Literally get out!
It is amazing what children can learn just by spending some time outside. Don't like bugs, heat/cold, exercise? Get over it...sorry.
The great world that God has made offers many opportunities for learning and praising. Remember that outside is a special place for us to admire what God has created.
A simple 15 minute walk can not only provide your children exercise but also allow them to practice colors (what color is that flower?), examine textures (how does that tree bark feel?), feel weather (what is the temperature? can you feel a breeze/humidity? where are the clouds?), and many other experiences including animal, bug and plant exploration.
Now don't get me wrong I don't like bugs or crazy squirrels either. But my philosophy is the outdoors is their home, so we must leave them be. Unless they attack us (mosquitos, be warned). But if a spider is simply crossing your path, let it be. It's a great time to teach about habitats. Now if the spider comes inside, I'm sorry but he is squatting in my home and will be exterminated.
Remember to get outside at least twice a week, if not more!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Imagination
Don't underestimate the power of imagination!
I was reading a homeschool text last night and while I liked many of the suggestions and found the information helpful, I was shocked when the author suggested cutting out imagination.
Ok, so this is not exactly what she said. In a section dedicated to help the homeschooling parent cut out the unnecessary and pointless things curriculum include, she suggested to cut out the "Too Silly." Well that sounds like a good idea, but I was sad to learn that this meant the asking children to draw or write about an imaginary plant/animal/alien etc.
I have heard this similar philosophy from a speaker while I was student teaching. Claiming that children are not imaginative and their time should be spent relating factual events and ideas.
I want to scream when I hear these philosophies. With 7 years working in a preschool and 4 years of practical experiences in the classroom, and 2 years of teaching kindergarten, I cannot further disagree with this statement!!!!
Many children do struggle with such assignments, but to say we should not encourage children to imagine and build their creative muscles because they just copy books or movies they have seen.Well you might as well not go to the movies, watch television or read books yourself. There is nothing new under the sun!
I have seen first hand how children can use these imaginative assignments and build a creative world while using lots of facts. Once I had a child create an animal combination. I can't remember the specific creature, but I do remember that when I asked the child (5 years old) why he drew it that way, he told me that he liked those two animals and why (listing their specific and special qualities). He also tried to sound out the letters to write a combo name of this animal. He just showed me that he can create shapes (math and art), describe his own work (speech and self-esteem), comprehension of the animals and its special adaptations/habitat (science!!!!!), and finally writing a non-sensical name (phonics, letter formation, reading). Was that too silly to take the time for that?
Also, this author attacked having young children draw as response to reading, when not giving an art lesson. Art lessons are wonderful and should be included, but artists learn on their own! CREATIVITY! Allow your child a chance to create without judgement and without strict guidelines. I am a big proponent of giving children blank paper to create.
My mom the original unschooler. Even my mom, back in the '80s, realized this. She has no higher education experiences, no time teaching, and I was her first child. I rarely had a coloring book, it was the easel and blank paper for me! She didn't teach me to draw, I didn't go to lessons but I still learned how to draw my family and rainbows and anything else. Did it look like Monet or more like Picasso? Who cares it's art and for expression! Did I have fun and stretch my creative muscles? Yes!
PS- I also learned how to write my name and read without my mom sitting down to say, "Ok, time for school!" This is a realization even for me.
I guess this is more of a rant, but please if you take anything away, please, please, please give your child a chance to use that imagination. It won't always be masterpiece theatre or artwork ready for the Guggenheim, but it will be expression, growth, and fun!
I was reading a homeschool text last night and while I liked many of the suggestions and found the information helpful, I was shocked when the author suggested cutting out imagination.
Ok, so this is not exactly what she said. In a section dedicated to help the homeschooling parent cut out the unnecessary and pointless things curriculum include, she suggested to cut out the "Too Silly." Well that sounds like a good idea, but I was sad to learn that this meant the asking children to draw or write about an imaginary plant/animal/alien etc.
