Dolphin Tale

We saw Dolphin Tale this week. Such a good movie! Some of my favorite parts: when Hazel says, "I'm homeschooled, that's why I'm such a chatterbox" and when Sawyer says he doesn't really like school Hazel tells him he just hasn't found a subject that interests him. Also when Sawyers mom tells the summer school teacher that her son is having the best summer of his life learning things that the teacher could never teach in a classroom out of a textbook. Other than these fun little parts it was a great example of what kids can do when they get excited about what they are learning. We all had a great time.

Cardboard Play

Our oldest two kids had the wonderful opportunity to be in a play last week, The Princess and the Peas. They spent two hours a day for one week practicing parts and making props. All of the props were made out of cardboard. Everyday they came home with a new color of paint all over their arms and clothes. It was great for them to have so much hands on experience. Then on Saturday they had their performance. All of the kids did a great job. The best part is that they had so much fun learning something new. Now they want to get their friends together and put on their own play. Nothing like inspirational experiences. =)

When and Where Real Learning Takes Place

This week has been absolutely full of wonderful learning experiences. We started our week learning about Independence Day and the Revolution by reading American History Stories by Mara L Pratt, M.D. This is a great book for all ages. I read while the kids drew or played quietly on the floor. On Tuesday we visited a local Colonial Fest. It was so fun! They had a baker, candle maker, blacksmith, an area for kids to try out some colonial chores and costumes, and a whole bunch of other really cool stuff. Several nights this week we watched episodes in a documentary series on Netflix called The Revolution. The combination of book, video, and live experience really excited the kids about the colonial period. I have also pulled out our copy of the Magic Tree House book Revolutionary War on Wednesday along with its companion research guide. We celebrated the 4th of July with sparklers and driving up the mountain side to watch fireworks throughout the whole valley. Is learning supposed to be boring, because we have had a blast.

On another note, we have had a lot of fires burning throughout Utah over the last few weeks. This week we had a fire start on the mountain close to where we live. We have watched it closely, prayed for those near it and the firefighters trying to put it out and today we took the opportunity to prepare if an emergency like this ever affects up personally. We prepared emergency bags (we already had them, but they were quite outdated) with food, clothes, and hygiene and first aid kits. We talked about what kind of emergencies might affect our family and what to do if we ever have an emergency. We had a couple of pretty successful practice runs. If you are prepared you don't need to fear.

Our homeschool is really starting to take the shape of authentic learning. I am so excited!

Entrance Applications and Interviews

Update on how the entrance applications and interviews are going. First, the kids have loved this. They are really excited about having a name for our homeschool and being involved in creating a learning plan for themselves. They filled out their applications and it was fun to see what courses they would like our school to offer this year: history of China, science, art, and music. Hmmm, no one said math, that's weird. We also practiced for their interviews. In pairs they took turns talking about themselves for one minute, making eye contact and not fidgeting. If they weren't the speaker they had to "actively listen" to the other person. Funny that a few of them thought that their mom's and dad's ages were somehow relevant information to give during their one minute talking about themselves. We haven't done the official interviews yet, but they are getting ready and having fun preparing. Can't wait!  

Happier Homeschooling!

I have decided that I am going about this all wrong. This has been an outlet for me to vent my homeschooling frustrations safely, but I don't like that all of the posts have been so negative. So, I am going to try to take my homeschool frustrations and shed a new and happier light on them. Not sure how to do this exactly, but I am going to give it a try. My goal is to see the better side of things and help others to see homeschooling for how awesome it can be. And when someone that knows me says, "I know a family that homeschools," it will be followed by, "and they are amazing!" Get ready because it is going to be great!

Yoga, Green Smoothies, Running, Homemade Laundry Soap, and Homeschooling

Does it make me weird that I love yoga, green smoothies, running, homeschooling, and I make my own laundry soap? I am okay with that!

Yoga and running are really great exercise and it helps me to release any frustration or anxiety that starts to build up. Green smoothies are like a super food, and they actually taste really great. Making your own laundry soap can save you a lot of money, it's easy, and works great so why not. Homeschooling is my passion and life's work.

Proud to be a weirdy!

I Am Okay If You Don't Tell Me What You Think About Homeschooling!

