Homeschooling An Only Child

Amy of one of my favorite blogs Milk and Cookies, has written an insightful article on Homeschooling an Only Child for Heart of The Matter Online Magazine.

So many conferences so little time or money

This weekend there is the big homeschool conference down in Austin. I really was looking forward to going, but after much prayer, it is not feasible at this time. I have decided on my curriculum for next year and have all my material so I am set in that department. The speakers look interesting but not vital for us. I was looking forward to fellowship with some of the other homeschoolers I have met online but many are not attending due to gas prices.

But I am really excited about the 2008 First Annual Heart of the Matter Online Homeschool Virtual Conference.

The topics are very interesting, such as:

• Learning and Having Fun with Your Children
• Finding Quiet Time
• Setting Goals for your Homeschool
• Homeschooling with Joy

Clay+Book+Imagination =The Universe

No parental guidance was sought or used to complete this project.

Spray painting is better done outside

Enough said???

We were attempting to make flowers with coffee filters.
This is great exercise for working fine motor skills.

But remember to use an easel and washable paints.

We switched to an easel and the back fence. Remember it is for the cause of learning. LOL!

SeaWorld In June

Thanks to the generosity of a co-worker of DH's we got to go SeaWorld during the middle of the week for FREE! We also got a bunch of coupons for free park food. We packed a cooler full of goodies and gassed up the van (we will not talk about that drama) headed off to SeaWorld. We got lucky and got to park on the second row in front of the park. One short stroll and we were in time for the first Shamu show of the day.

TS was not really feeling the "Splash Zone" because those fish poo in that water. Because of the small crowd, we got to ask questions of Shamu's caretakers after the show. It was a great day. Fun was had by all because we got to see all his favorite water animals.

I feel a summer unit study on sea life coming on........

As the sun set in the sky we were all tired but happy from this great adventure.

Summertime Fun

Thanks to our local library we have loads of summertime fun. It's free, inside, we can share with our friends and did we say it was fun!

I Won

Jenny at Little Acorns Treehouse did a “Barely Used “ give-a-way this week. We won Five in a Row, volume 2. Thanks so much Jenny, I cannot wait to start rowing.

This will be our first year using FIAR (Five In A Row). I am so excited about this program. How did we find it…well short version. Last year was a blast with co-ops, music, and art and gym classes. We did little Hooked On Phonics Workbook and HWT. Our main curriculum consisted of me following what he was interested in (plants, cars, states and dinos) from books selected at the library. I then would make my own unit studies using online resources to incorporate math, science and art themes. Little did I know this is the basic setup of FIAR. I did not even know I was rowing. However, the late nights pulling it all together took a toll on me.

So at a suggestion again from Jenny at Little Acorns Treehouse I read Cathy Duffy's book 100 Top Picks For Homeschool Curriculum: Choosing The Right Curriculum And Approach For Your Child's Learning Style because I needed a plan that would allow me enjoy our time together while being fully awake.

I read the entire book in one day; it was eye opening to say the least. I found that our learning styles are more suited to unit studies and manipulative based math.

The book actually outlines the types of curriculum based on your child’s or children’s’ learning style. Then it outlines each program. FIAR seems like such a natural fit for us.

As I look at my blog history, it is a good fit. To learn more about Five In A Row go to http://www.fiarhq.com/.

Moreover, the books used are found in one of the five local libraries we frequent monthly. That so appealed to the hubby frugalness.

I made a matrix (yeah I am a engineer by education LOL!) of each local library and which titles they have on hand. Maybe this will keep me from frequenting every used Homeschool Curriculum sales in the area. Nawwwwwwwwwwwwww

I'm Bacccccccccccccck

We have been on blog-blackout due to end of year activities and illness. Now everyone is healthy and getting ready for summer.

We have a lot to share..stay tune.

Thoughtful Thursday

We love this book!

TS says" I like this book because they got to count votes and I like numbers. The colors are good, lots of yellow. What I disliked is more people voted for the girl and not the boy. I like it when boys win. I imagined that Senator Clinton was Grace and Senator Obama was Thomas. That's why I wanted Thomas to win because I want Senator Obama to win."

Please folks no political commentary he is only five.

