Ok it is time to wake up the world to home schooling....time to get mothers and fathers to take charge of their children's education. Stop complaining about the flaws of the public school and take back the classroom.
Tonight I am starting on a new campaign. Not only to continue this blog but to improve upon it. Tonight I will being the production of several YouTube videos to explain why you, yes YOU, should home school!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Sunday, September 7, 2008
The first week down!
Well this house has survived the first week school in our house. We have been able to keep up with everything!! Which I am surprised as I figured it would take us a while to get back into the swing of things. I think part of the benefit has been my limited ability do walk right now, the joys of knee surgery.
We have managed to start each day with the Pledge of Allegiance. The kids have taken turns holding our flag for the class. It is funny because we are learning how to hold the American Flag correctly, right hand above left. They have also learned how to stand reverently in front of the flag with their right hand over their hearts. Anna has the Pledge down now, however Christopher is still a work in progress, but then again he is only 2.
Anna has started her Kindergarten work and is loving it so far. She gets upset each day when we put her books away as she would love to work in her books nonstop. I hope this love of learning continues. I will admit I have been spoiled by Catherine as she loves to learn and learns very easy, I am not sure how I will handle it if one of my kids hates learning or struggles a great deal.
Catherine has begun her studies this year. She actually started History this summer as we like the idea of doing one chapter a week and thus we started in July so we can have our breaks when we want. Now that we are in full blown school her work load has increased. She is enjoying her study of Oceanography, this year we will be building a diorama of the Ocean and adding to it each chapter with new creatures we have studied. We have begun her new reading curriculum "Drawn Into The Heart of Reading" This study has begun with the reading of a Biography, which we are reading Walt Disney: Young Movie Maker by Marie Hammontree. We are thinking about take a road trip to Marceline, Missouri after our study is over as that is the childhood home of Walt Disney and only 2 hours away. All other subjects are similar to last year and they are great as usual.
Co-op started this week. Needless to say it was a stressful first day. This semester I am teaching a beading class, called Building Bling, and working 3 and 4 year olds in Pre-grammar. Catherine is taking Building Bling, Recorder, Baton, and Etiquette. She seems to really enjoy her classes. Christopher and Anna are both in their age group of pre-grammar.
So one week down in the 2008-2009 school year. We pray that your school year is going well and with little stress and frustration as possible.
We have managed to start each day with the Pledge of Allegiance. The kids have taken turns holding our flag for the class. It is funny because we are learning how to hold the American Flag correctly, right hand above left. They have also learned how to stand reverently in front of the flag with their right hand over their hearts. Anna has the Pledge down now, however Christopher is still a work in progress, but then again he is only 2.
Anna has started her Kindergarten work and is loving it so far. She gets upset each day when we put her books away as she would love to work in her books nonstop. I hope this love of learning continues. I will admit I have been spoiled by Catherine as she loves to learn and learns very easy, I am not sure how I will handle it if one of my kids hates learning or struggles a great deal.
Catherine has begun her studies this year. She actually started History this summer as we like the idea of doing one chapter a week and thus we started in July so we can have our breaks when we want. Now that we are in full blown school her work load has increased. She is enjoying her study of Oceanography, this year we will be building a diorama of the Ocean and adding to it each chapter with new creatures we have studied. We have begun her new reading curriculum "Drawn Into The Heart of Reading" This study has begun with the reading of a Biography, which we are reading Walt Disney: Young Movie Maker by Marie Hammontree. We are thinking about take a road trip to Marceline, Missouri after our study is over as that is the childhood home of Walt Disney and only 2 hours away. All other subjects are similar to last year and they are great as usual.
Co-op started this week. Needless to say it was a stressful first day. This semester I am teaching a beading class, called Building Bling, and working 3 and 4 year olds in Pre-grammar. Catherine is taking Building Bling, Recorder, Baton, and Etiquette. She seems to really enjoy her classes. Christopher and Anna are both in their age group of pre-grammar.
So one week down in the 2008-2009 school year. We pray that your school year is going well and with little stress and frustration as possible.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Happy Labor Day
Well in our house, summer is officially coming to a close. Today is Labor Day, which for most people is just a day off work and day to cook out. I have to say for our house it is a lot the same. Although because of medical issues (Knee surgery) today's labor day is not as exciting as in the past. Today we use the pool (an out door inflatable pool) for the last time, although as of this blog it has not gotten warm enough for the pool. Today we will cook hamburgers and corn and other yummies.
Today is very special for us when it come to education. Today we finish setting up our fall classroom. We organize our cart so it is ready for the kick off of school tomorrow. Our children are excited about starting school for real. Although through the summer we do like mini school, tomorrow starts the real thing.
So as schools around the world have either started or are starting we wish everyone a great fall full of great educational experiences.
Today is very special for us when it come to education. Today we finish setting up our fall classroom. We organize our cart so it is ready for the kick off of school tomorrow. Our children are excited about starting school for real. Although through the summer we do like mini school, tomorrow starts the real thing.
