Forget the Snow Days. We close down school when it's nice outside! It's the opposite of public schools, where they have school when the weather is decent and close when it's nasty outside. I only knew of one other homeschooling family that did this until I read The Juggling Payne's Blog about the same thing. Surely there must be more.
We snuggle up inside when the weather is bad. We read, do school work, we do unschool work, make crafts, cook food, and draw.
When it's warm and beautiful outside, we drop school and enjoy the day outside. Of course, learning is still happening. The girls don't always know it's happening, but it does. We've been known to take a good book and have read-aloud time together in swing set fort (it's big enough for the three of us, the pug and various cats). They make crafts with natural elements, they run, they pretend, and swing, and they explore.
The bonus is that it helps Sami's OCD. She does better when she is outside in nice weather, and the outside germs just don't bother her as much when she is outside playing (as opposed to being inside and worrying about the outside germs that we carry inside).
Last Friday, the weather was gorgeous and we were going to meet some friends for a park play date. After getting a late start because of an OCD meltdown, we finally got on the way. Sami was worried the whole drive over and was having OCD moments the whole trip. After we got there, it was if OCD had never been there. After a couple of hours of play, Sami didn't want to leave. As Sami put it, "I had two glorious OCD free hours!"
Showing posts with label homeschool. Show all posts
Showing posts with label homeschool. Show all posts
Monday, February 21, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Jewelry Making and Library Time
The girls had library story time yesterday. For the last couple of weeks, the kids have been coming up with various ways of reporting on inventions. Some have made things and some have done power point presentations. Some have had hands-on demonstrations. Each homeschool kids did their own thing.
Megan talked about the history of Lego bricks. Who knew that Lego's were originally called "automatic binding bricks"? When she was preparing her report, she wanted to sit at the computer and type it herself. She's always been a natural speller, but it still surprised me when she sat down and just started typing away without needing spell check. She was scared to talk in front of the kids, but she did it and was proud of herself.
Sami struggled for three weeks on what to do. She is such a perfectionist that she convinced herself that she needed to make an original invention that worked for her report. I finally got her focused after two weeks of struggling, so she ended up making a solar panel windmill from a kit. Sami was very scared to talk in front of the other kids also, but she showed her windmill in a show-and-tell fashion. We were both pleased that she was able to do this after all that she's been through in the last few weeks.
That afternoon, the library had a bead class where we got to make our own bracelets. The hardest part was choosing what beads to use. After the beads were chosen, the rest kinda fell into place. Sami, in her perfectionist way, took over an hour to choose her beads and then another hour putting it together and taking it apart to try and make it perfect. She was so frustrated, but she stuck with it and finished it. I'm using my 40%off coupons at Hobby Lobby today and get the girls some more beads so that they can make some more jewelry at home.
Megan talked about the history of Lego bricks. Who knew that Lego's were originally called "automatic binding bricks"? When she was preparing her report, she wanted to sit at the computer and type it herself. She's always been a natural speller, but it still surprised me when she sat down and just started typing away without needing spell check. She was scared to talk in front of the kids, but she did it and was proud of herself.
Sami struggled for three weeks on what to do. She is such a perfectionist that she convinced herself that she needed to make an original invention that worked for her report. I finally got her focused after two weeks of struggling, so she ended up making a solar panel windmill from a kit. Sami was very scared to talk in front of the other kids also, but she showed her windmill in a show-and-tell fashion. We were both pleased that she was able to do this after all that she's been through in the last few weeks.
That afternoon, the library had a bead class where we got to make our own bracelets. The hardest part was choosing what beads to use. After the beads were chosen, the rest kinda fell into place. Sami, in her perfectionist way, took over an hour to choose her beads and then another hour putting it together and taking it apart to try and make it perfect. She was so frustrated, but she stuck with it and finished it. I'm using my 40%off coupons at Hobby Lobby today and get the girls some more beads so that they can make some more jewelry at home.
Mine is on top, Sami's is in the middle, and Megan's is on the bottom. Megan got done early and had time to make a pair of matching earrings.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Strep Test Results
The doctor's office called today. Sami has no strep. I'm glad about that because at least she doesn't have any need for antibiotics. That means that it isn't strep that is causing Sami's OCD flare up.
Sami is still fighting the battles, and still winning a lot. Her hands are raw and red from washing, but I'm thankful that she willingly lets me put a soothing, healing lotion on her hands at night.
We are still waning from the very worst days of the last two weeks. I wish I knew why because I would certainly like to keep the waning going. I've made a huge effort to keep us at home a lot more, as that seems to keep her calmer. We did go out on Tuesday to go clothes shopping, quilt piece shopping, and visit with my sister; that did produce a lot of "hiccups" as expected, but she did quite well in fighting OCD.
The extended family has been supportive, but it's obvious that they have no clue what OCD means. She's my daughter, and I'm still struggling with what it means. I am blessed that they try to understand and are doing their best to help, but only Sami can know what it really feels like. They are finally picking up on the fact that no amount of reasoning or cajolling about "there aren't any germs on the toy," will convince OCD otherwise and can actually make OCD worse.
We did get some more homeschooling done yesterday. Both girls built solar projects from a kit and had a great time making them work on our first really sunny day in a long time. Sami is going to talk about her solar project at the library today. Megan worked on a report about the history of LEGOs so she could talk about it in the library; since Megan is a natural speller and fast on the keyboard, she typed it all herself (but I did help with dictation).
We spent a lot of time outside enjoying the 60+ degree weather. I cleaned up the garden area and burned off some dried flower, tomato and herb stems. Megan got covered in mud (thankfully she was wearing old clothes for once). Here's the neat part: Sami played BAREFOOTED OUTSIDE. I was happy that she was barefooted with the outside germs and mud, but I was sad because she thinks that shoes are the germiest things in the world and she hates shoe germs. I'll take every little win we get.
