I wanted to share with you a great article on homeschooling that friend shared with me. It's a very encouraging article to all homeschool parents, especially when your having a hard day! Enjoy it HERE!
Showing posts with label homeschool. Show all posts
Showing posts with label homeschool. Show all posts
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Fun video about homeschoolers
Saw this on facebook and had to share it here. Very cool and gooberishly funny:)
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Sheep Shearing Sisters!
Our family was BLESSED to be invited to help shear some SERIOUSLY IN NEED sheep at our friend Margo's house. This was SO MUCH FUN yet so stinky and challenging!
First, a quick cute picture of my sweetie pie!! He had fun!
These are there two sheep. Lizzy and Wooly I think??? The bigger one is actually the female. They didn't know it, but they were fixen to feel ALOT better in all this Kansas heat!
A few quick pics of some cute kids with kitties and Goaties!
This is the first sheap. He is just about finished here. We sure did a chop job on them, but atleast they have some relief from all that wool!! Sheep produce Lanolin out of there skin. This is the stuff used for breast feeding mothers sore....well , ya know!! SO, they were very oily, and Wynter thought she might have alittle spa treatment on her footsies....
So Kate thought this was a GREAT idea and went for it too!!!
Time for some more shearing.... We were using every sharp thing we could find! These are a pair of sharp teeth scissors, we also had a pair of Goat shearer's, Poultry scissors, regular scissors and even a tiny pocket knife!
Time for the under belly. Kim GRACIOUSLY volunteered to hold the sheep!! Let's just say, Kim was WARM!!! LOL
Possibly my favorite picture from the day!! AWWWWWWWW!!!
Sheep Shearing Sisters!!!! Who knows what we'll do next!!! LOL
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Encouraging words for your new Homeschool year! #2
Here is the second part of a great encouraging post from Palms of His hands. Enjoy!
1. Taken a “School Picture” every year. Don’t get me wrong. I took and take lots and lots of pictures; I just wish I would have taken one around the same time every year. I suppose this is the only thing I missed from not having a “traditional” school experience.
2. Bought a file box for each child and made a folder for each year of their life. That way I could have easily organized important keep sakes and pictures. Instead I either threw things out or have no idea how old the children were when they created those things. Pictures could be slipped into the appropriate folder to be scrap booked later.
3. Read The Gift of Dyslexia by Ronald Davis sooner. Just because a child struggles with learning doesn’t mean they have a learning problem. It just means they see things differently. That’s a good thing! This is a must read for anyone who thinks their child is dyslexic.
4. Been more relaxed in the early years instead of feeling like a failure if I didn’t do everything exactly like the public schools. If I had the opportunity to start over, I would concentrate on the 3 R’s in and not feel guilty. I would also read the books Mommy Teach Me and Mommy Teach Me to Read by Barbara Curtis. She is a certified Montessori instructor who has twelve children. Her ideas and suggestions are awesome, but geared mostly toward children younger than my own. (Check her out at www.mommylife.net.)
5. “Thought outside the box” more. My college degree is in Elementary Education and it took too many years to realize I didn’t have to do every thing the way I was taught to. I wish I had built more replicas and done more hands-on activities. (And not fretted over not finished page whatever in the math book.)
6. Not worried so much about what people thought. If you think homeschooling is a radical idea now, think what it was 15 years ago. Lots of people questioned our decision. Most of those have come around and realize what a great thing it is. Those that didn’t come around, well, they aren’t responsible for my obedience to God, and they can never take away the joy this time with my children has brought me.
7. Not allowed my oldest two to go to public high school. I won’t go into the thought processes that sent them to PHS, just know it was their desire, not mine. My son went all four years and graduated. My daughter went a year and a half and decided on her own she didn’t want to be there. I don’t think the experiences they had there were good for them. However, something good did come out of it: it removed any doubt that I would be able to handle their high school education. In four years My son had maybe four teachers I felt were dedicated and really taught him something. There was a lot of time spent doing busy work, watching pointless movies, learning what was on the state competency tests, and sitting in the gym because the teacher didn’t have work for them to do. They never, ever finished a text book. They were doing well if they made it ½ way through. (How can they go on to Biology 2, Chemistry 2, or Algebra 2 if they haven’t completed the first one??) I know there are some great teachers in the public school system, but in my children’s high school experiences they were few and far between. (Disclaimer: I know there are circumstances where public school is a necessary option. I’m not condemning those who send their children there; I’m just discussing my personal observations and experiences.)
