Two Beautiful Brown Boys Learning . . . at Home

Handwriting Without Tears

2011-03-15T14:39:00.000-07:00

Z2 always wants to "do school". He generally wants to do anything Z1 does because that's his big brother! Z2 is only three and so there's not much to his schooling. Initially I was just doing play-dough and playing flash-card games with him but one day at work, I noticed a book in the garbage. I took it out because it looked relatively new--and it was. It was a pre-school Handwriting without Tears book and only a few pages had been done. I do the Handwriting without Tears program at work and I really like it. It's a consistent, methodological, multi-sensory approach to handwriting developed by an occupational therapist. My students are work really enjoy it, it's easy to do, and it's really effective.

So when I found the book half used, I took it and decided to use it for Z2. Why not implement the program at home? Not only is it good for helping Z2 develop his motor skills/writing, it's a wonderful review of letters and their sounds. So this is what I've been using to "do school" with Z2 and it's working out well. I don't do all the HWT steps. I have the slate board for Wet-Dry-Try (but I didn't buy the sponges--I just cut up my own and I didn't buy the chalk). I also roll out letters with the dough (Z2 finds this very challenging). I purchased the flip crayons which is what we use to write in the preschool workbook. They are just brilliant. I must say, Z2's grip is right on point (tripod grip is ideal for writing) and he enjoys doing his "work".

I use the HWT program in conjunction with the Brainquest Preschool workbook. I don't love this workbook but it's colorful and fun and Z2 likes having his own book. I purchased it at Costco for about $7 so I'm not too mad. I also broke out the Hooked on Phonics tapes but Z2 is a different child and does not seem willing to abide all the repetition.

I also use HWT for Z1. He's using the first grade workbook now and we really don't do anything except practice in the workbook. We were using the blackboard with double lines and all the steps but he's really comfortable writing now and knows how to form his letters. His handwriting is very nice and so I have no reservations recommending the HWT programs both for younger and older students. We may use the HWT program for cursive but I can't say I'm crazy the HWT cursive style although the one pro to it is that it's very readable.

You can download guides and extra resources too!

Tangrams

2010-12-12T07:49:00.000-08:00

At my job, as part of the critical thinking portion of the math program, we have the kids do something similar to tangrams (they actually use pattern blocks). I think it's a great and fun thinking tool. Here's some history on tangram puzzles. Tangram puzzles really work out your mind and force you to think in different ways. After someone mentioned on Facebook that their child was working with pattern blocks, I was motivated to give tangrams a try myself. We did some puzzles online but we were getting rather frustrated so I went in search of a tangram set--something we could touch and move around with our fingers. I discovered Classic Tangoes, a quality game with lots of puzzle cards (and solutions). It comes in a very compact case and we really have a good time figuring out the puzzles--or at least trying. Most of the time, we give up and "cheat" but even after we look at the solution, we're always fascinated by how the puzzle is solved. Heck, even putting the pieces back in the case is a challenge.

Another game I discovered is the Think Fun Block (interestingly enough, this game is used at my job too). I didn't buy it but it's on my wish list. I love these games that are challenging and not electronic! And I'm very excited because here is a great way to learn about math that feels just like playing.

I will print out some simple tangram block templates for Z2 now that I think about it . . . he always wants to play with the tangrams but doesn't know how. He really enjoys puzzles and this is a great way to get him involved!

Photo Credit

Science, science, science . . .

2010-12-05T09:10:00.000-08:00

I am really having a difficult time incorporating science learning in a consistent way. So far, I've just been following Z1's cues. Over the past couple of months, we've studied seasons, what makes day and night, and bats. I'm not using any curriculum: we've just been borrowing books and using online resources (like Lesson Pathways). Anyway, I'd like to become more consistent about it and I'm looking for ideas. We don't really do experiments and I'm trying to figure out why I'm not more enthusiastic about it. I've borrowed Mudpies to Magnets about two different times and I still can't get into it. I discovered Supercharged Science and while I like what I see on there, the price is just completely out of the question. This book, Real Science 4 Kids might have something but I am just loathe to put out more money.

I can't say I had a really good science education (up until I got to high school) and I'd like to offer that to Z1 but I feel kind of limited and unenthusiastic about it. I really don't want to pass that on. But I think that for the rest of this kindergarten year, I'll just keep doing what I've been doing (but being more consistent) and then maybe come summer, we'll become members at the Liberty Science Center and that might spark something in both Z1 and I. I'm also trying to remember that he's in kindergarten and I'm sure that as time goes on, I'll be able to enroll him in science programs offered by the various parks, recreation departments, and nature centers. Just recently, we participated in a program at Westmoreland Sanctuary where we learned about birds and made a bird feeder. We're having an awesome time watching birds feed at the feeder and it's amazing how much information we picked up about birds just by participating.

So I guess somewhere deep inside I really believe we'll learn about science in a natural and un-forced kind of way because truly, it's all around us. We keep our eyes and ears open, take advantage of so much of the still-wild spaces we have around us by going on hikes and supporting our nature centers and we'll learn plenty. After all, we started talking about night and day when Z1 noticed that it was pitch black by the time it was dinner time. We got into bats because he was using the computers at the library and the program introduced him to Stellaluna (a beautiful book by the way).

I also think I can reasonably commit to one science experiment or activity a month. Nothing too ambitious. Just some activity related to what we're doing or experiencing.

By the time the boys get to high school and need to learn the more complex, knitty-gritty science, I think we'll be able to utilize our local community colleges.

I gave up on Right Start . . .

2010-12-04T08:47:00.000-08:00

I haven't been able to keep up with this blog like I would to. (((sigh))) I haven't given up on it but I have given up on Right Start Math. I purchased Math-U-See which is the one I had originally felt moved to buy and boy am I glad I did I finally did it even though I had to sink a big chunk of change. Lesson learned: follow your gut.

For me, Right Start Math was just not a good fit. First of all, I had to do more preparation than I was willing to in order to begin each lesson. Photocopies. Cutting stuff up. Taping stuff together. Oh goodness. With Math-U-See, I just jump right into the lesson. Sometimes I read the teacher's manual. Other times, Z1 and I just watch the instructional DVD together. I love how simple and straightforward this program is. I like how it's ordered. Every lesson seems to naturally flow into the next. It makes sense to me in a way that Right Start was not. Don't get me wrong: I'm happy to have tried Right Start though . . . I think there's some value in learning math with an abacus although I have to honestly say that learning with the blocks just makes much more sense to me and to Z1. What I did really like about Right Start though was how it threw in things that weren't necessarily related to the topic at hand like the meaning of parallel and perpendicular lines and identification of quadrilaterals.

But since I trust Math-U-See (because it makes sense to me), I know we'll eventually cover everything. So we are both very happy with Math-U-See. Actually, thrilled with it.

