, piano lessons, teacher/parent communications, school committees, school services hours and run the house and care for the kid's needs. All this was being done with 3 different school schedules! By bringing it all home, the only outside schedules I need be concerned with are the afternoon sports and music lessons. I can handle that!
- The only thing Catholic about our Catholic school was the insertion of religion classes and a monthly mass. Some of the school's activities, curriculum, and problem solving methods were very secular in nature and lacked the Catholic/Christian perspective. By using a Catholic curriculum and exercising my duties as being the primary educator of my children (CCC2221), I can be sure that they are receiving a complete Catholic education.
- It's WAY cheaper than 4 Catholic school tuitions!
- Instead of spending 40+ hours a week in someone else's care, my children and I have time to grow, learn and be together! Our children can have time to play together.
- Our family has more time (40+ hours a week) to be an influence on our children's lives and character than their peers do. They won't have to endure school bullies or be forced to choose daily between their values or their peers before they are mature enough to handle it.
It feels a little like we're jumping off a moving train, but I feel we've landed on a soft surface. It's not even scary anymore. I just feel a great sense of peace that we are headed in the right direction.