8. Discovered Apologia Science and The Mystery of History sooner. These two resources are teacher/kid friendly and just downright interesting! These would be appropriate beginning in the upper elementary grades.
9. Been more patient and kind. It can be so frustrating when kids don’t “get it” or if they’re fidgety. I ashamedly lost my cool more than once, especially with a certain young man during math.
1. Taken a “School Picture” every year. Don’t get me wrong. I took and take lots and lots of pictures; I just wish I would have taken one around the same time every year. I suppose this is the only thing I missed from not having a “traditional” school experience.
2. Bought a file box for each child and made a folder for each year of their life. That way I could have easily organized important keep sakes and pictures. Instead I either threw things out or have no idea how old the children were when they created those things. Pictures could be slipped into the appropriate folder to be scrap booked later.
3. Read The Gift of Dyslexia by Ronald Davis sooner. Just because a child struggles with learning doesn’t mean they have a learning problem. It just means they see things differently. That’s a good thing! This is a must read for anyone who thinks their child is dyslexic.
4. Been more relaxed in the early years instead of feeling like a failure if I didn’t do everything exactly like the public schools. If I had the opportunity to start over, I would concentrate on the 3 R’s in and not feel guilty. I would also read the books Mommy Teach Me and Mommy Teach Me to Read by Barbara Curtis. She is a certified Montessori instructor who has twelve children. Her ideas and suggestions are awesome, but geared mostly toward children younger than my own. (Check her out at www.mommylife.net.)
5. “Thought outside the box” more. My college degree is in Elementary Education and it took too many years to realize I didn’t have to do every thing the way I was taught to. I wish I had built more replicas and done more hands-on activities. (And not fretted over not finished page whatever in the math book.)
6. Not worried so much about what people thought. If you think homeschooling is a radical idea now, think what it was 15 years ago. Lots of people questioned our decision. Most of those have come around and realize what a great thing it is. Those that didn’t come around, well, they aren’t responsible for my obedience to God, and they can never take away the joy this time with my children has brought me.
7. Not allowed my oldest two to go to public high school. I won’t go into the thought processes that sent them to PHS, just know it was their desire, not mine. My son went all four years and graduated. My daughter went a year and a half and decided on her own she didn’t want to be there. I don’t think the experiences they had there were good for them. However, something good did come out of it: it removed any doubt that I would be able to handle their high school education. In four years My son had maybe four teachers I felt were dedicated and really taught him something. There was a lot of time spent doing busy work, watching pointless movies, learning what was on the state competency tests, and sitting in the gym because the teacher didn’t have work for them to do. They never, ever finished a text book. They were doing well if they made it ½ way through. (How can they go on to Biology 2, Chemistry 2, or Algebra 2 if they haven’t completed the first one??) I know there are some great teachers in the public school system, but in my children’s high school experiences they were few and far between. (Disclaimer: I know there are circumstances where public school is a necessary option. I’m not condemning those who send their children there; I’m just discussing my personal observations and experiences.)
8. Discovered Apologia Science and The Mystery of History sooner. These two resources are teacher/kid friendly and just downright interesting! These would be appropriate beginning in the upper elementary grades.
9. Been more patient and kind. It can be so frustrating when kids don’t “get it” or if they’re fidgety. I ashamedly lost my cool more than once, especially with a certain young man during math.
Encouraging words for your new Homeschool year! #1
I got this from a great blog called Palms of His hands. This and the next post have been very encouraging for me. It has helped me feel more excited about a new year that I am blessed to teach and enjoy my children!
Looking back on 14 years of homeschooling I’m glad I….
Made a list of reasons why I home school. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt God was calling us to this task when our oldest was about to begin second grade. However, I knew there would be days I’d question the sanity of obedience and would be glad for those reminders that first year. I was right.
Read aloud, a lot! I read aloud to all three children from the time they were tiny until….well, I haven’t really stopped. Books are gateways to other places, times, and ideas. Traveling there with your children is one of life’s greatest joys and a way to painlessly learn about all sorts of things. Many of our “adventures” were read by Cassie as I sewed and Candace colored or played with her cat.
