In Praise of Oak Meadow

We started using the Oak Meadow homeschool curriculum this year with my youngest. I have been homeschooling for quite awhile now, but have always put together our own curriculum. I have never ordered a "boxed" set before. I thought that boxed curriculums were textbook-esque and smacked too much of traditional education to fit us. I also wanted to stay with a Waldorf approach for my son. Oak Meadow started out as a Waldorf school, so it is very much in line with what I was looking for. I also was looking for a way to make better use of my time. With a 5th grader, it is sometimes hard to pull together two customized plans for the children and still have time to work part time, play with the kids, have time for my husband, keep gluten free meals coming and be able to walk through the house. (You get the picture.) I took a deep breath and took the plunge with a "boxed set". We ordered Oak Meadow first grade, and I couldn't be happier with it. The approach and pace is perfect for my family. The lessons incorporate real, living books, lots of arts and crafts, and the curriculum is heavily nature oriented. It has helped me so much to get the educational plans I have for my son in place, but still have time to do the other things that I need to do. Next year, I am planning on switching my daughter to Oak Meadow curriculum. She will be in the 6th grade, and the reviews I could find for the curriculum sound great. My advice to the DIY crew out there, is don't be afraid to try something different. There is so much to be said for putting things together yourself, but also great not to spend your time reinventing the wheel.

The Rivendell Society: A Homeschool Cooperative

I am delighted to post the information on the homeschool co-op that I am starting. I have thought about starting a co-op for years. So it is with great enthusiasm that I introduce, The Rivendell Society: A Homeschool Cooperative.

Vision:
The Rivendell Society was created to provide a rich source of shared experiences for homeschoolers who seek to build a community of diverse friends, playmates, and mentors.

Building Community:
Modern life can separate us from the heart of community and make us feel isolated and disconnected. The process of homeschooling may offer us a slower, gentler way, but we have to make the effort to build our community - to build our support system. We need friends, mentors, and connections.

Diverse Friends and Playmates:
We anticipate and expect to meet people of all ages and stages in our co-op. Kindness and inclusion are expected from every member. Home education is a family affair and we welcome participation from the youngest to the oldest. We expect that adults will treat each child with gentleness and respect as we model what is expected from the children.

Mentors:
We believe we all have something to bring to co-op. From the smallest baby to the seasoned homeschool parent, everyone offers a lesson. It is our hope that new homeschoolers will find inspiration and encouragement from those who have been on the journey a little longer. In turn, we hope that new homeschoolers will bring fresh perspective and vitality. Older children can offer a helping hand to the younger ones and include them in their games. The youngest among us can offer their delight in the smallest things and their special pace of life that helps us to slow down and enjoy the journey.

A Rich Source of Shared Experiences:
We believe that children learn best when they are offered quality experiences and given time to process and the enjoy the adventure. This is why we prefer quality over quantity when it comes to co-op scheduling. Fairy tales, folk songs, handicrafts, nature walks, children's games, and creative play are all quality activities for children.


Frequently Asked Questions:

What curriculum/philosophy is used?
We will draw materials from many sources and do not subscribe to a specific curriculum. The co-op is a melting pot of Waldorf, Montessori, Charlotte Mason, and traditional Mom-sense (or Dad-sense as the case may be). We are an inclusive group that seeks to celebrate our own traditions while respectfully joining with other members in celebrating theirs. To this end, we take part in seasonal festivals and holidays. We take our cues from nature and enjoy catering our activities to the weather and the season. While we welcome homeschoolers who ascribe to a wide variety of educational philosophies, the co-op is meant to be a gentle, developmentally appropriate experience. We will not do worksheets, drills, or textbook work at co-op. We will take part in hands-on experiences of many kinds.

When will we meet?
Fall 2009 session will meet every Monday morning from October 5-December 14. The co-op will begin at 9:30 and will finish by 12:30. Members can choose to pack a lunch and stay to picnic, or can leave at 12:30 if desired.

