Homeschooling Early On.

Recently, I was speaking to a fellow Mom about Homeschooling. She had 2 children, her daughter was just an itty bitty baby (So Adorable!) & she had a son who just turned 4 years.
I had met her at a local Park and got to talking about kids, family, school, etc. She was thinking about the idea of homeschooling, but wasn't even sure at what age to start.

~> I have always felt early child education was Super important. Now, I am not saying 3 & 4 year olds should be at a table for hours a day practicing how to draw straight lines, or memorizing colors. In fact, one of the reasons I chose to Homeschool was because I wanted my children's early years to be more about Fun & play learning. Still, just because you are playing & having Fun doesn't mean you can not learn too, am I right? I still remember, how my kids at that age, used to love the field trips we went on, computer time, reading to them, coloring printables, cutting/pasting/decorating crafts, doing puzzles, Co-op, etc. Lol! To be honest, they still like doing all of that ;)




Anyways, as I was sharing my experience's with her, she was surprised that she had already been homeschooling. She informed me that she had been doing much of the same with her kids already ;)



Until Next time...

Summer Schooling

I know for many homeschooler's, it's that time of year, when you may be wrapping up your schooling. However, for other's like myself, you are still going strong & planning on  homeschooling all the way through Summer.
Now, I know the idea of Summer- School may seem Crazy, but for our family & many other's,  it works!



Still unsure? Below is a list, of a few Pro's & Con's, on Homeschooling through the Summer.


Pro's:

1.You can choose when you may want to take time off through out the year & for how long.
2. You also can choose to school less days a week &/or hours a day through out the year.
3. You have the option to accomplish more than one grade level a year, which would allow for earlier graduation.

4. You also have the option to stretch out, what would have taken 9 months into 12 months. Allowing for a more relaxed/flexible school year.
5. You can take more time on trouble areas or topics of interests.
6. Children are less likely to incur Summer Break learning loss.

Cons:

1. Kids &/or Adults may not be happy with not having a Summer Break.
2. If you use a standard, boxed curriculum, you may need to tweak it to stretch over the year. Or you may incur additional yearly cost by needing to buy the next grade up. ( which isn't really a bad thing IMO )
3. If you live in an area that doesn't have pleasant weather through out the year, you may miss out on some outdoor activity's.



So, what have we been doing this week?  We are doing lots of definition match & a Fun Horse Unit Study.


Until Next Time...


 

Learning Styles, Methods, etc!

Starting out, many parents thinking about or who have already started homeschooling, are faced with that all to important question: What type of Learning style do we have?
 

Experts have identified three basic learning styles:

1. Auditory learners: They remember by talking out loud, like to have things explained orally and may have trouble with written instructions. Auditory learners may talk to themselves when learning something new.
2. Visual learners: They easily remember visual details and prefer to see what they are learning. They prefer to write down instructions and may have trouble following lectures.
3. Kinesthetic or tactile learners: They prefer activities that allow them to do what they are learning about. Tactile learners like to touch things in order to learn about them and like to move around when talking or listening.

Another question you will have to ask yourself is:
What Method of Homeschooling? Knowing your child(ren) Learning style, will help you in making this choice. Also, try not to worry about choosing the wrong one. Homeschooling is "Trial & Error". If you find that what you have chosen doesn't work, or quits working, then you can always choose something else to try :)

-Below is a list of some of the most popular Homeschooling Methods used:
 
 
School-at-home: The goal of school-at-home is to do what schools do, only better. Families who follow this style may set up a part of their home just like a classroom, right down to the blackboard and flag. They generally use textbooks or programs, online or print, that closely resemble the ones used in schools. And they usually judge their children's progress using quizzes, exams, assignments, and standardized tests.
 
Eclectic Homeschooling: An Eclectic Homeschooler is one who looks at the different approaches and methods of homeschooling and takes from each forming his own unique philosophy. They choose what seems appropriate for each child, and what fits best with a particular child's interests and abilities.
 
 Self-Directed Learning: The individual homeschooled student has the
primary responsibility for planning, implementing, and even evaluating his
or her efforts.

Unschooling: It is an educational philosophy that lets children follow their interests at their own pace. While sometimes controversial, many techniques associated with unschooling are used by all varieties of homeschooling families with great success.

Radical Unschooling: This style doesn't  just give kids freedom in what to learn; they also refrain from setting limits in any area of life.
 
 Charlotte Mason Method: A method of education popular with homeschoolers in which children are taught as whole persons through a wide range of interesting living books, firsthand experiences, and good habits.
 
