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 unschool. Show all posts
Showing posts with label unschool. Show all posts
Monday, February 21, 2011
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Christmas is Complete
We had a good Christmas. Dave got to call Christmas morning and talk to everyone. His parents spent the night, so they were able to talk to him also. The presents were a hit, even if the girls didn't get everything they wanted this year (especially since most of what they wanted was expensive), but they got a lot since I found some great bargains on a couple of items.
Legos were the big hit this year. They loved all their Lego toys and spent hours putting them together. Sami ignored her new Nintendo DSi for hours so she could put together her Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle set. Educational and fun is how I like it!
Now I am going to plan out this Winter's educational pursuits. We are still unschooling, but adding a little bit of curriculum here and there. The unschooling is working, and I can see Sami's reading level increase all the time, but I still want to plug things in there that they may not get from unschooling, such as history and math. They do get exposed to history and math already, but I am anxious to add more and make it fun.
Legos were the big hit this year. They loved all their Lego toys and spent hours putting them together. Sami ignored her new Nintendo DSi for hours so she could put together her Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle set. Educational and fun is how I like it!
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Legos
It's been just over a month since I've blogged. We've been busy!
Dave was home from Iraq for two wonderful weeks. We got to spend a lot of quality time together as a family, and Dave and I got to go deer hunting a few times. Two deer and two weeks later, he had to go back to Iraq but we have some great memories.
Now, what about Legos? The girls have become obsessed with them! They lurk online looking at new sets, they look at them in the toy isles, and they want new sets for Christmas. We never had any Legos till this year when they got their first set last Christmas, and they were hooked.
I like Legos for several reasons.
1. The girls have to follow detailed directions to put together Lego sets.
2. After initially building a set, they use their imagination and rearrange the sets in hundreds of different combinations.
3. They use their imagination in playing with them and making story lines. They even have political discussions between the characters (apparently our Legos are conservative).
4. They use a camera and take stop-motion photography pictures to make "movies." They even write on the white board to make captions, like in old-fashioned black and white movies.
5. They are (mostly) durable and last for years.
What I don't like about Legos are the price (I consider them very expensive) and how they get spread all over the room (they really hurt when I step on them). Are they worth it? At this point, I'm saying yes. It falls in line with our unschooling philosophy and creativity.
This had been the year of the Lego, and for that I am glad. Webkinz were really starting to get on my nerves.
Dave was home from Iraq for two wonderful weeks. We got to spend a lot of quality time together as a family, and Dave and I got to go deer hunting a few times. Two deer and two weeks later, he had to go back to Iraq but we have some great memories.
Now, what about Legos? The girls have become obsessed with them! They lurk online looking at new sets, they look at them in the toy isles, and they want new sets for Christmas. We never had any Legos till this year when they got their first set last Christmas, and they were hooked.
I like Legos for several reasons.
1. The girls have to follow detailed directions to put together Lego sets.
2. After initially building a set, they use their imagination and rearrange the sets in hundreds of different combinations.
3. They use their imagination in playing with them and making story lines. They even have political discussions between the characters (apparently our Legos are conservative).
4. They use a camera and take stop-motion photography pictures to make "movies." They even write on the white board to make captions, like in old-fashioned black and white movies.
5. They are (mostly) durable and last for years.
What I don't like about Legos are the price (I consider them very expensive) and how they get spread all over the room (they really hurt when I step on them). Are they worth it? At this point, I'm saying yes. It falls in line with our unschooling philosophy and creativity.
This had been the year of the Lego, and for that I am glad. Webkinz were really starting to get on my nerves.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Busy Week and Music Lessons
It's been one of those busy weeks.
We got school pictures done, had a library visit, got pumpkins, visited family, had a playdate, cooked out with more family, visited an orchard, did shopping, cleaned...nothing that was too time consuming, but there none the less. Fortunately, it didn't add any stress to our week. At least not as much as usual.
We are going to carve pumpkins today, or at least that's the goal.
Something we're debating in this house: After our SECOND music instructor bailed on us before lessons even started, we are feeling very frustrated in finding a guitar and voice instructor. A couple of days ago I found an announcement in the local paper for (surprise) voice and guitar lessons, and I want to call and find out more.
