Saturday, August 31, 2013
The recent Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival
The latest Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival is up at Epi Kardia.
Reminder: Please send in a post for the next Carnival of Homeschooling
Please remember to send in a post about homeschooling for the next Carnival of Homeschooling. The next Carnival of Homeschooling will be held at: The Informed Parent.
I am pretty sure this will be the 401st edition of the Carnival of Homeschooling.
Go here for the instructions on sending in a submission.
As always, entries to the Carnival of Homeschooling are due Monday evening at 6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.
I have a reminder mailing list. If you would like email reminders, please tell me.
I am pretty sure this will be the 401st edition of the Carnival of Homeschooling.
Go here for the instructions on sending in a submission.
As always, entries to the Carnival of Homeschooling are due Monday evening at 6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.
I have a reminder mailing list. If you would like email reminders, please tell me.
A Nation of Wimps
A Nation of Wimps makes a great point that our country can over protect children and this is bad in the long run.
A good reminder
From Dan Galvin's Thought For The Day mailing list:
Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean
politics won't take an interest in you!
-Pericles (430 B.C.)
Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean
politics won't take an interest in you!
-Pericles (430 B.C.)
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
This week's Carnival of Homeschooling is up - The Chaos Edition
Tiffany is hosting this week's Carnival of Homeschooling at As For My House.
She starts the carnival with:
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How do you homeschool though one child’s illness or injury? How do you homeschool through moving? Through your own chronic illness? Through grief or other turmoil?
Some days, all we can get done is what we can get done. That’s more some times than others, and not always in the “planned” or “expected” fashion. Sometimes other family members can step in and lend a hand. Sometimes there are curriculum alternatives that can help in a given situation.
It’s the beauty of homeschooling. It can be with us wherever we are. It can succeed in chaos.
So, without further ado, I bring you, chaotically, the submissions for this week’s Carnival of Homeschooling!
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She starts the carnival with:
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How do you homeschool though one child’s illness or injury? How do you homeschool through moving? Through your own chronic illness? Through grief or other turmoil?
Some days, all we can get done is what we can get done. That’s more some times than others, and not always in the “planned” or “expected” fashion. Sometimes other family members can step in and lend a hand. Sometimes there are curriculum alternatives that can help in a given situation.
It’s the beauty of homeschooling. It can be with us wherever we are. It can succeed in chaos.
So, without further ado, I bring you, chaotically, the submissions for this week’s Carnival of Homeschooling!
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Monday, August 26, 2013
Homeschooling and soccer
Fall is the craziest time of the year for us. We start up homeschooling and go from our most relaxed season to our most packed season. This year I think between the four children we have over twenty different activities. There are several online classes, a homeschool drama class, violin lessons, homeschool co-op and a dozen other activities.
The one which is hardest for me is coaching soccer. As a software engineer I’m not a natural for goofy seven-year-old boys. When I saw something I want them to listen. I would be happy if most were listening. Unfortunately way too often most are paying no attention whatsoever to what I’m trying to teach them.
I feel I am a bit of a sadist masochist as I keep coaching year after year. But I really do think soccer is a great sport for young children. Already I’m starting to tell myself this will be my last year. But I’m afraid by the time spring rolls around I’ll remember all the good things about soccer and volunteer again.
The one which is hardest for me is coaching soccer. As a software engineer I’m not a natural for goofy seven-year-old boys. When I saw something I want them to listen. I would be happy if most were listening. Unfortunately way too often most are paying no attention whatsoever to what I’m trying to teach them.
I feel I am a bit of a sadist masochist as I keep coaching year after year. But I really do think soccer is a great sport for young children. Already I’m starting to tell myself this will be my last year. But I’m afraid by the time spring rolls around I’ll remember all the good things about soccer and volunteer again.
Good TED Talk about why we should keep young children away from televsion
Janine and I have long been against letting young children watch any significant amount of television.
