Updates on Life and Homeschooling

Wow it's been a long time since I posted anything. The last post I see was back in March of 2009 and now it's almost the end of 2010. I doubt anyone will read this but that's ok I'll still post LOL.

Hubby just got a full time job recently. It has been over two and half years since his last employment let everyone go. This new job isn't the best job and it does pay less than his unemployment did but we are very thankful for it! Today his insurance will kick in. God I know has a plan for us and just like always we will get through!

Homeschooling, we are now in our sixth year of homeschooling. It's been a long road and a lot of learning. Both for the boys and myself. We are still learning as we go. I can't believe it's been this long already. We've had our ups and downs and I am sure that will continue but it's all been worth it.

My oldest is now ten years old! He will actually be eleven in March. The boys are growing up to be individuals of their own. My oldest is a lot like me and sometimes that makes us argue more LOL. He isn't a bad kid he just likes to think he's always right just like his mama used to (and sometimes still thinks) when she was a kid. He is very smart and very much a visual and auditory learner (also like me) he likes to try and be as independent as he can be. He does a lot of his school work on his own and only comes to me for help or to check his work. But there are times he still wants to just hang out with mom (and dad too LOL). He plays guitar and loves video games and Lego's!

My baby boy (though he isn't a baby any more LOL) will soon be nine years old (in Jan.). He is my little clown. He loves to make people smile and will do anything to get a laugh out of people. He doesn't care if you are laughing at him or what he just wants to get you to smile. He is proving to be very artistic too. He loves to draw and plays bass guitar, and guitar. He is so amazing that when hubby shows him how to play something he can pick it up almost immediately. He is a very hands on and visual learner (like his dad). He likes to see something done and then do it. He still loves to be cuddled and likes mom and dad to be around. In school he likes me to be right there with him over his shoulder. It isn't that he can't do something but likes to make sure it's right. He is learning to do more on his own though.

I have an amazing family and we are doing well. We might not have a lot but we really do have a lot of love and blessings in our lives. I could go on and on but I think I have posted enough for now. I hope to blog more again soon. I really miss it. So until next time..... :)

MOMS Club® Breakfast and Homeschool Ramblings.

Well today was a good day.  We didn't do much other than school work but after the last few days it was nice not having to run around.  Tomorrow morning it's off to my friends house.  Boys will come with me.  We are having a board and new member breakfast for MOMS Club®.  We are starting with the new members since Jan. 2008.  I think this will be a good way to get people to mingle with each other and feel more comfortable.

Homeschooling has been going well with the boys.  Chord is having problems a bit with subtracting when you have to borrow.  It's not really that he can't do it but I think he get's impatient and just does it without doing it and getting it wrong.  Then of course he has to go back and redo them.  When I tell him he has to borrow he does great and gets them all right.  It's just he doesn't want to do it I think LOL.  He can add (Carry over and all) and multiply the smaller numbers just fine though.  He's actually starting to learn a little bit of Pre-Algebra so I don't know why he just doesn't like to subtract with borrowing.

Jarod is really doing well with learning to read.  He took another Phonic test today and aced it!! I thought he would be harder to teach Phonic but I almost think he was easier than teaching Chord.  I don't know if it's because when I was teaching Chord we were newbie homeschoolers and  I was just getting frustrated.  Or if it's just easier LOL.  Chord is an excellent reader now but I just remember thinking he's never going to learn to read LOL.  I guess I am more relaxed with teaching it since we have now been homeschooling for four years though.

I think I am going to have to really go over the memorization facts of adding and subtracting.  He can do them but it he has to really think about them.  I was horrible in math so I really would like to see them understand it better than I ever did.  I think I will make a game of it though so it doesn't become more "work". 

Everything else they are doing really well in.  I love that now that we have been doing it for a while that we have our own flow of things.  Sometimes we start off at the same time but I am not really talking about time but we have a natural way we do things.  We are comfortable with each other and it's not a big fight to get through the school work.  I know we have our little school room but it's more for us a place to relax without distraction and really learn together.  Sometimes we get sidetracked with something else and it's ok.  I never feel rushed or that we need to catch up.  I know they will learn things when they are ready.  Not when I am ready :).

When we first started homeschooling I was a typical newbie LOL.  Not saying all new homescoolers are like this but a lot are.  I was making school at home instead of homeschooling.  Boy was that a hard first year LOL.  The longer we homeschool the more relaxed I have become and realizing just how much they learn without me having to do a whole lot.  I am more of an observer and helper, than I am a teacher.  I never really realized how much they can teach themselves.  Sure I am there to help them along the way but they can do a lot on their own.  They are becoming so independent as I watch them.

Well I have probably board you to tears reading this.  That is if anyone reads it LOL.  Thank you fore reading it though if you did :).  I hope you are having a great week!!!

Todays Adventures

Man it was a humid day today. I again woke up at six a.m. and enjoyed some quiet time and also did my exercises. The boys woke about just after seven a.m. So after they ate breakfast, brushed their teeth and got dressed we did some school work. We didn't do a lot just because Fridays are our more laid back days.