Now Sami and Megan want to take gymnastics instead. I want them to take music lessons. I really don't want to pay for both since we're on a budget, so we're in a dilemma as to which direction to take. Sami has the voice of an angel and I really want her to pursue music because it comes so naturally to her. They want to take gymnastics because it's fun.
I'll pray for good guidance in this matter. It is hard to know what to do. I remember what it was like to WANT to do something when I was young, but was goaded into doing what other people (well meaning parents and relatives) thought was practical to do. My siblings had the same experience. I never did work in the areas that I was told that I SHOULD study and took the classes in.
My sister wanted to study art and was talented, but was discouraged and told it was stupid, so she didn't take those classes. My brother did take art classes (he is more stubborn), but it was still discouraged. Our parents and relatives were raised during the depression and WWII, and one did what was practical. In unschooling, I want to let them pursue what they love, but I don't want them to waste a natural talent either.
I wonder what Dave Ramsey would say in this matter, since it is a matter of finances.
We got school pictures done, had a library visit, got pumpkins, visited family, had a playdate, cooked out with more family, visited an orchard, did shopping, cleaned...nothing that was too time consuming, but there none the less. Fortunately, it didn't add any stress to our week. At least not as much as usual.
We are going to carve pumpkins today, or at least that's the goal.
Something we're debating in this house: After our SECOND music instructor bailed on us before lessons even started, we are feeling very frustrated in finding a guitar and voice instructor. A couple of days ago I found an announcement in the local paper for (surprise) voice and guitar lessons, and I want to call and find out more.
Now Sami and Megan want to take gymnastics instead. I want them to take music lessons. I really don't want to pay for both since we're on a budget, so we're in a dilemma as to which direction to take. Sami has the voice of an angel and I really want her to pursue music because it comes so naturally to her. They want to take gymnastics because it's fun.
I'll pray for good guidance in this matter. It is hard to know what to do. I remember what it was like to WANT to do something when I was young, but was goaded into doing what other people (well meaning parents and relatives) thought was practical to do. My siblings had the same experience. I never did work in the areas that I was told that I SHOULD study and took the classes in.
My sister wanted to study art and was talented, but was discouraged and told it was stupid, so she didn't take those classes. My brother did take art classes (he is more stubborn), but it was still discouraged. Our parents and relatives were raised during the depression and WWII, and one did what was practical. In unschooling, I want to let them pursue what they love, but I don't want them to waste a natural talent either.
I wonder what Dave Ramsey would say in this matter, since it is a matter of finances.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Electronics
For the purpose of this blog, I consider electronics to include video game systems, hand-held game systems, computers and televisions.
I used to allow electronics in the morning when the children first woke up until we were ready to start the day. They would play video games or watched cartoons while I made breakfast, then I would have them shut it off so they could get dressed and start their unschooling for the day. I found that having electronics turned off during the day forced them to get creative and find things to do and learn. At some point in the late afternoon I would let them turn the electronics back on.
Fast forward to present time. That system did work at first. Four things happened that has altered my original plan.
1. They would play on their electronics, and I would use that time to cook breakfast. Then I would do dishes while cooking. Then I added tidying. It eventually turned into breakfast, dishes, laundry, sweeping, putting away, and whatever else needed done. This was obviously allowing them more time on the electronics and not being creative.
Of course I would tell them to turn it off and get dressed, brush teeth, etc. while I finished the tidying, but I would turn my back and they would be all engulfed in the game or cartoon again and would say (every time, I swear), "I forgot."
2. They would beg for more time to finish the game they were on or finish watching the cartoon that was on. I got duped a few times using this ploy. I didn't want them to turn a game off in the middle of a scenario or they would lose their progress. Well, as you could imagine, it would turn into minutes then an hour or more, because once I gave permission to finish the "one more thing," then they would take that as consent to just continue.
It was easy to dupe me because I would be off trying to tidy up just one more thing. And I wondered where they got that attitude.
3. Once the electronics got turned off, it would sometimes be close to lunch and they were ready to eat. After lunch they would start begging to get the electronics back, and ask every few minutes if they could have them back yet.
On occasion I allowed them to play active games on the Wii (games that made them jump and dance, for example). Sometimes that worked, but it ended up being a begging session where they would try and manipulate for more games or spend too much time doing it.
4. The girls would argue about the games. They would argue over who got to do what, or who got to play it first, or who got to pick the game, or who had it last, or who didn't put it away when it was done. A stupid game is not worth the bickering.