This TED Talk, Dimitri Christakis - Media and Children, talks about how the research shows lots of television is bad for young children:
This TED Talk, Dimitri Christakis - Media and Children, talks about how the research shows lots of television is bad for young children:
Interesting article on Marissa Mayer - CEO of Yahoo
Over the weekend I happened across a fascinating article - The Truth About Marissa Mayer: An Unauthorized Biography. It is a bit long, but I read the whole thing. Couldn't stop.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
I might turn on the television again
For entertainment I pretty much watch just Netflix or Hulu. I can't remember when the last time I turned on the television to watch a TV show or movie. I think it might have been 2010 or 2011.
Teach looks worth watching:
Teach looks worth watching:
Saturday, August 24, 2013
I like this explanation about why we shouldn't talk with the police
We've blogged about this a couple times before. It is a good reminder - Never talk to the police:
He makes two points I especially appreciate.
The first is how with our adversarial system the police tend to take the side of the prosecuting attorney and are trying to help him. Their focus isn't justice, but winning the game.
The second is how the police themselves never talk to the police without an attorney. If they, who know the system well, don't talk with the police, then we should trust their example and also only talk with an attorney.
He makes two points I especially appreciate.
The first is how with our adversarial system the police tend to take the side of the prosecuting attorney and are trying to help him. Their focus isn't justice, but winning the game.
The second is how the police themselves never talk to the police without an attorney. If they, who know the system well, don't talk with the police, then we should trust their example and also only talk with an attorney.
Friday, August 23, 2013
Reminder: Please send in a post for the next Carnival of Homeschooling
Please remember to send in a post about homeschooling for the next Carnival of
Homeschooling. The next Carnival of Homeschooling will be held at: As For My House.
I am pretty sure this will be the 400th edition of the Carnival of Homeschooling!
Go here for the instructions on sending in a submission.
As always, entries to the Carnival of Homeschooling are due Monday evening at 6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.
I have a reminder mailing list. If you would like email reminders, please tell me.
I am pretty sure this will be the 400th edition of the Carnival of Homeschooling!
Go here for the instructions on sending in a submission.
As always, entries to the Carnival of Homeschooling are due Monday evening at 6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.
I have a reminder mailing list. If you would like email reminders, please tell me.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
An important aspect of leadership
This is why being humble is so important:
Leadership means resisting our own urge to be the brilliant one.
Diane Branson
From my Franklin Covey planner
Leadership means resisting our own urge to be the brilliant one.
Diane Branson
From my Franklin Covey planner
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
This week's Carnival of Homeschooling is up - reflections on being a Home School Dad
Dave is hosting this week's Carnival of Homeschooling at Home School Dad.
He starts the carnival with:
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Hello and welcome in to the Carnival of Homeschooling #399. This year is a kind of Home School sabbatical for our family. I am starting a full time job next month, and my wife will continue to work outside the house for what we hope is one more year. Our 6th grader and 2nd grader will be attending public school this year, and our 9th grader will continue her studies at home through an on-line curriculum. I have hosted this carnival 1/2 dozen or so times over the last 5 years and have been a regular contributor and reader of the carnival as well. In between posts today, I plan to share some thoughts on my time as a Home School Dad.
Before I begin I'd like to thank all of those participating in today's carnival, especially those who sent encouraging notes to me with their submissions. I'd like to thank 4 contributors by name for their special encouragement. I will do so by kicking off this carnival with their submissions.
----------
Drop by and wish Dave the best as he transitions to another full time job.
He starts the carnival with:
----------
Hello and welcome in to the Carnival of Homeschooling #399. This year is a kind of Home School sabbatical for our family. I am starting a full time job next month, and my wife will continue to work outside the house for what we hope is one more year. Our 6th grader and 2nd grader will be attending public school this year, and our 9th grader will continue her studies at home through an on-line curriculum. I have hosted this carnival 1/2 dozen or so times over the last 5 years and have been a regular contributor and reader of the carnival as well. In between posts today, I plan to share some thoughts on my time as a Home School Dad.
