Wordless Wednesday

Hurricanes and Humbleness

Last week central Texas was hot and the usually stoic Texans were very anxious because of Hurricane Ike. We knew he was out there but did not know where God would place him because it was changing by the minute. By Thursday public school were schedule for early release, University of Texas cancelled its big football game, co-op activities were cancelled and people were scrambling for safe harbor. Our lives would change, but to what degree and when was unknown.

We waited and prayed for those in the path of this storm.

Earlier in the week, I was so caught up in lesson plans not going as plan, financial issues and providing social outlets for TS. It all seem so daunting until you look into the sky and see the awesome power of nature.

Our city was spared but as a nation and state, we will be feeling the effects of Ike for a long time.

Science with Sid: Reversible Change

This week our friend Sid the Science Kid discussed Reversible Change or in kindergarten speak: “Why does my popsicle melt?” TS was transfixed the entire 30 minutes and then wanted to do the experiment ASAP. Do I have time for learning? You bet!

So off to the dining room table or as Sid calls his area The Super Fab Lab. Setting up and conducting the first half of the experiment took less than 10 minutes. The instructions for this experiment can be found by clicking here Sid’s Frozen Fruit Experiment. The hardest part of the entire experiment was the kindergartener running to frig, opening the door and asking constantly: “Is it ready yet?”

The frozen fruit

The melting fruit aka “Great Snack”

TS had a great time, rave about the cool snack he made and he voluntarily wrote it in his journal. THANK YOU SID!

New Words Defined

Compare

Contrast

Temperature

Reversible Change

New Method: Observations
When you used your eyes, nose, hands and taste (if Mommy says it okay) to get information or learn about a thing.

(Now if I can just get the little “Looking for My Friend” tune out of my head.)

Row, row, row books

Okay we are officially Rowing….Five In a Row (FIAR) that is. So far so good for both student and teacher. I thought going in that reading the same story five days in a row would be rough, but good classics seem to hold a special appeal. The additional resource books help shore up his interest in the main book. We are a month into the program and nothing but good things so far. In addition, I have been incorporating music and Lego building based on the book we are reading. This provides us with an opportunity to move and use our hands while rowing. We are learning a lot.

At the beginning of each book I give him the option of notebooking, journaling or lapbooking our quest. So far, lapbooking has won out every time. TS has become addicted to lapbooks, because he says he can find everything he learned in one place. I am surprised how much he has taken to the method. He is even cutting and gluing without a fuss.

Here are the books we are rowing this Fall:

August	September	October
Mike Mulligan	Madeline	Papa Piccolo
Lentil	Harold and the Purple Crayon	Pumpkin Free
	A Pair of Red Clogs	Grandfather's Journey
	The Glorious Flight	If I Ran For President
November	December
Space Shuttle	Make Way For Ducklings
How To Make An Apple Pie	Digital FIAR-Christmas
Cranberry Thanksgiving	Digital FIAR-Birthday
November	(Holiday Vacation)

Not all of these titles are FIAR, but I now have enough time to develop at least a couple of unit studies to address specific issues and fieldtrips this fall.

Wordless Wednesday: Turtles Tanning

Maybe they are suffering a little post nacho heartburn?

Homeschool The Very Social Only Child

Today was a great day. I actually stayed at home. Normally we do work in the mornings, have lunch and are out the door from 1pm until about 4pm. This leads to rushed dinner preparations, piles of unwashed dishes, undone chores and inconsistent quiet times. Logic would dictate that I stay home, but I am praying through Super Social Singleton guilt. I felt like I had to get him in the presence other children everyday.

Some may ask “So why not send him to public school?” Because he is not a public school kid, he has been blessed with a curiosity, energy and intellect that does not thrive in a public school environment. He is his best in a homeschool environment, after much prayer, we know that to be the truth.

I was not an only child, far from it in fact. I grew up with a sibling, a younger cousin who lived with us most of the summers and enough first cousins within walking distance to put the Duggers to shame. I use to hide in my bedroom closet on the phone just to have a private conversation. I do not really understand the only child life style. TS is so social that he wants to see kids other kids every hour or every day. We do not have many kids his age in the immediate neighborhood and most of his other Singleton friends are school kids or recently got new siblings. (That is has brought on a major case of sibling desires.)

