The Holistic Homeschooler

Field Trip: The Nation's Oldest City

2012-01-30T00:32:00.000-05:00

Last week we went to St. Augustine, Florida, the nation's oldest city. Yes, again. We go at least twice each year. It is our favorite place and I'm so happy to be close enough to go whenever I want. The city is 444 years old and full of so much history that it would take a lifetime to cover everything!

On this visit, we had our usual visites to the Castillo, St. George Street (twice) and The Oldest Wooden School House, always focused on the things that happened hundreds of years ago. But this time, something different took place.

We took a wrong turn and ended up on Washington Street. A black gentleman on a bicycle approached us and asked if we wanted to know some history about the street. Of course! He proceeded to tell us of all the black owned businesses that used to be on that street. He showed us the building that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. used as the headquarters for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Across the street was a church where many marches were planned. He told of how they'd march down the street in front of Flagler College and people would throw bricks at them. His cousin was a part of Dr. King's staff and has since donated the signs/plaques in front of these buildings. This gentlemen, sharing these stories with us, who marched with Dr. King, had left St. Augustine for safety. He now resides there again and loves to share that part of history with others.

When we reach that part of our U.S. History studies, I will find out more about the activities in St. Augustine and take a tour specifically for that study. And I hope I run into that man again.

Now for pictures...

First.. lunch at Cracker Barrel..

Alexis

Lorelai

The side of the Lightner Museum. This museum occupies three floors of the former Hotel Alcazar.


Alexis and me. Tourist shot!

Across the street from the Lightner Museum stands Flagler College, formerly the Ponce de Leon Hotel

Standing adjacent to the Lightner Museum/Hotel Alcazar is the Casa Monica hotel. It was purchased as a part of this hotel trio and renamed The Cordova. It has since been returned to its original name.


The Bridge of Lions, originally built in 1925, spans the intracoastal waterway in St. Augustine.

Crossing the drawbridge over the now dried up mote into the Castillo de San Marcos.

The lighthouse on Anastasia Island can be seen from the top of the Castillo

The Watchtower

The courtyard from above..

The guard quarters

The prison room in the guard quarters

St. George Street

Tower on the Lightner Museum

This building has not been renovated. It's as it was in the 18th century. The school master and his wife lived upstairs.

Children who misbehaved had to sit in the closet beneath the stairs called "The Dungeon"

The courtyard and gardens behind the school.

What has been your favorite historic place to visit?

Happy Homeschooling!

Free Living Books #3: Shakespeare

2012-01-29T00:01:00.004-05:00

Below is a list of Kindle Edition books. If you do not have a Kindle, you can download Kindle for PC which is free.You can also download free apps for reading kindle books.

These items were free on January 29, 2012. The Holistic Homeschooler is not responsible for any claims, changes or other alterations of product or price made by Amazon.com.

**NOTE: I did not retrieve these from "children's" or any specific area. I have not read all of Shakespeare's writings and cannot judge all content for everyone anyway. You, as the parent, must read and decide what is or is not appropriate and suitable for your own children.

The next download is not a freebie but it is an amazing deal! You can download all 12 of the Fairy Books for only 95 cents! For those unaware, these are all the classic fairy tales written in the original formats, language and literary styles. NO TWADDLE!

Fairy Books (All Twelve) The Blue, The Red, The Green, The Yellow, The Pink, The Grey, The Violet, The Crimson, The Brown, The Orange, The Olive, and The Lilac (Mobi Classics)

Happy Homeschooling!

Our U.S. History Beginnings

2012-01-28T13:34:00.002-05:00

A few months ago, I mentioned wanting to add U.S. History to our curriculum. As much as I believe in studying history chronologically, I feel a need to do this now. I realized a short while back that Alexis really doesn't know much about it. I attribute this to our unschooling history but that's another story. When Lee Anne (my 21-year-old) and I were discussing the civil war recently, Alexis asked, "There was a war HERE?!" Ugh!

Also, we want to take a vacation in Georgia and Tennessee. If I want to visit historical places, it will be more meaningful if the girls have some relevant connections. Although we'll continue on with our chronological world history, I'm adding U.S. history to the mix.

"First I Need a Spine Book"
Of course, when starting any course of history, my first thought is that I need a spine book. Last week, I was browsing documentaries on Netflix when I discovered a series entitled, "America: The Story of Us". Its sounded interesting, so yesterday I watched the first episode to see what it was like and if it would be helpful at all. I found it informative and a bit fast-paced, but thought that I could use it as a "spine". We could watch an episode during which I'd jot down events and people that we could explore before going to the next episode. Perfect!

Last night, we actually sat down to watch that episode together. I jotted down "discovery", "Mayflower", "Pocahontas", "Paul Revere".. Yes, I'll use this as a spine book!

One Discussion
I paused here and there to explain some things (because it is so fast-paced and the girls have no previous knowledge). This led to some good discussions.

At one point Alexis was surprised and said, "1621?"

"Yes", I replied.

"But St. Augustine was here in 1565." she said, puzzled. (Yay..she's paid attention to our Florida history!)

"You're absolutely right!"

"Then why are they starting at 1621?" she asked.

I explained, "This is a documentary and reenactment of the history of the United States. See, those original 13 colonies didn't include Florida. Florida was owned by Spain. Because they're speaking of the country, not as a land mass but a government, Florida wouldn't be mentioned in those beginnings. Florida had its own history under a different government."

"Oohhhhh" she said.

Love those lightbulb moments!

A Discovery on our Bookshelf
I hate social studies. I always have. I absolutely love history..but not social studies. Blech! We have social studies books on our shelves from back in our "school at home" days of homeschooling (you know....that very-bad-idea of how to homeschool).

But while we were watching this documentary, Alexis pulled out an old social studies book to show me a painting of John Smith and a statue of Pocahontas. (Apparently she browses through social studies books in her off-time.) This was a Social Studies book entitled, United States and its Neighbors. I opened the table of contents. Climates, Latitude and Longitude, Resources.. ACK! SOCIAL STUDIES! I continued.. oh look! The First Americans, The Indians of North America, Europeans Reach America.... HISTORY!!

I read some of the titles aloud, "Hey... this has the stuff we need!" I proclaimed. Alexis replied wryly, "And how many years has this been on the shelf?" Smart-aleck!

So here we will be using a textbook as our United States History spine book. (One of the few times I use a textbook.) The plan is to complete the documentary series to get a general idea into their minds. Then I'll begin using the textbook as our spine and venture out to study the events and people through living books.

I love having my plan in place!

What have you used for your United States history lessons? Do you use textbooks?

Happy Homeschooling!

Homeschool Mother's Journal #33: On the Go!

2012-01-27T01:25:00.000-05:00

In my life this week...
It's been a busy and fun week, therefore it has flown. Why do good times fly by and miserable times linger? That's really not fair. Well, at least it's been good which is something to be joyous over, isn't it?

In our homeschool this week...
We're at the end of Week 8 of Term III. Alexis has been super-focused on her Japanese. She's begun using Busuu.com because they added Japanese to their list of languages this week. She's loving it and very excited. Other than that, we've had just an awesome week of relaxed learning. We visited our favorite place, St Augustine and that always makes us happy and lends itself to so much learning!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
Today we have another field trip. We'll be studying 19th century architecture at DeBary Hall. We were supposed to take an eco-history tour tomorrow, but the trip was never confirmed. I was supposed to get a call back and have yet to receive it. So I'll rearrange our field trip list to fit it in for next month.

My favorite thing this week was…
Spending a couple of days in St. Augustine. I absolutely love stepping back to the 16th century. We're going to go back in March I think and spend a week there.

What’s working for us…
Right now, it seems that nearly everything is working for us. Praying that the peace continues.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

"In the future, how we educate our children may prove to be more important than how much we educate them." -Thomas Friedman

Be sure to visit other homeschool moms who our journaling this week.

But first...What has been your favorite thing this week?

Happy Homeschooling!

Field Trip: Air Potato Roundup

2012-01-25T01:11:00.000-05:00

Last week, we joined our Conservation Lands homeschool group once again for another special class. The field trip began with the children learning about non-native, invasive plants and specifically the Air Potato Vine. Because this plant is considered a noxious weed in Florida, parks hold annual "roundups" to prevent the spreading of these plants.

