Our children fight in the most bizarre ways. There is very little "She's looking at me!" or "He's breathing the same air as I am! Make him stop!" We all get along fairly well these days. It's nice. This morning there was a spat, over the weather and temperature in countries half way round the world. seriously.
David loves to play Axis and Allies. He just turned 9. He's played the game for two years. He knows geography like no body's business. Sarah loves roll playing games and to create her own scenarios for them. She's almost 11 1/2. She knows well, more then I do about so many different things. They invented a game yesterday on the eight hour car drive back from Pennsylvania. It uses the Axis and Allies board, but there are different developing nations that roll to see if it's a good year for herbs, meat, grain, their ports, etc. I think it is FreeCiv with a role playing twist? I'm not sure. They played it for hours in the van. They played it for hours this morning. But here is how it ended:
Geography dude claimed that since the cities he was developing in Spain and Ukraine ("For the last time Sarah! It's not Israel! It's Ukraine!!") were on the same latitude lines he could build similar cities there and use similar material.
Detail oriented, authentic, perfectionist chick could not allow this. They were in different parts of the world. There must be different temperatures and climates.
They both were right, but they were not happy to hear that from me, and it did not give them a solution. I decided the weather might be able to solve this for us. (We do not argue with the weather in this family. That rule was set 9 years ago.) In Spain right now it's in the 60s and there's sun for the next three days. In the Ukraine in the area where David's settling, it's in the mid-50s with downpours for the next three days. David is right. There are similar temperatures. Sarah is right. The weather is drastically different, and he may want to consider different materials to accommodate that. Solution? Pack extra umbrellas.
Showing posts with label learning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label learning. Show all posts
Monday, April 16, 2012
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
GUESS Science Fair 2009
What an amazing experience for all of us! My only wish is that there was more time to see all the projects. There was some spectacular work in the building and all executed by homeschoolers! Sarah's only wish is for more science fairs! "Why do we have to wait all the way until next year?" Because the mama needs a break? Nope. The girl's talkin' plasma and electricity folks.
with the judges
The answer was pretty clear - no. There was some variance, but not enough to sway the results. She did find a substantial difference in agreeableness. After sugar, kids willingly picked up (and were more pleasant.)
She loved the demonstration
and enjoyed the program,
and enjoyed the program,but please do not ask about the I-MAX film.
with the judges
The answer was pretty clear - no. There was some variance, but not enough to sway the results. She did find a substantial difference in agreeableness. After sugar, kids willingly picked up (and were more pleasant.)
We ate lunch outside and ran. Note the weather. Gorgeous!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Sweet Science
Does sugar make kids hyper? This is Sarah's question for her GUESS science fair project. Big one. Last year she wanted to invent a telaportation device or a horizontal elevator. Needless to say, we did not participate. This year, sweet success! We agreed on a project. We have a notebook with notes. We made charts together. Graphs and poster boards loom in our future. This has not been a smooth sail, but we're keeping at it.
The conversations we've had, the things she's thought of are simply amazing. She wanted various ages. She listed the variables she could think of. She listed what she wanted to use to identify "hyper". She also explained to me in detail why she did not want to use children who were actively nursing in the study. They may like their breast milk more than the candy. The breast milk may interfere with their behavior. (Makes an LLL leader proud!)
Today was the first of two experimental playdates. 6 kids, ages 3-9. 2 bowls of candy, one full of sugar, the other sugar free. 2 hours of observation. Sarah was so excited! So excited in fact, she was the most hyper kid in the house! Volume, Activeness, Agreeableness all were duly noted. She hasn't drawn any conclusions yet, so I cannot say much more. However, I did make some observations of my own. My favorite was that before the sugar/sugar free was introduced there was a tussle. The children involved held discussions with their mothers, but were not ready to interact with each other. Soon after the candy, they apologized, heard each other out, dialogued, etc. "I'm sorry. I did it to get your attention. I just wanted to play with you." "But that doesn't make me want to play with you! It makes me want to play with you less!" "Oh, OK." That was between 9 and 6 year old boys, and was enough for them to go on playing for another two hours.
With those kind of results, I may just serve sugar at all future playdates!
The conversations we've had, the things she's thought of are simply amazing. She wanted various ages. She listed the variables she could think of. She listed what she wanted to use to identify "hyper". She also explained to me in detail why she did not want to use children who were actively nursing in the study. They may like their breast milk more than the candy. The breast milk may interfere with their behavior. (Makes an LLL leader proud!)
