On the slower days

When it comes to homeschooling, there are many days that we hit the ground running and I feel a bit like a drill sergeant keeping the girls on task with their assignments and chores, etc, all while attempting to keep a house in order and keep people alive, happy and healthy.  There are definitely those days, however, that are much slower paced and natural and we go with the flow of the opportunities around us.  

This week, we had at least one of those days and it was so great.  

One particular day, we started our day as usual with some morning time together doing our devotions.  365 Very Veggie Devos for Girls is one of our favorites.  It's easy for all of their ages to grasp. 

We then took a trip to the library and stocked up.  Everyone dove into some new books.  This always keeps them entertained for a while. 

I loved The Very Lonely Firefly and wanted to read it aloud to the girls.  For whatever reason, it felt like I was narrating something when I was reading, so.....

... we decided to give it a shot and do a short narrative play.  We gathered props and cast characters and presented it for daddy when he came home.  It was so much fun!!! Check out the "fireflies" below.  Our first of many small performances, I'm sure. 

We then moved into the kitchen and our oldest put her culinary skills to work and whipped up some guacamole for us. 

As you can see it didn't last long with this group. 

I had lentil soup planned for dinner, so I let my oldest get some recipe reading experience.  It's perfect because she has been working on measurements and fractions this year.  This girl has skills! 

I hope you enjoy the recipe and will take the opportunity to slow down to cook, play and learn together!  I think it takes more discipline for many of us to do that than it does to keep going full speed?!  Agree? 

Oops! We learned something!

Incidental learning or I was having fun and oops, I learned something, is such an integral part of childhood. Incidental learning is learning that takes place without any intent to learn. (source) 

When I think of my own experiences with language and geography, for example, I received formal second language training when working on my degrees. I learned a great deal from my amazing professors, books and studies and am so grateful for those opportunities.  However, the majority of my fluency and knowledge of culture and geography came by traveling, spending time within the culture or with people from other cultures. 

There were no books or classroom involved in these experiences.  These were simply things I loved to do, but learned a great deal along the way.

This is exactly what I want for our children, as well as do most parents, I suspect. 

All this to say, homeschooling has allowed us so much flexibility.  A world of opportunity is open for us to learn, explore and discover daily.  We take advantage of this by taking at least one "field trip" or exploration every week. Whether it be the beach, a park, a museum or another city, state or country.  This family loves to go!

Most recently, we took a day trip to Holland, Michigan for the annual Tulip Time Festival.  It's like getting a little taste of the Netherlands right here in the Midwest. 

This was such a great opportunity to learn about Dutch culture, check out the beautiful tulips, wooden clogs, and windmills.  

Tulip Time parade

tiptoeing through the tulips, literally

my beautiful tulip crew

Grandpa (Papa) and the crew (looks like an extra little one tried to join us LOL)

What have you [acidentally] learned lately?

Cinco de Mayo 2015

Cinco de Mayo is one of my favorite holidays for various reasons and I usually post something about it. This year, I jumped at an opportunity to take our daughters to a beautiful cultural celebration. 

(My little gringas.  This place was standing room only within minutes.)

In case you just celebrate for the food or cerveza and aren't exactly sure what the occassion is, let me fill you in. On May 5, 1862 the Mexican army defeated the French army at the Battle of Puebla. The battle was the root of the Cinco De Mayo holiday that is now celebrated. Today, it signifies Hispanic and Mexican pride as well as the culture.  

Around our house, we love Mexican food, music, language and of course....Mexicans. Let's not forget how wonderful fiestas and siestas are!!!

Mexico, itself, has very special meaning to me, personally. It's the place that I took my very first international mission trip when I was a teenager, which changed the course of my life in so many ways.  One of them being, my pursuit of learning Spanish.  

Another reason is that one of my dearest friends is a missionary in Mexico with her sweet family. 

I'm grateful to be a part of a local ministry where we live that reaches out to  immigrant families in our area.  Among the many cultures involved, we have gotten to know some precious Mexican families.  I love that our children have had the opportunity to mesh with other cultures, practice their Spanish and expand their worldview.

Each year, the church that many of these local families attend puts on a huge Cinco de Mayo festival.  Free of charge, the ladies cook a MUY GRANDE Mexican meal and the Folkloric Dance teams perform in their amazing costumes.  The afternoon ends with all of the children hitting beautifully colorful piñatas. 

I hope you will enjoy an amazing Mexican meal somewhere today.  Don't forget to show some love to these beautiful people.  A smile and an "hola" is a great place to start. 

Need some ideas for practicing Spanish with your kids? Check this out!

Does your family celebrate Cinco de Mayo?