Before I begin I'd like to thank all of those participating in today's carnival, especially those who sent encouraging notes to me with their submissions. I'd like to thank 4 contributors by name for their special encouragement. I will do so by kicking off this carnival with their submissions.
----------
Drop by and wish Dave the best as he transitions to another full time job.
The difference between wise and clever
I think there is some truth to this - from Dan Galvin's Thought For The Day mailing list:
You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers.
You can tell whether a man is wise by his questions.
-Naguib Mahfouz,
writer, Nobel laureate
(1911-2006)
Quoted in A.Word.A.Day
You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers.
You can tell whether a man is wise by his questions.
-Naguib Mahfouz,
writer, Nobel laureate
(1911-2006)
Quoted in A.Word.A.Day
Monday, August 19, 2013
Homeschool so your boys don't suffer in the public schools
I enjoyed Christina Hoff Sommers article - School Has Become Too Hostile to Boys.
She starts with:
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As school begins in the coming weeks, parents of boys should ask themselves a question: Is my son really welcome? A flurry of incidents last spring suggests that the answer is no. In May, Christopher Marshall, age 7, was suspended from his Virginia school for picking up a pencil and using it to “shoot” a “bad guy” — his friend, who was also suspended. A few months earlier, Josh Welch, also 7, was sent home from his Maryland school for nibbling off the corners of a strawberry Pop-Tart to shape it into a gun. At about the same time, Colorado’s Alex Evans, age 7, was suspended for throwing an imaginary hand grenade at “bad guys” in order to “save the world.
In all these cases, school officials found the children to be in violation of the school’s zero-tolerance policies for firearms, which is clearly a ludicrous application of the rule. But common sense isn’t the only thing at stake here. In the name of zero tolerance, our schools are becoming hostile environments for young boys.
----------
Christina makes several good points.
It was interesting how many people wrote in the comments attacking the article. Several feel that public schools are warm supportive places for boys and girls. I am sure there are some schools where that may be still true, but all the research I've seen indicates that public schools are becoming more and more hostile to boys.
I am so glad we can homeschool our soon.
Hat tip: Instapundit.
She starts with:
----------
As school begins in the coming weeks, parents of boys should ask themselves a question: Is my son really welcome? A flurry of incidents last spring suggests that the answer is no. In May, Christopher Marshall, age 7, was suspended from his Virginia school for picking up a pencil and using it to “shoot” a “bad guy” — his friend, who was also suspended. A few months earlier, Josh Welch, also 7, was sent home from his Maryland school for nibbling off the corners of a strawberry Pop-Tart to shape it into a gun. At about the same time, Colorado’s Alex Evans, age 7, was suspended for throwing an imaginary hand grenade at “bad guys” in order to “save the world.
In all these cases, school officials found the children to be in violation of the school’s zero-tolerance policies for firearms, which is clearly a ludicrous application of the rule. But common sense isn’t the only thing at stake here. In the name of zero tolerance, our schools are becoming hostile environments for young boys.
----------
Christina makes several good points.
It was interesting how many people wrote in the comments attacking the article. Several feel that public schools are warm supportive places for boys and girls. I am sure there are some schools where that may be still true, but all the research I've seen indicates that public schools are becoming more and more hostile to boys.
I am so glad we can homeschool our soon.
Hat tip: Instapundit.
From the trenches - the last year of homeschooling
My second daughter shares her perspective on her last year of homeschooling:
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Hi, second daughter here. I’m starting my senior and final year of homeschooling. This is a rough description of my curriculum this semester.
I’m taking Human Biology with lab and American Sign Language part two through our local community college. I’m also studying Civics and English classes through an online private school. I’m doing Saxon math with a tutor. In addition to these classes, I’m in a homeschool choir and band as well as a church choir.
One of my favorite things about homeschooling is that it’s like an all you can eat buffet. I can pick and choose all the best classes, that is, the best classes for me. It’s so flexible and individual. The right classes for me might not be the right classes for my sisters.
