Homeschool Hotspot: You know you homeschool when.....

* you go to a store you spend time looking at the content in the stationary aisle buying books, notebooks, erasers, pencils and pens you don't really need
* the library offers to register you as a school so that you can take an extra 18 books out on top of the 72 books, 4 CD's, 6 puzzles, 4 DVD's and 4 magazines you already take out
* your children ask you whether watching cartoons is part of school
* everything is learning
* you go on an excursion to a museum or nature reserve with a bag full of books and stationary to sketch and record everything you see
* you have maps on the walls instead of painting with little arrows showing pen pals, excursions you want to go on, places you have been or any other topic
* you go on holiday whenever you want to
* you go to the grocery store in the morning and people either stare or ask you if your children are sick
* your boys hair is longer than boys around you
* every question becomes a lesson

*  you don't answer questions with "because I say so" or "don't ask silly questions" - instead you Google it or look it up on smart phone as you drive

*  you have solar systems hanging over the dining room, a science experiment growing in the kitchen and models drying on the lounge floor

*  school never starts at exactly the same time every day

*  when people regularly ask you - "But what will you do when they get to high school?"

*  you take a lunch break and head for the beach to come back and carry on with learning activities

*  making food becomes an opportunity for learning

*  your child is asked what Grade they are in and they say - "well in English I am in Grade 6, but I am ahead in Maths and am in Grade 8 and my History is in Grade 7"

*  Dad asks your kids - "What did you do for school today?" and they answer - "Oh we didn't do school ,we just had fun - we did all these science experiments and made models of the pyramids"

* your greatest concern is finding another shelf for the new books you've just bought

*  people tell you that your children are so confident and can participate in conversations with any age group

*  your children know more about almost any subject and you don't recall ever having covered it, but you did see them reading books on the topic
*  your whole house has become a classroom

*  strangers ask simple questions expecting a simple answer and your children launch into a 20 minute explanation of the how, why and when
*  you can't imagine a day without homeschooling your children 

*  you go to a new town or area, you look online to see what learning opportunities there are

*  your children's school friends all want to be homeschooled because they see how fun it is

*  your children have books packed all over the car to ensure they can read while they travel

*  your children carry a magnifying glass in they bags as an accessory

*  you love it when public schools start so they can get off the roads so you can get back to your excursions

*  your children are always bringing home 'specimens' to identify later

*  your children consider the library a highlight

*  every visit to the doctor or hospital becomes an anatomy question and answer session

*  your children exhaust people with their questions and their persistence in getting an intelligent answer

*  you eat lunch together at home and have real conversations

*  you take out educational DVD's at the library and music CD's for your latest composer studies

*  when you spend your afternoons doing sport, cultural activities and visiting friends and not having to come home to homework

*  schooling after lunch is considered punishment

*  you keep checking on the clock to see when you can phone your public school friends

*  you get to be the teacher, principal, sports coach and cultural affairs coordinator all in a day

*  your children write with red pens and you mark with pencils

*  the only bully know is your brother who insists on telling you what to do all the time

*  you read whenever you can without anyone telling you to

* you sleep late mornings after big nights and then do a ful day of school

*  you don't know it's a public holiday until you try to go the library or store and find it closed

*  one of the most important electronic pieces of equipment is the printer for bulk printing

*  your neighbours wonder why there is the sound of children's laughter in the middle of the day

*  your family gives you books for gifts, Christmas and birthdays

*  your children think you know everything about anything

*  your children enjoy talking to grownups and small children 

*  your read every website, newspaper or newsletter about excursions, shows for lesson opportunities

*  every time someone comes to your house to install, fix or deliver something, they are met with students eager to learn

*  your cupboards are full of recycled objects for the next project or craft

There are probably loads more.  

What would be included on your list?  Feel free to add your own!

Christmas on a Budget: Nativity Scene

I have always wanted to do a Christmas nativity scene with my children but to buy them is normally very expensive.  I wasn't really inclined to do it in clay, to make clothes and all the rest. Yes, call me lazy - I confess!