What we're learning: Reading

Ahhh reading.  So, even when we had made the decision to homeschool, I was still slightly intimidated by the thought helping my children learn to read.  I planned to just send them to preschool and/or kindergarten and let someone else get them on their way then bring them back home for school.  Seemed like a great plan?!   ; )

In the meantime, when our oldest was nearing preschool age, we found a  Hooked on Phonics program at a garage sale and bought it.  We looked through the program and evaluated it.  We liked what we saw, but it was an older version with cassettes.  Long story short, we resold it and got a newer version for the girls.  

We have used this program as our main reading program and it has truly been awesome in helping the girls learn to read.  Both our first grader and preschooler are reading way beyond their grade level. 

My fears and intimidations have faded and I could not be more proud of how well they are reading, but MUCH MORE than that....how much they LOVE to read.  This is huge!!!

On the days that I'm feeling unsure about whether we are "doing enough" or if I'm on the "right track" with school, my awesome husband reminds me how much the girls enjoy reading and says, "if you can get a child to enjoy reading, they can learn anything by just picking up a book."  We have found this to be so true. 

 Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read

Bob Books

We start them very young around here. LOL

Resources and tips that have helped make our reading journey successful and stirred a passion for reading in our girls:

• Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read  (Pre K -2nd)
• Bob Books
• Bob Book Free Printables/Supplemental

We also:

Attend our local library reading programs (starting them at a very young age).

Borrow (loads and loads of) books on their favorite subjects at the library. 

Keep books handy in our car while running errands or on road trips.

Give each girl a reading light and allow them to read in their beds at night when they are not quite tired. 

Implement daily reading time.

Read to our kids often.

Try being an example by reading.

Buy books as one of their birthday gifts.

Happy reading all!

What we're learning: Our 100th Day of School

Yay! We finally made it. We celebrated our 100th day of school last week.  The girls have been looking forward to this for a while.  Here are some of the activities we did to recognize the day. 

We've been counting down!  (This is from our Daily Notebooks.)

 We read cooresponding books: 100 Days Of School,  Emily's First 100 Days of School 

Coloring time

Aweeee.  She loves "doing cool" and being big. 

Counting by 10's and working on place value with coins for our 1st grader 

Do A Dot Art Marker art

Number practice with our Preschooler.

They have worked so hard and learned so much this year.  They definitely deserved a 100 Day treat!!!  Notice someone in the house lost her first tooth this week...very proud, very proud!



Here's to the rest of the year!!!

9 Valuable Things I Brought Home From Nashville (besides my family, of course)

Nashville style : )

Our family took a little road trip to Nashville this past weekend for the Teach Them Diligently (homeschool/parenting) Convention. 

I have wanted to go to this convention for a few years and this year it was a bit easier for us to go as we no longer have a nursing baby : ( and our toddlers are a bit more independent from mommy.

It was a great encouragement for my husband and I and quality time with our two oldest daughters. I am so grateful that it worked out and both sets of grandparents were willing to care for our two youngest daughters.

We sat through various sessions for two entire days and were able to hear a lot of wisdom in the area of Christian parenting and home education.  There were a few things that stood out the most to me that I wanted to share:

1.

"Your embarrassment is not worth your kids' resentment."  [Kids have great hypocracy detectors so don't correct them in public for what you've allowed them to do/be at home.]

- Hal & Melanie Young

2.

"The problem is not diagnosing your child's learning style, it's the lack of prescription for it."  

-Carol Barnier

3.

"The overflow of your heart will fill the corners of your home."  

- Amy Roberts

4.

"If something works, do it again!"

-Carol Barnier

5.

"10 questions are better than 1 answer." 

- Socrates, (quoted of course - he wasn't there LOL)

6.

You cannot export what you don't grow at home.

-Ann Dunagan (Harvest Ministries)

7.

"There's no Superwoman, only exhaustion."

-Crystal Paine, moneysavingmom.com

8.

"School is never out! It's not an educational choice, it's a lifestyle." 

-Hal & Melanie Young

The greatest reminder that I came home with was:

9.

There is no perfect curriculum, schedule or formula for homeschooling your children.  

Each family is unique in their talents, learning styles, routine, needs, and priorities. Remember why we are doing this in the first place!

I highly recommend this convention to current homeschoolers and anyone who is considering it. There are so many benefits to attending a conference like this:

• connecting with other homeschool families and being able to relate
• viewing a large exhibit hall with displays from a variety of curriculum/publishers 
• the opportunity to hear from some of my favorite bloggers/writers
• hearing a variety of topics that touched on subjects ranging from practical, inspirational, motivational and spiritual advice

Have you been to this or a similar conference? What are your thoughts? 

Dealing with focus issues in homeschooling

So this post is probably going to be quite different than what you were thinking.  The focus issues I'm talking about here are ahem....mine! Not the students, the teacher. 