Then we all went outside and pretty much had a nature walk around the house LOL. We found one spider (I really don't like them but through my fears the boys have become afraid of them so I am trying to conquer my fears as well as theirs LOL) that was huge (ugh) and it had made a web in between a tree (one that splits in the middle). We found a big ant (I know I am so mean :( but it was for education right? LOL) and threw it on the web (no I did not touch the web LOL) and we watched it fight it and then wrap it up. The boys were fascinated with it. Which is even better than the last couple of years where they would scream bloody murder and run the opposite direction (can you really blame them though ugh spiders LOL). We also found a smaller spider and it's cool web and then we found a katydid skin and examined it.

Later I took over some zucchini bread to my neighbors house and we talked for a while. She and I went in her backyard where later the boys joined us (she is helping us learn some Sign Language too.) and they jumped on her trampoline. My neighbor and I ended up finding a silk worm and I showed it to the boys. You can tell just how different my boys are from each other from their reactions LOL. Chord was like cool but not too impressed, where as Jarod was big eyed and said cool can I hold it? So I let him hold it and watched it. (He would have never done this a year or two ago so time has helped LOL.) Chord isn't really afraid of bugs any more but he doesn't like them crawling on him either LOL. Just shows you how different they are from each other. Jarod loves to touch and feel things where as Chord would rather just look and read about them LOL. He's not much of a hands on person LOL.

So even though we didn't have a lot of "book" work today I believe we did a lot of learning. All in all it was a good day for all of us. I think hubby enjoyed the quiet house while we were over the neighbors LOL. I hope everyone had a good day today as well :).

I am a bit tired now LOL. I got up at six a.m. Yesterday I woke up at six-thirty. The reason for this? I wanted to start a new routine for myself really. I like being able to get up, drink my coffee (yes, I have to have my coffee to function LOL. Bad me :P) read some emails, do my exercise and enjoy just some me time.

It was nice having some quiet time while the boys and hubby were sleeping. I hope to make this a habit. This is the time I want to be able to just reflect and take some time out and talk with God :). I feel I get so busy during the rest of the day with schooling the boys, getting breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with spending time with the family, that I forget I need some daily time to myself and to God. It was even nicer too that the boys slept in longer than usual (almost 8 a.m.) because they were up later last night because we had Church last night.

We have now been back to school for almost two weeks and all is going well. I thing the boys are so used to the routine now. This is our fourth year of homeschooling. It really does get easier and more relaxed as we go along. I think it really has made us closer as a family. I have noticed too that though we homeschool are are together as a family, the boys are more independent. They don't need hubby and I to play with them all day, even with their schooling I don't have to be over their shoulder watching them. Sure there are some things I have to teach them but once they understand it they really don't need or want me to be over them. With Jarod I have to be there a little more but that's because he's only in First Grade right now. He is still learning to read (better) so I have to help with reading things and help him with his math. But once he understands something he doesn't want me to hang over him either.

My boys are growing up so fast. I thought homeschooling would slow that time a little more but it really hasn't :(. They still grow-up so fast!! But I really do enjoy the time we have together. I hope everyone has been having a good week!!

Homeschool Memoirs: All About Me

I saw this Meme and thought I would join in on it. It's the first week of Homeschool Memoirs. This is the first assignment:"This week, we want to hear about YOU. The author behind the words. The Momma behind all the homeschooling kiddos. Just write up something about you, your family, and your home. How long you’ve been homeschooling and why you decided to homeschool. It doesn’t have to be anything lengthy at all, but we’d love to hear it! You might include a family photo too!"

I know I have why I started to homeschool my boys some where on here. But I will just type it up again. This will be our fourth year of homeschooling. Initially my husband approached me about homeschooling the summer before my oldest son, Chord, was to enter Kindergarten. We had talked about back when he was just a baby but it was only in passing and I honestly hadn't thought of it since then. I then got everything I could get my hands on about homeschooling and the homeschooling laws here in Michigan. From Library books to anything I could read online. After much research and lots of praying :) I agreed with hubby and haven't looked back since.

It has worked out well because I have two very different boys. My oldest learns quickly and needs more challenges all the time which I don't think a public school could provide him with. I was afraid he would get board of school and learn to hate learning. With my youngest he is a very active boy. He can't sit still for long and needs to burn energy. He can pay attention but he has to have almost a constant motion of one kind or another. He is also a very kinesthetic (hands on) learner. He has to touch and feel things to understand them. He is a visual learner too but he has to have both before he really can understand things. Again I don't think sending him to school would have helped him and I feared he would end not liking to learn too.

I think every year we find something new to keep homeschooling. It's ever changing for us. As we go along I have become more relaxed in our school approach and I have seen lots of improvement in both boys and they truly love to learn. I love to learn right a long with them :).

When I am not homeschooling them I love to read a good book, listen to music, day dream and spending time with my family :). I am also part of an International MOMS Club®. It's not a homeschool group but I enjoy being a part of it as do my boys. I am now (voluntarily) a Secretary of the club for the year. I love doing things with the boys through them and also learning new things for myself and meeting other moms :).

If you want to know more about it please go to http://homeschoolblogawards.com/2008/08/homeschool-memoirs-2008-09/ .