Another program we've been using is IXL: Math for the Left and the Right Brain. I *really* like this site a lot. It provides lots of extra practice for things we're covering in Math-U-See but Z1 also clicks around and tries all different kinds of things. I enjoy sitting with him and working on it. It's self-correcting and Z1 is motivated to keep going in order to get ribbons and other prizes. Plus we get an e-mail report about what he's been doing. We had a free trial membership through our homeschooling co-op and there's a big possibility that all members will be able to get a heavily discounted membership which would be wonderful because I'd actually pay full price for it.

Soap in a Ziploc Bag

2010-10-20T08:59:00.000-07:00

Today's lesson in All About Spelling involved me sealing dishwashing liquid in a zip-close plastic baggie. :)

Z1 used his pointer finger to "write" the letters that make certain sounds on this baggie So, for example, I would dictate the sound "s" or "ch" and he'd "write" the corresponding letter(s) on it. He loves how the "goo" feels. I have to admit, so do I. It's kind of relaxing.

I'm going to do the same thing with some shaving cream as soon as I can get to the dollar store to buy some cheap shaving cream.

Right here, right now.

2010-10-19T14:49:00.000-07:00

In my last post I was struggling with the Right Start Math curriculum but I'm sticking with it. Today's lesson (working with 10s) was actually pretty interesting so I'm encouraged.

Aside from that, we just started the All About Spelling program level 1. It will be really easy for Z1 since we've covered much of the material (syllables and vowels/consonants) but I'm hoping it'll build his confidence and fill some gaps.

Last Friday, I went down to NYCHEA's annual meeting at the ROC. It took us over an hour on the train to get down there. And then when we got down there, I realized that I could not fully participate since Z2 is just a touch too young to hang out independently with other children (he still hits and bites on occasion) but he is too old (and disruptive) to have stayed quietly in the meeting room. So I didn't garner much from the meeting at all. One thing I did hear a little bit more about was the Charlotte Mason method and I'm going to try to get some more information on it. (Currently, my lean is toward classical homeschooling in the vein of The Well-Trained Mind.) What I learned from the whole exhausting experience was that it is just not the time. I have been struggling so hard to get us involved in groups and trying to get us doing things with other homeschoolers. I have been repeatedly frustrated. I am now accepting that when the time comes, building our community and getting the support I need will be simple. It won't be exhausting. It won't be frustrating or stressful. As with everything else, I'm learning to be right here, right now.

On a different note, it was so exciting today! At the library program we go to regularly on Tuesdays, they introduced a new thing. We can now borrow bags full of materials (puzzles, coloring pages, puppets, books, etc.) all focused on a particular theme. The theme of the bag we borrowed this week is "Community Helpers" which is awesome because one of the aims for first grade is learning about . . . you guessed it community helpers! So that was a wonderful discovery! And I'm reminded that for all the things I don't have, there are many things I do. So I'm grateful!

So I'm feeling very positive about things right now.

Already learning . . .

2010-10-13T05:45:00.000-07:00

I took the huge risk of purchasing the Right Start math curriculum for almost $200. I wanted something that would be fun, interactive and hands-on while providing a rock-solid mathematics foundations. It's extremely important to me that the boys develop a deep understanding of math--not just learning what to do and doing it. I what them to really comprehend why they are doing things. I think the program is wonderful in that regard but I find it tedious and dry. Except for the games, there really is nothing fun about it and the materials are really drab.

I understood it was a risk. At this point, I kind of wish I had gone with the Math-u-See program like I was going to initially. But I'm not purchasing anything else for this school year. I have spent about $275 on curricula this year: Right Start and All About Spelling and that's my limit. I would rather spend money on museums or classes than on curricula.

So, I'm going to make do with the Right Start math for this year, look into doing Math Mammoth (the free worksheets) and continue to use the School Zone Math 1-2 book I purchased some time ago.

I'm not sure about purchasing math curricula in the future. I may give Math-u-See a try but that's really about it. I have decided to read (and perhaps purchase) Knowing and Teaching Elementary Mathematics to help me become more confident as a math teacher. I will probably cobble together my own curriculum using many resources. We really don't have money to waste and so I will have to be more self-sufficient in regards to curricula.

Where do we homeschool?

2010-09-27T05:34:00.000-07:00

The obvious answer would be at home. But in reality, homeschooling happens everywhere. Most homeschoolers can honestly say that the world is their classroom.

But you have to have a control center! And that, obviously, is the home.

Like I said in my previous post, we spend one hour daily, Monday through Friday on what I call table work. The rest of our day is spent going places, playing games, reading or listening to stories and just living life. I'm reminded that in traditional cultures, this is mainly how children learn. They just live life along with their parents. They learn by watching and then doing. And as far as I can see, this is still a magnificent way to gain knowledge.

But in our modern times we have the privilege and opportunity to learn about things that may be beyond the scope of our experience. There are also things we need to learn just to function such as reading and writing. And so we do take some time to sit down and focus on these things. (This is my personal belief and I would not purport to represent all homeschoolers. There are so many styles of homeschooling and people adapt and change their approach many times based on life circumstance and the personality/learning style of the student.)

We have a relatively small house but it is quite comfortable, accommodating all of us easily. (Though I do not love the town we live in, I am falling more and more in love with this house as I work hard to make it a home.) Anyway, the only place we have a table large and high enough on which to do work is in the kitchen. The kitchen is the center of our home. Always busy, always stuff going on. So I've had to get creative about how to store things so that they are easily accessible to us when we're "doing school", i.e. sitting at the table doing sit-down work. I will have pictures soon but right now, I'll just explain.

I use the walls a lot. I have many hand-written charts on the walls and doors held with mounting putty or clear sealing tape depending on the surface. Our alphabet chart is on the fridge. I have the kids' magnetic calendar hanging on the wall next to our family planning calendar. I would love for it to be lower but Z2 would definitely make a big mess of it. I just take it off the wall and bring it to the table when we're ready to do calendar work.

On sentence strips on the top half of the back of the door, I've written out Z1's biographical information: address, phone number, country, name, etc . . . Our number chart is on the bottom half of the door.

To store our materials, I have a wide, clear 3-drawer cart. It holds a lot of stuff so I've removed the wheels to make it more stable. I don't move it around anyway. The top drawer has arts and crafts supplies: glue, crayons, markers, pipe cleaners, glitter, etc. The middle drawer is the math drawer: flash cards, parts of the Right Start curriculum, counting blocks, etc. The bottom drawer is for handwriting/reading/spelling. I guess I could call it the literacy drawer.

On the table, I have four black plastic magazine files. Here I store the books and notebooks that we use everyday. One file is for Z2: sticker books and stuff pertinent to his learning. The other 3 are for Z1: one for math, the other for literacy and the last for science/social studies.

I'm pretty pleased with the set-up. I am constantly thinking of ways to improve it. I wish there were some way to have their books in the kitchen with us but we really don't have any more space in there. But I'm thinking. Even if we can't have all their books, there might be a way to display a few that I'd like to really focus on for the week or month.