Today was the first of two experimental playdates. 6 kids, ages 3-9. 2 bowls of candy, one full of sugar, the other sugar free. 2 hours of observation. Sarah was so excited! So excited in fact, she was the most hyper kid in the house! Volume, Activeness, Agreeableness all were duly noted. She hasn't drawn any conclusions yet, so I cannot say much more. However, I did make some observations of my own. My favorite was that before the sugar/sugar free was introduced there was a tussle. The children involved held discussions with their mothers, but were not ready to interact with each other. Soon after the candy, they apologized, heard each other out, dialogued, etc. "I'm sorry. I did it to get your attention. I just wanted to play with you." "But that doesn't make me want to play with you! It makes me want to play with you less!" "Oh, OK." That was between 9 and 6 year old boys, and was enough for them to go on playing for another two hours.
With those kind of results, I may just serve sugar at all future playdates!
A great big THANK YOU! to the mamas who brought their little ones over today.
Sarah couldn't do this without them, or you.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Growing Girls
Anna started to scoot herself backwards today. She does not like it in the least. She sees something she wants, goes for it, but only ends up further away. The poor thing just puts her head down and cries in frustration.
Yesterday Leah read the entire first book, the A book, in the Sing Spell Read and Write series. I used a process to teach Sarah and David how to read. Leah taught herself when she was three. Now she yells at me, "I want to read!"
Sarah peeked in the older Presidential class at co-op today. She was invited in and loved it. The teacher sought me out to let me know that she's always welcome, in a class geared towards the 13 and up crowd. (Now I want to take the class!)
My girls are growing up! (David too. I promise to post about him later this week.)
Yesterday Leah read the entire first book, the A book, in the Sing Spell Read and Write series. I used a process to teach Sarah and David how to read. Leah taught herself when she was three. Now she yells at me, "I want to read!"
Sarah peeked in the older Presidential class at co-op today. She was invited in and loved it. The teacher sought me out to let me know that she's always welcome, in a class geared towards the 13 and up crowd. (Now I want to take the class!)
My girls are growing up! (David too. I promise to post about him later this week.)
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Three C's
Here's an article I wrote for "Pennsylvania Homeschoolers". Enjoy!
I have had many moms marvel and ask how I home school with four children, and one of them is brand new. (Anna Claire joined us on February 28, 2009. This explains the absence of an article four months ago.) For those who have accomplished this, it may seem simple enough. However, for those of us trying it for the first time, it may appear daunting.
I trusted. A lot. I trusted myself. I trusted our children. I trusted our family and friends. Approaching our next "step" with the mind set that "everything will work out" helped the transition go so smoothly for us, it was almost effortless. Looking back, I realize that I actually had numerous things in place beforehand that supported us as we grew. Three of those that stand out for me now are: curriculum, consistency and co-op.
We used a curriculum this year. http://www.movingbeyondthepage.com/ It was just what we needed. I could open a book, know what materials we needed, know what books from the library would enhance the lesson, and have questions ready to help my children stretch their thoughts when my brain was too tired to think. For math we tried Miquon. This is something that Jesse and his brother used when they were learning at home. We all loved it! David started his Sing, Spell, Read & Write journey. Sarah finished this last year. Now Leah cannot wait to begin. In all, school was a pile of books. I learned that although curriculums are not my favorite thing, (I like to be a bit more creative.) they are the best thing for me to teach certain subject areas, and for me to use when I am pregnant and have a newborn.
Two days after Anna was born, we were doing school on my bed. I had prepared for everyone to take a long break, but they craved the consistency of our days. This is something I have always done. We find a rhythm that works for us and stick with it. I have seen our children thrive on this consistency. They know what to expect, usually. With the unexpectedness of a new sibling, our regularity became even more important. This year we began our days with math, followed by reading, curriculum work in the middle and ended with music. Our days of the week also held a pattern: Sarah's piano lesson on Monday while David, Leah and I did lots of school in the car, parking lot and grass, (One of my favorite memories is Anna on a blanket surrounded by buttercups. Leah building a fairy house. David reading me a story about a Bike Hike. Sarah inside practicing Brahm's Lullaby.) Tuesday co-op, school on Wednesday, more school and dance classes for Thursday, Friday relax. It all worked well for us.