We attended one such roundup on January 19th. It was a great success. In less than one hour, the children had gathered 1,672 potatoes! We used a few for a craft project and placed the rest into black trash bags to throw away.

For a brief lesson on the plant itself, view my post at Air Potato Vine: A Threat to Florida's Native Plants

The child hunting potatoes

Alexis picking potatoes off the vine

Here's one!!

Potatoes which had fallen to the ground

Entire plants killed off by these invasive vines.

An air potato

Tallying up the booty!

One potato, two potato, three potato.. MORE!


The children gathering their crafting supplies

Threading ribbon through her potatoes to make a necklace

Here are some photos of our class trip. For more information on this particular roundup and plant, please see my post at Air Potato Vine: A Threat to Florida's Native Plants.

Happy Homeschooling!

A Week of History Field Trips

2012-01-23T13:15:00.004-05:00

Flagler College, St. Augustine, Florida

History Buff
I am a history nut. I love history and always have. In elementary school, when our class would make the weekly trip to the school library, I loaded myself up with biographies: Dolly Madison, Florence Nightingale, Patrick Henry. Historical non-fiction was always my choice. My favorite course was 10th grade ancient history class.. The teacher didn't follow a text or spit out facts. She took us back to Egypt and Rome; helped us learn about the people and what life would have been like in that time period. She gave us all the nitty-gritty details of daily life such as the fact that they had public latrines (wooden boxes indoors) and they considered daily baths so important that even the poor could afford them. Perhaps she is one reason I love the Charlotte Mason method. Stories sweeping me back in time where I get to know the life, the people and the events intimately. What could be better?

St. Augustine, Florida
My favorite place to visit locally? St. Augustine, Florida. If you've been reading my blog a while, I'm sure you've noticed we go there at least once and sometimes twice each year, usually in the Spring and Fall. We didn't make the trip at all in 2011. How sad! But we're headed there tomorrow. I always feel like I've stepped back in time when I'm there; and I'm always sad when it ends. I hope to leave very early in the morning so that we can spend an entire day traveling through this beautiful town and its history. We plan to stay overnight and return the following day. We have appointments and such to keep, otherwise we would visit longer. Perhaps next month we can stay for a few days.

DeBary Hall
Last month we attended a local history tour at DeBary Hall. We learned that the mansion served as a resort for millionaires in the 19th century (the Vanderbilts and Rockefellers to name a few). This week, we are returning. The lesson description reads:

"Students will observe architecture features at DeBary Hall during the late 19th century and modern adaptations. Students will analyze the function of these features and hypothesize how they would look in other parts of the country or used in other functions. Students will design a floor plan using their observations, evaluations and analysis of the lesson they learned."

Eco-History Tour
Also this week, we will be taking an eco-history tour on a boat at De Leon Springs.

"A Florida State Park volunteer narrates the tour and takes you back thousands of years. Birds, flowers, trees, plants, alligators and Native American history abound. We will learn how 20 million gallons of water a day comes up from the Springs"

So that's my week in a nutshell. I should collapse by the weekend. Who says homeschoolers are ever at "home"?!!

What are your plans for the week?

Happy Homeschooling!

Another Artist from My Home

2012-01-22T14:52:00.019-05:00

As we all know, I feel that the arts in education is important. So strongly is art ingrained in my children, that on non-homeschool days is when my children dive into their artistic talents the most.

I've made various posts on the talents of my children over the years. Two paint; three draw; four do digital photography; one plays piano; one plays guitar and two sing. There are only 5 children by the way.

Today I feature my 21-year-old daughter, Lee Anne. She's my 3rd born child and has her own special talents. She is one of those who does photography, yes. But she also models and sings. Today, I share both of these talents with you.

I have been trying for ages to get her to allow me to video her singing. The other night she was in my room singing with the children and I broke out the camera. So there's bad lighting and all that but whatever... she let me do it and that's all that matters.

Here she is singing "Nightingale" from Disney's "Cinderella"

"Part of Your World" from Disney's Little Mermaid

Here, she is singing "Once Upon A Dream" from Disney's "Sleeping Beauty"

And there ya have it... some of Lee Anne's talents. :-)

What artistic talents flow through your family?

Happy Homeschooling!

Free Living Books #2: History, Literature and Poetry

2012-01-21T14:26:00.002-05:00

Below is a list of Kindle Edition living books. If you do not have a Kindle, you can download Kindle for PC free.You can also download free apps for reading kindle books.

These items were free on January 21, 2012. The Holistic Homeschooler is not responsible for any claims, changes or other alterations of product or price made by Amazon.com.

The Life of Horatio Lord Nelson (biography/history)
Polly of the Hospital Staff (literature)
Polly and the Princess (literature)
Sabbath in Puritan New England (history)
Cottage Poems (poetry)
The Poems and Prose of Ernest Dowson With a memoir by Arthur Symons (poetry)
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (biography/history)
Aunt Phillis's Cabin Or, Southern Life As It Is (history/literature ..this covers slavery in the South)
Letters from America (history/literature)
Abraham Lincoln (biography/history)

Happy Homeschooling!

Homeschool Mother's Journal #32: Pushing Forward in Many Ways

2012-01-20T00:03:00.007-05:00

In my life this week...
I started the week quite upset about some family issues. Still, I've managed to push through on a business and homeschool level. I'm back to really trying to build up business again. At the same time, I'm working on some new ideas for this blog.

In our homeschool this week...
We're at the end of Week 7 of Term III. I am so excited about getting started on our new year. It makes it difficult to focus on what we're doing now. But focus we must. We have about 6 weeks left before our March break. I'm taking a very relaxed, comfortable pace now. The "hard core" focus is on the math and other independent studies but for other literature-based studies, I'm just being comfortable. It's about time.

I am inspired by…
My daughter, Lee Anne. While she and I are both distraught at the same situation, she is strong in the ability to view things God's way. She knows how to comfort with true empathy while still encouraging to look at things through godly eyes..accepting that they are what they are and what must be done based upon bible principles and standards. She's been so uplifting!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
Yesterday we had a nature study class to learn more about invasive, non-native plants and the damage they do. I'll be posting that post later. Tomorrow taking a tour of a local historical house where we'll be learning about 19th century architecture.

My favorite thing this week was…
Helping some other homeschoolers who called and emailed for help. As well, doing cleaning jobs with my (adult) kids. I love working with them!

Things I’m working on…
Trusting that God will help me endure. He may not take away the troubles but he can help me through the heartbreak.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

It's not that I feel that school is a good idea gone wrong, but a wrong idea from the word go. It's a nutty notion that we can have a place where nothing but learning happens, cut off from the rest of life." ~ John Holt

Be sure to visit other homeschool moms who our journaling this week.

But first...What field trips do you have planned?

Happy Homeschooling!

A New Direction for The Holistic Homeschooler

2012-01-18T14:20:00.011-05:00

Where I've Been

This post is not so much about homeschool or Charlotte Mason as about being a part of a great community. When I started this blog 3 years ago, I was an unschooler and didn't really think I needed any homeschool help. I'd been doing my thing for years. Back when I started homeschooling, I didn't know any other homeschoolers. In fact, I didn't know any until ..well... the last 3 years. I was the freak in our community; that weird hippie-chick that had her babies at home, carried them around in wraps, breastfed "forever" and homeschooled her kids in a cottage in the woods.

Only I didn't homeschool; I unschooled. Either way.. people knew who I was because I was "different". An odd person with an odd claim to fame, I guess.

Three years ago, I had been floundering around with homeschool for years with no real direction. I didn't need direction. I was an unschooler! I started this blog with the intent of creating a homeschool resource. But what did I know about homeschooling other than relaxed homeschooling and unschooling? So I started doing research. Voila! I ran into Charlotte Mason and she taught me all this really great stuff about teaching my children!

Rather than a resources for homeschooling, this blog became more a travel journal about my own journey through a Charlotte Mason education. Fumbling through all the information; trying this curriculum and that and here I am 3 years later.. amazed at what is happening here.

