Showing posts with label Tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tips. Show all posts
Sunday, August 31, 2008
The Importance of Art Education
Another article to share...this one on The Importance of Art Education.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Article About Scheduling
I ran across this helpful blog article: Scheduling the Easy Way--A 5 Step Plan. I hope you'll find it helpful, especially if you are new to homeschooling.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Homeschooling a Teen
from lemonewton:
First off, I would suggest that you and your H get on the same page. If you're setting limits, and H is not assisting with seeing that they're following through, this is only going to be the beginning of trouble. Like a snowball gathering and getting bigger.
Does DS have friends he spends time with? If so, encourage him to spend some quality time with them. Or with a close family member near the same age? If not, then yes, I'd encourage him to begin doing something, club activity, or even volunteer work to get him out and active. He's 12-13, or around there? If he's promised to do the copies, I'd make him stick to that and get them done. At least finish the ones he already has promised, then he can quit doing it if he no longer likes doing it.
I've got 2 teens, 16DD & 13DD. Both would spend all day in front of the tv/games/computer if allowed. The 13DD is especially bad, she gets easily distracted by the tv. Oh, and the 16DD loves to wear her MP3 while doing school work last year. For us, here, this school year has started different than it did last year. They got to assist helping me to decide some of the curric, but others were just picked out by me. At PS, you don't get to pick out what you want. If something simplifies it for me, then oh well, they'll just have to deal with it this year. And, they've been sitting at the kitchen table, the last 2 days. Both of them each have 1-2 programs that they're doing on the computer, so that they get a little computer time in. And, I've decided to assign some artsy-type projects for a couple of their main subjects. So far, so good, they're starting out well so far. We've also got a 1st grader, so she gets more of our time (I work FT 3d/week, and DH is a SAHD, but we've got a farm and stuff to do additionally).
Oldest DD was getting really good at staying in front of her tv and not wanting to do the things required of her/ chores, etc. So about a month ago she had to hand over her MP3, tv cord, lap-top power cord, and we changed the password on the internet. She had to start spending more time with us, doing things that were required, and a bit more reading. You might have to start taking some cords if DS is continually staying in his room. And, get H on the same page as you. He's got to step up to the plate.
And, if you're thinking about sending DS to PS, you need to have some discussions with him & your H. If he's not going to do the work at home, will he do the work at PS? If he wants to go, maybe you should see about sending him. You might find, though, that he doesn't want to do it there, either.
from nancymc:
Well, I'm a big meanie I guess, we have a rule in our home: no TV/computer until chores and/or assigned work is done. During the summer this is easy, it's just daily chores, but during the school year it means that the computer/TV can NOT come on until all their schoolwork is completed. Beginning and end of story, not negotiable.
For us TV/computer is a reward, not a right. We also don't own any gaming systems, so it's easier in a lot of ways to limit it. I'm a big believer in outdoor activity and work hard to keep my kids engaged in physical things. I recently attended a lecture entitled "the dangers of video gaming" and it really opened my eyes to the generation of kids we are raising by allowing them so much time in front of screens, so right now I am particularly concerned about limiting it and finding other activities for my kids to do.
For social stuff, are you involved in a co-op or homeschool group of any kind? If not, that is where I would start, my kids attend classes with other homeschoolers once a week and they get together for social activities at least once a week (more in the summer). Kids this age need peers, and for me personally, that means finding plenty of opportunity for interaction, we live remotely so it's really up to me to get them places.
I work, but only part time and I make my own hours for the most part, doing some on weekends and later in the afternoon, so I'm not terribly helpful there. I would network with other homeschoolers of teens to see if they can help you with getting your son places and such.
I'm not sure of your religious leanings, and this appears to be Christian based, but I just got an email about a book for teens called "Do the Hard Things" and I'm really excited about it, the message is that if we have low expectations for our teens, they will have low expectations for themselves. I am going to order a copy and read it with my son. I think that we need to work on our teens character along with their education, it's not always about what they know, it's also about who they ARE, you know? Anyway, I'm getting off track now, sort of, but wanted to encourage you to help your son continue his business and accomplish some things with that before he turns on the TV each day, I love hearing about kids starting their own business, it shows such promise and character for them to be an entrepreneur.
from cl-susanmercy:
I'm not the parent of a teenager (yet but it's close!) but I have been a hsed teen myself, back in the 80s. I wold strongly encourage you to first of all, be united with your dh. Hopefully you can get him on board, since you are the at-home parent and the one dealing the most with at-home issues. As long as you are not united, your ds will know that dad lets him get away with not following house rules, and that behaviour will continue. I would also encourage you to seriously let your ds be a part of his education process. If he's not, you may be butting heads for a long time. Let him have a choice in choosing curriculum...extracurricular activities...books to read, etc. This doesn't mean that he has carte blanche--but you can give him several choices that are ok with you and let him pick which one he wants.
I don't know if you deschooled your son at all, but if you didn't it's not too late to do so. It could provide you with relief from his attitudes!
from kathlh:
I found my oldest ds had issues with doing schoolwork at the 12-14yo phase. He had issues with anxiety and depression and was generally in a tough place. The best I could do was talk to him a lot, let him know we loved him no matter what, set limits to what we would accept from him and set limits on computers and TV. I tried having TV and computer use interspersed throughout the day when the kids were young and it just didn't work for us. They spent everyday asking for computer time. I finally decided that TV and computer can't come on until 6pm. Period. The other iron-clad rules we had were that chores and schoolwork needed to be done before the kids could play with their neighbourhood friends. This was a hard lesson for a kid who wanted to lie on the couch and moan until his friends came home at 4pm ;-) He eventually got it. The good news is that at almost 15yo, he's now much more outgoing and energetic than he's been in several years. He seems in a better place and also understands the purpose of passing certain courses to get to his goal of becoming an engineer. This past spring he came with me to our hs fair and picked out his own curriculae. I have yet to see if that'll make a difference for him but I have hope. This year we also have plans for him to do volunteer work one or 2 afternoons a week. He needs to think about something other than sports and computer games ;-)
I don't know if our experience is of any help to you. My situation is easier in that dh isn't around during the day (usually). He doesn't really need to be on board with the rules as he doesn't have to reinforce any of them. I work on weekends, so he does need to get the kids to do their chores but, otherwise, isn't really part of the equation. With him being home the last few months with multiple surgeries, I've had my share of him not being on board with the rules ;-) I can sympathize with your challenge!