  But then I found a lovely printable nativity scene.  What really works is to print it off in colour cardboard.  Especially for the younger ones.  There are a lot of little characters and the colouring in does take a long time.  This way if they can't finish, they can still have something really bright and colourful.

 

 

 And of course with 3 fairly competitive children there was no way that only one would be chosen so we have 3 nativity plays! And they are beautiful.  A bit of tumbleweed and the same stars we made with our magazine christmas trees.

To print this nativity scene, follow this link.

Happy Crafting!

*********************************

And don't forget about our Reading Egg Giveaway!

Tomorrow is your last chance to get your comments in!

Christmas on a Budget: Decorations

After our snowflakes and gifts, we decided to start with some trees for decorations.  With a tight budget, its easier to work with materials you already have in your home of with materials that others might have in abundance.  I am sure that all of you have magazines or know someone with lots of magazines.

Magazine Christmas Trees Tutorial

This is simply one of my favourite crafts, because I always  have loads of magazines and though we craft all the time, I defnitely don't use them all up.

Step 1

One magazine.  Sorry Pick 'n Pay - I love your magazine but today you are being used for craft! You don't need to get this specific magazine, any glossy one will do.  Just watch out for those Popular Mechanics because I know that I wasn't very popular when I suggested using them arts and crafts.  My hubby definitely did not see the humour in that suggestion at all.

Step 2:  

Open to the first page.  (keeping the step simple:)

Step 3

I could probably do this wordlessly but I have a friend who blogs who really detests lots of pictures, so the only way I can keep her motivated to keep scrolling down is to let her think that I might have something interesting to say.  Plus I was reminded this week on more than one occassion that the fact that I haven't blogged for a week is ...... let's just say .... unacceptable!  Well that will teach me, can't start a blog and though go MIA (yes missing in action!)

So fold to the centre.

Step 4

Fold again.  It looks almost like the beginning of a paper plane.

Step 5

Move it over to the left.

Step 6

And now you start from the beginning and repeat.

Step 7

Cut the bottom points off.  You're doing this otherwise the tree won't stand up straight but topple over. 

Step 8

Pull off the magazine cover. Don't worry if a page comes off with it.  Some of the covers come off that way. This is what it will look like from the back after cutting and removing the cover.

 

And if you put it against the wall, it looks fabulous. 

And if you make lots of them, which we did because we have lots of children.... just in case you didn't know (4 and counting:)

And if you want to add the stars on a stick like we did, you can find a template here

We didn't try this, but I am sure you could make an amazing centrepiece, simply by sticking two of them together with glue and adding the star.

Happy Crafting!

Homeschoolers Don't Socialize - Or Do They?

Oh yes, the big socialisation issue.  Hope you have an answer now for every Mom, Nick and Mary - who questions the terrible isolation of your child as you exist in an island of homeschooling! Oh yes, homeschoolers are those rather sad individuals who have nothing better to do (dramatic clearing of the throat) than to sit at home (yes we sit, we don't run, walk or do anything very constructive) and teach our children , who are obviously maladjusted individuals that can't cope with "real" schools and so we keep them at home. 

Did I mention some of those rather pointed comments people make to you?  I am sure you could add a few more .  So then that rather critical statement - "but how do they cope without spending time with other children?"  Of course we all know this is not true. However we are probably more conscious than most mom's of our children's socialisation issues.  I kind of count and balance the days.  OK so 2 days of play dates, 2 non educational excursions with people around(surely that's considered socialisation?) and then of course sport.  I am sure none of you sit and calculate how many days you have spent with and around people.  But I used to do that as part of our homeschooling complex (yes I have one.. sometimes).

I recently stopped counting and decided that I would choose key opportunities for my children to get Out and About.  My concerns are now more centred around making sure there is a balance between friends, exercise and sport, being content at just being at home and learning experiences outside of the home.

I have only lived in Kalk Bay for over a year now and yet we have already developed a substantial program for our children.  Some of you may be new to homeschooling, others new to an area, or just struggling to know how to manage the social issue.  This is how I went about it, and in fact still do.

