Mary's Muse

What Happened to Home Schooling?

Before the onset of every home school year, I pull out Educating the Whole Hearted Child and read through the ENTIRE thing.  That was, hands down, THE most worthy home school helps book I had ever bought.   Every year, I glean just a tad more so that we can home school more productively and more happily.

Something happened this year.  I didn't pull the book out.  I didn't prepare lessons.  I didn't even buy some of the books we'll be using on time.  And things I know we have around here ... somewhere ... are lost.  I have no excuse.  No illness.  No travel.  No ill relatives to help.  What's happened to me?  Why can't I bring joy to this season of my life?

This is the first time we took a break in the summer.  I planned to get so much done.  But I didn't.  I planned on cutting the chaff out of what we have. But I think we managed to get more.  I planned on paying off some bills.  But we owe more.  I think we're making smart decisions ~ like paying $1,000 to repair a van rather than junking it and buying another vehicle, with payments stretching for years ahead.  I just having this niggling sense that something is not right.

I copied my 9th grader's religion plans to our planning sheet last night.  Then I went to sleep.  This morning I woke up thinking, 'He won't like that. He'll buck doing all the reading and writing required.'  I know that kids have to do some things they don't like.  But when we're talking about their catechism, I need to know they're not just robotically storing and then spitting out information.  The data dump completed, I need to know he's there with me, taking it in, loving it, embracing it.  Maybe I just need to be more there for him.  This is a discussion topic, something that needs sharing.

I think I worked some pretty neat discovery science for him this year.  I incorporated a lot of experiments and reading to understand the hows and whys of those experiments.  Our last topic is a little overwhelming.  It's Weather, and it's something I have an interest in.  Therefore, we have a LOT of resources.  Too many, if you ask me.  It's difficult to choose which ones to use.  Time to weed out some weather resources.

This particular child could read history all day long.  All month long. All YEAR long.  The writing part might be a challenge, but the assignments are varied, and thus, interesting.  I give a whole lot more liberties and more variation than the syllabus suggests.  Creativity within a framework of solid history.  Gotta love it!

Math is still math. The bonus for him is that this year he can learn through lectures on the computer, complete the problems on the computer, and be graded on the computer.  Oooh.  Another bonus is that we bought a supplemental math/logic game that he can do on Friday.  He loves it and it is challenging.  To play the arcade games, he has to get 75% or better.  To get two tokens, which allow for two arcade games, he has to get 80% or better.

We're trying Winston Grammar this year.  Is it just me, or do boys and grammar not get along?  I had an unusually easy time with it in school. My oldest daughter skates with grammar rules.  Why don't my boys seem to get it?  I've flip-flopped with all the boys so far.  My daughter happens to be placed in between the two boys who have the hardest time with it.  And with every type of grammar lessons we tried, she sailed.  The boys, on the other hand, seemed to have to navigate choppy seas.  Quite choppy.  Thunderous, even.  Our fourth child, a boy as well, has an easier time with grammar, but wants to be lazy about it.  I have a feeling that the biggest problem with grammar overall is laziness.  The boys don't like to follow directions or reread when they forget something.

So it's time for me to dust off Educating the Wholehearted Child, read it, remember that sciences, music, and art are discovery subjects, history and religion are discussion subjects, and foreign languages, language arts, and math are seatwork subjects.  We can do this. I know we can.  Little tweaks at the beginning of the year are no big deal.

Happy Homeschooling

Compass Kid is happily learning about the medieval period through religion and history.  He's happily learning about botany in science.  He's excitedly studying poetry and art.  And he's willingly completing lessons of math.

Zookeeper is learning ancient history and little does he realize that this is going to be a banner year for history and religion.  He's also actively learning botany, poetry, and art.  And he is  completing 6th grade math in record time.

Princess is reading through American history.  This is the first year she is reading her religion independently.  She's excited that I found her grammar book.  Currently, she's writing a story about a blacksmith shop.  She's following the boys in learning botany and art.  And she's quick to complete math lessons.

And then there's Drama Queen:  "I get to read these aloud. That is soooo fun!  I just love to finish it. I get so excited when I finish it and I get to show Daddy.  And it is sooo fun!" 

I mean, wow. Can you even imagine!?!?!  I have to actually cut her off from finishing a whole work book in a day. :op  Whose child is she, anyway?  She just turned the page and said, "Oh boy! Oh joy!"  She just completed 26 pages writing letters and reading words.

Cast-Offs and New Thoughts

Recently, I have been mulling over what school we've been doing that has and has not been working this year.  Everyone has different families whose members have different temperaments, different tolerances, and different interests.  Today, I will offer my ideas and opinions (no one else's, just mine) on what works for my family at present.

