Homeschooling Mom Alert

I unearthed in my basement the majority (no, all) of my homeschooling inspirational materials. For non-homeschoolers without the art of appreciating a classical teaching aid...u know, u know. So I find, "The Latin-Centered Curriculum", only second favorite to all of my UNSCHOOLING Life Learning magazines.

This morning, as I'm heading to Amazon vs. Barnes and Noble, to buy "How to Read a Book" and "How to Read Slowly", of course as happens only in my delusional lands with no plans...each store has only one of the two items!!!

First thought? Well, of course Super Saver Shipping does it to me every time. However, Evan-Moor totally changed their cover art and I could not recognize them in Amazon's selection no matter how pleasing it would be to some.

So, would bn.com even have the studies on South America, Africa, and Asia that I was seeking? By then of course, it didn't matter. I'd already committed my heart to giving Barnes and Noble a chance. And the new NOOK advertisement that gets more catchy everytime?

Only thing missing was tomato sauce. Honestly, it's going to change my world.

Big plans

My ten-year-old son has endless ambition and energy, yet oftentimes nowhere to spill over. To say he drives me absolutely crazy most days is an understatement, giving me extra reason to focus some of MY excess energy on HIS goals.

Besides eating everything sugar-filled our kitchen has to offer, and planning for the next meal that may, but probably won't, satiate his LIFE HUNGER...again, it's always in my best interest to stay at least one or two steps ahead of him.

I'm reading Mr. Food's Recipes for Busy Moms, the National Geographic Bee's official STUDY GUIDE, and finally figuring out the Hebrew names of the Pentateuch in the Bible. No, seriously. So, busily-inclined day...I'll try not to miss the internet more than spice itself.

There's no loss

I don't like to be one of those complaining homeschooling moms, who breaks her stoic expression in a fit of reality crashing down, but from time to time I have to admit to myself that homeschooling is really hard. It's a marathon of hard, with many effortless sprints, but the grit-your-teeth truth of it, is it's a lifestyle that must be given full attention. Or else.

Justifications abound for why I stay on this difficult track, one glance at who my kids would be in the system, as opposed to their clean spirits safely outside of it, worth all the hard. I don't like who I'd be if I were traditionally obedient to the norms of society, blindly consuming "it's good for you" but knowing better. What I'm doing is better, but that doesn't mean it's not hard.

All I can depend on to keep things smooth flowing, is a clarified vision of what I'm attempting, confirmed by my hopes of what is possible. In between we do math. It's like, without my lifeline to spirit, without an easy-going life that allows me to follow where I'm led, education-wise, like into science books, and more math. Without that straight shot from "here I am" to "here we are going", the lifestyle gets fragmented, and so do I.

Fragmented homeschooling moms are the worst kind. Having spent the first three years deciding how I'll homeschool, primarily guarding myself from the pitfalls of "you'll fail", I know these things. I know what it takes to stay on course, despite how tempting it can be to give in...to just throw your kids into someone else's good enough hands, but not your own.

Not worth it. Not who I am, or will ever be.

Thanks Guys!

Major funding for the television project was provided by the National Science Foundation and Microsoft.

Additional funding was provided by U.S. Department of Energy and Carnegie Corporation of New York.

And while you're at it, tell the President I said, "hi".

Eleven letters short

When Lauren, my ten year old, took me up on the Scrabble challenge, I was unsure of what to expect. It's a complicated game, I said, with all those triple and double points to add up.

I told her I'd take it easy, but I just couldn't help choosing QUOTA. Opportunity arose to explain HENNA and OVA, and I was frankly unembarrassed to look the word BOUT up.

We learned alot that day, a game played between reading and writing. Next match has me excited though, she knows I'm a challenge...READY, SET,...hold it.

Okay, I spelled POO, (she added the 'L'.)
Just wanted to prove that I knowed it.

Just leave homeschooling out of it

It's good to have friends in high places. Mindy, for example, let me in on a little secret (shhh, don't tell just anyone). An upcoming Momversation will be asking, "Why does homeschooling get such a bad rap?"

