Need some wholesome audio books and have your kids learn at the same time? Ya me too so I have Your Story Hour and now I just found out you can listen online. Very CM when you are needing some rest for your vocal chords.
Your Story Hour Online
Showing posts with label Charlotte Mason. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Charlotte Mason. Show all posts
Monday, September 30, 2019
Your Story Hour Online - When You Need A Break From TV
Need some wholesome audio books and have your kids learn at the same time? Ya me too so I have Your Story Hour and now I just found out you can listen online. Very CM when you are needing some rest for your vocal chords.
Your Story Hour Online
Monday, October 29, 2018
Emergency Homeschool Plan!!
Emergency Homeschool Plan or How To Homeschool Through A Mess or Chronic Illness
dis·as·ter
diˈzastər/
noun
- a sudden event, such as an accident or a natural catastrophe, that causes great damage or loss of life."159 people died in the disaster"
- denoting a genre of films that use natural or accidental catastrophe as the mainspring of plot and setting.modifier noun: disaster"a disaster movie"
- an event or fact that has unfortunate consequences."a string of personal disasters"
synonyms: misfortune, mishap, misadventure, mischance, setback, reversal, stroke of bad luck, blow
"a string of personal disasters"Ever had one of these???
What happens when disaster strikes?? Back when Hurricane Katrina went through, Ambleside Online made an emergency plan with FREE resources and some really great advice for ANYONE who is homeschooling through a rough patch. It has curriculum suggestions and ideas to keep life moving forward.... even when you've lost everything. The kids can read on their own and make it real simple for you.
Here's a great article from Renee over at Homeschool How To's that worth a read:
Here's some of my suggestions based on stuff that's happened to us:
First let me say that there's an old saying among pioneer homeschoolers - all you need is a math book and a library card...I agree. You can get the math book from my FREE Vintage Education tab above. Don't let the old texts scare ya..Math hasn't changed...as a matter of fact the last update was Calculus and that was almost 500 years ago so.... 1+1=2 has been around for well, forever! Or if you have the money Charlotte Mason Math Level A (or whatever level you're at)
1. Only do the 3 R's - Reading, Writing, Arithmetic You can pull this from ANY book you have. For ideas see Renee's tips above
2. Use internet linked websites and FREE curriculum - I don't think you need curriculum but..
Ambleside Online HELP - This is the emergency homeschooling page
Use my FREE - Vintage Education
3. Use Internet linked Unit Studies
Amanda Bennett Unit Studies - Load these up on the Ipad
4. Stream or Get Educational Videos
Use Your Local Library
5. Play Games and Online Math Games
Apps on your phone or Ipad
Really most kids board & card games involved math of some sort
6. Let them do Retail Learning
Use grocery shopping to learn:
-money
-fractions
-weight - oz's, LB (there is a scale in the veggie department)
-value - price per oz
-find colors, numbers etc
-percentage - 20% off coupons and such
-budget shopping- give them the money and the list and see if they can get all that's on the list
you get the idea....
6. Read...just Read
Use Your Local Library
Find books:
7. Books on Tape
Use Your Local Library
Find Books:
Sparkle Stories -not free but super sweet stories for the younger crowd. You can get it for $1 the first month by using the code SPARKLEFRIENDS
8. Strew Ideas by website
Strewing means to leave stuff laying around so the kids discover it but in this case
you can leave it up on your computer so they can see it
9. Emergency Food Plan
My Blog Post On Emergency Food Plan
Sometimes whatever is going on in your life IS the curriculum...and the lesson... so don't be hard on yourself. Kids will learn in spite of what's going on...that's just the way God made them! So let them see you filled with God's presence and peace so they can learn to have "the peace that passes all understanding" Phil. 4:7
A great book to have during hard times is God's Promises For Your Every Need
Remember that this too shall pass....
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Nature Study and Science - The Easy Way!
This has been our "go-to" when nothing exciting is happening outdoors. Why would this be the go to? Because there is something to do EVERY DAY of the year. Is it January 12th and you don't know what to do? The book has you covered. November 30th?...Got It. Save your sanity and check this out of your library...you'll see what I mean.
Pair this with The Storybook Of Science for your older children and you've got your science covered!
What a fun and educational book Nature Anatomy is! The kids will love to just peruse it and maybe even copy the illustrations :)
And I'd be remiss if I didn't suggest that YOU have yourself covered by getting the classic Handbook of Nature Study. This has tons of info for you to read (not to the kids) so you sound like a naturalist without trying! Simply find what your kids asked you about and let them know. Of course don't bore them by reading directly out of it...unless they are wanting you to, or they are in Jr. High and up.
