What did you do today?

Like any other parents, we'd ask our kids questions about their day (before we started homeschooling). They'd say things like: "I forgot", "Nothing", and so on. Our son would go even further and say that he didn't talk to anyone or play with anyone. Now, this was not true because I would see him at various times playing with friends, answering questions, participating and so on.

Now, kids (and some adults) will ask my homeschoolers what they did or what they are learning and they say: "Nothing", "I don't know", or "We watched TV or played games". They forget to mention the sewing classes they attend, the writing class, the homeschool meet-ups, the science fair at a local university, learning how to cook, and so on.

Sometimes, they don't even realize they are learning different things. The pic above is from a hike we took this morning. On that hike, they looked for (and spotted) animal tracks, talked about pollution in the water, read detour signs (which then meant changing our planned hiking route), took turns with each other's bike and scooter and so on. Yet, if someone asks them what they did today, they will say "Nothing" or maybe "We walked the dog".

And, yes later on there will be a math lesson and some reading time. That's just how we roll right now!

Outsourcing...

It's almost the end of a pretty full school year. The oldest is moving on to Middleschool in the fall. We don't know where yet as all of the placements haven't been sent out yet.

Our 2 homeschoolers have been doing all kinds of things. Our youngest kind of forced us onto an unschooled path and we are still figuring things out.

At this point, I've realized that outsourcing is good, and sometimes necessary. As, I'm writing this (on my phone!), they are attending a writing class. #3 is a reluctant writer at home so I've realized that I needed an alternate plan. Boom, homeschool writing class!

Hopefully, they have a good time! Now, back to my coffee! 

Making me a priority is hard sometimes...

    In the past few years, I have been successful at weight loss but put the weight back on. First, with a knee injury and then an arm injury. Both required surgery, a few months to recover and then physical therapy. To be honest, I stopped the arm PT early because I was doing more at home with my arm than what was happening at the hospital. Hello, groceries and laundry for 5 people!

I am at the point where I just wasn't feeling good. So, we reexamined our budget and rejoined the YMCA.  I'm starting the Couch to 5K program again (aka C25K) and doing weights 3 times a week. My right arm (the surgery arm) already feels a bit better and straighter after only a few weeks.

Yet, sometimes, I feel guilty. About taking time out of the day to work out. To take advantage of the child care at the Y during the week, this typically means heading in at the end of the day. And lets be honest, sometimes one just would rather veg out on the couch than strap on gym gear and go get sweaty.

Today, there was chasing the dog to spray him with a medicine for a rash on his stomach, 2 math quizzes to give, reading stories, rehearsing a play, music class, homework for the oldest and laundry....so much laundry (nudists may have the right idea here). Yet, I packed my gear in the car and after school pick up, a quick bite at McDs and then music class, we headed off to the gym. If the younger 2 had HW, I don't know if this would be as easy as their HW generally caused an insane amount of drama!

And now, at home, more laundry is going and I feel better for having gone! Now bring on bed time please!

Chaos and Perfection

    The past week, #2 and I have focused on her completing an annual exam. The state of NY requires homeschoolers to choose a test every other year, starting in 4th grade. Then every year, starting in 9th. She was downright indignant that #3 didn't have to test this year. What can I say kid? Life isn't always fair.

A friend commented that while she could see positive changes in my kids, her idea of school remains firmly rooted in the idea of desks, a teacher and a classroom. That's cool as that was my idea about it too and still is sometimes. #2 surprised me by saying she didn't think she wanted to return to school when she got older. I said ok, we'll see what happens when the time comes.

Some days are great and some days have me questioning my sanity and wondering if I can request a coffee/wine iv drip from my doctor! Today, is a good day so far. #2 finished her test while holding one of our cats. Then, they played on the computer and they are ending their day with constructing their own experiments. I'm not sure what they are doing but they are fully engaged and working both independently and together. We'll end the evening with a drum class for #3,  pizza for dinner, and a math lesson. For some reason, his math goes a lot smoother at night these days.

Art & Imagination

This week has seen a large growth in imaginative play and the creative process. A friend is helping #2 learn to crochet which is not an area I have any skill in...yet.

And #3 has started to realize that he doesn't need an instruction manual to build things with his legos and kinex.

The dog just likes to have everyone hanging around but he has yet to help with the laundry!

Always Changing Directions

Other than Math, my plans and curriculum choices weren't working. Lots of resistance which led to bad moods, distrust and power struggles.

I asked them, "What do you want to do?"

The boy said that he wanted more science projects. The girl said she wants to build a play house.