First off, I would suggest that you and your H get on the same page. If you're setting limits, and H is not assisting with seeing that they're following through, this is only going to be the beginning of trouble. Like a snowball gathering and getting bigger.
Does DS have friends he spends time with? If so, encourage him to spend some quality time with them. Or with a close family member near the same age? If not, then yes, I'd encourage him to begin doing something, club activity, or even volunteer work to get him out and active. He's 12-13, or around there? If he's promised to do the copies, I'd make him stick to that and get them done. At least finish the ones he already has promised, then he can quit doing it if he no longer likes doing it.
I've got 2 teens, 16DD & 13DD. Both would spend all day in front of the tv/games/computer if allowed. The 13DD is especially bad, she gets easily distracted by the tv. Oh, and the 16DD loves to wear her MP3 while doing school work last year. For us, here, this school year has started different than it did last year. They got to assist helping me to decide some of the curric, but others were just picked out by me. At PS, you don't get to pick out what you want. If something simplifies it for me, then oh well, they'll just have to deal with it this year. And, they've been sitting at the kitchen table, the last 2 days. Both of them each have 1-2 programs that they're doing on the computer, so that they get a little computer time in. And, I've decided to assign some artsy-type projects for a couple of their main subjects. So far, so good, they're starting out well so far. We've also got a 1st grader, so she gets more of our time (I work FT 3d/week, and DH is a SAHD, but we've got a farm and stuff to do additionally).
Oldest DD was getting really good at staying in front of her tv and not wanting to do the things required of her/ chores, etc. So about a month ago she had to hand over her MP3, tv cord, lap-top power cord, and we changed the password on the internet. She had to start spending more time with us, doing things that were required, and a bit more reading. You might have to start taking some cords if DS is continually staying in his room. And, get H on the same page as you. He's got to step up to the plate.
And, if you're thinking about sending DS to PS, you need to have some discussions with him & your H. If he's not going to do the work at home, will he do the work at PS? If he wants to go, maybe you should see about sending him. You might find, though, that he doesn't want to do it there, either.
from nancymc:
Well, I'm a big meanie I guess, we have a rule in our home: no TV/computer until chores and/or assigned work is done. During the summer this is easy, it's just daily chores, but during the school year it means that the computer/TV can NOT come on until all their schoolwork is completed. Beginning and end of story, not negotiable.
For us TV/computer is a reward, not a right. We also don't own any gaming systems, so it's easier in a lot of ways to limit it. I'm a big believer in outdoor activity and work hard to keep my kids engaged in physical things. I recently attended a lecture entitled "the dangers of video gaming" and it really opened my eyes to the generation of kids we are raising by allowing them so much time in front of screens, so right now I am particularly concerned about limiting it and finding other activities for my kids to do.
For social stuff, are you involved in a co-op or homeschool group of any kind? If not, that is where I would start, my kids attend classes with other homeschoolers once a week and they get together for social activities at least once a week (more in the summer). Kids this age need peers, and for me personally, that means finding plenty of opportunity for interaction, we live remotely so it's really up to me to get them places.
I work, but only part time and I make my own hours for the most part, doing some on weekends and later in the afternoon, so I'm not terribly helpful there. I would network with other homeschoolers of teens to see if they can help you with getting your son places and such.
I'm not sure of your religious leanings, and this appears to be Christian based, but I just got an email about a book for teens called "Do the Hard Things" and I'm really excited about it, the message is that if we have low expectations for our teens, they will have low expectations for themselves. I am going to order a copy and read it with my son. I think that we need to work on our teens character along with their education, it's not always about what they know, it's also about who they ARE, you know? Anyway, I'm getting off track now, sort of, but wanted to encourage you to help your son continue his business and accomplish some things with that before he turns on the TV each day, I love hearing about kids starting their own business, it shows such promise and character for them to be an entrepreneur.
from cl-susanmercy:
I'm not the parent of a teenager (yet but it's close!) but I have been a hsed teen myself, back in the 80s. I wold strongly encourage you to first of all, be united with your dh. Hopefully you can get him on board, since you are the at-home parent and the one dealing the most with at-home issues. As long as you are not united, your ds will know that dad lets him get away with not following house rules, and that behaviour will continue. I would also encourage you to seriously let your ds be a part of his education process. If he's not, you may be butting heads for a long time. Let him have a choice in choosing curriculum...extracurricular activities...books to read, etc. This doesn't mean that he has carte blanche--but you can give him several choices that are ok with you and let him pick which one he wants.
I don't know if you deschooled your son at all, but if you didn't it's not too late to do so. It could provide you with relief from his attitudes!
from kathlh:
I found my oldest ds had issues with doing schoolwork at the 12-14yo phase. He had issues with anxiety and depression and was generally in a tough place. The best I could do was talk to him a lot, let him know we loved him no matter what, set limits to what we would accept from him and set limits on computers and TV. I tried having TV and computer use interspersed throughout the day when the kids were young and it just didn't work for us. They spent everyday asking for computer time. I finally decided that TV and computer can't come on until 6pm. Period. The other iron-clad rules we had were that chores and schoolwork needed to be done before the kids could play with their neighbourhood friends. This was a hard lesson for a kid who wanted to lie on the couch and moan until his friends came home at 4pm ;-) He eventually got it. The good news is that at almost 15yo, he's now much more outgoing and energetic than he's been in several years. He seems in a better place and also understands the purpose of passing certain courses to get to his goal of becoming an engineer. This past spring he came with me to our hs fair and picked out his own curriculae. I have yet to see if that'll make a difference for him but I have hope. This year we also have plans for him to do volunteer work one or 2 afternoons a week. He needs to think about something other than sports and computer games ;-)
I don't know if our experience is of any help to you. My situation is easier in that dh isn't around during the day (usually). He doesn't really need to be on board with the rules as he doesn't have to reinforce any of them. I work on weekends, so he does need to get the kids to do their chores but, otherwise, isn't really part of the equation. With him being home the last few months with multiple surgeries, I've had my share of him not being on board with the rules ;-) I can sympathize with your challenge!