Friday, December 1, 2017
Am I Doing Enough?
In case your worried about how you're doing homeschooling...consider this quote:
"Studies have shown that all of typical grade K to 8 academic content can be mastered in eighteen to twenty-four months, as can all subjects taught in grades 9 to 12. Every year American School, an Illinois independent-study High School, has several students that complete four years of high school academics in less than eighteen months." - Cafi Cohen, Homeschooling the Teen Years, page 60.
Friday, November 17, 2017
Why We Don't Homeschool In The Morning Or How To Make Your Life Easier!
I was thinking this morning about how nice our days are and then that made me think about when I first started...don't even want to tell you how long ago but let's just say Bush and not George W. (dubbya) was in office.
What I found was that EVERY so called "expert" or homeschooling mom would tell you (and still do) is what I like the call "The Homeschool Mom Protocol": get breakfast, do chores and then start school and be done by noon or 1 (lunch time). I tried this...really...for years I tried this. And every morning SUCKED! I started thinking that if I had to fight like this to get crap done I'd rather send the kids to school and if you know me, that's pretty bad since I'm a HUGE proponent of homeschooling.
And then....
I decided to not do anything but let the kids play first thing in the morning.....
......And our life began to look like what I thought homeschooling could be.
Then I got wild.....and I started asking the kids what they wanted for breakfast instead of me dictating what they were going to have. We made out a list of things they liked to eat and what days they wanted them (for my sake)..........and mornings got even better! No fighting about not wanting oatmeal~
And if that worked......I asked them what they liked for dinner and we made a weekly chart for it. My cravat on this was it had to be easy or in a crockpot.....and our nights started becoming better. Daddy's started coming home to a happy house.
now we were on a roll.....we decided that they would do some math and english before lunch and then.....
.....before dinner they'd do Science and Social Studies and more joy prevailed!
my point???
Stop looking to the "experts" to tell you how YOU need to run YOUR house. If the kids are running around the house madly first thing in the morning, maybe you need to do afternoon school or even Gasp!!! evening school! Maybe you do all your work after dinner!! Just reading that for some of you may seem like a relief and for others you are cringing right now. If your kids are full of energy, maybe break everything into small pieces like, just this one and now run around and come back for the next one or give me the answer while your jumping rope! But either way...ask your kids what THEY would like to do. How would it feel if your husband told you exactly how to vacuum or grocery shop or some other thing? Wouldn't that be annoying? You bet it would! So why not let the kids tell you what they may like to do. What's it going to hurt? Probably nothing so why fight over it?? Seriously!
Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting--and conflict.
NLT Prov. 17:1A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.
NLT Prov. 15:17
Now go! Find your families' joy!
Monday, October 30, 2017
Your Story Hour Online - When You Need A Break From TV
Need some wholesome audio books and have your kids learn at the same time? Ya me too so I have Your Story Hour and now I just found out you can listen online. Very CM when you are needing some rest for your vocal chords.
Your Story Hour Online
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Homeschool Philosophy?? Forget About It!
Want to know the quickest way to go crazy?
Read about homeschool Philosophies...
Or worse decide what homeschool philosophy you are and then inflict it upon the kids until you all burn-out...ask me how I know that one. Are you: Classical, Charlotte Mason, Traditional (textbook), Unit Study...??? Here's the secret that new (and maybe old) homeschoolers should learn...ready...wait for it.... Don't get hung up on a homeschool philosophy. As a matter of fact, just forget about homeschool philosophies in general and start with finding a math program that works for you and the kids. That should keep you busy for most of your homeschool career..only slightly kidding there.
It's pretty common knowledge from the pioneer homeschoolers that all you really needed was a math curriculum and a library card. That's all you need...yes, really.
You don't need a fancy, schmancy, expensive curriculum that costs $1,000+ per child. Remember one room schoolhouses? They had all levels and the teacher wasn't running around like a crazy woman, trying to find the best curriculum. She barely had resources AND she had the older kids teach the younger kids. She grouped the children by ability, regardless of age.
Now you may be asking okay, BUT, what about Language Arts? Well, here again, you don't need a super expensive curriculum to teach reading. You can do it quite easily with a book you probably already have....the Bible. Guess what? That's how the founding fathers of America were taught and they seemed to do okay....I mean, they founded a COUNTRY, you're just trying to get your kids to read. If you use technology Leap Frog Letter Factory will have them learning those ABC's super fast and their sounds (phonics). After that move on to Leap Frog Word Factory . We found them at the library so you may not even need to buy them.