Well, it's January in Upstate, NY. Building a play house can happen but not right now. I told her she needed a plan or a blueprint. We'll see if she goes anywhere with this idea.

The boy's idea is a bit more reachable. I put the curriculum aside and took out the dig a dinosaur kits, some books on dinosaurs, printed up some worksheets and fun dinosaur puzzles and cued up some things on Netflix.

Today, even with me not feeling 100% and the oldest being home sick, was a pretty good school day (or unschool day?), They watched a few Dino shows and dug out dino bones. This went on for 4 hours. 4 hours of us watching and discussing topics like evolution, the impending ice age, how the continents were one huge land mass and other assorted topics.

Currently, they have pulled out various art supplies to do an art project of some sort. This is completely their spontaneous idea. I hope this spark continues!

We may be moving in an unschool type direction which is a bit scary for me. I think I need more deschooling time!

Math isn't literal...

We started back with academics this week after deschooling since September.

He was less than thrilled honestly. My daughter was happy to get back into it though.

He finally sat with me to do a math lesson. But, he wanted to work in the workbook and not on the computer. This surprised me but we went ahead. 

Then he got stuck. The problem was: 

6-1= _____

His answer was 6. Now, this is review and I know he has done this basic stuff before. So, I pulled out pennies and he got the answer right. But, back to the worksheet and he still says 6. 

I asked him why his answer was 6. He looked at me and then covered the number 1 with his finger and said the 6 is still there. 

He definitely sees things in a different way! 

What are they learning today?

The new curriculum has been ordered. Planning to kick it into gear in January.

Yet, it feels like we are busier than ever. #2 is finishing up her theater class for this semester and only has 2 more sewing classes left.

Today, they played math games on the computer, rode bikes for a brief time since it is cold today, mailed their letters to Santa, cooked and played! They are getting better at filling their free time and exploring interests! #2 filled her time with drawing pictures of elves and reindeer.

Tomorrow is homeschool day at the local trampoline park and they have their Parkour class so it will be a very physical kind of day for them!

I'm also excited to see what activities we get from kiwi crate, which is a monthly activity kit that you can subscribe. I've ordered a holiday ornament decorating kit from them as well. (No, they didn't pay me.....but I wouldn't turn it down).

#1 is doing well at school. She has to work on her math grade but overall I'm happy with her progress. It was nice to have 2 days of no school this week even if they drive me crazy!

Changing Direction

I'm in the process of planning how we are going to move forward in January. We have stopped all book work for the moment. I know many will laugh at the idea of a burnt out 8 year old but that's exactly what I feel like I'm seeing right now. Reading, music practice, cooking, shopping, field trips, science projects are all still happening. I'm also looking at ways to explore how holidays are celebrated in other countries. Funny thing is, #3 asked us how blood clots happen, then he sat and watched 5 or 6 you tube videos about blood, veins, and the clotting process. He also randomly wrote a poem while sitting at the table. So, there is hope!

While the items I have now should work for 2 kids (or more), it requires a lot more organization and planning on my part. So, I'm leaning towards a boxed curriculum. Funny thing is, I was looking at 1 and it goes by age range instead of grade level. Initially I considered the 7-9 level but we have done many of the science projects and reading projects for that level. Without realizing it, I recreated the major parts of that curriculum. So, the 8-10 range it is. I'm okay with helping with the reading and adjusting assignments,

With switching in January, that kind of puts us on a different schedule. If this curriculum works for us, then we'd either keep working through some of the summer or just pick up in the fall where we stop in June.

Mending Pieces and Starting Over

I found this written in my son's school agenda. I'm not sure when he wrote it and neither is he. We discussed it and it's clear to me that he really doesn't hate the people at his school. But, the school work, his frustration at not understanding and having to be pulled out for services were all adding up to make him unhappy. He did have good moments at school and the teachers and staff there love him. I have absolutely no doubt about this. I pointed this out to him and he smiled. He definitely wrote this hoping it would be seen. I don't know what he thought would happen and he shrugged his shoulders when I asked.

Today, #2 and #3 asked me if they could write letters to Santa. We were out and about already but I said we could definitely add this to our list of work for tomorrow or next week. #3 said "no, that can't count as work because it would be something fun." My heart broke a little when he said this. It seems I have my work cut out for me for the next few months.

I loved school as a kid even when my teachers weren't great. It was a safe haven for me when I didn't have that at home. I had hoped my kids would feel a similar way about school. Indeed #1 and #2 used to wake up excited to go and sad when there wasn't school. #1 is still happy to go but doesn't complain when there isn't school either.