Homeschool Moments

Well we are back to schooling again. Tuesday we didn't do a lot because they had a play-date but they did do a bit. Yesterday and today we did more things. It's been going pretty well since I am slowly getting back into full swing I think. That and because we have done some school work here and there through the summer.

I have noticed with each year I have gotten a little more relaxed with their schooling. I no longer fear if they are learning or what people will think. Now I know they learn even when we aren't sitting down and doing "book work".

Homeschool Moments is the name of my blog. To me a Homeschool Moment isn't so much about our school things but about everyday life. It could be as simple as going out for a walk and watching insects and animals or reading a good book with the boys on either side of me. Sure we have some book work but I have realized that isn't all there is to learning. No, I am not terribly organized (actually not at all LOL) but I like that because we can drop what we are doing at the moment and pick-up something else. Last year we were learning something in Chord's History book but we dropped it and started to learn more about the Presidents. Especially George Washington. Why you ask? Because that's what he wanted to learn about. He loved learning new things about George Washington and reading books about him. I didn't necessarily grade him on it we just read about him and talked about him. I knew what he was learning and to me most importantly he was loving to learn. I don't know what exactly sparked his Interest in George Washington but we followed it through and I think he learned a lot from that. This year I would love to do the same. I hope the boys come up with new and exciting things they want to learn about. Why follow a textbook through if there is so much more than that text book? Sure his History Book might have covered George Washington eventually but it wouldn't have gone into that much depth and I don't think he would have learned that much.

For our family I have learned learning isn't so much a formula or levels but a way of life. Textbooks can be useful but life can really show us that much more. This is why I call my blog Homeschool Moments :).

Homeschool Questions

Ok so over at I'm Just Sayin she has some questions on homeschooling. It's a respectful post about wanting to understand the reasons why people homeschool. Keep in mind everyone has different reasons of doing so but I thought I would answer her questions on why we have decided to homeschool. So here are her questions and my answers :).

1. What was your motivation for homeschooling? There were a lot of different reasons. They change all the time. Was it based on religious reasons? My hubby would probably say yes LOL but for me that wasn't an issue really because I could teach them about our faith at home. So I guess that would be a yes and no answer? LOL. Was is it based on curriculum - did you want more freedom in choosing what your children were being taught? Yes, I guess you could say it was because I have one child who learns things quickly and another child who is a very hands on learner. So this way I could teach them at their level and not where the schools think they should be Was it based on socializing - wanting to have more control in the people with whom your children came into contact with? Another yes/no answer for me LOL. My boys will eventually see bullying (and they have) and other behavior issues of which we don't agree. I like it that we can train them on how to deal with these situations before letting them handle it all on their own. Was it based on logistics - the nearest school being 20 miles away? No What made you finally decide to go this route? Hubby and I talked about it a lot and I did a lot of research on it. We thought at least for now (who knows in the future :) ) this was the best option for them. Will we always homeschool? I can't say for certain but I and they are enjoying it while it lasts :D.

2. Don't hate me for asking this. How to you handle socialization? LOL I don't hate you and this question is asked a lot. We are involved in many things so they don't have any social awkwardness :) What steps do you take to make sure your children are around other children and adults? We have play-dates of many different age of kids, I joined a homeschool group and a MOMS Club® also the boys are with us all the time so they can interact with adults well because they see how we interact with them. We go to the Library for Library activities and they have church friends. Are you active in a home school group? Not as much at the MOMS Club® but we do, do things with them at times. Do you spend a lot of time at church activities? Yes Maybe you utilize the local Y for activities and they meet friends there? I could go to the Local Y but I haven't as of yet. Just haven't had the time with everything else we do.
3. Do you use the public school system for any part of your child's routine? No Some children here come to the school for band or chorus, or maybe for science class. Do you send your child to the public school to take advantage of any of their programs? No, but one day I might who knows :)
4. Do your children begin and end school at the same time each day? usually but if something comes up then we alter our days. Do they have a strict schedule, at least as far as waking up and reporting to the school area of your home? If not, when/how will you transition your children into following a more rigid schedule - awaking at the same time each day so that they can follow a routine outside of the home like for college and work? Sometimes and sometimes not. As for preparing them for when they work or go to collage that can be done with any routine really. What I mean is if they were in sports(hopefully I will get them in a sport right now money is tight though.) or if they had an appointment of some kind they would need to be there at a certain time and have to get up and go. With the MOMS Club® that I am in they do certain activities at certain times so we need to get up and be there by then. This would be the same for appointments and sports etc. There is a lot of things you can prepare them for this. I could go on but then it would become a long long post LOL.
5. How many spelling bees has your child won? Oh, I'm kidding. We all know most of the recent national spelling bee winners have been home schooled children. I just wanted to throw a little funny in there? LOL good one and no they haven't won any hehe!!

