Anyway, it was the first curriculum fair this group  has actually put on.  I decided to go…plus my oldest son who just turned 12 got his first little paying job.  He was hired to put up tables and tear them down for the fair, totally cool for him.

There was a speaker who has 8 children and 7 grandchildren.  She is a definite pioneer in the home school world.  She had a great sense of humor and was very humble about homeschooling for so long.   I had no idea I could relate so much to another home schooler with so many years under her belt, it is nice to know we are not alone!

Usually I have a hard time listening any speaker unless it is good information, and humor is always my favorite.  She was very easy to  listen to, even while my almost 2 year old busy body had his own agenda of running around at the back of the audience.

It inspired me to keep on trying , and maybe think a little more outside the box come fall.  Through her homeschooling experience she has found some concepts that she swears by and now sells.

The first concept has had me all day saying to myself, “why didn’t I think of that?”…UNIT STUDIES.

A huge struggle with us homeschooling parents is all these kids with different ages.  The more kids you have the more of a challenge it is to help them all, when ever they need it.

So we spend tons of time jumping back and forth from subject to subject in different grade levels to help our kids understand and learn from their ‘work books’.  I don’t know about any of you, but for me it is mentally exhausting.  I find myself out of patience with my kids, especially if they are not understanding what I am trying to get them to learn.

Now how UNFAIR is that?  It is not their fault.  I am feeling pulled in so many directions that some times I really do a poor job as a teacher.

So UNIT STUDIES…

This is a simple concept where you learn together.  You teach them about a subject all together.  So you pick a topic, lets say ‘weather’.  You go to the library, you make charts, you find fiction and non-fiction books.  You all read out loud together, and you all learn together.  Then they have time where they do their independent learning as well…math, language, reading.

I will be the first to say, I did not retain tons of information from school. I paid enough attention to get good grades for all my extra curricular activities.  I did not remember much of it.  So when I teach the kids on a unit study on weather, I am learning too, hopefully not as much as the kids (LOL)!  I am so jazzed about it!

Now I might of informally done this with the kids when we found some cool books at the library and every one wanted to read them.  Or even better when one child is jealous of the other child’s  books they picked out… so they actually have to share.  I am going to make it more formal, a consistent activity.  The older kids can write reports, you can make up your own tests…there is so much possibility.

Another great thing about this is that your kids and you are all engaging with each other, it is a group learning experience.  They have you spending quality time learning with them.  I think that is probably a heavenly thought for a home schooled child. 

Such a simple concept and I just keep thinking why didn’t I think of that?  How silly!  That is why you go and listen to others who home school, and read blogs, and find resources… for this very reason.

I think our human nature is to just follow a path and don’t even think about getting off that path. Getting off seems harder and harder as we get comfortable in what we know.  YUCK!  That is another great reason we have the Lord, and that is also why we should constantly strive to be better.

Gods way is so much better and His way is through wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.

“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”  Proverbs 22:6

“There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.”  Proverbs 21:30

It seems like I am never going to get there but I have to keep trying.  I believe that we won’t truly have that full circle until we are in heaven with our king, but I still want to do as much as I can to get as close to that as I can.

So if you aren’t already doing this Unit Study concept you might want to consider it, it seems like a wonderful thing.

Keep on keepin’ on!

Post from: Jenna Storms

Why Didn’t I Think Of That?

Where does that time go?  Oh wait I remember… housework, laundry, husbands, activities, babies (if you have one), road trips, vacations.  The list could probably go on for a few lines.

I am currently on a road trip, every one is in a sweet slumber on the beds in the hotel/motel while I click away at the keys.  A very nice sound for me I might add.  Last night I woke up to my six year old throwing up all over his bed.    So sad… I am right now just hoping he ate too much or swallowed too much pool water, so we can finish our 4-5 hours on the road with out the poor guy having to feel really bad. It would be nice if none of that ‘smell’ has to get near our car too.

Any way I went to bed just thinking that I should of brought school work for them.  So in their down time they could be doing productive work, instead of playing with their cousins expensive digital game toys, which they will not own as long as I am their mother.

I am not sure if that would teach them a ‘good work ethic’ or not to bring their school on a vacation.  It would seem if I did that all the time, consistency is their…would that not teach them to work where ever they are.  There are the types that can’t stop working even when they are suppose to be on vacation.