I have heard this similar philosophy from a speaker while I was student teaching. Claiming that children are not imaginative and their time should be spent relating factual events and ideas.
I want to scream when I hear these philosophies. With 7 years working in a preschool and 4 years of practical experiences in the classroom, and 2 years of teaching kindergarten, I cannot further disagree with this statement!!!!
Many children do struggle with such assignments, but to say we should not encourage children to imagine and build their creative muscles because they just copy books or movies they have seen.Well you might as well not go to the movies, watch television or read books yourself. There is nothing new under the sun!
I have seen first hand how children can use these imaginative assignments and build a creative world while using lots of facts. Once I had a child create an animal combination. I can't remember the specific creature, but I do remember that when I asked the child (5 years old) why he drew it that way, he told me that he liked those two animals and why (listing their specific and special qualities). He also tried to sound out the letters to write a combo name of this animal. He just showed me that he can create shapes (math and art), describe his own work (speech and self-esteem), comprehension of the animals and its special adaptations/habitat (science!!!!!), and finally writing a non-sensical name (phonics, letter formation, reading). Was that too silly to take the time for that?
Also, this author attacked having young children draw as response to reading, when not giving an art lesson. Art lessons are wonderful and should be included, but artists learn on their own! CREATIVITY! Allow your child a chance to create without judgement and without strict guidelines. I am a big proponent of giving children blank paper to create.
My mom the original unschooler. Even my mom, back in the '80s, realized this. She has no higher education experiences, no time teaching, and I was her first child. I rarely had a coloring book, it was the easel and blank paper for me! She didn't teach me to draw, I didn't go to lessons but I still learned how to draw my family and rainbows and anything else. Did it look like Monet or more like Picasso? Who cares it's art and for expression! Did I have fun and stretch my creative muscles? Yes!
PS- I also learned how to write my name and read without my mom sitting down to say, "Ok, time for school!" This is a realization even for me.
I guess this is more of a rant, but please if you take anything away, please, please, please give your child a chance to use that imagination. It won't always be masterpiece theatre or artwork ready for the Guggenheim, but it will be expression, growth, and fun!
Friday, July 15, 2011
Library a Forgotten Treasure
Make the library your friend. I am starting with just plain research and I already realize how much this is an important resource.
At my library they have a parent/teacher section with all the materials I could ask to start with my research. Also, there is a di-cut available to teachers and homeschoolers, there are story times, and grades school activity clubs. There are seasonal books, educational boxes based on themes for preschoolers, free kids movies (educational and fun), audio books, and several other resources!
Something else I never thought of is the fact that by using library books to research I cannot simply highlight and take notes directly in the book, like I prefer. So instead I am taking notes separately in a notebook. This will actually be more useful to me as I can simply go and look it up in the notebook when I have a question. Plus I believe it helps me to truly sift through the information and retain what is important.
So just remember, the library is wonderful. Real books are wonderful. The learning opportunities are endless for you and your child/children.
At my library they have a parent/teacher section with all the materials I could ask to start with my research. Also, there is a di-cut available to teachers and homeschoolers, there are story times, and grades school activity clubs. There are seasonal books, educational boxes based on themes for preschoolers, free kids movies (educational and fun), audio books, and several other resources!
Something else I never thought of is the fact that by using library books to research I cannot simply highlight and take notes directly in the book, like I prefer. So instead I am taking notes separately in a notebook. This will actually be more useful to me as I can simply go and look it up in the notebook when I have a question. Plus I believe it helps me to truly sift through the information and retain what is important.
So just remember, the library is wonderful. Real books are wonderful. The learning opportunities are endless for you and your child/children.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Bragging
I am so excited! My 13 month old daughter is so smart! Doesn't every mom think that though?
Anyway, yesterday, my daughter and I were playing with the baby doll and innumerable accessories (thanks Nana) that she received for her birthday. She actually tried to put the bottle in the baby's mouth, feed the baby, burp the baby, and hug the baby. I was psyched because I got it on video too! Later she and I were watching the video, and like a good egocentric 1 year old she is enamored with herself on the screen. Smiling and giggling and pointing to herself. I asked her, "Who is that?" and she pointed to herself!