So as schools around the world have either started or are starting we wish everyone a great fall full of great educational experiences.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
There is no real “Summer Break” in home schooling
Well Summer is upon us, at least here in KC it feels that way. Even though it is still officially spring it sure feels like Summer. The pool is set up in the back yard and already has many hours of use this week alone.
Most kids look forward to summer as a kind of R&R from school. I know our neighbor has been counting down the days till she could “Sleep in”, something she is looking forward to experiencing. Keep in mind, in the life of a 9 year old (her age) sleeping to 8:30 am is sleeping in.
Now Catherine asked me the other day, “Mom do I get a summer vacation from school.” The way our Home School works is this:
Labor Day through Memorial Day - Full School
Memorial Day through Labor Day - Light School
So we are officially in “Light School”. What does light school mean? Well for us it means we do a math time test and read some every day. We also find learning experiences as our days go. Such as this week we used a level and worked on finding the most level place in our back yard to set up the inflatable pool. We then talked about how to make the ground more level. We used a level ruler with a bubble in side and learned how to read it correctly.
As with past summers we will be participating in our local libraries summer reading program. For every 20 books the kids read they get a free book to add to our home library. After 100 books they get a gift, either a library tote bag, a butterfly beanie baby, or a book light. This is a great program and the best part is the cost----FREE!
This summer we are going to be starting our history in July. The reason for starting early is because we like to do one chapter a week in history. In order to do that and be done by Memorial Day we have to start on July 1st. Really it is no big deal, we enjoy the history we do and it is more fun then work.
So yes for us Pierce Family School does not stop in the summer but we lighten up.
So what does you family school do?
Most kids look forward to summer as a kind of R&R from school. I know our neighbor has been counting down the days till she could “Sleep in”, something she is looking forward to experiencing. Keep in mind, in the life of a 9 year old (her age) sleeping to 8:30 am is sleeping in.
Now Catherine asked me the other day, “Mom do I get a summer vacation from school.” The way our Home School works is this:
Labor Day through Memorial Day - Full School
Memorial Day through Labor Day - Light School
So we are officially in “Light School”. What does light school mean? Well for us it means we do a math time test and read some every day. We also find learning experiences as our days go. Such as this week we used a level and worked on finding the most level place in our back yard to set up the inflatable pool. We then talked about how to make the ground more level. We used a level ruler with a bubble in side and learned how to read it correctly.
As with past summers we will be participating in our local libraries summer reading program. For every 20 books the kids read they get a free book to add to our home library. After 100 books they get a gift, either a library tote bag, a butterfly beanie baby, or a book light. This is a great program and the best part is the cost----FREE!
This summer we are going to be starting our history in July. The reason for starting early is because we like to do one chapter a week in history. In order to do that and be done by Memorial Day we have to start on July 1st. Really it is no big deal, we enjoy the history we do and it is more fun then work.
So yes for us Pierce Family School does not stop in the summer but we lighten up.
So what does you family school do?
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Family is the Key
Home schooling is more the books, reading, and writing. Home schooling is a way of life. It is the only life where you can spend hour together and never get sick of each other. It is the only life in which kids and adults can learn and grow together. It is the only life that can cause you to really see the value in people of all ages. Most of all home school is about FAMILY. Family is number one and the only thing you think about. I find that by home schooling you really get past the "me me me" way of thinking. You thoughts are about your family and what you can do to help them learn and grow in life.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
The Joys of Co-Op's
This spring my family joined a Home Schooling Co-op. I have to say I feel this has been a great changes for both my children and myself. There are 90+ families in this co-op. One family had 12 children and is expecting #13. So total there are over 200 kids.
Each child has his or her own classes they can pick, 4 classes. Catherine is taking Ballroom Dancing, Art, Music, and Games. Anna is in a 3 year old class. Christopher is in a 2 year old class.
I think this is also very beneficial for myself as well. I have met many wonderful ladies (mostly moms come although you do see some dads). We have talked about everything from schooling to fun.
If you ever have a chance to find a co-op check it out, it might be a perfect fit for your family.
Each child has his or her own classes they can pick, 4 classes. Catherine is taking Ballroom Dancing, Art, Music, and Games. Anna is in a 3 year old class. Christopher is in a 2 year old class.
I think this is also very beneficial for myself as well. I have met many wonderful ladies (mostly moms come although you do see some dads). We have talked about everything from schooling to fun.
If you ever have a chance to find a co-op check it out, it might be a perfect fit for your family.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
New Year!
Well it is now 2008. Although most home schools continue where they are, some choose to begin all new.
In our home we run an "old fashion" school calendar. We officially work the day after Labor Day till the day before Memorial Day. So for us we are in the middle of the year.
Praying that your home school is blessed this year!
In our home we run an "old fashion" school calendar. We officially work the day after Labor Day till the day before Memorial Day. So for us we are in the middle of the year.
Praying that your home school is blessed this year!
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