Helping Kids be Excited about Homeschooling
from two_girls_mom2007:
My ODD will be 6 in a couple weeks. We went through this really bad the year she was 4. She was so looking forward to school, and people started asking her if she was in school or when she was going etc. I did have to limit some of her T.V. cartoons that showed a lot of school for awhile. I also tried to not read books that showed kids going to school, just to try to keep her from thinking she was missing something.
She always seemed to be negotiating when she could go to "real school." She would tell me she would homeschool while she was 5, but she would start real school when she was 6. I made sure that the first day of K was a lot of fun for her. I made it very official, and we kind of played school. We do a formal calendar time to start the day, and keep things predictable during school time. We even call things recess, storytime, lunchtime, etc. using school words. She got her own new lunchbox for field trips, and backpack and supplies. Lots of new supplies like she kept seeing in the store. Dd loves dinosaurs, so I buried dinosaur bones in our sandbox for a dinosaur dig for Science the first day. We pretended we were paleontologists uncovering a fossil, and tried to figure out what kind of dino it was. The 2nd day of school we made a library visit, and I let her pick out books about animals she wanted to study. I made a mini unit on the ones she chose, and then later that week we visited the zoo to observe the animals we were studying. I just tried to really keep her involved, and I pointed out gently the whole time, that if she were in P.S. she wouldn't be on a field trip already.
I also got her involved with other kids that homeschool. That seems to be what finally did the trick. She knows now that she is not the only one out there. She has some friends that homeschool, and most don;t. She is now aware that most kids do not homeschool, but she does not ask not to anymore.
from nancymc:
I'm not sure if I'm just lucky or if I did something to help this along, but my kids have NEVER wanted to go to school. We've ridden buses places, they don't see any attraction in that, plus I always point out to them when we're out and about (usually coming home from some really fun cool place) how early the buses come and how late they drop off, so they understand how much time is spent on that bus. In our area the kids typically ride the bus for an hour or so, twice a day, I can't imagine how that would be fun!
It's a balance for me, I don't at all want to portray school as a bad thing, particularly since many of their friends are in school, I don't homeschool as a protest and I don't want my kids to think school is evil or anything....HOWEVER....I do point out to them the advantages we have, we often wave to the school as we go by on our way to whatever fun thing, we talk often about homework and how if they had any they wouldn't have time for the fun evening things we are doing, we often celebrate how lazy we are in our pj's at 10am, etc.
Basically I talk up the good points about homeschooling, and I make sure that they don't feel like they miss anything. Find out what your son wants from school and then work to duplicate it at home. Ride a bus somewhere....go back to school shopping (this is a fun one for us, we wait until all the supplies are on clearance and then we just go have fun, no list, just whatever they thing looks fun....new markers, cool folders, etc). Maybe this is mean, but I usually pick up the list that is there for the schools and look it over, we always laugh at how they have to buy things like kleenexes and a specific color of folder...it's not like the kids in school actually get to take the fun stuff to school anymore! So I let them pick out whatever within reason, usually on clearance for a song. I buy them each a new pair of pj's each year for their first day back to school, lol, but I also let them pick out a new shirt and some nicer shorts for the classes they take outside the home.
My son went to school, so that helps immensely as well, he very well knows he has it good at home. He remembers homework, he remembers getting up really early, he remembers how little time he had to actually play and pursue his passions.
from treddlesewingmachine:
Last year my son was supposed to go to kinder, but they put him in with the worst teacher, whom I requested to NOT have. (And here they don't tell you the teacher until 2 days before school starts...) So we had to quickly change gears when my husband and I decided to keep him home (with his older sister who is home schooling and younger brother.)
The bus stops outside our door too, at least for the first week until they realize there are no kids getting on here! We talked about how he gets to eat his breakfasts (yes, he usually eats more than one!) how it doesn't matter when he gets dressed (was very hard for him to do that last year) how he can have snack when ever he wants, how he gets to watch the "good" shows on PBS (the ones actually for beginning readers are on after the school bus comes) and how he could play on the computer if he wanted, or play his bugle. The bus comes at 7:20 here, one of the last stops, but still pretty early. I told him he could sleep in if he wanted (a laugh, he gets up with my husband at 5:30!) We also talked about how we could go to the park whenever we want, go for bike rides, and not have to do homework after school like the other kids we meet in the park after school (usually our second trip to the park for the day!) Kinder kids have homework here, probably most schools nowadays. One of the reasons I dislike public schools.
The teacher thing I did have to explain - my daughter had her so I knew how she was. (Had to be careful her, my daughter loved her, but I hated her!) I explained that the teacher wanted kids who could sit still and not go explore stuff. My son already knew that she didn't like hugs, which he loves. I also had to tell my daughter that while the teacher was ok for her, there were kids that she had problems with and would yell at constantly and I didn't want her brother to be one of those kids. (I gave her an example of one boy that constantly was in trouble and she tried to squish the life out of.) My son has a hard time following directions, sitting still and has a lot of curiosity about things. Honestly sometimes he drives me to distraction, but I couldn't let him be with that woman! Oh, and this woman told a boy in my daughter's class, with similar speech issues, "Don't talk like a baby!" (In front of the class and mom, no less!) I never heard the boy talk the rest of the year. Ah, so many stories, but not pertinent to what you are asking...
