Post Ideas

 I had an idea for a new blog post today, really I did, I just can't remember it now! 

Plans are under way for the new school year. I haven't made definite plans for a start date yet, but most of the curriculum is bought.  The kids love the German School Cones--I can't remember what they are called. In Germany they are big cones decorated and filled with goodies and school supplies for kindergarteners on the first day of school. I like doing them for our first day filled with cute school supplies and yummy snacks. I also have a fun breakfast planned----most years. 

I make the cones by rolling a posterboard into a cone shape and covering with wrapping paper. I then use tissue paper glued or taped around the top of the cone like a skirt. Once the cone is filled with all the stuff I fold the tissue paper up and gather it with a ribbon. The kids love it and it's a fun way to start the year.

Homeschool Curriculum Choices

  Choosing curriculum for the homeschool year can be daunting. There are so many options and promises of each being THE perfect choice. 

Wait one minute, let's back up, first things first. Let's take a deep look into home life. 

Does your family get up early in the morning?  Or are you late sleepers?  Are you super organized about your day? Or do you wake up and think 'it feels like a field trip day'?  Do you love to be out in nature or sitting at the table reading?  Arts and crafts or writing stories? Do enjoy hiking, boating, camping, long road trips? Or is your family homebodies? Do both parents work? As a parent do you prefer working side by side doing your own thing? Or would you enjoy teaching your child step by step?

Why does any of this matter?

Homeschooling is a lifestyle not a life sentence. By taking the time to assess your family's learning style and natural flow you can then pick curriculum that meets the needs and compliments the lifestyle you already live.

Ok now let's talk about learning styles. Your children will likely all learn differently, but that doesn't mean you can't have non negotiable studies for them. My non negotiable is a vocabulary curriculum call Wordly Wise that allow the kids to do to their best ability and interest. The goal is exposure to intelligent vocabulary. 

Hands on learners will benefit from a math program that uses manipulatives and a language arts program like Winston Grammar or Montessori Language arts. 

Auditory learners will do better with History of the World recording, audio books and video math lessons. 

Visual learners may also benefit from manipulatives and programs like Winston Grammar as well as charts and graphics explaining concepts.  

Now that you have defined and recognized learning styles and needs of your family let's talk about homeschooling styles.

School at Home. Many online programs are just this school at home. Parents have less say in schedule, curriculum and teaching methods. It is doing school at home. 

Traditional Homeschooling. This can look so many different ways, but usually consists of reading, writing and arithmetic taught in a one room schoolhouse fashion. It is also farm chores, homemaking skills, and arts and crafts.

Unschooling. I've done this with one child, he turned out amazing!! This kind of schooling happens as part of life and is mostly child directed. I would have books, workbooks available and occasionally we would pull them out, but the majority of the time this child could be found researching, creating and building. When he got older there were metals being melting, fires, smoke bombs (from scratch) and tack welders being built (we bought him his first welding machine after that when he was about 13). 

Classical Homeschooling. This would include reading classics, studying history focusing on the founding forefathers, writing stories, etc. 

Most families will use a mixture of any of these to teach their children. 

You should have gathered enough information at this point to define your family's educational philosophy. 

Our family philosophy is to teach our children to love learning and to teach them foundational skills that will allow them to learn anything they want. If a child can read they can learn anything, if they can do basic math they can understand and manage their finances and life skills, if they can write they can communicate. 

Once you have defined your styles in teaching, learning and lifestyle curriculum will be much easier to choose and use. 

Homeschooling should not be daunting, it is meant to be joyful. 

 Life sure does throw lots of curve balls. I put this blog down several years ago in the chaos of life. It has been brought to my attention in the last few months that maybe it is time to back to the blog if for no other reason than to record thoughts and experiences of being a stay at home, homeschooling, natural minded mother who also deals with chronic health issues and definitely thinks and lives outside the box.

I have been asked why homeschool so many, many times. 

Let's get into it but before we do if you would like to learn more about homeschooling from other veteran moms join the lunch and learn series here linktr.ee/moms4libertyccok 

First I was not your normal kid. In reality I probably would be diagnosed with ADHD these days. I was a daydreamer, I loved flowers, being in the kitchen, lining up dolls to play school and just being creative. I always wanted to be the smart kid but often found myself struggling just to be average, especially in the later years. I always loved learning new things.......I have my mother to thank for that. I really didn't want my kids to fall into the same scenario, I wanted better for them!