6. Do you have a sense of humor? I sure do hehe :). It's probably a little late for me to ask that but...
7. Where do you find your curriculum? Do you shop for it and order it? Do you create your own? I get most of our stuff from www.rainbowresource.com . It has a lot of different curriculum so I pick and choose what I think will work (still haven't found the perfect curriculum yet LOL) we use a little bit of everything. I also print free stuff on-line and use the Library a lot ! :D
8. Do you have any worries at all about teaching your teenagers the higher level math and sciences? I, for one, could not teach chemistry to my children but I could probably teach them calculus. Is this a concern for you? No, because by the time they are older they will be doing more independent work and not need me as much. There are teachers book that help explain things and what I don't know I will find someone who can help :) or get a tutor. More than likely though they will find the answers they need on their own. Also as they get older at the age of 15 or 16 I believe they can start taking some collage courses at the local collage. They can learn things like Calculus or Chemistry there.
9. What bothers you the most about the reputation home schoolers have? What things do you hate to hear people say about you for your choice? I really hope you don't say that it's my previous post. It used to be people saying lack of socialization but I just laugh any more at that because if they knew my kids they wouldn't even ask (most people when meeting us have no clue they are homeschooled). Now I think because of the California ruling what bugs me is needing a teaching credentials to homeschool. If they would only bother looking at what the statistics of homeschooling they would see that teachers credentials have no bearing on homeschooling. Besides I have a class of two not 15-30 and most of the teachers I know (I am friends with a few ) will tell you that they are teaching things they didn't even major in at all.(like a math major teaching English)
10. Be honest, do you, at least in your mind sometimes, judge those of us who choose public school? No, because then I would be judging a lot of my friends and they wouldn't be my friends LOL. I think parents do whatever works for their family and homeschooling isn't the end all :). Do you ever think we are making a bad choice for our children? No Are you vocal about that disapproval? No, because I don't disapprove :).
11. Is "home school" one word or two? I've seen it both ways. With spellcheck, it shows it as ONE word when used as a verb, but two words when used otherwise. Please enlighten me. It can be done either way. I think we have made it pretty much one word though. It's just something we do LOL.

I hope that has answered your questions for at least my part of it and how I feel about it all. Other's will have different reasons but those are mine :). I hope that has helped in some way to help you understand.

As you could tell by yesterdays pics we went to the local car show again LOL.  It is every Wednesday at our local ice cream/snack shop.  Before we went there though Harlow and the boy's went again to the pond to go swimming.  Boy did Harlow come back with a sunburn.  The poor guy.  The boy's got little ones but nothing like Harlow and are doing fine now.  I got to stay home and enjoy the quiet.  I cleaned house to.  Because I much rather clean when no one is home then when they are LOL.  So yesterday was a busy and productive day for me :).

Today we didn't do much since Harlow had a burn.  The boy's weren't too bad today but I kept them indoors today so they can heal some more.  I did do some school work with the boy's.  They act so much better when we have a routine of things.  They really need the structure I think (as do I LOL).  I tell you living and homeschooling in Michigan is a good thing for us.  I love that not only not having to report to anyone but we don't have to worry about test either.  They are trying to get legislation where we would have to report to the schools but it's not going to vote till next year and I doubt it will pass now that some of the backers have backed out of it. We shall see though.  I am glad we can go at our own pace and not have to worry about the state trying to dictate everything.  We are truly blessed. 

Tomorrow not much planned other than grocery shopping and picking up a book at the Library that is on hold for me.  How is your week going?

I haven't really been doing too much the last couple day's other than being hot LOL.  Sunday we didn't end up going to church because hubby wasn't feeling well. It was such a lazy day.  I slept for a while and honestly didn't do much of anything.  Today was a little better LOL.  I didn't go any where but had more energy and did clean up the house some (not that it's that bad since I really cleaned it not too long ago).  Yesterday I didn't do my exercises like I should have.  I tell you I just had no energy ugh.  Today I did though so that's good.  Today I also did some school work with the boy's.  I am going to try to get back on track with that.  We have been out and about lately that I haven't gotten to it.  But the boy's really need it I think.  They seem to have a better attitude about things when they do their school work.  They will have Wednesday off though because they are going swimming again at the pond.  Hey that's P.E. right? LOL.  Then later we are going to the car show again (they have it every Wednesday from 6-9).  So they are learning about cars LOL.  So shop class you think? LOL.  In Michigan we don't have to report to anyone or anything so I really don't have to count anything.  More for my benefit than anything else LOL.  So how was your weekend? 

I just got to thinking today of some people's arguments on homeschooling and children not learning to be on a schedule. Especially say unschool families (which we are not but have considered it a time or two). These people ask how are these children going to learn that in the "real world" they won't know how to get to work on time and things like that. Well I got to thinking that is really a silly thing to say.

Why? Because for one I am sure these children have doctors and dentist appointments right?! I am also sure if (and I am sure the do) they have play dates with their friends and that is usually at a time where both sets of parents can be there! Also what about going on field trips? I am sure they make a time to get out of the house to make it to where ever they are going (with or without a homeschool group)at a certain time.

So why does learning a schedule really have to be only learned in a brick and mortar school? There are many everyday opportunities for people to learn to be places on time. Does it really have to happen everyday for a child/person to learn this? I really don't think so. Homeschooling and especially Unschooling is about experiencing life and learning from life. So this argument about unschooling/homeschooling is just silly to me.

Ok I am done LOL. It was just on my mind lately and wanted to put it out there for people to think about too. I know it isn't well thought out or the best of writing but it's what I was thinking LOL.

