Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Writing
I have noticed over the last several years the writing is becoming a lost skill for many people. In this age of technology and our busy lives we tend to wanted everything quick and now. This has effected our writing in a negative way, or at least I believe it has. I have started, yet again, another attempt at keeping my blog up to date. My reason is two fold. First, to continue to share with the world the idea of Homeschooling. Second, to work on my own writing skills. Over time I have noticed that my personal writing skills are lacking. In the past I wrote very eloquently, but due to rushing and the natural slang that comes from using technology my writing is suffering. I feel I am a living example to my children and I for one want them to have a good example of a writer. Currently I am not that example, however with time I hope to improve that for them.
Friday, February 1, 2013
31 one days later
Well we have been in the new year for 31 days. How is the new year treating you?
On January 1st my family set out to unplug from media. We unplugged all TV's, all video games, all computers. The only exception to this rule was we could check email, and I could get on line to work. What an amazing 31 days it was.
This is what we found to be true for our family:
1. The house is cleaner....we have been able to keep up on chores and even get areas of our house clean that were being neglected.
2. We brought back family story time...we have begun reading the Bobbsey Twin series as a family. If you are not familiar with this series it first came out in 1904 and many were reprinted and updated in the 1960's. There are a total of 72 books in the series.
3. People are not arguing and picking on each other as much.
4. We have brought back board games and playing them together.
5. We have all been sleeping better at night, by 8 pm everyone is tired and ready for bed.
So have we allowed stuff to be plugged back in...yes with some major restrictions, not only for the kids but for Mama as well.
1. No electronics till school and chores are done. "We must take care of our responsibilities before we play."
2. No more then one hour max at a time...then you must do something that is unplug for an hour or more.
3. No electronics after 8 pm.
So that is our first month of 2013....it was very eye opening and wonderful.
On January 1st my family set out to unplug from media. We unplugged all TV's, all video games, all computers. The only exception to this rule was we could check email, and I could get on line to work. What an amazing 31 days it was.
This is what we found to be true for our family:
1. The house is cleaner....we have been able to keep up on chores and even get areas of our house clean that were being neglected.
2. We brought back family story time...we have begun reading the Bobbsey Twin series as a family. If you are not familiar with this series it first came out in 1904 and many were reprinted and updated in the 1960's. There are a total of 72 books in the series.
3. People are not arguing and picking on each other as much.
4. We have brought back board games and playing them together.
5. We have all been sleeping better at night, by 8 pm everyone is tired and ready for bed.
So have we allowed stuff to be plugged back in...yes with some major restrictions, not only for the kids but for Mama as well.
1. No electronics till school and chores are done. "We must take care of our responsibilities before we play."
2. No more then one hour max at a time...then you must do something that is unplug for an hour or more.
3. No electronics after 8 pm.
So that is our first month of 2013....it was very eye opening and wonderful.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Techno Fasting
One thing I am looking forward to in 2013 is the month of January. In January my family will be taking a fast from Tehcnology. After the ball drops we will be unplugging all TV's, all Video Games, and all computers. Cell phones can only be used to phone calls, no games etc. The only eception to this will be my lap top for work and checking email (again for work). We will not be checking in on Facebook, playing games, or even writing on the blog.
My prayer through this fast is that my children and I will see where we have gone wrong in our lives with technology. Where we have allowed our lives/minds/souls to be derailed in the name of entertainment.
Some have asked why do this. The idea came from a night when we had no power in our home. That night, with no tv, no computers, no video games, was the most relaxing fun night for the kids and I. We played marbles by candle light and enjoy just being together. So thus I thought, woundn't this be a great thing to do.
So here we are...after the ball drops.....everything gets unplugged.
My prayer through this fast is that my children and I will see where we have gone wrong in our lives with technology. Where we have allowed our lives/minds/souls to be derailed in the name of entertainment.
Some have asked why do this. The idea came from a night when we had no power in our home. That night, with no tv, no computers, no video games, was the most relaxing fun night for the kids and I. We played marbles by candle light and enjoy just being together. So thus I thought, woundn't this be a great thing to do.
So here we are...after the ball drops.....everything gets unplugged.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Violence
Violence is all around us. Much of the United States has its eyes and hearts focused on the shooting death that occurred Friday, December 14, 2012 in Connecticut. I have heard many people say we need tougher gun control....and others say we need to institutionalize those who have mental illness...and others say this is why we homeschool.