Barnes and Noble says"When Grace's teacher reveals that the United States has never had a female president, Grace decides to be the first. And she immediately starts off her political career as a candidate the school's mock election. But soon, she realizes that she has entered a tough race. Her popular opponent claims to be the "best man for the job"—and seems to have captured all the male votes—while Grace concentrates on being the best person. In this timely story, author Kelly DiPucchio not only gives readers a fun introduction to the American electoral system, but also teaches them the value of hard work, courage, and independent thought—and offers an inspiring example of how to choose our leaders. "

Thoughtful Thursday

(Photo Property of Amazon.com)

Great Rainy Day Book

(Remember play some Monk for mood music.)

TS Review

"This book talks about my favorite thing music and is my favorite color yellow. I like the family. I don't like a lot of jazz."

ReviewKirkus Reviews :
* "Wheeler’s verse scans beautifully and begs to be read aloud—danced to, even—making this a fine choice for preschool and kindergarten story times. Christie’s bold, double-paged gouache compositions locate this colorfully garbed, expressively hip family within an equally vibrant community. . . . Exultant and infectious, from the red-and-yellow-striped endpapers to the final ‘OH YEAH!" (starred review)

Day 7 of Moonflower Seed

I found this great bean shaped book that explains the seed to plant process at Enchanted Learning. Bonus! It was also handwriting, coloring and reading exercise. Did I forget to mention TS does not like to color? He loved this little book.

Play-Doh Flowers

Today's Art
Can you guess who made which flower? Can you guess what each flower is?

Detour Ahead

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!
We interrupt the regularly scheduled Homeschool lesson plan for a classic children’s book.

This week we were to complete our unit on “Planting a Rainbow” and merge into “Eating a Rainbow”. TS has limited his menu lately to “what doesn’t smell stinky”, so I was creatively trying to broaden his horizons and introduce the food pyramid. Plans changed after attending a local storytime where he discovered Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton.

He was so excited about the book that he begged to go to the library before dinner to check it out for his bedtime story. He could not stop talking about it all day. I shared with him how my mother read this story to me as a child. He called her and they talked for an hour about the details of the story. TS and the hubby were also engrossed in this story. It was a beautiful thing to watch them share memories and create new ones.

When you see this level of enthusiasm for a story as a homeschool mom you are torn. Should I just let him just enjoy reading it? On the other hand, do I turn it into a unit study? I opted to just let him enjoy it.

Mike and Mary Ann had other plans. All week Mike and Mary Ann crept into every lesson.

Math- “Mary Ann could dig as much as 100 men in a day. That’s 10 plus 10 plus…”

Art- Black mounds…Mary Ann’s dirt

Science- “I bet Mary Ann could dig these flowers up really fast.”

Okay googling unit study and if I am adventurous a lapbook. Awwwwwwwwwww

Planting a Rainbow

This week we are studying “How Things Grow” for science. We are starting with a beautiful book Planting a Rainbow by Lois Elhert (she illustrated Chicka Chicka Boom Boom). We were introduced to this book about two years ago in daycare but every year we are able to enjoy it on a different level.

Age 3- Identifying colors of plants and color of the rainbow.

Age 4- Sight words of flowers working on phonics and then color mixing for different flower types.

Age 5- The science of growing flowers and how they are different. Identifying parts of a flower and how they function. Also, lead to a discussion on what is a rainbow and how to make one.

The book starts with this classic line…"Every year Mom and I plant a rainbow." It brings in all the elements I love about good kids books such as vibrant colors, simple engaging textured language and a way to “do something”.

To borrow a comment from an Amazon reviewer ” With its vibrant, full-page, cut paper (or the look of) illustrations, author Lois Ehlert demonstrates in simple text the flower gardening process. The magic of this book is in the illustrations. Though they are simple, the different bulbs, seeds, seedlings, sprouts and plants are highly recognizable. It is as if she was able to zero in on the one defining characteristic of the various living things and put that to page. “This book takes you through the season of plants as well as a guide for planting your own rainbow garden.

Day 1:
After reading, the book we talked about the parts of a flower and what they do. Here is a simple illustration. Enchanted Learning has a great online plant glossary.

Day 2:

After reading the book again, we made our own “rainbow” books (K’s-Crew)(1/4 size strips of colored paper stapled into a booklet- red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple).

I gave him a gardening catalog and let him search for pictures of plants and flowers. He then cut them out and glued them on color corresponding page (red, blue, orange, etc.).

Then we talked about the flowers and he then wrote the name and one interesting thing about the flowers on each page.

