You don't do workbooks or book work every day?????

We are probably doing workbook stuff 2-3 times a week. Baking Christmas cookies has been our science and hands on math this week. We planted paperwhites the other day and will start our progression drawings today.

We've also been doing days of just coloring and cutting to strengthen writing muscles and days when grocery shopping takes up half the morning and then "P.E" which is just outside play time for 2 hours after that to get energy out.

IMO: Grocery shopping is just as important. They may not KNOW it, but they SEE me comparing prices. They SEE me choosing healthy foods that are yummy and good for them. I give them choices too. Bananas or grapes? Carrots or Celery. Which yogurt? Etc. They see me letting them look at all the Christmas stuff, but stick to our budget and not buy everything in sight.

They also see that on coloring days, I'm cleaning the kitchen and bathroom. Vacuuming my bedroom with the 'special dust' (just the powder stuff to make it smell nice after the dogs). They see me doing all these things.

I feel that these things are just as important as all the bookwork because too many kids don't know how it all gets done.

We also read everyday and I just got a new chapter book to start with Austin! It's one of my old time favorites, Mystery Mountain.  It's OLD... maybe copywrited in the 1950's.  But I still love the story and characters in the book.  Just enough hand drawn pictures to keep him interested, and yet enough blank pages too to have him actually listen. 

I also have found that Austin especially gets more done and comprehends more if I don't do workbooks every day.  2-3 times a week is plenty, and he gets more done.  Seriously!  If I do one day of workbooks in math, and then two days later, go back, he will get 8 or more pages done each day.  But if I do it every day, he does 2 and calls it quits.  So, I can have him do 10 pages a week or 24 pages a week.  What makes more sense?  It's not about the quantity.  I know... but it's easier for him to learn this way it seems!  We are actually back to basics in math and I feel that by Easter, he will move on to 1st grade math, if not sooner.  This is his strong point.

I've backed off on science and forcing him to read.  And it's paying off.  I know.  Weird.  He's asking me more about words he sees in his life.  Signs, ads, commercials, in books....  And he's retaining that information much more than when I was pounding phonics.  Another reason he and I are reading chapter books now.  He will retain it more this way than if I make him do phonics or sight words. 

So yes.  It may seem like some days we aren't 'doing' homeschool.  But my kids are also still young and don't NEED traditional schoolwork on the daily basis.  This is working for us.  For now.  Until we need to change it.  And then we will.  :)

Busy December Days

It's been a while since I wrote here again.  And it's been BUSY! Austin is drawing all the time!!  Look at this great picture of a tree with fountains under it! 

 The kids had their gymnastics showcase.  They are all really enjoying this and we plan to continue it in January after the winter break!

 The same night was the Santa Float!  There's a great barbershop quartet that comes and sings and they invite the kids up for Rudolph and Jingle Bells! 

 Santa's helpers are there too enjoying the kids and promising to pass on messages to Santa what the kids want for Christmas.  I didn't get the pic of us with Santa on my phone, but it was the best yet!! 

 We took our kids to Disneyland for the very first time!  They had so much fun!  So much great observation on their parts which has lead to many great conversations since.  Hearing them talk about what they saw, or how something worked or looked or felt....  just blissful to tell you the truth!  To see it from their eyes for the first time has been amazing! 

 It was also Mark and my 8 year anniversary!  He went out and got me these beautiful pink roses!!!  They are still going strong 6 days later!!!  LOVE YOU MARK!!!!

  And then we are back to traditional homeschooling as you know it.  But you know what?  Everything else we did, including Disneyland, was homeschooling.  There's learning EVERYWHERE.  No matter where we go or what we do, our kids are learning.    Here's Austin in his quest to COLOR EVERY COLORING PAGE HE CAN FIND.  Yes.  He is coloring all the time right now, and cutting out many things too.  And all this is strengthening his hands for writing skills.  It enhances his eye for color and patterns.  It is giving him quiet time to absorb thoughts and experiences. 

 He had to show it off with great grandma.  Please ignore the wall behind them.  I'm working on it. 

 We got a new laminator!  I found a website to print the kids names in printing practice format.  This one is double sided with Audrey on one side and Underhill on the other.  While writing your last name is a first grade skill, I'm letting Audrey decide when she wants to work on it.  Or I can offer it to Austin when I need him to work on it.  Using dry erase markers makes this a great activity they can do over and over and over!

 Silly Cody.  LOL  He was working on his fine motor skills using markers and stickers to make a picture. 