I, obviously, homeschool my children, but as I told them.....violence can happen anywhere at anytime. Are they safer being homeschooled, I believe a little, but are they totally safe...No...but do I feel they are at least a little bit safer...YES.
By homeschooling them I am able to ensure they are receiving just what they need in education, a personalized education in a safe environment. I am able to maintain a level of values and morals that is no longer acceptable in the public school system we live in today.
I pray that some day the world will be a safer place and people don't have to worry about someone going into any building and place and hurting others. I hope someday that prayer can be answered and known by everyone.
I, obviously, homeschool my children, but as I told them.....violence can happen anywhere at anytime. Are they safer being homeschooled, I believe a little, but are they totally safe...No...but do I feel they are at least a little bit safer...YES.
By homeschooling them I am able to ensure they are receiving just what they need in education, a personalized education in a safe environment. I am able to maintain a level of values and morals that is no longer acceptable in the public school system we live in today.
I pray that some day the world will be a safer place and people don't have to worry about someone going into any building and place and hurting others. I hope someday that prayer can be answered and known by everyone.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Sunday School
Each Sunday my family has the same routine. Get up, get a shower, get dressed, eat a small breakfast, and hit the van for church. We have belong to the same church since 1989, so it is just the norm. My children attend Sunday School each Sunday and for the most part enjoy it. I am currently in a class, as they created a new class a few months ago. I can count on one hand number of Sunday's we have missed, as a matter of fact, this year it has been 1 total, and the year is almost over. Even then, that Sunday we were at a church service just not our church service.
So why do we get up early on Sunday, when much of the world is sleeping in? Why do we do this week after week? Plan and simple....routine builds discipline.....discipline builds character. I want to raise children who are ladies and a gentlemen of honor. Who learn that sometimes, even when you don't want to do something, you still must do it. That honor and respect the elderly (our church has a large percentage of elderly). I want my children to learn to give of themselves for others. And most of all I want my children to have a strong faith that will lead them through the rough times of life.
So that is why each Sunday we wake up early and hit the ground running just like all the other days.
So why do we get up early on Sunday, when much of the world is sleeping in? Why do we do this week after week? Plan and simple....routine builds discipline.....discipline builds character. I want to raise children who are ladies and a gentlemen of honor. Who learn that sometimes, even when you don't want to do something, you still must do it. That honor and respect the elderly (our church has a large percentage of elderly). I want my children to learn to give of themselves for others. And most of all I want my children to have a strong faith that will lead them through the rough times of life.
So that is why each Sunday we wake up early and hit the ground running just like all the other days.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
12 Days of Homeschooling
I saw this video the other day and I have to say it really made me laugh. Some of these statements I have not encountered in my personal life, but many I have. I hope this video will put a smile on your face as well. Happy Homeschooling!
2010 to 2012 What Happened???
I was thinking the other day, yes I do that from time to time, it has been a LONG time since I worked on my blogs (I have many of them). Then I thought about it some more and decided to log into Blogger and just see how long it had been. Well much to may shock I had not spoken my mind since 2010.
Guess I owe people, if anyone, an apology for not working on this. Well do I really owe anyone an apology, well not really. But I feel it is time to bring this blog back up to date and try to maintain this blog. I have one word to explain what has taken place over the past two years.....CRAZINESS. Yes, I think that about sums it up very well. My family was turned upside down on 05/15/10 when a person, who I thought was my soul mate, my partner in crime left. Without any warning...POOF....decided that he was not "happy with himself" and left. After many tears and much fear, my kids and I picked up the pieces of our lives and pressed on. Although I don't regret the choice to marry this person, after all my children would not be here if it was not for that union, I do regret any pain they have suffered due to the actions of another.
So hear we are almost to the end of 2012.....a single parent homeschooling household. Can we do this....YES WE CAN! Is it hard...YES IT IS! But one day at a time, step by step we can do it.
One of my goals in life it to become a Curriculum Writer, and so the first place to begin would be with making the stuff I write known to others. Thus this blog will not only talk about the joys, the frustrations of homeschooling/life, but also begin to contain some of the vision I have when it comes to Curriculum.
Guess I owe people, if anyone, an apology for not working on this. Well do I really owe anyone an apology, well not really. But I feel it is time to bring this blog back up to date and try to maintain this blog. I have one word to explain what has taken place over the past two years.....CRAZINESS. Yes, I think that about sums it up very well. My family was turned upside down on 05/15/10 when a person, who I thought was my soul mate, my partner in crime left. Without any warning...POOF....decided that he was not "happy with himself" and left. After many tears and much fear, my kids and I picked up the pieces of our lives and pressed on. Although I don't regret the choice to marry this person, after all my children would not be here if it was not for that union, I do regret any pain they have suffered due to the actions of another.