Because I already know what career I want, Speech Pathology, I’ve been taking the community college classes targeted for my major. This is one of the reasons I’m thrilled to be taking college classes in a supplement to my course work: Free college credit, yeah! And, I am sure it looks good on college applications.
The program where my brother receives speech therapy allows students to observe. His speech therapist has been quite nice and allowed me to stay and watch half days. I get a better feel what this would be like as a career.
I am excited and nervous for the next stage in my adventure as college applications start. I’m grateful to my parents for the solid education they’ve given me. Homeschooling has prepared me for life in a lot of ways.
----------
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Hi, second daughter here. I’m starting my senior and final year of homeschooling. This is a rough description of my curriculum this semester.
I’m taking Human Biology with lab and American Sign Language part two through our local community college. I’m also studying Civics and English classes through an online private school. I’m doing Saxon math with a tutor. In addition to these classes, I’m in a homeschool choir and band as well as a church choir.
One of my favorite things about homeschooling is that it’s like an all you can eat buffet. I can pick and choose all the best classes, that is, the best classes for me. It’s so flexible and individual. The right classes for me might not be the right classes for my sisters.
Because I already know what career I want, Speech Pathology, I’ve been taking the community college classes targeted for my major. This is one of the reasons I’m thrilled to be taking college classes in a supplement to my course work: Free college credit, yeah! And, I am sure it looks good on college applications.
The program where my brother receives speech therapy allows students to observe. His speech therapist has been quite nice and allowed me to stay and watch half days. I get a better feel what this would be like as a career.
I am excited and nervous for the next stage in my adventure as college applications start. I’m grateful to my parents for the solid education they’ve given me. Homeschooling has prepared me for life in a lot of ways.
----------
Nice column on why people should have children
Mercedes Schlapp makes some good points about why we should have children in Opt-In to Having Kids.
I think people miss out on so much when they decide not to have any children, or only one.
Hat tip: Instapudnit
I think people miss out on so much when they decide not to have any children, or only one.
Hat tip: Instapudnit
Good thought about how to treat people
I like this thought:
A pat on the back is only a few vertebrae removed from a kick in the pants. But it is miles ahead in results.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox
From my Franklin Covey planner.
Common Core
Like many government programs Common Core claims to have noble goals but the reality is a completely different picture.
What Obama Wants for Your Children and Grandchildren is a good article about some of the problems with Common Core.
It starts with:
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Proud parents and grandparents are sharing photos of their kids’ first day of school. And as students head back, many states are pushing back—telling the Obama Administration that its federal education plan isn’t right for their students.
Anyone who has taught in a classroom knows how different children are from school to school—even from class to class. Teachers understand that the content, methods, and evaluations they use will differ depending on the makeup of the class. A teacher might teach her 9:40 a.m. Algebra II class differently than her 1:40 p.m. Algebra II class. And she’ll make that decision based on the pace of her students and their comprehension levels.
----------
Go read the whole thing.
What Obama Wants for Your Children and Grandchildren is a good article about some of the problems with Common Core.
It starts with:
----------
Proud parents and grandparents are sharing photos of their kids’ first day of school. And as students head back, many states are pushing back—telling the Obama Administration that its federal education plan isn’t right for their students.
Anyone who has taught in a classroom knows how different children are from school to school—even from class to class. Teachers understand that the content, methods, and evaluations they use will differ depending on the makeup of the class. A teacher might teach her 9:40 a.m. Algebra II class differently than her 1:40 p.m. Algebra II class. And she’ll make that decision based on the pace of her students and their comprehension levels.
----------
Go read the whole thing.
Where I have been - FreeOrion
Our readers may have noticed that blogging has been light the last couple weeks.
I apologize.
I have been off conquering the universe in a game called FreeOrion. It is similar to the series Master of Orion, one of my all-time favorite games. FreeOrion purposely has a lot of the same flavor as the Master of Orion games. There are different alien races with different attributes. They can live on different types of planets. After selecting which race you want to use, you can build starships and go exploring. You will want to invest in technology to get better ships and improvements in other areas.
