Homeschool schedules.....you're joking, right? I will say that the best part of our lives as homeschoolers is that we get to create our lives rather than bouncing around according to what other people want us to do. With that said, one of the things that I had to purchase for myself at the start of this term is a desk calendar with lots of space to write. I don't have a desk to put it on, but it stays near me and my laptop. Keep reading to find out why I need such a calendar.
1. I started up The Sparklers Baton Twirling Corps, which is actually a business that I moved from my home town to my new town. Incidentally, we have been living here for about 3 years, but there were things that kept me from reigniting my business such as illness, lack of funds, lack of transportation and the birth of a new princess. The Sparklers meet for two hours, two days a week, and more if necessary.
2.I joined the Chamber of Commerce and we now get invited to do all kinds of community performances.
3. I joined our local homeschool group, and pledged to help the leader and coordinate educational projects.
4. Along the lines of number 3, I started a Girl Scout troop for homeschoolers.
5. During the summer, I was offered a job with the school to teach their baton twirling team in preparation for marching contest. This involves practice every morning for an hour and then an additional 2 hours on Tuesday night, which happens immediately after Tuesday's practice with The Sparklers. Can you say RUN???
6. THEN, our local art association had their first meeting for the year. I am now the President and Melody is the secretary. This is not because we are awesome or anything like that, but because nobody else wanted the positions and somebody has to do them to keep the group alive. Holy Cow! I am only afraid that they will kick me out in the end for my ADHD like qualities which could cause their schedules to begin to mimic my own.
Looking through the above list, my head is swimming with ideas of how to coordinate projects that include all of these groups at once. Twirlers are girls that could become girl scouts that could enjoy art if it was presented to them in such a way.......hmmm.......GET BACK TO THE BLOG, LAUREL! Wait a minute.......homeschoolers like art, which could become a series of educational projects that the Girl Scouts could help with, that the twirlers could perform to if I found some cool music, that the art association members would think was awesome if it was fun and could be a part of one of their regular meetings, during a holiday season filled with treats and ornaments......and......Santa is coming in 3 months, and the princesses want to all dress like fairies for Halloween and the answer to the math problem is ABCDEFGHIJK.....where's Ivana's binky???? LOL! Don't freak out by my rambling. It's all perfectly normal.
Happy Homeschooling!
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Necessary Changes to our Charlotte Mason Curriculum
This is Princess Abbey's Y7 year with Charlotte Mason. This marks the first year of what could be considered Charlotte Mason high school. If Abbey were in public school, she would be in 8th grade, but I would venture to say that little of her Y7 program could be found in a public schooling 8th grade program.
This also means that the year is very challenging. I didn't realize how challenging it would be until we got started. Our first two weeks kind of feel like a waste right now, but we will keep moving forward, regardless. It's good that we truly don't have any strict deadlines other than that most kids should finish high school by around age 18. I still have a goal of graduating all of mine early, but when push comes to shove, it will depend on the individual princess and her abilities before we can truly determine when she is ready for graduation.
With that said, I was disappointed to discover that the reading schedule for this year is simply too much. I think that it would be too much for anybody, and I am an avid reader. For several days, I asked Abbey about her daily work. Her daily work for this year includes things like a current events book, a forestry and wildlife course, music/art appreciation, and quite a few other things. I was very disappointed to find out that she was having to make choices and decisions about what work or reading was most important and what would have to slide. Even by cutting out some things (without asking permission), she was working until well past midnight! I would tell her that she should stop and she would tell me that she could not. She had this schedule that I posted for her in her notebook, and she was bound and determined to do it. Holy cow! Suddenly, she is complaining that her eyes and head hurt badly. She doesn't feel well. She's too tired. This isn't the gentle education that Charlotte Mason created.
I took her schedules out of her notebook that I had written before the start of this school year. Those are now in the trash. This is one of the many benefits of homeschooling. If it doesn't work for your family, you can trash it. I wrote a new schedule that included all of her daily work and ONE book to read for the week rather than a chapter or two out of several different books to be read during the same term. I don't know for sure, but I think that by reading one book at the time, we can still get all of the books read for each term, and maybe they will all make a little more sense.
ALSO, on another note. I am reworking the book of centuries. The book of centuries is a very large timeline, created by entering events that happen during each century as the student runs across them in her reading. The last time that we created one, we used a spiral notebook, with a few pages designated for each century. By the time that the school year was over, we had many empty centuries, and others that were full and could take no more. This time, I'm putting together a three ring binder, with a divider for each century so that we can use loose notebook paper instead of attached pages. That way, we can have as many pages as we need for each century. In doing so, we should be able to make this one book last for the rest of her homeschooling years. I'm very proud of my simple idea.