Science:  Science seems to be the biggest cast-off category lately.  During the winter, non-nature-study months, we tend to do indoor science which includes Chemistry and Physics.  Last year, we used Real Science 4 Real Kids Physics and Chemistry.   While they had fun with some of the experiments, we found that we were having to search for more and more obscure experiment components and the kids retained less and less as the year progressed.  All in all, the program fell flat.  Last semester, we used John Hudson Tiner's The World of Physics, but the kids who were using it were perhaps too young?  We changed our approach to a more hands-on style.  They're loving it.  We might revisit Tiner's book next year.  Chemistry will have to wait a year.  That will give me time to dream up something fun.

Religion:  We had used Fr. John Laux's religion course for my high schooler last year.  Unfortunately, because of his abstruse writing style, my kids didn't comprehend a thing he was trying to say.  This year, we started and are very pleased with  the Didache series.  Straightforward questions.  Thoughtful and up-to-date essay topics.  Whew!  This year, we're also using our Confirmation Prep plans.

Foreign Language:  We switched from Latin to Spanish.  Latin, while a wonderful grammar  teacher, was a bit much, even for lingual me.  We're not going to use it beyond learning it and since I promote a LIVING education, I want my children to have the opportunity to use what they learn later.  So many job applications require bilingual ability.  They've also been overloaded with grammar and, as I know from experience, any foreign language helps English grammar.  Using our own put-together Spanish program, with pronunciation and fun lessons online. 

Grammar:  Speaking of grammar, we quit it this semester.  After a frustrating semester of trying to find where each part of a day's lesson was in the book, we stopped using Warriner's Grammar altogether. It makes for a lovely decoration on our shelf and is brought down for dusting and occasional, but rare, reference.

And what, you may ask, has been working?

Teaching Textbooks Math ~ the kids slide into any level with ease.

MODG High School History

Modified MODG High School Science

Apologia Flying Creatures

Been thinking

I've been thinking a lot lately.  I guess it was the book I picked up to leaf through with my coffee at Hastings.  It was a book about creating baby quilts.  Because I've been pregnant and/or nursing for 16+ years, I haven't really developed my own interests.  I have been itching to quilt for several years and wanting to knit for a few years.  I'm interested in jewelry-making (especially jewelry with a religious theme) lately as well.  But I can't seem to concentrate on any of my interests.  And I certainly can't leave anything and come back to it later.  Who knows in what condition I'll find what I've left?

But what is mothering, if not developing an interest?  This is an interest in my children's lives, not just patterns and cutting and sewing or weaving yarn.  It's an interest in conducting my children from self-love to love of and service to God.  It's complete self-sacrifice, and yet it doesn't feel like a sacrifice at all.  While I give up my interests, I also am given the opportunity to observe my children grow in grace.  And it is such a sweet picture to see. 

As my children grow, my interest develops further.  I have been given the challenge of teenagers.  I find that they regress a bit.  They backpedal to self interest and dependence just when I am wanting them to act more independently and other-centered.  And their interests expand exponentially encompassing areas with which I can't help them.  I hadn't developed those interests.  They need me full time.  I can't afford to give two of my kids full time attention when I have six others to attend.

Therefore, we're entering a new era in our homeschooling adventure.  For the first time in their lives, the oldest two children are attending school at the local high school.  It is my hope that this will satisfy the multiple interests and other-centeredness.  They're bored at home and I can't fill that boredom.  And I can concentrate on the others who have been moving along in school on autopilot because I've expended so much time and energy on the first two.

Developing my interest in my children has come to mean recognizing when they need more than I can give, and holding them close where it counts, but letting them go ever so gently in other areas.  It means paying closer attention and schooling the kids left at home with greater care and understanding.  Though I have other interests, raising a family takes precedence over all others.  It keeps me engaged, engrossed, and thoroughly spent at the end of the day. 

Surfacing for Air

My parents visited and we baptized Etu last week.  Therefore, this week was harried and even almost suffocating.  It's time to breathe, to surface for air. 

We decided to reschedule some kids.  Some, I realized, have pent up energy that they need to expend in productive ways before they can settle down into a read and write routine.  Some work better in the afternoons.  Some of the older kids can actually help me teach the littler ones when they have a block of free time.  Three kids are having to be quite responsible for themselves and so far, it's not happening.  I'm hoping that this rearrangement of schedules and a little science tweaking will effect a great change in how our children take on school.  However, what's nice about homeschooling is that you don't have to fit a child to a schedule, you fit the schedule to the child.  If it doesn't work, we re-rearrange.

I've worked in two physical activity breaks for all three older kids, two at a time.  The younger ones all have only at most 1/2 of a day anyway.  They get plenty of active time.  