Where I Am

I finally feel like I know where I am, where I'm going and what I'm doing. And ya know what? It seems others feel that way too! They say that people believe in you when you believe in yourself. Now that I finally feel like I know what I'm doing on this Charlotte Mason journey, others are turning to me for advice, tips and how-to's. Emails, posts on Facebook and comments here on the blog abound with questions from readers. I am humbled. I am flattered. I am inspired.

Where I'm Going

Being a part of this wonderful homeschool community (online and off) has been a great help to me. I've learned a lot about what I want my kids to learn and how. There have been so many resources! Now I have the opportunity to be a resource too. This site has become a resource but what else can I do?

I've been talking to my son and daughter about this site. ..the emails, the questions, the moms turning to this site for help or input. "What can I do?" My direction for this blog was undetermined. Of course I'll continue writing. That is, after all, the purpose of a blog. But what else could I do to help? I said to my daughter yesterday on our way to a cleaning job, "I know what I can't do. I can't write out year after year of curriculum and I stink at lesson planning. I know all the things I can't do. But what can I do?"

"Webinars" she said.
"What?" I asked.

And the brainstorming began. We're still working out the details. After all, this was a simple conversation on the way to work. But our minds are traveling on a path... webcasts, live Q and A sessions... videos.

"There is no more noble occupation in the world than to assist another human being - to help someone succeed." -Alan Loy McGinnis

What do you think? If we did videos, live-streaming or live Q and A sessions..what would you want to see? What could I do to assist you on your homeschooling journey?

Happy Homeschooling!

Free Living Books #1: Classics

2012-01-14T22:21:00.006-05:00

I'm beginning a new weekend feature of listing high-quality literature that is free on Amazon (or other bookstores). Below is a list of Kindle Edition living books. If you do not have a Kindle, you can download Kindle for PC free.You can also download free apps for reading kindle books.

These items were free on January 14, 2012. The Holistic Homeschooler is not responsible for any claims, changes or other alterations of product or price made by Amazon.com.

Happy Homeschooling!

Homeschool Mother's Journal #31: Git R Done

2012-01-12T22:04:00.004-05:00

In my life this week...
I'm having some personal challenges within my family. It's been rather depressing and upsetting. I'll leave it at that. On a brighter note, yesterday I wrote our curriculum for our new school year! Exciting!

In our homeschool this week...

We're at the end of Week 6 of Term III. Everyone is in agreement and happy with the new history plans. I registered Lorelai for Khan Academy and that's pretty exciting too. We attended a nature study class and a homeschool potluck last Thursday and Friday. This week has been a restful non-field-trip week. We were so busy last week that we all needed to just stay home and relax. We do have a field trip tomorrow, however.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…
Hmmmm.... having just fnished that curriculum, my only thought is GIT-R-DONE! Yeah.. I never said I wasn't a hillbilly.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
Tomorrow we'll be visiting a state park to study a Timucuan Indian village.Stay tuned for a field trip post!

Things I’m working on…
Another GIT-R-DONE... getting everyone, including me, back on a schedule that keeps this house straight and running smoothly. We've all gotten pretty lazy lately..avoiding what we don't want to deal with or do. That has to stop. I don't like this house but it still needs to be maintained properly. Getting everyone to contribute has been a challenge; but challenges can be met and overcome!

I’m praying for…
That God touches the heart of someone who is drifting fast. No, not drifting... racing away in a speedboat.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

"I find that a great part of the information I have was acquired by looking up something and finding something else on the way." ~ Franklin P. Adams

Be sure to visit other homeschool moms who our journaling this week.

But first...What field trips do you have planned? Are you completely happy with your curriculum right now?

Happy Homeschooling!

Curriculum Overview: School Year 2012-13

2012-01-11T18:07:00.112-05:00

Our Charlotte Mason Education
Year 4

A New Year on the Horizon
Our homeschool year is quickly coming to an end. In March we'll have our post-Term break and on April 1st, we'll resume lessons. This year things are going to be a little different due to the changes in History that we've made. I want to spend brief amounts of time on the time periods that we "should" have already covered so that we can move forward and by fall be more along the lines of where I wanted us to be by then. (Catching up to my own schedule!) We're going to cover a few time periods this year rather than one.

Although I'm usually quite opposed to concurrent studies of history, I will be adding in U.S. History because we'll be traveling to Georgia and Tennessee which will offer us plenty of opportunities for historical field trips. I'd like the girls to have some idea of what it is we're visiting or seeing. But I'll add that in later.

I've written our curriculum overview to cover April 1, 2012 thru March 31, 2013. Rather than a generalized overview, I've written it out by term to help keep myself "on track". (Bite-size pieces are always easier to chew, right?)

TERM I
(April 1-June 29)

History

Spine Book: Famous Men of Greece
Growing Up In Ancient Greece (Lorelai)
The Golden Fleece: And the Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles (Lorelai)
Black Ships Before Troy (Alexis)
The Wanderings of Odysseus (Alexis)

Geography

We will continue using A Childs Geography Explore the Holy Land
Map Drills: Uncle Josh's Outline Map Book
From the library, I plan to include leisurely books about people around the world.

Math

Both girls will continue using Khan Academy

Science

Exploring Creation with Physical Science (Alexis)
Exploring Creation Human Anatomy (Lorelai)

Copywork and Transcription

Lorelai will continue with copywork using poems and scriptures
Alexis will begin a Book of Mottoes

English and Grammar

Primary Language Lessons (Lorelai)
Analytical Grammar (Alexis)

Typing

Both girls use Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing Deluxe - 25th Anniversary Edition SB

Character Development

We Choose Virtues

Foreign Language

Spanish
Sign Language
Japanese (Alexis)

Bible
Joshua—Malachi

Scripture Memory
Joshua 1:7–9; 4:24; 22:5; 24:15, 24
Proverbs 3:21–23; 4:24; 9:8; 10:19, 26; 11:13, 24, 25; 12:10, 19, 22; 13:20; 14:9

Literature

Alexis:

Lorelai:

Poetry

Poetry for Young People: Rudyard Kipling

Nature Study

As always using the HANDBOOK OF NATURE STUDY and The Young Naturalist's Guide to Florida

Art and Artist

James Whistler: James McNeill Whistler (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists)

Symphony in White, No. 1: The White Girl
Whistler's Mother
Mother of Pearl and Silver The Andalusian 1888-1900
Arrangement in Pink Red and Purple
Harmony in Pink and Grey: Portrait of Lady Meux”
Nocturne: Blue and Silver - Cremorne Lights

Music and Composer

Domenico Scarlatti (No information about his early life available for study)

Sonata in D major, K. 299 - Allegro
Fandango in modo dorico K.posth
Sonata in D major, K. 178 - Vivo
Sonata en Do Mayor K. 372
Sonata A minor K7 - L379
Sonata in G major, K. 125 - Vivo

Shakespeare
Comedy of Errors

TERM I Oral Exams; June 25-29
TERM I Break: July 1-29

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TERM II
(June 30-October 28)

History

Spine Book: Famous Men Of Rome
Growing Up In Ancient Rome (Lorelai)
Cleopatra (Time-Traveling Twins) (Lorelai)
Augustus Caesar's World (Alexis)
Beric the Briton A Story of the Roman Invasion (Alexis)

Geography

A Childs Geography Explore the Holy Land
Map Drills: Uncle Josh's Outline Map Book
From the library, I plan to include leisurely books about people around the world.