Tried different curriculum's. There are a plethora of curriculum choices and educational ideas out there. While the choices can be overwhelming, they are also freeing. One child likes textbooks and workbooks. Another likes researching interesting topics. One likes Saxon Math while another despises it. The beauty of home education is finding what fits each child and you. The possibilities are endless.
Discovered notebooking and copywork. This will also go under the “I wish I had…” section. I wish I had discovered notebooking and copywork sooner, but Cindy Rushton, the notebook queen, was a young homeschool mom herself at the time I was beginning, so it wasn’t available when I first started. (Actually, I didn’t even have internet that first year!) But I eventually did discover these concepts and found them to be effective and stress relieving. These are especially great techniques for those early years. (Check out http://www.cindyrushton.com/)
Realized all kids don’t have to be able to read by age 5. Everyone has their own gifts, talents, and abilities. Just because they haven’t mastered certain skills by certain ages doesn’t mean they won’t. I figure it’s ok if a 20 year old can only read at an 18 year old level.
Found a support group. This was vital to my survival. There were a few years in our life journey when we weren’t involved with other like-minded educators. It was tough! Even after 14 years I need the encouragement, friendship, and new ideas a homeschool support group gives.
Let the tadpoles take over our inflatable swimming pool. We had baby frogs everywhere that summer! I just don’t believe a traditional classroom could match the excitement and learning that came from checking on hundreds of tadpoles and watching their development every day for weeks
Realized somethings are more important than “Book Learning”. Some of those things include adventures with grandparents, nature walks, taking pictures of butterflies and tadpoles, helping those in need, getting along with siblings, balancing a checkbook, holding down a job, and helping around the house.
Let Kyle bounce a ball while spelling words and Candace learn phonics while swinging. In other words, I’m glad I realized that learning doesn’t have to take place in a desk in a school room. A public school teacher can’t allow 25 students to bounce each letter of their words, but you can.
Let the kids keep caterpillars of all kinds and watched them hatch out.
Let Candace help me in the kitchen. In the very, very beginning she wasn’t much “help”. But she was a good companion and is now great in the kitchen. We have lots of fun and she’s learned a lot about real-life math.
Stuck with it and didn’t give up. It has been trying and difficult at times. We’ve had years when we accomplished much and years when we barely scraped by. There have been days I felt desperate for “me” time and now there are days I tear up at the thought of not doing this anymore. But I’ve never, never, never regretted this decision to not only teach, but nurture my children and rediscover the wonders of life and nature with them.
Looking back on 14 years of homeschooling I’m glad I….
Made a list of reasons why I home school. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt God was calling us to this task when our oldest was about to begin second grade. However, I knew there would be days I’d question the sanity of obedience and would be glad for those reminders that first year. I was right.
Read aloud, a lot! I read aloud to all three children from the time they were tiny until….well, I haven’t really stopped. Books are gateways to other places, times, and ideas. Traveling there with your children is one of life’s greatest joys and a way to painlessly learn about all sorts of things. Many of our “adventures” were read by Cassie as I sewed and Candace colored or played with her cat.
Tried different curriculum's. There are a plethora of curriculum choices and educational ideas out there. While the choices can be overwhelming, they are also freeing. One child likes textbooks and workbooks. Another likes researching interesting topics. One likes Saxon Math while another despises it. The beauty of home education is finding what fits each child and you. The possibilities are endless.
Discovered notebooking and copywork. This will also go under the “I wish I had…” section. I wish I had discovered notebooking and copywork sooner, but Cindy Rushton, the notebook queen, was a young homeschool mom herself at the time I was beginning, so it wasn’t available when I first started. (Actually, I didn’t even have internet that first year!) But I eventually did discover these concepts and found them to be effective and stress relieving. These are especially great techniques for those early years. (Check out http://www.cindyrushton.com/)
Realized all kids don’t have to be able to read by age 5. Everyone has their own gifts, talents, and abilities. Just because they haven’t mastered certain skills by certain ages doesn’t mean they won’t. I figure it’s ok if a 20 year old can only read at an 18 year old level.
Found a support group. This was vital to my survival. There were a few years in our life journey when we weren’t involved with other like-minded educators. It was tough! Even after 14 years I need the encouragement, friendship, and new ideas a homeschool support group gives.