When I tell people thaI really enjoyed going to school as a child, they often express surprise that I would then want to homeschool. They don't understand that for me, school represented a proving ground, somewhere to show what I was worth--not knowing that I was priceless just because I am. I didn't think learning happened anywhere else but the classroom and I was hyper-focused on doing well there. I didn't realize until after I left school that there is so much more to education than what happens sitting at a desk at school. I'm thrilled to be able to give my kids a different experience. So while we do have a classroom of sorts set up in our house, I'm working hard so my children will understand.

Where do we homeschool? Wherever we happen to be.

Weekly Recap (09/20-09/24)

2010-09-26T07:40:00.000-07:00

I am going to make it a point to post to this blog every Sunday. I am confident I can keep up with this resolution.

So this week past was the second week that we have been consistently doing work, officially doing kindergarten. I am still learning and sometimes it gets frustrating. But I'm determined to really pay attention and learn what works best for us.

I had the wonderful opportunity to watch a vlog on YouTube about one family's homeschooling approach. I encourage you to watch. This mama's blog (Well-Trained Homeschool) is also listed on the sidebar and I really enjoy reading it. Many of her ideas about homeschool mirror mine. I'm learning, however, that based on my children's personality, I may have to modify things as we go along.

So currently, we are doing an hour of sit-down work daily. I start with the calendar. Z1 crosses off the date and then we recite/go over the day of the week, the month, the date and the year. I write it on triple-lined paper and he copies it. We've also been practicing writing his first and last name. We also do one letter from the Handwriting without Tears program (wet-dry-try and then writing in the workbook/coloring).

We then move on to reading. I've been using some resources from this site. I also found an old-school reader at the thrift store for $0.19 that I will give a try. Most of the time, we just read one of the books we've borrowed from the library for 10 minutes or so and then I ask questions. But I don't necessarily trust myself to ask effective questions so I've been looking around to find some kind of program that I could use. I did find Headsprout but I would not like to spend $100 on it right now. Plus, I found it kind of boring (although Z1 liked it).

After reading, we move on to math. Like I said, I purchased the RightStart Math curriculum and so far, so good. I started at the very beginning of the program and it's basic for Z1: he already knows most of it but it's a great review and a good way for him to familiarize himself with the tools the program uses such as tally marks and the abacus. Also, started at such a basic level increases his confidence. He thinks he rocks (and he does)!

So this is basically what we do daily. For social studies, I am keeping it very informal. Learning about how our neighborhood works and all that. For science, I really don't know what to do so I think I'll just stick with the typical course of study for kindergarten and go through topic by topic, planning to cover everything by the end of the school year. I'm keeping my eyes open for an amazing curriculum or something to come along. I just place More Mudpies to Magnets on hold at the library. I'm excited to see what it offers.

My biggest challenge right now is getting Z1 to come to the table and do work. Like most everything else I ask him to do, he complains and grumbles. When we finally get into it, he enjoys it but it is like pulling teeth to get started. I feel like I am forcing him and I don't want to do that. The other day, I was being laid back about it and told him we needed to do some work that day and that he should let me know when he was ready. It seemed like he would never be ready. Eventually, I just had to bring him to the table by telling him that he couldn't play his Leapster all day and not do work. So I'm just not sure what to do about that. Generally, if we're going to do work, I'd prefer to do it in the morning while I have the most energy and patience. I can get some housework done after and then we can head out of doors in the afternoon. So I'm really meditating and trying to figure out where to go from here.

As for Z2, he sits at the table with us most of the time. We work on letters, numbers, colors. I let him play with clay or color or cut up stuff. Sometimes he works at Starfall. I try to make him feel included and to involve him as much as possible. This way he doesn't get bored or interfere with Z1's learning.

So that's it for this week.

School Starts Monday!

2010-09-10T17:02:00.000-07:00

We are officially starting school this coming Monday after taking July and August off. The school kids in our town start Monday as well so it just seemed like a good time for us to start. The boys won't see any kids hanging out outside because they'll be in school!

So let me share what we're going to be doing.

Math

I was deliberating between Math-u-See and RightStart Math. After reading tons of reviews, I'm going with RightStart Math. I'm hoping and praying Z1 takes to it because it was pretty expensive. My main thing was that many of the reviewers said it was fun for their children and they really enjoyed it. I really want math to be pleasant for both of us. Heretofore, it has not been. I also have a 1st Grade math workbook and a workbook on time and money that I'm sure we'll be able to use for extra practice if we need it.

Social Studies/History

I am using the Year K Guided Journey at Lesson Pathways. The first lesson is "Community: Where You Live" and this unit lasts one week. I hope to get some books at the library on Tuesday that reinforce the lesson but I want to be more on top of things and get supporting books the week before. I'm sure he will enjoy mailing something to himself!

Science

We are doing the Year K Science Guided Journey. The first lesson is "What is a Scientist?" which will take another week. We'll be working on Social Studies and Science twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday.

Language Arts

We'll be doing the Year 1 Language Arts Guided Journey. The first lesson is Bed in Summer. We'll be working on Language Arts daily. Z1 is actually a very strong reader so in terms of phonics and reading, we will just continue to borrow a wide variety of Level 2 and 3 books at the library. I also have a spelling workbook and we'll probably complete one page daily. I may purchase the All About Spelling curriculum for him though. We will see.

To start school each day, we will do some copywork combined with learning the calendar. He will write out the day and date each day. As his writing improves, we will do more copywork (poems, passages, etc). Once a week, we will do Handwriting without Tears, Level K-1.

Music

Z1 will be taking violin at the same church he took Kindermusik lessons. Z2 will be taking Kindermusik lessons again.

Physical Education

Z1 will be taking basketball on Saturdays at the YMCA. We will also be going on weekly (short) hikes.

For Z2, I've got sticker books (for learning numbers, letters and shapes) and I'm going to be following Brightly Beaning Steps to Reading Program Preparatory Curriculum. Lesson #1 is about cows/calfs, the square shape, the letter A and the number 1. Z2 will probably do a lot of coloring and puzzles. He's 2 after all!!

So that's the plan. I'll be modifying as we go along (of course). I'm hoping to establish some strong homeschool ties for us this year. We'll be headed into the city much more often and I'm considering enrolling Z1 in a class at The Roc. I'm intimidated by the price but it might be well worth it.

A good place

2010-05-19T03:39:00.000-07:00

Z1 is now reading. I mean, really reading. He surprises me often with just how naturally reading comes to him. We've been using Hooked on Phonics which has been a great program for him but honestly, he is moving way faster than the program. We're still using the program just to solidify the foundational aspects of reading but he is solidly into Level 1 reading books (which is first grade). I am also pleased with his ability to comprehend what he reads. He reads on his own without having to be prompted. Z1 will be 5 in August so this is all very awesome to me! I am an avid reader and I would be lying if I said it didn't excite me that it looks like Z1 will also be an avid reader. I would be so happy to have engendered a love of reading in him!