This also means that the year is very challenging. I didn't realize how challenging it would be until we got started. Our first two weeks kind of feel like a waste right now, but we will keep moving forward, regardless. It's good that we truly don't have any strict deadlines other than that most kids should finish high school by around age 18. I still have a goal of graduating all of mine early, but when push comes to shove, it will depend on the individual princess and her abilities before we can truly determine when she is ready for graduation.
With that said, I was disappointed to discover that the reading schedule for this year is simply too much. I think that it would be too much for anybody, and I am an avid reader. For several days, I asked Abbey about her daily work. Her daily work for this year includes things like a current events book, a forestry and wildlife course, music/art appreciation, and quite a few other things. I was very disappointed to find out that she was having to make choices and decisions about what work or reading was most important and what would have to slide. Even by cutting out some things (without asking permission), she was working until well past midnight! I would tell her that she should stop and she would tell me that she could not. She had this schedule that I posted for her in her notebook, and she was bound and determined to do it. Holy cow! Suddenly, she is complaining that her eyes and head hurt badly. She doesn't feel well. She's too tired. This isn't the gentle education that Charlotte Mason created.
I took her schedules out of her notebook that I had written before the start of this school year. Those are now in the trash. This is one of the many benefits of homeschooling. If it doesn't work for your family, you can trash it. I wrote a new schedule that included all of her daily work and ONE book to read for the week rather than a chapter or two out of several different books to be read during the same term. I don't know for sure, but I think that by reading one book at the time, we can still get all of the books read for each term, and maybe they will all make a little more sense.
ALSO, on another note. I am reworking the book of centuries. The book of centuries is a very large timeline, created by entering events that happen during each century as the student runs across them in her reading. The last time that we created one, we used a spiral notebook, with a few pages designated for each century. By the time that the school year was over, we had many empty centuries, and others that were full and could take no more. This time, I'm putting together a three ring binder, with a divider for each century so that we can use loose notebook paper instead of attached pages. That way, we can have as many pages as we need for each century. In doing so, we should be able to make this one book last for the rest of her homeschooling years. I'm very proud of my simple idea.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
A New Kind of Homeschool Year
This year, I will homeschool my family, and also work for the local public school. There are those adult persons who think that this is a completely messed up situation. Why would I deny my children the chance to attend the school where I will be working part time? Hmmm........anyway......onward to our new schedule.
This is going to be a fresh, brand new school year, starting about August the 27th. I have a box full of books that Abbey will need to read for the entire year. I also included notebook paper, spirals, and pencils in this box so that she won't have to waste time hunting for these items.
This is going to be a fresh, brand new school year, starting about August the 27th. I have a box full of books that Abbey will need to read for the entire year. I also included notebook paper, spirals, and pencils in this box so that she won't have to waste time hunting for these items.
To Map Out a Course of Action.....
“Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you
that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt
you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of
action and follow it to an end requires courage.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
The above quote really speaks to me, because my life has become like a hurricane for the past couple of weeks. Most of what is going on in my life is wonderful, but there always has to be something or someone to try to throw a monkey wrench into things to shake it up. I have learned over the years that the perpetrator is most often somebody that I love very much. Maybe the explanation for this is that if I didn't love and care about the saboteur, then I wouldn't be at all concerned about what he or she throws my way.
Be that as it may, I can look back on my life and see how just about every great and wonderful thing that has ever happened to me, has been the end result of a lot of sweat, tears, and misunderstandings. Good things don't normally come easy, and I always tell the Four Princesses that anything worth doing is going to be hard.
Homeschooling is hard. So is starting and maintaining one's own business. Choosing to leave the workforce to stay at home, homeschool, and attempt to start a business is and has been an amazing test of courage and faith. It takes a set of broad shoulders to be able to smile among critics and act like you don't hear or don't feel pain because of the things that they say. It takes even more courage to turn the other cheek, but there are too many things for a homeschooling mama to do, to have time to entertain the naysayers.
The point is that there are a lot of new homeschooling families in my community. They are embarking on an amazing experience. Each family's reason for homeschooling is as different as the children that they will teach. The first year of homeschooling can be very trying, and many families don't make it to the second year. I personally think that it does a child a great disservice to waffle between schooling situations, so the King and I determined together that once we removed our first grader from school, that it would be the end of schooling for her as she knew it. That was nearly 12 years ago. In 12 years, you can bet that we have had our share of challenges, but still manage to get up every morning and start each day brand new.
Have a Great Day!
Laurel
The above quote really speaks to me, because my life has become like a hurricane for the past couple of weeks. Most of what is going on in my life is wonderful, but there always has to be something or someone to try to throw a monkey wrench into things to shake it up. I have learned over the years that the perpetrator is most often somebody that I love very much. Maybe the explanation for this is that if I didn't love and care about the saboteur, then I wouldn't be at all concerned about what he or she throws my way.