Obviously I am not one of those due to the fact that we didn’t bring their school work, but the thought is still their lingering in the back of my mind.  I am responsible for their education.  I am sure their is a happy medium that I am not the best at finding.

I tend to be an all or nothing type.  I guess obsessive compulsive but only in certain areas.  With 4 kids it is hard to be that way… because even when you try really hard and even when your patience has left you… your kids just can’t hang with the ridiculousness of the concept.

Anyway…I do teach them any opportunity that comes up during the day…my oldest is map reading, learning signs and directions, driving techniques.  The two younger ones are also interested in the map, reading signs… mostly either arguing or so excited they are making me crazy… wait that is not education. 

Okay I have decided it is the happy medium road…is that always the answer?  Too much of any good thing is too much.

So I guess I will keep using teaching opportunities when they arise and enjoys my road trip with them!

Post from: Jenna Storms

The Last Leg

For me…it is not easy.  It is not my cup of tea.  I remember when my first child was off to kindergarten and I was so excited to get him out of the house for a couple hours so I only had my 2 year old at home with me.  I remember being happy to have a schedule during the week just to get him to and from school.

Then first grade, a whole day where he is being watched for free.  That all came crashing down half way into his first grade year.  My conscience was creeping in helping me see where the deceit lies for us mothers.  I began to realize that if that was my only reason for him to be there, then that was not enough!

Homeschooling is not easy…you have to force your own schedule and there is no one to tell you when to get up, or when to have your breakfast or start school.  No number of  tardies before you are ‘in trouble’.  Having a schedule and sticking to it, is probably the biggest challenge for me, mostly because of all the age differences.

The challenges don’t end, you just learn to adjust and overcome, and don’t be to hard on yourself.  Mistakes are okay.  Giving your child the opportunity to advance in what they have a passion for, and be apart of every learning experience they have…is a true blessing.

Mostly, I love that they are being able to explore who they are with out worrying about teachers or other students.  My husband and I are their filter, which I believe are the only ones that have their BEST interest at heart.  I can’t tell you I do a fantastic job, but I am striving for good.

As for the ‘social’ arguement…I have 4 kids.  Even if I had 2 kids, I still think that is something that the public school advocates love to throw out there.  Kids don’t need constant social interaction, they need to learn to communicate using proper words and learn right from wrong.  Those things they can do in a family setting.

In saying that, I know there are parents out there that say “oh…kids just need the freedom to be kids”. I guess supposedly they can do that aat school, away from home.  Those kids are the kids that drive you crazy when you go anywhere with them…whether they are yours or they belong to someone else.  Kids need freedom with in boundaries.

Kids need boundaries, whether they know they are there or not.  Here is an example…my 20 month old goes with us to take my oldest to martial arts class.   He loves to run around, but I have given him clear boundaries.  He is not allowed on the big mat where the kids practice so if he puts one foot on that mat he has to sit down.  If he stays off that mat, he is able to walk around and go on a smaller mat in the next room.  He is very happy with his controlled freedom.

As for social needs, my kids get it with friends, at church, and through activities.  That is plenty for them.  Now my oldest is a bit shy, but a really great kid.  I don’t think he needs public school to force him out of his personality, I think with age it will subside and I think he will always be a bit shy.  Nothing wrong with that, that is his personality.

Now my daughter, has never been shy.  Would like to talk all day to anyone who will listen.  I don’t think she needs a school for that either.  Now my third boy, he has got a lot of energy.   He had major anxiety issues about being away from me when he was young.  Instead of me throwing him into class, I gave him me as a security

I let him take his own time to get comfortable in homeschool classes and church.  He eventually grew out of it.  I think it would of made him worse if I would of forced him to conform to what our society thinks is correct.  He is a great kid.  He is what I like to call…passionate.  He is also very smart, but does not like to sit still.  Again…in a class room setting what would it be like for him?

So…how goes it?  My life as a homeschooler is not easy but rewarding.  This country was founded on education done with one book…the Bible!  Then from there it was this little book called “The New England Primer”…our Founding Fathers came from that kind of education.

I like to think there are others out there like me who believe in more than just making sure our kids know what all the others kids are being taught.  Public school is a criteria of information decided by God only knows who.

Now because I am not a scholar, God has given me my husband who comes along side to guide me.

Wow…I guess you would call that a rant, but I meant to just say homeschool is a challenge worth taking on! 

Post from: Jenna Storms

How Goes The Homeschooling?