 Waldorf: Rudolf Steiner’s, an early twentieth century philosophy, prescribes the benefits of movement, art, handicrafts, music, and stories. It emphasizes storytelling and discourages the early use of technology.
 
 Classical Education Method :The core of Classical Education is the trivium, which simply put is a teaching model that seeks to tailor the curriculum subject matter to a child’s cognitive development. The trivium emphasizes concrete thinking and memorization of the facts of the subjects in grade school; analytical thinking and understanding of the subjects in middle school; and abstract thinking and articulation of the subjects in high school. Subjects unique to Classical Education which help accomplish the goals of the trivium are Grammar, the science of language usage; Logic, the science of right thinking; and Rhetoric, the science of verbal and written expression. Classical Christian Education is further characterized by a rich exposure to the history, art, and culture of Western Civilization, including its languages (Latin and Greek), its philosophy and literature (the Great Books of Western Civilization and the Christian tradition), and the development of a Biblical worldview with Theology in its proper place as the Queen of the Sciences.
 
 
Montessori Homeschooling: The centerpiece of the Montessori approach is allowing children to learn on their own while being guided by the teacher. The teacher assesses what the child has learned and then guides him into new areas of discovery.
 
Multiple Intelligences: Howard Gardner's 1983 theory outlines strengths besides math and language, including spatial, physical, musical and naturalist. A learning styles approach presents material in a way that matches those strengths - for instance, giving a tactile learner letters cut from sandpaper to trace with his finger, or making a song out of the times table for a musical child.
 
Distance Learning - Online Homeschools / Virtual Homeschools: Education that is learned using a computer.
 
Unit Studies/Project-Based Learning: With the Unit Studies method of homeschooling, one topic or goal becomes the jumping-off point for every subject from math to literature to science to social studies. Project-Based Learning approaches learning in a similar way. Students select or are given a problem or goal as the focus of their studies.

~You also need to consider whether you want a Christian based homeschool Curriculum or a Secular homeschool curriculum. ( Remember you have the ability to tweak any Secular Curriculum. For example: We use a Secular Curriculum, but we have added a separate free Bible program to our school day)~

 

 

( If all of this, is a bit understandably Overwhelming,

 then why not try out this neat quiz that helps you figure

some of this out. ~> 

Homeschool Diner's,  Click-O-Matic ,

Guide to Choosing a Homeschool Approach .)

 

Finally, we all know that not all Homeschooling families are alike! Some have "Special Situation".

Of course, that only means you have to be a bit more Creative & Determined.

Even if you think that your circumstance's are to hard, etc. That there is no way that YOU can Homeschool.  just remember that is just your FEAR talking.

 I have & always will say, Where there's a Will, there's a Way!

 

 

 

 

 

 

~For those of you who may be wondering our Learning style, methods, etc:

                   My oldest is a Visual learner, where as my youngest seems to be more of

Kinesthetic or tactile learner. We are very much Eclectic Homeschooler's,

utilizing Distance Learning & Unit Studies. In addition, even though we

are consider ourselves Christian Homeschooler's, I use a

Secular homeschool Curriculum.

 

 

 

 

 Until Next Time... 

 

 

 

Springing into Reading

                                                   

Is it just me, or is Spring just the Best time of the year or what?! The weather is so nice and warm, but not too Hot yet. Outside of some allergy issues, it is perfect. Speaking of Spring, it has also put a Pep back into my "Unit Study" step. I have been getting back to nature with some Fun Spring Inspired Unit studies, Spring crafts & Nature games lately. Kids have really enjoyed learning about all of the insects, etc.

In other Homeschooling news, my Kindergartner is working hard on his reading. We have been using these Great picture puzzles that have a letter on each picture. This really has helped him put the words together correctly. In addition, I have also have had him sit with me, while I read picture books to him. Every so often I point to a word and see if he can figure out what it could be, based off the images and other words we had been reading. I have learned over the years that when children encounter an unfamiliar word while reading, that using contextual cues ( information from pictures or from sentences surrounding the unknown word), really helps. He has made so much progress with his reading recently, just so proud of him!

Until next time.

 

SAT & Evaluation's

Whether or not you Homeschool on a typical school calendar or you school year round and of course depending on which state you reside and/ or by your own choice, Year end Homeschool evaluation or SAT's are on your upcoming "To Do" list.

If you are like myself, than you have already called and set up an appointment with a local Teacher, who preform these Homeschool Evaluations. You are also busy writing out questions or concerns to discuss, as well as, putting together a folder filled with samples of your children's school work and printing out any grades if you also use Online Curriculum.