This may seem like small potatoes to you, but I am so proud of my little girl. These are not things we expressly taught her; she simply picked them up!
Something we have been working very hard on learning is the ASL for please and more! She completely knows and can use "please" when needed, but has a double dose of her mommy's and daddy's stubbornness, so she doesn't always use it.
Then finally, today, she folded her hands and bowed her head for prayer for the first time! Wow! Children learn through experience, exposure and repetition. The proof is there! I am so proud of my little princess and hope you can join me in my excitement!
Anyway, yesterday, my daughter and I were playing with the baby doll and innumerable accessories (thanks Nana) that she received for her birthday. She actually tried to put the bottle in the baby's mouth, feed the baby, burp the baby, and hug the baby. I was psyched because I got it on video too! Later she and I were watching the video, and like a good egocentric 1 year old she is enamored with herself on the screen. Smiling and giggling and pointing to herself. I asked her, "Who is that?" and she pointed to herself!
This may seem like small potatoes to you, but I am so proud of my little girl. These are not things we expressly taught her; she simply picked them up!
Something we have been working very hard on learning is the ASL for please and more! She completely knows and can use "please" when needed, but has a double dose of her mommy's and daddy's stubbornness, so she doesn't always use it.
Then finally, today, she folded her hands and bowed her head for prayer for the first time! Wow! Children learn through experience, exposure and repetition. The proof is there! I am so proud of my little princess and hope you can join me in my excitement!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Starting At the Beginning
As I said before my daughter is not "school-age" yet but we are looking into the requirements and regulations along with tips and suggestions for those school aged years.
I am also going to be creating a preschool "curriculum" for her this year and the next several. I am a strong believer in learning through play and exposure, so this will not be a solid curriculum with times to complete certain activities and specificities, but I will have weekly/monthly goals for her. I will post these soon. Remember if you are working and desiring to homeschool your child, this is possible too. It simply is not my route!
Now back to the research. There is so much information out there, and I am just beginning. However, here are some of the places I have started to help me on my way.
1) First things first, what are your state guidelines. Check out your state's Dept. of Ed. site. For Indiana, http://www.doe.in.gov/sservices/homeschool/. Luckily, in Indiana I simply have to allow my 6 year old and up (kindergarten is not mandatory) to experience 180 days of school. There are not any other laws! Praise the Lord for simplicity. Watch we will move to a new state when she is of age :)
2) Start making a list of TO DOs! I love lists and know that lists are a fluid tool. They are always changing. Here are my first priorities (more to come): research legalities (check), check local support groups (I have church connections to this), research learning philosophies and styles (did that in college, but loved the refresher found in many books), choose/create my own educational philosophy (a working project), research curriculums (wow, this is daunting), research ways to document and organize, begin to read, read, read!
3) As you can see I have begun to work on my to do list. I am currently in research mode and feel like I am back in college. I love to read (check out my devos page) and take notes. So I got out my biggest notebook and started with The First Year of Homeschooling Your Child by Linda Dobson. I found this very helpful and a great place to start. I also checked out several homeschooling sites. I could list them, but really just google or bing "homeschool" "unschool" or "christian homeschool" and you will find all the same things I did.
4) Since I want to begin exposing my daughter to "education" early. I have begun to develop a basic curriculum for my daughter based on my own experiences and using some ideas from www.letteroftheweek.com . This wonderful mother has already developed lessons for ages 3 months to 11years. Her lessons are a little disconnected and to detailed for my person preferences but are a great starting point with lots of great ideas. I will be posting my own "curriculum" once I have fine tuned it.
5) Get to work!! There is much to do and little time to do it.
