Wow, writing a blog is much harder than expected. It was intended to chronicle our home school journey but we are so busy I rarely get a chance to write, so on this blog I am just going to list some of the fun stuff that we have done so far: Updated may 2012
biweekly cooking group
biweekly science club
monthly book club
home school rock climbing
tour of Danada equestrian center
Tour of veterinary clinic
visit and tour Old St Pats Catholic church
Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago
Sci Tech museum in Aurora
Field Museum
Creative writing workshop
Trip to Boston (freedom trail)
Trip to Providence RI (RISD art museum)
Trip to Madison WI ( Capitol, Chazeem Art Museum and Veterans museum)
Homeschool Skate
Microsoft Tech class
Brunswick zone Home School Bowling
Math class at learning vine (weekly)
All shook up Play at pheasant run
Waubonsie valley planetarium (stories of Orion)
Annie (CYT)
Dupage Engineering expo
Piano lessons
Swim team
Gymnastics
Dance class
Trip to Springfield Illinois
Geothermal tour of Sherman Hospital
tour of maple syrup facility
Feed my Starving children volunteering
Babysitting class and certification
Drama and improv class
Apple store field trip, digital advertising
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
To Focus or not to focus
We are into November and still getting our sea legs but we are learning sooo much. I do mean we. Everyday I am struck by how much Sarah knows and how little I do. I am discovering my own weaknesses (Science) and identifying Sarah's strengths (Math). Together we are learning, laughing, reading arguing and growing.
We have joined a few groups and have fallen into the over scheduling trap and realize we need to pull back a bit. After all, we are in school. Sarah has a great capacity to learn while seemingly not focussing at all. it is very amazing and unexpected. While standing on her hands..I do mean standing, she can retain a ton of information. It is true that everyone learns differently and I don't mean slower. Sarah's mind works so fast that it is hard to keep up sometimes. I am constantly amazed at what she retains. Everyday is a new experience.
We have joined a few groups and have fallen into the over scheduling trap and realize we need to pull back a bit. After all, we are in school. Sarah has a great capacity to learn while seemingly not focussing at all. it is very amazing and unexpected. While standing on her hands..I do mean standing, she can retain a ton of information. It is true that everyone learns differently and I don't mean slower. Sarah's mind works so fast that it is hard to keep up sometimes. I am constantly amazed at what she retains. Everyday is a new experience.
Monday, October 10, 2011
a lifestyle
We are 7 weeks into this journey and I have to say that it is more than just an education, it's a Lifestyle. My (our) life is much more structured and because of the schooling schedule it forces the rest of my life into a pretty strict schedule. All this is very good for Sarah and me.
There are days, many days, when I feel like we didn't get enough accomplished and then I look at the lesson plan and realize..hey not so bad. I am understanding that you don't have to be doing a worksheet or sitting still to really be learning. As the weeks go by, I am becoming marginally more relaxed. I am hoping that I can begin to have a little more fun with it because I know that is possible. As a child i never thought learning was fun. I thought of it as a necessary evil..just get through it, pass the test, get it over with. The content was never important or interesting to me. I want Sarah to not just go through he motions of learning but to really enjoy and understand. I don't want it to be a waste of time. Hopefully this new way of learning will spark an interest in us both.
There are days, many days, when I feel like we didn't get enough accomplished and then I look at the lesson plan and realize..hey not so bad. I am understanding that you don't have to be doing a worksheet or sitting still to really be learning. As the weeks go by, I am becoming marginally more relaxed. I am hoping that I can begin to have a little more fun with it because I know that is possible. As a child i never thought learning was fun. I thought of it as a necessary evil..just get through it, pass the test, get it over with. The content was never important or interesting to me. I want Sarah to not just go through he motions of learning but to really enjoy and understand. I don't want it to be a waste of time. Hopefully this new way of learning will spark an interest in us both.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Back Home
Last week we returned form a trip to Providence Rhode Island. Wow! we had a great time visiting family and seeing the sights. We spent a day in Boston and walked the Freedom Trail. We took a tour with a cantankerous guide who was a teacher at a local college. He tried to tell the behind the scenes story of the revolution which was contrary to what we have been learning for the past 6 weeks. Sarah tried to catch him on various inaccuracies but it ended up really being a battle of wills. Nevertheless it was a great time and we were able to see where it all began and it tied in nicely with our history unit.
We also visited the RISD museum which was very impressive and across the street was the art supply and gift shop..equally as impressive..we got a t-shirt.Of course the best part was being able to see family. It was great to have the flexibility and take advantage of cheap air fares.
I thought we would be able to do school on the go but that was a little ambitious. Although the trip was educational, we didn't get much done in the way of scheduled schoolwork..lesson learned.
Overall, a great trip and I am looking forward to going back.
We also visited the RISD museum which was very impressive and across the street was the art supply and gift shop..equally as impressive..we got a t-shirt.Of course the best part was being able to see family. It was great to have the flexibility and take advantage of cheap air fares.