 Look at that concentration!!!  New math workbook since the other one went missing.  He did 8 pages and got 8 gold stars in this one!

 Lastly, today was all about science.  We planted some Paperwhite (Narcissis) bulbs, and then we made buckeyes!  Cooking is science and math!  The kids measured almost everthing themselves and I did the mixing, but they rolled every single one of the balls!  DELICIOUS! 

Have a beautiful and blessed evening!

Developmentally Appropriate

I know.  Developmentally appropriate.  Big words to describe what activities my kids should be doing at the age they are at.  But there is so much that I see these days that is NOT developmentally appropriate.  Too much hurry hurry hurry.  Trying to force them into learning how to read or do math or comprehend things that are above them. 

I read this blog post recently from another homeschooling mom and it hit home!  The Unhurried Homeschooler put into words what I couldn't. 

We've recently completed 3 weeks of homeschooling.  Austin has completed 33 pages of his math workbook and only 11 of his phonics.  Just looking at this, you can see where his interest lies right now.  Doing the math, he's still getting writing skills in.  Do I want him to learn how to read?  YES!  Should I push it more and more right now when he's really just not there????  NO!  Will I continue to offer phonics and reading skills.  Of course.  But I am realizing I need to back off on the PUSHING a bit.  When I push, he's pushing back and that's when the meltdowns happen.  Taking it one day and moment at a time is best for him when it comes to reading.  He is learning more and more about reading every day.  Even when doing his math.  His math skills are amazing.  He's conquering more than and less than.  He's still doing a lot of math in his head.  He's almost ready to move into a 1st grade math book!  I'm going to do one more Kindergarten level math book with him and then move him up!  It's where he is! 

Also, while doing our Advent series, we are making these amazing Saint's ornaments.  You can find them here on Catholic Icing.  Yes.  I paid $5 for them.  But I can do them year after year and print as many as I want!  It will be interesting to see how they look this year and then how they look in the next few years as my kids get older!  Will Davey want to do them when he's 5?  That's 4 years down the road!  $5 well spent in my opinion for an activity that will span many years of homeschooling. 

In between all this, my beautiful Audrey turned 5 on Friday! 

 

She got to pick breakfast, which ended up being Eggo waffles and sausage.  She also chose the dinner for the night which was hot dogs.  We made them into chili dogs for the adults and everyone was happy!  Making decisions like this is great for kids!  It gives them a little control and sometimes they also learn how hard it is to put a meal together.  Audrey and I went on and on for 2 days as to what our dinner would be on her birthday.  She couldn't decide on just a couple things and I finally had to reel her in and say, "One meat.  One veggie."  Of course we HAD to have Birthday Cake!!!  She had chosen eariler in the week to have a rainbow sprinkle cake with neon pink frosting on it.  We got some sugar Frozen decorations and a candle!  Here's how it came out! 

Is it professional quality???  Hardly!  But SHE got to do a lot of it!  She got to help me measure the oil and water and crack the eggs into it.  She got to help me with the icing and the placement of the decorations.  Wait?  You mean she did math, science, and fine motor skills while making a cake?  Yep!  She sure did!  THIS is our homeschooling! 

Have a Blessed Sunday and enjoy your day!

Never too small

You've all heard of Pay it Forward.  The idea that someone does something nice for you and you in turn do something nice for someone else.  I also call it being a good human.  Common courtesy.  Doing unto others as you would have them do unto you.  The Golden Rule.  Random acts of kindness.  There's lots of ways to be kind to others and do the right thing.

So, last night Austin (6) tells Mark a story.  He's telling his Papa how a long time ago, Mama saw some people who were sad when we were at Old Mac Donalds.  (Yes.  They call McDonalds, OLD Mac Donalds)   He realized that I knew these people were hungry so I went back and got them food and gave it to them.  It was a lot longer than these few sentences, but you get the idea.

Mark told me then about the story.  I was amazed!  Yes.  Over a year ago, I did see a family of a Mom, Dad, and child around 2 years old, sitting outside of a McDonald's in the driveway area who had a sign saying they were hungry and homeless.  I had been seeing them for days.  I saw someone give the man some money.  Probably $1.  And he was SO grateful and profusely thanking the giver.  I went back through the drive through and got two small combos and some of the kids coupons they had for kids items.  I spent around $15 probably.  I gave it to them as I timed my stop at the light so that I could have time to do it safely.  That was it.  Just a small act of kindness for a family in need.   