So hear we are almost to the end of 2012.....a single parent homeschooling household. Can we do this....YES WE CAN! Is it hard...YES IT IS! But one day at a time, step by step we can do it.
One of my goals in life it to become a Curriculum Writer, and so the first place to begin would be with making the stuff I write known to others. Thus this blog will not only talk about the joys, the frustrations of homeschooling/life, but also begin to contain some of the vision I have when it comes to Curriculum.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Goal for 2010 - cleaner house
So how does your home school work with keeping your house clean?
This year I am going to try to find a system that works for keeping the house clean and school at the same time. First main thing is to get our kids more involved in the cleaning process. I think each day we will have a 30 minutes house cleaning taking place Morning, Afternoon and Night. Tomorrow will be day one and we shall see how this goes. I already have index cards with the cleaning chores of the day on them so we will use those as our guide for cleaning the house.
This year I am going to try to find a system that works for keeping the house clean and school at the same time. First main thing is to get our kids more involved in the cleaning process. I think each day we will have a 30 minutes house cleaning taking place Morning, Afternoon and Night. Tomorrow will be day one and we shall see how this goes. I already have index cards with the cleaning chores of the day on them so we will use those as our guide for cleaning the house.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
The end of 2009
So looking back on life.....how has your home school been this past year? Has it been perfect? If you answer yes I bet you are lying. Looking back at the past year what went well? What would you change?
Now to answer those questions personally...
What went well?
We discovered the value of a family schedule.
We did developed a new system of lesson planning/record keeping.
We learned how to juggle two students in full time school.
What would we change?
Get better at keeping up with record keeping.
Get better at sticking to our schedule and not letting school work take ALL day.
Work better at keeping out kids on task.
So here is to the close of 2009 and the beginning of 2010.
Now to answer those questions personally...
What went well?
We discovered the value of a family schedule.
We did developed a new system of lesson planning/record keeping.
We learned how to juggle two students in full time school.
What would we change?
Get better at keeping up with record keeping.
Get better at sticking to our schedule and not letting school work take ALL day.
Work better at keeping out kids on task.
So here is to the close of 2009 and the beginning of 2010.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Ding Ding....let the school bell ring
Ding.....Ding....Ding....time for school.
For some school has already begun.....for others it has never fully stopped....for some it is about to begin.
For our family we kick off school officially the day after Labor Day. So for us, September 8, 2009 will be our first day of the 2009-2010 school year. This year we are going to kick it off with a celebration. I am planning a "Back to School" party for the kids. We tend to have mini school going on during the summer. Things like finishing up a project that did not get completed, starting on a subject that has more lessons then our tradition Labor Day to Memorial Day will allow. Because of this mini school type mode we have been in I am going to make the start of school something to remember.
I am planning like this:
Homemade Cinnamon Rolls - I always make them when it is something special.
School Cake for dessert that night.
Lunch will be planned by the kids.
See in the summer we relax the schedule in our house and this year I feel it will be rough to get back in the swing of things. For that reason we are going to start next week in a pseudo-schedule. Making sure we are done with breakfast by 9 am. Lunch is from Noon-1 pm. This way we get the idea of when school time will take place. We shall see how this goes. I think this will be a training for me more then for our kids. Our kids are usually pretty easy going, although this summer they have began to find great joy in playing on the computer which will have to slowdown in order to do true school. So this practice schedule will be good as it will get me back in the swing of things.
So for school I need to do the following:
Books ordered and in - Check
Lesson plans ready for at least the first month and plotted for the year - Check
2008-2009 paperwork put away - only half done as of this blog entry, need to work on that one some.
Supplies are ready - Check
Ok here is to another school year. Good luck to you and your family as you begin the wonderful journey we call learning.
For some school has already begun.....for others it has never fully stopped....for some it is about to begin.
For our family we kick off school officially the day after Labor Day. So for us, September 8, 2009 will be our first day of the 2009-2010 school year. This year we are going to kick it off with a celebration. I am planning a "Back to School" party for the kids. We tend to have mini school going on during the summer. Things like finishing up a project that did not get completed, starting on a subject that has more lessons then our tradition Labor Day to Memorial Day will allow. Because of this mini school type mode we have been in I am going to make the start of school something to remember.