Call me crazy but 8-10 year olds should not have to sit for hours at a time taking tests (some of these tests are also badly written but that's an entirely different issue). They should be moving and exploring the world around them. They should be asking questions and be given the tools to find the answer. I'm not saying everything should be glitter and rainbows all the time but maybe more than not. And I certainly have no idea how this would work in a room of 22-26 students!

In some ways, we have been homeschooling or supplementing all along: Music lessons, various trips etc. What we have lost at this point is the morning battles and the homework battles. I love not having to worry that they aren't going to get enough sleep since it can be a struggle to get my kids settled at night. #2 seems to naturally fall asleep between 10 and 11 these days and wakes up around 9. #3 settles down around the same time but wakes up around 8. In the morning,I just have to to tell my oldest to get up and she does the rest. With the other 2, it was world war 3 every morning! Not that I blame them, A 6am wake up isn't fun for most of us.

On the flip side, I'm tired at the end of the day! Like exhausted mentally. I need a certain amount of  down time every day and finding that balance while home schooling and being a single parent most weeks makes me feel like I'm walking on a tight rope made of fire. Coffee has always been my friend, now it is totally my BFF!

In the meantime, I'm setting smaller goals for the rest of this school year and rethinking curriculum choices for next fall.

Figuring out how to deschool

It sounds almost too easy, take time off from school stuff so the kids can readjust and not freak out when they do anything that looks like school work. Various sources recommend 1 month of deschooling for every year of school attended. I'm going to hold off on the math and serious writing until after the holidays with #3, unless he asks.

Yesterday, we went to the local science museum and checked out the dinosaur exhibit. The kids brought home some geodes to crack. They loved that. It took each of them a good 30 minutes to get them open. I'm sure some neighbors were wondering what the heck we were doing on our front lawn with hammers and rocks wrapped in socks!

Today, there was sewing class for #2 and the instructor was kind enough to let #3 stay as well. Then we came home and started our Greek History section. #2 did some Greek History last school year in 2nd grade so hopefully we all have a good time with it. It's always been one of my favorites! Right now, it's lunch and free time. I'm allowing them to play the Wii since it's the first week. Later on, there is music class and possibly a science experiment which involves baking.

I'm waiting to get some money together to get a new math curriculum. I love Math U See but it isn't clicking for #2. I'm hoping Teaching Textbooks is better since it's mostly computer based. Which means, I'm mostly removed from the equation (no pun intended!).

When they work together, it is awesome. When they argue, it can be epic! As long as we have more of the aweseome,, it will all work out.

Understanding and Adapting

I came across this HBO documentary this morning. I had it up on the computer while everyone finished up their morning routine. I didn't make the kids watch it with me but didn't hide it either. As I watched, #2 came up besides me and hugged me. We talk a lot about dyslexia and how her (and her brother's) brain works differently. Not stupid but different. "It isn't fair", she says. "Other kids can just read but I can't."
She's right and I tell her that this is the truth but it isn't an excuse. Everyone has something they struggle with. Then we refocus on what her strengths are: She is learning to sew. She can dance and do flips and many other things.
She becomes quiet as she watches kids on the monitor talk about their struggles and victories. Then, we moved on to doing our work. And, she did not cry when she made a mistake or squirm away when it was time to work on handwriting or phonics.
It was a good learning day for her.

Yet, I look back and wonder if we did enough. Should we have read 4 books instead of 3 at bedtime when she was 2? Instead of letting her watch cartoons sometimes, should we have just kept in on PBS all the time? Classical music instead of hip hop or rock? Would she be better off in a regular school environment? What happens if we decide to homeschool #3? Who has many of the same difficulties but a totally different personality.

I wonder.....

Finding Opportunities and Balance

Today, #2 took a craft class. The object is to make a Penny Rug in 6 weeks. She quickly decided on a pattern and drew the objects basically free hand. The instructor seemed impressed and I know I was impressed! I stayed with her this time but she is thinking about staying on her own (there are other students there) next week. I'm glad that the internet, email, and social media has given me the tools to find these opportunities for her to explore things.

While she did have art at her charter school, sewing and picking her own projects or having input into what she may or may not want to do was not an option.Or, input into the order of when she does things like math, reading, or science. This is the case at most schools. This is good and bad. There is whining and resistance from time to time as I have written before but I'm starting to see progress and that is awesome.