Math

Both girls will continue using Khan Academy

Science

Exploring Creation with Physical Science (Alexis)
Exploring Creation Human Anatomy (Lorelai)

Copywork and Transcription

Lorelai will continue with copywork using poems and scriptures
Alexis will continue her Book of Mottoes

English and Grammar

Primary Language Lessons (Lorelai)
Analytical Grammar (Alexis)

Typing

Both girls use Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing Deluxe - 25th Anniversary Edition SB

Character Development

We Choose Virtues

Foreign Language

Spanish
Sign Language
Japanese (Alexis)

Bible
Matthew-Acts; Romans

Scripture Memory
Matthew 16:16
Luke 19:10
John 3:3; 5:24; 14:6; 15:13
Acts 4:12; 16:31
Romans 3:23; 4:5; 5:6; 6:23

Literature

Alexis:

Lorelai:

Poetry

Poetry for Young People: Rudyard Kipling

Nature Study

HANDBOOK OF NATURE STUDY and The Young Naturalist's Guide to Florida

Art and Artist

Edgar Degas: Edgar Degas (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists)

A Cotton Office in New Orleans
The Dance Class
Place de la Concorde
Musicians in the Orchestra
At the Races
Portrait of the Bellelli Family

Music and Composers

Niccolo Paganini

Caprice No. 1 in E major
Caprice No. 3 in E minor
Violin Concerto No. 4 in D minor - I. Allegro maestoso
The Carnival of Venice
Caprice No. 19 in E flat major
Violin Concerto No. 6 in E minor - III. Rondo ossia Polonese

Shakespeare
Comedy of Errors

TERM II Oral Exams; October 22-26
TERM II Break: October 29-November 25

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TERM III
(November 26-February 25)

History

Spine Book: Famous Men of the Middle Ages (Greenleaf Press)
Ink on His Fingers
Leonardo da Vinci (Lorelai)
Michelangelo (Lorelai)
The Story of King Arthur and His Knights (Alexis)
The Shining Company (Sunburst Book) (Alexis)

Geography

A Childs Geography Explore the Holy Land
Map Drills: Uncle Josh's Outline Map Book
From the library, I plan to include leisurely books about people around the world.

Math

Both girls will continue using Khan Academy

Science

Exploring Creation with Physical Science (Alexis)
Exploring Creation Human Anatomy (Lorelai)

Copywork and Transcription

Lorelai will continue with copywork using poems and scriptures
Alexis will continue her Book of Mottoes

English and Grammar

Primary Language Lessons (Lorelai)
Analytical Grammar (Alexis)

Typing

Both girls use Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing Deluxe - 25th Anniversary Edition SB

Character Development

We Choose Virtues

Foreign Language

Spanish
Sign Language
Japanese (Alexis)

Scripture Memory
Exodus 34:6
Psalm 25:5
Matthew 7:5
Romans 8:28, 29
1 Corinthians 6:1, 2; 2
Corinthians 5:17
1 Thessalonians 5:11
1 Timothy 4:12
2 Timothy 3:16, 17
James 5:19, 20
1 Peter 2:15, 19
1 John 2:28

Literature

Alexis:

Anne of the Island (Anne of Green Gables, Book 3)

Lorelai:

The Burgess Animal Book for Children

Poetry

Poetry for Young People: Rudyard Kipling

Nature Study

HANDBOOK OF NATURE STUDY and The Young Naturalist's Guide to Florida

Art and Artist

Winslow Homer: Winslow Homer (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists)

The Bridle Path
A Rainy Day in Camp
Santiago de Cuba: Street Scene
After the Hurricane, Bahamas
The Red Canoe
Perils of the Sea

Music and Composer

Robert Schumann

Symphony No. 4 in D Minor, Op. 120
Kreisleriana Op. 16 n° 2
Traumerei
Piano Concerto in A minor Op. 54 1st mov. Allegro affettuoso
The Merry Peasant
Adagio and Allegro

Shakespeare
Comedy of Errors

TERM III Oral Exams; February 25-March 1
TERM III Break: March 4-31

Happy Homeschooling!

Changes in History

2012-01-07T00:22:00.002-05:00

Recently, I wrote about a living books approach to history. I've mentioned needing to make some adjustments to our history studies and writing that post really set the wheels in motion for me. How could I fill in the missing links for Alexis? How could I speed up things by doing less?

In the 3 years that we've been using the Charlotte Mason method, I've gone through quite a few curriculum changes. I started with Ambleside Online but didn't like the many concurrent histories. I also didn't care for the strong emphasis on British history as opposed to starting at the beginning with creation. So the next year I tried Tapestry of Grace. I had a difficult time with that as far as teaching multiple ages. It seemed to me that it was a lot more difficult than it needed to be so I started doing Simply Charlotte Mason. Of the three, that has worked the best for our family. However, we did experience some challenges.

History
I do like the Simply Charlotte Mason curriculum as a whole but specifically we had a challenge with history. The guidebooks are designed to take you through a year. That's all well and good. But the year that I started that curriculum, the girls' dad died. I started a new job and reopened my business. My daughter got married. We moved. A lot of things caused us to put lessons on "pause" repeatedly. Normally, homeschoolers can do that. But what happened is that we began a new year having not completed the previous year's curriculum. I'll stop the story there. I'm sure you get the point. I feel like we're lagging and I hate that feeling.

I went to Alexis last night and told her "I don't like where we are in history." I showed her the curriculum, where we started and where we "should" be. I told her what I think the problem is and what I want to do. The entire time I was speaking she was nodding in enthusiastic agreement. She agreed that it's moving to slowly (we're behind on that curriculum); that a year is too long to spend on one period (for us) and that my solution sounded reasonable.

In sticking with using spine books and such, we will continue our Charlotte Mason education. By no means will we abandon a living books approach. The plan, however, is to move through at a quicker pace by not following someone else's guidelines or curriculum and do it at a pace that works for us. If the spine book is the "backbone" of our history studies, the other books, activities and projects are the arms and legs. Quite frankly, I am not trying to create an octopus! We see no need to read a bit of this book today and a bit of that book tomorrow and a bit of another book the next, taking an entire year to get through the books! Reading numerous books on the same topic concurrently makes no sense to me and I refuse to do it anymore.

And so it has been agreed. We'll follow our own pace. If we leave our spine book to read a book on the topic, we'll read a book at a time rather than five books at the same time. Less is more in this case. Alexis seemed very excited and so am I.

Happy Homeschooling!

Homeschool Mother's Journal #30: Kidney Stones, Field Trips & Changes

2012-01-06T06:35:00.002-05:00

In my life this week...
This week has breezed on by, hasn't it? We had a good week except for Monday and Tuesday. On Monday, I awoke with what I knew was kidney stone pain. My fibromyalgia pills killed the pain so I let it go. Tuesday morning, the pain returned with a vengeance. I spent 10am-5pm at the ER passing a stone. Great fun, right??? But the rest of the week has been good. And the pain is gone..that's all the matters.

In our homeschool this week...

We're at the end of Week 5 of Term III. We've been busy. I've also been making changes in our homeschool. I'll be posting more on that later. We went on a nature study field trip yesterday to study animal tracks.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…
I've said it before.. do what works for your family. Just because something worked for all your friends doesn't mean it works for you. Don't be afraid to modify!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
This afternoon we're attending a homeschool potluck.

What’s working/not working for us…
Sticking with something even though it's not working. I guess I kept blaming "me" for the last few years. Ambleside, Tapestry of Grace, Simply Charlotte Mason... While many things they have and offer are fabulous and work for our family, not one of these has worked well for us in the history department. I kept blaming me, my schedule, time restraints..but the fact is.. they're just not for us. I've come up with a much better way for us. I will not depart from the Charlotte Mason method because that does work for us; I've just decided that history needs to be done at a different pace.. in a much simpler way.

I’m praying for…
Someone who is straying to find their way back before all is lost.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
-Albert Einstein

Be sure to visit other homeschool moms who our journaling this week.

But first...
What field trips do you have planned? Are you completely happy with your curriculum right now?

Happy Homeschooling!

Nature Study and Field Trip: Signs of Wildlife

2012-01-05T17:24:00.006-05:00

Today we attended an outdoor education class held on county conservation lands. These classes are held every two weeks and available as field trips for homeschoolers, public and private schools. Today's class was "Signs of Wildlife" There was a brief introduction to identifying animal tracks. There was also supposed to be an introduction to animal scat and its use as a tool for identifying animals in the area but the weather was a nice 36 degrees and the instructor decided we'd do that another time.
Of course, our bi-polar Florida weather meant dressing in layers. You'll note that Lorelai peeled down as we went along. Our two days of winter were complete ...until the next blast of winter.

Unfortunately, colds and flu have been making their way through our home. Alexis couldn't attend. So it was just Lorelai and myself. It's too bad she couldn't attend. It was fun and very informative. We saw the tracks of deer, racoons, possum, wild hog, coyotes and I can't even recall everything else. Here is our day in photos.

While we waited on everyone to arrive, we snapped photos.

The Lovely Lorelai

Lorelai and Mommy :-)

These next few photos were taken by Lorelai while waiting...