Day 3:
Seed Viewers
Supplies: Clear Plastic Cup, Black construction Paper, Paper Towels, Bean seeds
Use a clear plastic cup that is 6-12 inches tall.
Cut black construction paper so that it fits inside, up against the cup walls. Fill the center with wadded up paper towels. "Plant" bean seeds between the cup walls and construction paper, about 1/2 - 2/3 down. Water the paper towels and keep MOIST. Bean seeds will grow and you can view root growth, what happens to seeds, etc. They can grow quite large and will be fine as long as you keep paper towels moist.

It was his job to cut the paper and wadded up the paper towel. (fine motor practice) This is an on going project to see the roots.

I will blog results later.....

Day 4: Field Trip

Off we go to Home Depot with fellow homeschool buddy dragging our big blue sand bucket with book to gather the flower seeds mentioned in the book.

Phlox
Morning Glory
Zinnia
Aster
Cornflower
Marigold
Daisy

Then we paint small flowerpots the color of the rainbow (Targets $1 section) and plant our flowers.

Day 5:
Science and Art we painted a flower and identified the parts.

Day 6

Then we collected flowers from outside and laminated them to poster board with their names.

Looking at this now this may take a couple of weeks given our classes and co-op.

Peace

Spring Has Sprung

March 20th was the official first day of spring. Here in the Lone Star state we never have a real winter where everything dies off, spring is just high allergy alert season. Do not get me wrong it is beautiful with the wildflowers and the eighty-degree days. However, when you have a child with reactive airway asthma that is triggered by almost every plant, tree and grass known to man, spring is not greeted with open arms. In fact, the last three spring seasons have meant doctors, midnight ER runs and lots of medication. God seems to moving differently this season and with a little planning, we are enjoying this spring.

How do you keep the five year old inside during allergy season. You do not and you really do not want to deal with energy level of a kid who feels trapped inside.

So how do play outside with a kindergartener with severe allergies?

Again, the great benefit of homeschooling is setting your own schedule. To lessen chances of allergic reactions, we go to the park in the morning or late afternoon when pollen is higher in the sky, or on cloudy or cool days when it is not as prevalent. I also check http://www.pollen.com/ for daily accurate reports.

After we come back in from playing, we change clothing, saline his nose and bath. We also keep his hair cut low so we do not worry about trapped pollen from rolling (he is a boy after all) in the grass.

I know God created this beautiful world to enjoy.

Peace

Only when homeschooling........

Only when homeschooling can a five year old create his own prehistoric world.

After reading My Big Dinosaur Book, My First Dinosaur Board Book and Saturday Night at the Dinosaur Stomp TS requested a to go digging for Dinosaurs at the local Dino Pit. Since it was raining, I had to get creative. TS really wanted to be a paleontologist, so we decided to make our own Dino Dig. I searched the handy dandy craft closet (I have got to stop watching Blues Clues) and found the following:

• A small bucket of dinosaurs bought at Target last September during clearance for less than $1


• A bag of Crayola playsand


• An empty flat plastic sweater box. (Since I decluttered I have many empty plastic containers.)


• A plastic table cover leftover from his last birthday party
  

Instant Dino Dig

This provided almost 3 hours of play and learning. He (without any prompting) also wrote the names of each dinosaur in the sand which is one activity recommended by HWTS.

Somehow, the dump trucks ended up in Dino World to which he explained was just his way of "using my creativity."

Let us recap:
· He used his problem solving skills to help create a new activity
· He practiced handwriting
· He practiced spelling
· He worked fine motor skills
· He learned a lot about dinosaurs like their eating habits and size
· HE HAD FUN AND LEARNED!

Language Lab Part 1

We have been working on expanding our understanding the meaning of words. Most kindergartners’ have about 2,000 word vocabulary according to our Pediatrician but truly understand about half of the words they use daily. Through social situations (talking to peers, teachers and parents) they gain more working knowledge of words.

When you have an early reader, it is essential that additional context be given to the language they read and use through directed language assistance.

HUH? Simply put help them color their world with words.

We started with the basics: Sweet and Sour

I started with what is sweet. I gave him sugar and a gingerbread cookie man. TS loved this assignment.

Me: What do you taste?
TS: Feels good and yummy.
Me: What you are tasting is called sweet.
TS: Sugarery ….it makes my mouth smile.

He then proceeded to name other things that were sweet and how they tasted different but the same sweet taste.

Then we explored with what is sour. I gave him a lemon and a pickle.

TS: Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Me: What do you taste?
TS: HMMMM…taste hard…almost likes its biting my mouth.
Me: What you are tasting is called sour.
TS: Ughhhh.

