I got these some great cartoons from the family man. Used with permission.
I’m breaking routine and not talking about knitting even though it’s Wednesday, and that’s what I do. I’m still soaking in the mountain of information that I got last weekend. I also got a lot of things for our curriculum next year. What I didn’t bring home or have already, I’ve now ordered so the boxes should start coming at a steady stream to our house. It’s that time of year. I got these cartoons to add to my homeschool Friday posts. It’s not Friday, but I thought I’d share one. Breaking more blog rules, I guess. I love comics, and as Knut only wants to get The Wallstreet Journal, and I’ve never seen any comic section in there, it’s a good fix. Knut heard me laughing out loud pretty much all night as I was reading through them. When he heard me get to my “silent laugh” where the tears start rolling but there is no sound, he would come over and see too. Fun times.
As far as the new books coming, last year I decided to not have a handwriting or spelling program, but incorporate it into our other subjects, or use free sources online. The things I was on the lookout for at the convention was a handwriting program, spelling program, and perhaps some art books. Those were areas that I felt that we could use some help. I found all of them, but left the art program there because although it was everything I wanted in an art program, it was way too expensive. I have sewing lessons to give, and an Usborne art activity book to still work through, and a library full of art books where next year I hope to introduce Silje and David to some pictures of great art, and stories of great artists.
I did find something for handwriting and spelling, which I picked up from The Works People. They were the highest recommended from the veteran homeschoolers whose brain I like to pick. The major thing about their handwriting is that it’s so objective. Most programs are subjective in the way you show a child what the letter should look like, and have them try to copy it the best they can. This program has “legal definitions” of letters and spelling that, from what I’ve heard, kids like because if you make it wrong, it’s easy to see what went wrong. It’s not just “mom hates my handwriting” it’s “This letter d is wrong because it does not follow this definition.” In fact, in learning to write them, one of the exercises is to not see the letters at all, but listen carefully to the definition and write it based on that. It’s supposed to be amazing in developing listening skills.
This program is very different than what I’ve been doing, and moves from handwriting right into spelling and phonics. Silje is an excellent reader and speller from what I can tell, but in my gut I think there are gaps, but I’m not sure what those gaps are. “The Works” guy called it the difficulty of a “highly intuitive reader” as she can easily read something and figure it out herself. The pro is: she can read almost anything, and with reading, there is much knowledge to be had. The con is: she can often miss details, and some that are important. Reading is a race for her, and it’s difficult to slow her brain down to study.
When he said that I knew he knew exactly what I was worried about. This program is supposed to help me teach her how to slow down and notice the details. I was planning on starting it this fall, but the more I’m paging through the teacher manual (which is set up completely different than my other curricula in other subjects so it’s taking me some time to wade through) I see that it should begin now…not this fall. After all, what’s the wait? If something needs correction and adjustment, why wait for a new school year to do it?
The same has gone in our house with the idea of the television. David and Elias have been watching it way too much, and I usually know when it’s too much because they don’t want to do anything else, and they meltdown whenever I tell them that what they’re watching is the last show. I told Knut that I was going to disable the television for the summer, to insure that the kids will play outside without a fight. He liked that idea.
However, as I was frustrated with the same old argument over the television when I got back from the conference, I thought to myself, “why am I waiting for summer?” So when the kids weren’t looking, I disabled it so they are unable to turn it back on.
Surprisingly, they haven’t missed it. Monday with the t.v. was so rough getting back into routine since I was gone. Tuesday without the t.v. was just awesome. Silje and David spent their free time playing tic tac toe together, and building lego houses. After Elias woke up from his nap and school was over, the 3 of them ran around the house for over an hour playing “The Incredibles.” Silje was the stretchy lady. Elias was the strongman. (He ran around with fists, punching things. It was a riot.) David, of course, was the really fast boy.
I think about how I gear up for change. Even Knut will often say “In 2 weeks I may start a diet again.” I’ll often say “This summer we’ll change the rules here.” “Next fall I’ll work on her spelling in a more thoughtful way.” When I got back, I realized…why am I waiting for change that I think will be good? Why do I postpone? Why wait for New Years Eve to make a resolution, or a new school year to start a new subject? I’m not sure why I always think I need this great wind up, because actually, change is sometimes good. Now.
As far as the new books coming, last year I decided to not have a handwriting or spelling program, but incorporate it into our other subjects, or use free sources online. The things I was on the lookout for at the convention was a handwriting program, spelling program, and perhaps some art books. Those were areas that I felt that we could use some help. I found all of them, but left the art program there because although it was everything I wanted in an art program, it was way too expensive. I have sewing lessons to give, and an Usborne art activity book to still work through, and a library full of art books where next year I hope to introduce Silje and David to some pictures of great art, and stories of great artists.