* Phone schools - They always need able bodied individuals whether its for sport, chess or a drama club.  Not all schools are open to this but so what, just keep knocking until you find one.

* Scour the Newspapers - I look out for interesting activities that children can participate in like walks, talks, open days, theatre, art exhibitions, shows on ice. Lots of these can be free so don't feel you have to always pay a fortune for your children's activities.

*  Internet search - I sometimes just search on Google for "Kalk Bay" or "Fish Hoek" and see what websites are listed and what activities they mention.  Sometimes you will find something unexpected.

*   Social Networks - A invaluable resource. I belong to a few homeschooling groups which announce various activities that anyone can participate in.  If there isn't one, why not start one.  Even if its a small group, at least there is a community.  Also don't just look at Facebook, there are groups in Linked In, Twitter and so many more.

*  Don't Isolate Yourself from School Going Children -They know lots! Sometimes school going children hear about activities that are being advertised in the area.  Extra classes, a special event - maybe even an excursion that you could ask about joining.

*  Travel a Bit if it's That Important to You - Trying to stay in a 10 km radius could be challenging, especially if you live in a small town.  Don't have transport? Take a train.  Ask friends whether you can contribute to petrol. Ask if can borrow their second car if they have one.  Drop and pick up your husband from work so you can use the car.

*Sports Clubs - Cost more but allow children to participate not only in practises but allows them to compete.  If there are none of the more main stream clubs, try the unusual - like lifesaving, horse riding, table tennis.  Sometimes the smaller clubs have more opportunities because they are not as sought after and have more space for your child to join the team.

*  Go to the Library - Again the community boards there offer lots of activities and groups that meet there regularly - stamp collecting, quilting, the history society etc.  And don't let your own interests govern this, your child may well be interested in quilting even if you never learnt how to thread a needle.

*  Start Your Own Co-op Don't Feel Left Out - You might hear others talking about co-ops and wonder why you haven't been invited to join.  Well don't fret, start your own.  It doesn't have to be complicated.  Its simply a group learning opportunity which could be drama, art, cooking, science.  You don't need to be incredibly gifted to run something like this and if you have older children, let them teach the little ones.

*  Go to Gym - Who says it needs to be a team sport. There are lots of opportunities to meet others at the gym!

*  Nature Clubs - Most nature reserves or parks will have some kind of group that gets together regularly, find out when or suggest they start a children's group.

*  Forget About Age Gaps - See it as an opportunity for your children to learn and serve.  So often I hear parents complain that the children are too young or too old for their children to join.  My children have learnt to interact with older and younger children comfortably because of the cross age combination.

*  Encourage Hobbies - Hobbies allow your child to really develop their creative talents and open up a whole different field of experience to them - scrap booking, model building, woodwork, stamp collecting.

*  Exercise With your Children  - Don't always expect others to do it for you - get going with them.  If there isn't a coach or a team, then just get going.  Run on the beach in the mornings, hike up the mountains, go bike riding. You'll meet like-minded people as you do that and before you know it you'll have an exercise group meeting regularly.

*  Invite Others Over First - Don't always wait for an invitation  If your children meet someone at the park and they get on really well, meet the parents, swap telephone numbers and make a play date.  I don't leave my children with anyone unless I know them very well.  I simply visit with the mom while the children are playing.  They get a new friend and so do you.

Most importantly, remember not to compare yourself to others.  Every family is different.  Running around all over the place for the sake of socialisation could lead to a very harassed and stressed day.  Don't try to do everything but maintain balance and ensure quality rather than quantity.  I have made many mistakes running after activities only to find them an absolute waste of time and money.  I am exhausted by the end of the week, the house is untidy and my husband is wondering when we'll have a decent meal.

So what about you?  I would love to hear from you.  What have you found really worked for your family?

Homeschooling and Holidays

Some big homeschooling questions, ones that seem to come up time and time again: Do we take school holidays?  Do we just do what we want - and how many days do we do school?