Tuesday's co-op was the highlight of our learning with a new baby that was preceded by a tired, pregnant mama. There was friendship, fellowship and learning, oh! so much learning. Whenever a worry entered my mind about what we may not be accomplishing, I remembered our co-op. David and Sarah were content and thriving in their classes. Leah loved my preschool class. Anna was always along for the ride. (You can see a picture of myself and part of Anna here: www.hsobx.org/2009/05/hsobx-spring-finale.html )
In writing this, I realized another "C" we've had all along, connectedness. I believe that leaning at home brings us closer together as a family. We are a stronger unit. Adding a new member strengthens that bond. In a twisted way that I still marvel at, homeschooling helped us welcome Anna and welcoming Anna helped us home school.
Our home school journey will never be the same. Both daunting and exciting, "everything worked out". Welcome to learning at home with the four C's and four little ones!
I have had many moms marvel and ask how I home school with four children, and one of them is brand new. (Anna Claire joined us on February 28, 2009. This explains the absence of an article four months ago.) For those who have accomplished this, it may seem simple enough. However, for those of us trying it for the first time, it may appear daunting.
I trusted. A lot. I trusted myself. I trusted our children. I trusted our family and friends. Approaching our next "step" with the mind set that "everything will work out" helped the transition go so smoothly for us, it was almost effortless. Looking back, I realize that I actually had numerous things in place beforehand that supported us as we grew. Three of those that stand out for me now are: curriculum, consistency and co-op.
We used a curriculum this year. http://www.movingbeyondthepage.com/ It was just what we needed. I could open a book, know what materials we needed, know what books from the library would enhance the lesson, and have questions ready to help my children stretch their thoughts when my brain was too tired to think. For math we tried Miquon. This is something that Jesse and his brother used when they were learning at home. We all loved it! David started his Sing, Spell, Read & Write journey. Sarah finished this last year. Now Leah cannot wait to begin. In all, school was a pile of books. I learned that although curriculums are not my favorite thing, (I like to be a bit more creative.) they are the best thing for me to teach certain subject areas, and for me to use when I am pregnant and have a newborn.
Two days after Anna was born, we were doing school on my bed. I had prepared for everyone to take a long break, but they craved the consistency of our days. This is something I have always done. We find a rhythm that works for us and stick with it. I have seen our children thrive on this consistency. They know what to expect, usually. With the unexpectedness of a new sibling, our regularity became even more important. This year we began our days with math, followed by reading, curriculum work in the middle and ended with music. Our days of the week also held a pattern: Sarah's piano lesson on Monday while David, Leah and I did lots of school in the car, parking lot and grass, (One of my favorite memories is Anna on a blanket surrounded by buttercups. Leah building a fairy house. David reading me a story about a Bike Hike. Sarah inside practicing Brahm's Lullaby.) Tuesday co-op, school on Wednesday, more school and dance classes for Thursday, Friday relax. It all worked well for us.
Tuesday's co-op was the highlight of our learning with a new baby that was preceded by a tired, pregnant mama. There was friendship, fellowship and learning, oh! so much learning. Whenever a worry entered my mind about what we may not be accomplishing, I remembered our co-op. David and Sarah were content and thriving in their classes. Leah loved my preschool class. Anna was always along for the ride. (You can see a picture of myself and part of Anna here: www.hsobx.org/2009/05/hsobx-spring-finale.html )
In writing this, I realized another "C" we've had all along, connectedness. I believe that leaning at home brings us closer together as a family. We are a stronger unit. Adding a new member strengthens that bond. In a twisted way that I still marvel at, homeschooling helped us welcome Anna and welcoming Anna helped us home school.
Our home school journey will never be the same. Both daunting and exciting, "everything worked out". Welcome to learning at home with the four C's and four little ones!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Earth
Earth is enormous
Animals thrive
Riches await the eye
Trees give off oxygen for us
How would you like to visit us
by Sarah
(I mentioned this in last night's post, and thought I'd share.)
Animals thrive
Riches await the eye
Trees give off oxygen for us
How would you like to visit us
by Sarah
(I mentioned this in last night's post, and thought I'd share.)
Monday, November 10, 2008
One Fine Day Learning
Oh! do I love these days! It is the kind where I wish I had a video camera capturing each perfect moment. However, I know if I did, everyone would pay attention to the camera, and my actual picture would be lost.
We have plenty of "real" days. David says his eyes are tired after three pages in his reader. Leah says she can only do school with Mommy, not Sarah. Sarah gives up on our politics unit study and only wants to do her Earth science.