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
I am also going to be creating a preschool "curriculum" for her this year and the next several. I am a strong believer in learning through play and exposure, so this will not be a solid curriculum with times to complete certain activities and specificities, but I will have weekly/monthly goals for her. I will post these soon. Remember if you are working and desiring to homeschool your child, this is possible too. It simply is not my route!
Now back to the research. There is so much information out there, and I am just beginning. However, here are some of the places I have started to help me on my way.
1) First things first, what are your state guidelines. Check out your state's Dept. of Ed. site. For Indiana, http://www.doe.in.gov/sservices/homeschool/. Luckily, in Indiana I simply have to allow my 6 year old and up (kindergarten is not mandatory) to experience 180 days of school. There are not any other laws! Praise the Lord for simplicity. Watch we will move to a new state when she is of age :)
2) Start making a list of TO DOs! I love lists and know that lists are a fluid tool. They are always changing. Here are my first priorities (more to come): research legalities (check), check local support groups (I have church connections to this), research learning philosophies and styles (did that in college, but loved the refresher found in many books), choose/create my own educational philosophy (a working project), research curriculums (wow, this is daunting), research ways to document and organize, begin to read, read, read!
3) As you can see I have begun to work on my to do list. I am currently in research mode and feel like I am back in college. I love to read (check out my devos page) and take notes. So I got out my biggest notebook and started with The First Year of Homeschooling Your Child by Linda Dobson. I found this very helpful and a great place to start. I also checked out several homeschooling sites. I could list them, but really just google or bing "homeschool" "unschool" or "christian homeschool" and you will find all the same things I did.
4) Since I want to begin exposing my daughter to "education" early. I have begun to develop a basic curriculum for my daughter based on my own experiences and using some ideas from www.letteroftheweek.com . This wonderful mother has already developed lessons for ages 3 months to 11years. Her lessons are a little disconnected and to detailed for my person preferences but are a great starting point with lots of great ideas. I will be posting my own "curriculum" once I have fine tuned it.
5) Get to work!! There is much to do and little time to do it.
Colossians 3:23(KJV)
Proverbs 14:23
In all labour there is profit:
Praise the Lord for the opportunity to stay home and educate my daughter. First and foremost I want to raise my daughter in the fear and admonition of the Lord.
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
If you have any questions, please comment or email! Thanks for hearing my thoughts!
If you have any questions, please comment or email! Thanks for hearing my thoughts!
In the beginning...
So I am not officially a homeschooling mama. I don't have a curriculum and I don't have a "school-age" child. My daughter is 13 months old and I am beginning the homeschooling adventure already! We as a family have decided to enter this part of our life with prayer and preparation.
As a little note, I am a former kindergarten teacher with a passion for learning and want to pass this on to my daughter. My experiences in the public school and in a private preschool/kindergarten have led me to my own philosophies on learning and education. My belief as a follower of the one true God, Jesus Christ our Lord has led me down another avenue of child-rearing. So this is an experiment and we will see where it goes!
First things first, if you do not know the Lord, Jesus Christ, as your personal Savior I ask you to search within yourself and the Holy Bible to see what is missing from your life. There is nothing like the peace of Christ! Later information to follow!
Please enjoy my strange ramblings and insights into the homeschool world as we begin with a 1 year old, and Lord willing add more to our brood, from a two bedroom apartment in the suburbs!
As a little note, I am a former kindergarten teacher with a passion for learning and want to pass this on to my daughter. My experiences in the public school and in a private preschool/kindergarten have led me to my own philosophies on learning and education. My belief as a follower of the one true God, Jesus Christ our Lord has led me down another avenue of child-rearing. So this is an experiment and we will see where it goes!
First things first, if you do not know the Lord, Jesus Christ, as your personal Savior I ask you to search within yourself and the Holy Bible to see what is missing from your life. There is nothing like the peace of Christ! Later information to follow!
Please enjoy my strange ramblings and insights into the homeschool world as we begin with a 1 year old, and Lord willing add more to our brood, from a two bedroom apartment in the suburbs!
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