ETA: Thanks Julie I can't believe I forgot getting up every Sunday (for those with Christian beliefs like us :D) and going to church on time too!! How could I forget that!! Thanks again Julie LOL.

Field Trips and Homeschooling

Well I wasn't sure on what to post about since my day wasn't too adventurous. Unless you count going to the Laundromat and doing laundry adventurous (no kids this time hehe). So Anne gave me the idea of talking about field trips for homeschoolers.

You would be surprised what there is to find for field trips. A lot of them might be free or inexpensive. There are the regular places like the zoo, museums or are museums but there are other places too. The best place to look is in your community calendars. I think you can find them at your local Library website. Or you can ask your local Librarian for a copy of the community calendar. You might find a lot of cool things you might not have known about to take your children too.

You can also check with local places for free tours. Especially if you can get a few people to go. Like for instance on the 7th of June the boy's(all though Jarod might not he's afraid of dogs LOL), another homeschool family or two and I are going to a veterinary clinic for a free tour. They will listen to a dog's heart beat and also get to look in a microscope and look at worms (eww lol). Along with some other things. Also bowling Alley's might have free tours too on how they work. We had that tour through the MOMS Club. You can always ask local places if they offer or willing to do these things. It's really neat way to know your community and learn new things. Even for yourself.

Another to look for is your State Parks. The boy's and another homeschool friend of ours went to a State Park and we learned about squirrels and went on a nature walk. It was really fun and the boy's loved it!!....Know a local farm? On another MOMS Club event we went to a local dairy farm and got to see how one works with milking cows and all. Even got some ice cream afterwards LOL.

So as you can see there are a lot of options out there and a lot of them maybe free (which is good with this economy and gas prices lol) or at a reasonable price. I didn't know a lot of these things till I started homeschooling and doing my research. It was good too that I found another homeschool mom and we worked together to do these things too. I hope this has been helpful for those new to homeschooling :D.

More on Homeschooling

Ok since I know a certain person (Anne) is considering homeschooling. I thought I would post a little more on it. As most everyone knows homeschooling is different for each family. For my family, and I would even say most families that homeschool it's become a way of life. It isn't so much about ok we do this subject at this time and that one at that time as it is about spending time and learning with your children. Sure some (me included on this one) use books to teach but that's not all we do either. Even for those of us that aren't unschoolers I think it's safe to say that we have used it on occasion. Meaning we learn from life as well. Whether that's going outside and watching the ants make their holes in the ground and carrying their food on their backs or going to a Museum and having your children become interested in mummies and Ancient Egypt. Something this simple can become a learning lesson. These things might not initially be for learning purposes or a lesson plan. But, when you see your child/children have that interest in these things you may stop whatever lesson you are doing to pursue a new one or you might start planning for that next lesson plan.

Homeschooling is also flexible. You can hold "school" any time of day or if you are an unschooler there is no set school time. If your child/children learn better in the morning hours you can do it then. If your child/children learn better in the afternoon or evening hours you can do it then too. You can make it as structured on unstructured as you want. It really all depends on you and your family needs.

As for my family we have a little structure and lots of unstructure LOL. We wake-up at seven a.m. (at least this year this is how we did it lol). Mainly because that's when the boy's get up anyway LOL. Then we eat breakfast and usually at eight a.m. we start schooling. But there are day's where we have to be places like the dentist, doctors or field trips where we don't get to the "typical schedule". Those day's we either finish up when we get home or do something on the road or a less school work day. There are even day's where we just didn't get to do "school" work. Doesn't mean we didn't learn anything that day. Just we didn't get paper work done LOL. Other than our start time we really don't have a schedule. I let the boy's choose what subjects they want to do. We cover all the subjects just I let them pick what they want to do first, second and so on. This makes them feel more in control of their learning. In Science and History I usually let them pic what they want to learn about too. In the last couple months we have been learning about Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece.

Just remember for those new to the homeschooling world to take it easy. You will really be surprised on how much your child/children learn without you having to worry about every minute they are "learning". Don't try to over due yourself. You don't have to have your child/children in every social event or every museum tour. Do what is natural for you and your family no matter what that may be. In the beginning I think most of us mom's try to over due it and that will cause burn out. So just remember to that if you are tired from going here and there and every where then more than likely so is your child/children. Learn to read your body and your kids. This will help you into knowing what you can and can not do. Just because you don't get involved in every activity or social grouping doesn't make you a failure at homeschooling. Just means you need time to just be.

I know some of you are thinking well Jody you are always doing this and that LOL. Yes, I know we do, do a lot but that's just who I am. But even I know my limits. I know when I've had a busy week or two that I too need a break. In fact the last two weeks I haven't done a lot. I have done some but not a lot. Like I said too that it's just who I am. I like keeping busy for the most part but I would be that way anyway even if we didn't homeschool the boy's. Just stay true to who you are and who your child/children are. This will be the best for you and your family. Your family doesn't have to look anything like mine.