I was playing 25 plus hours a week (It is that addictive.) so I finally removed the game from my PC.
The game is still under development. Just a couple weeks ago they released their 0.4.3 version. The game is available for Windows XP, Vista, or 7; Mac OSX 10.6+, or Linux.
The game is being developed as open source, kind of like Linux, but not such a big project. The developers are creating FreeOrion on their own time and their own dime.
Here is a short video explaining the basics:
If you find you like the game you can help in a variety of ways.
Enjoy.
I apologize.
I have been off conquering the universe in a game called FreeOrion. It is similar to the series Master of Orion, one of my all-time favorite games. FreeOrion purposely has a lot of the same flavor as the Master of Orion games. There are different alien races with different attributes. They can live on different types of planets. After selecting which race you want to use, you can build starships and go exploring. You will want to invest in technology to get better ships and improvements in other areas.
I was playing 25 plus hours a week (It is that addictive.) so I finally removed the game from my PC.
The game is still under development. Just a couple weeks ago they released their 0.4.3 version. The game is available for Windows XP, Vista, or 7; Mac OSX 10.6+, or Linux.
The game is being developed as open source, kind of like Linux, but not such a big project. The developers are creating FreeOrion on their own time and their own dime.
Here is a short video explaining the basics:
If you find you like the game you can help in a variety of ways.
Enjoy.
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Reminder: Please send in a post for the next Carnival of Homeschooling
Please remember to send in a post about homeschooling for the next Carnival of Homeschooling. The next Carnival of Homeschooling will be held at: Home School Dad.
Go here for the instructions on sending in a submission.
As always, entries to the Carnival of Homeschooling are due Monday evening at 6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.
I have a reminder mailing list. If you would like email reminders, please tell me.
Go here for the instructions on sending in a submission.
As always, entries to the Carnival of Homeschooling are due Monday evening at 6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.
I have a reminder mailing list. If you would like email reminders, please tell me.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
This week's Carnival of Homeschooling is up
Sarah is hosting this week's Carnival of Homeschooling at SmallWorld.
She starts the carnival with:
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Welcome to the Carnival of Homeschooling! I'm glad you're visiting here at SmallWorld at Home. Let me introduce myself for those who are new here. I'm starting my 14th year of homeschooling, currently with an 8th grade son and an 11th grade daughter. Our oldest son is beginning his senior year in college. (And yes, he was homeschooled all the way through high school.)
But enough about me; you're here for the Carnival! We have a little something for everyone on this homeschooling journey with this carnival, from fun hands-on activities to thought-provoking posts about homeschooling issues. I've included a few photos from our recent "field trip" to France just because, um, I can. And also because we are trying to fix—in big steps and small steps— what I once called "My Biggest Homeschooling Mistake: Not Traveling More." Read on, and come back and visit!
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Enjoy.
She starts the carnival with:
----------
Welcome to the Carnival of Homeschooling! I'm glad you're visiting here at SmallWorld at Home. Let me introduce myself for those who are new here. I'm starting my 14th year of homeschooling, currently with an 8th grade son and an 11th grade daughter. Our oldest son is beginning his senior year in college. (And yes, he was homeschooled all the way through high school.)
But enough about me; you're here for the Carnival! We have a little something for everyone on this homeschooling journey with this carnival, from fun hands-on activities to thought-provoking posts about homeschooling issues. I've included a few photos from our recent "field trip" to France just because, um, I can. And also because we are trying to fix—in big steps and small steps— what I once called "My Biggest Homeschooling Mistake: Not Traveling More." Read on, and come back and visit!
----------
Enjoy.
Monday, August 12, 2013
Preparing for a new school year
I find this a busy time of year, a time to organize and make plans for the new school year. Now that I've been at this a few years (14), I find planning a bit easier because I know what to expect. When we first started homeschooling, I just made it up as I went along.