For the past few weeks, I have been taking Z1 to the White Plains Library where they have a story and craft time particularly for older kids. The drive is a bit long (20 minutes) especially since I am usually in White Plains again on Thursdays but I think the program is so worth it. Like I said in my previous post, I feel like I have been lacking in the arts area and so this helps to fill in the gaps. Aside from that, I bought a few art supplies to have on hand and I hope that encourages me to at least do little art projects. For example, we made some flowers from paper and pipe cleaners and Z1 really enjoyed that activity.

Our science unit on rocks went well although I feel like it's incomplete. I lost steam but we were at least able to go out into nature and study rocks. We've mused on the different types of rocks and talked about it. It was a good introduction on the pre-school level to rocks. There's one experiment I want to do (making an island) but the issue is carving out time to do it.

And on the issue of time: I have been finding it so difficult to get schooling in because of all the other things I have to do to keep the household running. I am now staying consistent with doing schoolwork before and after meals. I feel like I am not able to focus as much as I would like to before meals but Z1 is able to do workbook type stuff or practice his handwriting. I realized that I really have to prioritize schooling and I think that when he is officially kindergarten age, I will become more strict about certain mornings being devoted to school.

I have moved all the schooling materials into one rolling 3-drawer bin. It's good to have everything together in one place although I intend to buy smaller trays to organize the bin a bit better. I put all kinds of posters and things up on the wall in the kitchen so now it really looks like a learning environment. I put up the calendar (which I'm trying to do with Z1 consistently) and other learning tools like a word wall and posters about reading rules and money. Also, the week's spelling words are up.

About spelling words, I think I'm going to have to wait a bit on going all out with spelling words until Z1's handwriting catches up.

Last night after dinner, we played addition Bingo which was a lot of fun. We'll definitely do that more often.

So that's really all that's been going on. I think we're in a good place right now and moving forward.

Spelling Lists

2010-04-07T16:22:00.000-07:00

In school, I actually enjoyed spelling quite a lot. I went to parochial school and at the beginning of the week you'd get a spelling list. On Monday for homework, you would write out each spelling word three times. Tuesday, you would alphabetize the list. Wednesday you would write the definition and on Thursday you would use them in sentences. Using them in sentences was always the best part for me. Writing the definitions was the worst part because it was tedious. Especially if a word had multiple meanings. On Fridays was the test. I usually got a perfect score. I have loved words all my life.

Anyway, it occurred to me that Z1 might enjoy spelling words too. So I went in search of first grade spelling lists and found this nifty site and this nifty site (which honestly I prefer because many of the words are sight words as opposed to words that can be easily sounded out). We will incorporate spelling words into our routine and see how it works out.

Update and New Unit: Rocks

2010-04-06T12:35:00.000-07:00

So after much thinking, I've realized that both Z1 and I would do better with a lot more structure to our routine. As much as I would like to have set times daily to do work, it doesn't always work because of our activities. But my goal is to do at least one hour or academics daily and to stick more closely to our course of study.

We've been doing well in reading (using the Hooked on Phonics program) and handwriting (using the Handwriting Without Tears program) and math (using the School Zone Big Math 1-2 workbook).

Some academic areas I've been neglecting are music, art and science. Z1 takes a music class but it's just singing and movement. I need to get more serious about showing him basic piano skills and how to read music as well as music appreciation. We listen to a lot of music but we haven't gotten into discussing it and so this is something I'm looking to do. Art projects drive me batty--gluing, cutting and all that. We don't have a lot of space and mess is just too much. I would like to find some kind of weekly art program that's free or inexpensive so that he gets to make projects and be artistic and I get to keep my sanity. And then there's science. We covered the water cycle last but I feel that the gap between when we finished with that and when we started the new unit about rocks (today) was way too long. Also, I feel our water cycle study wasn't as cohesive as I would have liked so I'm going about the rock unit a little differently.

First off, we're going to be doing our first lapbook for this unit. I'm excited to see if we'll like doing it (or if it will just be tedious). I'd like to use books, websites, DVDs and have a culminating field trip and then the lapbook will be the tangible thing we take from the unit. Just today we learned that there are three kinds of rock. I know that some of this will be over Z1's head but I don't have a problem exposing him to it.

Some sites I've found so far through a preliminary google search:
http://www.rocksforkids.com/
http://www.kidsgeo.com/geology-games/rocks-game.php
http://www.rockhoundkids.com/
http://www.kidskonnect.com/subject-index/15-science/97-rocks-a-minerals.html

I am borrowing The Well-Trained Mind from the library again with the intention of buying. When I first read it, I thought it was way too structured but I'm more ready to embrace it now. I don't know what finally clicked but I'm liking the idea of classical education at home a lot more.

Celebrating Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T04:46:00.000-08:00

So the origins of Valentine's Day are dubious. I've never been too keen about it. However, as part of the Kindergarten curriculum and since we live in a society that celebrates, we learned about. it I borrowed quite a few books from the library about Valentine's Day and discovered that there are many different ideas about where it started and many interesting ways that it's celebrated. We discussed the symbols and read stories about it. We made some Valentine's crafts and exchanged cards. We baked heart shaped chocolate pretzels which were, umm, interesting. However, I think Z1 enjoyed the whole thing. Happy Valentine's Day!!

My homeschooling style

2009-12-27T05:52:00.000-08:00

A great woman who runs the local homeschooling group asked if I'd be a contact person for new homeschoolers. I agreed to do it because I'm enthusiastic about homeschooling and also looking to make more connections both for my sake and for my childrens' sake. Anyway, she asked me to write a blurb about my homeschooling style and this is what I wrote:

I have two energetic boys: age 4 and age 2, and the fact that they are boys really informs and influences my attitude about and style of homeschooling. I read a book called Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv and another called the Dangerous Book for Boys by Conn Iggulden and Hall Iggulden and what I took away was that for boys especially, it’s so important to have them out in nature, exploring the world around them. As such, it’s my goal to give them a learning environment that allows them to be out a lot using their natural, bountiful energy and curiosity to drive their learning.

Technically, I am only teaching my four year old but my 2 year old loves to tag along. I would say that I take a laid-back approach to homeschooling. I do not use a set curriculum but I do use the New York State standards and the Typical Course of Study as a guide. In homeschooling, I’ve learned that I really needed to learn my child first and so I’ve really gotten familiar with his style of learning and the times throughout the day when he is most willing to learn. He enjoys working in workbooks and so I’ve invested in a few good ones. One book that has given me some guidance in the technical aspects of homeschooling is The Well-Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise and while I find it a bit rigid, it has helped in some important ways. At my son's age, I’m more focused now on him getting concepts as opposed to things that require fine motor skills such as writing. Initially, writing was very frustrating to my son but I was pushing it. Now, I am focusing on other things and he has naturally taken to writing and is improving every day. So I’m learning to trust myself and trust him, knowing that in the right time and space sequence, we will get everything accomplished. Right now, I’m working with him on addition and subtraction. We also work on patterns and sequences, telling time and we are slowly getting into money. I have no set time frame for when all this will be mastered but my goal is to keep him one grade level ahead. For reading, we are using the Hooked on Phonics program but also taking a very laid back approach to it. For science, I basically depend on him to dictate what we will be studying. Last month he showed an interest in the sun and so we did a study of the sun and the solar system. The study was supported with books, the internet, DVDs, etc. This month, he was interested in electricity and so we are discovering that. Social studies right now is rather organic and we learn that as we are out and about in the world. Aside from all that, I take him to our local library for arts and crafts and I have him enrolled in a Kindermusik class. I’m really focused on keeping the learning fun and engaging and never forcing him to do something before he’s ready.