Occasionally we have a picture perfect day when everything flows. I want to remember this when we have more realistic days. I want to remember that this is why we are learning at home, to instill and nurture a love of learning in our children, follow their paths and connect with them in a special way.
Here is a snapshot of our fine day. It started with my morning walk. Before I left, I asked Jesse to work with Sarah on her citizenship lesson. When I returned, the activities were finished. They made webs describing their rights and responsibilities in our home, discussed how people help their communities and listed what the consequences might be when citizens do not make good decisions.
We said good-bye to Daddy and started our reading. Sarah read You’re Aboard Spaceship Earth by Patricia Lauber. David and Leah chimed in that Earth is a sphere and began collecting balls. They soon were off to play while Sarah finished. When it was time for David to read Gus the Bug with me, Sarah did “sister school” with Leah. They classified and matched shapes and colors. This was very simple for Leah. On their own initiative, they started to create more classification sheets to challenge each other further.
For David and Leah’s attribute unit, we experimented with standard and nonstandard measurement. When Sarah saw how much fun we were having, she soon joined us. How long was our big doll when she was measured with a short pencil, a long pencil, Leah’s hand, Mommy’s hand or a ruler? David also measured numerous toys to predict if they would fit in a bag. Although our monkey puppet is 10 inches wide and 38 inches long, she still fit in a 7”x10” gift bag. One of the sentences David dictated for handwriting was, “Chee-Chee [the puppet] is long but flexible.”
While I prepared lunch, Sarah wrote two letters to an alien friend who wants to visit Earth. I was so impressed to see an entire page filled with her writing. Her creativity continued with her first acrostic poem describing Earth and a letter to Ranger Rick, with yet another acrostic poem describing their magazine.
Our full, smooth day finished with Miquon Math. Sarah used Cuisenaire rods to begin her division exploration. David hopped along number lines by 2’s, 4’s, 8’s and 16’s. At the end, we were all smiles, ready for a photograph that never happened.
What special days or moments do you have with your children? As I continue to take baby-steps forward on our homeschool path, or large leaps back, I find these days more frequently. It is part of my own learning process as a parent, finding the best paths for each of us. I wish you many fine days learning with your children!
ps. Today was very "real" and is described in the second paragraph. Our "fine day" happened last month. =)
We have plenty of "real" days. David says his eyes are tired after three pages in his reader. Leah says she can only do school with Mommy, not Sarah. Sarah gives up on our politics unit study and only wants to do her Earth science.
Occasionally we have a picture perfect day when everything flows. I want to remember this when we have more realistic days. I want to remember that this is why we are learning at home, to instill and nurture a love of learning in our children, follow their paths and connect with them in a special way.
Here is a snapshot of our fine day. It started with my morning walk. Before I left, I asked Jesse to work with Sarah on her citizenship lesson. When I returned, the activities were finished. They made webs describing their rights and responsibilities in our home, discussed how people help their communities and listed what the consequences might be when citizens do not make good decisions.
We said good-bye to Daddy and started our reading. Sarah read You’re Aboard Spaceship Earth by Patricia Lauber. David and Leah chimed in that Earth is a sphere and began collecting balls. They soon were off to play while Sarah finished. When it was time for David to read Gus the Bug with me, Sarah did “sister school” with Leah. They classified and matched shapes and colors. This was very simple for Leah. On their own initiative, they started to create more classification sheets to challenge each other further.
For David and Leah’s attribute unit, we experimented with standard and nonstandard measurement. When Sarah saw how much fun we were having, she soon joined us. How long was our big doll when she was measured with a short pencil, a long pencil, Leah’s hand, Mommy’s hand or a ruler? David also measured numerous toys to predict if they would fit in a bag. Although our monkey puppet is 10 inches wide and 38 inches long, she still fit in a 7”x10” gift bag. One of the sentences David dictated for handwriting was, “Chee-Chee [the puppet] is long but flexible.”
While I prepared lunch, Sarah wrote two letters to an alien friend who wants to visit Earth. I was so impressed to see an entire page filled with her writing. Her creativity continued with her first acrostic poem describing Earth and a letter to Ranger Rick, with yet another acrostic poem describing their magazine.
Our full, smooth day finished with Miquon Math. Sarah used Cuisenaire rods to begin her division exploration. David hopped along number lines by 2’s, 4’s, 8’s and 16’s. At the end, we were all smiles, ready for a photograph that never happened.