I know that some homeschool families eliminate all television and gaming systems, and I'm not planning on doing that. But I am going to get control of the electronics again. I've already banned the morning electronic games. They can watch Fox News if they want, they can type a letter if they want (Megan likes that), or they can play a learning game on the computer (they hate that). They complain for it in the mornings, but then they start getting creative right away and have a lot of fun now. I get to hear them fuss still, but it's worth it.
I used to allow electronics in the morning when the children first woke up until we were ready to start the day. They would play video games or watched cartoons while I made breakfast, then I would have them shut it off so they could get dressed and start their unschooling for the day. I found that having electronics turned off during the day forced them to get creative and find things to do and learn. At some point in the late afternoon I would let them turn the electronics back on.
Fast forward to present time. That system did work at first. Four things happened that has altered my original plan.
1. They would play on their electronics, and I would use that time to cook breakfast. Then I would do dishes while cooking. Then I added tidying. It eventually turned into breakfast, dishes, laundry, sweeping, putting away, and whatever else needed done. This was obviously allowing them more time on the electronics and not being creative.
Of course I would tell them to turn it off and get dressed, brush teeth, etc. while I finished the tidying, but I would turn my back and they would be all engulfed in the game or cartoon again and would say (every time, I swear), "I forgot."
2. They would beg for more time to finish the game they were on or finish watching the cartoon that was on. I got duped a few times using this ploy. I didn't want them to turn a game off in the middle of a scenario or they would lose their progress. Well, as you could imagine, it would turn into minutes then an hour or more, because once I gave permission to finish the "one more thing," then they would take that as consent to just continue.
It was easy to dupe me because I would be off trying to tidy up just one more thing. And I wondered where they got that attitude.
3. Once the electronics got turned off, it would sometimes be close to lunch and they were ready to eat. After lunch they would start begging to get the electronics back, and ask every few minutes if they could have them back yet.
On occasion I allowed them to play active games on the Wii (games that made them jump and dance, for example). Sometimes that worked, but it ended up being a begging session where they would try and manipulate for more games or spend too much time doing it.
4. The girls would argue about the games. They would argue over who got to do what, or who got to play it first, or who got to pick the game, or who had it last, or who didn't put it away when it was done. A stupid game is not worth the bickering.
I know that some homeschool families eliminate all television and gaming systems, and I'm not planning on doing that. But I am going to get control of the electronics again. I've already banned the morning electronic games. They can watch Fox News if they want, they can type a letter if they want (Megan likes that), or they can play a learning game on the computer (they hate that). They complain for it in the mornings, but then they start getting creative right away and have a lot of fun now. I get to hear them fuss still, but it's worth it.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Learning Styles
I thought I knew about different learning styles. I was never an expert, but I thought that I knew enough to help my girls be better learners. For example, I know that my girls hate workbooks and worksheets, so I avoid them as much as possible. I also knew that they love to use their hands and move while learning.
After listening to some podcast from www.homeschool.com, I realize that I still have a lot more to learn. Mariaemma Willis, David Laezear and Pat Farenga each had a lecture recorded, and each stressed that there are more learning styles than just auditory, visual and kinetic.
They mentioned how some children wiggle and have to move while learning. That is definitely what my girls do, and I knew that already. Sometimes I try to curb it a little, and I found out that I shouldn't do that and I should just let them move.
When I used to use worksheets (I plan to get back to them someday for math), Sami used to doodle all over the pages. I would get onto her for not concentrating on her work and not paying attention. She would spend more time drawing than doing the actual work, and it took three times as long as it should have taken. The speakers said that is a style of learning where the child HAS to doodle to concentrate on the work. I'll keep that in mind when we get back to worksheets.
I also accused the girls of not paying attention when I'm reading aloud to them. I'll be reading away (or we'll be listening to a book on CD), and they'll ask some off-the-wall question that has nothing to do with the story. Apparently some children hear something in the story that triggers a thought of something else that might trigger a thought of something else, so then they ask a question about that other thing. I can definitely understand that, as it happens to me all the time. I should have picked up on that one on my own.
I plan on listening to these two speakers again, and I am also going to find more resources at the library. Even though we unschool, these speakers were a valuable resource to me and in turn will help the children.