And my then 5 year old, remembers it over a year later!  He never spoke of it that day, that week, month.  Nothing.  But over a year later, he remembers me being kind to someone and helping them out. 

I don't know what sparked this memory for him.  Maybe it's because we just donated some gifts to an adopted family through the Knights of Columbus that Mark belongs to.  The kids helped me pick out the clothing for the children and watched as I wrapped them up and they were with us when we dropped them off. 

Maybe it's our discussions that have been sparked through our Advent Unit we are working on with homeschooling on doing good to others and being kind overall. 

I just know that that was a very small act of kindness that has not been forgotten by my son and I plan on trying to place more memories of kindness into his mind and heart as he grows.  No act of kindness is ever too small.  Opening the door for someone is never too small of an act.  Giving someone a smile in the store is never too small.  Giving of any amount of time or money is never too small.  Even if it's just a few coins from your pocket or purse.  It's never too small of an act of kindness.  Please pass it on in your daily life!

Rainy Day

It's a rainy day.  It's been raining since we woke up basically. 

My kids have been wanting to go on a rain walk so they can jump in puddles and get wet and muddy.  Instead, I sent them out into the backyard.  HA HA HA!  They are having a BLAST!  They are running.  They are wet.  They are muddy.  And all of that is perfect!  In a few minutes here, I will call them in.  I will toss them all into a nice warm shower.  While in the shower I will make them hot chocolate from scratch and some yummy grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch.  And all is good. 

This is our relaxed homeschooling today.  Well... we did do Crystal Climbers.  We did puzzles.  We did sorting.  Austin will be doing writing and math while Audrey and Cody are napping.  But this is homeschooling.  It's about taking opportunity and letting your kids run with it.  It's about letting the play in the rain! 

Have a beautiful and blessed day!

What day are we on?

What day are we on?  Oh yeah... I don't know!  LOL  And you know what?  That's okay!

It's December 1st.  We are on week three of homeschooling.  Why can't I tell you what day we are on? Because we take time off here and there but add stuff on the weekends, etc, etc, etc.  We are doing "relaxed homeschooling."  It means we are working on stuff every day.  But not rigid and strict in our schedule.  And again, that's okay.

Yesterday I began a unit on Advent I got from Homeschooled Kids.  It was $8 and covers SO much!  It covers our pre-reading and vocabulary skills.  It is a jumpstart for some of our math.  It's great for art projects, and above all, teaching my kids about advent!  We made a paper chain last night with our family with names and causes on the back of each chain.  Each night we will take a chain off and pray for that person or cause.  I will read a reading at dinner every night when we light our advent wreath.  The kids will learn Christmas Carols from this unit too!  There's one for every day!  I'm making a folder of them so we can visit them regularly and learn the lyrics to our favorites!  It also offers recipes for cooking which is also science and math!  I will do some of them, but not all. 

Some great things I've already learned in the last couple weeks.  This WORKS for us.  At least so far.  The kids are set up to do Starfall on the computer.  They have math and phonics programs on the iPad.  20 minutes on Starfall or the iPad give me time to make my bed.  Or sweep the floors.  Or eat breakfast!  Or catch up with a friend!

We've been working with clay for Christmas presents.  GREAT fine motor skills that will improve their writing!  They almost BEG for clay every day!  I'm running out!  I need to go get more in favorite colors.  :)

I've had time to knit and crochet!  Austin wants to learn how to weave!  Talk about teaching the 'fine arts'! 

Yesterday it rained.  I made magic rain bubbles for them!  Tomorrow it's going to rain again.  I plan on a rain walk so we can get soaking wet and jump into a warm tub when we get home!  We will talk about the science of rain and how things are different when it rains! 

We put up our Christmas tree yesterday.  It was joyful to watch the kids clump all the ornaments together.  And it was okay that they didn't go to bed until the Hallmark movie was over at 9pm instead of shuffling them off to bed at 8 because it was a school night! 

I've found them in the kitchen with me more and more.  And they are pretty good at helping and measuring and doing final touches on things. 

Overall, I'm loving homeschooling so far.  The kids are better behaved and more focused on their learning without fighting and whining over it. 

Days 4 and 5

As you will already notice, my days may get combined for my posts.  I am a busy busy mama and don't always have the time to sit down at my computer anymore. 