Can you go camping or to an amusement park the first week of school? A great fun way to show how you have it better!
from hbbk20:
You can arrange for a bus ride somewhere so your kid can ride a bus. You can also have a pretend bus that you decorate with markers and things from a cardboard box and then play a game of ride the bus and ...now we go to school ect....so make it an event that you express thru artistic things like making a box bus, pack a lunch to eat at the table that you do school at and things like that. Make being home fun, and remind them of the benes of not going away.
from bugsmomct:
You can't "get" someone's feelings to change. *However* your 4 year old has only had one set of inputs - that "big boys" go to school.Yeah, all those 'fun things' at home you've been talking about are nice, but that's nothing new really (you're probably already doing lots of fun things). Find out what stuff is really exciting (like riding a bus) and go do it - find someplace where you can take a bus ride. If back to school clothes commercials are exciting, go take advantage of the sales and get sneakers, jeans, backpack, etc. Pack a lunch a couple times per week and go have a picnic.
I'd strongly suggest you find (or make) a local homeschool support group so he can see that not all "big boys" go to school, some learn at home with mom and dad and their siblings. We got involved with our first support group when DS was 3 - mostly just did park days, beach days, and parent support evenings (while DS visited with Grandma). As he got older, we did visits to the firehouse, the newspaper (he loved the big printing and folding machines), a sole proprietor candy shop (made cool chocolate treats - bacon and eggs - melt some white chocolate; lay out 3 thin pretzel sticks on some waxed paper; pour a bit of the white chocolate over the central area of the pretzel sticks; put a few yellow M&Ms together in the middle of the chocolate and voila - bacon and eggs on the sweet side!). The school bus stops next door and across the street from us but he's never asked to go to school - he knows lots of people don't go to school from little ones up to teenagers. And, he's experienced things like driving home with us after spending a day at a hs group park day and sitting behind a school bus full of kids who spent the whole gorgeous late spring day sitting in a classroom while he spent the day running free in a park and playing with friends. He does get frustrated sometimes when we're trying to plan things like a sleep over with favorite cousins because they can only do things at certain times because of school. He loves taking vacations when things are totally uncrowded; we love getting the off season prices.
from momwifefriendedie:
I think for us we have let dd do some of those same things like buying a new colorful notebook to be her "school" journal, buying fun stickers to reward with just like school, buying new markers and crayons, and letting her decorate her own study area on a tri folder. We also take her picture in a new outfit on our first official. We also plan a special fun art project for that first day. You just can't beat playing with paint.
from pailani:
I have a friend who starts the first day of homeschool kindergarten by teaching the child to obey instructions - by making cookies! She tells the child "get me the flour," "now go get me the sugar," while she mixes and makes the cookies. So each of her children's first day of kindergarten was helping Mommy make cookies I always thought that was a fun idea.
My ODD will be 6 in a couple weeks. We went through this really bad the year she was 4. She was so looking forward to school, and people started asking her if she was in school or when she was going etc. I did have to limit some of her T.V. cartoons that showed a lot of school for awhile. I also tried to not read books that showed kids going to school, just to try to keep her from thinking she was missing something.
She always seemed to be negotiating when she could go to "real school." She would tell me she would homeschool while she was 5, but she would start real school when she was 6. I made sure that the first day of K was a lot of fun for her. I made it very official, and we kind of played school. We do a formal calendar time to start the day, and keep things predictable during school time. We even call things recess, storytime, lunchtime, etc. using school words. She got her own new lunchbox for field trips, and backpack and supplies. Lots of new supplies like she kept seeing in the store. Dd loves dinosaurs, so I buried dinosaur bones in our sandbox for a dinosaur dig for Science the first day. We pretended we were paleontologists uncovering a fossil, and tried to figure out what kind of dino it was. The 2nd day of school we made a library visit, and I let her pick out books about animals she wanted to study. I made a mini unit on the ones she chose, and then later that week we visited the zoo to observe the animals we were studying. I just tried to really keep her involved, and I pointed out gently the whole time, that if she were in P.S. she wouldn't be on a field trip already.
I also got her involved with other kids that homeschool. That seems to be what finally did the trick. She knows now that she is not the only one out there. She has some friends that homeschool, and most don;t. She is now aware that most kids do not homeschool, but she does not ask not to anymore.
from nancymc:
I'm not sure if I'm just lucky or if I did something to help this along, but my kids have NEVER wanted to go to school. We've ridden buses places, they don't see any attraction in that, plus I always point out to them when we're out and about (usually coming home from some really fun cool place) how early the buses come and how late they drop off, so they understand how much time is spent on that bus. In our area the kids typically ride the bus for an hour or so, twice a day, I can't imagine how that would be fun!
It's a balance for me, I don't at all want to portray school as a bad thing, particularly since many of their friends are in school, I don't homeschool as a protest and I don't want my kids to think school is evil or anything....HOWEVER....I do point out to them the advantages we have, we often wave to the school as we go by on our way to whatever fun thing, we talk often about homework and how if they had any they wouldn't have time for the fun evening things we are doing, we often celebrate how lazy we are in our pj's at 10am, etc.
Basically I talk up the good points about homeschooling, and I make sure that they don't feel like they miss anything. Find out what your son wants from school and then work to duplicate it at home. Ride a bus somewhere....go back to school shopping (this is a fun one for us, we wait until all the supplies are on clearance and then we just go have fun, no list, just whatever they thing looks fun....new markers, cool folders, etc). Maybe this is mean, but I usually pick up the list that is there for the schools and look it over, we always laugh at how they have to buy things like kleenexes and a specific color of folder...it's not like the kids in school actually get to take the fun stuff to school anymore! So I let them pick out whatever within reason, usually on clearance for a song. I buy them each a new pair of pj's each year for their first day back to school, lol, but I also let them pick out a new shirt and some nicer shorts for the classes they take outside the home.