I did find something for handwriting and spelling, which I picked up from The Works People. They were the highest recommended from the veteran homeschoolers whose brain I like to pick. The major thing about their handwriting is that it’s so objective. Most programs are subjective in the way you show a child what the letter should look like, and have them try to copy it the best they can. This program has “legal definitions” of letters and spelling that, from what I’ve heard, kids like because if you make it wrong, it’s easy to see what went wrong. It’s not just “mom hates my handwriting” it’s “This letter d is wrong because it does not follow this definition.” In fact, in learning to write them, one of the exercises is to not see the letters at all, but listen carefully to the definition and write it based on that. It’s supposed to be amazing in developing listening skills.
This program is very different than what I’ve been doing, and moves from handwriting right into spelling and phonics. Silje is an excellent reader and speller from what I can tell, but in my gut I think there are gaps, but I’m not sure what those gaps are. “The Works” guy called it the difficulty of a “highly intuitive reader” as she can easily read something and figure it out herself. The pro is: she can read almost anything, and with reading, there is much knowledge to be had. The con is: she can often miss details, and some that are important. Reading is a race for her, and it’s difficult to slow her brain down to study.
When he said that I knew he knew exactly what I was worried about. This program is supposed to help me teach her how to slow down and notice the details. I was planning on starting it this fall, but the more I’m paging through the teacher manual (which is set up completely different than my other curricula in other subjects so it’s taking me some time to wade through) I see that it should begin now…not this fall. After all, what’s the wait? If something needs correction and adjustment, why wait for a new school year to do it?
The same has gone in our house with the idea of the television. David and Elias have been watching it way too much, and I usually know when it’s too much because they don’t want to do anything else, and they meltdown whenever I tell them that what they’re watching is the last show. I told Knut that I was going to disable the television for the summer, to insure that the kids will play outside without a fight. He liked that idea.
However, as I was frustrated with the same old argument over the television when I got back from the conference, I thought to myself, “why am I waiting for summer?” So when the kids weren’t looking, I disabled it so they are unable to turn it back on.
Surprisingly, they haven’t missed it. Monday with the t.v. was so rough getting back into routine since I was gone. Tuesday without the t.v. was just awesome. Silje and David spent their free time playing tic tac toe together, and building lego houses. After Elias woke up from his nap and school was over, the 3 of them ran around the house for over an hour playing “The Incredibles.” Silje was the stretchy lady. Elias was the strongman. (He ran around with fists, punching things. It was a riot.) David, of course, was the really fast boy.
I think about how I gear up for change. Even Knut will often say “In 2 weeks I may start a diet again.” I’ll often say “This summer we’ll change the rules here.” “Next fall I’ll work on her spelling in a more thoughtful way.” When I got back, I realized…why am I waiting for change that I think will be good? Why do I postpone? Why wait for New Years Eve to make a resolution, or a new school year to start a new subject? I’m not sure why I always think I need this great wind up, because actually, change is sometimes good. Now.
Mom says
April 20, 2011 at 5:22 pmGreat blog! I’m in that mode, too! This week, I started back on the elliptical machine, just because. It was just time.
I like the new handwriting teaching tactic you are trying. I think it’ll be the best way to engrain good habits at a early age.
Anonymous says
April 20, 2011 at 6:27 pmWe are turning off our TV for summer too–it’s going in the spring garage sale!
Sidenote for a public school frustration: Our kids (3rd grade and K) are going on a field trip to the district Senior High School to watch a performance by the show choir. No problem. The performance will be focused on TV theme songs. I could think of more educational themes, but still, I’m on board. THEY ARE CHARGING $2 ADMISSION PER CHILD AS A FUND RAISER FOR THE CHOIR. Neither is it itemized on the permission slip. We had to call to ask why the bus fees were so high for a free concert.
My issue here is not $2. It’s the secretive nature of the fund raiser, the fact that my child will be left out if we do not pay the $2, and the exploitation of MY child to pay for the extra-curricular activities of SOMEONE ELSE’s child.
Solution? We have decided not to sign the permission slip, and to take our children to their school library during the field trip hours for reading together, math enrichment, and lunch together, which is a treat for the kids.
Overall, our public school experience has been made positive or negative in large by the teacher. This year we have two amazing teachers who have made every effort to challenge our kids and see that they improve in academia. They still have bad days, testing days, substitute-teacher-who-puts-in-a-movie days, but they both enjoy school.
I like reading about your homeschooling successes and frustrations.
Blessings,
Dawn from NWC
Mama Bear says
April 22, 2011 at 1:56 amYou hit the nail on the head with this one. I am one who always says ‘I’ll start/do this when…’ and then sometimes the window for doing whatever it was comes and goes and I miss a great opportunity. I think that I am going to apply your idea of ‘Why not now’ to my decisions, too….starting tomorrow 😉