One more thing I want to say. Since I have been homeschooling my house is never super clean LOL. I think that has a lot to do with because I like to be out and about LOL. But especially if you are new to homeschool don't expect to have the house spotless. This is an adjustment period and it will be hard to do all! Now some homeschooling families might do fine in keeping up house work and homeschooling but again every family is different. This doesn't make you a bad mom or wife either. Just means you know what you can and can't do. I usually do better with cleaning the house in the summer months when our school work isn't as much and we are more relaxed.

If this seems jumbled I am sorry LOL. I am feeling a bit tired today for some reason (I think it's the weather lol) so I hope it came out at least understandable LOL. I hope everyone is having a good day!!

What is Homeschooling?

Today I want to talk about homeschooling again LOL. I know you are all probably sick of me talking about it huh? LoL. Anyway I think people really have a misconception of what homeschooling is. Homeschooling is different for each family. Some are a more Classical homeschoolers. Some are homeschooling in the Charlotte Mason method. Still there are some that are Eclectic homeschoolers (which is what we are). Then there are Traditional homeschoolers, Montessori homeschoolers, Unit Studies homeschoolers, Unschoolers (seems to be very controversial) and then there is also the Waldorf method of homeschooling. There is also other's too but I would probably run out of room linking to them all LOL. But what I am saying is there is as many different ways to homeschool as there are many different children.

Homeschooling doesn't mean staying at the home all day long doing work at the kitchen table. Homeschooling can take just a few hours a day (if you unschool it's based on life instead of workbook and scheduled learning) because you don't have a lot of interruptions you would in a classroom like waiting for everyone to be settled and getting prepared and what not. Homeschooling also offers more of doing hands on things. For instance older children can do more volunteering outside of the home. It can also mean doing more hands on learning. Something as simple as watching ants work can be made into learning. It doesn't necessarily have to all come from books. Learning doesn't even have to take place in the home. It can be done any where and any time.

So as you can see we aren't locked in doors five day's a week eight hours a day sitting at the kitchen table doing school work. For our family we usually wake up at seven a.m. because that's when the boy's wake-up normally anyway LOL. Then we eat our breakfast and the boy's get dressed and brush their teeth. Then at about eight a.m we do some sit down school work. By eleven o'clock a.m we are usually done with that and if we don't have anything planned for that day the boy's might go outside (if it's a nice day) and play or we might find some games to play together or do a project together. Then when their friends come home from school they are free to go out and play with them. Other day's we might have things to do like go to a MOMS Club event like Create and Play or a play date with a friend. Other day's we might take field trips like to the Art Museum or the Zoo. Still other day's we might have more of an organized field trip with a homeschool group or with another homeschool family we know.

I just wanted to post this so that other's know (all though I know it won't be accepted by all but that's ok too) that homeschooling isn't school at home or not learning at all. I hope this clears things up for some.

I hope everyone had a good day!!

Summer Plans for our Homeschool.

Today Jarod finished all his Kindergarten Work. So he will be entering first grade. Chord still has a little more work to do but he's almost done too with his second grade work. This year I think I am going to still do some schooling through the summer. Not everyday or everything but just things to keep their memory of what they have learned. Like Jarod I will be doing more reading with him and working also on his math and handwriting. Chord will be working on his handwriting and his math and of course I will have him read during the summer too. I also have a music and art curriculum that I might start in Summer so when Fall comes they won't be overloaded with school work.

These won't be everyday (well maybe the reading) but I will space them out and make sure they are retaining what they have been learning. Jarod's math will be his flash cards that I got him. I have been really having to teach him visually and actively. We go out side and I make a chalk link from 0-10 and have him stand on a number and then I ask him a math addition number and he hopes how many spaces I tell him to get to the answer. I have also took coins and he counts them out as he looks at his flash cards. He is really coming around now to understanding what adding is. After a while I will do subtraction with him too. I just want him to really understand the concept of this first. For Reading I plan to get books from the Library that he and I can read together. This I hope will help him learn his phonics a little before we go in depth with it in his first grade work. As for writing I will just print stuff off for him to do.

For Chord's math I will probably introduce multiplication more. He knows a lot of the small number multiplications since he was in first grade but I want to make sure he understands this more and I have flash cards for him as well. Though he will do well with just looking at the flash cards or listening to what I am asking him. He is a very visual and auditory learner. I know he will catch on since he knows the basics of multiplying anyway. Then again for his writing I will just print some stuff off for him to do. He reads independently and chapter books and he loves reading anyway so I know that won't be a big deal. Then I will just ask him about what he is reading to make sure he is comprehending what he is reading.

We read from the Bible everyday (for the most part if I don't forget, I know bad mom LOL)so that is a given anyway. There will be day's where we won't do all these things but I think this year will be important to keep these things going. I have noticed the boy's behave much better when there is more structure in our day then when we don't have anything planned. Not to say we have every hour of the day planned but when they are having to do something everyday at some point they know what is expected and they focus on that instead of in total chaos. So during the summer we will do some school like work but it will be a lot more relaxed and we can do these things any time during the day, week or month.

Warning this is a Rant LOL.

Ugh before I was always reading on how unsocial kids are that "homeschool" now I am reading a lot about "Well what makes a parent think they can teach all subjects all the way through high school?!" What they fail to see is that most teachers aren't even teaching the classes they majored in. A teacher that teaches English might be teaching a math class and so on. I know this because I happen to know a handful of teachers that have told me this.