My son went to school, so that helps immensely as well, he very well knows he has it good at home. He remembers homework, he remembers getting up really early, he remembers how little time he had to actually play and pursue his passions.
from treddlesewingmachine:
Last year my son was supposed to go to kinder, but they put him in with the worst teacher, whom I requested to NOT have. (And here they don't tell you the teacher until 2 days before school starts...) So we had to quickly change gears when my husband and I decided to keep him home (with his older sister who is home schooling and younger brother.)
The bus stops outside our door too, at least for the first week until they realize there are no kids getting on here! We talked about how he gets to eat his breakfasts (yes, he usually eats more than one!) how it doesn't matter when he gets dressed (was very hard for him to do that last year) how he can have snack when ever he wants, how he gets to watch the "good" shows on PBS (the ones actually for beginning readers are on after the school bus comes) and how he could play on the computer if he wanted, or play his bugle. The bus comes at 7:20 here, one of the last stops, but still pretty early. I told him he could sleep in if he wanted (a laugh, he gets up with my husband at 5:30!) We also talked about how we could go to the park whenever we want, go for bike rides, and not have to do homework after school like the other kids we meet in the park after school (usually our second trip to the park for the day!) Kinder kids have homework here, probably most schools nowadays. One of the reasons I dislike public schools.
The teacher thing I did have to explain - my daughter had her so I knew how she was. (Had to be careful her, my daughter loved her, but I hated her!) I explained that the teacher wanted kids who could sit still and not go explore stuff. My son already knew that she didn't like hugs, which he loves. I also had to tell my daughter that while the teacher was ok for her, there were kids that she had problems with and would yell at constantly and I didn't want her brother to be one of those kids. (I gave her an example of one boy that constantly was in trouble and she tried to squish the life out of.) My son has a hard time following directions, sitting still and has a lot of curiosity about things. Honestly sometimes he drives me to distraction, but I couldn't let him be with that woman! Oh, and this woman told a boy in my daughter's class, with similar speech issues, "Don't talk like a baby!" (In front of the class and mom, no less!) I never heard the boy talk the rest of the year. Ah, so many stories, but not pertinent to what you are asking...
Can you go camping or to an amusement park the first week of school? A great fun way to show how you have it better!
from hbbk20:
You can arrange for a bus ride somewhere so your kid can ride a bus. You can also have a pretend bus that you decorate with markers and things from a cardboard box and then play a game of ride the bus and ...now we go to school ect....so make it an event that you express thru artistic things like making a box bus, pack a lunch to eat at the table that you do school at and things like that. Make being home fun, and remind them of the benes of not going away.
from bugsmomct:
You can't "get" someone's feelings to change. *However* your 4 year old has only had one set of inputs - that "big boys" go to school.Yeah, all those 'fun things' at home you've been talking about are nice, but that's nothing new really (you're probably already doing lots of fun things). Find out what stuff is really exciting (like riding a bus) and go do it - find someplace where you can take a bus ride. If back to school clothes commercials are exciting, go take advantage of the sales and get sneakers, jeans, backpack, etc. Pack a lunch a couple times per week and go have a picnic.
I'd strongly suggest you find (or make) a local homeschool support group so he can see that not all "big boys" go to school, some learn at home with mom and dad and their siblings. We got involved with our first support group when DS was 3 - mostly just did park days, beach days, and parent support evenings (while DS visited with Grandma). As he got older, we did visits to the firehouse, the newspaper (he loved the big printing and folding machines), a sole proprietor candy shop (made cool chocolate treats - bacon and eggs - melt some white chocolate; lay out 3 thin pretzel sticks on some waxed paper; pour a bit of the white chocolate over the central area of the pretzel sticks; put a few yellow M&Ms together in the middle of the chocolate and voila - bacon and eggs on the sweet side!). The school bus stops next door and across the street from us but he's never asked to go to school - he knows lots of people don't go to school from little ones up to teenagers. And, he's experienced things like driving home with us after spending a day at a hs group park day and sitting behind a school bus full of kids who spent the whole gorgeous late spring day sitting in a classroom while he spent the day running free in a park and playing with friends. He does get frustrated sometimes when we're trying to plan things like a sleep over with favorite cousins because they can only do things at certain times because of school. He loves taking vacations when things are totally uncrowded; we love getting the off season prices.
from momwifefriendedie:
I think for us we have let dd do some of those same things like buying a new colorful notebook to be her "school" journal, buying fun stickers to reward with just like school, buying new markers and crayons, and letting her decorate her own study area on a tri folder. We also take her picture in a new outfit on our first official. We also plan a special fun art project for that first day. You just can't beat playing with paint.
from pailani:
I have a friend who starts the first day of homeschool kindergarten by teaching the child to obey instructions - by making cookies! She tells the child "get me the flour," "now go get me the sugar," while she mixes and makes the cookies. So each of her children's first day of kindergarten was helping Mommy make cookies I always thought that was a fun idea.
"Back to School" Traditions
from nancymc:
The week that school starts in our district, we have a "not back to school" week of fun. We get together with others from our homeschool group and do just a ton of stuff that entire week: swimming, bowling, goofy golf, last year we did a bat tour, this year we'll do a waterpark and maybe one of those indoor arcade type places, etc, etc. Just anything to celebrate NOT getting on that bus!
For our first day of actual school (which is usually a full week after the above), I always make chocolate chip pancakes with that horrible whipped topping in a can, drawn as a face. I typically have a bunch of balloons tied to their books, and little goofy gifts hidden in their stuff.
For lunch we have a dessert, which is unheard of.....one year I did a hot dog cake from FamilyFun, it looked just like a hot dog but was sweet, it was adorable. Not sure how or if to top THAT one, but it was fun.