Where will we meet?
We will be meeting at a lovely local nature area when the weather is good. Otherwise, we will meet at my home. I am not putting the specifics here online for safety reasons. Please contact me privately for details.

Why Handicrafts?

Every year I get out the "school stuff" and start planning the new year. One subject that I always spend a lot of time planning is handicrafts. Why handicrafts? Shouldn't I spend more time on planning mathematics and grammar than all that time spent on handicrafts? My children have spent hours knitting, weaving, embroidering, and making everything from clothing to puppets to house wares and toys. Why all of this crafting?

"Handicrafts, such as knitting and crocheting, are exceptional activities for integrating thoughts, feelings, and actions. They can be tremendously harmonizing and healing if we do them consciously and consistently." (Home Teacher's Process Manual - Oak Meadow)

Making time for crafting with children is a vital part of the learning process in our home. So many skills can be learned easily through the process of handicrafts. Knitting, for example, is an excellent math activity. Many times I have had my daughter knit before a math lesson. It is amazing how it centers the child, gives them focus and attention, and prepares the mind for formal lessons. Handicrafts are a very academic pursuit. Learning about the process of gathering wool, washing it, combing it, spinning it, and weaving it is easily a lesson in Social Studies, History, and Science, as well as handicrafts. Children who see how things are made, where they come from, and how they become what they are, have a much better concept of life. Clothing doesn't come from a store, it is grown, sewn, etc. The academic benefits are only a very small part of the importance of handicrafts. I believe the best part about it is the therapeutic value. We so easily forget that children can get stressed, busy, and over stimulated. Handicrafts offer a way of calming the mind and heart. The repetitive motions, the joy of watching yourself create something new, it is all balm to the soul. If you have never tried handicrafts with your children, give it a chance. One of the easiest ways to start is to purchase the Klutz Kits for children in knitting, pot holder making, or whatever else takes your fancy. The directions are easy even if you are a beginner.
Happy Crafting!

Squirrel Rescue!

I am again reminded of how "learning experiences" will find us at any given time, we just have to be on the lookout. While our family enjoyed a walk along the river near our house this morning, we discovered a baby squirrel. The squirrel had fallen from the nest, was near death and was covered in ants and other bugs that were moving in for a meal. My children were horrified and immediately began pleading for the baby. "Isn't there something we can do?" My husband and I felt sure that death was close, but wanting to make sure the children had no hard feelings, agreed to take the squirrel. We cleaned off the insects and took him home in a sock (the only warm thing we could think of). Once at home, we treated the wounds with peroxide, made a warm box (plastic bags of hot water with soft cloth on top), and called Carolina Wildlife. A short trip later, the little squirrel, now called "Sam", was the latest patient at the wildlife clinic. At Carolina Wildlife, we discovered that Sam was actually Samantha. She is now given a 50/50 chance of survival. She was under the hot lamp when we left. She has other baby squirrel brothers and sisters to adopt her, and when the time is right, if all goes well...she will be released into the wild with her adopted family. My children were ecstatic. Their rescue was a success. They even pointed out that whether Samantha makes it or not, they will have done the right thing and have made her last days comfortable (and not left her to the ants). Though this wildlife escapade interrupted my plans for the day, I am proud. I am proud of my children and their empathy for all of God's creatures. What a great way to kick off another year of homeschooling.

5th Grade and Kindergarten

It is time to start a new school year. Addie is in fifth grade now and Whit is in kindergarten. We had a "summer school" session this year, so we are starting the school year with a six week term already behind us. It is a relaxing feeling to know we will not have to rush. Addie will go to summer camp for the first week of August and then we will dive in.
The children don't like long breaks from homeschool. I have decided the breaks are more for me than for them. We took the month of July off and within a couple of weeks, they were asking when school was going to start. I guess we can all appreciate the rhythm of routine. The school supplies are out in stores, and although I recognize the shameless commercialism, I dearly love school supplies. New erasers, new notebooks, markers that actually work and crayons with the point still sharp. August is a very nice time of year.