Penmanship? Just start with them learning the letters of the alphabet that you write, and then move on to copying the Bible.
Grammar? Buy an old copy of Easy Grammar Level 1 and go over a sheet a day or two once a week. On other days use Daily Grams 5-6 for all of your scholars. No matter how you slice it... It's the same 8 parts of speech whether you're in 3rd grade or 12th. For laughs you can include Mad Libs for learning the parts of speech. Just google it and you should have a ton of options for free to print. Don't start grammar too early though (like before 10), it's a pretty abstract idea and really just needed for testing more than anything else. For Fun you can watch Schoolhouse Rock and learn the parts of speech fast and easy!...they'll even learn some US History and Science.
Spelling? This is really used for writing and I'd say about half the kids are naturally good at it while the others...not so much. For fun you can use Spelling Classroom or it's free version Grade Spelling. We like Spelling Classroom better because it tracks progress AND the kids can play games that are actually fun. For an offline version just pick out words based on their abilities from the Bible and use those for spelling words.
Writing? Well, a persuasive essay can wait until High School. You just need them to write about their day, or who blessed them, or who can they bless? Have the Youngers make a picture and write a sentence or two, Middles need to write a 1/2 page or so based on their skills and Olders 1-2ish pages. These are approximates, so you'll need to figure what works for your kids. Don't make them write book reports, they are pretty much a useless modern school invention to determine if a class of 30 kids read the book. You live with your kids so I'm assuming you know if they read something. If you need to figure out what they learned in a book, ask them to make a quiz for everyone to take...that's sure to crack everyone up! You could even post it over at Review Game Zone and let everyone in the house take it AND play games!
High School Writing? Okay, now is the time for that persuasive essay. Time to tell the difference between schmoozing and being schmoozed..aka Logic. Writing an essay a day about everything that interests them and why! Teenagers love to argue so put those skills to good use! ;)
If you need to keep track of all your schooling this journal looks cool...OR just get A.C.E. Paces and let it teach while you keep things humming....just sayin' Make sure you take the A.C.E. free diagnostic test so you can place your kids where they need to be. If you're doing it online I'd sit with them to make sure they are hitting the right buttons. If you take that A.C.E. route make sure you read my post about how to make it fun and enjoyable for everyone.
YOUR HOMESCHOOL PHILOSOPHY
- Do what works for your family
- Homeschool during the hours that work for you, even if it's at 9pm! Split up your homeschool hours if you need to. A little in the morning, a little in the evenings.
- Fun learning when you can (think weekends & evenings): If all your kids like different things to study...pick the one that's easiest for you, not them. There's lots of them and only one of you. You'll teach what you're interested in with enthusiasm which they will catch on.
- Use technology such as streaming (documentaries, etc..) and audio books.
- Kids need tools, not more toys. Real jobs require real tools and knowledge. Teach them how to fix everything....from lunch to the kitchen sink! If they want to learn chemistry get them the REAL deal, not a toy kit (and supervise of course!) If you don't know how to fix or make stuff, look it up on Youtube together.
- You are your own team! Do everything you can together including chores...yes it will take longer but you'll have less drama about "did you do____" nonsense.
If using technology works for you...use it. Make a Youtube channel with all the stuff you want your kids to know and let them watch it. Yes, it may take some time - or a lot of time - but when you're sick or need a break, there it is waiting for you to access when you need it most. *Getting on my soapbox* make sure you have the settings set for children on Youtube, and DON'T let them watch it without supervision.
"For God is not a God of confusion but of peace."
1 Corinthians 14:33a ESV
Monday, August 22, 2016
Kiddie Records! Holy Hi-Fi Batman! - Replay!
Here's a post from the past (5/12/12) that would be nice to use when you feel like turning on the TV:
Well if you're feeling a need to let the kidlets relive your youth...or you need some fun entertainment go check out:
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
How To Make ACE Paces or Workbooks and Textbooks More Fun!
Oh the treadmill of using workbooks...everyone will tell you how terrible it is and how you'll burn the kids out...maybe. But there are ways to make ANY textbook or workbook more fun for kids. These are just suggestions and you certainly don't have to do all of them but at least do #1 and #2 to make life easier.