Everyone's here...time to learn!!!

Pulling out the supplies...

Cups of plaster

Time to look for animal tracks!!!

Raccoon tracks

Deer track

Hog track

Lorelai chose an otter track and circled it.

Mixed her plaster...

And of course the batteries in the camera died at this point!!! But she poured the plaster onto her otter track and left it to set. Then we moved on to my track... a hog track...

Pouring plaster onto hog track

At this point, we went on a mini-hike while waiting for everyone's casts to harden.

When we returned to check on the casts, Lorelai's otter cast wasn't doing well. Perhaps too much water but her cast wanted to break apart at the slightest touch. So we left it to harden and the instructor will deliver at the next outdoor class on the 19th. But we did get my hog track cast.

Back home with the hog track cast

All in all, this was a wonderful class. I'm sorry we missed the classes for September-November. Life just wouldn't accomodate us. But I found this so much fun and so educational that we will not be missing anymore if I can help it!

Have you ever had an animal track study in your homeschool? Do you plan to in the future?

Happy Homeschooling!

The Face of Homeschooling: Interview with Jennifer

2012-01-02T00:19:00.097-05:00

Sunshine Face Mosaic

Welcome to the January 2012 edition of the "Face of Homeschooling"! This is when I have the pleasure of featuring a homeschool mom and her family, just one little image in the mosaic of the homeschool world. This interview is with Jennifer of Little Homeschool on the Prairie.

Q. Tell me a bit about why you decided to homeschool.

A. It all came down to the fact that we just couldn’t send our oldest to kindergarten. I wasn’t able to stay home all day, every day until the girls were four and two. I just had that one year at home with both of them before it was time to think about school for the oldest. I wasn’t ready to give up my time with them so she could go to school.

Q. What curriculum approach/teaching style do you use and how did you determine it?

A. Ultimately, I feel that it’s my responsibility to minister to my family at this season in my life. I feel strongly about my role as a wife and mother, and I see my job as teacher just being an extension of that. Most days, we follow a relaxed style of primarily interest-led learning. We spend our time learning, reading, crafting, cooking, playing, and working together. I try to capitalize on every teachable moment, and my hope is that the girls learn academic skills, as well as how to be a godly wives and mothers one day both by watching, listening, and living what they learn.

We use curriculum when it works for us, but we aren’t tied down to any one thing. I like the freedom to go with the flow and follow the girls’ passions. So, that means that we are moving at turtle speed through A World of Adventure and The Story of the World. We alternate between the two and spend as long as we like on the subjects that interest us the most. As we trek world history keeping our relaxed schedule, the girls still have plenty of unstructured time for play and opportunities for creative expression. Much of our learning is centered around books- real books, living books, library books…not textbooks. We also do a lot of hands-on learning activities like science experiments, practical math, arts and crafts activities, and cooking too. I think our subject areas are integrated and more meaningful that way.

And yes- sometimes I make them do math! My oldest is working through a math book on her own right now (I can’t tell you how happy that makes me:) while my youngest and I try to work on new concepts together a couple of times a week. We incorporate living books and practical math activities whenever we see a connection or sense an interest.

Crafts and Cooking

Q. Share what you see the benefits (and disadvantages) are for using that particular approach.

A. As relaxed homeschoolers, we don’t have to keep school hours. Learning doesn’t just occur between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. each day, but all day long. We take the time to focus on the little moments throughout the day when something grabs a child’s attention or sparks her imagination. And since we don’t keep a tight schedule, the girls have plenty of time throughout the day for free play, creativity, exploration, and learning.

The only disadvantage I can think of is that the girls might have gaps in their learning when compared to other same age peers. Here’s my answer…really, it’s Mary Hood’s answer, but it’s a good one. I totally agree with her here:

"We all have gaps in our education. Nobody can make sure of that! Even if we plugged up every gap we could think of, new knowledge would spring up the next day. More important is focusing on character and developing a self-motivated, self-directed learner. I personally focus on skill development more, especially in the high school years. Help a child grow into an adult who loves to learn and has the tools to do so, and they can learn whatever they need to learn when it becomes important in their lives." - Mary Hood, author of The Relaxed Homeschool

Q. Tell me a bit about your family situation. Are your married? How many children? Do you work and how does that affect your homeschooling day and schedule?

A. My husband was my high school sweetheart, and we have been married for the last sixteen years. We have two girls who are nine and twelve, though I can hardly believe it...it seems like they were both babies just yesterday! This year we’ve scheduled all out-of-the-home activities on Tuesdays/Thursdays, so we are able to spend the remaining days of the week together at home (unless my husband is off work- then we like to go camping or travel).

Right now, I work as an adjunct professor at a small Christian college nearby. I can choose my class days and times and do so based on the needs of my family. My schedule changes each semester and I can add or subtract classes as needed to meet our family’s needs. The girls are able to go to work with me. Sometimes they take schoolwork to do. Sometimes they just relax with a book or listen to music. On my long day (Tuesday), the girls are able to take enrichment classes for homeschoolers right there at the college while I am teaching- so they love Tuesdays! Regardless of how the girls amuse themselves while I teach class, I know that they are always nearby. I like that.

The best part of me working part-time is that the girls see me interact and serve a diverse group of people. They also see me integrate the Bible and my faith into each of the classes I teach.

Jennifer

Q. What kinds of activities outside of your curriculum are your kids involved in and how did you determine what they would or wouldn’t do?

A. The girls both take homeschool enrichment classes every Tuesday at the college where I teach. We choose classes based on interest, availability, and our budget. Both girls typically take three classes per semester and are involved in one scouting type club that meets after classes. They both are free to participate in one sport per season as long as the team’s practice schedule doesn’t interfere with our family time. We are serious about limiting extracurricular activities to Tuesdays/Thursdays! Both girls also attend a church group and take piano lessons once a week. That keeps us plenty busy.

Outdoor Fun

Q. What’s been the most surprising part of homeschooling?

A. It’s fun! When life is school and the world is your classroom, what’s not to like?!

Q. What’s been the most rewarding part of your homeschooling experience?

A. Seeing the girls develop a passion for learning.

Q. Share 3 tips for parents thinking of homeschooling their kids.

A.

Choose a style or approach to schooling that works for you and your children. It doesn’t matter what everyone else is doing…choose what’s right for your family :)

Make use of your local library…it’s probably our favorite out-of-the-home resources, and living books make the best textbooks!

Don’t try to do it alone…utilize family, friends, neighbors, and other homeschoolers in your area for ideas, support, and encouragement.

A Day in the Life

Q. If you had to create a motto for your homeschool, what would it be?

A. Okay…I had trouble with this question, so I pitched it to my husband. He immediately answered, “Girls just wanna have fun!” I love it, so I’m going with him on this one :)

Would you like to be featured on The Face of Homeschooling?
Just send an email to me at HolisticHomeschooler@gmail.com .

Happy Homeschooling!

Teaching Multiple Ages

2012-01-01T00:10:00.007-05:00

Although I failed to mention this is my Top 10 Reasons I Love the Charlotte Mason Method earlier this year, the ability to teach multiple ages is one of my favorite things about this method. When we switched to a Charlotte Mason education, it was the first experience I'd had at teaching multiple ages the same material. It has made homeschooling so much easier!

When I first saw curricula and schedules laid out on other CM sites, I didn't quite grasp the concept. "What do they mean 'family studies'?" was followed by "You mean I don't just hand my kids assignments and walk away?" Then we actually tried it. Our first day left us with such a feeling of excitement and the children didn't want the lessons to end! The day was short, easy and we had done it together. By using literature rather than textbooks, I can teach both of the children rather than one at a time! Whodathunk?!

We are now finishing up Year 3 of our Charlotte Mason studies. It's all "old hat" to me now. I cannot imagine trying to teach each of the children rather than all of the children. What works in my family is to do family studies first thing in the morning. At that time, the children's minds are well rested and they've been fed. It makes sense to me. As well, because I'm dealing with several bi-polar people in this home, one of whom becomes very irritable and uncooperative at about 1pm, it makes even more sense that I do it at that time.