There are some benefits to just winging it. You can go as fast or as slow as your child needs. That is great in the early years (k-3). I found that the older my kids got, the harder it was to improvise. I also found that the older I got, the more I liked having a firm plan.
So, here are some of the things in my plan for the new school year.
1) The co-op schedule
I have been part of a home school co-op for about 10 years. I find that my kids enjoy co-op more when it is fairly structured, but with time built in for hanging out with friends. Once my kids hit high school age, they were too busy to waste time with activities that didn't serve a purpose.
2) Community College class schedule
The concurrent enrollment programs at our local community colleges are a great asset for homeschool students. However, it definitely adds a level of complexity to our schedule.
3) Music
This year will be great. We have a music teacher which comes to our house at a convenient time! In addition, we have band rehearsals for me and the kids, as well as orchestra rehearsal for me.
4) Sports
This is the bane of my existence. Soccer season is a nightmare. This year should be slightly easier since we only have 2 kids in soccer, instead of three. Add to this gymnastics and karate, and I practically live in my car.
5) Speech Therapy and OT
Last year, our son receive speech therapy services at the school near our house and at Kaiser which was also near our house. Now I drive 30 minutes each way to his weekly appointment. Hopefully, this will be our last year of speech therapy.
6) Other enrichment classes
There are many wonderful enrichment classes in our area. I try to keep it simple, but an occasional outside activity help meet their social and academic needs.
7) Online Classes
The nice thing about online classes is that they fit into your schedule, and not the other way around. However, the kids have a few "live" classes. They can watch the class in real time, interacting with the teacher and other students. The kids love the live classes, but it puts more pressure on our schedule. We found it was much easier to stay on top of things with the push of keeping up with the live class.
They still have the option of watching the class later or taking more time to cover the material.
8) Tutoring
We have a math tutor and a special ed tutor that come to the house weekly. Again, this is easier than going someplace to get help. It is still a challenge to find hour block that is open every week.
9) Homeschool Park Day Activities
This once a week activity is important for the younger kids. My older kids have moved on from the park day group and no longer go. In the last few years, I haven't been going to park day as much as I did when I started out homeschooling. However, now that I have a boy (in my household of girls), I'm making the effort to get out to park day regularly.
10) Jobs
All my girls are in demand as babysitters. Almost every day, somebody is babysitting for someone. Also, I now have an young adult at home who hopefully will have a regular full time job.
11) Toastmasters International
I am a member of Torchard Toastmasters, a public speaking club. I try to make the once a week lunch meeting. I have completed the Competent Communications manual and am working on an Advanced Communication series manual.
12) The Wild Card**
We are foster parents. We never know when the phone will ring and we will shift into rescue mode. We never know how long the child will stay. Usually, I will need to transport the child to visitation twice a week, doctor's appointments and therapy appointments. This can be very challenging. However, usually it is for a short amount of time and we go back to "normal." Then "normal" feels a whole less busy.
To handle the complexity of so many activities, we track it all our individual schedules on Google Calendar. That way, we can all see each others' plans easily.
There are some benefits to just winging it. You can go as fast or as slow as your child needs. That is great in the early years (k-3). I found that the older my kids got, the harder it was to improvise. I also found that the older I got, the more I liked having a firm plan.
So, here are some of the things in my plan for the new school year.
1) The co-op schedule
I have been part of a home school co-op for about 10 years. I find that my kids enjoy co-op more when it is fairly structured, but with time built in for hanging out with friends. Once my kids hit high school age, they were too busy to waste time with activities that didn't serve a purpose.
2) Community College class schedule
The concurrent enrollment programs at our local community colleges are a great asset for homeschool students. However, it definitely adds a level of complexity to our schedule.
3) Music
This year will be great. We have a music teacher which comes to our house at a convenient time! In addition, we have band rehearsals for me and the kids, as well as orchestra rehearsal for me.
