Outside the Classroom

I think we spent more time outside the classroom than inside the classroom this week.  I felt guilty about this for about three seconds before remembering that this is EXACTLY why we chose homeschooling in the first place.  Miss M and Mr. J both participated in tennis and badminton practice with our homeschooling group.  Miss M had dance and gymnastics and also a playdate with a friend.  Both kids went to our church's mid-week afternoon program.  Mr. J helped me at our food co-op by carrying boxes.  We ended our week as a family watching Miss M have her first horse riding lesson.  Due to her NF1 diagnosis, she is eligible for therapeutic riding lessons with some WONDERFUL and loving instructors.  What a blessing for all of us to watch her start these lessons. 

A year ago, we wouldn't have been able to do many of these things because Miss M was in school.  There are many things we loved about school, but none of those things can compare to how much we love spending time together as a family.  Next week we'll probably spend a little more time inside our classroom.  I haven't given up on direct instruction altogether.  It's just reassuring to see how much my children learn even when we're not in our school environment. 

Education is not preparation for life;  education is life itself. 
- John Dewey

Student as Teacher

One day this week I was just struggling to get everything done.  I ran downstairs to make lunch, thinking of all the things Miss M and I had NOT gotten done that morning.  Then I realized the kids were giggling and talking sweetly to each other and decided to see what was happening.  When I peeked upstairs, this is what I saw.  Miss M was sitting on the couch with her brother, reading a book to him.

Miss M's lessons this week:  We continue to work on doubles and "plus one" facts in math, and Miss M had her first math test, which went very well.  She especially enjoys working with pattern blocks.  I admit, they're pretty fun.  We also studied Leif Ericson and added a verb jingle to our ever-growing list of songs and dances we use to remember information.

Children, obey your parents, for this is the right thing to do.  Ephesians 6:1

Mr. J's lessons this week:  He had a private tutoring session with Miss M and Elmo that covered letters, shapes, and colors.

Lesson Learned:
Watching the kids quietly reading together was another moment of homeschooling clarity to me.  Sticking to the schedule and accomplishing everything I have planned doesn't always need to be the goal.  Watching my daughter point out colors and letters and shapes to her brother is a valid learning experience for both of them. If I had rushed her off to "finish her work" I would have intruded on a special time the two of them needed. They probably started fighting ten minutes later, but that's okay, too.

I also began reading The Well-Trained Mind, a book I've heard about for years but had never read.  I am loving it and gaining a wealth of information.  It has given me reassurance that this decision to homeschool is best for us, and it's given me many new ideas for future learning.  I borrowed this copy from our library, but I'll be purchasing it soon!

"Never hurry and never worry!"

Miss M and I are currently reading Charlotte's Web, and like any great book, something new can be learned from it with every reading.  I have read this book several times before, but this week a particular phrase jumped out at me.  Charlotte says to Wilbur, "Never hurry and never worry!"  Easier said than done, but what a great lesson for Miss M (and her mother!)

Miss M's lessons this week:  We continued our discussion of Creation, reviewed addition doubles in math (and we're trying to work on Miss M's fear of the TIMED TEST), cardinal directions, and the five parts of a complete sentence.  Miss M was also able to take tennis lessons with our local homeschooling group, and she's looking forward to continuing that once a week until the weather is too cold.

Be kind, one to another.  Ephesians 4:32


Mr. J's lessons this week:  Homeschooling means less time *alone* with mom, even on your birthday.  Even though Mr. J had to spend his birthday with Miss M at her tennis lessons and also at her dance and gymnastics class, he was a trooper and never complained.  Having lunch with Grandma and eating dinner at Old McDonald's was enough of a treat for him. 


Lesson Learned:
Maybe I should be a little more like Charlotte and a little less like Wilbur.  Charlotte says, "Never hurry and never worry!"  Wilbur frets and feels sorry for himself.  And is comfortable in a manure pile.  (Hmmm...that should tell me something right there.)  When the daily schedule doesn't go as I had planned, I should slow down and worry less.  Jesus said, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"  (Matthew 6:27)  I think Charlotte was on to something.

Week 1

We have survived our first week of schooling at home! Miss M began second grade, and Mister J is officially in pre-pre-kindergarten, which mostly involves playing with his trucks while his sister works.  I was pleasantly surprised to see how well both kids adapted to our new space and schedule. 

Miss M's lessons this week:  Creation, telling time, and learning the names of the seven continents.  We also had two big outings.  We went to our local fair, which Miss M said was the "most exciting event of the year."  We also went to a steam engine show where we saw antique engines, threshing machines, a kids' train, some beautiful horses and more.  It was a busy week, but it was amazing to set our own schedule, work at our own pace, and make learning adjustments as needed. 

Mr. J's lessons this week:  He had to work on sharing time and attention in our new work space.  He was very excited about us starting school, but he kept asking when we were going.  I told him, "This is our school."  He said, "No!  This is our home!"  Right, Mr. J.  It's now both!  He loves our new work space because he has lots of places to run his trucks around, and crayons get scooped into a front loader really well!

We're learning a Bible verse for every letter of the alphabet, using Robert Wolgemuth's book The Most Important Place on Earth.  So, I'll post those every week for anyone else who'd like to use them. 

All we, like sheep, have gone astray.  Isaiah 53:6
Verses We've Learned


Lesson Learned: 
My daughter is a kinesthetic learner!  She has been an obvious linquistic learner since birth.  Her verbal skills have always been a strong point, and I knew that she needed to "talk things out" to learn.  But I saw her this week jump out of her chair several times a day when new concepts were introduced.  She sang, she danced, she skipped and jumped.  It was fascinating to watch her jiggling the information into her brain.

The Loft

loft
noun
a room, storage area, or the like within a sloping roof; attic; garret

 

 

When we moved into our house six and a half years ago, we gave little thought to the "extra room" above our garage, other than to use it as storage.  And use it we did.  We stuffed it full of old yearbooks, unused toys, forgotten memorabilia, and off-season decorations.  It was not a termperature-controlled room, so in the summers it was an oven, and in the winters an ice chest.  Not exactly the type of place you'd want to spend much time in. 

 

But it is now!  My husand is a truly talented man and has transformed the yucky, uninviting space into something beautiful and cozy.  And USEABLE!  We have a new ceiling, new insulation, new paint, and new shelving.  We even have a new futon! It is the PERFECT space for our new adventures in homeschooling.

 

 

Lesson Learned: 

My husband is amazing.  Okay, this isn't really a "lesson" per se, but it's certainly been a good reminder of all the things I love about him.