It's nice to get some smoother sailing and it's nice to go in a positive direction.
Sami is still fighting the battles, and still winning a lot. Her hands are raw and red from washing, but I'm thankful that she willingly lets me put a soothing, healing lotion on her hands at night.
We are still waning from the very worst days of the last two weeks. I wish I knew why because I would certainly like to keep the waning going. I've made a huge effort to keep us at home a lot more, as that seems to keep her calmer. We did go out on Tuesday to go clothes shopping, quilt piece shopping, and visit with my sister; that did produce a lot of "hiccups" as expected, but she did quite well in fighting OCD.
The extended family has been supportive, but it's obvious that they have no clue what OCD means. She's my daughter, and I'm still struggling with what it means. I am blessed that they try to understand and are doing their best to help, but only Sami can know what it really feels like. They are finally picking up on the fact that no amount of reasoning or cajolling about "there aren't any germs on the toy," will convince OCD otherwise and can actually make OCD worse.
We did get some more homeschooling done yesterday. Both girls built solar projects from a kit and had a great time making them work on our first really sunny day in a long time. Sami is going to talk about her solar project at the library today. Megan worked on a report about the history of LEGOs so she could talk about it in the library; since Megan is a natural speller and fast on the keyboard, she typed it all herself (but I did help with dictation).
We spent a lot of time outside enjoying the 60+ degree weather. I cleaned up the garden area and burned off some dried flower, tomato and herb stems. Megan got covered in mud (thankfully she was wearing old clothes for once). Here's the neat part: Sami played BAREFOOTED OUTSIDE. I was happy that she was barefooted with the outside germs and mud, but I was sad because she thinks that shoes are the germiest things in the world and she hates shoe germs. I'll take every little win we get.
It's nice to get some smoother sailing and it's nice to go in a positive direction.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Today's Accomplishments
I am happy to say that we all got some meat-and-potatoes homeschool work done yesterday. Sami couldn't sit at the kitchen table while doing her math and other written work, but she did do her work.
Megan fussed about doing her math at first, but she sat down, zipped right through, and (here's the funny part) ASKED FOR MORE. Megan said that she LIKED IT. I am writing in caps because it was that shocking to me. She has never once before mentioned liking math. I am hoping that it is because of my superior parenting skills (*cue crickets chirping*). Seriously, I have been constantly telling her how good she is at it and that she's a natural and how fun math was for me as a kid because it's like solving puzzles...maybe some of that sunk in. I'm just delighted, whatever the reason.
I read out loud about OCD in front of Sami and Meg. Up to this point, Sami wanted to keep it to herself because she was embarrassed, but now she is accepting that Meg is part of the team and it's okay to talk about it in front of her. Never mind that Megan was reading, "Pencil of Doom" by Andy Griffiths at the same time. I didn't stop Megan because I was happy that Sami was including her in the same room.
We had several OCD hiccups today. Sami was able to win some OCD battles today, such as touching the Nintendo DS, sitting on my lap, and calming herself through several episodes of OCD nagging her. She seems to be getting stronger at telling OCD to back off while she delays, changes, or stops the rituals. It's a good start to the CBT, and I'm hoping that the momentum sticks. Even though we've only targeted the smaller of the OCD triggers, she's been working on her least favorite bigger triggers by delaying the rituals. As long as she is happy with her progress and it isn't impossible to keep trying, I think we can bypass any medications.
Megan fussed about doing her math at first, but she sat down, zipped right through, and (here's the funny part) ASKED FOR MORE. Megan said that she LIKED IT. I am writing in caps because it was that shocking to me. She has never once before mentioned liking math. I am hoping that it is because of my superior parenting skills (*cue crickets chirping*). Seriously, I have been constantly telling her how good she is at it and that she's a natural and how fun math was for me as a kid because it's like solving puzzles...maybe some of that sunk in. I'm just delighted, whatever the reason.
I read out loud about OCD in front of Sami and Meg. Up to this point, Sami wanted to keep it to herself because she was embarrassed, but now she is accepting that Meg is part of the team and it's okay to talk about it in front of her. Never mind that Megan was reading, "Pencil of Doom" by Andy Griffiths at the same time. I didn't stop Megan because I was happy that Sami was including her in the same room.
We had several OCD hiccups today. Sami was able to win some OCD battles today, such as touching the Nintendo DS, sitting on my lap, and calming herself through several episodes of OCD nagging her. She seems to be getting stronger at telling OCD to back off while she delays, changes, or stops the rituals. It's a good start to the CBT, and I'm hoping that the momentum sticks. Even though we've only targeted the smaller of the OCD triggers, she's been working on her least favorite bigger triggers by delaying the rituals. As long as she is happy with her progress and it isn't impossible to keep trying, I think we can bypass any medications.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
OCD IV
We're still maintaining in the OCD symptoms. The symptoms are seeming less severe, but still there. Sami seems to be coping with them a little better. Does that mean that she is getting better because of the CBT, or because she is waning (as opposed to waxing) in this bout of OCD?
She was able to sit some today, but only on two chairs, my bed, and the kitchen chair if it was covered in a clean towel (the first two, she was convinced, had touched Lysol from the kitchen table. Never mind that I didn't use Lysol). She's been able to sooth herself and she is learning to wait out the episodes. This is critical because it is a key factor in battling OCD. Showers calm her down a lot, so I quit complaining at the length of her showers and I will just pay the increased water bills with a smile.