That's all I can think of for now, mostly we try to make it fun and something to look forward to.
from kathlh:
This will be our 9th "not-back-to-school" day in September. We've varied what we've done over the years. Some years it's just a day to sleep in and have fast food for lunch while other years it's been afternoon movies or a full day of fun. I'm thinking of going into Toronto to the zoo or the Science Centre--both sure to be pretty quiet ;-) I haven't polled the troops on it yet, but I'm sure to get votes for either. I will probably do one on the first day of school and one on the following week. I had plans to do lots of trips in September of last year but family things got in the way. I have my fingers crossed for this year!
from momtomnie:
Our first year, we got up and made homemade cinnamon rolls and ate them as we watched the schoolbus go by. Now we live in a cul de sac so no school bus to watch, but we usually go to the park and meet with a homeschool group.
from teddiebear_hugs:
We have been homeschooling 3 years and haven't had any set traditions, until this year. We decided that we would make huge cinnamon rolls for lunch on the first day. Today was the first day, and the older daycare children's faces were a riot. They couldn't believe that they could eat cinnamon rolls for lunch. DS decided we should do this on the 1st day of school from now on. He actually said we should make cinnamon rolls for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the 1st day of school, but...I don't think so. ;-) The last day of school I plan on making a fancy cake or cupcakes, and having a graduation from 5th grade party. I like the idea of small presents on the 1st day. I might have to add that in next year. It would be exciting to get new pencils, colored line paper, colored pencils, etc.
from treddlesewingmachine:
Last year was the first year for us. Our virtual school didn't start until two weeks later than the public school, so we had fun going to the beach and stuff during that time. We will probably go to the Boardwalk this year (we can sleep in!) on one of the one ticket nights when most of the other kids have started school.
In the past I took photos of my daughter getting on and off the bus. Last year I had her make a sign with her grade, and "First Day" on it and we took some photos. She was really excited to start her new lessons, so we got started pretty much right away! I will probably do something similar with her and her brother this year. (Chocolate chip pancakes huh...I am not sure I want the sugar rush that brings - that will be the day we do go back to public school! Not that it is worse than the free breakfasts that they give to the kids who get free lunches!)
from bugsmomct:
Not really since we don't do school. But, several local hs groups do beach days right after Labor Day (still fairly warm, beaches are empty since kids are in school by then, parking fees go away) so we may do one or more of those. Otherwise, our years are not defined by the start of school (but I do love the back to school sales for stocking up on stuff that gets used a lot).
from two_girls_mom2007:
Yesterday was our first day for our PreKer and First Grader. I made signs saying "first day of first grade" and of PreK. I took a picture of each of them holding their sign. I did make a have a great year poster and hung up, and I cleaned out their pencil boxes and filled with new pencils and crayons. I set out a few surprises, like new erasable colored pencils that dd had wanted and a math bingo game and a workbook she didn't know I had bought. And I hung some new posters on the wall that they hadn't seen. I thought it was more fun for them to start the year with new interesting things to look at, and to be excited by them the first day. Most of the year, they help with the decor.
So I guess our only tradition is pictures :) But I do try to make the day special.
from hbbk20:
Field trips that week is great because you get the place to yourself as all the schoolers are getting locker assignments and bus schedules. Pictures are good too. I like the idea of having them wake up and having a backpack full of things to take out and work on at our table. Maybe some new Pajamas as we celebrate the idea that we don't have to be dressed and on a bus super early but can sit and have breakfast and books while the other kids have a 20-30 minute ride on a loud over stimulating over crowded bus. My kid always had headaches from the bus ride.
:) September is wonderful and still so nice outside, we also like to decorate for Fall....and celebrate that way.
from nutbunch:
We unschool so we don't start or stop school. On the first day the ps kids go back we go out for lunch and then go to the arcade. It is so quiet after the summer; it's great!
The week that school starts in our district, we have a "not back to school" week of fun. We get together with others from our homeschool group and do just a ton of stuff that entire week: swimming, bowling, goofy golf, last year we did a bat tour, this year we'll do a waterpark and maybe one of those indoor arcade type places, etc, etc. Just anything to celebrate NOT getting on that bus!
For our first day of actual school (which is usually a full week after the above), I always make chocolate chip pancakes with that horrible whipped topping in a can, drawn as a face. I typically have a bunch of balloons tied to their books, and little goofy gifts hidden in their stuff.
For lunch we have a dessert, which is unheard of.....one year I did a hot dog cake from FamilyFun, it looked just like a hot dog but was sweet, it was adorable. Not sure how or if to top THAT one, but it was fun.
That's all I can think of for now, mostly we try to make it fun and something to look forward to.
from kathlh:
This will be our 9th "not-back-to-school" day in September. We've varied what we've done over the years. Some years it's just a day to sleep in and have fast food for lunch while other years it's been afternoon movies or a full day of fun. I'm thinking of going into Toronto to the zoo or the Science Centre--both sure to be pretty quiet ;-) I haven't polled the troops on it yet, but I'm sure to get votes for either. I will probably do one on the first day of school and one on the following week. I had plans to do lots of trips in September of last year but family things got in the way. I have my fingers crossed for this year!
from momtomnie:
Our first year, we got up and made homemade cinnamon rolls and ate them as we watched the schoolbus go by. Now we live in a cul de sac so no school bus to watch, but we usually go to the park and meet with a homeschool group.
from teddiebear_hugs:
We have been homeschooling 3 years and haven't had any set traditions, until this year. We decided that we would make huge cinnamon rolls for lunch on the first day. Today was the first day, and the older daycare children's faces were a riot. They couldn't believe that they could eat cinnamon rolls for lunch. DS decided we should do this on the 1st day of school from now on. He actually said we should make cinnamon rolls for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the 1st day of school, but...I don't think so. ;-) The last day of school I plan on making a fancy cake or cupcakes, and having a graduation from 5th grade party. I like the idea of small presents on the 1st day. I might have to add that in next year. It would be exciting to get new pencils, colored line paper, colored pencils, etc.
from treddlesewingmachine:
Last year was the first year for us. Our virtual school didn't start until two weeks later than the public school, so we had fun going to the beach and stuff during that time. We will probably go to the Boardwalk this year (we can sleep in!) on one of the one ticket nights when most of the other kids have started school.