Not only that but a teacher is also taught how to manage and teach a group of students. A homeschool parent only has to teach as many kids as they have. Even if a parent had twelve kids that still wouldn't be the average class size. Sure there are some schools that have fewer students in class but that's not the norm.

Now homeschooling parents are also not the only teachers in their children's lives. Some are in homeschool co-ops where different subjects might be taught by a different homeschool parent that is more knowledgeable in that subject. Other's have family members and friends that may help. For instance my boy's wanted to learn some sign language. Now I do not know much of any sign language but our neighbor is and she is only too happy to teach the boy's some signs. I do not have to know all subjects I just have to know where I can get help from.

Also you have to remember teenagers can and do take some collage courses to learn what they need to know. There has been as young as 16 year old's taking collage courses for things their parents didn't feel they could teach.

Since my children are young I do a lot of learning with them. What I don't know we find a way to find out what we want to know about. There is so many resource's out there for homeschooler's so a teaching credential's we really don't need. I really wish people that decide to criticize homeschooler's would first do their research and then come up of a real con of homeschooling. Sorry I know I am ranting but it really gets old after a while.

Today I don't have much to blog about since we didn't do much today. We did go to Meijer's to pick up some package envelopes for hubby. It was pretty funny though as we were walking back to our vehicle and Harlow was asking the boy's where they would like to eat. They both said BK but then hubby said how about KFC? Jarod looks up at him and puts his hand on his chin and says "Hmm, that would be good!" LOL it was just so cute the way he said it. I swear that boy knows how to put a smile on just about any one's face. He doesn't even have to try hard. He is very much the classic class clown LOL.

Yesterday though it was Chord that had me laughing. He and his brother were just goofing around and Chord put his arm around his brother and says "ahh, my funny sibling." LOL. It just sounded so funny coming from an eight year old's mouth. He is always surprising me on how much vocabulary he knows and can use correctly.

In our homeschooling I am trying a bit more hands on and physical things for teaching Jarod. I think he is a visual and Kinesthetic learner. So today we went outside and I drew a line and put the numbers 1-10 on it and had him pick a number and we would either add or subtract so say for instance if he was standing on the number 3 I would make a problem out of it like 3 + 5 =? So he would have to jump on each number till he counted to 5 and he would of course land on the number 8. I am hoping doing things like this will help him learn his math facts a little better.

Chord is a visual and auditory learner. He can see or hear how to do something and he can do it for the most part. Like when he was in first grade I had just told him what multiplying was. I told him it was like saying what is three sets of five equal too and he got it that quick! It wasn't something I really taught him I had just told him about it and he knew how to do it. Even before he learned how to carry over or borrow from. That is just how he learns.

So with each of them I have to teach them differently. They don't learn the same way. So I am trying to find good way's to teach Jarod that he will understand. He really liked the adding on the line thing today. If anyone has more suggestions on how to teach a kinesthetic learner please feel free to give me suggestions LOL.

Been busy these last two day's. Yesterday was a MOMS Club meeting. We are going to go into another election. I am thinking of running as Secretary but not sure just yet. My one friend said she would nominate me LOL. Don't know if I need more to do or what LOL. I guess I just like to keep busy. After the meeting we came home and had lunch and I ran to the Library to pick-up a few books and came home. The rest of the was picking-up house some and then getting clothes all sorted for laundry day.

Today was laundry day so it was off to the Laundromat. The boy's did their school work there. One elderly lady there noticed I was a homeschooling mom and she asked if I schooled them all day and I said not really because they finish in less time than traditional schools. She didn't seem to impressed LOL. Oh well I know what my children know and how well they are doing. I really don't need anyones approval. All though two other older women (not elderly just older) were asking me questions about it and were very supportive of homeschooling. So I guess that made up for it. Besides I really don't get bad comments about it and I have learned even if I do not to worry about it because they don't know what homeschooling is really about and how well my children are doing.

Tomorrow I don't have any plans. Not sure if we are doing anything Thursday either but that really depends on how board Harlow gets being home LOL. He is not liking having no job. He would never make a good couch potato LOL. He is looking into going to school because a program that his job had gotten approved for will pay for schooling for in demand jobs. He's not sure exactly what he wants to get into but he's looking into things. I know God will get us through this difficult time though.

Friday we are going to my bil and sil's house for dinner but before that I am going to be babysitting my niece. I haven't seen her in a while so it will be nice. She will be two years old on April 11! I can't believe how fast that went!

So I have a surprise, surprise I have a busy week LOL. At least I feel so much better though then I have in a week! I don't know exactly what it was but it sure took me down. After going all winter without getting sick I get sick badly ugh! I hope everyone has a great week!!

I am sorry I haven't been blogging regularly this week. I am just not feeling well. The boy's had a cold and hubby got it and of course I got it last and it's really doing a number on me. It just doesn't seem to want to go away ugh. I have stayed pretty healthy all winter and now that it's spring of course I get sick LOL.