However, I cannot successful homeschool in a chaotic household. Therefore, after much prayer I have instituted “Home Days”. These are the days we bless our house (dust, sweep, fold), do the experiments and just enjoy each other.

After three weeks, I feel less rushed and so does he. We are making progress on learning; schoolwork, self care skills, discipline and enjoying each other. It makes the other 3-4 days that we go out a lot less hectic and more relaxed because we have things done at home. Plus the weekends are jammed with birthday parties, kid concerts, church and friends.

Today we took an hour walk together, just observing (TS’s new word for Sid The Science Kid).

We saw ducks, turtle, geese, tadpoles, leaves, funny rocks and cranes. It is great to slow down and enjoy homeschooling my only child.

WE LOVE SID THE SCIENCE KID

We got a flyer from the library about a new show on PBS called Sid the Science Kid. TS though it looked cool and wanted to check it out. Since TV is limited at our house I knew he was serious we he traded his 30 minute block of TV normally reserved for Super Why or FETCH!

So, we catch the first show and are blown away. TS was impressed that:

1. This kid asks as many questions as he does.
2. This kid has the coolest songs. (Such as “My Mom is Cool” rap or the “Science Kid is in the House.”)
3. Sid’s class only has FOUR kids in the class that are in TS “Are special, different and not trying to be like each other.”
4. The coolest teacher on the planet Ms. Susie.
5. Sid’s friend Gerald is very much like TS. They describe him as “The perfect run-on sentence to describe Gerald would be: "Total instant gratification - boundless boy energy - raises his hand on every question even if he doesn't know the answer - gotta do it right now!"”

Today we learned for Sid about observing using our hands, eyes, ears and nose. TS spent the day writing observation in his journal.

That is right folks TS voluntarily wrote in his daily journal and drew pictures! Before Sid, this was a fight that I had given up on and just let him dictate his entries. Today he picked up his journal by himself and drew and wrote his “observations.” Then he asked if he could decorate his journal with his picture and some of Sid and team. You have never seen a mom run for the printer and glue so fast.

I am writing a big “Thank You” to PBS and The Jim Henson Company tonight.

2008-2009 Homeschool Toolbox

First let us start with what we are using this year and why.

Main Curriculum (Language Arts, Music, Art and Science)
This year we are using Five in A Row (FIAR) and Five in a Row Christian Character Bible Study Supplement as our major Homeschool curriculum. FIAR is a unit-study approach to early education based on outstanding children's literature. We chose this program because our auditory and kinesthetic learner will all benefit from Five in a Row's variety of lessons and activities.

Handwriting Curriculum
We are sticking with Handwriting Without Tears (HWOT). It worked really well last year with the preschool module called “Get Set For School”. TS was getting frustrated just writing letters because he can read so I ordered both Kindergarten and First Grade for this fall. That way we can start working on the letter then the First Grade book and work on associated words.

Music and Art Curriculum
We are scheduled to take an Art class at the local fine arts Homeschool academy and we are looking for a drum class. To supplement that I am using “What Your Kindergartner Needs to Know: Preparing Your Child for a Lifetime of Learning” by E.D. Jr Hirsch which has a good section on both music and art. This book is a nice resource to a unit study but I would not use it as the “be all, end all” of what your kindergartner needs to know.

The local symphony has monthly educational concerts and locally we have kid friendly music venues, which we will take advantage of with our Homeschool co-op.

Math
We were scheduled to us Horizons Math, however after the first week this workbook method is not working for us. Math-U-See was soundly rejected..”Ughh Mom”. So, I right now I am looking for a free online kindergarten math program. If I cannot find a one I will order Progress in Mathematics, which was recommended by an education specialist.

Reading Comprehension
TS, much like his father and I, is a natural reader. I have never used a flash card, phonics program or computer program. I did his evaluation and he reads on a third grade level but comprehension on first grade level. We are going to focus on comprehension and phonic rules.

We will use Nanci Bell’s Visualizing and Verbalizing For Language Comprehension and Thinking
^® Program and www.Starfall.com for phonics review.

Physical Education
We are enrolled in a Superfriends Homeschool P.E. class and the YMCA offers a Homeschool PE for Kindy on Fridays.