Interestingly enough, I've been reading many OCD articles that also include Tourette's Syndrome and tics; OCD and Tourette's/tics are very closely related and many children have both. After learning about tics, I think I've discovered what has been wrong with a couple of other relatives of mine. I'm not a doctor, and maybe the fact that I've been reading so much about it makes me look for it in everyone, but there were so many dots connected that I swear I saw the picture.
I'm looking forward to having a slightly normal homeschool schedule next week. I think it would do us some good to get back into a routine, even if it has bumps.
I do have some good news! I've finally been successfully keeping other people's schedules out of our lives. We've done a couple of things that we wanted to do, but we haven't been constantly running from here to there. It's a good thing, too. It's helped with Sami, and Sami's OCD has forced me to learn to tell people no just to help us have peace in our lives. God shows us the way, doesn't he?
She was able to sit some today, but only on two chairs, my bed, and the kitchen chair if it was covered in a clean towel (the first two, she was convinced, had touched Lysol from the kitchen table. Never mind that I didn't use Lysol). She's been able to sooth herself and she is learning to wait out the episodes. This is critical because it is a key factor in battling OCD. Showers calm her down a lot, so I quit complaining at the length of her showers and I will just pay the increased water bills with a smile.
Interestingly enough, I've been reading many OCD articles that also include Tourette's Syndrome and tics; OCD and Tourette's/tics are very closely related and many children have both. After learning about tics, I think I've discovered what has been wrong with a couple of other relatives of mine. I'm not a doctor, and maybe the fact that I've been reading so much about it makes me look for it in everyone, but there were so many dots connected that I swear I saw the picture.
I'm looking forward to having a slightly normal homeschool schedule next week. I think it would do us some good to get back into a routine, even if it has bumps.
I do have some good news! I've finally been successfully keeping other people's schedules out of our lives. We've done a couple of things that we wanted to do, but we haven't been constantly running from here to there. It's a good thing, too. It's helped with Sami, and Sami's OCD has forced me to learn to tell people no just to help us have peace in our lives. God shows us the way, doesn't he?
Friday, February 11, 2011
OCD III
We've made a little progress in the right direction. With CBT, any little win is actually a HUGE win. Baby steps turn into winning the race. The way OCD came roaring in so hard and fast, it's hard to be patient while it slowly works it's way back out.
Sami was able to sit some today and was able to delay washing her hands for quite a while. She was able to go to the library and participate in Story Time (but she sat in a chair because she couldn't sit on the floor), but I was happy that we made it out of the house at all. She sat at the dinner table while we ate, which was also nice.
OCD has been Sami's homeschooling this week, or at least reading and learning about it. We've read a few other fun books and listened to stories on CD, but that's it this week. That's all we've had the energy to do.
Last night was terrible. She accidentally stepped in a little bit of kitty litter that got knocked out of the litter box sometime during the evening. She just couldn't get it out of her head that it was okay to go to bed with her dirty feet. I gave her a little benedryl at her request to help her sleep, tucked her in when she got nice a sleepy, and had her usual Harry Potter CD to listen to so that her mind would relax. She appeared happy and near sleep.
She came into my bedroom crying a little while later, after I had dozed off. She just couldn't get over having her dirty feet in her bed. She didn't want to sleep with me because my bed was crowded (Meg was already there) but she just couldn't sleep in her bed because her sheets were now dirty. She layed with Meg and me while while I soothed her and calmed her. I thought she was falling asleep, so I dozed again. Apparently she got up and tried to get in her bed third time, but woke me up crying again because she just couldn't do it. She finally decided to stay in bed with us and finally fell asleep somewhere near midnight.
Poor Meg has been left to her own devices a lot this week. Sami didn't want Meg listening to all that OCD was causing and felt imbarassed to have Megan hear about it, but after some mild convincing she now realizes that Meg is one of her biggest cheerleaders and is very supportive. I want to get us all studying this as a family so that Meg doesn't get left out and Sami doesn't feel isolated.
I've been keeping Dave up to date on our progress while he is in Iraq. I don't like burdening him with all that has been going on, but it wouldn't be fair to keep what's going on with our daughter a secret either. Besides, I don't have anyone here who really understands what we are going through. My family is sypathetic, but they just don't get it.
Since Sami survived the library yesterday, I'm feeling hopeful that she'll do okay at the homeschool Valentine's party.
Sami was able to sit some today and was able to delay washing her hands for quite a while. She was able to go to the library and participate in Story Time (but she sat in a chair because she couldn't sit on the floor), but I was happy that we made it out of the house at all. She sat at the dinner table while we ate, which was also nice.
OCD has been Sami's homeschooling this week, or at least reading and learning about it. We've read a few other fun books and listened to stories on CD, but that's it this week. That's all we've had the energy to do.
Last night was terrible. She accidentally stepped in a little bit of kitty litter that got knocked out of the litter box sometime during the evening. She just couldn't get it out of her head that it was okay to go to bed with her dirty feet. I gave her a little benedryl at her request to help her sleep, tucked her in when she got nice a sleepy, and had her usual Harry Potter CD to listen to so that her mind would relax. She appeared happy and near sleep.
She came into my bedroom crying a little while later, after I had dozed off. She just couldn't get over having her dirty feet in her bed. She didn't want to sleep with me because my bed was crowded (Meg was already there) but she just couldn't sleep in her bed because her sheets were now dirty. She layed with Meg and me while while I soothed her and calmed her. I thought she was falling asleep, so I dozed again. Apparently she got up and tried to get in her bed third time, but woke me up crying again because she just couldn't do it. She finally decided to stay in bed with us and finally fell asleep somewhere near midnight.
