My children went outside today to enjoy the sunshine. It has been unseasonably cold for S.C. this winter. The sunshine on the balcony was bright and warm, even though they are calling for sleet tomorrow.
As I was in the kitchen tidying up from lunch, I heard my youngest start to shout, "Mom! The first one! Quick Mom, it's the first one!" I hurried to the back door to see what first one we were referring to. There was my six year old son pointing to two little lizards on the brick wall. "The first lizards of spring, Mom, they are here!"
The excitement of both of children was infectious. Indeed, the first lizards of spring are here! Dare I hope they brought warmer weather?
So, with no offense meant to the groundhog, I think the lizards have beat them to it!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Adventures in Science
After focusing on history last semester, we are delving into science with a passion.
Last week the children used marshmallows, a styrofoam base, and fettuccini noodles to build structures. Then they made a hypothesis about what type of "quake" it could withstand. They measured the space on the mat, gave the base 6, 3 cm quakes (shakes) and recorded results. They loved the whole experience. It was actually in my 5th graders lesson plan, buy my six year old was right there too. They built several styles of buildings, had multiple quakes, and recorded the data.
My 5th grader read about earthquakes in her book prior to doing the experiments.
Sadly, the Haiti quake occurred just days later. The quake experiment helped my children to have a grasp on what an earthquake is and how it effects people.
This week we simulated an oil spill in a pan of water. The children then used different items to clean the water to see what was most effective. They tried a medicine dropper, paper towels, cotton balls, a spoon, and dish washing detergent. We also read books and looked at photos of oil spills. My 5 year old nephew was visiting that day, so even he got in on the action. The oil spill experiment sparked lots of discussion about how oil spills could effect wildlife and how hard it could be to clean up the environment again.
Yesterday my oldest dissected a crawfish with a friend. Our semester of science is up and running.
Last week the children used marshmallows, a styrofoam base, and fettuccini noodles to build structures. Then they made a hypothesis about what type of "quake" it could withstand. They measured the space on the mat, gave the base 6, 3 cm quakes (shakes) and recorded results. They loved the whole experience. It was actually in my 5th graders lesson plan, buy my six year old was right there too. They built several styles of buildings, had multiple quakes, and recorded the data.
My 5th grader read about earthquakes in her book prior to doing the experiments.
Sadly, the Haiti quake occurred just days later. The quake experiment helped my children to have a grasp on what an earthquake is and how it effects people.
This week we simulated an oil spill in a pan of water. The children then used different items to clean the water to see what was most effective. They tried a medicine dropper, paper towels, cotton balls, a spoon, and dish washing detergent. We also read books and looked at photos of oil spills. My 5 year old nephew was visiting that day, so even he got in on the action. The oil spill experiment sparked lots of discussion about how oil spills could effect wildlife and how hard it could be to clean up the environment again.
Yesterday my oldest dissected a crawfish with a friend. Our semester of science is up and running.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Christmas Around the World (and at our house)
Here is my first attempt to post shutterfly pics to this blog. Here are some photos of the children as they worked on our "Christmas Around the World" unit in December.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
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.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
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.
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!
"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!
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