I'm Back With a New Focus

It's been a while and my life has led me in some unexpected directions. It's all good!

My children have moved on to adulthood! I've been to India! Most importantly, I started a new job which is why I'm back here today!

In my new position, I have the joy of doing story times. Right now, we are working our way through the alphabet and every fourth program has a STEM/STEAM concept. Fortunately, I'm still doing educational things and using educational resources, Yay! While I'm happy to share the resources I'm using with you, I also, want to keep a record for myself for future programs. Win-Win!

I know how hard and overwhelming it is to find usable resources quickly especially with sites like Pinterest. My goal is to limit the number of resources to what I've used or will use in the future. Though, to be honest, I will likely add resources that I think are really awesome even if I never plan to use them. However, I promise to do my best to keep it manageable. 

I will start posting with the Letter A resources and go from there. 

Happy teaching!

End Note: This blog has been revived after quite some time, therefore if by chance you come across any broken links please let me know in the comments. Thank you!

Z is for School Zombies

Yes, this post isn't meant to be serious. I've had a bit too much of serious lately and frankly I'm done with it at least for today. So let's talk about school zombies and how to avoid zombosis.

True zombosis or the creation of zombies in a school setting can be avoided quite easily by not allowing any zombies into your home. Barricades can be effective but prevention is the best option.

Secondary zombosis or the illusion of having zombies in your school is another story. If your child begins to exhibit zombie like symptoms such as moving stiffly, blankly staring out the window without  acknowledgment or comprehension of a lesson and grunting for responses you might have a school zombie to contend with. There are actually quite a few things these symptoms could be attributed to so it is best to start with a list of questions.

1. Is your child getting enough sleep?
2. Have you had your child checked for allergies?
3. Is your child a preteen or teen?
4. Do you live in an area where there are ticks and mosquitoes?
5. Did your child attend PE recently?
6. Is your child exhibiting any other symptoms or strange behaviors-fevers, chewing on nails (fingernails) etc.?
7. Have there been any significant dietary changes? Especially look for an increased appetite for iron containing foods and protein. 

Zombie Optional Lessons

If you have determined that you have a zombie and have been unable to pinpoint a cause and thus a treatment plan you may have to adjust your lesson plans.

First, present lessons when they are most likely to be active. Even if they are moving slowly, they may still eat up the information and retain it. Second, take them outside. Actually, take them on as many field trips as possible. Trust me, you can't go wrong with a good field trip. Look for field trips that hand out samples if possible.

That is all I have for now. Try not to let zombosis get you down.

Happy Homeschooling!

JulieD

New Challenge Z-A

Today, I start the new challenge. This is the Z-A in May challenge. Yes, I didn't finish the last challenge which was A-Z in April. My response is that it is okay to try again, start again or just keep going. I will be starting again but this time with the letter "Z".

Be back soon with a "Z" post!

Happy Homeschooling!

JulieD

P is for Paper, Pens and Pencils

School supplies-the sales-the crowds...timing is everything.

N is for Homeschooling "Need to Know"

If you are considering homeschooling there are things you "need to know". In fact, you may believe that there are more things that you need to know than can possibly be put into a blog post. Indeed there are probably books written on what you "need to know" in order to homeschool. Therefore, I'm going to approach this a little differently. I'm going to make it short and easy. Of course, this is just my humble opinion.

Need to Know #1: Priorities

The number one thing I recommend that you need to know in order to homeschool is to know your priorities. Why do you want to homeschool? What subjects do you feel are the most or least important? Will you be able to teach those subjects or will you need help? Can you accept help? Why are those subjects important to you? How important is your faith? Do you have the time, patience, persistence and energy to adequately provide an education or is this a project or a temporary fix to another problem? What is the most important thing that you want to teach to your child?

There are no right or really wrong answers but it is important to know your priorities because they will influence how you approach teaching your child(ren). Also, your priorities will influence every homeschooling choice you will need to make from curriculum to extracurricular activities. I suggest that you know what you want for your child, whether it is realistic or not (not that it makes a difference but so that you will know how much you will have to work at it) and your level of commitment. Know what is important to you for your child's education. What are your educational priorities?

Need to Know #2: Nothing Else

If your priorities are right, if you have determined that homeschooling is the best option for your child's education and if you understand the "whys" and the commitment and you are still willing to homeschool then there is nothing else you will need to know to start homeschooling.