1. You don't have to fill out every. stinking. page. Seriously, if the kids know it...move on. All those pages are in there to give kids busywork to fill the day in a school setting. You definitely don't need that when you homeschool. You have permission...it doesn't matter what you payed for the thing it's not worth burning a kid out over it. I give my kids the 3 test...if they can do three then move on. If that means to the end of the workbook...fine. If they can do the test without studying...fine. If it means they do the (fill in the blank end of the year test) and be done...then fine. They obviously know it if they can do THAT test without studying.
2. They don't have to fill out all the fill-in the blanks. really...they'll live. Instead use Charlotte Mason's technique and have them narrate what they just read. You can't explain what you don't know and you're sure to find out what they do know.
3. If your kids are struggling with Math here's a couple of ideas...do the problems orally if they're little and struggling with writing and see #1. Play board games! Seriously almost every game has math of some sort in it. Give'em a break every 10 minutes so it breaks up the monotony. Especially if they're boys they need to MOVE so have them race around the house (outside!) or do jumping jacks or jump on a mini trampoline. Use a timer so they know when the break is coming OR use it to do beat the timer. Try having them stand to do it, that way they can move their legs and jitter around. Make sure they know their math facts...it's hard to do math when you don't know the facts so go over them at XtraMath ...or online games at Math Playground, ABCya (math bingo is a favorite here!), Sheppard Software or...realize they may not be ready for it yet and let it rest for a week or month and then come back....remember they are going at their pace. They didn't learn to walk or talk on a schedule and math is no different.
4. Split up the subjects through out the day OR do it in the afternoon OR evening! Some kids (and adults) are not good at mornings so you can split the day up however YOU want because you're not doing school at home but homeschool. If you do math before lunch and finish up with history as the read aloud at night...so be it if it works!
5. Add some art study in there....are they studying volcanoes?? Look up some volcano art (yes there is some!) Let them study the art and then...get out the paints, crayons, scissors and try to create what they just saw.
6. Make each day of the week a special study day instead of daily. (aka block studying)..ie... Monday-History, Tuesday-Science...you get the idea. Then find out more about that on that day after the workbook for that day is done. Make your read-alouds only Living History on Monday or plan a trip to a living history museum on that day or watch a history documentary. On Tuesday blow up something..oh..is that only my house??? LOL but on Tuesday due all those fun science experiments or if you can't then get the InquisiKids Discover and Do DVDs or whatever is at the library's DVDs and watch science. You can watch science documentaries on youtube or even better, you can watch it free on Genesis Science Network!
7. Play a certain composer during school time. You could make it Beethoven for the entire month or just the week. I guarantee you'll recognize his music after that time. OR listen to hymns. You can find a selection of hymns on youtube that you can play in the background.
8. Decide you'll quit at a certain time like noon. Anything past that is homework for later for older kids or not at all. Again it's about balance and not burning you or the kids out. All day marathon sessions are going to kill everyones joy.
9. Get outside! Go to the park and do school there. Sometimes a change of pace makes all the difference. Since the kids aren't going to be doing every page now (right??..see #1) Let the littles run around and then settle down for a little session then let'em loose again.
10. If you have workbooks you can have the kids make collages out of their old workbooks or make cheat sheets ( I think they're called offices) with info they have learned.
11. Have older kids work with the younger kids. It's amazing how it cements an idea when you have to teach it or grade it or listen and give some thoughts about it. Besides part of being in a family is helping one another. Even littles who can read can help with ones that can't by helping sound out letters and words or simply reading lovely books to them. It amazes me how when a child teaches another child they do it in such a way that the younger one feels so special!
13. Have them read their workbook and not do the fill in the blanks. Then make a notebook page about it or they could make a movie or draw a picture (if they're real young) or even act it out.
14. If the kids are crying, someone has flushed a toy car down the toilet or you're all raging sick that isn't the time to try and get school done. Time to pop in a book on tape, watch a documentary or science experiment and just be a family. If you look at the schedule for a "typical" school year at public school you'll see there is about 180 days. That's only a little over half a year. Give yourself and the kids a break and school using technology...determined by you of course. And if you're not big on "Glowing Screens" than pop that book on tape in or start baking brownies...everyones happier with brownies! Doesn't matter if it 9:30am you can worry about nutrition at lunch..or dinner. The point is if you design it so that you do school even half the year you're doing great and teaching them more about living life with grace and humility.
Here's a post I did a while ago about add on's to a literature based curriculum you may find useful
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