Co-Ops

• Monthly Orators Club and Playgroup
• Weekly Readers Club and Park Day
• Weekly Boys Playgroup/Social Group
• Monthly Boys Nature Club

Customer Service Homeschool Style

Part of my homeschooling planning was to ask TS what he wanted to learn this year. We did this last year and at the end of the year, we manage to cover both his and our goals.

I have his learning style, the curriculum and basic plan but to make it more meaningful I try to individualize the experience base on his input.

This is what TS wants to learn in 2008:

• Learn to play the drums
• Learn to use the Camcorder to make movies
• Learn more about how race cars work
• Understand what astronauts do
• Want to learn how to build with rocks
• Learn about track and field and play track and field with friend
• Learn how to swim
• Use Lego’s to build cars and things
• To play on a boys soccer team
• Have an Olympic playdate with all my friends
• Learn martial arts

Our Mission Statement

We did not want to get overly analytical (hey, we are two engineers it can happen.) so we drafted a simple, livable mission statement.

Homeschool Mission Statement

• To protect, nourish, and encourage our child's curiosity, imagination, and love of learning.
• To create and continually improve the learning environment to suit our child's interest and changing needs.
• To remember that learning is facilitated, not forced, and that education is about the journey, not just the destination.
  
• With the Lord's blessing, we will raise our child to be morally and spiritually wise, to realize his gifts, to serve the needs of others, and to grow in ways that glorify God.
  

Wordless Wednesday: Thank You Beijing

Our First Day of School

Our first day of school was actually last Monday. It was a rainy morning but we all awoke early ready to start the new school year. The entire family packed up for a trip to Whole Foods for a “Back to School Brunch”. Our family loves Whole Foods! Whatever towns we travel to we have to fine a Whole Foods or Trader Joes. The colors, the smells and just the energy of the place energize us. My hubby refers to it as Whole Wallet, because it is pricey but we were celebrating.

We arrive with notebook, shopping list and empty tummies. I forgot my camera so I had to go to local blogs for images. (You wouldn't believe how many local folks take pictures of our Whole Foods.)

TS informed the produce guy that today was the first day of his Homeschool, to which he replied have a great year.

We love their produce section and TS wanted to “eat the alphabet”. Therefore, we set out to find foods from A to Z.

Somehow, we ended up in the handmade chocolate bar. The lady there was supper nice and gave us a demonstration on how this beautiful fountain works.

She also explained how chocolates were made and what countries they came from for what kind of taste. Hubby was in heaven; he is the only chocolate lover in the house.

We spent about two hours roaming the store talking to the “Foodies” about where food came from, taste and listening to some great classical rock. We left under budget with full tummies, a lot of knowledge and great memories. So we loaded and setttled down for the long drive home.

Girl where have you been?

I have been virtually hiding out to pray about life. Specifically to strength my mind, body and soul after a long two weeks of attacks from family, friends, financial obligations and that little negative voice inside us all. My grandmother once told me “You know you are following the will of God when the enemy attacks everyday, all day long.” I know we are on the right path because I see the results in my child.

I will not give power to the negatives by repeating the comments and actions. I have a mission, an adventure to begin and enjoy.

However let me share just this piece of advice for those who are considering or are in the mist homeschooling, know your own heart and follow it. After one year of homeschooling we have figured out everyone will have an “ode to a school bus days”, especially this time of year when the “Back to School” hype is in full gear. It is a time of great anxiety for many homeschoolers, both parent and child. Again words from my grandmother, “If you prayed about it, then leave it alone. God get’s a little teed off if you clutter up HIS way.”

Let the adventure begin....

Wordless Wednesday

The Super Student’s first Lapbook

After the conference, I asked the TS what did he want to do that week. The expression on his face was comical because normally I have our week planned out and present it calendar form after Monday breakfast. (I know…I know anal but I am a recovering engineering manager.) He recovered quickly to list all of his favorite things:

“After breakfast let’s do Slip N Slide, then the park and lunch date. Ohhhh call SK( aka Sidekick who is TS’s brother from another mother) so we can go to Pump N Jump, then The Big Park, then Putt Putt Golf, then a playdate with all my forever friends (I will explain his hierarchy later.), the library music show, pick up my summer reading prize with my friends and then the have my friends over for Slip N Slide. Hey, Mommmie can I please learn about Pandas? I know Kung Fu Panda’s not real but I want know about real Pandas.”