Everything else is available, accessible or attainable either on the internet, in your local community or through online sources.  By knowing your priorities you will have taken the first step in the right direction. Just keep on the path of doing "what is best" for your child's education. If homeschooling is that option-

Happy Homeschooling!

JulieD

O is for the Power of "One"

In math when you raise a number to the power of one you get that number. You do remember that, right? If not, don't worry you can brush up on algebra basics at Math.com, if necessary.

Oh, and if you are clicking away right now because you think this post is going to be about math-wait, don't go! I don't even feel like thinking about math today and I certainly don't want to write about it. I like math but there are some days I really don't want to go there. What I am going to address in this particular blog is the "Power of One" in respect to homeschooling. I might have some advice or links or something interesting but you'll never know if you click away...so don't go yet. Read on!

Student "Power of One"

A couple of years ago, I ended up in a discussion about homeschooling at the State Fair with a man at the state education booth. His wife worked in the public schools. As we discussed the validity of our individual perspectives he mentioned a family member that homeschooled that would stand behind their child while testing and say things like, "Are you sure you want to answer that way? Think about it a little more." You get the idea-the mom was prompting her child to think before answering.

He implied that this invalidated the testing and homeschooling by default.

For some time after this, that particular part of the conversation irked me. What bothered me was the blanket assumptions he made and to a degree the partial truth in what he said.

To me learning is a process that takes time and repetition and one test neither confirms or validates that the material has been learned or mastered. If a child is tested repeatedly, especially in rote-like materials, during the initial tests/assignments there indeed may be prompting but that is only a potential problem if the prompting is ongoing without the student learning. In comparison to a public school system, I ask, "How much do the parents help with homework lessons and papers?" I've seen or heard about parents completing their child's work so that their child can be involved in activities or get some sleep. Neither system is perfect if the student doesn't learn the material.

The "power of one" message then is that the student should do the work. The student should be the one learning the subject not how to get out of it or how to get the answer from the teacher/parent. There are times when helping is a necessary part of the educational equation but ultimately the student is the one who should do the work and take the tests. If help is needed during a test, then the teacher should go over that material again and retest.

Teacher "Power of One"

When I first began homeschooling, sigh, I was not good at teaching. I lacked patience and had extremely high expectations. After I tripped over those hurdles and many others, I struggled with organization and balancing life with homeschooling. I became better over the years but the biggest hurdle to making progress in the beginning was the "I am their teacher. I must know it all, do it all and be all because I am their teacher-mom" attitude. While it is true, I am their teacher, in order to be successful in homeschooling, I needed help from others. I needed to accept and give help and in doing so I raised myself to the power of one. In the end, I am still just me doing my thing but the power is in one helping one.

Faith "Power of One"

Many days, I felt alone. I did not know where or who to turn to for help or even if there was anyone I could trust. In those times, I turned to God. He has always been there, answered my pleas and encouraged me. What's even better is that He is still there for me and for you.  He is my ultimate "Power of One." He is constantly teaching me, teaching my children and answering our needs. And...lol...sometimes He is standing behind me asking, "Are you sure you want to do that?"

"Student, Teacher, Faith" Power of One-Trinity?

The homeschooling Power of One Trinity = Student doing work/learning + a teacher who teaches + trusting in the goodness and guidance of God.

Sorry, I guess I did add a little math in this post, after all. :O)

Happy Homeschooling!

JulieDD

M is for "Mmmmmmmm"

One of the best things I have done with homeschooling is to teach my children how to bake/cook (The Joy of Cooking Homeschool Style). During Lent my children and I and several other wonderful people bake goods for the fish fries. This is the last Friday we will be baking for Lent this year and I must admit, my kids can bake!

Recently, someone said to me, "I heard your son is really good at baking." I then asked, where did you hear that?" To which he responded, "Your daughter when she told me she could bake, too!"

I then turned to my husband and said, "They get that from me." He implied I wasn't being exactly modest about it, now was I?

After thinking about it a little, my response to this is "It was me who taught them how to read. It was me who taught them the difference between "t" and "T". It was me who insisted they follow directions (Math..ugg) But most importantly, it was me who bought the cookbooks!" Yes, they get their ability to bake from me!

Mmmmmm....yes, the homeschool lifestyle is good, very good!

Hope you enjoyed this homeschool humor moment!

Happy Homeschooling!

JulieDD