We have tried a number of options and sometimes we combine more than one.

1.  Public School Holidays

This has been the one we have found the easiest to manage as it simply is easier because there are some amazing holiday programs during the holidays that we want our children to be involved with.  Also with many of their friends being in school, they get invitations for play dates  - which we would allow but then the other children who were left behind would then have to do school.  Which really seems to be quite unfair.

So now we take our holidays at the same time.  The downside of this is that everything is much more expensive, busy and in demand but there is always a price to pay whichever way you do it.

2.  Two Months School, One Month Holiday

This works well. It means that holidays are more evenly spread.  Often the December holidays (in South Africa) are too long and then when we get to September, it's only 10 days which really feels too short.

3. American/ Canadian/ Chinese year (or any other country that starts in August)

I know of South African families who work according to this year cycle - most often because they are using Sonlight or an international curriculum.  The problem with using this approach (though as we draw nearer to leaving for China ourselves, we will most likely make the switch too) is that the biggest holidays over winter, which in Cape Town could be a really cold, wet, experience.  There is nothing better than late summer nights and beach in December.  Couldn't manage doing too much school then.

5.  As we need

We do take time out in the term, but we adjust our other holidays too. If I take a week off in the middle of the term, because I can see that the children need a break, then I make up for it somewhere else or we just start our end of term holidays a week later.  This is one of the best advantages of homeschooling among many others, is the ability to give my children times to rest when they really need it and to get them working when they don't, which may sometimes be when the public schools have their holidays.

6.  Never take holidays - weekends are enough of a break.

We tried this, but I found that the children were fine but I wasn't.  I like to have a rest every now and then.  I need it.  I need to have a week where I can catch up with cleaning or just be able to lie around reading books and doing nothing instead of homeschooling and running around with all extra curricular activities.   

7.  All holidays and then some

I am a firm believer in freedom in homeschooling, the freedom to make choices that fit our family,however we also don't take that to mean that we just do what we want and spend half our year on vacation. I am fairly strict about how many days we school and how many hours.  I think its good to have boundaries in life and to have some guidelines within which to work.  We also have a lot of work to cover each year.  Fridays are our learning excursions, whether Cape Explorers, visits to the museum, nature studies or extra mural classes - we make sure that we get Out and About. It keeps the learning experience alive and the children have something to look forward to after a week of hard work. 

So there you have it, our holiday habits.  And this week is one of those weeks.  We are on a short vacation and my children have been attending a holiday club hosted by one of the local churches around here, heading off for a surf in the afternoon or visiting friends.

What is your approach to holidays in your home school?

Homeschooling takes commitment

Today on Facebook, I found this note that Heidi St John of The Busy Homeschool Mom wrote as many homeschoolers start their school year now.  This is different to us(South Africa) as we start school in January but I found this note so relevant to anyone who homeschools.  It's a real reminder of what we are doing and why we are doing it, the encouragement all of us need to hear every day!

Okay, I just have to say: this is a hard time of year for the "regular school" and "homeschool" moms to understand each other. Sometimes it can be downright depressing to watch other moms send their kids off to school and return to their houses to do ... well I can only imagine. :) My best friend sends her kids to "regular" school and so this is NOT a "dig" , it's just a reality check.

This morning I saw a status from a mom who was "elated" to finally have her children back in school... she was going to the mall by herself to celebrate... oh the plans she had, 7 hours to herself every day! No messy house. Peace and quiet. I admit, I felt the familiar sting of jealousy mixed with a bit of angst about all that was ahead for me this fall, minus my oldest two graduates ... And then, it hit me: homeschooling is a MONUMENTAL COMMITMENT. And it's not for everyone.

Homeschooling families choose

—more messy house days
—more math lessons
—less "me" time
—less "quiet" time
—less income, most of the time
—less trips to the mall...or anyplace else... alone :)

But IN RETURN, if we do not lose heart, if we stay the course, the reward far exceeds the commitment we're making.