What special days or moments do you have with your children? As I continue to take baby-steps forward on our homeschool path, or large leaps back, I find these days more frequently. It is part of my own learning process as a parent, finding the best paths for each of us. I wish you many fine days learning with your children!
ps. Today was very "real" and is described in the second paragraph. Our "fine day" happened last month. =)
Thursday, October 23, 2008
little libertarian?
intro: Sarah reads everything! And asks what it's about. She has not yet reached the "weeding out" stage - where you can pass something without reading it or read and discern that the information is not pertinent to you at the moment. She's approaching this, but still has a lot of questions. I'm glad she's still asking. When I was 7, in the backseat of our station wagon on a summer vacation, I was also reading everything, including the fine print on the mosquito repellent. I read far enough to learn how to operate the aerosol can. Before I got to the, "WARNING: Do not point nozzle towards face." my eyes were full of the stuff. That warning is there for a reason. I vaguely remember my father racing his screaming child into a gas station to flush her eyes. I distinctly remember vowing to my little self to never read again, but then I finished the fine print, to be sure I still could read.
I digress...
My brother's family arrived today. We met them for dinner. On our way there, Sarah asked who all the different candidates were after reading their signs. So, who is Bob Barr and what party is he with? And what does the Libertarian party believe?
On the way home from dinner she said, "I want to talk more about that Bob guy and the party that believes people are smart enough to make decisions for themselves."
I digress...
My brother's family arrived today. We met them for dinner. On our way there, Sarah asked who all the different candidates were after reading their signs. So, who is Bob Barr and what party is he with? And what does the Libertarian party believe?
On the way home from dinner she said, "I want to talk more about that Bob guy and the party that believes people are smart enough to make decisions for themselves."
Sunday, September 28, 2008
sweet reading
Jesse started something new this evening. Pay Sarah 10 cents for every book she reads to her siblings. I think this will be a win-win-win-win situation. Sarah has "something" to do. She earns money. She reads more. David and Leah are read to. All three are happy and quiet for 30-45 minutes. Sweet!
Sarah just walked in with a stack of books, to show what she read, but she could not find the Cinderella book she read to Leah.
S: Leah, tell Daddy I read the Cinderella book to you.
L: I read the Cinderella book to, (puzzled pause) me?
more sweetness...
Sarah just walked in with a stack of books, to show what she read, but she could not find the Cinderella book she read to Leah.
S: Leah, tell Daddy I read the Cinderella book to you.
L: I read the Cinderella book to, (puzzled pause) me?
more sweetness...
Monday, September 15, 2008
Beginnings
So, my venture into the blogging sphere is off to a roaring start. I sat today and just stared at what I embellished last night, and smiled. silly? yes. That was when I was not talking on the phone, helping to launch a new YahooGroup, strolling the waterfront of Portsmouth with David, Leah and Whittney with company, doing homework with Sarah, and doing school with David.
I've wanted this for years. It took my dh creating something and being listed on a friend's blog to get me started. Thank you for the nudging guys!
Now for something sweet before I'm out for the night. On the way to Portsmouth, my little people were coloring in the back, crayons in the middle. David's seat is lower and his arms are longer. He handed Leah the colors she wanted. At Colley and 27th I hear, "Can I be a good citizen in the car mommy?"
Chalk up another "I love MBtP" for me! We just finished our first concept. Environment ends with community, and citizens with character - respect, responsibility, honesty and kindness. I think he got it. ;)
Leah's still up. Crazy girl! Bright side, she just wrote and identified the number 100 and is pulling her own entertainment from the "preschool" basket. I do not recommend or endorse this method of learning. Sleep is an essential ingredient. =)
g'night!
I've wanted this for years. It took my dh creating something and being listed on a friend's blog to get me started. Thank you for the nudging guys!
Now for something sweet before I'm out for the night. On the way to Portsmouth, my little people were coloring in the back, crayons in the middle. David's seat is lower and his arms are longer. He handed Leah the colors she wanted. At Colley and 27th I hear, "Can I be a good citizen in the car mommy?"
Chalk up another "I love MBtP" for me! We just finished our first concept. Environment ends with community, and citizens with character - respect, responsibility, honesty and kindness. I think he got it. ;)
Leah's still up. Crazy girl! Bright side, she just wrote and identified the number 100 and is pulling her own entertainment from the "preschool" basket. I do not recommend or endorse this method of learning. Sleep is an essential ingredient. =)
g'night!
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