After listening to some podcast from www.homeschool.com, I realize that I still have a lot more to learn. Mariaemma Willis, David Laezear and Pat Farenga each had a lecture recorded, and each stressed that there are more learning styles than just auditory, visual and kinetic.
They mentioned how some children wiggle and have to move while learning. That is definitely what my girls do, and I knew that already. Sometimes I try to curb it a little, and I found out that I shouldn't do that and I should just let them move.
When I used to use worksheets (I plan to get back to them someday for math), Sami used to doodle all over the pages. I would get onto her for not concentrating on her work and not paying attention. She would spend more time drawing than doing the actual work, and it took three times as long as it should have taken. The speakers said that is a style of learning where the child HAS to doodle to concentrate on the work. I'll keep that in mind when we get back to worksheets.
I also accused the girls of not paying attention when I'm reading aloud to them. I'll be reading away (or we'll be listening to a book on CD), and they'll ask some off-the-wall question that has nothing to do with the story. Apparently some children hear something in the story that triggers a thought of something else that might trigger a thought of something else, so then they ask a question about that other thing. I can definitely understand that, as it happens to me all the time. I should have picked up on that one on my own.
I plan on listening to these two speakers again, and I am also going to find more resources at the library. Even though we unschool, these speakers were a valuable resource to me and in turn will help the children.
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).
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Library Books
As most homeschoolers know, the library is a great resource of learning. We can read books without having to spend money on buying the book, which is a great money saver. But is it right to feel guilty to not read a book that we have checked out? I didn't think about this much until I read another blogger that was having those feelings.
I have checked out books numerous times that have never been read. Sometimes I run out of time, and sometimes I just don't have the time. Sometimes I just don't want to read it after I picked out the book, perhaps because I checked it out on impulse. The problem is, I feel guilty for it. I feel guilty for using the library's resources, and I feel like I let myself down. Well, I'm not going to feel that way anymore. It's just silly.
The girls have no problem checking out many, many books. Sometimes they check out the same book more than once, and still don't get around to reading it. I used to try and curb their book-checking enthusiasm by limiting how many books they could get, but then I realized that I was limiting their access to something that might interest them in a week or two. Unschooling is about giving them easy access to their many interests, and that can't happen if the book isn't here to read.
After I started letting them check out as many books as we could carry without dragging the bags on the ground, I found that they often did get to those extra books and that they were worth checking out. I would watch the library book piles, lamenting the fact that certain books weren't getting touched, but by the end of the check-out period most books did indeed get looked at and even read.
I think that my frugal self was equating mega-book-borrowing with being wasteful, and that is just fallacy. I'm letting them check out as many books as the library will allow and I'm letting them enjoy it.
I have checked out books numerous times that have never been read. Sometimes I run out of time, and sometimes I just don't have the time. Sometimes I just don't want to read it after I picked out the book, perhaps because I checked it out on impulse. The problem is, I feel guilty for it. I feel guilty for using the library's resources, and I feel like I let myself down. Well, I'm not going to feel that way anymore. It's just silly.
The girls have no problem checking out many, many books. Sometimes they check out the same book more than once, and still don't get around to reading it. I used to try and curb their book-checking enthusiasm by limiting how many books they could get, but then I realized that I was limiting their access to something that might interest them in a week or two. Unschooling is about giving them easy access to their many interests, and that can't happen if the book isn't here to read.
After I started letting them check out as many books as we could carry without dragging the bags on the ground, I found that they often did get to those extra books and that they were worth checking out. I would watch the library book piles, lamenting the fact that certain books weren't getting touched, but by the end of the check-out period most books did indeed get looked at and even read.
I think that my frugal self was equating mega-book-borrowing with being wasteful, and that is just fallacy. I'm letting them check out as many books as the library will allow and I'm letting them enjoy it.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Sewing Lessons
The girls got their first sewing lessons yesterday, and it went GREAT!
Amy thought they would lose interest after a couple hours of practice sewing, but the girls pressed on and wanted to keep going. They ended up sewing from about 10 AM to 7 PM, and they both have aprons to prove it.
I think that this will be the start of a hobby/activity that they will love. They can't wait till the next lesson, and neither can I because I get to make my apron next. I'm learning just as much as they are.
