And for comparison- two pictures of all three kids. The top one is from their first day of school this school year and then one I took this morning of their last day. (almost last day, it is actually tomorrow)
Read more!
Showing posts with label kids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kids. Show all posts
Monday, June 6, 2011
Kid pictures
Gwen and Burrito
And for comparison- two pictures of all three kids. The top one is from their first day of school this school year and then one I took this morning of their last day. (almost last day, it is actually tomorrow)
Read more!
And for comparison- two pictures of all three kids. The top one is from their first day of school this school year and then one I took this morning of their last day. (almost last day, it is actually tomorrow)
Read more!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Homeschoolers don't quit...they evolve
Into Afterschoolers.
After five years of homeschooling we, my husband initially, decided to enroll the kids into our neighborhood public school.
My husband felt it would be best, so I could have a "break" from all the responsibilities I was taking on. His reasoning was that I had just lost my mom after a very intense 18 month bout with leukemia, and I was in college. He wanted me to take the time to ease up a bit after that experience and take more college courses if I felt I was up to it.
It took a bit of time, but after a couple of months of working through grief, homeschooling, and juggling college I realized he was right. I am only one person and I needed time to process things and take a breather.
However, just because they are in school does not mean that I shoulder off everything to the school. It is still my responsibility to introduce them to good solid literature, help them develop a strong vocabulary, do math drills, and include or expand upon any areas I feel are important that the school does not. I do love their school and their teachers are wonderful, but after Christmas break there was what seemed this big shift and mobilization to get ready for the standardized tests. Which means more focus on math and the mechanics of reading. I think that is fine, give them a solid math base and reading and writing base, and I will cover history, poetry, the great books, and natural sciences.
This said, it does not mean that I am burdening them with tons more work. "Afterschooling" for us, is an extension of our life like homeschooling was. They are given books to read each week from a list here and asked to write down any vocabulary words they come across that they don't know, and write a quick couple of lines summarizing their reading for the night. My boys like to read before bed, so they fit in 15-30 minutes of the book I give them, and then move on to whatever other book they are reading. Poetry, I recite to them, we discuss it together, and this can happen over dinner or while Im cooking. History- Im a history geek and topics in history come up in several conversations during the day. Sciences, same thing.
Really, afterschooling is just doing what is a parental duty and truly does not even need it's own name.
Read more!
After five years of homeschooling we, my husband initially, decided to enroll the kids into our neighborhood public school.
My husband felt it would be best, so I could have a "break" from all the responsibilities I was taking on. His reasoning was that I had just lost my mom after a very intense 18 month bout with leukemia, and I was in college. He wanted me to take the time to ease up a bit after that experience and take more college courses if I felt I was up to it.
It took a bit of time, but after a couple of months of working through grief, homeschooling, and juggling college I realized he was right. I am only one person and I needed time to process things and take a breather.
However, just because they are in school does not mean that I shoulder off everything to the school. It is still my responsibility to introduce them to good solid literature, help them develop a strong vocabulary, do math drills, and include or expand upon any areas I feel are important that the school does not. I do love their school and their teachers are wonderful, but after Christmas break there was what seemed this big shift and mobilization to get ready for the standardized tests. Which means more focus on math and the mechanics of reading. I think that is fine, give them a solid math base and reading and writing base, and I will cover history, poetry, the great books, and natural sciences.
This said, it does not mean that I am burdening them with tons more work. "Afterschooling" for us, is an extension of our life like homeschooling was. They are given books to read each week from a list here and asked to write down any vocabulary words they come across that they don't know, and write a quick couple of lines summarizing their reading for the night. My boys like to read before bed, so they fit in 15-30 minutes of the book I give them, and then move on to whatever other book they are reading. Poetry, I recite to them, we discuss it together, and this can happen over dinner or while Im cooking. History- Im a history geek and topics in history come up in several conversations during the day. Sciences, same thing.
Really, afterschooling is just doing what is a parental duty and truly does not even need it's own name.
Read more!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Tuesday
We are in the midst of a lovely ice storm, so the kids are home from school. Everything is coated with ice and the dogs did not appreciate stepping out onto a slippery porch this morning, although it gave me a good laugh. Thankfully, the cat that comes and goes from the house was ensconced in her room. She came to us last summer bone thin with a belly full of kittens and several ticks embedded in her skin.
Today will be a day for taking pictures to capture the dangerous beauty of the ice; my apple trees are bowing down with the weight of it, and I hope they will not break. Tonight there is supposed to be more freezing rain-my prayer for then is that the power stays on. We might live in an old farmhouse, but strangely, there isn't a working fireplace and the thought of freezing for a few days without power is less than appealing.
Tuesday has a to do list also:
~vacuum the downstairs (I love my pets, but not their hair!)
~vacuum couch
~Dust living room
~cat boxes
~laundry
~bake more muffins because the kids eat so much
~write
~work on essay
Prior to this school year we homeschooled for a total of five years. The kids are enjoying being in school and I enjoy the ability to take a heavier course load for myself-in the hopes of not graduating past 50. Today they asked if I could homeschool them since they were off of school.
How could I refuse that?
Read more!
Today will be a day for taking pictures to capture the dangerous beauty of the ice; my apple trees are bowing down with the weight of it, and I hope they will not break. Tonight there is supposed to be more freezing rain-my prayer for then is that the power stays on. We might live in an old farmhouse, but strangely, there isn't a working fireplace and the thought of freezing for a few days without power is less than appealing.
Tuesday has a to do list also:
~vacuum the downstairs (I love my pets, but not their hair!)
~vacuum couch
~Dust living room
~cat boxes
~laundry
~bake more muffins because the kids eat so much
~write
~work on essay
Prior to this school year we homeschooled for a total of five years. The kids are enjoying being in school and I enjoy the ability to take a heavier course load for myself-in the hopes of not graduating past 50. Today they asked if I could homeschool them since they were off of school.
How could I refuse that?
Read more!
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