In the past I took photos of my daughter getting on and off the bus. Last year I had her make a sign with her grade, and "First Day" on it and we took some photos. She was really excited to start her new lessons, so we got started pretty much right away! I will probably do something similar with her and her brother this year. (Chocolate chip pancakes huh...I am not sure I want the sugar rush that brings - that will be the day we do go back to public school! Not that it is worse than the free breakfasts that they give to the kids who get free lunches!)
from bugsmomct:
Not really since we don't do school. But, several local hs groups do beach days right after Labor Day (still fairly warm, beaches are empty since kids are in school by then, parking fees go away) so we may do one or more of those. Otherwise, our years are not defined by the start of school (but I do love the back to school sales for stocking up on stuff that gets used a lot).
from two_girls_mom2007:
Yesterday was our first day for our PreKer and First Grader. I made signs saying "first day of first grade" and of PreK. I took a picture of each of them holding their sign. I did make a have a great year poster and hung up, and I cleaned out their pencil boxes and filled with new pencils and crayons. I set out a few surprises, like new erasable colored pencils that dd had wanted and a math bingo game and a workbook she didn't know I had bought. And I hung some new posters on the wall that they hadn't seen. I thought it was more fun for them to start the year with new interesting things to look at, and to be excited by them the first day. Most of the year, they help with the decor.
So I guess our only tradition is pictures :) But I do try to make the day special.
from hbbk20:
Field trips that week is great because you get the place to yourself as all the schoolers are getting locker assignments and bus schedules. Pictures are good too. I like the idea of having them wake up and having a backpack full of things to take out and work on at our table. Maybe some new Pajamas as we celebrate the idea that we don't have to be dressed and on a bus super early but can sit and have breakfast and books while the other kids have a 20-30 minute ride on a loud over stimulating over crowded bus. My kid always had headaches from the bus ride.
:) September is wonderful and still so nice outside, we also like to decorate for Fall....and celebrate that way.
from nutbunch:
We unschool so we don't start or stop school. On the first day the ps kids go back we go out for lunch and then go to the arcade. It is so quiet after the summer; it's great!
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Organization and Home Management
from cl-phacademy:
I don't "do" schedules for our homeschooling. I think I probably do a lot like you... just go with it. The way I manage to feel like I'm doing something, or doing right by my son, is to write down what we did- after it is done. Schedules didn't work, and if I write down before we do stuff, I end up erasing or using white-out (I tend to use a pen nowadays). I used to use a teacher planner book from an office store, but a couple of years ago, I made my own pages up using a microsoft word or publisher. I print the blamk pages out, and 3-hole punch them and put them in a binder. If I leave it open on a table with a pen, I can remember to write in it. I can see that I'm doing stuff, even when I feel like I'm not doing a lot. Having subjects lined up by day helps me to see what we have done, and what we still need to do so I don['t forget anything. Some people call this way of doing things "journalling".
When I started off, I bought a pocket-size notepad, and dated the top of a page and wrote things down as a list of things done. Each day, I'd start a new page. Sometimes I'd write a page, sometimes more, sometimes less. Then I moved on to planner books, then to my current printed-myself format. When I was homeschooling all 3 of my boys, I bought a planner book for each boy so there would be plenty of room to write, and besides, it made it easier to distinguish who was doing what. This may sound complicated, but it was the easiest way for me to feel organized without doing a lot.
Another thing I did was buy plastic bins. These are about a 3 gallon size. I removed the lids, and stand the books in them upright, so the books stick out the top. The books are about the width of the bin, so it looks fairly neat. If you have 2 bins, you can move the completed books into the second bin, and it makes it easy to select something else that needs done. If you are using computer programs or online resources, get a piece of cardboard and write on it what the subject or program is, and place it in the bin so it isn't forgotten. When you're done, the empty bin can be stacked under teh now full one, and you can move the books into the other bin the next day. This keeps materials together so they don't get lost, too. (we used to have a problem with misplaced books).
The tv... we used to have that problem- me included. My solution was to get a piece of fabric and cover the tv up- out of sight, out of mind. It didn't come off until things were done. This helped me to realize that tv really was sucking us in for a lot of wasted time. Now the fabric is gone, but the tx isn't on all the time either. We established a good habit and have managed to keep it.
I don't "do" schedules for our homeschooling. I think I probably do a lot like you... just go with it. The way I manage to feel like I'm doing something, or doing right by my son, is to write down what we did- after it is done. Schedules didn't work, and if I write down before we do stuff, I end up erasing or using white-out (I tend to use a pen nowadays). I used to use a teacher planner book from an office store, but a couple of years ago, I made my own pages up using a microsoft word or publisher. I print the blamk pages out, and 3-hole punch them and put them in a binder. If I leave it open on a table with a pen, I can remember to write in it. I can see that I'm doing stuff, even when I feel like I'm not doing a lot. Having subjects lined up by day helps me to see what we have done, and what we still need to do so I don['t forget anything. Some people call this way of doing things "journalling".
When I started off, I bought a pocket-size notepad, and dated the top of a page and wrote things down as a list of things done. Each day, I'd start a new page. Sometimes I'd write a page, sometimes more, sometimes less. Then I moved on to planner books, then to my current printed-myself format. When I was homeschooling all 3 of my boys, I bought a planner book for each boy so there would be plenty of room to write, and besides, it made it easier to distinguish who was doing what. This may sound complicated, but it was the easiest way for me to feel organized without doing a lot.