I don't know why people feel the need to tell my their negative opinion on homeschooling. As if that will some how help me or change my decision to continue homeschooling. I am sorry if you knew a crazy family once upon a really long time ago that did a horrible job homeschooling their children. Their kids probably would have had a similar outcome no matter what they did. Some people are just crazy! Likewise, there are people that send their kids to public school who are screwing up their children as well. Please try to see the people who are doing good and separate them from the few crazies out there, because they really aren't the majority. I don't go around telling you all the things that I think that you are doing wrong. And it doesn't help if you say, "but you do a good job at it." I am okay if you just keep it to yourself. That's all.

Entrance Application to Homeschool?

I decided today that I am going to make my kids apply to attend our homeschool. Kind of crazy I know, but I think it might actually have a great affect. I think that sometimes they see homeschool as something that I have decided for them, may have been true in the beginning, even though I tell them that if they can convince me that they would do better in public school I will put them in. In the end they decide to homeschool. Although for one of my children I am not convinced that it isn't because s/he just doesn't want to put in the effort. Anyway, I think that if they are able to look at their options and "choose" homeschooling that they will own their choice more. I made a letter that will be mailed to them, prospective students, and outlined the benefits of attending our school, the expectations, and application requirements. Oh yeah, I went all out, logo, having it mailed to them, entrance interview, the works. I want them to know that they are a few of the privileged that get to learn in this kind of environment. Is it perfect? No, but I am working on it! If they choose not to apply and enroll once accepted then I'll have to come up with plan B. I think this is going to work, though. I am super excited!

Creating a Master Plan

Every year we have done things a little different. I have tried almost every way of homeschooling. Now I think that I finally know what I want for my homeschool. So begins the process of creating a master plan. I think that in order to be successful at creating the homeschool I want I need to be very deliberate in my efforts. I am glad that we have tried so many things and that I didn't spend a lot of time creating a master plan in the very beginning. It surely would have failed, because I had no way of knowing what would work for my family, for each child, for me. Things that looked great didn't work as I had planned and things that I didn't pay much attention to have become invaluable resources. Now that we have done plenty of experimenting I have a good idea of what "works." I have taken a little from everything that we have done. I believe that every method has its good, and it is for this reason that I can't fully commit to just one way of homeschooling. I am trying to take the things that I love from each and put them together to create a master plan that will guide us through our homeschooling experience. I feel that this is especially crucial as my children get older. We need to know where we are going and how we are going to get there so that we don't end up nowhere. I am super excited to undertake this task, it is really going to make me stretch. Ready, set, go...

For the Love

Not every day is great and some can't end soon enough, but overall it is a wonderful adventure and I love what I do. Wouldn't trade it for anything!

The "Nothing I Can Do" Epidemic

I often find myself with other moms talking about education. It never takes long before someone starts complaining about a teacher, their child's school, or education in general and I can hear it coming a mile away, "but there's nothing I can do about it." REALLY? NOTHING? Okay, I am not saying that homeschooling is the answer for everyone, nor is it the only option. In fact there are definitely some people who should not homeschool their kids. But if you are not happy with the way that something is going, do something about it. I find it ironic that people complain about the choices they make or don't make.

Not All Homeschoolers Are Weirdos

I had a funny and enlightening conversation the other day. I was sitting with a friend at lunch and the subject of homeschooling came up, as it usually does. I didn't think much of it because this friend has known us for a long time and has never said anything negative about homeschooling in the past. We talked for a while and I shared some of my ideas and philosophies with her and I said something to the effect of, "we aren't nonschoolers" and she said with a sigh, "oh good, because I knew someone that was and her children were so weird and didn't know anything, but your kids seem very normal to me." Oh good because that is what I was worried about! It made me think though, no one ever really accepts the fact that you homeschool. Your kids can be the brightest most social kids around (not comparing kids, just making a point) and there is still some doubt that you are doing the right thing. Yep, they may miss a dance or two, but maybe not. They might not have to stand up to a bully everyday and even though we work on it they aren't great at forming lines. If this is what my kids are "missing out" on, I think we will survive. In the meantime, while you worry about that I am going to get on to the reasons why I have chosen to homeschool my kids (that's right I chose to do this): independent thinking, self motivated, kids with strong moral and ethical character who will work good in their lives and in the lives of others. I don't judge you for sending your kids to school. If that is what you feel will help your kid to become the kind of adult that you want, great, do that, but let me decide what kind of adult I want my kid to be. I really am not bitter and am hard to offend. It was just a good lesson to me and I know that most homeschool moms can relate. Plus, one more thing, I have seen a lot of "weirdo" kids coming out of public school buildings. Just saying!