My ultimate goal is to help them become analytical and critical thinkers and to help them enjoy learning. I want them to be willing, enthusiastic, lifelong learners.

Form is so important.

2009-11-28T16:37:00.000-08:00

I started working at a learning center on Saturdays. I'm so happy for the job although I'm my usual cautious, skeptical self. I don't want to get too excited but this is a great way to keep myself in the education sector. To keep my feet wet, so to speak.

Last Saturday, I had a rather unpleasant interaction with a student, one of the very few students of color at the center. He was rude and sarcastic and I had to ask him why he was being that way. The boy is in fifth grade and his parents have him there to work on his handwriting and his reading. The boy seems very bright--I don't actually think he needs any extra help with the reading. His handwriting is legible but not neat. You could chalk it up to him being a boy (boys seem to be less precise with their handwriting though not always). But what I see (and I'm not sure why the teachers haven't noticed) is that the boy holds his pencil incorrectly.

There might not be one wholly correct way to hold a pencil. There may be some slight differences here and there but generally, the pencil should point towards you as you're writing. This student I'm talking about holds his pencil pointing away from him and looks like he is wrestling to write. There are pages and pages of manuscript handwriting worksheets that he has been doing and the writing stays the same. I'm positive that a change in his pencil posture would improve things.

I am now insisting that Z1 improve his pencil posture. I hadn't been emphasizing it before mainly because I didn't realize how important it was. It's annoying to him but I know that it will vastly improve his penmanship. Form is so important. As a crocheter/knitter, holding your implements correctly is the difference between neat work with even stitches and sloppy, uneven work. The same applies to handwriting.

So I pulled out the D'Nealian Handwriting workbook and two or three times a week, we sit down with it and practice. I'm not so interested in anything other than he knows how to hold the pencil and how to manipulate the pencil holding it correctly. I know that as he gets older, his fine motor skills will continue to improve and he will be able to control the pencil.

I haven't given up on sharpening his fine motor skills. Just today, Z1 requested that we make snowflakes. It didn't occur to me until I actually looked up snowflake templates that this is a great way for him to practice using a pair of scissors. As with a pencil, the way you hold it makes all the difference in the results you get. For Z1, cutting out the snowflakes was an excellent way to teach this lesson. When he was holding the scissor the wrong way, he couldn't get any kind of real cutting done. Holding them correctly, he was able to cut out with much more ease. I love a hands-on lesson. I know what he learned will carry over to the handwriting too.

He Counted to 100!

2009-10-31T19:24:00.001-07:00

We were sitting at the table having our dinner this evening and Z1 decided to count to 100. He asked me to help him when he got stuck. I was expecting that when he got to 40, he'd start to falter but no, he just kept right on to 50 then 60 then 70 then 80 then 90 then 100!!!! I was so excited and proud and so was he. What a pleasant surprise! His push to count to 100 was totally self-motivated. I pushed him to get to 30 but he basically did the rest. I have a 100s chart that I placed on his wall underneath his calendar and he regularly sits there and counts. His abacus that I got for his birthday that he had religiously neglected? All of a sudden, he's counting to 100 with it. I'm really thrilled and working on figuring out the next step.

Today, we carved pumpkins which was a lot fun but I see that his fine motor skills are still developing. I hope to find ways to help him along so that way he can start to write to 100 too. Then, I will look into him taking classes to learn the soroban method of arithmetic (I found this company that offers to teach it and went in for a demonstration--I was very impressed).

Counting by 5's

2009-10-30T14:29:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in a while . . .

For the past few weeks, we've been working on addition. I've been trying to give Z1 a number of methods he can use to solve addition equations. Once we've mastered addition, we're going to move on to counting by 2's, 5's and 10's. I'm especially interested in the counting by 5's because once he can do that comfortably, we can move on in our learning about telling time on an analog clock. Right now, he can tell you the time on the hour.

Yesterday, we took a wonderful hiking trip with some of our closest homeschooling friends. The drive was about 45 minutes and while we were driving, School House Rock was playing. Our friends had bought the box set on Ebay. Talk about a blast from the past. Well, I heard this song:

It's the very same song which taught me to count by 5's. Luckily, Z1 loves it and so we'll be playing it a lot. He also likes Zero, My Hero. I can't believe how well done School House Rock is and I'm excited that someone has brought these wonderful learning songs back into my consciousness.

Getting Back to our Curriculum

2009-07-20T05:09:00.001-07:00

I had stopped following the Brightly Beaming curriculum for a few weeks. I guess I got bored. But we're going to start again with Preparatory Lesson 17. The theme is Sheep. The shape of the week is a heart. The letter of the week is Qq. The number is 17. We will focus a lot on practicing writing hears, the letter Q and the number 17. I feel like now that he is further along in terms of knowing the shapes, letters, and numbers, we can do a lot more. In other words, I can use this curriculum to build.

Here's some Sheep resources:

http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/economy/sheep.htm

http://www.kiddyhouse.com/Farm/Sheep/

We'll definitely be doing a sheep craft with cotton balls.

Z1 expressed an interest in lightning the other day. The thing he is still most interested in, though, are computer games.

Learning to Deal

2009-06-17T14:59:00.000-07:00

So I'm learning to deal. I know that homeschooling is not an easy task. It's a lot of responsibility. Sometimes I end up putting a lot of pressure on myself and then on Z1. I think he ought to be able to do certain things so I push. I have to realize that maybe he's not ready just yet. And be okay with that.

Case in point? Handwriting. He does a good job of writing his own name in that it's recognizable. Recently, he started writing the "Z" like a "Z" instead of an "S". That's great!! However, writing numbers has proven to be a challenge for him. Last Saturday, we went to a program that teaches kids how to use the Soroban (Japanese abacus) and the requirements to begin the program was that the child be 5 years of age and know how to write his numbers up to 100. I kept thinking in my mind, "Fat chance . . . he won't even write the number 3." So the days following, I was all about writing numbers. He got frustrated. The tears started. So I closed the books. And I just had to re-evaluate the whole situation and my motivation. See, there's no rush to get him into the program at 5. He can start at 8 or 9. But me, being who I am, I felt like he should be ready to go by 5. Ready now. That's just not fair to Z1.