Boy did he have a list of sour, including Auntie Pat’s cooking. LOL!

Next step was showing how sweet and sour can come together and make something good. Lemonade, his favorite drink.

We also talked a lot about colors and textures, giving more definition to everyday objects. The positive side is he is more descriptive when talking about things. The downside is sometimes too descriptive. “Mom, the turkey meatloaf feels rubbery and grainy and smells like kale.” Sometimes a simple “No thanks it is yucky” will do.

Be Blessed

The Small Stuff

TS (The Student) loves songs and music so I thought it only logical to introduce poetry. You know the silly little diddies that every five year old should have in the backpack of life.

For example we started September by reviewing Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin. The book is itself is a great poem. We found a teaching unit online for the book and it included this poem:

Coconut Warning

Now, here's a little warning

So listen to me

Never ever sit beneath

A coconut tree

They're great for drinking

They're fine for percussion

But if one hits your head

You'll get a concussion. ~ Author Unknown ~

TS (Super Kiddo) was tickled as could be with this little ditty. So as we started our unit on Fall, I started looking for similar ditties. Much to my surprise while we were cutting up construction paper for leaves and jumping in them.

(Hey it's homeschool we can do that and practice cutting.)

He said "Hi Mom we need a poem for Fall. I got one." So here it is TS first poem.

Fall

Leaves

Leaves

Fall to the ground

Leaves

Leaves

All around

{by ST}

It was at this moment that it hit me again this is the beauty of homeschool. He got to create and move without being stifled. Thank You God!

A Cookie Sounds Good About Now

I read this blog article called "If You Give A Homeschool Mom A cookie" at and could so identify with it.

TS has lead me to learn some very interesting things during this adventure and homeschooling allows us to go deep into a subject. Like who knew how to say” why" in five different languages.

Why-English

Por Que - Spanish

Perché- Italian

Pour quoi - French

Warum - German

Last Fall I bought the Wondertime magazine and found an insert that had variety of tree leaves with pictures and fun facts.

We cut them out and pasted them (working with different medium) into our own construction paper (fall colors of course) and then used the single hole punch to make binder holes (working a fine motor control).

Then as we traveled through our week we kept and eye out for the types of leaves in our book (observation skills).

As we found them, we collected them and taped them into our book (science with magnifying glass and learning how to use tape as well as matching).

We learned about the different variety of trees in our area (all of which we are both allergic) and that leaves in your pocket make a crunching sound when you walk. Mommy learned to check those pockets for acorn and leaves before doing laundry.

Cost of Magazine: $2.50
Cost of construction paper: $1.00
Cost of Leaves: $0
Cost of tape: $.50

Time Spent Exploring Nature with TS :PRICELESS

Blessings

If First You Don’t Succeed…Wing It

The most important thing I have discovered on this journey is that perfection is not only overrated but it will hinder all progress. The first few weeks of homeschooling, I would stay up late putting together everything for tomorrow’s lessons, searching the local library database online requesting all the associated books and printing off mountains of supporting documentation. I was armed with knowledge, enthusiasm and material for the subject.

I became so frustrated when THE STUDENT (TS) did not share my focus for the day. Then the frustration turned to self-doubt, which lead to re-examining the entire decision to Homeschool. The result was a confused and frustrated child with a self-conscience depressed mom.

A veteran Homeschool mom gave me the best advice so far.

• This is not about YOU, it about the child.
• If you are not enjoying it, then the child is not either.
• Step back, get prayer focused and relax.
  

She was right. So, I stepped back and prayed and prayed and prayed….. The next day I asked TS what he wanted to learn if he could pick the subjects in school and his list was a revelation.

1. Play (but of course), but play more frequently to get the wiggles out.
2. Learn about trains…everything how they are made, how the move and what is in them.
3. I want to play music. (Very focused and very clear.) I want to know about the kinds of music. I want to know what music there is in the world.
4. Art…more painting please.
5. Who are my family? Why are we a family?
6. Planets, stars and countries…all the world stuff.
7. I want to make friends.

Okay that list alone was enough for the first year with any Kindergartner. In each item, I saw the opportunity to put in the basics like handwriting, self-care, math and science. Reading is in sustaining mode as he reads on 1st grade level.

Due to a horrible, Montessori experience handwriting, cutting, pasting and art where areas he avoided. Imagine someone telling a 4 year old that he has terrible cutting skills, HE IS 4! Way to build the old self esteem.

So that is how we came up with the plan.