Be that as it may, I can look back on my life and see how just about every great and wonderful thing that has ever happened to me, has been the end result of a lot of sweat, tears, and misunderstandings. Good things don't normally come easy, and I always tell the Four Princesses that anything worth doing is going to be hard.
Homeschooling is hard. So is starting and maintaining one's own business. Choosing to leave the workforce to stay at home, homeschool, and attempt to start a business is and has been an amazing test of courage and faith. It takes a set of broad shoulders to be able to smile among critics and act like you don't hear or don't feel pain because of the things that they say. It takes even more courage to turn the other cheek, but there are too many things for a homeschooling mama to do, to have time to entertain the naysayers.
The point is that there are a lot of new homeschooling families in my community. They are embarking on an amazing experience. Each family's reason for homeschooling is as different as the children that they will teach. The first year of homeschooling can be very trying, and many families don't make it to the second year. I personally think that it does a child a great disservice to waffle between schooling situations, so the King and I determined together that once we removed our first grader from school, that it would be the end of schooling for her as she knew it. That was nearly 12 years ago. In 12 years, you can bet that we have had our share of challenges, but still manage to get up every morning and start each day brand new.
Have a Great Day!
Laurel
Friday, August 3, 2012
20 Questions
My friend, whose blog about her and her four princes can be found HERE. She posted these 20 questions on her blog, and so now I'm going to attempt to answer them on mine. I love these kinds of games, by the way, so feel free to tag me for any of your own.
1. What color is your toothbrush
Purple
2. What is the best ice cream flavor?
Rocky Road, but I don't get to have any until someone comes up with a sugar free variety.
3. Have you ever made a promise you'd die to keep?
I would die for my children and my husband who is the father of all of my children.
4. Do you take vitamins daily?
Not unless you count my Spark energy drinks that I've been drinking.
5. Do you go to church every sunday?
Not every Sunday.
6. Do you have a tan?
I'm slightly tan to begin with, and then I teach twirling lessons outside, so I just go with the flow and don't worry about sunscreen or any of that.
7. When did you last talk on the phone?
The local band director called me a few minutes ago to tell me about our summer band schedule. I'M SO EXCITED TO BE THE NEW TWIRLING INSTRUCTOR!!!!! WHOOOOO HOOOOOOO!!!!!!! Ok....let me recompose myself.
8.Where is your dad?
I called my grandfather, Dad, because he raised me. He passed on about 3 years ago.
9. Look to your left, what do you see?
There is my headboard. On it sits a can of powdered baby formula, a spiral notebook, and a framed picture that Tarja colored for her daddy for Christmas.
10. What do you think of when you hear "Australia"?
This is not very creative, but I honestly picture kangaroos when I think of Australia.
11. What are your plans for this weekend?
I actually have no plans for this weekend. Crazy, huh?
12. Can you say the alphabet backwards?
I might be able to say the alphabet backwards.
13. Do you have a maid service clean your house?
No, but someday I will.
14. Do you use the word 'hello' daily?
I'm pretty sure that I do.
15. Name something that has made you angry.
I don't feel angry, but I am hurting over some things. I'll get over it, though.
16. Do you like cats?
I love cats. They are soft and beautiful, but I can't stand having them in my house.
17. Last CD played?
Melody and I listened to One Direction this morning while we she practiced driving.
18. Have you ever dated someone twice?
Back in high school, I dated one person twice, which was a mistake. I ran into the future king right after that.
19. Do you want to change your name?
I can't think of anything better than the name that I already have.
20. Last interesting thing you read?
I'm reading a Beverly Lewis book that Melody gave me for Mother's Day.
1. What color is your toothbrush
Purple
2. What is the best ice cream flavor?
Rocky Road, but I don't get to have any until someone comes up with a sugar free variety.
3. Have you ever made a promise you'd die to keep?
I would die for my children and my husband who is the father of all of my children.
4. Do you take vitamins daily?
Not unless you count my Spark energy drinks that I've been drinking.
5. Do you go to church every sunday?
Not every Sunday.
6. Do you have a tan?
I'm slightly tan to begin with, and then I teach twirling lessons outside, so I just go with the flow and don't worry about sunscreen or any of that.
7. When did you last talk on the phone?
The local band director called me a few minutes ago to tell me about our summer band schedule. I'M SO EXCITED TO BE THE NEW TWIRLING INSTRUCTOR!!!!! WHOOOOO HOOOOOOO!!!!!!! Ok....let me recompose myself.
8.Where is your dad?
I called my grandfather, Dad, because he raised me. He passed on about 3 years ago.