4) Sports
This is the bane of my existence. Soccer season is a nightmare. This year should be slightly easier since we only have 2 kids in soccer, instead of three. Add to this gymnastics and karate, and I practically live in my car.
5) Speech Therapy and OT
Last year, our son receive speech therapy services at the school near our house and at Kaiser which was also near our house. Now I drive 30 minutes each way to his weekly appointment. Hopefully, this will be our last year of speech therapy.
6) Other enrichment classes
There are many wonderful enrichment classes in our area. I try to keep it simple, but an occasional outside activity help meet their social and academic needs.
7) Online Classes
The nice thing about online classes is that they fit into your schedule, and not the other way around. However, the kids have a few "live" classes. They can watch the class in real time, interacting with the teacher and other students. The kids love the live classes, but it puts more pressure on our schedule. We found it was much easier to stay on top of things with the push of keeping up with the live class.
They still have the option of watching the class later or taking more time to cover the material.
8) Tutoring
We have a math tutor and a special ed tutor that come to the house weekly. Again, this is easier than going someplace to get help. It is still a challenge to find hour block that is open every week.
9) Homeschool Park Day Activities
This once a week activity is important for the younger kids. My older kids have moved on from the park day group and no longer go. In the last few years, I haven't been going to park day as much as I did when I started out homeschooling. However, now that I have a boy (in my household of girls), I'm making the effort to get out to park day regularly.
10) Jobs
All my girls are in demand as babysitters. Almost every day, somebody is babysitting for someone. Also, I now have an young adult at home who hopefully will have a regular full time job.
11) Toastmasters International
I am a member of Torchard Toastmasters, a public speaking club. I try to make the once a week lunch meeting. I have completed the Competent Communications manual and am working on an Advanced Communication series manual.
12) The Wild Card**
We are foster parents. We never know when the phone will ring and we will shift into rescue mode. We never know how long the child will stay. Usually, I will need to transport the child to visitation twice a week, doctor's appointments and therapy appointments. This can be very challenging. However, usually it is for a short amount of time and we go back to "normal." Then "normal" feels a whole less busy.
To handle the complexity of so many activities, we track it all our individual schedules on Google Calendar. That way, we can all see each others' plans easily.
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Friday, August 09, 2013
The Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival
The latest Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival is up at The Common Room.
Reminder: Please send in a post for the next Carnival of Homeschooling
Please remember to send in a post about homeschooling for the next Carnival of Homeschooling. The next Carnival of Homeschooling will be held at: SmallWorld.
Sarah posts her request for submissions here.
This will be the 399th edition.
Go here for the instructions on sending in a submission.
As always, entries to the Carnival of Homeschooling are due Monday evening at 6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.
I have a reminder mailing list. If you would like email reminders, please tell me.
Sarah posts her request for submissions here.
This will be the 399th edition.
Go here for the instructions on sending in a submission.
As always, entries to the Carnival of Homeschooling are due Monday evening at 6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.
I have a reminder mailing list. If you would like email reminders, please tell me.
Thursday, August 08, 2013
This week's Carnival of Homeschooling is up - The Summer Time Edition
Monique is hosting this week's Carnival of Homeschooling at Living Life and Learning.
She starts the carnival with:
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We had an unexpected visitor who has been with us the past 2 weeks, my brother!
So we have not done any school in 2 weeks. It was not my plan but the kids are enjoying themselves. We are tending to the garden, and spending a lot of time outdoors. I can already feel the cold starting to seep in. Our summers are so short.
I know that it will be a lot harder to start school back up, but I am definitely enjoying this break.
Everyone has their own reasons for homeschooling – we are accidental homeschoolers, We decided to homeschooling for several months and have always taken it one year at a time. It has worked out for my oldest M1, but we’re just taking it as it goes.
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Enjoy!
She starts the carnival with:
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We had an unexpected visitor who has been with us the past 2 weeks, my brother!
So we have not done any school in 2 weeks. It was not my plan but the kids are enjoying themselves. We are tending to the garden, and spending a lot of time outdoors. I can already feel the cold starting to seep in. Our summers are so short.