Let me explain.   I can honestly say that since we decided to educate our children at home, we haven't looked back.  I have no desire to send them to school nor do they want to go. We all love it. We truly love being home together and learning together. You can ask my kids anytime, I'm not speaking for them ;)

To say that everyone "doesn't look back" or have doubts, would not be correct.  If you are considering homeschooling and have occasional doubts or if you are currently homeschooling and wonder if you are doing the right thing, that is totally normal. I have had several of my fellow homeschool mommies have seasons where they question their decision.  In fact, I think it is quite healthy to take it a year at a time, heck  - a day at a time and reevaluate things.  


All that to say, we are in this for the long run. However, let's not confuse our steadfast desire to homeschool with saying that it's easy or that I always know what I am doing or that I am always the most patient person on the planet.  This is not the case, but we are committed.

Now, back to the topic at hand. Focus.  Throughout the day, I hear myself reminding the girls to focus and get back on task at whatever they are working on, reading, etc.  But, even MORE often, do I find myself having to refocus and remember what my purpose is during those moments.  I'm their teacher.  I'm the one responsible for creating an environment for learning as well as a love and passion for learning. If I'm continually "checking out", that effects them more than I probably know.

The computer at my desk and the phone within reach ever tempt me. My mind goes on and on: "Maybe I could just send one quick email or check my FB messages.  I really should get a couple loads of laundry done. Oh man, this house is a mess, I need to get cleaning. I haven't talked to so and so forever, maybe I should call."  On and on my mind wanders. Distraction after distraction.

I constantly have to pull myself back together and FOCUS. Yes, the beauty of homeschooling is flexibility and I'm not saying I should be glued to their side, but truly being where I am for those moments is crucial.


Erica, at Confessions of a Homeschooler said it best:

"...the reality of it is that homeschooling is your job.  It's your obligation.  It's your calling.  You would't show up to work late, unprepared, and procrastinating the whole day.  Well, you might, but you'd be fired.  

If you're reading this and you are a homeschooling parent, then homeschooling is your job.  Treat it as such.  Plan your schoool year, get ready for your day, show up on time, and be ready to go.  From 8am-3pm (or whatever your hours are) you are a teacher.  You're not a Facebooking-friend calling-email checking-tweeting-errand runner...

...I've committed to homeschooling our children.  And so even when I don't feel like it.  I do it.  I'm in charge of our children's education and discipleship and that's not something that can be pushed aside because I'm feeling lazy or unmotivated.

Homeschooling is your ministry, your family is your ministry.  Fulfill the calling God has gien you.  Be committed.  Be diligent.  Even when it's hard.  Even when you don't feel like it.    " 

Thank you Erica! That was SO the kick in the pants that I needed.

I would be kidding myself (and you) if I said my kids didn't notice my occasional  wandering mind and body.  MY focus (or lack of) truly sets the tone of our school day.

I can tell an immense difference on the days that I am focused and committed to helping them and being available for them.  They literally thrive and the day goes much more smoothly. 

Although the laundry, dishes, emails and phone calls to tend to will ALWAYS be there, the years that I am blessed to be called not only mother, but teacher, by my children will not.  

Now, excuse me as I refocus!

What we are learning: Spanish

Hola amigos!  So, to tell the truth, I've been a bit disappointed with myself in regards to our progress in Spanish. My goal/dream was for our kids to be bilingual at a young age. : (  Being bilingual myself, having a major in Spanish and a passion for the language and culture, that would have been completely possible... However (with a capital H).

Life has been a bit busy over the last several years, adding new babies to our family almost consecutively for four years, "officially" beginning homeschooling and all of the other things that fill our time, I haven't implemented second language training as well as I would have liked.  It's much easier to stress out in your first language. ha ha

Don't get me wrong, some of my children's first words were "leche", "agua" "hola" and "jugo", but fluency just hasn't happened, yet.

Because I realize there is no time like el presente (the present), we are kicking into high gear. On top of our newly implemented "Taco Tuesdays", where we eat Mexican and latin inspired foods and speak Spanish, we have begun to step up our Spanish during the time we do our other work.

This week, our theme is la comida - food. 

Here are some of the ways we are studying and reinforcing the names of foods in Spanish:

studying flash cards (Ready for School (Flash Kids Spanish Flash Cards)

playing Spanish bingo (Eeboo Spanish Bingo)

reading in Spanish (Ana Cultiva Manzanas / Apple Farmer Annie)

looking at Spanish/English dictionaries (My First Book of Spanish Words (Bilingual Picture Dictionaries)

I don't have a personal picture, but this is one of the best CD's I've heard for learning Spanish terms. The songs have such fun latin rhythms and are separated into themes, you cannot help but pick up on the catchy tunes. : )

 

  SARA JORDAN PUBLISHING VOL 1 BILINGUAL SONGS ENGLISH - SPANISH  (Multilingual Edition)  

And of course....

ROSETTA STONE: SPANISH

Rosetta Stone Spanish (Latin America) Level 1

Check out some of our previous posts about how we practice  Spanish. I hope this helps for those of you wanting to give your children the gift of a second language.  Adios!