So today, after my watching for the mail man everyday for at least a week, our Hooked on Math - Master the Facts series arrived today and our Hooked on Phonics series is scheduled for delivery tomorrow!
We are SUPER excited to say the least! We will take baby steps with it to start after Christmas as right now we are just going to kick back and really enjoy the holidays!! Krystian is showing great interest in reading and addition/subtraction, so we will see how the one lesson a day plan pans out! For Krystian's personality type, the progress poster will be awesome as he is very visual and likes to see his progress.
It's been a very slow couple of days as my Little Man was struck down with quite the cold and fever, so we have been taking it super easy. Now that he is back to his little old fiesty self, we go forward! :o)
Today we sat together and looked through some pictures of cookies. He was picking which one we will bake together for Santa. He decided on the Pinwheel Cookies! So this HE will make with my help next week. (He's pretty excited and I am too)
One of my Friends posted a quote today that struck me in such a nice way and I will sign off my Blog with..... "Imagination is more important than knowledge"- Albert Einstein. This couldn't be more true!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Snowflakes & Turtles
Today was our first homeschool lesson SUCCESS and Krystian didn't even know it!!! :o)
This afternoon after a full morning of relaxed free play, I got all of my daycare kids together as well as my own and we made homemade snowflakes! Well, as we were making them I explained that in nature, no 2 snowflakes are the same. And away we went talking about snowflakes, taking a look at how cutting differently makes different patterns, oops--we cut too much on that one and now it's in a few pieces, but hey, we learned what not to do and how that was totally OK. What I felt was our first real step to the "Interest-Initiated or Unschooling" style of Homeschooling was absolutely amazing! Krystian spent 2 hours on just really enjoying making the snowflakes and seeing each and every different one emerge and be proud to show it off! I can't remember the last time he spent so much time on one thing. He felt so good and had so much fun.....you know what.....I did too! You show me what "school" would have allowed all of that to take place, especially allowing him to spend all that time on crafting.
Then tonight at the dinner table, Krystian had mentioned that he had asked Santa, when his Dad took him to see Santa last weekend, for a Chihuahua. I asked him why when we have 2 Cocker Spaniels here......His answer was that he wanted his own pet to take care of, and a little friend. So we went on to talk about any other pet than a dog, what would he choose. He then decided he absolutely wanted a Turtle and he even had a name picked out. I proceeded to phone my Sister, who also homeschools and has been doing so for 3 years, and asked her about what a turtle would need if we were to get him one (her Hubby really enjoys turtles and I thought who better to ask then them). She advised me that this is the perfect situation to turn into a homeschooling "lesson" we talked further about the how's and she's right, it WAS perfect!! (Remember, I am a total newbie at this homeschooling so my mindframe is still in the early adjustment stage, with time, I should be able to do the same as she did) I sat down with Krystian and let him know that if we were even going to consider it, then we need to do research and find out about what they eat, what they need to be cared for as pets, etc. He chose to do the research right away with me instead of waiting until tomorrow. So off we went and researched for about an hour - there was no way I was saying no to that! No mention of actual "schooling" involved, but he sure learned about them and showed excitement in learning. We took his interest and ran with it. He learned more today than he would have this whole week in half day Senior Kindergarden!! WOOOO HOOOO for us, but Him mostly!!!!
I started the day, the same as the past week, still excited about our new lifestyle and venture, but end the day feeling even better at what we have accomplished today! Prooving even more, that this was the best decision for us!
I'll admit......I may have even homeschooled myself in learning more about turtles than I ever thought that I would..... ;o)
This afternoon after a full morning of relaxed free play, I got all of my daycare kids together as well as my own and we made homemade snowflakes! Well, as we were making them I explained that in nature, no 2 snowflakes are the same. And away we went talking about snowflakes, taking a look at how cutting differently makes different patterns, oops--we cut too much on that one and now it's in a few pieces, but hey, we learned what not to do and how that was totally OK. What I felt was our first real step to the "Interest-Initiated or Unschooling" style of Homeschooling was absolutely amazing! Krystian spent 2 hours on just really enjoying making the snowflakes and seeing each and every different one emerge and be proud to show it off! I can't remember the last time he spent so much time on one thing. He felt so good and had so much fun.....you know what.....I did too! You show me what "school" would have allowed all of that to take place, especially allowing him to spend all that time on crafting.