I am planning like this:
Homemade Cinnamon Rolls - I always make them when it is something special.
School Cake for dessert that night.
Lunch will be planned by the kids.
See in the summer we relax the schedule in our house and this year I feel it will be rough to get back in the swing of things. For that reason we are going to start next week in a pseudo-schedule. Making sure we are done with breakfast by 9 am. Lunch is from Noon-1 pm. This way we get the idea of when school time will take place. We shall see how this goes. I think this will be a training for me more then for our kids. Our kids are usually pretty easy going, although this summer they have began to find great joy in playing on the computer which will have to slowdown in order to do true school. So this practice schedule will be good as it will get me back in the swing of things.
So for school I need to do the following:
Books ordered and in - Check
Lesson plans ready for at least the first month and plotted for the year - Check
2008-2009 paperwork put away - only half done as of this blog entry, need to work on that one some.
Supplies are ready - Check
Ok here is to another school year. Good luck to you and your family as you begin the wonderful journey we call learning.
Friday, May 29, 2009
So to Summer School or not
In the famouse style of William Shakespeare......to Summer School or Not....that is the question.
Ok now that summer is officially upon us one begins to think....do we do school during the summer or take the summer off.
Here at our home we do a different type of school...we do more art/music and outdoor learning as appose to the traditional text book learning. This summer we have set up a specific activity each day of the week. This helps us keep a form of schedule in place as well as insure the kids don't just blow their summer away.
This year our summer school looks like this:
Monday - painting
Tuesday - Library (we are in the summer reading program at the library)
Wednesday - Clay/Play dough
Thursday - Pastels/chalk/pencils
Friday - Baking
So now you have to look at your own family and figure out if a version of Summer School would work well.
Ok now that summer is officially upon us one begins to think....do we do school during the summer or take the summer off.
Here at our home we do a different type of school...we do more art/music and outdoor learning as appose to the traditional text book learning. This summer we have set up a specific activity each day of the week. This helps us keep a form of schedule in place as well as insure the kids don't just blow their summer away.
This year our summer school looks like this:
Monday - painting
Tuesday - Library (we are in the summer reading program at the library)
Wednesday - Clay/Play dough
Thursday - Pastels/chalk/pencils
Friday - Baking
So now you have to look at your own family and figure out if a version of Summer School would work well.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Co-op
Oh my gosh what a blessing a Home Schooling Co-op can be! What a lot of stress a co-op can be also. This semester is my first semester of being a leader in co-op and what a learning experience. Over all it has gone well, as I tell we people we are a work in progress and we are growing a little every session.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Scheduls
I believe one of the biggest lessons a home schooling family can have is a schedule. A schedule serves as guide to the day. Not only does it help us stay on task but it also helps answer that dreaded question from kids "what next". So in our house we have a family schedule. For us it looks like this:
7:30 am – Wake up and get ready for a new day!
Morning Exercise
8:30 am – Breakfast
9:00 am – Morning school
Handwriting
Spelling
English
Reading
Bible
Noon – Lunch
1:00 pm – Afternoon school
Math
Science
History
Japanese
Other
4:00 pm – House pick up
5:00 pm – Dinner
7:00 pm – House pick up
8:00 pm – Showers
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Welcome to 2009
Well 2009 is now here and at least in our home school is back in full gear. We want to wish everyone a blessed new year and a blessed home schooling session.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Life is Like Hot Chocolate
A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were talking at a reunion and decided to go visit their old university professor, now retired. During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work and lives. Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and an assortment of cups - porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the hot chocolate.
When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said: "Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. The cup that you're drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup; but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other's cups.
Now consider this: Life is the hot chocolate; your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate God has provided us. God makes the hot chocolate, man chooses the cups. The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything that they have. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. And enjoy your hot chocolate.
When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said: "Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. The cup that you're drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup; but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other's cups.
Now consider this: Life is the hot chocolate; your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate God has provided us. God makes the hot chocolate, man chooses the cups. The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything that they have. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. And enjoy your hot chocolate.
Friday, December 5, 2008
How to bring Advent into your home school.
Happy Advent. I realize not all families are Christian and not all families celebrate Advent. However, for my family we do celebrate Advent and I thought I would take some time to tell you about what we do and why. Who knows maybe you will find something new or something you would like to add to your home school.For us we have an Advent wreath. I LOVE our advent wreath. I believe I bought it from current, I know I bought it the first year my husband and I were married because I had to have one. Advent was not something my husband really celebrated so this was new to him, and like the good hubby he is, he particpated. Advent has now become just as imporant to him as it is to me.