I've already seen progress in my kids basic skills that I'm working on.  Audrey is writing many more letters and recognizing them on sight.  Austin is reading more simple sight words and combining them into sentences!

I started using Laduate (free app on your smartphone/tablet) and am now reading the kids about the Saint of the Day and the Gospel of the day as well.  I'm doing this at breakfast so that they can really get a good start to the day!  I'm waiting on my Catholic curriculum to come in.  Okay... I haven't ordered it yet.  I'm still deciding which one I want to buy!!!  There are so many out there, but I've come across a great FB group called, Catholic Relaxed Homeschooling.  These ladies have been nothing but helpful, encouraging, and true to their faith so far!  We pray for one another and our needs for the day or week.  We are all mama's who just want the best for their kids!  Most of them use a mix and match type of curriculum and that's what I feel is working for us right now too.

Part of yesterday's homeschooling was writing our letters to Santa.  We went through the Toys R Us book online together and I wrote down the things my children wanted.  It was so interesting to see their reactions to things and what they wanted or didn't want.  Once I wrote their wants down, I had Austin and Audrey write their letters to Santa.  For Audrey, this meant copywork.  She would copy the words I wrote on a dry erase board on to her paper.  This is a great way to expose her to more than just one letter a week and a great way for her to learn her letters faster!  For Austin, he did some copywork, but some of his was also phonetic spelling.  This is a great way for him to translate what sounds a letter makes to a word on paper.

Do you know how many apps there are that are preschool/kindergarten related??  I truly don't know the number, but it's way up there.  I have Austin working at least 30 minutes as day on phonics and 30 minutes on math per day on the iPad.  He is enjoying these lessons in the forms of games, and I'm seeing it translate to his writing and his reading skills.  He already has read more this week than he probably had in the last month in the traditional school setting.  He's more willing to sound out words and pull out a book and look for words he knows!  This is wonderful!  This had been a 15-20 minute crying fest every evening when it was time to do his reading homework.  Now, he's reading more on his own and learning much more too!  He also is playing games such as Angry Birds Transformers and Minecraft.  And I"m okay with that.  He's learning how to budget his coins and gems on the Angry Birds Transformers game.  He knows when he levels up, he's going to need a bunch of coins for the next section and is saving for that now.  He's also learning to read numbers in the hundreds such as 297 and 724 and so forth.  He gets excited when his numbers are higher in some levels and that's great! 

Don't get me wrong, he doesn't spend all his time on the iPad.  He also is building with legos, playing outside, riding his bike, doing geo boards, and having free cut and color time too.  All of these things have led to a beautiful, relaxed and I would say, successful first week of homeschooling for us! 

Have a Blessed weekend!  See you on Monday!

Day 3

What was homeschooling like for us yesterday?  It was wonderful!  Cody had a Tiny Tots library day.  The librarian was very welcoming and all three big kids got to participate.  They colored Pilgrams.  They played and read books and they all sat for storytime!  It was simple yet fun and different for the kids!  We plan on going to the Wednesday preschool storytime every week if we can, and when, say Austin, grows too old and is reading on his own, we will still go and he can pick his own book to read and the younger ones can enjoy the time!

We came home and Austin and Audrey worked on geo boards again.... a new favorite.  Austin and I worked together on the iPad doing phonics and math while everyone else was napping.  He did 1.5 hours of math.  He LOVES math! 

Austin also built with Crystal Climbers.  These are so fun and provide a 3 dimensional building platform to make designs, patterns, and new shapes from the basics provided!  You can get them in many places, but I really like the quality of the Lakeshore ones.  Get them right here! And they are on sale right now! 

That's the pic from the Lakeshore site, but it gives you a good idea what you can do with them.

 I also got my geo boards there with extra rubber bands.  :)  I think one of my next purchases will be the geo board design center.  It will add another dimension to this activity!

Audrey also did more fine motor skills with me at dinner.  We wrapped little smokie hot dogs in homemade pretzel dough and she then rolled it to seal the dough and dipped it in the baking soda/water mix and then she placed them on the cookie sheet for baking!  Look how nice and neat her rows are!  Here's the recipe for the pretzel dough.  Simple, easy and so delicious!  Hint:  I don't use bread flour.  I just use regular white flour and let rise a bit longer.  Usually about an hour or so.

