Mercedes just figured out that her workload needs to change. She'd been doing minimums - 2 pages of math, for instance - but has now moved into advanced enough math (long division) that she needs to spend a more substantial length of time in schoolwork. She's also starting to figure out that the earlier she can get her work done, the more time she has available to play in the afternoon.
She's reading at a more advanced level than I thought she would at her age (she's 9). Right now she's reading Twilight, which she reads for pleasure, and Heidi, and the Chronicles of Narnia. I suggested that she read anything by Lewis Carroll soon (and Jared, too) because of his made-up words. What a great help for phonics!
Jared - is catching up to his sister in mathematics. He's reading the Tale of Devereaux and loves it. I really enjoy hearing the pride in his voice as he reads to me.
We discussed the Mayflower Compact in history today, and did a Mad-Libs style Compact for our own family. The combination of 17th century language and 21st century vernacular sent the kids into peals of laughter. And they're finally getting the joke - "If April showers bring May flowers, what to May flowers bring? Pilgrims!"
Showing posts with label curriculum. Show all posts
Showing posts with label curriculum. Show all posts
Friday, March 4, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Different Methods of Homeschooling
Just as every family is different, every homeschooling family uses different methods with their children. There are rigid school-at-home-ers (wow, that's convoluted!), the eclectic homeschoolers, the unschoolers, and so forth. There's classical homeschoolers who use A Well Trained Mind or Charlotte Mason or A Thomas Jefferson Education as their curriculum. There are advocates of child-led education. I tend to use a mix.
My primary inspiration, and the book I go back to when I feel like I need to get "back on track" is A Well Trained Mind. I do not follow it strictly. For one thing, I am a very busy single mother - I basically have 2 jobs, one outside the home for a couple hours a day, and another that I mostly do at home. Either way, when I'm working, I'm WORKING. (The ex didn't understand it - part of the reason he's the ex. Bless his heart.) Because of all this, I have to schedule time to take an afternoon off to have a field trip with the kids, and I need my kids to be very independent workers. I just don't have time to molly-coddle them.
Also because I work all the dang time, I'm not able to "present lessons" the same way other classical homeschoolers are able to. History is the only "lesson" I'm able to present on a regular basis. (We use Story of the World right now.) I have the kids read classics that go with history, and write narrations about what they read, then correct spelling and grammar and have them re-write it correctly.
I outline for them what I expect them to do that day, and they are able to ask me questions about their assignments when I'm working my WAH job.
The wonderful part of it is that they learn quickly how to be truly self sufficient. Mercedes is a perfectionist by nature, but by learning to ask questions and daring to make mistakes, she's learning to learn.
Jared has learned to find the answers he needs in rather *ahem* unconventional ways - he's notorious for finding Mercedes' old workbooks and then copying them. Argh!
Because my youngest kids have never been to school, I haven't had to cope with the necessity of "de-schooling," or allowing time for them to decompress after being removed from public school. We do have times of burn out, for them and for me, when I feel like the best thing I can do is have them play as much as possible. We have dolls, dollhouses, K'nex, Legos, magnets - and that's a great time to do science experiments that are noisy and messy, like the Diet Coke and Mentos experiment.
If you're planning to begin homeschooling, start with the books listed above, as well as John Taylor Gatto's writings. And feel free to ask me questions!
My primary inspiration, and the book I go back to when I feel like I need to get "back on track" is A Well Trained Mind. I do not follow it strictly. For one thing, I am a very busy single mother - I basically have 2 jobs, one outside the home for a couple hours a day, and another that I mostly do at home. Either way, when I'm working, I'm WORKING. (The ex didn't understand it - part of the reason he's the ex. Bless his heart.) Because of all this, I have to schedule time to take an afternoon off to have a field trip with the kids, and I need my kids to be very independent workers. I just don't have time to molly-coddle them.
 |
| Hanging out learning about nature. |
I outline for them what I expect them to do that day, and they are able to ask me questions about their assignments when I'm working my WAH job.
The wonderful part of it is that they learn quickly how to be truly self sufficient. Mercedes is a perfectionist by nature, but by learning to ask questions and daring to make mistakes, she's learning to learn.