The bonus was that we got to finally spend some much needed bonding time with Amy. Everytime we get to spend time with Amy there is always a third or fourth or fifth party involved. This time it was just us, and it was wonderful.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Lessons from Outside Sources
When we can fit it into our budget, I like to get the girls lessons for things that I can't teach.
This fall Sami is taking singing lessons and Megan is taking guitar lessons. Unfortunately, we are at the mercy of the instructors and the instructors' schedules. Their first teacher had a complicated pregnancy about two years ago and had to stop (and God blessed her with a healthy son). After nearly two years of waiting for her to start lessons again, she announced she was ready; a week later she announced she was pregnant again and had to cancel again. We were fortunate enough to find a new teacher, but he already has family obligations that came up and pushed us back a month. It's always hard to rely on someone else when you need something from them, but it's even harder when you WANT something from them. I sure hope that our patience is rewarded, because I know that the girls will get a lot from their lessons.
My sister Amy is giving sewing lessons to the girls and me this fall. Just out of the blue, she called me and wanted to do this. We were thrilled! I can rely on her to be gentle with the girls and make it a fun experience, and we can relax and be ourselves and speak our minds. The girls and I have barely sewn before, so we are sure to learn something.
It will also be a nice bonding time with just Amy and us. No other family...just us. We never get to see her hardly unless there are at least twenty other people involved in the gathering, which means that it's chaotic and nerve-wracking. I love the rest of my family, but when they are all together it is pandemonium. No one is mean, but it's so loud and confusing and screechy. I always leave feeling heart broken and sad. This will be a nice change to have some much needed quiet bonding time.
Our lessons start today and I can't wait!
This fall Sami is taking singing lessons and Megan is taking guitar lessons. Unfortunately, we are at the mercy of the instructors and the instructors' schedules. Their first teacher had a complicated pregnancy about two years ago and had to stop (and God blessed her with a healthy son). After nearly two years of waiting for her to start lessons again, she announced she was ready; a week later she announced she was pregnant again and had to cancel again. We were fortunate enough to find a new teacher, but he already has family obligations that came up and pushed us back a month. It's always hard to rely on someone else when you need something from them, but it's even harder when you WANT something from them. I sure hope that our patience is rewarded, because I know that the girls will get a lot from their lessons.
My sister Amy is giving sewing lessons to the girls and me this fall. Just out of the blue, she called me and wanted to do this. We were thrilled! I can rely on her to be gentle with the girls and make it a fun experience, and we can relax and be ourselves and speak our minds. The girls and I have barely sewn before, so we are sure to learn something.
It will also be a nice bonding time with just Amy and us. No other family...just us. We never get to see her hardly unless there are at least twenty other people involved in the gathering, which means that it's chaotic and nerve-wracking. I love the rest of my family, but when they are all together it is pandemonium. No one is mean, but it's so loud and confusing and screechy. I always leave feeling heart broken and sad. This will be a nice change to have some much needed quiet bonding time.
Our lessons start today and I can't wait!
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.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
International Day: Japanese Origami and French Bread
The girls wanted to do origami Tuesday, so that's what we did.
Megan had just checked out several origami books from the library on Monday. I was a little reluctant to let her check out so many, but I figured that part of unschooling was letting them pursue their interests unabated. So check out we did, enough to stuff my book bag and give me a shoulder ache from lugging them to the car.
All day Tuesday, both the girls got out their origami paper and started creating things. Sometimes they needed help, but I was careful to not take over their projects. They came up with several different creations and new ways of using them.
Megan created bird heads that could open and close their mouths...she used those to pick up her popcorn and put it in origami cups that held her popcorn. They made boxes out of old playing cards. They made Christmas trees. They made snakes. They made butterflies. They used their new characters in pretend-play, like they were dolls, and had them eating paper food and having adventures. The list goes on and on. I read to them while they made a lot of these, but my voice gave out after a while.
I also broke out Dad's bread maker and made French bread with it. It mixed the dough, but we made the loaves and baked it in the oven. I know that part of the joy of making bread is the kneading and working it, but sometimes it's nice to let the machine do the work. Megan doesn't eat bread most of the time, but Sami really enjoyed it hot out of the oven. Once it cooled down, she didn't like it as well.
Megan had just checked out several origami books from the library on Monday. I was a little reluctant to let her check out so many, but I figured that part of unschooling was letting them pursue their interests unabated. So check out we did, enough to stuff my book bag and give me a shoulder ache from lugging them to the car.
