Hey looks it's almost November....

So how is school? That seems to be every one's favorite question these days. Then the kids laugh and say "it's great!" In reality, we really haven't done a whole lot of "school." We have worked through a lesson or two in some work books and we have gone on several field trips, but we really haven't done school. Yet, we are all happy and adjusting well to being home together all of the time again. 

However, as November approaches I decided it was time to start adding a little more structure to our days. I purchased Sonlight's ELA 2 program and their 2nd grade math curriculum. These two will be combined with daily cursive writing and lots of reading. A friend of mine asked me why I was teaching the kids how to write in cursive. I really didn't have an answer. Then I got to thinking about the reasons for learning how to write in cursive. 

When you know how to write in cursive, you know how to read cursive writing. Historic documents are written in cursive. Why would you not teach cursive? If you want your children to be able to understand what our forefather's wanted for our country, cursive is a very necessary skill.

Writing in cursive builds and improves fine motor skills. Fine motor skills are necessary for success in math and science. 

I was very surprised to find out that handwriting is not a graded skill in elementary school anymore. While some teachers will send a paper back to be rewritten, there is no grade for neatness. How are our children going to be able to communicate? Written communication is still necessary. I understand that technology has provided other ways to communicate, but neat legible handwriting is still a needed skill. Maybe we don't really want our children to know how to communicate. Maybe we want them to rely on the government and the media for information. I will save that entry for another day.

Weed your Garden

The last few weeks have been a series of ups and downs. I am not quite ready to disclose every detail of what is going on, so the following is just what I have learned in the last month or so.

As winter turned to spring, the children and I decided to plant a garden. We ordered garden pots for the back yard and a myriad of fruits, vegetables and flowers. Thus far, we've harvested potatoes, cherry tomatoes, and cucumbers. We have poppies, morning glories, mums, and a few other flowers that we can't remember the names for. As the days have passed I have found myself asking God for the answer to one question; how are we going to do this? Every day I was left without an answer or so I thought. Each time I asked I found myself outside, looking at the blooms in our small garden. The little patch of beauty was being choked by weeds. I would look at them and say, "I need to weed my garden." I would then return indoors and go about my day or evening. Last night as I questioned my path, I once again found myself looking at my little garden. This time, I grabbed the shears and my gloves and got to work weeding and watering my garden. As I removed patch after patch of overgrown weeds, I realized how many blooms were hidden under the madness. That is when it hit me. The answer to my question of how we are going to get through the next few months. We need to take care of our garden. We need to take out the weeds before they cover the blooms. We need to add good soil and lots of water so that the blooms can be healthy and thrive.
I have pulled the weeds from my garden, I've added good soil and I will water my little patch of beauty every day. I will take joy in the blooms that appear and I will nourish my family with the fruits of my labor.

Now I will apply the same theory to my life. I will remove the weeds from my life. The weeds that cast doubt on my decisions, because what I am doing doesn't fit in with their lives. The weeds that can't see past their own insecurities. The weeds that are always negative.

I will add good soil to my blooms to nourish the positive relationships in my life. I will water the blooms that offer encouragement and advice. I will spend time in my garden with the blossoms that offer support and a safe place to cry. Above all, I will appreciate the beauty of my garden and learn to trust which plant is a weed and which is a flower.

My advice to others is, look around you. If you are surrounded by weeds, pull them. If you are surrounded by flowers, nourish them and appreciate them.

It's amazing how a plan comes together. We have chosen a curriculum. My husband and I decided to go with Oak Meadow curriculum and we will start that around the New Year. Until then we will be focusing on life skills and rebuilding a foundation of math and writing.

We have transformed our dining room into a school room. Hopefully by August it will be complete. The library is our old friend and we look forward to spending lots of time there. The kids are enjoying their "bingo reading cards" and love that there are no limits on the amount of books they can check out.

Through the summer, fall and winter we will be taking a step back from traditional school expectations. We are not going to buy desks and there will not be a set time to learn. Our focus will be on life skills such as personal hygiene, house hold maintenance and learning to be kind to others. Along with taking care of their pets and experiencing the great outdoors. We have trips planned for working farms, museums and a myriad of other adventures.

The reason for taking a step back is simple. We feel like our children are stressed. As a society it seems like we really don't like children. We want them to be grown before their minds can fully process life's ups and downs. So our goal is to teach them how to enjoy life, to find joy in the simple things and to find out who they really are.

I know that we will have hills to climb and some will be bigger than others. However, I am looking forward to finding the valley between the peaks.

It's official...

and we are off!!! I am so very excited!
The stars had their last day of school a week ago, today. I am not sure who is more excited about our journey, me or them.
We are looking at a few options for curriculum. In the meantime, we will do a bit of unschooling and just get to know each other again. I am hoping to find a rhythm for house work and meals before we start any kind of curriculum. Our summer is going to be a focus on fun. We have a wiggly sprinkler and the trampoline and our garden plants to look after.

I wonder who will learn more....