I'm at this point where I am easing up --just let him color and do other things to sharpen his fine motor skills like using the mouse and playing his beloved games because I see he's struggling with the handwriting and getting frustrated. I do not want him to be frustrated at all. I found this article and from it I can derive that he is doing okay because he is strong in some aspects like doing puzzles and he does hold the pencil correctly and maintain it.

So I'm really going to back off. If he picks up a handwriting book, that's cool. I'll work with him on it and really support him with it. If not, so be it.

I'm also going to get serious about doing science consistently with him. We read a book called Ducks Don't Get Wet and there was an experiment in there with feathers and oil to show exactly how ducks stay dry. We'll do that tomorrow hopefully. That's the last I think we'll do about birds. I actually learned a lot about birds myself. Like the largest bird in the world is an ostrich and the smallest is a hummingbird.

I asked what he wants to study next and he said airplanes. This Friday we're going to a library in a different town. We'll start our search for books and other supporting media then. I'd really like to take him to a local airplane hangar. I think that would be so cool.

More than anything, I am learning to just stop comparing Z1 to anyone else. He's got his own life situation (which involves having a toddler baby brother) and his own personality (including strengths and weaknesses). My goal is to completely appreciate who he is as a person and as a learner. So that this journey will be fun and fulfilling. A joy.

What Makes a Shadow?

2009-05-29T10:59:00.000-07:00

Today Z1 was eager to show me his shadow in the foyer. He has expressed interest in shadows before. I went on the net to find some resources and found two things: the My Shadow website, which looks great and a the book What Makes a Shadow? which I put on hold at the library.

In trying to figure out Z1's other interests, I am having to accept that playing video games ranks high on the list of things he likes to do. Very high. So I'm going to relax a little bit on limiting video games and let him have at it. Right now, he loves his father's plug and play games. But I'm thinking of also getting him the Leapfrog handheld gaming system. ~~Actually, I'm thinking of hitting up the grandparents for it . . . LoL.~~ I can't forget to mention Funschool too. Z1 really likes that site.

Photo Credit: Free Daddy and His Little Shadow Girls at The Sakte Park by Pink Sherbet Photography

Getting it together learning wise . . .

2009-05-25T04:42:00.000-07:00

I know I have a tendency to be regimented/rigid. Homeschooling presents me with a great opportunity to learn flexibility. Still, I know for my own sanity, it will be important to have some kind of learning schedule. Something predictable that I can look forward to.

A week or two ago, I started to feel as if I was not doing enough academically with Z1. A lot of that has to do with the fact that Z2 is so mobile that most of my energy is spent running around after him. To get anything done with Z1, either Chris has to be home to take him or he has to be put in his play pen, which he hates.

Anyway, I was starting to feel pressure and inadequacy and decided that I would just write out a little something to do academically daily. After all, at this age (preschool) the main focus, in my opinion, should be on play as that is the way preschoolers actually learn. I don't think it harmful, though, to practice some skills. I don't pressure Z1 to do any of these activities. I just kind of throw it out there that we'll be doing the activity and some point during the day.

Our Theme for May has been Birds.
Some books we've been using:
Birds by Kevin Henkes
Riki's Birdhouse
What Makes a Bird a Bird?

THE SCHEDULE
Monday
1. Discuss the day of the week and the weather
2. Work on handwriting in handwriting workbook
3. Bird nursery rhymes/songs

Tuesday
1. Discuss the day of the week and the weather
2. Science
-view bird videos
-look through bird books
-discuss what birds eat, where they live, what makes a bird a bird

Wednesday
1. Discuss the day of the week and the weather
2 Picture drawing while listening to book (this month, the book is a book about birds)
3. Bird nursery rhymes

Thursday
1. Discuss the day of the week and the weather
2. Math
-counting and number recognition
-patterns

Friday
1. Discuss the day of the week and the weather
2. Art activity/lacing beads
3. Sight words

I use this Kindergarten Curriculum Guide to guide my instruction. According to this, Z1 is on the kindergarten level (even though he's preschool age). That's comforting and lets me know that I'm doing okay.

I'm sure we could add more to the schedule but right now, along with all the other activities we do during the week, I think this is adequate. At least, that's all I can handle. :)

Our Weekly Schedule

2009-05-25T04:07:00.000-07:00

So for some years now, I've been consistently doing things with Zion and now with Zion and Zephy weekly. On Tuesdays, we go to our local library for the Parent Child Program which is from 10:15 till about 11:15 or so. For the first 30 minutes, the children play and interact with each other. Then they clean up and it's time for some stories, puppet play, etc. I love the program because it is well run and it is close to home. At one point, I stopped going because it was overrun with daycare kids (as in the daycare would haul all their kids to the program). But recently, they have been more stringent and while some caregivers still bring thier 6 or 7 kids, it still feels small and homey. It's still enjoyable.

On Thursdays we usually go to Parent's Place in White Plains. The program runs from 10:00-12:00. I really have to focus to get there on time but it's always well worth it. From 10:00 till 11, the children are free to play in either of the two rooms. One room is full of toys: a kitchen set, train table, blocks, push toys, rocking boats, etc. The other room has a water table, puzzles, finger painting/arts and crafts as well as easel painting. There's a rug where smaller babies can play and a bookcase with children's books that are displayed and changed regularly. At 11, everyone cleans up, we sing and play instruments then it's time for a snack. Once snack is over, the children are free to play again (sand table and play dough are brought out) and the parents, if they'd like, can have a group where they can talk about any issues they may be having in raising their babies. I enjoy this program tremendously although these days Zion seems to be outgrowing it. It is still very appropriate for Zephy who is so cute when the songs are being sung. Recently I learned that the program may not continue because of a serious lack of funds (hundreds of thousands of dollars). I'm hoping that some benefactor will contribute the money to keep it running but in this economy, it may not happen.

A mom at Parent's Place hipped me to an inexpensive Kindermusik program in New Rochelle. Zion is the only one taking the class right now. It is on Friday's from 3:30-4:15. He enjoys it and I think we'll sign Zephy up next. The program runs just like the public schools do so we won't be doing it this summer. I'm looking forward, in a way, to having Fridays freed up.

A few weeks ago, we signed Zion up for swimming at the New Rochelle YMCA. It's on Saturdays at 11:15. The first class went surprisingly well. Zion got in the pool and participated. The last two classes . . . not so much. The teacher is kind of cold and doesn't really give off a vibe of protection--in other words, Zion doesn't trust or like her. But I received some wonderful advice from another homeschooling Mama on what to do and so while I'm anxious to make sure our money is not wasted, I think I can figure out ways to maximize the experience even if Zion never gets in the pool.

So these are our weekly activities. Sprinkled in there are playdates and other interesting things we might find to do. Now that summer is upon us, we'll be doing a lot more fun things (especially **free** or low cost fun things like the pool and the beach.

Look, I love summer and just the prospect of summer fun gets me excited. I can't wait!