Now, don't go getting her into trouble, she simply had some questions. And like all questionable choices I make, I simply had to enlighten her on my creationist views:

"You'd be surprised what a gigantic and powerful culture those creationists are. I'm surrounded by them, and they drive me insane with their conviction (and ignorance), yet, they have political sway and are a force to be reckoned with.

If it weren't for them, I think homeschooling would have a little more respect, and possibly a little more support from the public school systems.

These creationists are definitely feeding their children illogical ideas, and as trusting children, they're gobbling it up. And, they're surrounded by peers who believe the same things, so that only reinforces the insanity.

But, politicians, who are hanging by their nails for votes...they just love having all of these puppets at their disposal. It's quite the sickness."

The rest of it was just boring transcript questions, and silly worries about getting into college. Stay tuned!

It's a trend

Some of the greatest lessons at my homeschooled children's disposal are community driven. One might presume we're not joiners, anti-social elitists, or some other unfair view.

We depend on your offerings, established systems around us, combined with the freedom to choose. If it weren't for dumb schedules to segregate us, silly notions of readiness, you'd find homeschoolers intriguing, not a threat to established views.

Oh, who am I fooling, we're rebels with a cause (darn, I knew it!) Just tryin' to blend in, as if we somehow belonged, aw shucks, screw it. 4-H judges, thanks for showing us the bar, yet again.

We'll never fit in. Be less creative, they said. Don't draw your own graphics, download from the computer instead!

And participants, if you want that blue ribbon, instead of just red (we'll spare you all white)...speak up during judging, look us straight in the eye, those are signs of respect.

Homeschooler raises her hand, "But I'm an artist, I express myself through drawing, are you aware of that fact?"

Sweetie, 4-H Expo Presentations are supposed to be professional, tsk tsk, we expect more from you children than that.

Monday's Lessons

My kids study art, though we have yet to delve deeply into one artist's work, and know by heart his every whim and inkling.

I chose Norman Rockwell because I received this treat at TJ Maxx, a 2009 planning calendar. Of course I love it all by itself, and had planned from the beginning to study its artwork:



Then, I found this museum site for Norman Rockwell's illustrations, and a $5.00 coloring book, to boot!

Plus, saw these postcards and had to order some, we'll continue to add to our set.


Problem We All Live With, 1964

We needed one of each of his Four Freedoms (for a scrapbook), which we happened to find is from Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1941 speech.

Norman Rockwell went from "life as I would like it to be", painting boys, puppies, and small town pleasures...

to life as it is, immediately after leaving the Saturday Evening Post in 1963...,

47 years of magazine covers later!

Quiz Day

Free-schoolin' , out-of-the-box thinker Dayna encourages her sparkly children to build inventive games out of history lessons. Good-timing Martins, I seem to be on the same wavelength as you guys are.

We started by counting out all our Obama buttons (totally retro) don'tcha think:


And yes, being that the majority of my friends are Republicans, I have tons of extras.

Then, we decided to look at some options (for Unit Study). Trina helped us out with the electoral college, totally printed these up, and threw in this for good measure. Of course, we'll be repeatin' the lesson in four years. I'm failin' 'em all.

So, while they were studying and coloring this.

I grabbed my notebook, and came up with this.

Busy Life

Busy week

Memoria Press
Latin-centered curriculum

Don't mind me

My husband finally ordered some Nespresso capsules.


He had this machine when I met him. You know, back when I first discovered he had a secret cabinet.


Don't you all just love Monster Garage
(I know, it seems so out of character).


But anyone who makes sweet toys, gets my vote.


So, back to the capsules. We've been out for about, oh, two visits to the cabin. So my husband got on the ball and ordered some up for me last night. Of course, that dream became a nightmare when he informed me that George Clooney is now a spokesperson for the company.