Poor Meg has been left to her own devices a lot this week. Sami didn't want Meg listening to all that OCD was causing and felt imbarassed to have Megan hear about it, but after some mild convincing she now realizes that Meg is one of her biggest cheerleaders and is very supportive. I want to get us all studying this as a family so that Meg doesn't get left out and Sami doesn't feel isolated.
I've been keeping Dave up to date on our progress while he is in Iraq. I don't like burdening him with all that has been going on, but it wouldn't be fair to keep what's going on with our daughter a secret either. Besides, I don't have anyone here who really understands what we are going through. My family is sypathetic, but they just don't get it.
Since Sami survived the library yesterday, I'm feeling hopeful that she'll do okay at the homeschool Valentine's party.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
What Kind of Blogging?
I was thinking about my blog and why I was doing it. The real purpose is to keep my husband and friends up to date on what we do in the Newlin household; we live far away from our friends and my husband is in Iraq. Pretty simple. It's hard to do it consistently, but I still manage to plug in what we are doing and what our goals are as a family and as homeschoolers. I'm never going to be a "famous" or even "popular" blogger. I just write simply.
Then I got to thinking about other homeschool blogs out there. Some are very warm and helpful and give lots of good advice on homeschooling (Thanks, Christy!). Some are fun and whimsical and still manage to give great points of view on homeschooling (like the Juggling Paynes). Some, dare I say it, just irk me.
The ones that irk me are they ones that appear to be helpful, but just come across as don't you wish you could be as wonderful as we are? I don't enjoy reading those blogs. They have beautiful custom-designed layouts, beautiful artwork, top-notch photography, and their families are the stellar, perfect, smiling models of super intelligent, above-grade level scholars. Their science projects would put NASA to shame. Their craft projects send Martha Stewart sobbing in her custom-blended tea.
I question the purpose of these blogs. They are certainly well put together and easy on the eyes. Their homeschool efforts are certainly noteworthy. But I just can't read those blogs anymore. They tell you that they are homey, simple and humble...but humbleness means not having to toot your own horn. I am convinced that they aren't blogging to be helpful, but rather to maintain their fan club of adoring sheep. I think I would enjoy reading those blogs if they would actual mention their difficulties and write with sincere humility. False humility is sickening.
Since I am human, I do feel jealousy. I do feel spite. But since I am human, I am allowed to shield myself from those who would make me feel less worthy than what I am. I think that my reading those types of blogs just brings me down, and that makes those types of blogs the complete opposite of helpful. They might be great for some people, but not for me.
Then I got to thinking about other homeschool blogs out there. Some are very warm and helpful and give lots of good advice on homeschooling (Thanks, Christy!). Some are fun and whimsical and still manage to give great points of view on homeschooling (like the Juggling Paynes). Some, dare I say it, just irk me.
The ones that irk me are they ones that appear to be helpful, but just come across as don't you wish you could be as wonderful as we are? I don't enjoy reading those blogs. They have beautiful custom-designed layouts, beautiful artwork, top-notch photography, and their families are the stellar, perfect, smiling models of super intelligent, above-grade level scholars. Their science projects would put NASA to shame. Their craft projects send Martha Stewart sobbing in her custom-blended tea.
I question the purpose of these blogs. They are certainly well put together and easy on the eyes. Their homeschool efforts are certainly noteworthy. But I just can't read those blogs anymore. They tell you that they are homey, simple and humble...but humbleness means not having to toot your own horn. I am convinced that they aren't blogging to be helpful, but rather to maintain their fan club of adoring sheep. I think I would enjoy reading those blogs if they would actual mention their difficulties and write with sincere humility. False humility is sickening.
Since I am human, I do feel jealousy. I do feel spite. But since I am human, I am allowed to shield myself from those who would make me feel less worthy than what I am. I think that my reading those types of blogs just brings me down, and that makes those types of blogs the complete opposite of helpful. They might be great for some people, but not for me.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Megan turns 9
Megan turned 9 years old. My baby. When did she grow up?
I think the hardest part of homeschooling is loving them so much and then letting them grow up and become independent. I'm glad that I can be such an integral part of the growing up process and not let strangers push their agenda on her. What a blessing she is.
I think the hardest part of homeschooling is loving them so much and then letting them grow up and become independent. I'm glad that I can be such an integral part of the growing up process and not let strangers push their agenda on her. What a blessing she is.
Halloween
We have fun during Halloween in the Newlin house. Some homeschool families get offended at the notion of celebrating Halloween and won't even discuss fairies, the Easter Bunny, or Santa Claus. Their loss!
We walked through Franklin, Indiana and started at Martin Place, a street that the police block off so that the hundreds (thousands?) of children can walk without cars driving through. We started at 6 PM, and the kids were done at 8 PM with a bucket full of goodies. It was a blast! And we got to sleep in as late as we wanted on a "school day."
We walked through Franklin, Indiana and started at Martin Place, a street that the police block off so that the hundreds (thousands?) of children can walk without cars driving through. We started at 6 PM, and the kids were done at 8 PM with a bucket full of goodies. It was a blast! And we got to sleep in as late as we wanted on a "school day."
St. Louis, Missouri
This post is long overdue, but I still wanted to write about our wonderful experiences in St. Louis this last week.
The trip there was interesting and offered some great bonding time with me, my children, and my parents. My parents aren't going to be around forever and I think that it's very important to spend as much quality time with them as possible. My children will cherish those memories forever.
We somewhat surprised my brother and his wife when we arrived. I had left a couple of messages, but apparently I left the messages on the wrong phone line. Oops. They knew we were coming within week, but just didn't know which day. They were still ready for us and were great hosts.