The subjects for "all ages" are:

Daily Scripture
Scripture Memory
Hymn/Folk song memorization
History
Picture Study
Literature
Music Study
Foreign Language
Artist Study
Literature
Composer Study
Geography
Poetry
Art Instruction
Shakespeare
Bible Studies

Of course, we don't do all of these every day. We alternate certain subjects on our schedule. By alternating subjects, keeping the lessons short and use living books and narration, we manage to cover a good deal in a short time. Our family studies are about 1-2 hours per day.

The benefits are that it

saves a lot of time and stress
gives us educational time together
shows the children how important they are to me
starts the day out on a positive with scriptures and family time

All of those benefits add up to a more positive, smooth-running homeschool day.

Do you teach certain subjects to all of your children at the same time? Or do you do it another way?

Happy Homeschooling!

2012 Field Trip Plans

2011-12-31T01:09:00.015-05:00

I've decided to post our plans for various field trips and activities here. Although I have a dry erase calendar that the family posts our color-coded activities, field trips, job schedules, errands and such, I think putting them here on the blog will help me plan further ahead than one month and hopefully prove to be a source of help to others by sparking activity ideas. I will update this page as we schedule new things.

I have listed by date, general activity name*, type of study and an activity description. You will also see whether it has been confirmed or not... This is for my own tracking.

*For safety reasons (some of you know the problems), I will not list location names beforehand. However, once we have finished the field trip and I blog the adventure, the name will be updated here.

FIELD TRIPS AND ACTIVITIES

(Last updated 1/27/12)

January

5- Signs of Wildlife Completed
Type: Ecological and Nature Study
Introduction to identifying animal tracks. Introduction to animal scat (droppings) and how it's used as a tool for identifying animals in the area. We will hike and look for tracks of various animals then recreate them through plaster casting.

6- Homeschooler Potluck Completed
Type: Homeschool Social
Our homeschool group is meeting at a county park for a potluck! Fun!

19- Potato Collecting Completed
Type: Ecological and Nature Study
Introduction to invasive exotic plants and the problems they cause. Introduction to the air potato vine (Florida's nightmare plant). We will collect air potatoes from infested areas. Collected potatoes will be used for creative activities with an art show as a finale.

February

4-A Manatee
Type: Nature Study
We will explore the lives of these gentle giants by viewing them in their winter home, having a scavenger hunt and making a manatee craft. Awaiting Confirmation

16-Art and Science of Soils

Type: Science

Introduction to soil sampling and soil characteristics such as texture, color, and percolation. Students will divide into groups and dig a soil profile then analyze the soil horizons using scientific equipment. Student groups will assemble a comparative test for soil percolation. Students will work with native clay from the site to create a simple product. Confirmed

11- A Timucuan Indian Village
Type: Florida History
We will be exploring various living history programs and speaking with historians portraying characters set in their individual time periods. Not Yet Reserved

18-Prairie Preserve
Type: Ecological and Nature Study
This preserve has several habitats including pine flatwoods, cypress domes and wet prairie. It is home to many critters such as the gopher tortoise, bobcat, swallow-tailed kite and Sherman’s fox squirrel. We will learn about the ecosystems at this site; have a Geo-Eco Challenge, learn to use (or in our case, gain more practice at using) a GPS unit to geo-cache; and solve physical and mental challenges through team-building
skills. Confirmed

March

1- Prickly Pear Cactus of the Florida Desert
Type: Nature Study
Introduction to the prickly pear cactus -one of the unique plants of Florida scrub. Students will compare cactus to leafy plants and explore the parts of cactus through dissection and magnification. They will discover plant adaptations that make this cactus a “cool” Florida desert plant.

4- These four are all planned for the same day and all relate to a local lighthouse.

-A Local Historic House
Type: Local History
The house is the home of the last civilian keeper at this local lighthouse. Not yet reserved

-A Park related to the lighthouse
Type: Ecological and Local HistoryA brief history lesson will explain the inhabitants of the area dating from the 1500s. Not yet reserved

-Marine Science
Type: Ecological and Nature Study
A look at sea turtle and bird rehabilitation, a tour of the environmental exhibit gallery, and time in the wet/dry lab.Not yet reserved

-Lighthouse
Type: Local History
Climb the lighthouse, visit 3 museums to learn what life in the lighthouse was like. We will participate in a treasure hunt. Not yet reserved

10-Water Management District
Type: Environmental
After a short park cleanup, we will learn about water sheds and the eco-system. Not yet reserved

15-Flower Power
Type Nature Study
Introduction to the wondrous and diverse blooms of plants. Students will observe and dissect flowers to examine and understand their parts and how they develop fruit with seeds. They may bring examples of their own if they have them.Not yet reserved

31- These activities are all related to one particular local city

-Famous Artist's Home
Type: CulturalWe will tour the winter home of a very famous artist. Not yet reserved

-City Museum and Gardens
Type: Cultural
We will tour the museum and gardens, then create an art project. Not yet reserved

-City Historical Society
Type: Local History
A short history program, tour of the museum collections and a film presentation. Next, our short guided walk
through local history visiting several historical buildings. Not yet reserved

April

1- Solid Waste and Recycling
Type: Environmental
We will travel in an air-conditioned van around the landfill and see the hazardous waste facility, the recycling processing plant, and the new landfill cell where garbage is buried. You’ll even see Mount Trashmore, a
120-foot-tall mountain of garbage. Not yet reserved

5- Insect Recyclers— Bugs of Decomposition

Type: Nature Study and Science

Observe the insects of plant and animal decomposition in action and discover what adaptations they have that make them specialists in their job. Not yet reserved

19-Poetry of the Woods

Type: Nature Study, Poetry, Writing

Near a tree
Around a wetland
Take time to
Unweave your observations and
Rearrange them into
Expressive poetic words Not yet reserved

May

3-Water Quality Testing
Type: Science
Introduction to testing the physical and chemical properties of water. Students will use scientific equipment to test lake water temperature, transparency, pH, and conductivity along with weather conditions. Not yet reserved

12-Local Historical House (same house as Jan 21)
Type: Local History
We will re-visit the house and learn about historic children's games Not yet reserved

Date to be announced- Mollusks and Their Shells

Type: Nature Study
Introduction to mollusks, where they live and how they live and the beautiful shells that they create. A mollusk expert will lead a wading hike along the shoreline to search for and identify these diverse critters. Not yet reserved

Homeschool other's Journal #28: Busy, Busy, Busy

2011-12-30T01:00:00.003-05:00

In my life this week...
It's been very busy. Or feels like it. Either way, I'm quite exhausted. I've been planning for Alexis' "8th grade" graduation, visiting relatives who are in town (which led to a night of Just Dance 3 fun!) and attended a homeschool tea party.

In our homeschool this week...

We're at the end of Week 4 of Term III. As stated, we've been on-the-go but not to a lot of homeschool-related activities. So I've decided we'll be homeschooling today and through the weekend since we sort of had a 5-day weekend (Saturday-Thursday).

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
My aunt and cousins will be coming over on Saturday for one last visit before she heads back to Georgia. Thursday we're going on a "Signs of Wildlife" where we will hike and look for tracks of various animals then recreate them through plaster casting. This is a part of our county conservation class/group. Friday we have a homeschool potluck planned at a the springs.

My favorite thing this week was…
Seeing my Aunt Amy after all these years and spending the entire evening with the most awesome family members a person could have. I simply adore my cousins!

Things I’m working on…
I've started redecorating this blog. I'm not sure which I like better the old or the new look.. hmmm. Anyway, I am trying to make it a better educational resource spot. If you have suggestions as to what you'd like to see here, let me know.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

“Learning can only happen when a child is interested. If he’s not interested, it’s like throwing marshmallows at his head and calling it eating.”
~ Katrina Gutleben

Be sure to visit other homeschool moms who our journaling this week.

But first...
Have you ever had homeschool lessons at a "weird" time such as the weekend or evenings?

Happy Homeschooling!

Living Books Approach to History

2011-12-29T01:45:00.001-05:00

Yesterday's post was on using living books and ideas to teach history in a chronological order. Today, I want to discuss how exactly we do that. What does history through living books look like? Of course there are many ways to use a living books approach. This is the way that our family implements a living books approach to history.

Spine Books
Using a spine book is most helpful with history studies. A spine book is simply a book used as the "backbone" of the study. It may be a living book or it may be a textbook that follows a chronological order but it helps to tie the other stories and activities together.