All day Tuesday, both the girls got out their origami paper and started creating things. Sometimes they needed help, but I was careful to not take over their projects. They came up with several different creations and new ways of using them.
Megan created bird heads that could open and close their mouths...she used those to pick up her popcorn and put it in origami cups that held her popcorn. They made boxes out of old playing cards. They made Christmas trees. They made snakes. They made butterflies. They used their new characters in pretend-play, like they were dolls, and had them eating paper food and having adventures. The list goes on and on. I read to them while they made a lot of these, but my voice gave out after a while.
I also broke out Dad's bread maker and made French bread with it. It mixed the dough, but we made the loaves and baked it in the oven. I know that part of the joy of making bread is the kneading and working it, but sometimes it's nice to let the machine do the work. Megan doesn't eat bread most of the time, but Sami really enjoyed it hot out of the oven. Once it cooled down, she didn't like it as well.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
One Day of Math Down
The girls saw me pulling out the various math books that we have, and immediately started shrieking. Literally. Not happy shrieks, mind you.
I got the books out to get some ideas of what to do and where to head with math. I didn't even let them look at the books. I then picked up an abacus and started playing with it.
Sami saw me with the abacus, sat beside me, and wanted to play with it. I let her hold it. She wanted me to tell her again how to use it, so I explained it again. Then she wanted me to give her some problems to work out. I started telling her some word problems that I made up in my head, and she started working through them with the abacus. We added, subtracted, multiplied and divided.
Megan saw this going on, and she wanted to do it too. She got the little abacus that a friend gave us, and started doing the problems, too. They even learned about remainders today.
After they did this for a while, they wanted to know when the math lesson was going to begin.
Win!
I got the books out to get some ideas of what to do and where to head with math. I didn't even let them look at the books. I then picked up an abacus and started playing with it.
Sami saw me with the abacus, sat beside me, and wanted to play with it. I let her hold it. She wanted me to tell her again how to use it, so I explained it again. Then she wanted me to give her some problems to work out. I started telling her some word problems that I made up in my head, and she started working through them with the abacus. We added, subtracted, multiplied and divided.
Megan saw this going on, and she wanted to do it too. She got the little abacus that a friend gave us, and started doing the problems, too. They even learned about remainders today.
After they did this for a while, they wanted to know when the math lesson was going to begin.
Win!
Monday, August 30, 2010
To Math or Not to Math...
Our first week back to unschooling went well. One would think that unschooling happens 24/7, but in my case we really did take the summer off and pretty much did whatever we wanted, including watching TV and playing on the computer whenever we wanted. With Dave going to Iraq in April, we all just needed some time to just be and not add to the pressures and demands that were already on our lives.
This last week the children were calm and relaxed, and so was I. They came up with many activities on their own; their creativity is always a joy to see. I made a couple of suggestions of what to do, and we did some activities as a family. They only complained of being bored a couple of times, but they quickly found something else to do and they forgot all about being bored. I was very happy with the flow and the atmosphere of our home and their learning journey.
I did give them a couple of art lessons. While both girls did listen, it was obvious that Sami had no interest or desire to do what I was trying to show her. She just wants to do things her way and to be left to her own devices, so I happily let her. If she has her own ideas about how art should be, then I will let her take that ball and run with it. I am secretly hoping that she'll watch Megan following the lessons and that she'll want to try some things out, too, but that's just to broaden her techniques.
Now we get to math. I want to start doing official math lessons again, and it's just because I am paranoid that they will never learn their math skills on their own through unschooling. I don't have any unschooling mentors to talk to in my community, so I just don't know how to unschool math. I've read a couple of blogs that say that they learn it through measuring while baking, or counting their allowance, or through every day life. While I'm sure that 's true, I'm wanting the girls to be GREAT at math NOW. The paranoid side of me is afraid that they'll be the only kids around that can't do math at their "grade level," which is totally counter to everything I believe in.
So today I will dust off the workbooks and we will slowly delve into the world of math. We will do a few problems daily, do simple math activities, and make sure that it stays fresh in their minds. I don't think any of us would survive doing a whole hour, so I'll keep it short and to the point. The girls will complain, I'm sure (they hate workbooks and worksheets), but I'll be sure to keep it from the point of tears that used to come with their math lessons.