9. Look to your left, what do you see?
There is my headboard. On it sits a can of powdered baby formula, a spiral notebook, and a framed picture that Tarja colored for her daddy for Christmas.
10. What do you think of when you hear "Australia"?
This is not very creative, but I honestly picture kangaroos when I think of Australia.
11. What are your plans for this weekend?
I actually have no plans for this weekend. Crazy, huh?
12. Can you say the alphabet backwards?
I might be able to say the alphabet backwards.
13. Do you have a maid service clean your house?
No, but someday I will.
14. Do you use the word 'hello' daily?
I'm pretty sure that I do.
15. Name something that has made you angry.
I don't feel angry, but I am hurting over some things. I'll get over it, though.
16. Do you like cats?
I love cats. They are soft and beautiful, but I can't stand having them in my house.
17. Last CD played?
Melody and I listened to One Direction this morning while we she practiced driving.
18. Have you ever dated someone twice?
Back in high school, I dated one person twice, which was a mistake. I ran into the future king right after that.
19. Do you want to change your name?
I can't think of anything better than the name that I already have.
20. Last interesting thing you read?
I'm reading a Beverly Lewis book that Melody gave me for Mother's Day.
Monday, July 30, 2012
CPS and Blogging
Did you know that blog readers can turn bloggers in to Child Protective Services based upon what they read? I looked into this after a friend mentioned that this happened to her. In my search, I found THIS ARTICLE. I have nothing nice to say about this.
Tomorrow, we will celebrate Princess Abbey's 13th birthday with cupcakes and ice cream following twirling practice. My second baby will be an official teenager, and this also marks the start of the path of high school. Yes, it's early for high school, but I want all of the Princesses to graduate high school and get some college under their belts before life starts to happen. We have one graduate and three more to go.
My baton twirling company is having a ribbon cutting ceremony in two weeks. I am so excited!!!! I don't know why I had not thought to turn my love of twirling into a full fledged business, but I'm glad that I jumped in with both feet. Great things are happening!
We now have a homeschool Girl Scout troop. We even have my old troop number. This means that we will get to have our meetings and outings even when school is in session. Love it!
Tomorrow, we will celebrate Princess Abbey's 13th birthday with cupcakes and ice cream following twirling practice. My second baby will be an official teenager, and this also marks the start of the path of high school. Yes, it's early for high school, but I want all of the Princesses to graduate high school and get some college under their belts before life starts to happen. We have one graduate and three more to go.
My baton twirling company is having a ribbon cutting ceremony in two weeks. I am so excited!!!! I don't know why I had not thought to turn my love of twirling into a full fledged business, but I'm glad that I jumped in with both feet. Great things are happening!
We now have a homeschool Girl Scout troop. We even have my old troop number. This means that we will get to have our meetings and outings even when school is in session. Love it!
Monday, July 23, 2012
PreK-1st Butterfly Lapbook
After going over some of the lapbooking stuff yesterday, I decided that Princess Tarja and I would have fun doing a BUTTERFLY LAPBOOK. After all, little princesses usually love butterflies. Before we began, I made a POCKET LAPBOOK, then printed all of the work sheets and activity pages that were suggested on the site with the lapbook instructions. We learned about the letter "B" for "butterfly" and "C" for "caterpillar". We learned about the life cycle of butterflies, and watched THE LIFE CYCLE OF A MONARCH BUTTERFLY on youtube. We actually found several, similar videos as well as a couple of cartoony ones.
Princess Abbey took a test about human population for her Forestry and Wildlife Conservation course.
Later, we rented the movie, "Little Women", because she has been interested in the series, "Little Men". I really want her to read the book, but her book list for this year is a mile long.
Princess Melody had to turn in a paper for her World Civilizations course about the different dynasties in China. I typed it up for her while she got ready for work. It was an interesting paper, so I bet that she got a good grade.
Princess Abbey's birthday is coming up. I don't have a clue of what to get for her or what to do for a celebration. If you have any fun birthday ideas for a thirteen year old girl, please share them in the comments. Thank you!
Love,
Laurel
Princess Abbey took a test about human population for her Forestry and Wildlife Conservation course.
Later, we rented the movie, "Little Women", because she has been interested in the series, "Little Men". I really want her to read the book, but her book list for this year is a mile long.
Princess Melody had to turn in a paper for her World Civilizations course about the different dynasties in China. I typed it up for her while she got ready for work. It was an interesting paper, so I bet that she got a good grade.
Princess Abbey's birthday is coming up. I don't have a clue of what to get for her or what to do for a celebration. If you have any fun birthday ideas for a thirteen year old girl, please share them in the comments. Thank you!
Love,
Laurel
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)