I'd say something stupid like, "Oh great, now they pay him extra to be even more arrogant (if that's possible). But then I thought, my husband and I have searched high and low for matching sets of these cups. He initially bought a standard set of four, back when he was just fiddling with the idea of rubbing elbows with his hot espresso-loving wife, someday.

And since we're not the dinner party-throwing types (and never will be), our only concern is, "what if one of these gets broken?" As is often a concern of parents who invest their lives in children instead of high society.

But alas, don't want to insult the prick (George, not my husband), he may have connections. And I do know he must know Julia Roberts, and I obviously respect her (can't act for the life of her, but she does clean her own house).

And consequently, some of these folks may claim to know Angelina (on a good day), and if Tim Gunn says she's got the best style he's seen in two centuries (hey, if you're gunna go throwin' sturm and drang around), then count me in for the next yacht party.

But only if I happen to pass you at Sundance this November, when I'm celebrating my ELEVENTH anniversary (you know me and elevens) with my husband. God better make sure none of my cups break in my luggage, 'cause when my husband finds out he's getting not just two sets, but three...

...well, you'll just have to wait 'til Christmas to hear the rest of that bugger, won't ya?

Sorry!

The Christmas edition, designed by Lauren

Music

My 7 year old son and I just discovered You Tube. I was looking for a video of SpongeBob's Best Day Ever, and was thrilled to find one with lyrics scrolling across the screen. That night we searched for another of my favorite kidz songs, Nowhere, by the Naked Brothers Band. I also love Banana Smoothie, my husband likes Crazy Car, and my son likes L.A. (the mystery of the initials intrigues him) in case you happen upon the disc.

These are the b-e-s-t songz e-v-e-r!

The Arizona Project

Our first "school-like" project, we entered Arizona into the geography fair. Unlike the assignments I recall from my own school years prior, this was a blast. We started a month-and-a-half early, and worked at a casual pace building our presentation.

Lauren and I shared the work, as is allowed when the intention is true learning. But her creativity and effort shine through.


The 48th state, Arizona was established in 1912. The 13 rays on the state flag represent the original colonies and mimic the sunset. The blue is liberty blue, from the U.S. flag, and the copper star stands for the large amount of copper mining. The drawing depicts Geronimo, chased by U.S. cavalry, he leaps off a cliff, shouting his own name before landing safely in the river below.

Arizona's natural resources as they are distributed throughout the state, significant landmarks,

and a historical timeline of AZ compared with U.S. history. Twenty-seven states were represented this year.

Cultural Literacy

The ability to interact successfully within any culture requires a familiarization with its dominant figures, belief systems, and vocabulary. My children are privileged to study Egypt, Greece, Rome, and the Middle Ages up to modern times, at our leisure.

We can delve as deeply as we like into the construction of pyramids, gaze uninterrupted at mummies in all stages of preparation and excavation, and we can skim over the lineage of pharaohs until we get a better understanding of the system of governance.

Currently, Greek mythology is our fancy, a subject I faintly recall being dangled in front of me in one of the "gifted" classes I was forced to attend. The characters and their stories had little significance to me at the time, as I hadn't been told how they figured into the scheme of things. Years later, as my daughter colors and covets the god and goddess "trading cards" she pulled from our History Pockets, I'm so glad I have more time to explain.

Usborne Greek Myths and D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths are casual reads that pump names like "Aphrodite, Heracles, Eurystheus, Arachne, and Persephone" into her mind's eye. Two headed dogs, women with snakes for hair, labrynths and melted wax wings are associations she'll make for the rest of her life.

///

Already she dislikes mean Hera. The stories, woven together, teach us about archetypes, that floating fabric of circumstance we keep stepping into. But beyond the stories is the simple, low key transference of knowledge that is the delight of homeschooling. Learning is never a chore.

She beams at me as she connects the names to the stories, picks them out of movies and cartoons that also flash before her evolving consciousness. Hannah Montana, Suite Life of Zack and Cody, and the mistold story of Pocahontas are as relevant as the rest. We don't live in ancient times, we study it. 2007 is where we reside full-time, seeking castles, no less.