We went to the St. Louis Science Center, which is a really fun free place to go. They got to run a giant hamster wheel, build an arch just like the Gateway Arch, play with electronics, see dinosaurs, see real rocket ship capsules...there's too much to list. We finished up that day with a great dinner at a Japanese steak house, complete with the entertaining chef right at our table who cooked up wonderful food. I forgot the camera there, so no pictures of Megan catching a shrimp in her mouth that the chef tossed at her, or the volcano onion that exploded with fire then "lava" (sauce) as it heated up on the grill.
We went to The Butterfly House, a division of the St. Louis Botanical Gardens. They have a wonderful green house that was full of thousands of butterflies and even a roach dome that the girls could climb inside.
The girls got in the Mississippi River, but just barely. It wasn't very clean and I was afraid they would step on glass (which was all around). We had a picnic on the Arch Mall and gazed at the Arch and the river.
On the way home we visited the Cahokia Indian Mounds in Illinois. These are about one thousand years old and are the largest structures of their kind north of Mexico.
It was an exhausting but rewarding week.
The trip there was interesting and offered some great bonding time with me, my children, and my parents. My parents aren't going to be around forever and I think that it's very important to spend as much quality time with them as possible. My children will cherish those memories forever.
We somewhat surprised my brother and his wife when we arrived. I had left a couple of messages, but apparently I left the messages on the wrong phone line. Oops. They knew we were coming within week, but just didn't know which day. They were still ready for us and were great hosts.
We went to The Butterfly House, a division of the St. Louis Botanical Gardens. They have a wonderful green house that was full of thousands of butterflies and even a roach dome that the girls could climb inside.
No visit to St. Louis would be complete without a visit to the Gateway Arch. It was the middle of the week and we had NO CROWDS! That was a far cry better than the last time we went on a weekend and had to wait for hours to get in the Arch. I love homeschooling and seeing sites during the week!
On the way home we visited the Cahokia Indian Mounds in Illinois. These are about one thousand years old and are the largest structures of their kind north of Mexico. It was an exhausting but rewarding week.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Focusing on Projects
The girls had another sewing lesson with their Aunt Amy yesterday. This time the lesson was at her house. What we didn't anticipate was that sewing at Amy's house, while fun, is really full of distractions.
The girls were able to finish their aprons by putting on pockets and a little sewing-machine embroidery. They did a good job and the aprons are beautiful. We don't work on time-limits, but it did take the girls a lot longer than it could have (notice I didn't say, "Should have"). Every conversation Amy and I had, and every side project we had going, the girls would stop what they were doing and join in with our conversation.
So is it a bad thing that they took longer but enjoyed conversing with us? No, it is a good thing. Women have sewing circles and quilting bees to do the exact same thing. The girls just aren't at the skill level where they can do both at the same time. If they had been at school, they would have not been allowed to talk and focus on the project only. Doing it our way, relaxed in a home, they were able to learn a skill and enjoy the experience.
The next sewing lesson will be at Amy's house as well, but this time it will be for me to learn to sew.
The girls were able to finish their aprons by putting on pockets and a little sewing-machine embroidery. They did a good job and the aprons are beautiful. We don't work on time-limits, but it did take the girls a lot longer than it could have (notice I didn't say, "Should have"). Every conversation Amy and I had, and every side project we had going, the girls would stop what they were doing and join in with our conversation.
So is it a bad thing that they took longer but enjoyed conversing with us? No, it is a good thing. Women have sewing circles and quilting bees to do the exact same thing. The girls just aren't at the skill level where they can do both at the same time. If they had been at school, they would have not been allowed to talk and focus on the project only. Doing it our way, relaxed in a home, they were able to learn a skill and enjoy the experience.
The next sewing lesson will be at Amy's house as well, but this time it will be for me to learn to sew.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Knitting and Crochet...Again
The girls and I are picking up knitting and crocheting again this fall. We've tried it before, but never managed to keep it up. There are several reasons for our not keeping up with yarn work:
I also plan to get each girl her own supplies and make them responsible for their own needles. We've been sharing our supplies due to economics, but I would like to make them responsible for their own sewing basket so that they learn more responsibility. A bonus (actually my real reason) is that I can quit going crazy looking for my things. I think a small skull-and-crossbones sticker on my supplies might work (it worked on my "special pens" box).
This is a small Webkinz scarf that Sami is working on. I'm going to work with her today to relax and just have fun. She keeps pulling out rows because they aren't "right" and I haven't been able to spend one-on-one time with her to help her through the humps. With my mother being sick this week, I haven't had time to help her much, but we'll fix that today.
- Me trying to make a piece perfect even though I'm a novice
- Inability to read patterns, therefore only able to make a scarf or washcloth.
- Constant interruptions from family, phone, pets
- The girls trying to make something and the subsequent meltdowns when their projects aren't perfect
- One girl needing instruction at the same time as the other girl, interrupting each other and my project as well
- Girls losing my knitting and crochet needles and scissors as they carry their project through the house and lay them down (and finding the needles days later as they work their way down to the floor under the recliners)
- Going to the hobby store to buy yarn or needles and the girls want to buy everything and it turns into a "no, no, no" session.
I also plan to get each girl her own supplies and make them responsible for their own needles. We've been sharing our supplies due to economics, but I would like to make them responsible for their own sewing basket so that they learn more responsibility. A bonus (actually my real reason) is that I can quit going crazy looking for my things. I think a small skull-and-crossbones sticker on my supplies might work (it worked on my "special pens" box).
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Feeling Inadequate?
Feeling Inadequate? I used to feel that way, and sometimes I still do.