I think my other reason was probably selfish in some ways. I love my kids and wanted to be with them. I wanted to see them as the light bulb went on when they were learning how to read or do math. I also wanted to give them freedom to learn how the best learned. (One day I will tell you about my one unschooler who is a successful thriving adult now.

Adventures, who doesn't love a field trip? Zoos, museums, hikes, fishing swimming all these are great ways to learn and can't be used often enough in the school system because of budgets. My kids loved museums so much that some of them became volunteers in their teen years. 

Business, yes business. What better way to learn about economics and finances. Over the years we have made jewelry, created engineering kits, weeded flowerbeds, baked, and more. It wasn't always met with success but my adults now know how to be creative when they need to supplement their income. 

My biggest reason is curriculum. It doesn't matter to me what grade they are in (most the time my kids didn't even know what grade they were in). What did matter is that they were learning even if that meant they were in 3rd grade math and 6th grade reading----it just doesn't matter when you are homeschooling!

What would I change if I could go back? I would start with less anxiety about trying to duplicate a public classroom. I would let my kids play outside independently more. I would also be more proactive about getting my teens dual enrolled in college classes or trade school classes. I have no regrets though. I have 6 thriving, successful adults that I am extremely proud of!

If you would like to learn more about homeschooling from other veteran moms join the lunch and learn series here linktr.ee/moms4libertyccok 

 

2019 Nursery for the 2 hour block

I have searched high and low for ideas on how to schedule the new 1 hour nursery and can't find anything! Really? I can't believe that no one has an opinion on how to schedule nursery!

I have been a nursery leader for many years, it seems to be the only calling I am cut out for. I studied preschool education at Ricks College (BYU-I) many years ago. That is where it all started I guess.

We recently moved, and having been released from nursery 2 years ago and not having a calling wouldn't you know it, I get called to nursery in the new ward. Then the announcement of the new schedule. After spending the first few wee
ks getting nursery manuals, cleaning up the nursery and implementing an actual schedule I am ready to dive into this new schedule. I welcome discussion, I don't profess to know everything and I am very open to others' ideas.

My thoughts are focusing on the basics; lesson, singing time, active play, and lesson activity. I like to have the kids color while I do the lesson, it helps them focus and makes a quiet(ish) moment for a spiritual thought. I have also decided to do snack at the very end and have ziplock baggies available to send the snack home as they are being picked up. I think the 'bubble time' might be best at the very beginning after sitting in sacrament meeting for an hour.  With all that in mind here is what I think my schedule will look like.

10am-10:15 Greeting time/bubbles/active play

10:15-10:25 Singing time

10:25-10:40 Lesson

10:40-10:50 Lesson activity/art project

10:50-11:00  snack time


I am sure this will be tweeked a few times to make it work just right, but for now I think it will work beautifully.

Give me your thoughts, what is your plan for nursery in the new year?

2014 in the rear view mirror

Sweet and simple

Brent--Started a new job in January. In December his responsibilities changed--I think they like him!!

Alyeen--Gymnastics, Dance, Homeschooling, Wedding #3, New grandbaby, and another grandbaby on the way

Ashley--Baby number 3 came feet first, the midwife didn't make it AGAIN (that would be me) so aunties took care of everything! Ray started working at the State Deaf School. The babies are getting so big! RayLee is 6, Charlie is 3 she fell off a chair and broke her collar bone this year, Grace is 1 on Jan 3

Daphne--Is pregnant!!!! She has been busy putting her hubby through school and coaching gymnastics. Andrew graduates in May, baby is due in May!

Jessica--Married!! She is competing for her final year in Gymnastics. An Injury sidelined her about half way through the season last year and kept her out. She decided to go one more year just so she could have the satisfaction of completing the season and work on some unfinished goals. Austin started working at Halliburton 2 weeks ago.

Camilla---Dancing her heart out! She has her first job working the front desk at the dance studio 2 afternoons a week and between dance classes. She also student teaches dance to help cover her dance tuition! She is in love with ballet and looking for ways to perfect her technique outside the studio. She is also taking a tumbling class so she can tumble in dance numbers for competition.