I know that it will be a lot harder to start school back up, but I am definitely enjoying this break.
Everyone has their own reasons for homeschooling – we are accidental homeschoolers, We decided to homeschooling for several months and have always taken it one year at a time. It has worked out for my oldest M1, but we’re just taking it as it goes.
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Enjoy!
Monday, August 05, 2013
Last Temp Standing
Last week I wrote about my oldest daughter's first "real" job.
Here is her update:
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Two weeks ago I got my first “real” and “grown-up” job. I worked for a local college bookstore. They needed some temps for the rush at the start of the semester.
The first day there was eight temps, four at the counter and four runners. I was at the counter. I helped get the book list together and process the transaction and then would hand the book list to a runner.
After the first week they started to let some of the temps go as the rush began to end. There were now only three temps. Sometimes it was really busy and other times it was really slow. One of the temps then left half way through the week for school. Then on the Friday, the manager wanted one temp to stay till four to man the store while he was in a meeting. I got to be that temp.
The manager mentioned having some of the temps back for midterm and that he would like it if I was in that group.
It was nice to see some “real” validation off my belief that homeschoolers are just as competent if not sometimes more competent then their public schooled peer group. I was able to work alongside adults in a “real” and “grown-up” job and I didn’t suffer in comparison.
Here is her update:
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Two weeks ago I got my first “real” and “grown-up” job. I worked for a local college bookstore. They needed some temps for the rush at the start of the semester.
The first day there was eight temps, four at the counter and four runners. I was at the counter. I helped get the book list together and process the transaction and then would hand the book list to a runner.
After the first week they started to let some of the temps go as the rush began to end. There were now only three temps. Sometimes it was really busy and other times it was really slow. One of the temps then left half way through the week for school. Then on the Friday, the manager wanted one temp to stay till four to man the store while he was in a meeting. I got to be that temp.
The manager mentioned having some of the temps back for midterm and that he would like it if I was in that group.
It was nice to see some “real” validation off my belief that homeschoolers are just as competent if not sometimes more competent then their public schooled peer group. I was able to work alongside adults in a “real” and “grown-up” job and I didn’t suffer in comparison.
Reminder: Please send in a post for the next Carnival of Homeschooling
Please remember to send in a post about homeschooling for the next Carnival of
Homeschooling. The next Carnival of Homeschooling will be held at: Living Life and
Learning
This will be the 398th edition.
Go here for the instructions on sending in a submission.
As always, entries to the Carnival of Homeschooling are due Monday evening at 6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.
I have a reminder mailing list. If you would like email reminders, please tell me.
This will be the 398th edition.
Go here for the instructions on sending in a submission.
As always, entries to the Carnival of Homeschooling are due Monday evening at 6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.
I have a reminder mailing list. If you would like email reminders, please tell me.
Thursday, August 01, 2013
This week's Carnival of Homeschooling is up - The Summertime edition
This week's Carnival of Homeschooling is up at Janice Campbell - Taking time for things that matter.
Janice starts the carnival with:
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Welcome to the July 30, 2013 edition of the Carnival of Homeschooling! I’m delighted you’ve stopped by, as we have a collection of interesting articles for you. You’ll find serious articles on the state of education and leaving a homeschooling legacy, helpful articles on planning and organizing your school year and day, and a few extras on things such as how to whistle, whether homeschoolers can redeem BoxTops for Education, and more. I hope you enjoy the carnival!
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Enjoy!
Janice starts the carnival with:
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Welcome to the July 30, 2013 edition of the Carnival of Homeschooling! I’m delighted you’ve stopped by, as we have a collection of interesting articles for you. You’ll find serious articles on the state of education and leaving a homeschooling legacy, helpful articles on planning and organizing your school year and day, and a few extras on things such as how to whistle, whether homeschoolers can redeem BoxTops for Education, and more. I hope you enjoy the carnival!
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Enjoy!
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