I can't imagine them doing math in public school. Would the girls do their assignments? Would they have cried in class? Would the teacher move on even though the girls weren't ready yet? I'm glad I don't have to know those answers.
This last week the children were calm and relaxed, and so was I. They came up with many activities on their own; their creativity is always a joy to see. I made a couple of suggestions of what to do, and we did some activities as a family. They only complained of being bored a couple of times, but they quickly found something else to do and they forgot all about being bored. I was very happy with the flow and the atmosphere of our home and their learning journey.
I did give them a couple of art lessons. While both girls did listen, it was obvious that Sami had no interest or desire to do what I was trying to show her. She just wants to do things her way and to be left to her own devices, so I happily let her. If she has her own ideas about how art should be, then I will let her take that ball and run with it. I am secretly hoping that she'll watch Megan following the lessons and that she'll want to try some things out, too, but that's just to broaden her techniques.
Now we get to math. I want to start doing official math lessons again, and it's just because I am paranoid that they will never learn their math skills on their own through unschooling. I don't have any unschooling mentors to talk to in my community, so I just don't know how to unschool math. I've read a couple of blogs that say that they learn it through measuring while baking, or counting their allowance, or through every day life. While I'm sure that 's true, I'm wanting the girls to be GREAT at math NOW. The paranoid side of me is afraid that they'll be the only kids around that can't do math at their "grade level," which is totally counter to everything I believe in.
So today I will dust off the workbooks and we will slowly delve into the world of math. We will do a few problems daily, do simple math activities, and make sure that it stays fresh in their minds. I don't think any of us would survive doing a whole hour, so I'll keep it short and to the point. The girls will complain, I'm sure (they hate workbooks and worksheets), but I'll be sure to keep it from the point of tears that used to come with their math lessons.
I can't imagine them doing math in public school. Would the girls do their assignments? Would they have cried in class? Would the teacher move on even though the girls weren't ready yet? I'm glad I don't have to know those answers.
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?
Monday, August 23, 2010
Vacation's Over
My vacation is over, and now it's time to get back to "work." I say "work" in quotes, because we're just getting back to our daily homeschool routine and enjoying a great life.
We had two wonderful weeks with Dave while he was home from Iraq. We went to Holiday World, the pool, and just plain-old hung around the house and snuggled. It was great to have Dave home to just spend time with. We all hated to see Dave leave and go back to Iraq, but we are a strong family and we will get through this as a family. When he leaves, we go through a few days of "mourning" and depression before we can feel normal again.
The girls and I are starting a new homeschooling year today...as soon as they get out of bed. I'm going to continue primarily unschooling this fall, with some math inserted here and there. I'm going to concentrate on having the girls read, reading to them, and having stealth learning opportunities available (keeping books laying around, interesting activities to do, nature exploration). We keep the TV and computer off during the day, but there are exceptions for learning games or documentaries.
This will be a year of experiments for me, as I am still learning what makes my girls tick and what inspires their passion of learning. I want to keep that learning fire going, and not dampen it with twaddle and workbooks (they get so bored with those). Wish me luck!
We had two wonderful weeks with Dave while he was home from Iraq. We went to Holiday World, the pool, and just plain-old hung around the house and snuggled. It was great to have Dave home to just spend time with. We all hated to see Dave leave and go back to Iraq, but we are a strong family and we will get through this as a family. When he leaves, we go through a few days of "mourning" and depression before we can feel normal again.
The girls and I are starting a new homeschooling year today...as soon as they get out of bed. I'm going to continue primarily unschooling this fall, with some math inserted here and there. I'm going to concentrate on having the girls read, reading to them, and having stealth learning opportunities available (keeping books laying around, interesting activities to do, nature exploration). We keep the TV and computer off during the day, but there are exceptions for learning games or documentaries.
This will be a year of experiments for me, as I am still learning what makes my girls tick and what inspires their passion of learning. I want to keep that learning fire going, and not dampen it with twaddle and workbooks (they get so bored with those). Wish me luck!
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, May 27, 2010
Unschooling, continued...
We're still doing the unschooling thing. If it feels so good, why do I feel so guilty?
I think it's because when we do a worksheet, there is something tangible to put in a binder and check off a list. When we unschool, we almost have to have a blind faith that something is being learned. Almost.