Another thing I did was buy plastic bins. These are about a 3 gallon size. I removed the lids, and stand the books in them upright, so the books stick out the top. The books are about the width of the bin, so it looks fairly neat. If you have 2 bins, you can move the completed books into the second bin, and it makes it easy to select something else that needs done. If you are using computer programs or online resources, get a piece of cardboard and write on it what the subject or program is, and place it in the bin so it isn't forgotten. When you're done, the empty bin can be stacked under teh now full one, and you can move the books into the other bin the next day. This keeps materials together so they don't get lost, too. (we used to have a problem with misplaced books).
The tv... we used to have that problem- me included. My solution was to get a piece of fabric and cover the tv up- out of sight, out of mind. It didn't come off until things were done. This helped me to realize that tv really was sucking us in for a lot of wasted time. Now the fabric is gone, but the tx isn't on all the time either. We established a good habit and have managed to keep it.
Hsing While Pregnant
from jennyberm:
While I do try to keep everyone busy and involved in classes and such (because that's one less kid I have to watch during that time), I make sure we have at least two days a week where we have nothing to do. Last week, we actually had three days with nothing that "had to" be done except for one morning ballet class and by the end of those three days I felt like a new woman. The days suddenly had 24 hours again instead of about 6, lol. I also have a park day on Fridays that I NEVER miss. Kids have to be dying for me not to go to that park day because it's the one place we can go and ALL relax and it's at the point in the week when I need that the most. The last two weeks I've been trying to get everyone doing a chore chart too and that's made a difference. It's takes some of the load off of me to do everything and it puts a bit of routine in the day too (I have them set out as morning, afternoon, and evening chores, nothing really specific). I balk at routine too and can never stick with one but just having the things to do laid out like that and check-off-able makes things go a little smoother.
While I do try to keep everyone busy and involved in classes and such (because that's one less kid I have to watch during that time), I make sure we have at least two days a week where we have nothing to do. Last week, we actually had three days with nothing that "had to" be done except for one morning ballet class and by the end of those three days I felt like a new woman. The days suddenly had 24 hours again instead of about 6, lol. I also have a park day on Fridays that I NEVER miss. Kids have to be dying for me not to go to that park day because it's the one place we can go and ALL relax and it's at the point in the week when I need that the most. The last two weeks I've been trying to get everyone doing a chore chart too and that's made a difference. It's takes some of the load off of me to do everything and it puts a bit of routine in the day too (I have them set out as morning, afternoon, and evening chores, nothing really specific). I balk at routine too and can never stick with one but just having the things to do laid out like that and check-off-able makes things go a little smoother.
Carletta's Website
http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/
Chock full of great info on everything from getting started, to curriculum, to learning styles, to dealing with naysayers--and lots of stuff between!
Chock full of great info on everything from getting started, to curriculum, to learning styles, to dealing with naysayers--and lots of stuff between!
Abeka
from jazzymomintx:
I am worried that you are setting yourself up for failure with the Abeka DVD program. If your child does not like sitting for long periods of time, the Abeka DVD program is not going to be a good fit, especially not at the level where you have to move at Abeka's pace. If you do choose the DVD program, for your own sanity, go with the one where you can move at your own pace.
It sounds like you may feel intimidated by the thought of teaching your children and keeping them on track, but it is really so simple. Programs like Abeka come with lesson plans that tell you exactly what to do/say. I am not at all telling you not to use the DVD program. I just want you to know that you are capable of teaching on your own. That being said, go with the DVD program if that's what you really want to use. It really could work out well for you. But if it doesn't work out, don't consider yourself a failure at homeschooling, just realize it may be the teaching method that isn't a good fit.
I do not have anything against Abeka - it is actually the program we use and love. But I do think moms can set themselves up for failure with this program. It contains MANY schoolish activities that are just unnecessary and will take a long time to complete. We probably do 1/4 of the work the lesson plans call for and it has been MORE than enough to teach my son everything he needs to know.
Make sure you understand the concept of busy work. Abeka lesson plans contain plenty of activities that are just that - stuff that is just meant to keep your child busy and does not add anything to the learning experience. Learn to identify this stuff and skip it - especially if you have a wiggly little boy. Don't feel like you have to do all of your lessons at the kitchen table. You can read to him while he plays with playdoh, digs in the sandbox, plays with matchbox cars, etc.
I am worried that you are setting yourself up for failure with the Abeka DVD program. If your child does not like sitting for long periods of time, the Abeka DVD program is not going to be a good fit, especially not at the level where you have to move at Abeka's pace. If you do choose the DVD program, for your own sanity, go with the one where you can move at your own pace.
It sounds like you may feel intimidated by the thought of teaching your children and keeping them on track, but it is really so simple. Programs like Abeka come with lesson plans that tell you exactly what to do/say. I am not at all telling you not to use the DVD program. I just want you to know that you are capable of teaching on your own. That being said, go with the DVD program if that's what you really want to use. It really could work out well for you. But if it doesn't work out, don't consider yourself a failure at homeschooling, just realize it may be the teaching method that isn't a good fit.
I do not have anything against Abeka - it is actually the program we use and love. But I do think moms can set themselves up for failure with this program. It contains MANY schoolish activities that are just unnecessary and will take a long time to complete. We probably do 1/4 of the work the lesson plans call for and it has been MORE than enough to teach my son everything he needs to know.
Make sure you understand the concept of busy work. Abeka lesson plans contain plenty of activities that are just that - stuff that is just meant to keep your child busy and does not add anything to the learning experience. Learn to identify this stuff and skip it - especially if you have a wiggly little boy. Don't feel like you have to do all of your lessons at the kitchen table. You can read to him while he plays with playdoh, digs in the sandbox, plays with matchbox cars, etc.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