Monthly Themes

2009-05-06T07:38:00.000-07:00

So I have been loosely following this curriculum for Z1. He has advanced past the preparatory curriculum and so I'm looking into kindergarten material for him. I like the idea of themes presented in the curriculum I was following so instead of weekly themes, I thought we'd do monthly themes and see how that goes. (This homeschooling is a series of attempts and trials.)

So this month's themes is BIRDS. Later, I will list the books and other materials we've collected so far. My plan is to make a birdhouse to put out back so we can attract birds.

Z1 has finally gotten the concept of "Today is Wednesday because yesterday was Tuesday and tomorrow will be Thursday".

He is also able to count to 30 although not 100% comfortably. He is getting there.

At some point

2009-04-29T16:19:00.001-07:00

After you decide to homeschool, I suppose you can expect to be discouraged and/or doubt if you're doing the right things in your homeschooling or even the right thing by homeschooling at all. I think it's healthy, in some ways, to constantly be reevaluating what you're doing to make sure that it's making an impact, that your child is learning and that everyone is happy and satisfied with the progress.

What I miss as a novice homeschooler is the input of seasoned homeschoolers. I knit and crochet and reading some of the issues novice knitters and crocheters face, I kind of chuckle sometimes. The simplicity of the answer to a seemingly complex problem (to the newbie) is something astounding. And I'm sure the same applies to homeschooling. I'm always looking to connect with folks who have been there and done that with this homeschooling thing. Especially folks of color.

Some questions I ask:
How much should I push when he says he doesn't want to do something?
How rigid should I be in my scheduling? Should I schedule in "chill-out" days?
How do I keep little brother from interfering with our learning?
How do I plug in the holes when I'm teaching something I'm not quite 100% confident about or just not comfortable with (like learning about snakes)?

It takes a little faith to believe that I'm doing the right thing. Most important for me to remember is that I can find opportunities to teach him in every situation. I just have to keep my mind about me.

Capturing and Capitalizing on Interests

2009-04-25T20:53:00.000-07:00

I agree with the theory that the best way to teach a child is through his/her interests, that is, finding the things that intrigue and captivate a child the most and using that to teach a myriad of concepts and ideas.

One of the hallmarks of being Z1 is capriciousness, though, but not in that he jumps from activity to activity. Rather, Zion will focus all his energies on one particular interest for extended periods of time and then refuse to be bothered with that activity again. For a long while it was puzzles and all he would do all the time was this puzzle and that puzzle. I bought tons of puzzles and found a great site with all kinds of challenging puzzles only for him to decide one day that puzzles were passe. The same with many other things. So I'm learning that once he demonstrates even an inkling of an interest in something, I have to be at the ready to capture that interest and capitalize on it. I often think that this is certainly one thing that school could not offer him. How could a teacher with 15 to 25 kids, even with the best of intentions, be so focused on my child that she would notice the first buds of interest? Could he/she deviate from her curriculum/pacing guide to capitalize on it?

Currently, Z1 is fascinated with birds. Chris will often throw chunks stale bread into the backyard and you should just see the delight on Z1's face when the birds descend to eat the bread. He gets so excited and scolds the squirrels for "stealing" the birds' bread. He's also taken with butterflies and has spoken about getting a net to catch them. So yesterday at our library, we found a few good books on birds and butterflies although I'm hoping to check out some more at the children's library two towns over. I want to get him some kind of net to catch butterflies with too. As he was hanging out as his friend's house last week, I noticed that Z1 enjoyed playing with a lacrosse stick. I don't see why a Lacrosse stick couldn't double as butterfly net. :) However, a real butterfly net is hardly expensive.

Whose job is it to teach you what you need to know?

2009-04-24T21:08:00.000-07:00

So I was conversing with a friend of mine and she brought up a very valid point: "Our education system sucks. We don't teach financial literacy in schools."

I wonder when parents send their children to school what they think the school is responsible for doing. I had a professor once who likened school to an emergency room. You, the injured person should not have to be a doctor to get world class, professional treatment. Likewise, parents shouldn't have to do anything special to get their children a world class education. Back then I totally agreed. These days, however, I am more inclined to think that school is more like going to your regular doctor and not the emergency room. I personally believe that if you are ill, you should have at least some idea going about what it could be. When you are diagnosed, you should be very aware of the treatment options and the side effects of each option. You should be free to say this is not working or I'm not comfortable with that treatment. And you should be free to go to another doctor without penalty or guilt fairly easily. You should have a say and power in your own health and treatment.

The same goes for education. Most of us don't vote on curriculums or dictate what should be taught. Even though so many of us agree that having Black history relegated to the shortest month of the year is an affront, we can also agree that unless we're willing to go to Albany with a brand new curriculum we drew up, that's not going to change. If you want your children to know Black history or any other history aside from the standard spiel, you're going to have to do it. Now, I will say that many parents do take an active stand to ensure the quality of children's education. In poorer neighborhoods, however, this is rarely the case. I know, I know, these parents sometimes work 2 and 3 jobs. Many mothers are single and all that. I get it. But I'm going to be a little hardline here and say one word: priorities. You may not be able to make every single PTA meeting but you can make some and you can call and ask for the minutes of the meeting. You can drop in every once in a long while or call or e-mail to let the teacher know, "Look, I'm busy but I care." My local school here of over 500 students has a hard time pulling 25 parents for the PTA. Will my sons be going to that school? No way. But I digress.

What exactly do we expect schools to teach our children? What did it teach you? Yes, I learned to read and write but not everyone who graduated with me could. Did I learn to think critically? No. Did I learn any valuable life skills? No. I graduated from high school to go to college. Graduated from college to get a job. When I didn't get a good enough job, went back to school to get another job. Even graduate school where I was supposed to be getting trained specifically to be a teacher did not prepare me for teaching. I would have been much better equipped to have spent those years learning from a master teacher. Because there's more to teaching than curriculum and lesson plans. How does your child psychology class translate to when you're in front of 30 kids?

So, it's safe to say that school ~~kind of~~ prepares us to get jobs. That's it. The rest, well, it's up to you.

I'm not the originator of that idea either. If there's nothing else I got out of graduate school, it was that public schools were originally conceived as places where everyone could get blended into the fabric of American society, in other words, Americanized. Get with the program. Being Americanized meant embracing the American dream, the idea that you work hard, so hard and then you enjoy. We all know that's not necessarily true but it keeps the system running nicely. Keeps those on top securely on top and those on the bottom securely on the bottom. School has always served a political purpose. And politics go hand in hand with economics.

So why would schools then start to teach us financial literacy? We can't even get schools to teach the histories of all peoples, to empower students in that way. If schools all of a sudden started teaching people how the economy really works, how to be financially literate, how to make sound money decisions, who would this system prey on? Whose blood could it suck? If we all knew a couple of years ago what a bubble we were in and all decided back then to remove ourselves from the bubble, start spending real money, start sowing in order to reap, it never could have gotten so out of hand. But we didn't. Most of us have never learned because that's not what school was set up to do. And we've never critically looked at the school structure to determine exactly what the point is, to realize what it can't and won't do for us.