I'm going to start journaling or listing what is learned each day, just to quiet down that little type-A voice in my head that wants order. My creative side will still be satisfied, and my up-tight side will be fed. Even though I know that the girls are learning and getting more creative every day, I can use the journaling as a tool to work in suggestions of what they might be interested in and even lay out some books for stealth learning. I'm a huge fan of stealth learning.
I am going to reintroduce math (we've taken a math break), but I'm going to incorporate some suggestions from a free-thinking friend (thanks, Christy!) to make it more enjoyable this time. I've got an abacus, and that's a big hit already. They couldn't wait to take turns with it and were making huge leaps in their understanding of basic math concepts in just a few minutes of "play" with it. We're going to try Christy's method of flower pots and glass beads next for division and multiplication.
And the journey continues...
I think it's because when we do a worksheet, there is something tangible to put in a binder and check off a list. When we unschool, we almost have to have a blind faith that something is being learned. Almost.
I'm going to start journaling or listing what is learned each day, just to quiet down that little type-A voice in my head that wants order. My creative side will still be satisfied, and my up-tight side will be fed. Even though I know that the girls are learning and getting more creative every day, I can use the journaling as a tool to work in suggestions of what they might be interested in and even lay out some books for stealth learning. I'm a huge fan of stealth learning.
I am going to reintroduce math (we've taken a math break), but I'm going to incorporate some suggestions from a free-thinking friend (thanks, Christy!) to make it more enjoyable this time. I've got an abacus, and that's a big hit already. They couldn't wait to take turns with it and were making huge leaps in their understanding of basic math concepts in just a few minutes of "play" with it. We're going to try Christy's method of flower pots and glass beads next for division and multiplication.
And the journey continues...
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!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Primarily Unschooling
My family primarily Unschools. I say primarily, because sometimes I lead the learning. Most of the time we learn about what is interesting at that time.
For example, I'll print off some math worksheets and we'll sit and learn/practice math skills for a few minutes. Sometimes I'll print off some print practice worksheets to practice printing skills (so I can actually READ what they intended to write). I'll sit with Sami and practice her reading skills. I try to keep the worksheets to a minimum, because I don't want it to turn into twaddle time. They wiggle WAY too much to sit still for worksheets anyway! I'm sure teachers would want to medicate them in a PS to keep them still.
Just about everything else is life learning. I love doing "Stealth Learning" with them, where I'll bring up a subject that they just happen ask questions about. The questions lead to interest, and then we dive right in and learn all we can about that subject. There might be a lapbook involved, but that is FUN, so it's not really work, is it? :) There might be books read, but that is FUN, not boring when it's something we want to read about. We might watch a video on that subject, but that's FUN, isn't it?
I guess the reason we unschool is because we want the kids' educational experience to be fun. I am not implying that doing workbooks or sitting still ISN'T fun, but doing that makes my children miserable, which in turn makes me miserable.
We don't let the kids run wild. We don't watch TV all day. I track what they've learned every day, and we manage to hit all the goals I've set, even without a written schedule.
Unschooling works for us! Home's cool!
For example, I'll print off some math worksheets and we'll sit and learn/practice math skills for a few minutes. Sometimes I'll print off some print practice worksheets to practice printing skills (so I can actually READ what they intended to write). I'll sit with Sami and practice her reading skills. I try to keep the worksheets to a minimum, because I don't want it to turn into twaddle time. They wiggle WAY too much to sit still for worksheets anyway! I'm sure teachers would want to medicate them in a PS to keep them still.
Just about everything else is life learning. I love doing "Stealth Learning" with them, where I'll bring up a subject that they just happen ask questions about. The questions lead to interest, and then we dive right in and learn all we can about that subject. There might be a lapbook involved, but that is FUN, so it's not really work, is it? :) There might be books read, but that is FUN, not boring when it's something we want to read about. We might watch a video on that subject, but that's FUN, isn't it?
I guess the reason we unschool is because we want the kids' educational experience to be fun. I am not implying that doing workbooks or sitting still ISN'T fun, but doing that makes my children miserable, which in turn makes me miserable.
We don't let the kids run wild. We don't watch TV all day. I track what they've learned every day, and we manage to hit all the goals I've set, even without a written schedule.
Unschooling works for us! Home's cool!
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