A little note of thanks

When we first began this journey, just a few short weeks ago. I was very nervous about what our families would say. When they jumped on board and offered suggestions, tips, and sound advice I knew we were making the best decision possible.

To my own mom. You rock. You are my inspiration and you built my foundation as solid as any one person can. Without you I would be a lesser person. Thank you for always being my safe place. Knowing that your shoulder is always there to lean on and your ear is always ready to listen makes life unbelievably blessed!

To my mother in law. You are awesome! Like my own mother you continue to build up my foundation so that your grandchildren will have the very best. No they won't have every thing that they want, but they will have an abundance of what they need. Thank you for your strength, your love and for the man my husband is.

To my Aunt L. Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for not being afraid to give me your thoughts and opinions. Thank you for every minute of time that you have given me. I am so very blessed to have you in my life.

Thank you to all of the non believers, you will be the ones that are surprised. No, this walk won't be easy. The things that matter never come easy, for any one. It will take time and it will take work. It will also take love and a whole lot of patience. We know that home schooling isn't just something you decide to do. We know it will change our lives and it will change the lives of our children. We are looking forward to the ups and downs and most of all, we are looking forward to getting to know our children again.

Who is afraid of the big bad wolf?

Who is afraid of the big bad wolf?

Fear is so powerful! The fear of failure is even more powerful.

As the brick and mortar school year is coming to a close, I find myself having these small panic attacks. They usually start with the words "oh boy we are about to be doing this for real." The education of our children is about to be solely in our hands, where I am realizing it should have been all along.
I am trying to counter the panic attacks with knowing that we did not make this decision on the fly. We've looked at all of the options that we have available to us in our area. We know what is within our reach financially and emotionally. We are also aware that this will not be easy. We know that there will be hurdles and uphill climbs but we also know they will be balanced with memories and quality family time.

Another very big and very real fear is isolation. I know that we are not alone in our beliefs. However, finding our "people" is a work in progress. I know we all need social outlets and peers. My mind immediately sees my children being left out of activities because we are not in the immediate realm of a hundred other children that are all the same age. Then I think of how my children behave right now. My daughters want to be "in." When did being "in" become important at 9 years old? When did 8 year old girls have cliques? Yes, these are the socialization skills my daughters are learning right now, much to my dismay. The mean girl phenomena seems to be starting at an earlier age than I remember. We are convinced that the issues our son was experiencing were the direct result of his lack of socially normal behavior. I am almost positive that he was being bullied in some shape or form. I am sure that in time he will let us in and tell us why he was so unhappy at school.
We will continue to create our path and I know along the way we will find people that will join us and make our journey that much more enjoyable!

I also know what I am looking forward to. I am looking forward to the end of morning battles!! More on that to follow...

I think....

I think I might be on to something!

Oh my little man child is something else! I will say that the last three weeks have been an adventure. The two of us are learning how to hang out together again. I will note that his behavior and attitude have improved immensely!

When we decided to withdraw him from school, he was a bundle of tantrums and wet pants. If he was asked to do anything at home, it was like an explosion of exhausted little boy. If his pants weren't wet when he walked through the door, they were wet soon after.
In three weeks, we have had fewer and fewer accidents and tantrums are almost non existent. If he is asked to do something, he does it with enthusiasm. I really hope his sisters take to being home as easy as he has.

It is encouraging to see his personality re-establish itself. He has gone from a very tired little boy back to the fun loving little boy he once was.

I have found a few curriculum books that I am sure we will go through, as time progresses. Eventually we will have a mission statement and some where along our journey we will set goals. For now, we will enjoy the ride!

wait...what??

"Why would you do that to yourself?"

That was the response from an eavesdropper at karate today, when the instructor and I were conversing.

Wait, what? Why would I do what to myself?  Oh, actually want to spend time with my kids? yeah, I have no idea **eye roll**

Loving my children is easy, there is no thinking about it, but I actually like my children. I find them entertaining, funny, smart, sensitive and they are the most courageous people I know. Qualities that my husband and I would like to take credit for. I am actually looking forward to having them home all of the time again. I think it will be new and fun.

Do people not like their children? So the idea of spending quality time with them is absolutely horrifying?

I never thought I would take the leap to home school. Yet, here we are and I am excited. The fact that the only schedule we will have to abide by, is the one we create. The idea that we can throw our picnic blanket in the yard on a hot September day and read a book while the birds fly by or turn our trampoline into castle with a moat and a draw bridge is absolutely liberating!! (and never needing an alarm clock again is really why I am excited for this!)

What I am really hoping for, is that the kids take an interest in their home life. I want them to be able to function in a world that does not include their mother. I want my girls to know how to use a lawn mower and I want my son to know the difference between a sauce pan and a frying pan.

There I said it, I am excited to spend time with my minions. I am excited that I will get to be there when the light that shines on the gift of learning is sparked! Yippeeee

Who needs a schedule??

This girl does! As much as I wanted to be free and let the wind take us where it desired, my brain can not function without a strategy. Last night I sat down with a pencil and a calendar and charted a course for days off. I have loosely scheduled 186 days of instruction time starting in September 2014 and running its course before June 1, 2015.