As a family, we read from the spine book, then leave it to go explore the topics in further detail. We read novels about the topic, event or person; make projects, learn a skill (for instance, basket weaving or candlemaking from our study of Seminole Indians); go on related field trips. When we are ready, we return back to the spine book to continue studying the time period.

Spine Books can be used to:

Keep you on track
Initiate further in-depth studies
Lead you through history
Teach outlining history

Reading
During our family history time, we read a fictional story together set in the time period. I, personally, never read for more than 15 or 20 minutes at a time, as I want to stay within the reasonable attention span of the youngest. My youngest is 8 years old. (Remember, lesson times are usually 15 minutes for elementary ages; 30 minutes for middle school ages and 45 minutes for high school ages.) Older children can do further studies on their own (see extra activities below).

Narrations
Readings, whether from spine books or novels, are followed up with narrations from the children. We want to ensure that they are grasping the material. Knowing that they must narrate encourages them to pay focused attention.

The main focus for younger children for them to meet the characters, place them in the context of history and perhaps have a general idea of dates. For teens, the focus is greater. Understanding cause and effect, they can evaluate the actions of people and the consequences of their choices. They can make connections in philosophies, art, music and the culture of the era. They can learn dates, times and places (this is when your child finally "gets" the Book of Centuries or Timeline you've been keeping all these years).

Extra Activities
Every homeschool is different and each person approaches teaching and learning differently. The following are just ideas/suggestions.

1. Notebooking pages are helpful to younger children. The can draw illustrations to their narrations.
2. Middle and High School age children can read additional books and do research on a period, place, event or person.
3. Teens can develop their writing through history studies. Reports, essay writing in a variety of forms and creative writing in the forms of poetry, short stories, plays and narratives are effective writing assignments that can encourage the self-education process, increase the child's historical understanding and enhance his writing skills.

Did you see anything new here? Do you take a living books approach to history? Use spine books?

Happy Homeschooling!

Teaching History through Ideas

2011-12-28T02:19:00.008-05:00

Everyone has their own way of teaching history and in what order they teach it. Charlotte Mason believed history should be taught in chronological order. Others disagree, believing that young children cannot appreciate or comprehend "ancient times". Even traveling the various CM curriculum sites, one finds that most begin with creation while others begin elsewhere. Some sites teach several histories at once.

I disagree with the idea that children cannot comprehend ancient times. And here is why:

"The intellectual life, like every manner of spiritual life, has but one food whereby it lives and grows––the sustenance of living ideas. It is not possible to repeat this too often or too emphatically, for perhaps we err more in this respect than any other in bringing up children. We feed them upon the white ashes out of which the last spark of the fire of original thought has long since died. We give them second-rate story books, with stale phrases, stale situations, shreds of other people's thoughts, stalest of stale sentiments." -Charlotte Mason

Children Thrive on Ideas

It has never been difficult for a child to hear (or read) a bible story, or Charlotte's Web or Where the Red Fern Grows and imagine the time, the place, the setting, the characters. Never did I read a biography, as a child, of Dolly Madison, Benjamin Franklin or Abe Lincoln, and find myself unable to visualize what I was reading. If a child can imagine himself on the farm with a spider and her farm friends (even though this child may live in a city); if a child can visualize Abe Lincoln as a boy in the 1800's; and a child can picture Adam and Eve in paradise (an idea which certainly none of us has fully experienced!) then it's safe to say that a child can visualize Egyptians, mummies, Greek festivals and other things of ancient times.

Ideas lead to Knowledge
Children feed and thrive on ideas. Books provide a wealth of ideas. Through books we can travel to any time, meet all sorts of people and live life with them. We can read fairy tales, biographies, poetry, plays...the list is endless. Living books provide us with stories. Stories provide ideas. These stories transport us, stimulate our minds and fill our head with all sorts of ideas about the world.

Through the planting of these seeds, these ideas from stories, interest is sparked. Interest causes us to dig deeper. Perhaps we'll read more stories. Perhaps we'll delve deeper into a time or a place or learn more about a person or peoples, gain more knowledge and thereby gain more ideas Thus begins the process of self-education.

In contrast to ideas, there are facts. Facts usually come in to us in textbooks, encyclopedias and other such reference works. These books certainly have a place in the world. It's convenient to refer to these for immediate answers. But facts are dead, lifeless information. The world has never been changed by facts. People's lives have never been changed by facts.

People are prompted to action by ideas.
The world is changed, for better or worse, by ideas.
Lives are changed by ideas.

Chronological Order
So does the order of history matter? I think it does. History is one long living book, a story waiting to be told and heard. There is a beginning, a middle and an end. There are many chapters. It is alive and full of ideas. Who reads a story backwards? Or who begins in the middle? I think it's important that children learn about man's history, the choices made, the consequences of choices and how it's all linked together. One thing leads to another and another. Life is what it is today because of many choices by many people along the way. What if Adam had made a different choice? What if Columbus had made a different choice? Yes, we can teach facts out of order if all we want the children to do is memorize dead, boring facts. But if we want them to understand our history as humans, we must start at the beginning and give them full, rich ideas.

And this brings me to one fine point on which Miss Mason and I disagree. She taught the bible separately from history. While our family does use the bible for separate studies (bible studies, religious studies, character training and regular bible readings), we include it in history, as well. The bible is an excellent record of ancient history. The ancient peoples of Mesopotamia, the Romans, Jesus... their stories are interwoven through time. The bible is a living book itself, full of stories, actions which changed history and a most helpful reference for our timeline.

But how do we use living books to teach history or anything else for that matter? See the next post in this two-part series entitled "A Living Books Approach to History".

What are your thoughts on living books as a method of learning?

Happy Homeschooling!

Motivation, Grad-Party and Facebook

2011-12-25T14:26:00.010-05:00

End-of-Year-Slacking

We are in the last term of our homeschool year. Alexis has been.. well.... less than motivated. For instance, last week we needed to do lessons later in the day. I guess this didn't appeal to her because while Lorelai ran to the table rarin' to go, Alexis sat on the sofa watching "Psych" on Netflix.

Excuse me? Did "school" just become optional?!

Somewhere along the line, her motivation and momentum have dwindled. She drags her feet about getting up; eating; getting to the table for lessons. She'd rather sit all day drawing. Ok, I get that she's intersted in drawing (to the point of obsession), writing, singing. Wonderful! A child of the arts! But, silly as it may seem, colleges are more interested in math and science scores. If she wants to dual-enroll at the age of 16, she'll need to be able to pass the entry exam. I'm pretty sure the antics of Shawn and Gus (characters on Psych) are not a part of that exam.

The Motivation
For a while, I've known that I will be giving her an "8th grade" graduation party. I didn't have any specific thoughts, venues or plans laid but I knew that we'd be doing it in June 2012. I wasn't mentioning it to her at all. But yesterday, I did.

You see.. Alexis loves Japan. She adores the culture; has been teaching herself the language and draws Anime like nobody's business. She wants to visit Japan one day and hopes that we can soon decorate her room in a traditional Japanese style.

Saturday evening I suddenly had a bright idea and asked her, "Do you want a Japanese themed graduation party?" This was followed by her enthusiastic "YES!" And so I calmly said, "Well then.. you've only got a few months to earn it."

Wow! What wonderous feats can be accomplished with a little ~~bribery~~ motivation!! Her body was trembling with excitement as she said, "Can we do lessons now?!" Seriously? It was 5pm on a Saturday! Heck no.. I'm cookin' dinner. But off she went to work on math. And work on math is what she did until late in the night.

Later that Night
My eldest daughter, Amy, and I were talking on the phone about ..oh just about everything going on in our lives. Eventually, the conversation came around to Alexis' grad party. I sent her an inbox link on Facebook sharing a product or two I found for the party. Little did I know we would spend an hour on the phone sending links back and forth via Facebook of all the lovely things we were finding for this party (all in private messages so that Alexis wouldn't see it).

Then a status came up on my feed...

Alexis' Status:
"My mom told me that if I can get all my school caught up, or most of it.. Then I can have a Japanese Themed Graduation Party!!!! Who wants to come? It's going to be in..... Several months... Lol
Worth the wait.... and knowledge!"