Nathaniel--Chemistry is his thing this year! Mixing, watching reactions, making things go boom! He is taller than all of us (not a huge accomplishment in this family really) and really enjoys being and uncle. He is a gentleman, except when he is picking on me! He and his daddy have some deep conversations that the rest of us do not understand. On of these days we will teach them English!  Nate is preparing for a Pre Engineering school in a few years he stays pretty busy with his studies (most of the time)!

Daniel--Gymnastics is his thing!! He is in the process of making a mushroom to workout on at home. His rings stay at the gym most of the time because the boys program has grown to include little boys that need rings low. (I coach the boys' classes now--and love it!) Three times this past year he has had the opportunity to watch the OU Men. Once at a meet for his birthday, and twice at the OU gym. He is excited to meet his new nephew in May! (Did I say Daphne is having a boy?)

My how we have grown!!

In Case you haven't noticed.......

It has been a while since I last posted!

Since December of 2013 my life has consisted of

Gymnastics
Dance
New Granddaughter
25 years of marriage
A Carribean Cruise
An allergic reaction to a yellow jacket
A trip to the ER
2 new epi pens for the 13 year old
An engagement
A wedding for daughter #3
An announcement of daughter #2 having a baby
A new son-in-law moving in
Renewing my nutritional goals
Exercise
Homeschooling
AND Gymnastics


To say that I have had a busy year is pretty much an under statement, but it has been a GREAT year with lots of good news and fun events!

2013 The year in Review

I thought I would do a Christmas letter here this year! I know lame right?  I am too lazy to get Christmas cards in the mail so this will have to do!!

Brent--Working hard as ever, designing equipment for the oilfield. That is what he does! He did try his hand at mixed martial arts and broke a board with his bare hands, but he didn't much like the contact part and claimed he was too old to fight with other people.

Ashley-- Ray and Ashley bought a new house on 15 acres and have big plans for their property. Charlie girl turned 2, yes 2, I mean 2--but we still love her cute little smile and all those curls! RayLee turned 5 and is learning her letters. She goes to Mamaw's house once a week to spend the night and do school. We are expecting grandbaby number 3 in January!

Daphne--Lives in Oklahoma City with her hubby Andrew. Daphne coaches gymnastics and says she has plenty of kids at the gym and doesn't need any of her own. She has something like 100 she told me one time! Andrew is finishing up an engineering degree at OU. I think we will all be glad when he is done!! Daphne still sings when she cans and is hoping to be on stage more in the near future. Andrew made his debut and sang a duet with Daphne and also played his guitar--they are amazing together!

Jessica--Is still competing in gymnastics and coaching and working as a personal assistant. She took a psychology class at the local college in the fall, made an A and seemed to really enjoy the class! It looks like she will be sending a missionary off in 2014 and trying to stay busy with school, gym and work while she waits for him to serve for 2 years.

Camilla- Got her first pair of point shoes this year. She is on the performance company at her dance studio and is student teaching 2 dance classes. She loves dance and looks for every opportunity to pick up another dance class or experience!

Nathaniel- He is 12! He is turning into quite the young man! We refer to him as our family techy. He loves his electronics, computers, robots, creating, making smoke bombs (yes making them in MY kitchen--but I let him because I love him and want to be present so that I can witness any major explosions!) Engineering is in his future, or maybe chemistry or electronics or computer programming--who knows!! He did mixed martial arts with his dad but they had the same complaint--neither one of them are fighters but they enjoyed the technicalities of it and both advanced fairly quickly.

Daniel--Mr. Heavenly Father made my body for gymnastics is competing gymnastics for his 2nd year and loving it! He only wishes there were a couple more boys on the team. (Right now there are only 2). I noticed the other day that he has developed quite the muscles in his arms. I think he might be growing up just a little.

Alyeen--Discontinued her midwifery apprenticeship earlier in the year thinking she needed to spend more time with the kids. Not long after the school year started a family contacted us about homeschooling their 12 and 14 year olds, not long after that she added a 15 year old and then another 14 year old. She has since lost one of those students at the moment she is homeschooling 6 kids and loving every minute of it! She is also going through hormone treatments about every 4 months that have made a huge difference in her health and though the treatments are somewhat invasive. She is coaching gymnastics to help pay for the kids' activities and loves it as well!

Next year will bring Brent and Alyeen's 25th anniversary and an adventure at sea for them. The rest of the family will be carrying on as usual except for the big party they are planning for their Mama and Daddy in May! (Hope you can come!)

We all wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!