I just got through reading a friend's post on Hawai'ian Dreaming. Apparently she and I both compare ourselves to others, and not in a good way. We both tend to see what other people are doing in homeschooling, and wish we had or could do what other homeschoolers are doing. I used to feel that way a lot, but I find myself in recent months feeling that way less and less often.
This past spring, when I decided to unschool, I felt completely vulnerable. I knew that I wanted to unschool my girls, but the obnoxious logical side of me just kept nagging that it might not work. What if they fell behind? What if they didn't learn a certain skill that the other kids are learning at that age or skill level? Or worse...what if they weren't ahead in every subject making the other kids look like doofuses? Yes. I harbor secret feelings of wanting educationally superior children. *wink*
So how are we different now?
We aren't worried about weekly spelling tests. They write on their own and we work out the spelling of the words they want to write, if they haven't already figured it out on their own which usually happens first.
We aren't worried about memorizing the multiplication tables...at least not yet. They are learning how the numbers work in real life, when they are used, and how they can benefit them. I think that memorizing and knowing are two different things and shouldn't be confused.
We aren't worried about reading the classics. They read what is interesting to them and that keeps the pages turning. Sometimes a classic is interesting, and sometimes I wonder who actually decided that a piece of garbage could be remotely considered a classic.
We aren't worried about diagraming sentences. I'm letting them learn the natural flow of words from their favorite authors as they digest book after book. The same goes with punctuation.
Now that we've been unschooling for a few months, I can see that it is working. I still hear certain catch phrases from other homeschool mothers and read certain accomplishments on various homeschool blogs that make me wonder, but I can see the spark of learning in my childrens' eyes and know that they are enjoying learning now.
I'm over second guessing and comparing our homeschool experience to others. It's much better to love life and enjoy.
I just got through reading a friend's post on Hawai'ian Dreaming. Apparently she and I both compare ourselves to others, and not in a good way. We both tend to see what other people are doing in homeschooling, and wish we had or could do what other homeschoolers are doing. I used to feel that way a lot, but I find myself in recent months feeling that way less and less often.
This past spring, when I decided to unschool, I felt completely vulnerable. I knew that I wanted to unschool my girls, but the obnoxious logical side of me just kept nagging that it might not work. What if they fell behind? What if they didn't learn a certain skill that the other kids are learning at that age or skill level? Or worse...what if they weren't ahead in every subject making the other kids look like doofuses? Yes. I harbor secret feelings of wanting educationally superior children. *wink*
So how are we different now?
We aren't worried about weekly spelling tests. They write on their own and we work out the spelling of the words they want to write, if they haven't already figured it out on their own which usually happens first.
We aren't worried about memorizing the multiplication tables...at least not yet. They are learning how the numbers work in real life, when they are used, and how they can benefit them. I think that memorizing and knowing are two different things and shouldn't be confused.
We aren't worried about reading the classics. They read what is interesting to them and that keeps the pages turning. Sometimes a classic is interesting, and sometimes I wonder who actually decided that a piece of garbage could be remotely considered a classic.
We aren't worried about diagraming sentences. I'm letting them learn the natural flow of words from their favorite authors as they digest book after book. The same goes with punctuation.
Now that we've been unschooling for a few months, I can see that it is working. I still hear certain catch phrases from other homeschool mothers and read certain accomplishments on various homeschool blogs that make me wonder, but I can see the spark of learning in my childrens' eyes and know that they are enjoying learning now.
I'm over second guessing and comparing our homeschool experience to others. It's much better to love life and enjoy.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
First Day of "Back to School"
We homeschool 24/7, so saying that we are going "back to school" doesn't really apply. However, we do keep the TV off and the computer games off so that natural learning does occur.
Our first day of school went smoothly. The girls claimed they were a little bored, so they made up stuff to do, which is what I wanted to happen in the first place. They read a little and I read to them a lot. They latch-hooked. They made buildings for their Zhu Zhu pets. Sami caught butterflies. They got to visit with their Aunt Amy.
They were calm, happy, and content. Except for the fact that Megan is dying to go to Walmart to spend her money...we'll work on that one next.
I wonder what we'll come up with today?
Our first day of school went smoothly. The girls claimed they were a little bored, so they made up stuff to do, which is what I wanted to happen in the first place. They read a little and I read to them a lot. They latch-hooked. They made buildings for their Zhu Zhu pets. Sami caught butterflies. They got to visit with their Aunt Amy.
They were calm, happy, and content. Except for the fact that Megan is dying to go to Walmart to spend her money...we'll work on that one next.
I wonder what we'll come up with today?
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Opinions of Homeschooling
Dave Ramsey recently asked, on his Facebook page, "Which is better? Private or public school?" He was asking from a financial standpoint, but he got nearly 1000 responses of which I estimate that nearly half said to HOMESCHOOL.
The homeschoolers listed all sorts of reasons why it works for them, from a financial standpoint to a theological standpoint. Some who responded were students, and some were parents.
What I thought was funny were some of the responses from those opposed to homeschooling. These are some of the responses that I found funniest, most ironic, and uninformed:
The homeschoolers listed all sorts of reasons why it works for them, from a financial standpoint to a theological standpoint. Some who responded were students, and some were parents.
What I thought was funny were some of the responses from those opposed to homeschooling. These are some of the responses that I found funniest, most ironic, and uninformed:
- My ex-wife homschools our child, and she is a terrible speller and not good at English. She thinks she's so much better because she graduated with honors. (Okay, where did she graduate from? Public School? Private? Apparently that honors tag can't be any worse than homeschooling.)
- How qualified are parents to teach homeschool? They need interaction with others their own age. (Great, I'll let my child's whole world of influence come from other children the same age and zip code. I don't my child to see what else is out there in the world.)