Homeschooling families also choose
—more involvement, which means more influence with their children
—more TIME with their children, which means more memories to cherish and to use the influence we have
—more childhood, thanks to just being home more
—more opportunities to shape hearts and minds
—more insight into their children's hearts
—more educational options to meet individual needs
—more interaction, more hugs, more TIME. Did I mention more time? Oh yes, I did.
—more flexibility. Go to the park, bake cookies. Play.

Sometimes, "less" really is "more". And it doesn't mean that homeschooling is not hard or that putting your child in school doesn't have it's moments either. But as homeschooling moms, you're making a commitment to put your heart and soul into the lives of your children in a way that many people would not ever choose to do.

Will it be hard? You know it will. But it's worth it.

It's just so worth it! So don't be jealous of moms who have just sent their kids back to school. Instead, embrace the opportunity you have been given and make the most of the homeschool years. They really do go by fast. ♥

 

Thank you Heidi for this reminder, we need reminding all the time of the calling, the reasons, the rewards and the value of what we are doing!

Photo Journal of Cape Explorers

You may remember that I mentioned that one of the extra mural activities that my children participate is something called Cape Explorers, run by a fellow homeschooler.  And so the adventure has begun!  Besides painting T-shirts at our first meet - we have now ventured forth into the world of explorers and adventurers and our first visit was to Cape Union Mart where we were given the opportunity to brave the elements and try out some of the equipment used by those who would brave the elements.

Chad attempting the climbing wall

Listening as they are given the rules of engagement with all the adventure equipment

Not for the fearful i.e. mothers!

Ethan on the climbing wall again, and again and again, and again... and finally dragged off home

In the ice chamber of minus 14 degrees - freezing

Building tents - or trying to

Ruthie in the rain chamber - she loved the fact that it was pouring and she wasn't getting wet. 

All the little ones went into the rain chamber together - too precious for words.

Teacher Karen giving Chad the run down on wall climbing

And some mom's just had the chance to hang out with their kids - aren't they beautiful?

So good that all the little ones could do something together and not be left out!

The next time we meet we are headed to the Green Point Lighthouse which promises to be a thrilling and height defying adventure!  

When to use online programs or software

I have a natural adversity to web based programs for my children which is pretty ironic considering how much time I spend online myself.  I just know that even as an adult, maintaining healthy boundaries in this area can be soooo difficult - and even more so for our children.  And yet I have found some really awesome programs - like Reading Eggs and Memrise - which all my children loved and argued over every day.

Homeschooling is all about discovery and learning

We have rich full days and most of the time I wonder how I can fit in all the opportunities for discovery and learning, never mind the more demanding book work.  Part of my daily challenge is to decide what to include and what to leave out.  Online programs and software is something we use almost every day.

* To supplement something we are already learning

It's great to use software that will add to what you are already learning, we use all sorts of software - some online and some that have been downloaded onto our computers.  

*  For busy or sick days

A doctor's appointment with one of the children, fielding business calls for my husband when he is out training the masses, an unexpected visitor, the days when I am still in my fluffy pink gown at 11am and desperately need to go and shower and get dressed - these are the days where online activities are a God sent strategy!  We are very blessed to have 2 fairly old laptops and a desktop and so these keep the older 3 boys busy and Ruthie gets the chance to watch one of her favourite video's like Strawberry Shortcake.

I know that I could leave them with other book work but I find that I have to have a multitude of conversations through the shower door, interruptions on the phone and with visitors or an endless stream of questions for work that they don't understand.  With this they are so busy - you could hear a pin drop.

* To change the pace of the day

Some days just don't work.  Nothing seems to be running smoothly.  The children are lethargic or distracted, my patience is running thin and I have explained something three times with 4 blank faces looking back at me.  Sometimes I need to change the pace.  Change the focus, so I can take a moment, and they can gather themselves.  A bit of fun and a learning experience for 30 minutes and then everyone is back on the same page.