Audrey also used her fine motor skills to sprinkle and press grated cheese into the tops of 1/2 of them.  :)


Audrey and Cody also helped me make a special dessert last night.  Rice pudding.  I've never had success with it before.  This recipe from The Pioneer Woman was SO good!  I soaked dried blueberries in apple juice for mine.  Personally.  I won't use raisins or fruit in mine next time. And I didn't make the sauce for on top.   I really like it simple.  But it was DELICIOUS! 

In case you didn't realize it yet, cooking WILL be part of my homeschool curriculum.  It involves math, science, experimentation at times, fine motor skills and many other great areas of study.  It's a great way to have some 1:1 time with a child.  Audrey and Cody are the two who LOVE to be with me in the kitchen.  They both enjoy doing anything and everything I ask of them in there.  Stick around for more recipes and what not!  Please feel free to be added to my mailing list to get updates from us!

Day 2

I'm already seeing progress in Austin's phonics skills.  A simple activity of putting a letter in front of the rest of the word clicked for him.  He read simple sentences, "The bus is red." and then followed the direction to color the bus red.  There were 6 of these and they worked for him!  Look at the concentration he displayed in the pic above!  (note to self.... get more crayons... many colors have gone missing.  lol)

We did a 100 piece puzzle!  Austin did 2/3 of it by himself!!! 

Gymnastics was a  HIT for part of our physical education requirement!  Of the three kids who did it, who do you think was the best?  Austin (6), Audrey (5 next month), or Cody (3)?  Remember.  Audrey also has dance class once a week doing tap and ballet.  :)

We went to Chik-fil-A for dinner since it was Kid night!  The minute we walked in the door, the kids were whisked away to make turkey hand prints!  Then they all waited, very patiently I might add, for the balloon lady to make them special balloons.  After they ate their dinner they got to play in the place space there for a while.  I like the space there.  Only one way in/out and it's into the restaurant.  Sanitizing hand wipes at the door to clean hands before and/or after.  Chik-fil-A has a new regular customer family in us!

It's a simpler life.  Less stress.  Less hurry up and go.  Less struggles with 'homework' and more enjoyment with one another.  I know.  I"m only on day 3 today... but this feels so right for our family and I pray it continues!

Day 1

 The first day of homeschooling!  Yes.  You read that right.  We are homeschooling.  My children had been enrolled at a local Catholic school, and due to changes in curriculum and staffing, we felt this was a better choice for our family.  We filled out the forms required by California, and boom.  We are officially homeschooling.  We must teach, English, math, social sciences, science, fine arts, health and physical education.  But HOW we teach it, WHEN we introduce it, and WHAT methods we use are up to us.  There is no mandate that says I have to follow any specific curriculum.  I don't have to 'test' my children or have them take state testing or otherwise.  We do not have to follow Common Core and use the backwards methods they teach.  It's beautiful! 

You will see in the picture above our first day as we were taking Cody to Tiny Tots.  Yes.  He will still attend Tiny Tots.  It's inexpensive, close by and allows me more 1:1 time with the older two for more personalized study. 

 This picture above is homeschooling.  Working on dry erase boards with the handwriting lines on writing capital letters.  Funny.  Audrey was 'tested' at school to see what letters she recognized and could write.  She missed almost all except A, B, C, D, E and F.  The letters they had already covered in class.  Yet when I presented it to her individually and in a relaxed manner, she actually DID recognize most of them.  And could write most of them as well in a copycat format.  This will be a daily thing for us until she can do it by herself.... which I suspect won't be long!

This picture is also homeschooling.  My book in the front is my record book to keep track of what we are working on and what skills my children need help with or have mastered.  They are working on geo boards.  Great little plastic boards with small raised dots to put rubber bands on them.  This is math.  This is patterning.  This is spatial relations.  At school, a child may have 15-20 minutes in a center to work on an activity like this.  My 6 year old worked on it for 45 minutes non stop before asking to do something else.  My almost 5 year old?  1.5 hours!!!!!  No joke!  She wanted to keep doing it over and over and over and made many many patterns and we did addition with 2 + 3 = 5 over and over with the patterning she did. 

Long periods of uninterpreted play, exploration, and activity time are essential for kids to learn great skills.  I plan to provide those times for my children on a regular basis.  Some days it may not be possible.  I still have to go grocery shopping.  Do laundry.  Clean house.  Run other errands as necessary.  But if I can give them long time periods every day to work on these skills, I bet I will have faster readers, better math skills, and overall, better behaved children as well! 

Yesterday was my first day homeschooling, and I thoroughly enjoyed it with my kids!  On to day 2 today and we will see what it brings!