Let the tadpoles take over our inflatable swimming pool. We had baby frogs everywhere that summer! I just don’t believe a traditional classroom could match the excitement and learning that came from checking on hundreds of tadpoles and watching their development every day for weeks
Realized somethings are more important than “Book Learning”. Some of those things include adventures with grandparents, nature walks, taking pictures of butterflies and tadpoles, helping those in need, getting along with siblings, balancing a checkbook, holding down a job, and helping around the house.
Let Kyle bounce a ball while spelling words and Candace learn phonics while swinging. In other words, I’m glad I realized that learning doesn’t have to take place in a desk in a school room. A public school teacher can’t allow 25 students to bounce each letter of their words, but you can.
Let the kids keep caterpillars of all kinds and watched them hatch out.
Let Candace help me in the kitchen. In the very, very beginning she wasn’t much “help”. But she was a good companion and is now great in the kitchen. We have lots of fun and she’s learned a lot about real-life math.
Stuck with it and didn’t give up. It has been trying and difficult at times. We’ve had years when we accomplished much and years when we barely scraped by. There have been days I felt desperate for “me” time and now there are days I tear up at the thought of not doing this anymore. But I’ve never, never, never regretted this decision to not only teach, but nurture my children and rediscover the wonders of life and nature with them.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Recycled wood to furniture craft tutorial PART 3
Well, I finally finished my box's! Here are a few pictures of how I am setting them up right now. I decoupaged three of the four sides of these box's so I can change the way there set up here and there. I left a few of the backs on , but the rest I just left off. And yes, I DID spray these with clear acrylic sealer....my hubby made me:)... and helped me actually! Next is the tall shelves that he made me...what to do with them....hmmmmm:)
Friday, May 28, 2010
Trip to Social Suppers
Recently, the kids and I got to finally go see what it is like over there at Social Suppers in Leavenworth. Social Suppers is a place where you can come and pay to make and bring home all sorts of fun meals for your family or for a gift to other families. The girls got to go and make calzones this day:)
Bull Frog Fun
The girls spotted this bull frog, affectionately called 'Hogwarts", in our back yard last week. They were So excited and wanted to keep it forever and ever...of course:) SO, we went to the pet shop to ask the owner all he knew about Bull Frogs. He shared with us that it is actually illegal to keep any wildlife you catch in Kansas.... Sooooo.... we got Hogwarts 12 juicy grass hoppers, fed him them over night and released him into our "Secret Garden" down the road. Here are some pics we took to remember him by:)
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Morning Volcano Making!
A couple days ago we were learning about volcano's:) After our lesson we were given instructions to create our own quick volcano! SO, this is how it went:
First we gathered the supplies...
a bottle, some newspaper, some tape, teaspoon of baking soda ( at first hehe), half a cup of vinegar ( at first hehe), funnel, scissors and food coloring ( disregard the yellow, we changed to actually red before the commencing of explosions:)
Second we started to build...
and build...
picture of an onlooker....
predictions??....
Here is a short video of the magnificent event!!!!!!!!!
First we gathered the supplies...
a bottle, some newspaper, some tape, teaspoon of baking soda ( at first hehe), half a cup of vinegar ( at first hehe), funnel, scissors and food coloring ( disregard the yellow, we changed to actually red before the commencing of explosions:)
Second we started to build...
and build...
picture of an onlooker....
predictions??....
Here is a short video of the magnificent event!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Agricultural hall of fame Field Trip!
This was my FAVORITE field trip so far!! I can't believe it took me so long to do this!!! We got to spend 2 hours in a one room school house. It was a time warp back to 1919 and we were actually students with a super STRICT school marm!! We got to write and do challenges in math up front etc. etc. It was so totally fun!! We also got to do some chores from back then including smacking some dirty rugs, washboard washing some clothes and grinding some corn! We got to tour a period home and milk some "cows". We even got to plant some sunflower seeds and check out some REALLY old farm equipment! I hope we do this one again real soon cause Sammy had to miss it...( she was in Branson with grandma and grandpa Land so , no complaining!). Take a look!
Agricultural hall of fame Field Trip!
Agricultural hall of fame Field Trip!
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