I thought we would be able to do school on the go but that was a little ambitious. Although the trip was educational, we didn't get much done in the way of scheduled schoolwork..lesson learned.
Overall, a great trip and I am looking forward to going back.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
September 11
On the ten year anniversary of September 11, I remember that fateful day like is was yesterday. Sarah was a baby just under a year and the world seemed to stop cold. We were glued to the TV for the days and weeks to come. We all felt so uneasy and restless and grateful and angry and patriotic all at the same time. A Decade later we feel many of the same emotions but we now know that the world as we know it continues to go on. For some, it goes on without a father or sister or friend because of that senseless day.
I am not sure how we teach this to the next generation. We can't really put this in the context of a War or a fight for Peace. It is hard to explain more than that it tragically happened. Now, the war that ensued thereafter is certainly more concrete, but that day...still difficult to explain in history. What did the attackers want? Why Americans? How did we not know this would or could happen? How will history write this chapter after significant time has passed?
Two years ago on September 11 my Father died. Clearly this is a day that is full of sadness on many levels. I hold my breath a little today and wait for the 12th. This event, tragic as well, was much easier to understand, much easier to explain and is many ways it was easier to grieve.
I did not attempt to teach Sarah the complexities of this day but she has seen the footage and she does respect the struggle but like the adults, it will likely be more than a decade for her to really understand 9-11.
I am not sure how we teach this to the next generation. We can't really put this in the context of a War or a fight for Peace. It is hard to explain more than that it tragically happened. Now, the war that ensued thereafter is certainly more concrete, but that day...still difficult to explain in history. What did the attackers want? Why Americans? How did we not know this would or could happen? How will history write this chapter after significant time has passed?
Two years ago on September 11 my Father died. Clearly this is a day that is full of sadness on many levels. I hold my breath a little today and wait for the 12th. This event, tragic as well, was much easier to understand, much easier to explain and is many ways it was easier to grieve.
I did not attempt to teach Sarah the complexities of this day but she has seen the footage and she does respect the struggle but like the adults, it will likely be more than a decade for her to really understand 9-11.
Friday, September 9, 2011
The first four weeks
We are on Day 20 of homeschooling. I am counting the days like when your kids are little and you say she is 14 weeks instead of about 3 months. Then you say 17 months instead of about a year and a half. No one really cares..just say she is one and people will think she is super big but really smart.
Anyway, we are about 4 weeks into this and I have to say I like it. I love the flexibility and Sarah seems pretty happy. It is hard to tell because she is generally a happy kid, but so far so good. We are meeting some other families who homeschool and they mirror the general Catholic school community we came from. Some crazy nuts, some overzealous, well tanned skinny moms, some wear it on your sleeve Christians (who I hope are praying for me because I am sort of winging it.) but mostly just great down to earth parents who are just trying to do what is best for their family. In case you were wondering, I consider myself the latter.
Everyday I do wake up a little scared that I will screw her up. I worry that I will forget to teach her something. She will go to High School and not know where France is and we will both look like Idiots. Oh Crap, I totally forgot to teach Europe. Then they will come to my house and take my stupid child away. I don't know who they are, but that is the way I fear this could play out.
Although I am still nervous, I know Monday Day 21 is going to be great!
Anyway, we are about 4 weeks into this and I have to say I like it. I love the flexibility and Sarah seems pretty happy. It is hard to tell because she is generally a happy kid, but so far so good. We are meeting some other families who homeschool and they mirror the general Catholic school community we came from. Some crazy nuts, some overzealous, well tanned skinny moms, some wear it on your sleeve Christians (who I hope are praying for me because I am sort of winging it.) but mostly just great down to earth parents who are just trying to do what is best for their family. In case you were wondering, I consider myself the latter.
Everyday I do wake up a little scared that I will screw her up. I worry that I will forget to teach her something. She will go to High School and not know where France is and we will both look like Idiots. Oh Crap, I totally forgot to teach Europe. Then they will come to my house and take my stupid child away. I don't know who they are, but that is the way I fear this could play out.
Although I am still nervous, I know Monday Day 21 is going to be great!
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Waiting for Superman
When I want to feel validated, I watch waiting for Superman. WOW. So many things resonate with me in this movie..Tracking, curriculum issues, ranking in the world..so much. There is no doubt that Sarah was being tracked in her current school. She was never even given the opportunity to learn at the highest level because for some reason a teacher decided she could only learn a certain way and at a certain pace. I would think that decision at the very least that should be discussed with the parent. After all, it affects their entire academic life. I am not being overly dramatic.it really does. Once you get tracked in fourth grade..you begin to fall farther behind and it is near impossible to change your track. By middle school even the student believes that they are only capable of a certain level. If that level is the highest..great, but what about the other eighty percent of the class. So, In Our class Sarah is expected to perform at the top of the class (of One). There is nothing she can't learn. She may struggle and some things may be hard but she can learn and master any concept given the chance and the right expectation. This I am sure.
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