Later....
Alexis' status:
"Does anyone know where I can buy Asian stuff besides online? Like a kimono?"
Comments:
-Me: I got it covered.... planning everything...it's all a surprise :-)
-Alexis: I know!!! But I still wanna dress up in a Kimono for fun! They are elegant!
-Lee Anne (my 21 year old): Don't worry about it! Worry about your studies..

Later on my wall:
My Status:
"Planning Lexi's Graduation party.... for June 16th. How ahead of the game am I..yeah buddy"
Comments:
-Alexis: Practicing math right now! So...*breathe* Burger-flippin' *breathe* Excited!!!!!!!

And finally at the end of it all:
Amy's Status:
"Just sat on phone w/my mom for 3 hrs!! You'd think we never talk! haha. The Japanese Party theme hunt was pretty successful! Alexis is gonna have an awesome graduation party. ^_^ "
Comments:
-Alexis: *Squeals*

Ha! Do ya think she's motivated now??
By the way.. you can see the stuff we've chosen so far on my Pinterest.

So have you ever had to do an end-of-year motivation with your homeschool children?

Happy Homeschooling!

Book Review: The Ultimate Homeschool Physical Education Game Book

2011-12-24T12:08:00.002-05:00

The Ultimate Homeschool Physical Education Game Book

Two years ago, in my search for something that would add some "formal" P.E. instruction to our homeschool, I came across and purchased this book. Guy Bailey, having worked in physical education for over 22 years, wrote The Ultimate Homeschool Physical Education Game Book to help teach homeschool families fitness, movement and sports skills.

Convenience

One particular challenge for homeschool families is that many of us don't have enough players for baseball or football or other sports "team" type activities. The good news is that the activities in the book need only 2-4 children. All of the games are easily played in the backyard and most of the required equipment can be found lying around your house. My family not being very sports-minded at all, had to purchase a few things.. a soccer ball, football, basketball. Still the purchases were nothing out of the realm of something any family may own.

Easy to Understand and Use
The book begins by offering P.E.curriculum tips. It is then divided into 10 sections according to the equipment needed for the games: Basketball, Football, Soccer, Softball, Raquet and Net, Recreational Sports, Playground Games, More PE Games with a Homeschool Twist, Fitness Building, Rope Jumping Activities. This allows the parent to easily choose activities based upon what equipment they would like to use or have on hand. Each section is followed by a glossary of terms familiar to that sport. (Most helpful to those of us with no sports experience!)

Each game listing begins by with the Purpose, Number of Players, Age Levels, Equipment, and Instructions. The games themselves are written in an easy-to-understand style accompanied by simple drawings.

Summary:
This book is an easy-to-use guide for physical activities which offer fun, exercise and playtime for the entire family. It is suitable to both sports-minded and non-sports-minded families alike. I highly recommend this book for adding some old-fashioned physical activity to your homeschool.

Happy Homeschooling!

Homeschool Mother's Journal #27: Cats, Dogs and Weird Neighbors

2011-12-22T22:21:00.004-05:00

In my life this week...
We attended a 2-day religious function over the weekend. That was a wonderful way to end a week and start the next. Now to just maintain...

Otherwise, I've been trying to catch up to the amount of dog and cat hair being shed. Yes..shedding. We're in Florida. Yesterday was the "first day of winter" but we have no such thing. It was 82 degrees and sunny. Yes, I'm thankful and quite appreciative for our sub-tropical weather. Now if my dog would just keep his fur to himself. More on the cat dander/allergen issue below...

In our homeschool this week...

We're at the end of Week 3 of Term III. We're still on our "lite" schedule with a focus on basics. Lorelai is still enjoying her reading and we've just been staying with that and spelling for the week. Next week, we'll resume full-schedule.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
My aunt (who co-raised me with my grandma) will be in town next weekend. I'm hoping to see her. I've not seen her for a long while... March 1999 to be exact. Alexis and Lorelai don't even know her! So I really hope that we can all match schedules at some point.

What’s working/not working for us…
Back to the cats....
I am very allergic to cats. I don't usually allow them inside. But we've had some challenges lately. It would appear that I have a neighbor that kidnaps a cat around the 10th of each month, holds it, starves it, breaks its tail and then sets it free on the 20th. This has happened to one cat per month for the last three months. When they come home, they are terrified of everything and everyone (including us) so I'm not sure what's being done to them, but I have now allowed them in my house and am trying to combat the allergens (which is easy enough using natural cleaning methods). Tortured cats and a house full of allergens is definitely not working for us.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…
This is Rocky. No, I didn't name him. He had the name from previous owners and I didn't bother to change it because he was 4 years old. He is now 8 years old. I've never thought the name suited him but why confuse him?

Mr Furry himself

This is Rocky with my daughter, Amy.
He has yet to realize he's not a lap dog.

Be sure to visit other homeschool moms who our journaling this week.

But first...
Have you ever had any creepy/weird neighbors that gave you trouble of any sort?

Happy Homeschooling!

The Holistic Homeschooler

Field Trip: The Nation's Oldest City

Free Living Books #3: Shakespeare

Our U.S. History Beginnings

Homeschool Mother's Journal #33: On the Go!

"In the future, how we educate our children may prove to be more important than how much we educate them." -Thomas Friedman

Field Trip: Air Potato Roundup

A Week of History Field Trips

Another Artist from My Home

Free Living Books #2: History, Literature and Poetry

Homeschool Mother's Journal #32: Pushing Forward in Many Ways

A New Direction for The Holistic Homeschooler

Free Living Books #1: Classics

Homeschool Mother's Journal #31: Git R Done

"I find that a great part of the information I have was acquired by looking up something and finding something else on the way." ~ Franklin P. Adams

Curriculum Overview: School Year 2012-13

Changes in History

Homeschool Mother's Journal #30: Kidney Stones, Field Trips & Changes

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
-Albert Einstein

Nature Study and Field Trip: Signs of Wildlife

The Face of Homeschooling: Interview with Jennifer

Teaching Multiple Ages

2012 Field Trip Plans

Homeschool other's Journal #28: Busy, Busy, Busy

“Learning can only happen when a child is interested. If he’s not interested, it’s like throwing marshmallows at his head and calling it eating.”
~ Katrina Gutleben

Living Books Approach to History

Teaching History through Ideas

Motivation, Grad-Party and Facebook

Book Review: The Ultimate Homeschool Physical Education Game Book

Homeschool Mother's Journal #27: Cats, Dogs and Weird Neighbors

The Holistic Homeschooler

Field Trip: The Nation's Oldest City

Free Living Books #3: Shakespeare

Our U.S. History Beginnings

Homeschool Mother's Journal #33: On the Go!

"In the future, how we educate our children may prove to be more important than how much we educate them." -Thomas Friedman

Field Trip: Air Potato Roundup

A Week of History Field Trips

Another Artist from My Home

Free Living Books #2: History, Literature and Poetry

Homeschool Mother's Journal #32: Pushing Forward in Many Ways

A New Direction for The Holistic Homeschooler

Free Living Books #1: Classics

Homeschool Mother's Journal #31: Git R Done

"I find that a great part of the information I have was acquired by looking up something and finding something else on the way." ~ Franklin P. Adams

Curriculum Overview: School Year 2012-13

Changes in History

Homeschool Mother's Journal #30: Kidney Stones, Field Trips & Changes

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. -Albert Einstein

Nature Study and Field Trip: Signs of Wildlife

The Face of Homeschooling: Interview with Jennifer

Teaching Multiple Ages

2012 Field Trip Plans

Homeschool other's Journal #28: Busy, Busy, Busy

“Learning can only happen when a child is interested. If he’s not interested, it’s like throwing marshmallows at his head and calling it eating.” ~ Katrina Gutleben

Living Books Approach to History

Teaching History through Ideas

Motivation, Grad-Party and Facebook

Book Review: The Ultimate Homeschool Physical Education Game Book

Homeschool Mother's Journal #27: Cats, Dogs and Weird Neighbors

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
-Albert Einstein

“Learning can only happen when a child is interested. If he’s not interested, it’s like throwing marshmallows at his head and calling it eating.”
~ Katrina Gutleben