I knew this year would be hard, having just had Etu.  And I know I have to figure her into the scheduling equation.  Her life is starting to settle in, so I just pray that so will our school routine.

Things To Do this Week

We're cleaning the basement this week.  The first order of business started last Friday.  It was a huge laundry day, due to the fact that three of my sons were going to camp the next day and needed clean clothes.  Saturday, after they'd left, I cleaned their bathroom and the laundry room.  Today, I tackled my oldest son's room.  I'm also washing his sheets.  Tomorrow, in addition to schooling three of the four kids who are left, I will move on to my other three sons' room and put away the clean laundry that's been piling up on the couch in the family room.  Tuesday is the day I'll clean the kitchen and schoolroom.  Depending upon energy levels and time left, I might start organizing our living history books chronologically on Tuesday or Wednesday.  This might be a two or even three day project.

In the meantime, unbeknownst to her, my daughter will be sorting and tidying linen closets, the Tupperware cupboard, and the pots/pans cupboard.

The boys come home Sunday evening, which allows for two days of rest or ... hmmmm ... how about cleaning those other floors of the house?!?!?

The following week, my daughter goes to her camp.  I intend to clean her room and bathroom thoroughly, just like I will have done the boys' rooms: purging, tidying, wiping down walls, sanitizing, dusting, and vacuuming.  Then the toy room fiesta starts ... which is another huge project.  Add to this cooking, maintaining the middle floor, and schooling a few extra students (there'll be five this week).

This all assumes I won't have the baby this or next week.  And unless the prayers I ask for get answered right quick, I won't.  Might as well plan to be busy.

Just how important is spelling?

Today, as we're driving through town, I read on a flowershop sign:

Mother's Day Bokays on Special.

Oh yeah, I'd say spelling is still important in our computer spell-check age.

Wow, I'm touched!

I recently bought a new computer and don't know how to insert pictures, wrap text, update my blog roll and any number of technical snafus and still Erin of Seven Little Australians, honored me with this Excellence Award.  Thank you, Erin!

Now, I must choose ten blogs that I believe to be Excellent. In turn, if you are one of my chosen ten, you must find ten blogs that you feel share an excellent quality. You can give the award to as many people as you like-even those that have received it already, but please award at least 10 people.

Here are blogs that I especially enjoy:

Elizabeth at Serendipity for keeping ideas for the littlies flowing and keeping my older daughter and I hopping with exciting, colorful crafts.  Check out the gnomes and gnumbers posts.

Ruth at Just Another day in Paradise for helping to keep my on track spiritually and offering projects for feast days.  Thank you, Ruth.

Anne at Under Her Starry Mantle for her faith-filled posts.  Read this one if you get the chance.  All by itself it's excellent.  This award also goes to Anne just because she's a super friend.  If only she could live in the Western U.S.!

Kathryn at The Bookworm for her excellent book reviews and for allowing me vicariously to live in England through her (though she probably never knew that).

Mary at Our Domestic Church for her excellent picture book recommendations, easy (thank you!) projects, and similar tastes in learning style.

Cay at Cajun Cottage for her wisdom on teen years and the lovely books she writes.  Thank you for being so real, Cay.

Dawn at By Sun and Candlelight for great ideas and wonderful book recommendations.  She keeps me on my toes!

Laura at Jingle Bells & Jelly Babies for keeping me laughing and at Serendipity Homeschool for making desirable discoveries by accident.

I just discovered Sarah at Plainsong courtesy of Laura (above).  What she's doing in her house gives me courage to declutter mine.

Ouiz at Chez Ouiz another one to visit when you need laughter, a prayer, or to remember the myriad things in your life for which you should be thankful.

Margaret in Minnesota's Minnesota Mom blog has a lovely, thoughtful spin on life.  Hers is a very refreshing blog to visit.

Tara, Loved Sinner, has much on her blog to ponder.

That's twelve, and I could continue listing.  Though there are so many worthy blogs, I just list can't list them all!  And I think this is a really nice way to share inspiring blogs.

Catholic school?

I've been tempted to send one of my children to Catholic high school next year.  I thought it would be nice for especially my oldest to have to be accountable to someone else.  Subjects are more in-depth, harder for me to keep up with as regards grading and getting work by a certain deadline.  Students are able to participate in sports, clubs, and plays.  And what about transcripts for college?

Here are just a few recent activities of the local "Catholic" high school.  Mind you, these are only a few things that *I* know about.