- Why are the homeschool kids on Facebook? Shouldn't they be schooling? (It's summer? We don't live in prison, after all.)
- What about socialization? (You knew that one was coming.)
- They will miss out on group sports, prom, and other stuff. I know homeschool kids have their own sports and proms, but they're not the same. (Yes, we know. That's why we do it that way.)
- (commenting on someone else's list of notable homeschool graduates...) Sure, there are famous homeschool graduates, but there are a lot more famous public school graduates. (Let's do the math...there are a lot more public school graduates, so maybe that's why there are more?)
- Homeschoolers can't learn leadership skills. You can only learn that in public schools. (Is that "Lord of the Flies" style of leadership? Only the strong survive, and the weak get tossed aside?)
- Going to the local orchard, visiting with artists, and traveling doesn't count as having a vast knowledge of the world. (Then why do public schools go on field trips?)
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Vacation
The girls and I are going on a little vacation with my in-laws. Dave is still in Iraq and won't be with us, but that is what Dave wanted. When he is on vacation, he wants to spend most of his time at home with us and not in a big group setting.
We will be at McCormick's Creek State Park. It is a homeschooler's paradise. There are numerous creeks they can explore for fossils, water falls that they can play in and climb (if they are big enough this year), nature galore, hiking trails, horseback riding, nature center, and a swimming pool. There is a cave that, in years past, we could climb through and explore with flashlights, but I think it will still be closed due to issues they are having with their bats and white-nose disease; it is thought that humans may be carriers, but they don't really know what is causing it.
We will be staying at a cabin that has basic furniture, bathroom and a tiny range, but we have to furnish everything else (sheets, pots and pans, coffee pot, cleaning supplies, etc). It's a lot of work for me and my mother-in-law (I call it a working vacation), because we still have to cook and keep everything picked up, but we still end up having fun in the end.
There is no TV, and that is just fine with us. The girls don't miss that at all. They've planned their own activities to stay busy this year. They've got latch hook kits, books, games, books on CD, bikes, sidewalk chalk, and lots of paper art material. I'll bring their bird books and bug books so that they can identify what they find when they are exploring. In years past I've tried to provide educational material to keep them busy but, as you can imagine, that didn't go over so well. I'm embracing our inner Waldorf/Unschooling hearts this year.
Two downfalls of going on vacation is that: #1 - we've have to arrange animal care for our animals, and #2 - We have to come back halfway through vacation to turn in their 4-H projects and get their leader's signatures. Oh well. At least it's only 1 1/2 hours away.
I just need to pick up some poison ivy cleaning lotion, and we'll be set. :)
We will be at McCormick's Creek State Park. It is a homeschooler's paradise. There are numerous creeks they can explore for fossils, water falls that they can play in and climb (if they are big enough this year), nature galore, hiking trails, horseback riding, nature center, and a swimming pool. There is a cave that, in years past, we could climb through and explore with flashlights, but I think it will still be closed due to issues they are having with their bats and white-nose disease; it is thought that humans may be carriers, but they don't really know what is causing it.
We will be staying at a cabin that has basic furniture, bathroom and a tiny range, but we have to furnish everything else (sheets, pots and pans, coffee pot, cleaning supplies, etc). It's a lot of work for me and my mother-in-law (I call it a working vacation), because we still have to cook and keep everything picked up, but we still end up having fun in the end.
There is no TV, and that is just fine with us. The girls don't miss that at all. They've planned their own activities to stay busy this year. They've got latch hook kits, books, games, books on CD, bikes, sidewalk chalk, and lots of paper art material. I'll bring their bird books and bug books so that they can identify what they find when they are exploring. In years past I've tried to provide educational material to keep them busy but, as you can imagine, that didn't go over so well. I'm embracing our inner Waldorf/Unschooling hearts this year.
Two downfalls of going on vacation is that: #1 - we've have to arrange animal care for our animals, and #2 - We have to come back halfway through vacation to turn in their 4-H projects and get their leader's signatures. Oh well. At least it's only 1 1/2 hours away.
I just need to pick up some poison ivy cleaning lotion, and we'll be set. :)
Thursday, April 15, 2010
School Homed
"The Onion" web site had a funny article about children being school-homed. If you have a minute, it's worth the tongue-in-cheek read. http://www.theonion.com/articles/increasing-number-of-parents-opting-to-have-childr,17159/
Yesterday we had a productive school day. The girls are getting over their snippy week, and they did their school work with minimum complaints. Sami is getting over the idea that she needs to do "perfect" work (darned OCD). Megan is learning not to use her whiny voice when doind school work.
My parents came over to visit the kittens (they are nearly 3 weeks old). Mom is trying to get Dad to bond with one so they can take it home when they are big enough. Good luck with that, Mom. We had some home-made pizza, and we split one beer three ways. We're such light-weights. It was so nice out that we spent some time out in the garden swing, where we got to watch a C-130 fly low overhead several times while making runs over Camp Atterbury.
Dave was still in Baghdad as of yesterday, but as I am writing this he may be at his new site in FOB Delta. Looks like a nice place to be. http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=60536
Yesterday we had a productive school day. The girls are getting over their snippy week, and they did their school work with minimum complaints. Sami is getting over the idea that she needs to do "perfect" work (darned OCD). Megan is learning not to use her whiny voice when doind school work.
My parents came over to visit the kittens (they are nearly 3 weeks old). Mom is trying to get Dad to bond with one so they can take it home when they are big enough. Good luck with that, Mom. We had some home-made pizza, and we split one beer three ways. We're such light-weights. It was so nice out that we spent some time out in the garden swing, where we got to watch a C-130 fly low overhead several times while making runs over Camp Atterbury.