Then tonight at the dinner table, Krystian had mentioned that he had asked Santa, when his Dad took him to see Santa last weekend, for a Chihuahua. I asked him why when we have 2 Cocker Spaniels here......His answer was that he wanted his own pet to take care of, and a little friend. So we went on to talk about any other pet than a dog, what would he choose. He then decided he absolutely wanted a Turtle and he even had a name picked out. I proceeded to phone my Sister, who also homeschools and has been doing so for 3 years, and asked her about what a turtle would need if we were to get him one (her Hubby really enjoys turtles and I thought who better to ask then them). She advised me that this is the perfect situation to turn into a homeschooling "lesson" we talked further about the how's and she's right, it WAS perfect!! (Remember, I am a total newbie at this homeschooling so my mindframe is still in the early adjustment stage, with time, I should be able to do the same as she did) I sat down with Krystian and let him know that if we were even going to consider it, then we need to do research and find out about what they eat, what they need to be cared for as pets, etc. He chose to do the research right away with me instead of waiting until tomorrow. So off we went and researched for about an hour - there was no way I was saying no to that! No mention of actual "schooling" involved, but he sure learned about them and showed excitement in learning. We took his interest and ran with it. He learned more today than he would have this whole week in half day Senior Kindergarden!! WOOOO HOOOO for us, but Him mostly!!!!
I started the day, the same as the past week, still excited about our new lifestyle and venture, but end the day feeling even better at what we have accomplished today! Prooving even more, that this was the best decision for us!
I'll admit......I may have even homeschooled myself in learning more about turtles than I ever thought that I would..... ;o)
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Content is such a Wonderful Feeling
Since Friday I have done a TON of reading and am finding myself itching for the moments to do more!! For anyone who wants any information, ideas, or just is curious about homeschooling, I HIGHLY recommend reading "The First Year Of Homeschooling Your Child" by Linda Dobson. It is a wonderful book! It has helped me come to total peace and assurance with myself that my choice in homeschooling my Children, is the perfect one for us.
I am learning so much about learning styles and that schools offer just one. As they put it in the book, that let's say you have only one style and size of hat. Then gather a group of children all the same age. Put the hat on each one of them. The hat may be too big or too small for some, it may be just perfect for others, but the point is that the one size/style of hat just isn't going to work for everyone.
The beauty about homeschooling for us is that each of my children do have thier own individual learning style(s) and whichever it is, we will be able to adjust our ways of learning to be perfect and just right for each of them! I can recognize and honor thier learning styles rather than forcing them to do it one way and that way only. They will recieve lessons that are individually crafted just for them! In a public school (institution) it is impossible for them to do that for each child let alone my two.
I have purchased the Hooked on Phonics 5 level Program as well as the Hooked on Math 5 level Program. I can't wait to do this with Krystian and watch him shine!! He will LOVE it, but what's even better is we will do it at his own pace. If he wasnt to do 15 days of straight math, then away we go! If he wants to mix it up then that's cool too! And if we just take a day off or 2 weeks off, this is the joy of homeschooling --- WE CAN!!!! :o)
I am watching Krystian playing......his personality is shining again. He is pretending, roll playing, his affection/compassion is coming back, and just being a 5 year old. It's awesome!!! He wasn't doing as much of this when he was in school.....his attitude was just awful.....now, in only 3 days of not attending school, he is coming back!! We aren't butting heads nearly as much as we were even a week ago. We are enjoying eachother again.
I am content, and it just feels wonderful!! I hope Krystian does or soon will too!
I am learning so much about learning styles and that schools offer just one. As they put it in the book, that let's say you have only one style and size of hat. Then gather a group of children all the same age. Put the hat on each one of them. The hat may be too big or too small for some, it may be just perfect for others, but the point is that the one size/style of hat just isn't going to work for everyone.