Okay first I was tired just mapping out his week of activities, not to mention getting queasy at the thought of gas prices. Then I was a little embarrassed because he has been asking about Pandas since seeing KFP but I brushed it off as movie related commercialism.

Bad Mommie. We negotiated on some of the activities and hit the Slip N Slide. Okay why do adults stop playing these games? Can you say easy fun?

So while we ate lunch I did a little Google research and found a free Panda Lapbook at Homeschool Share. I had planned to introduce the concept of lapbooking and notebooking in the Fall, but here it was free and in his interest area. We watched the video on lapbooking and he was so excited to start. So, we headed to the library for what he was calling Pandamania.

We found the book they recommended along with four other Panda related titles and spent the week learning about Pandas. We had a blast! He said he like the lapbook because all his things was in one place and he could touch what he learned and share it.

Fun Fine Motor Skills

One of our summer projects was to work on TS’s fine motor skills. He does not like to color and has some difficulty cutting. This all can be traced back to an over critical and zealous Montessori teacher. Most of last year I incorporated clay, finger-paints, clothes pins and tweezers into our weekly schedule. This summer the goal was to focus on these skills daily. However, after attending the HOTM conference session entitled Teaching Boys and Other Children Who Would Rather be Making Forts All Day by Andrew Pudewa, those plans have been put on the shelf.

I learned that:

• Typical boys develop fine motor skills later than girls do. Most of the experienced homeschoolers in that session shared stories of young boys who were seven, eight and even nine before their fine motor skills matched that of girls their same age.If a boy is criticized about these skills, it takes years to build that confidence back.

• The only way to build that skill is to make it fun and not focus on the outcome but on the adventure of the process.

• As a homeschooler of a tactile learner, I need to embrace TS’s need for movement while learning. I have always fought this because I thought, “He needs to learn how to sit still, because all children sit still in school.” Yet again, I was reminded he is not “in school” and we have the freedom to educate him our way. Sure, he has limits but if he needs a break every 15 minutes to move, we break. If he needs to do math using a Twister mat, we use a Twister mat.

To that end, we have learned so much in the last ten days.

We found these great bumpy seat cushions at IKEA. He uses it at the dinner table and says it makes him feel "planted".

Then he learned how to snap his fingers. We are so excited because that is a fine motor skill and motor planning milestone for a six year old. He was so happy he snapped his way to his first blister on his thumb.

In honor of the Olympics and his love of everything Kung Fu Panda, we learned how to eat with chopsticks. YEAH! We got this little starter kit from a local Chinese restaurant and he has eaten almost all of his meals as well as snacks with chopsticks.

Nothing says "Yum-Oh" like cranraisins, pretzels and grapes.

Oh, we also made our first lapbook. Yippy! I will have to share that later I have to run and finish organizing our office for homeschooling fun.

Energized

The conference last weekend was powerful and life altering. There were too many “Ahh” moments to put in one post. I cannot thank the team from Heart of the Matter enough for their time, incredible talents and openness during this conference. The speakers were AWESOME. Here were experienced homeschooling parents who have followed their callings while educating their children. They spoke as both parents and professionals answering questions and even supplied their email for follow-up questions. The recurring theme was “You are not alone in this adventure. We are more than capable of educating our children. Homeschooling is a great adventure, relax and enjoy the adventure with your children. And remember to be Flexible.”

To that vain I have been reading suggested material, praying, planning and enjoying my child. I will post more later this week as when I complete my 2008 planning.

I leave you with this new fixture in my son’s room.

I am Loved.

I am wonderfully creative

I am safe

I learn and discover new things every day

I love to learn new things!

I am powerful

I have a place of stillness within me

I am whole and perfect just the way I am

“God within me is my power.” We are always loved and safe if we

only turn our awareness to the Almighty in prayer.

I am willing to forgive

God is always with us, surrounding us.

I am living a life of beauty, purpose and promise.

I am made in the image of the Most High

I Believe in Me