If you choose to Test, than you are probably busy having your child do practice tests, SAT games, and you may have even hired a SAT math tutor and/or SAT writing tutor.





Regardless, what you do, we all have the same goal in mind. We want to see that our children are Learning! That are efforts are Working! One thing I always tell myself before an evaluation and I am going to share this with you all today!

    ~ I have done a Great job so far! My Children are learning and thriving as Homeschooler's! ~

That Yes!

 

Until Next time...

They say the Best things in Life are Free and I couldn't agree more!

This concept in my life also applies to Homeschooling. There just nothing better than finding those Freebies that are O' so helpful :)

Recently, I have been getting ready for the New School Year to be ( hard to believe it is already April!). I know for some of you, you are looking forward to a nice Summer Vaca, but in our family, we choose to school year round. During the Summer time is when we start wrapping up, reviewing, and getting ready for the next Grade year.

 

No matter whether or not you also school year-round, when it is time to wrap up "your" current year  and prepare for your next year, make sure you take the time to review your current curriculum and Homeschooling system, method, etc. Questions you should ask yourself is, is it still working for you and your children? Does anything need to be added or changed, etc? If you are not already apart of a local Homeschooling group/ co-op and want to be, this would be the time to look into finding one in your area. If you live where there isn't one, again this would be the time to decide if creating one yourself, is what you would want to do.
 In addition,  if you enjoy Unit Studies like we do, then choosing at least a couple of topics ahead of time is a good idea ( whether you put them together yourself or buy them pre-made, there is still some prep needed). Then there is printing out any printable games, printable flashcards, printable worksheets, etc. ahead of time. This really does make your day to day school-day flow much smoother.

Last, but not least, buying those school supply's : paper, pencils, markers, printer ink, etc. I personally try and wait till Tax Free time and stock up for the year. It is a big money saver! ( if your state doe not offer this, but you live close to another state, check and see if the neighboring state has the Tax Free Program. It may be worth the drive ;)

 

Until Next time...

 

How to Make a Popsicle Stick Puzzle

I have discovered a New Educational Craft, that is Fun! It is call a Popsicle stick puzzles! They are Super easy to make, cheap, and lets not forget a wonderful project that helps your child to develop their thinking skills, motor skills and long term memory.

 

Here are the steps on how to make a Popsicle stick puzzle:

Items needed:

• Popsicle's
• tape
• pencil, markers, crayons, etc.

 

Optional:

• Glue
• knife
• picture

 

1. Give your child several Popsicle sticks and have him or her lay the Popsicle sticks side by side on a flat surface to form a square or rectangle. For example, the child could use their Popsicle sticks to make a raft formation. Be sure the ends of the raft formation are even with each other.

2. Place a piece of masking tape over the top end of the Popsicle sticks. Smooth the tape out as you apply it to the Popsicle sticks, while being sure the sticks stay snug against each other. Place a second piece of masking tape to the bottom end of the Popsicle sticks.

3. Turn the Popsicle square or rectangle over so the front side of the Popsicles face upwards. The masking tape must be down towards the flat surface for this part of the puzzle development.

4. Use a pencil, pen, etc. to draw a picture on all of the Popsicle sticks. Use markers or crayons to color your picture. Be creative and colorful.

5. Flip the puzzle over and remove the pieces of masking tape from backside of puzzle. Throw the pieces of masking tape away once they have been removed from the Popsicle sticks.

Viola! Puzzle Complete!

Now for the Fun

6. Have your child mix up the Popsicle sticks and then have them put the correct puzzle pieces back together in the correct order.

Tips:

• Depending on the child's age, you can make these puzzles as big or small as you want.
• Put small number on the backside for younger kids. This will help you remember the order of the pieces.
• Hide the puzzle pieces around the room and have your child find the pieces, then put the puzzle together.
• You or your child can also glue a picture to the Popsicle sticks. Once dry, then have an adult use a knife, to cut the Popsicle sticks apart evenly.

 

Idea taken from eHow.com How to Make a Popsicle Stick Puzzle | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2265279_make-popsicle-stick-puzzle.html#ixzz2PjuIYxhc

 

 

 

In other Homeschooling news...

 

It is almost that time of year again. Whether you are a Homeschooling or Roadschooling most of us, depending on your state, have either end of year testing or evaluations to do. Click the link below to learn more.

 

 

Homeschool Portfolio Evaluations <~ Click to learn more ;)

 

 

 

 

Until Next Time...