Jared has learned to find the answers he needs in rather *ahem* unconventional ways - he's notorious for finding Mercedes' old workbooks and then copying them. Argh!
Because my youngest kids have never been to school, I haven't had to cope with the necessity of "de-schooling," or allowing time for them to decompress after being removed from public school. We do have times of burn out, for them and for me, when I feel like the best thing I can do is have them play as much as possible. We have dolls, dollhouses, K'nex, Legos, magnets - and that's a great time to do science experiments that are noisy and messy, like the Diet Coke and Mentos experiment.
If you're planning to begin homeschooling, start with the books listed above, as well as John Taylor Gatto's writings. And feel free to ask me questions!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Virtual Public School vs Home School
I spent part of the evening helping a friend get her granddaughter's computer set up for K12. This young lady is 14 and has not been happy in the public school system, and is thrilled to be doing K12 and to be out of the classroom.
Why don't I set my kids up with K12? After all, it's "free" because it's public school. And you know what? That's why.
I don't educate my kids according to a public school model that's not working well anyway. I am using a Thomas Jefferson Education / Well Trained Mind approach, which is a more classical education. I prefer to be in full control of my children's education. It's just a different philosophy. I certainly don't put anyone down who uses K12 - they're getting their kids out of the pressure cooker, which is wonderful.
It's just not the choice I made when I chose to homeschool.
And we're loving the process.
I'm excited to see how my friend's granddaughter does!
Why don't I set my kids up with K12? After all, it's "free" because it's public school. And you know what? That's why.
I don't educate my kids according to a public school model that's not working well anyway. I am using a Thomas Jefferson Education / Well Trained Mind approach, which is a more classical education. I prefer to be in full control of my children's education. It's just a different philosophy. I certainly don't put anyone down who uses K12 - they're getting their kids out of the pressure cooker, which is wonderful.
It's just not the choice I made when I chose to homeschool.
And we're loving the process.
I'm excited to see how my friend's granddaughter does!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Worried about Homeschooling? Relax!
Really. Relax.
We homeschooling parents put a lot of pressure on ourselves. Society puts a fair amount of pressure on us as well. Do our children have the social skills requisite for success? Do they interact well with their peers? Are they learning everything everyone else seems to think they need to know? And....how are we going to teach them calculus?
First - remember that most learning occurs from a child-led perspective. That doesn't mean complete parental hands-off, but it does mean that when your child shows an interest in something, let them satisfy that interest. Are they interested in gemstones and crystals? Have them grow rock candy to see how crystals form. Buy them some interesting rocks at a metaphysical shop. Show them geodes, and maybe even go rock-hounding with them.
We just finished studying Galileo and Copernicus. Jared is very interested now in the solar system, stars, and telescopes. We'll go to the planetarium, head out to the West Desert here in Utah to look at the stars, get pictures of the planets for his room, make a mobile of the solar system.
The point here is that ... kids will learn. All a parent really has to do is give them the tools to do it. Homeschool doesn't necessarily mean "school at home" - and by relaxing about school, my kids have more freedom to explore what they want to learn.
Oh, and calculus? Learn it right along with the kids, find someone who is good at it and can teach it, use a homeschool co-op, or allow them to dual-enroll with the high school or community college. You don't have to know everything - or even very much! to homeschool effectively.
So relax! If you're putting any effort at all into your kids' education, odds are pretty good you're going to do better than the government schools ever could
We homeschooling parents put a lot of pressure on ourselves. Society puts a fair amount of pressure on us as well. Do our children have the social skills requisite for success? Do they interact well with their peers? Are they learning everything everyone else seems to think they need to know? And....how are we going to teach them calculus?
First - remember that most learning occurs from a child-led perspective. That doesn't mean complete parental hands-off, but it does mean that when your child shows an interest in something, let them satisfy that interest. Are they interested in gemstones and crystals? Have them grow rock candy to see how crystals form. Buy them some interesting rocks at a metaphysical shop. Show them geodes, and maybe even go rock-hounding with them.
We just finished studying Galileo and Copernicus. Jared is very interested now in the solar system, stars, and telescopes. We'll go to the planetarium, head out to the West Desert here in Utah to look at the stars, get pictures of the planets for his room, make a mobile of the solar system.