*  Sneaky learning

I often feel frustrated because there is just so much to learn about and so many fun things to find out about but there are just not enough hours in the day.  We do screen time over the weekend but on rainy days when sport is cancelled or when the children have free time and they ask to play on the computer, I occasionally let them on condition that they only use the learning software I have.  Though it's not just games, the activities are so much fun that they don't even notice.

* Academic Feedback

A number of the programs that we use have assessments included, which is a great way for me to see how they have grasped a specific section of work and some of them even email me the results of what they have done, how much time they spent doing it and how well they have done it.

* Ensure that non busy students don't disrupt the rest of them

When one of my children are working very quickly in a section of work I allow to them to use the relevant software, while we wait for the rest to finish what they need to do.  It stops them from causing distractions and disrupting the rest of the children.

* Motivation and Rewards

Working slowly and getting distracted is one of my biggest challenges with the children.  They like to chat and discuss what they are doing, retell a story about what happened yesterday or just deviate to every other subject under the sun.  Computer time on these programs is offered as motivation for hard work and work done quickly.

Online activities keep little ones busy while you are teaching their older siblings

* Keeping little ones busy

Ruth who is 4 cannot sit around while her brothers are busy with one on one times with mom.  She entertains herself with toys and the like for short periods of time but sometimes I need to have some dedicated time with one of the boys.  I have a few excellent programs I use for her which are fun, read stories to her, and even sing songs and teach her riddles.  It makes the day a lot easier to manage when I can use these resources, this mom is under far less pressure.


I am always on the lookout for new web based learning activities and programs (which is probably why I love reviewing them) because when I find a good one, we just dive right in and use it until the children can't bear the site of it anymore or something better and newer comes along.

When do you use online programs and software in your homeschooling day?

Homeschooling Products I am reviewing for August

and probably September.  Those of you that read this blog, know that I am always about 5 steps behind my planned activities.  They're all in my head - but it's to get to get my head and my fingers talking to each other which is the problem, and this lazy body out of bed in the morning. Anyway enough about my sleeping patterns!

So here's what I will be reviewing this month:

ABC Mouse

This is aimed at children aged 2 to 6. Online interactive site which has about 450 lessons and 6 levels.  The site is progressive and so there are various levels which need to be completed to move onto the next level. Includes art, songs, puzzles, books, games and printables, maths and the world around us.  If you go to the homepage you will see a variety of sample lessons and if you like me, have a little one and want to give it a try - the first month is free.  Free is good!

Study Ladder

Preschool to Grade 7.  This is a web based program activities, video lessons,reward rooms and certificates which moms and dads can print.  There are more than 10 subjects available to work through.  Most of it can be done online, though you can also print some of the pages.  This is a subscription based program. Also if you are a teacher, apparently access to this site is free.  (though not sure if this is only for Australian schools).  As a homeschooler there is a free option but it is limited to 3 activities

Konos Homeschool Curriculum

KONOS is about... one home schooler talking to another home schooler... sharing curriculum designed by two homeschooling moms for their own children. It’s about sharing 24 years of homeschooling experience. It’s about passing on a vision to build families that honor God. It’s about instilling Godly character in the next generation. It’s about building relationships between family members. It’s about achieving excellence in education. It’s about reading wide and deep. It’s about recognizing "God put the wiggle in children, and we should not try to take it out." It’s about hands-on activities capturing children's attention and increasing their retention. It’s about teaching a child, not a curriculum. It’s about fun and laughter and shaping memories. It’s about creating a love of learning that lasts a lifetime. (source Konos)

I have received my first file and 3 DVD's (Introducing Konos/Oikos, Konos Living and Understanding Oikos) to watch and look forward to seeing how my children respond to this Character based curriculum.  We are going to start with Obedience - ha ha yes I know if you know my children - my wonderful children - they are having to learn a little about obedience.  Our local South African Konos representatives not only sell Konos but a number of other resources which I am familiar with like Maths-U-See, LLATL (Learning Language Arts Through Literature) and lots of other parent resources.  

These should keep me fairly busy this month and I know my children are going to love the variety in our homeschooling day.