Today we did go to the Toldeo Museum of Art's in Ohio. We don't live in Ohio but it wasn't a long drive either. I didn't take any pics because I wasn't sure if they would let you or not. We kind of just went on a whim. They had a temporary display with a couple of mummies. It was really interesting to see. I thought it would have been more of a display but it was neat anyway. I liked a lot of the art there. I just wish I felt healthier to have enjoyed it more.

I love this about homeschooling. Granted it was on a weekend and anyone can go on the weekend but I love the fact that we really can go when we want to. I love too that the boy's don't groan because they are doing more learning. The really enjoyed looking at all the paintings and artworks and even asked questions. I love seeing them enjoy learning new things. Homeschooling really isn't just about doing "school" things but a way of life. In the short three years of homeschooling the boy's I have learned so much! I have learned that learning is taking place everyday whether it's by reading a book or exploring life together.

This year of homeschooling has been the best yet. It's because I have relaxed and really seen the possibilities of learning. I have actually found I love to learn! Me, the girl who dreaded going to school loves to learn?! It's funny when I think back to just three years ago how I initially started to homeschool because I thought it was best for the boy's. Now I see what it has done for me. Not only am I closer to the boy's and the whole family but I am learning right along with them. The boy's sure have taught me a lot. And here I thought I was educating them LOL. Can you tell I really love homeschooling? LOL.

Horton Hears a Who and what I am up to.

Today I let the boy's have a day off. They have both been doing really well with their school work so I gave them a break. We went and saw the movie "Horton Hears a Who." I have to say it was a cute movie. It made one silly comment about homeschooling. The mean Kangaroo mom was saying "That's why we pouch school." when she saw Horton teaching a "class" of other animals. It was no big deal but I have seen people over the Internet get upset by it. It really wasn't a big part of the movie and I just laughed and enjoyed the movie. I wasn't expecting to really like the movie but I have to say it really was good! It had a lot of Christian content to it. I am usually not a big Jim Carrey Fan but he did a good job in this one. It also has Carol Burnett in it as the mean Kangaroo mom. I would highly recommend anyone to see this movie. I am not a big movie goer so it has to really impress me before I recommend a movie LOL.

After coming home for a bit I went grocery shopping. It's been a busy day. Actually it's been a busy week. Everyday this week I have been out and about some where. This coming week should be a little more relaxed. I still have a few things to do but not everyday like this week.

Tomorrow I have a Love and Logic thing to go to. It's actually just going to a local coffee shop with a few of my MOMS Club friends and talk about parenting and just hanging out. So it will be nice. I usually do my grocery shopping on Saturdays but I did it today instead so I won't have a lot of running to do tomorrow. I hope everyone has a great weekend!!

Yesterday as you know was a busy day. Woke up and did the schooling part but then it was time to go to the boy's homeschool Valentines Day party. Hubby drove us first to my friends house because she was going to take us to the party and home since hubby works afternoons. Well Jarod decided he was too afraid of her dog to go inside LOL. We rent so we are not allowed to have animals so hence why he was scared. Usually Chord is too but he took it well this time. Jarod ended up going home with Harlow. Harlow was going into work late anyway because he had to go do somethings before he went to work. So we were at my friends house for a bit and then she drove Chord and I to the party. Later Harlow dropped off Jarod at the party too. The boy's had a great time! They never met these kids before but you wouldn't have been able to tell with the way they were playing LOL. The boy's really only knew my friends two kids but it was all fun for them anyway.

After getting home just before four p.m. I noticed my brother called so I called their house and got his wife so I talked with her for a while and then my call waiting goes off so I hang up from her and it was my dad so I talked with him a good while and caught up with each other (he lives in Arizona and I am in Michigan). I get off the phone with him spend a bit of time with the boy's and realized oh I should start something for dinner LOL then lo' and behold the phone rings again and it was my cousin. She told me about her fire (I posted about it last night) and of course I talked with her for a while. So dinner last night was quick and easy LOL.

Weird how some day's the phone won't ring at all, unless it's a telemarketer lol, and then other day's it rings off the hook. I am usually one that doesn't like to talk on the phone much either so it was very odd for me to be on the phone that much yesterday.

Today, we went to go get Harlow's eyes examined and get some new glasses. It went quickly though so that was cool. When we were paying for everything the guy doing it all was asking the boy's "why aren't you in school?" Chord proudly answered we're homeschooled. So then they guy asked them so who's your main teacher and they both pointed at me LOL. Then they all talked about what they were studying and other things.

I never know how someone will react when we say we homeschool but to be honest I don't think we have gotten very many bad comments about it. Either nothing is said or I get oh wow that's great you can do that LOL. I think the worst comment I got was back in our first year of homeschooling from a lady when she asked, Why would you do that? LOL. Didn't bother me but that was all she really said and it was a woman at the Laundromat at the time. She always talked to me after that so it really was no big deal to me. My mom was the only other one I ever heard anything negative about it but now she is our biggest supporter so go figure LOL. In general around here it seems homeschooling is accepted. I just wish there were more homeschool groups in my area but then again I did join the MOMS Club. Not a homeschool group but at least I can do things with the boy's through that. Maybe one day we will have more here. My friend and I have both been talking about making our own little homeschool group but not sure if we will or not. Just been talk so far. How was your day?