• basketball team members get freshmen girls drunk at a party and this leads to ... ?
• a used condom is found in the corner of a classroom
• a mock government is set up to decide on whether abortion should be legal and whether gay marriage should be a sacrament.  Guess what the class voted for?
• a teacher sings praises of Brokeback Mountain

And parents blindly trust that if they put their children in a Catholic school, those children will be safe and that the foundations of their faith will be strengthened.  Open your eyes, parents.  See the debauchery of the places you're leading your lambs.  Even kids whose faith is well established of these ages are still influenced.  And, though we want our children to be heroic, one child cannot influence a whole school full of children.

This school is heretical!  And unfortunately, this is *not* the school with the worst reputation around here.  Please help me to pray for the reconversion of this school.  And trust me, I'm no longer tempted.  God will give us the graces to jump those hurdles that give me pause.

Grammar and Spelling and Vocab, Oh BOY!

First off, let me explain that I don't make plans for literature.  Literature and comprehension happen naturally when I read and the kids narrate.  I do plan what to read from month to month … sometimes.  Often I just steal what looks like fun reading from Real Learning.  Princess (6 years old) narrated Gingerbread Baby yesterday.  Please allow me to share it.

It was cold outside.  It was warm inside.  Matti thought it was a wonderful day to make a gingerbread boy.  Matti took the cookbook out and the mom took out the big blue bowl.  Mattie peeked and out came the gingerbread boy, but it was not a boy.  It was a baby.

Matti’s mother saw the gingerbread baby rush past her.  Matti’s dad came home and said, “What’s that delicious smell?” and out ran the gingerbread between his legs and into the garden.   The cat was running after, but instead of catching the gingerbread baby, the baby was on top of the cat.  The dog chased him, and smelled the delicious smell of gingerbread, but gingerbead baby ran up the wall. 

Matti was still inside.  He opened the cookbook. 

Meanwhile, the gingerbread baby cartwheeled down the goats’ backs.  One goat even tried to eat him!  The gingerbread baby stopped to drink.  Martha started talking to him while Madeline snuck up behind him with a bucket.  But gingerbread baby was too fast for them.  Gingerbread baby took one braid from Martha and one braid from Madeline and tied them together. 

Meanwhile, Mattie was stirring and rolling dough. 

A mama pig smelled gingerbread and he jumped over mama pig, who had her mouth opened wide.  But gingerbread baby was too quick.  He turned in mid-air and landed on mama pig’s snort.  Gingerbread baby went across the bridge.  He heard stamping in front of and behind him.  He was trapped!  Gingerbread baby slid across the bottom of the bridge and fell on a piece of ice sliding down the water.  Gingerbread baby slid on a piece of ice sliding down the river until his feet got cold and then he jumped onto the shore.  The fox came up behind him and started to lick his chops.  Gingerbread baby heard him and ran as fast as he could.  Gingerbread baby ran and ran.  Then the milkman came and he hopped into the milk can.  The milkman heard him singing and jumped out and pinched his nose.  Then everybody was chasing gingerbread baby.  The dogs smelled the good smell of gingerbread. 

Gingerbread baby saw the gingerbread house that Matti made out in the snow and said, “Yay!” and clapped his hands and ran inside and when everyone came, they just saw a peppermint candy and crumbs.  Then the mom and dad went home and saw Matti and said, “You’ve been busy, Matti.” And Matti was the only one who heard the voice in the little gingerbread house: “I’m in a gingerbread house.  You can’t catch me. Mattie made a gingerbread house for me."

Everyone narrates at least once per week.  The older kids don’t have issues with narrating verbally the stories they read.  However, getting written narrations is another thing entirely.  We’re working on strengthening their writing skills this semester.

This semester, the kids are completing one lesson of Wordly Wise per week.  Last semester, we derived our vocabulary from what we read and from History Links.  The kids wrote the definition as they came across an unfamiliar word.

The older kids completed Winston Grammar last semester.  This semester, grammar will look a lot like we’re playing with Legos.  Our natural rhythm in this area, it seems, is to study formally for one semester, and then get more informal.  We swap informal/formal seasons between grammar and vocabulary.  This suits me as well as the kids.  I’m not certain as to whether we’ll work on Lingua Mater(which can be sometimes confusing and I’ve found errors in it) or Advanced Winston Grammar next summer/fall.  The 10 and under crowd are plugging away at Language of God until they reach that Winston Grammar/Lingua Mater place.  Hopefully, by that time, I’ll be able to determine into which program they’ll fit.  Or maybe something else will suit them better.

As far as spelling goes, the oldest two are working through Phonetic Zoo.  The youngers (again, the 10 and unders) are plodding through My Catholic Speller until I determine what to do with them at Level E.  My oldest became quite hung up on Level E.  That’s why he started Phonetic Zoo.  My second one was way beyond Level E. Therefore, she started level 3 of Phonetic Zoo.