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.