The Monthly Chat


<< Previous editions   February, 2010   Next edition >>

Printable bits of wisdom, ideas, and reflections for your friends and
homeschool group, from the members of HomeschoolClassifieds.com
Opinions expressed are those of the individual authors.
©1997-2009 HomeschoolClassifieds.com, Knoxville, TN

 

A friend & her son...what I should've said

The other day in the halls of the recent co-op meeting, a mom mentioned that her husband was on 'another'' business trip. Now, I know with the economy as it is, she wasn't complaining about him having a job...or that she was ''doing it all'' this week...or even that the recognizable lump on the other side of the bed wasn't there...but I would think that maybe, it was that her son misses his daddy.

The point of the the conversation, at least from my half of the conversation would be about the boy thinking about his other parent...DADDY. Mom was asking what would be the first thing that I would do about keeping up with the studies and the dad being gone and that moment when he returns. My answer? Close the books, give the boy's dad a kiss and leave the pair of them to each other.

Now, why I didn't say this in the moment, I dunno...but, we moms find simple trivia type of information like chicken breasts are on sale at the grocery store, the best thing for cleaning gunk is this stuff or that we found enough time to marinade in the tub for a while...important. But, why I didn't speak up about the mystery of a boy and his dad, is beyond me.

There's something to be said about the two guys being together. I really don't profess to be a pro on relationships. But, I have sensed this with my guys. Some machismo thing about the dad sharing, side by side with his progeny there's some transfer of that thing. I don't know what it is.

They (the dad) troussel the kid's hair in such a way, I know my mom hand doesn't quite do it...The youth group leader, who is the ''coolest'' is at least a temporary fix...the kids sitting down to read one more chapter is just NOT that important enough to do after the dear daddy man comes back home.

I Hope that helps my friend and her son.
pockets
 
Other
Growing up

I never thought in 1995 when I started Homeschooling that I would still be doing it! I never thought about how long I would do it or how much time and effort it would require.

When I began I had two students. Two daughters a first grader and a Pre schooler. It grew over the years to Five and of the two that began one is getting Married in spring and one is in her first year of College. The Oldest is finishing College and getting Married.
Did I Fall asleep? How can that many years have passed?
Have I really Spent 15 years teaching my children?

My Advice to you is this Cherish each day. Every day you want to give up, think about it in the proper perspective. It isn't the end of the world if they didn't finish today, or if your youngest flits around and aggravates you because you are constantly re directing him or her. It won't last forever they grow up and these days are gone forever. They are past and part of our Memories. We can't do them over, try to speak a little more calmly and quietly.
My youngest is in 3rd grade this year. The time has gone so fast and it seems each year goes faster. I am trying to hold on and cherish each day with one hand and slowly but surely let go with the other.
redbarn

Other
Bats/School and Wombats/Homeschool

School is to Homeschool as Bat is to Wombat. Both Bats and Wombats are mammals, but the similarities end there...different habitats, habits, diets, predators, and appearance despite the seemingly familiar name.

In the same vein, School and Homeschool are both ways to educate our children, but Homeschool involves such a completely different lifestyle--response, approach, vantage point/prespective that it would almost be better if we had another name for the process that didn't involve the word ''school'' and, at the same time, would adequately convey the vast difference.
ajvarnado
 
Handwriting
Wasted Angst

My daughters are now 17 & nearly 20; we homeschooled both of them all the way through. Now from the vantage of the other side I'll share one thing that I wish I had grasped at the beginning. That is: Handwriting is needful but not worthy of time spent agonizing over which curriculum to use. For heaven's sake, by the time we grow up we each develop our own distinct writing style. I remember going back & forth; traditional cursive? Italics? My older daughter is a lefty, which posed its own concerns.

My advise to anyone starting to teach handwriting: It's not worth tears on anyone's part. Legibility is important, but perfection? Not so much. Practicing penmanship does help with spelling for some children but not for others. Choose one way for them to learn to write and stick with it. When they're ready, have them learn touch typing (''Keyboarding,'' I guess it's called now), which will be far more useful in today's world than perfect penmanship.