I differ from many of my fellow homeschooling mothers, whom I deeply respect for the world they create for their children. Classical music in the background, tv's turned off, they're not numbed, but horrified by the media spewed forth today. While the classically homeschooled children I know will have a special ear for harmony in music, fluidity in art, a vision for order in society above all, I'm not sure they'll survive the chaos they'll need (in order) to perform.

My vision encompasses all realms, walking away from the garbage effects no change, defines reality as hopeless. One small measure of genius is the ability to gather the reins of all the lost horses, and whisper their spirits back into line. If my children grow up unable to tame animals, I'll consider my efforts a failure.

///

In consequence, they must fit into society seamlessly, Eds, Edds, and Eddys, and all. Their vocabulary will match that of their peers, yet their cores will resonate differently. Solid family base, strong relationships carried forth into the world, a solemn embrace of life speaks volumes. We are not just socialized, we're literate, so there.

Filling in the gaps

Kenneth C. Davis has written some excellent books in his "Don't Know Much About" series. I am currently reading "Don't Know Much About the Civil War". I ordered every one of his titles available at Bookcloseouts.com because they were such a great deal, and really, with my public school education I don't know a whole heck of alot about anything! But I'm learning as fast as my kids are.

Dangnabbit!

I loved our homeschooling life last year. My oldest had art class on Mondays and my younger two had it on Tuesdays. Lauren also takes a pottery class on Tuesday afternoons. Their teacher is both talented and educated, immersing the kids in art history while doing hands-on projects like printmaking, collage, sculpture, drawing, and painting.

They come home with some amazing artwork, utilizing the techniques of various artists. My kids regularly blow me away identifying works of art and recognizing styles and forms in the most random places. I'm excited to see how fluent they become with a few more years under their belts, as they begin to see patterns in the works, and really start to understand why and how art is created.

I'm hedging my bets that Jackie's art will be around for my kids' entire education. Can you imagine receiving quality art education from K-12, instead of just dabbling in a class or two during high school or college? I feel so fortunate.

Gymnastics class was supposed to be my other "old reliable". Every Thursday, me and the ladies would congregate on the gym balcony, forgetting ever to peer down at our tumbling sweet hearts, so immersed in chit chat we were. Two years running, I was committed to stay for the long haul, even though the quality of gymnastics instruction was quite dismal compared to that given to the "real" athletes recruited from public schools. We were a novelty I guess.

I would've stayed committed nonetheless, for the sake of a consistent peer group for my kids, and because I love the open gyms on Fridays. We're all hanging out, chasing toddlers on the mats, while our olders have free reign of the equipment. These are the memories.

Tides have turned and we will be switching to the tennis center, where a variety of activities from wallyball to basketball, to fitness classes will consume our school year. I'm disappointed but hopeful. I will meet more moms, get more chances to see the ones I already know and like. Or, I fear, it won't be like gymnastics at all and I'll be waiting in my car for the misery to end.

I had it so good. At least we'll always have our art.

Screech...halt

I was reluctant to say goodbye to summer, but it seems the ol' school-minded folks have hijacked this month as their own. When the kids' day camp ended in July I had planned to savor August, sitting out on the front steps watching chalk drawing, hula hooping, bikes and scooters whipping past. I've been indulging in a little computer time, thinking the last three weeks we'll play hard with no schedules or constraints, holding tight to the season as it comes to completion.

The art teacher came calling first, interrupting my bliss with permission slips and parental agreements to sign--a woman who firmly believes "school should not happen until after Labor Day".

Then, the homeschool activity fair was planted on the 4th of August. On one hand I'm excited to see which activities will be shaping our coming days, but I was quite enjoying a respite from the familiar faces and petty dramas of the homeschool set. I actually dreamed last night that one very Charlotte-Masony, Latin and Greek teaching Mom was criticizing me because my kids didn't behave in the instant I reprimanded them.

This is likely leftover psychic shrapnel from an issue going on here...(the second half of this post has been erased, someone out there must have all my original copy.)