Thing #3 is beginning to have similar struggles in school. We are watching closely with the idea of possibly bringing him to homeschool durng the holiday break. The more I think about it, the more I like it. No more morning battles with him as he is not a morning dude. No stressing about test prep and they can work together on certain subjects. But, there is the question of whether he will work at home or not. I think he will but it will be an adjustment for everyone.

Small Miracles

Yesterday, my daughter picked up a book and put in her bag to read while in the car. Last night, she read me a book before bed. Just now, she read a book to her dolls.

For the past 6 months or so, she has wanted nothing to do with independent reading. She called herself stupid for not keeping up with other kids her age. My heart broke for her! As someone who never had issues with reading or reading comprehension, this was a challenge for both of us. 

I backed off. And just read to her at bed time. During school time, I read most of the material to her. 

To see her confidence coming back is indeed amazing...

Balancing Everything

Pictured above is a 3D puzzle globe that should function as a globe we can use for geography, history, etc. Until now, we've been using Google Earth, which is cool but not quite the same as spinning a globe in your hand. It's 540 pieces and we finished about a third of it today. Not bad considering that it arrived this afternoon!

I'm not sure what happened this morning but we had a weird vibe this morning so we lounged around. Then attended a community musical theater class. Upon returning, we opened the globe and that was the bulk of school for the day. We did do a science lab on the water cycle after dinner though! I'm finding that as mom and teacher, I have to balance when to push and when to let things loosen up a but. There isn't a buffer. There isn't a teacher to send her off to every day when there is a bad mood at home.

With the other 2, there is a balance of attention giving that I need to be conscious of now. Not to mention the house and other various life issues. I'm trying to figure out holiday shopping and other things that I used to do when all the kids were in school! And, I have to remember to take some quiet time or I am a lunatic by Friday night!

And yes, as I'm writing this, I'm surrounded by 500 baskets of clean laundry. I'll just buy another basket or 2.......

In the middle of it all

In the midst of our first full week of school and homeschool. HW, an issue with a bully, and figuring out our schedule at home all happening this week. Activities are starting up next week. 

A big surprise with homeschooling is how fast it can go. I mean, it makes sense if you think about it. Working 1 on 1, or 1 on 2 or 3 is a lot different than working with a group of 20-30 kids. I've taught preschool before and it's a lot like trying to herd cats! 

So far, the academic work is lasting around 3 hours and another 2 hours for piano practice, art stuff, games. Next week, she'll be doing a few out of home classes so that will change things up a bit and give her the opportunity to work with other kids too!

She has figured out that she can work on the couch, stay in pjs and take her time. So that's cool.

Some days are better than others but isn't that true everywhere!

What's in a name?

 

Even though, we officially don't need a homeschool name or logo at this point, I felt like it was an important step. An identity is key! I had thrown around the idea of using our last name or street but no one liked those. So, after thinking for awhile, I came up with Grassroots Academy. So, if we ever need to make an official report card or transcript or diploma, we've got something to start with. If someone asks her what school she goes to, we have an answer besides "home" or "I don't know". 

It's about us starting over, strengthening her roots so she can grow and thrive (if you want to get poetic about it). 

To make it even more official, I'll be ordering her a school shirt soon. We still have shirts around here from preschool so why not from homeschool?! 

I have an affinity for the tree of life symbol too. In fact, it's likely to be part of my next tattoo! 

NYS Loves Paperwork

Yes, we live in the Empire State but not in NYC. I did grow up there however. If there is one thing, the government of NY loves, it's paperwork. Any and all kinds! I'm told by friends that homeschool in other states that they really don't have much if anything to do in terms of reporting.

This is the part I was most nervous about. So, I googled for paperwork samples which was quite helpful. So, in an effort to pay it forward, I'll copy and paste the version of the Letter of Intent and the Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) that I sent in. Both of which were approved earlier this month. If you are a NY state homeschooler, you will have to find out where to send your Letter of Intent and IHIP. I was able to email mine so I was happy to streamline the process. I understand if you are a resident of NYC, your child is also eligible for a metro card too!

We also have to send in quarterly reports which I haven't done yet. I don't mind those so much as I think it's a great way to track her/ our progress.

The Letter of Intent:

To Whom it May Concern,

We are sending this letter of intent as required of Section 100.10 of the Regulations of the New York State Commissioner of Education.

We intend to home school our daughter; #2. She will be entering grade 4 , for the 2014-2015 school year.  Please note that she does have an IEP. 

Sincerely, 

Mrs H & Mrs. H.

The IHIP: 

IHIP for #2

age:10

date of birth: 

grade:4

2014-2015

Date Submitted: 6/26/2014

Please note that #2 does have an IEP in place.