Dave was still in Baghdad as of yesterday, but as I am writing this he may be at his new site in FOB Delta. Looks like a nice place to be. http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=60536
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Time to Start This Up Again...
Since my DH is in Iraq now, I thought this would be a good way to keep him up to date on what his homeschooling family is doing back home in Indiana. Life has been so busy, that I just haven't taken the time to add to this blog since some time in 2008. I hope this isn't the only one in 2010!
I Facebook a lot, and that has taken the place of blogging for me. The trouble with Facebook is that it leaves very little room for detail. And some of those details just aren't Facebook material.
So what has happened recently?
1. Dave has taken a civilian job in IRAQ. He will be gone about a year, but does get to come home every four months for leave. He will be working along side American soldiers. Why would someone work so far from his family? After much praying and discussion, we think that this is what God has intended for us to get us where we need to be financially, and by extension, emotionally. Stress about money is a terrible thing, even if we don't fight about it. Money stress is always lurking over our shoulders and is keeping us from being in an emotionally secure place where we can just relax and enjoy life. So temporarily we are trading our financial/emotional stress for just emotional stress. While money isn't everything, this job will get us where we need to be for the rest of our lives. If you know ANYTHING about Dave Ramsey, you know exactly what we are talking about.
We have a strong and loving marriage. We are looking at this next year as an adventure and we are not feeling sorry for ourselves. That's not to say that we won't miss each other. We definately will. But we will get through this.
2. The girls miss their Daddy (he's a real hands-on kind of Dad), but they are strong and they are adjusting well. They stress out a little easier right now, and things that normally don't bother them have been causing emotional distress ( small meltdowns). All in all, they have done remarkably well.
3. Homeschooling will continue, but I don't know if I want to continue as normal. If you know my family at all, we are half unschool/half traditional homeschool. I think I am going to kick it up a notch and see just where we can be. I dont' want to impress anyone else, or keep up with anyone else, but I think we can be further than where we are today. It will be harder, because my honey-do list is now my own to-do list, but we'll get it done.
I Facebook a lot, and that has taken the place of blogging for me. The trouble with Facebook is that it leaves very little room for detail. And some of those details just aren't Facebook material.
So what has happened recently?
1. Dave has taken a civilian job in IRAQ. He will be gone about a year, but does get to come home every four months for leave. He will be working along side American soldiers. Why would someone work so far from his family? After much praying and discussion, we think that this is what God has intended for us to get us where we need to be financially, and by extension, emotionally. Stress about money is a terrible thing, even if we don't fight about it. Money stress is always lurking over our shoulders and is keeping us from being in an emotionally secure place where we can just relax and enjoy life. So temporarily we are trading our financial/emotional stress for just emotional stress. While money isn't everything, this job will get us where we need to be for the rest of our lives. If you know ANYTHING about Dave Ramsey, you know exactly what we are talking about.
We have a strong and loving marriage. We are looking at this next year as an adventure and we are not feeling sorry for ourselves. That's not to say that we won't miss each other. We definately will. But we will get through this.
2. The girls miss their Daddy (he's a real hands-on kind of Dad), but they are strong and they are adjusting well. They stress out a little easier right now, and things that normally don't bother them have been causing emotional distress ( small meltdowns). All in all, they have done remarkably well.
3. Homeschooling will continue, but I don't know if I want to continue as normal. If you know my family at all, we are half unschool/half traditional homeschool. I think I am going to kick it up a notch and see just where we can be. I dont' want to impress anyone else, or keep up with anyone else, but I think we can be further than where we are today. It will be harder, because my honey-do list is now my own to-do list, but we'll get it done.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Learning While Sick
Sami has a cold this week, and with the cold comes cold medicine. With cold medicine comes side effects. With side effects come less efficient learning. So what do we do? What ever we feel like! :)
One nice thing about homeschooling is that we don't have to keep to a rigid schedule and "keep up" with what other kids are doing. We can do just what we feel up to that day due to illness, and keep it very light and fun and interesting.
Unschooling happens all the time anyway, sick or not. It makes it a lot easier to adjust to the environment and life events and "go with the flow."
Added 3 OCT 08: Megan got it too!
One nice thing about homeschooling is that we don't have to keep to a rigid schedule and "keep up" with what other kids are doing. We can do just what we feel up to that day due to illness, and keep it very light and fun and interesting.
Unschooling happens all the time anyway, sick or not. It makes it a lot easier to adjust to the environment and life events and "go with the flow."
Added 3 OCT 08: Megan got it too!
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Confidence in Homeschooling
What a difference a year makes. Last year I was so worried that I would screw up homeschooling. I was afraid that I would miss teaching them something that all the PS school kids were learning.
This year I just don't care how my kids compare. My kids are going at the level that is comfortable for them and for me, and everything feels so right! There are subjects that my kids are way above grade level in, but not everything is perfect. We are always learning, improving, adjusting, and going with what works.
I am no longer keeping up with the Jones' in homeschooling. We are blazing our own path, and it feels great. I am so grateful for the others who blazed trails in HS prior to me. I am able to pick and choose what I like and customize it for my family.
This year I just don't care how my kids compare. My kids are going at the level that is comfortable for them and for me, and everything feels so right! There are subjects that my kids are way above grade level in, but not everything is perfect. We are always learning, improving, adjusting, and going with what works.
I am no longer keeping up with the Jones' in homeschooling. We are blazing our own path, and it feels great. I am so grateful for the others who blazed trails in HS prior to me. I am able to pick and choose what I like and customize it for my family.
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