The beauty about homeschooling for us is that each of my children do have thier own individual learning style(s) and whichever it is, we will be able to adjust our ways of learning to be perfect and just right for each of them! I can recognize and honor thier learning styles rather than forcing them to do it one way and that way only. They will recieve lessons that are individually crafted just for them! In a public school (institution) it is impossible for them to do that for each child let alone my two.
I have purchased the Hooked on Phonics 5 level Program as well as the Hooked on Math 5 level Program. I can't wait to do this with Krystian and watch him shine!! He will LOVE it, but what's even better is we will do it at his own pace. If he wasnt to do 15 days of straight math, then away we go! If he wants to mix it up then that's cool too! And if we just take a day off or 2 weeks off, this is the joy of homeschooling --- WE CAN!!!! :o)
I am watching Krystian playing......his personality is shining again. He is pretending, roll playing, his affection/compassion is coming back, and just being a 5 year old. It's awesome!!! He wasn't doing as much of this when he was in school.....his attitude was just awful.....now, in only 3 days of not attending school, he is coming back!! We aren't butting heads nearly as much as we were even a week ago. We are enjoying eachother again.
I am content, and it just feels wonderful!! I hope Krystian does or soon will too!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Discovering Homeschooling
So here I am....blogging! Something that I never thought that I would do!! Well.....apparently I am doing many things lately that I never thought I'd do. -- I am a Mother, a Stay at home Mom, I have a home day care (I never thought I could ever stay at home. Now I wouldn't change it for the world.), and now, I have decided to Homeschool my Children - My Son who is 5 (almost 6) and my Daughter who is almost 2.
I have to admit, when I first heard of homeschooling, I was ignorant to it. I thought that it was "silly" for lack of a better term. Then my Sister, who homeschools her 3 Girls, my nieces, told me so much about it and continues to. She gave me insight to a world I knew nothing of. And let me tell you, I am SO happy she did.
I still feel as though that I am in the dark, and to be honest with you, I know I am, to homeschooling. But I have started my research, I am reading some fabulous books and with only that little information I have explored, I feel comfortable enough to make this decision. I have much more to read.....learn and do. But in life I have learned to follow my gut instinct and this time is one that I will listen right away. As I continue on my path of learning more about homeschooling and "unschooling" the light will get brighter. I look forward to "blogging" about how I feel about our Homeschooling experience and the actual School System itself.
One quote that struck me today - "What is most important and valuable about the home as a base for children's growth into the world is not that it is a better school than the schools, but that it isn't a school at all." - John Holt
I am scared, nervous and excited all at the same time! I will blog our Journey, our ups and downs and of just our everyday life. I am moved to tears at what I have in front of me. I feel as though I am the "richest" woman in this world! Does it get any better than this? :o)
Off I go to read some more and feel at peace with my decision.
I have to admit, when I first heard of homeschooling, I was ignorant to it. I thought that it was "silly" for lack of a better term. Then my Sister, who homeschools her 3 Girls, my nieces, told me so much about it and continues to. She gave me insight to a world I knew nothing of. And let me tell you, I am SO happy she did.
I still feel as though that I am in the dark, and to be honest with you, I know I am, to homeschooling. But I have started my research, I am reading some fabulous books and with only that little information I have explored, I feel comfortable enough to make this decision. I have much more to read.....learn and do. But in life I have learned to follow my gut instinct and this time is one that I will listen right away. As I continue on my path of learning more about homeschooling and "unschooling" the light will get brighter. I look forward to "blogging" about how I feel about our Homeschooling experience and the actual School System itself.
One quote that struck me today - "What is most important and valuable about the home as a base for children's growth into the world is not that it is a better school than the schools, but that it isn't a school at all." - John Holt
I am scared, nervous and excited all at the same time! I will blog our Journey, our ups and downs and of just our everyday life. I am moved to tears at what I have in front of me. I feel as though I am the "richest" woman in this world! Does it get any better than this? :o)
Off I go to read some more and feel at peace with my decision.
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