We intend to provide a rich, varied educational environment at home, as well as taking advantage of the library, immediate and surrounding communities and internet resources available. Due to the individualized nature of homeschooling, materials may be adjusted as necessary to elicit the greatest learning response from #2. Therefore, the materials we will use may include, but are not limited to, those listed below: 

______________________________________________________________________________________

ARITHMETIC

Understanding place value and using it to add or subtract

Fluently adding any combination of whole numbers

Solving for an unknown addend

Fluently subtracting any combination of whole numbers

Solving abstract and real-world problems involving addition and subtraction

Materials planned: Math U See Beta and Math U See manipulatives

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

READING

She will strengthen her independent reading skills. Books will be chosen to compliment other parts of her curriculum as well as what she is interested in.

Materials planned:

 Chapter Books, Various E-books,  Library books,  and Magazines

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

SPELLING

She will continue to strengthen her spelling skills.

Materials planned:

All About Spelling Volumes 1 – 3, Explode the Code Volumes 1 - 3

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

WRITING

She will learn to write in cursive.

She will learn how to type on a computer keyboard

She will use writing skills to complete written responses to daily work. These will be from 1-2 paragraphs long.

Materials planned: Handwriting Without Tears, Keyboarding Without Tears,

Dance Mat Typing : http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

GEOGRAPHY & HISTORY

She will learn world geography and ancient history this year. She will complete a history portfolio as outlined in History Odyssey Ancients Level 1.

Materials planned: History Odyssey Ancients Level 1 Pandia Press

Usborne Internet Linked Encyclopedia World History

A Child’s History of the World

The Story of the World, Volume 1: Ancient Times

History Pockets: Ancient Civilizations _________________________________________________________________________________________________

SCIENCE

She will learn the life cycle of the butterfly.  She will do various experiments relating to weather and nature. She will also learn about the planet Earth and the Solar System.

Materials planned: REAL Science Odyssey Earth & Space level 1 Pandia Press

REAL Science Lab Kit, Live Butterfly Kit

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

PHYSICAL EDUCATION    

She plays on a soccer team in spring and fall. Additional activities will include (but not be limited to) swimming, Wii sports and Wii dancing games, walking the family dog, etc.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

HEALTH

She will learn about nutrition and meal planning. She will also begin to learn about puberty and physical development.

Materials Planned: Cookbooks, “The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls”

ART

She will participate in a weekly community art class. She will also use art to connect to her daily learning through various projects.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

MUSIC  

Weekly instrument lessons with a teacher of our choosing and daily practice. Music videos, live performances and concerts.

_________________________________________________________________

FOREIGN LANGUAGE

Spanish

Materials Planned: www.duolingo.com, Spanish music and tv shows.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

In addition to the subjects listed above, She will continue her studies in: practical arts, library skills, health education regarding alcohol, drug and tobacco misuse,

highway safety & traffic regulations including bicycle safety, fire & arson prevention and safety.__________________________________________________________________

#2 will attend the substantial equivalent of 180 days or 900 hours of instruction.

Quarterly reports will be submitted on or about the following dates:

First quarterly report..................November 15, 2014

Second quarterly report............January 31, 2015

Third quarterly report.................April 15, 2015

Fourth quarterly report..............June 30, 2015

She will take the PASS exam in May. It will be administered by us at home.

 Mrs H & Mrs H

An Introduction

To put it simply, I'm Mrs H. Wife to another Mrs H (hereafter referred to as Wife).  (Yes, you read that correctly) and mom to 3 great and crazy kids. Until I can think of clever nicknames, we'll just say 1, 2 and 3.  1 and 2 are girls and 3 is the youngest and only boy in our household (unless you count the pets). The wife has a job that requires pretty extensive travel and that has put me into the position of SAHM.

Currently, all 3 kids attend a local charter school in our area. A school where we love the teachers and staff but is not able to meet the needs of  #2. Upon learning that their recommendation was moving her to another school with other special needs kids and more staff, we decided to venture onto the homeschool path. That, my friends, is where we are now.

Not something I ever thought I would try or would even want to try. #1 and #3 will be staying in their school at this time as they do not have the same issues or needs and are progressing. So, I have spent the last few months googling, adding things my amazon wish list, searching ebay, talking to teachers, talking to friends who are teachers, and rearranging furniture. Our 1400 sq foot house does not allow for a separate homeschool space at all.

School for everyone starts in just about a month! In the meantime, we are enjoying our summer and doing review work here and there.