The point here is that ... kids will learn. All a parent really has to do is give them the tools to do it. Homeschool doesn't necessarily mean "school at home" - and by relaxing about school, my kids have more freedom to explore what they want to learn.
Oh, and calculus? Learn it right along with the kids, find someone who is good at it and can teach it, use a homeschool co-op, or allow them to dual-enroll with the high school or community college. You don't have to know everything - or even very much! to homeschool effectively.
So relax! If you're putting any effort at all into your kids' education, odds are pretty good you're going to do better than the government schools ever could
Monday, September 20, 2010
And people wonder why I homeschool....
On Friday evening:
Me: Son, you've gotta go to bed. Daddy will be here early in the morning to pick you up.
Jared: But, can I bring my math? I'm adding and subtracting HUNDREDS!
Me: Yes, I guess. You may also sit at your desk and do math for a while, if you want.
Jared: Oh, thank you, Mommy, thank you.
Me: (bemused) Do you like math?
Jared: Oh, yes, I love math!
He then dashed off to do math work. He's well into 2nd grade math, nearly half a grade level ahead of his peers, and reads well, too. He's competing with Mercedes to see if he can catch up with her.
And people wonder why I homeschool. What a joy to see my son loving math, enjoying music, art, and begging for a lesson in history. When else do I get to have the kids gathered around my computer looking at pictures of the planets and discussing the solar system? How many 1st and 3rd graders do you know who know Copernicus and Galileo?
Me: Son, you've gotta go to bed. Daddy will be here early in the morning to pick you up.
Jared: But, can I bring my math? I'm adding and subtracting HUNDREDS!
Me: Yes, I guess. You may also sit at your desk and do math for a while, if you want.
Jared: Oh, thank you, Mommy, thank you.
Me: (bemused) Do you like math?
Jared: Oh, yes, I love math!
He then dashed off to do math work. He's well into 2nd grade math, nearly half a grade level ahead of his peers, and reads well, too. He's competing with Mercedes to see if he can catch up with her.
And people wonder why I homeschool. What a joy to see my son loving math, enjoying music, art, and begging for a lesson in history. When else do I get to have the kids gathered around my computer looking at pictures of the planets and discussing the solar system? How many 1st and 3rd graders do you know who know Copernicus and Galileo?
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Just ordered curriculum....
I just ordered our history curriculum for the year, and Mercedes' next semester of math. Jared's already got his. I'm looking forward to a fabulous school year!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Getting ready for a new year
Yes, just like everyone else, I've got to get ready for the new school year. I love back to school sales (which will start next month) - I stock up like mad on art supplies and pencils.
This time of year, I start considering what the kids have learned last year, and what I want them to learn. Mercedes is behind on math, so I want her to move forward a bit quicker to catch up with her peers, yet still master the material. Jared is a bit behind where I'd like him to be on reading, so what can I do to help him move forward more quickly? Maybe he's bored with phonics and can just read....I was reading at 3, and he's always been fascinated with books, so it's possible.
Where are we in history? What needs to be covered?
Then there's consideration of curriculum. What do I need to purchase over the summer that will have us ready to go in August and September?
It's so easy to get overwhelmed in all the curriculum fairs and in others' opinions. What is important is to have a general map of what you want to teach your child, and then start considering how you want to get there. What sounds good to Diane Hopkins may not be where I want to go with my kids (but I do buy my curriculum from her).
Time to start planning!
This time of year, I start considering what the kids have learned last year, and what I want them to learn. Mercedes is behind on math, so I want her to move forward a bit quicker to catch up with her peers, yet still master the material. Jared is a bit behind where I'd like him to be on reading, so what can I do to help him move forward more quickly? Maybe he's bored with phonics and can just read....I was reading at 3, and he's always been fascinated with books, so it's possible.
Where are we in history? What needs to be covered?
Then there's consideration of curriculum. What do I need to purchase over the summer that will have us ready to go in August and September?
It's so easy to get overwhelmed in all the curriculum fairs and in others' opinions. What is important is to have a general map of what you want to teach your child, and then start considering how you want to get there. What sounds good to Diane Hopkins may not be where I want to go with my kids (but I do buy my curriculum from her).
Time to start planning!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)