I still haven't figured out lesson plans, I know that will come. I do know that I want to create a portfolio for each minion. To ensure that records are kept and they can see just how much we do, together as a family and how they can learn outside of a classroom.

To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition. To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Now I will work on our mission statement and what the goals of this journey will be.

What am I doing?

Really, what am I doing? I have no clue. I think I need to stop perusing pinterest. I don't know where those creative geniuses are, but I am not one of them! I had a plan. Then I changed it!

We chose to withdraw the man child from 1st grade. His last day was Wednesday April 4, 2014. We didn't know it would be his last day. Even though I feel like we are taking a small step off of a very high cliff, I feel it is the right decision for the boy. In just under a week, his personality is on its way back to the happy go lucky kid I know and love. Now to figure out a plan and map out the next 8 weeks of "school" for him.

We have a loose "unschool" plan. We are letting the current take us a little farther down stream.
Yesterday we found two worms and I got to hear the most amazing sound, the sound of giddy giggles. The worms are now named Wiggles and Squirms and they are residents of our garden beds.

Something has to be said for a dirty face and dirty hands, especially when they are attached to a very happy boy!

Ready for what??

The theme I am hearing when I listen to the "positives" of the common core standard is college AND career ready. How can you be college and career ready when you finish high school?

When someone says "career" I think of a doctor or a lawyer, someone that completed high school and then made the commitment to pursue a degree of higher learning in a specific field.

Being college ready means that a student has mastered and exceeded high school standards and has taken courses in high school that will prepare them for college. Classes that involve higher math and English such as pre-calculus, trigonometry, and AP Literature.

How are we going to ensure that every child from every walk of life is college AND career ready?

How does common core plan to accomplish that? The bottom line answer is, the common core standards can not accomplish that. Not because we have standards, but because not every person wants to go to college or have a career when they graduate high school.

Why are we insisting that every round object will fit where the square peg goes?

I know when I graduated high school, I wanted to see the world. I knew I could not see the world from the inside of of a classroom. In order to see the world, I enlisted in the Army. Guess what, I got to see the world!

At 9 years old my daughter has said she wants to be an astronaut, a veterinarian, a pediatrician and a teacher. How does a standardized test pick which career or college path would be the best for her?

Just some food for thought...or the many ramblings of a frustrated parent!

Teachers are wonderful!!

Question of the day...

Why are you going to home school, do you not believe in our teachers??

I believe in teachers 100% I truly believe that each and every teacher is called to the profession of teaching. There is something beautiful about a person that can open windows and doors and instill a love of learning in little hearts and minds!

What I do not believe in is the government. I do not believe that government should be able to tie the hands of our teachers. I do not believe that anyone, except the teacher, should dictate how a lesson is taught.

I believe as a parent, not only do I have to be the voice that advocates for my child, I should be advocating for the teachers. Teachers have access to the most powerful tool in the world, the human mind. It is a shame that teachers can not express their fears and concerns about these common core standards because they are afraid if they do, they will not have a job to come back to.

Parents should be asking those journalist questions that are so very important.

Who? Who, decided that common core was the best decision for every district in every state?
What? What are these standards?
When? When, did we as parents agree that this was the best option?
Where? Where, is the accountability?
Why? Why, are we allowing the government to use our children as guinea pigs??

The start...

The idea to home school is not a new one. It has been an idea that was planted, about the time our little guy started Kindergarten. The amount of time little boys spend sitting and being reminded to stay quiet, was astonishing. Kindergarten was a push of sight words and phonics, addition and subtraction there was very little time for physical activity and almost no time to have a conversation with any of his peers.
First grade for him was not any better. While the girls thrived in this type of environment, our little guy has been on a down hill ride. 

Then came a move. A move that we begged for and gladly accepted when it finally came to fruition.

With this move we entered a new realm of education, common core standards. A program that is supposed to be awesome for military families. A program that is supposed raise the bar and have every graduating senior ready for college (didn't we try that with no child left behind?). So, I started my research and I haven't found a single sheet of information that outlines what the national standard is. I haven't been able to find anything that has benchmarks or a way to measure what our children learning.
What I have found are complicated ways to solve simple math problems. English Language Arts is an absolute farce. Yes, children can read but they lack the ability to comprehend what they have read. The other problem with ELA is the lack of grammar and punctuation. How are our children going to be college ready, if they can't write an essay?

I have found that districts are using "task forces" to evaluate teachers. Really? A task force? Isn't that what law enforcement agencies use to track down criminals? Even with the use of a task force, I still can not find the ruler that determines the success of the teacher. What I have found is mandated curriculum. A way to teach children how to take a test. A means of teaching them to all think the same. An attempt to put every child, regardless of ability, into one box. 

I believe we should push our children to meet and exceed standards, when a clear standard has been put in front of them. I don't know how our children are supposed to thrive when the bar is constantly lowered. Yes, we need to reform schools. How do we do that? We empower our teachers! We allow them to teach our children how to think, not what to think.