I don't believe that school truly educates. We learn there. We learn facts. But we are not educated to become thinking, critically thinking adults. It's why Fox News exists. It's why all news that shamelessly distorts the truth or makes glaring omissions still exist. And why most of us suck it all in without a second thought. We've never been educated to understand that everything, big and small, needs a second thought.

I'm certainly not anti-school because my sons may need to go to school one day. I'd prefer a charter school or another type of private school with a different focus and a different, clear mission that I agree with. But if it is that public school ends up the only option, I know that I have my work cut out for me in terms of educating my sons. I tend to think that folks who never did well in school didn't do well because they couldn't be boxed in, couldn't get with factory schooling, i.e. put "x" into a child and get "y" out. For young Black boys, especially, this formula has been failing over and over again. I cannot simply depend on schools to teach them what they need to be successful in this world. No one should, really.

So whose job is it to teach you what you need to know? It seems like today we are realizing quite painfully that ignorance is not an option anymore. Each one of us is responsible to a very large degree for getting and assimilating the information we need to make it. We know we've been used as pawns in this system. And we've allowed ourselves to be for the promise of the American dream. But today we have to refuse to be victimized anymore, look at everything with intense scrutiny, open up our minds and for once, not be afraid to think. Not be afraid to embrace critical thought. Even if it's painful and even if it hurts our pride.

It's our job to teach ourselves what we need to know to survive.

Learning the Days of the Week

2009-04-23T04:00:00.000-07:00

I'm still trying to work out what our approach to homeschooling will be. I'm pretty sure I won't unschool but I don't want to do school at home. It will probably be some kind of mix between what Z1 is interested in and what I'd like to see him be able to do. The whole point of homeschooling for me is to achieve a nice balance of ambition/drive to learn and enjoyment/comfort in learning. I keep educational benchmarks (i.e. what he should be doing in what grade) in mind while being loose and flexible.

Anyway, back to learning the days of the week. To start, I made a YouTube Playlist called Days of the Week. From that, Z1 has learned the names and order of the days of the week quite easily. Now we are working on learning what day it is, and then, logically, what yesterday was and what tomorrow will be.

We're also getting familiar with a calendar. So much drama with the calendar! I couldn't get to stick it up there with tape at all! It kept coming down. Chris found some kind of putty at Target and it works like a charm. (Don't you just love a useful man?) So every day, on our whiteboard we write the day and date and then stick up the corresponding number onto the calendar taking the opportunity to count from one till that day. We then write on our white board what yesterday was and what tomorrow will be. We describe the weather and write it up along with a cheesy illustration that I draw. Then we talk about what we'll do that day and write it. Sometimes in the space that's left, we practice writing numbers or writing his name.

I like the rhythm. I can be quite regimented though so I'm trying to be relaxed. Yesterday, Z1 just wasn't in the mood so I just did it myself and put it up there. No big deal. I think it's important in and of itself to have it up there, for him to see it.

I'm hoping to get some words on cardstock that describe the weather so he can match it with an illustration. Some felt might come into play with that somehow. I'm still thinking.

Photo Credit: "Original Calendar" by mamako7070 on Flickr.com.

Won't your kids be socially retarded or just plain weird?

2009-04-22T04:19:00.000-07:00

Is probably the question I'm asked most frequently when I mention that we'll be homeschooling. There are excellent articles out there on this very topic and this post will be a collection of the ones that I find striking so I'll be updating this post regularly and it will probably turn into a linklist on the sidebar.

Read this one yesterday: Education or Schooling . . . yes you have to make a choice.

More to come . . .

Homeschooling Resources

2009-04-15T21:12:00.000-07:00

So, after lots of thinking, weighing the pros and cons, it's finalized: we are going to be a homeschooling family. It's been a complex decision and I've had to take a lot of things into account. Negativity from friends and family has been one thing that has led to my reluctance to fully embrace homeschooling but I'm finally comfortable and secure in my decision. There are a myriad of reasons:

I don't agree with the philosophy of public schools and I can't afford or don't have access to private/charter schools whose philosophies more closely match mine.
I could overlook philosophical differences more easily if the public schools offered top-notch educations but in my town, unfortunately, that is not the case.
I am willing (and able) at this moment to homeschool. We are able to make ends meet on one income right now and hope to be able to do continue. Utilizing relatively free resources (library and internet) and making wise curricula purchases, we can keep the budget for homeschooling low.
I know I can offer my children the type of education I want them to have, maintaining their love and joy of learning and exposing them to things that they might not otherwise be exposed to (African and World Histories being a top priority).
I can address my children's specific needs and honor their gifts and talents while maximizing their time and mine. I believe that way too much time in school is wasted. And while I'm devoted to my children, there are areas of myself I am looking forward to developing as the children get older.

So now that I've accepted that we are a homeschooling family, I just wanted to share some of the resources we've been using.

Starfall--excellent site that teaches reading readiness (letters and sounds, etc)
Letter of the Week Preparatory Curriculum--This is the *free* curriculum we are currently using. We are on Week 13 currently. Sometimes we take longer than a week but no more than two.
Fisher-Price--nice collection of educational (and strictly fun) games which help build motor skills, hand-eye coordination
Preschool Themes and Lesson Plans--A real go-to resource that supports the curriculum we're using very well
Count Us In games--games that teach counting/number sense
Funschool Preschool--games and learning activities
Letter Coloring Pages
Online Jigsaw Puzzles--builds acuity, hand-eye coordination, motor skills
Typical Course of Study--lists what a child should typically study/master in each grade.
The state's curriculum is readily available online.

NYS is one of the strictest states when it comes to homeschooling: the kids do have to be tested yearly and I have to submit paperwork quarterly. I've already gathered resources to make sure I am doing things legally. I want to be on top of things.

I'm still hoping to find a homeschooling group for support and social stuff. I know I will.

One question: since I pay school taxes in my town, why is it that if I choose to homeschool my town refuses to provide services to my child (if he needs it) and refuses to allow him to play on sports teams (not that my town sports teams will actually exist in two to three years the way things are going fiscally for this town) or be involved in any extra-curricular activities? Maybe I'm missing something that would help me understand.

Photo Credit: "Homeschool" by ForeverSouls on Flickr.

Committed

2009-03-28T18:00:00.000-07:00

I finally have committed mind, body and spirit to the exciting challenge of homeschooling. The children are still a bit young to understand what that entails. But I understand it completely. I love their enthusiasm and vigor for learning and it is my sincere hope that in this endeavor of homeschooling them, I may preserve that for the duration of their earthly lives. With this blog I hope to chronicle all our adventures and misadventures, to keep an online journal of our progress and to share what we we are doing and what we've learned doing it.

Peace and blessings!