For our family every night we join around the table and light our Advent wreath and sing the song "Light the Advent Candle" and we read from our devotion. Now for us each year our devotion changes, based on what I find I like that year.
This year I did find a very cool source: http://miikogibson.com/advent_study.htm if you click on the weeks you can get a complete weekly packet for kids dealing with advent and the bible.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Columbus Day
Well today is Columbus Day in the United States. Today is the day we honor Christopher Columbus and his discovery of America. Although my oldest daughter will remind you that others found this area before Mr. Columbus, thank you history for that lesson!
So what did you do in your home school for Columbus Day?
Today for us we read some books about Columbus and his travels. We set up a ship and went on our own discovery of America in the living room. We made paper boats as well as Columbus hats.
I believe all holiday's should be studied and incorporated into our home school, this is just one way to help make history relevant to today's world.
So in honor of today......HAPPY COLUMBUS DAY!
Oh and for any readers from Canada....HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
So what did you do in your home school for Columbus Day?
Today for us we read some books about Columbus and his travels. We set up a ship and went on our own discovery of America in the living room. We made paper boats as well as Columbus hats.
I believe all holiday's should be studied and incorporated into our home school, this is just one way to help make history relevant to today's world.
So in honor of today......HAPPY COLUMBUS DAY!
Oh and for any readers from Canada....HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Joys of Cutting
Have you ever noticed how much kids love to cut with scissors! Oh my gosh I have really noticed this recently. My, now 3 year old, loves to sit and cut for hours if I would let him.
So I was thinking how can we make cutting into fun and learning.
I found a book called Preschool Skills this book is great way to work on cutting. There are several pages on cutting. For instance the most recent page we completed at co-op was of a car. The car is at the top of the page and we have the road going back and forth on the page. The idea is to cut on the road. Thus you are working on cutting in straight lines and going up and down, back and forth.
How easy it is to make up pages very similar to this one. Just take a sheet of paper and draw a few lines on it in various ways. Have your child cut the lines you have created.
Cutting it is a good thing!
So I was thinking how can we make cutting into fun and learning.
I found a book called Preschool Skills this book is great way to work on cutting. There are several pages on cutting. For instance the most recent page we completed at co-op was of a car. The car is at the top of the page and we have the road going back and forth on the page. The idea is to cut on the road. Thus you are working on cutting in straight lines and going up and down, back and forth.
How easy it is to make up pages very similar to this one. Just take a sheet of paper and draw a few lines on it in various ways. Have your child cut the lines you have created.
Cutting it is a good thing!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
History
I remember learning History/Social Studies in school. I remember learning maps of the world and about different parts of the world. I remember reading text books about government and laws. With this memory also come a dislike for the way it was taught to me. History in school for me was boring. It was one of those "I have to do this" type classes.
Thank gosh for home schooling and freedom we have. Here at the Pierce Family School we use the series "Story of the World"
As their web site reads:
This is our second year of using this series and each time we do our history lesson I always have the same comment "If history was taught to me in the way it is to my children I would have loved it."
The chapters go in chronological order of events. Each chapter is told in a way that you can feel like you are really living in the time period. With each chapter there is a map activity to help with map skills as well as understand the world during the time period. Each lesson included craft activities as well as other projects and reading to enhance the learning.
Take a new look at history and you may soon discover that "This isn't the same old History."
Thank gosh for home schooling and freedom we have. Here at the Pierce Family School we use the series "Story of the World"
As their web site reads:
The Story of the World is an award-winning resource for families looking for a history curriculum they can fall in love with. Told in the straightforward, engaging style that has become Susan Wise Bauer's trademark, this four-volume set covers the sweep of human history from ancient times until the present. Africa, China, Europe, the Americas — find out what happened all around the world in long-ago times. This read-aloud series is designed for parents and teachers to share with elementary school children. Enjoy it together and introduce your child to the marvelous story of the the world's civilizations.
This is our second year of using this series and each time we do our history lesson I always have the same comment "If history was taught to me in the way it is to my children I would have loved it."
The chapters go in chronological order of events. Each chapter is told in a way that you can feel like you are really living in the time period. With each chapter there is a map activity to help with map skills as well as understand the world during the time period. Each lesson included craft activities as well as other projects and reading to enhance the learning.
Take a new look at history and you may soon discover that "This isn't the same old History."
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