I believe that Handwriting should be a tool, not an end goal. If you have a child who really enjoys it, by all means encourage practice; but save your ''battles'' for the multiplication tables!
lifelearner

Other
Glorify God!

My job is to train my kids to glorify God in everything. Therefore I must model it. Glorifying God has transformed our home school/family environment. I am not to focus on what level they are in or am I required to meet the standards of the world. I am to glorify God. Each moment, each curriculum choice, each minute during the day, I ask, ''What does God want?''

I train my kids to ask themselves if they are glorify God in their attitude in school, in their choice of free time, in their hobbies and quality of work done.

Like everything else, God is right there and prayerfully our relationship with Him directs each move. How freeing!
hidngplace

Homeschool helps
Do not under-estimate bartering

Bartering is fun and can be very helpful, expecially during hard financial times. And there are so many options... One can barter for services, baked goods, books, etc.

It is a great way to swap homeschool curriculum and books for required and suggested reading.
bookbliss
 
Organization/time management
Stop Stressing Out!

A public school teacher gave me some wonderful advice recently. She said, ''Stop stressing out about following your curriculum exactly to the letter -- don't be afraid to take a detour if your child shows interest in a specific area. I only wish I had the freedom to do just that in my public school classroom. Take advantage of those opportunities to latch onto what's capturing your childs interest!''
I've ''Stopped Stressing Out'', and started following my child's interest- we are all enjoying school more! I think I was overlooking my son's specific interests by sticking so closely with the curriculum we are using.
stamplady123

Other
Identity Theft

Have you gotten buyers who want to use the UPS Courier service to pay for and ship the curriculum? I have and it sent up red flags for me. I searched a little under UPS Courier scams and though my email isn't exactly like those listed online, the scams that are listed are called identity theft scams and the only information asked for is a full name, address, and phone number. Although that information seems innocent enough, it apparently is enough for whatever purpose these people have.

Deb
cdia

Unit studies
Let Each Child Choose

Give each child an index card, and ask them to write down 3 ideas of what they'd like to study next.
I then go through their ideas, and pick one that I think will work for everyone.
Go to the library and pick as many diverse books on the subject as possible. Some for all reading levels.
Getting the choldren's input on what to study next has proven very successful in our family. The kids feel more important and work harder!!
lisapal

Lang arts: phonics
Learn How To Read Website

I just wanted to share a great website that is free. It helps the children learn how to read. It is starfall.com.

It helps with phonics. It has books that the child can read or can have the book read to them.
school4them
 
Other
A Precious Opportunity

It is as a single parent, when I am faced with the very real possibility of maybe not being able to continue homeschooling my children because of the necessity of having to work, that I truly realize how precious a thing it is to be able to watch my children grow in ALL ways, for most of the day, every day. I also realize how much I am able to do without (financially) and just how far we are able to tighten the belt in order to continue to homeschool. God has been so very good to us and our needs are almost always met in His time. And yes, we have experienced more than our fair share of miracles.
suzahb

Hist/Geog/SS: General
Making History Relevant......

When teaching history to elementary students, I find that they are more interested when I try to relate it from their vantage (age) point. I ask questions such as what toys would someone have played with in that era, how would they have helped Mom get dinner ready, what types of chores would they have had and why and similar questions. I especially found this helpful when leading studies with our homeschool group. It led to a LOT of interesting discussons too! Productive and FUN!
homzkool

Art & music
Music Practice

Remember- no matter how they may fight it when they are children, when they are adults, they will appreciate that you made them keep at it. Great tool for learning self-discipline and perseverance. You can see the pride they get from learning and polishing a new piece.
suzahb

Organization/time management
Avoiding Burnout

To avoid burnout, LOVE your children and APPRECIATE them and the time you are so privileged to share with them. They grow up so quickly. Try to savor each day in such a way as to not have regrets when you look back- whether it be that night or years down the road.
suzahb

Garden & Yard
Outdoor School

We always love to take 'school' outside when the weather permits. There are dozens of plants, flowers, bugs, rocks, and rotting debris to examine. Remember to take those handy pocket sized field guides with you. It is enjoyable for mom and students.
learning4him