Jeremiah 29:11 | |||||||
The 80'sOur co-op is having a fundraising dance with an 80's theme on Friday night ... as I was looking for the lyrics to one particular song (I'm not telling which one) I found a funny list of "You might be a child of the 80's if ..." I hope you enjoy it!
There are a few things I've said so many times ...that it makes my head ache just thinking them ... and pound from my rising blood pressure when I actually have to repeat them
again ... things like "if you'll read the questions at the end of the chapter, that will help you as you do your reading ..." why is this a difficult concept? "you have to show your work on the math problems if you want to get any chance of partial credit ..." isn't it more difficult to have to go through and do the problem all over again? "it doesn't matter to me if you think captial letters and punctuation are a waste of pencil ... use them anyway ..." does he think he's Harbrace? "no, watching Modern Marvels won't count as science. I know you get to spend time with Dad and it's educational ... you still aren't getting credit ... maybe credit for PE since it always ends up in a wrestling match!" somebody help me! Ongoing discussion ...with public school friend ... You aren't doing AJ any favors by not grading him. The whole world is going to grade him. If he doesn't figure out how to keep up(statement based on the fact that we work toward mastery of an area as opposed to working on a subject for a given period of time) ... you're just protecting him from failing. I've had this discussion for YEARS with various people. When I taught 6th grade, I refused to give grades for homework because I wanted everyone to have every answer correct because they needed to have every question answered correctly ... (I thought it was my job to give them correct information so that the KNEW the material) ... KIDS FREAKED OUT! I had a parent yell at me. I had a principal tell me that he thought it was a nice idea for every kid to have every answer correct on homework, but completely unrealistic. For the first semester there was someone at every turn questioning this method. The parent who questioned me even called the elementary supervisor at the main office! That was a fun meeting! Let me make something clear ... I gave tests. Not open book, not open notes, not take home ... timed, graded tests. BUT I didn't grade every piece of paper that came across my desk ... and I didn't even keep or take up every piece of paper that came across my desk. And tests didn't come because a Lesson Plan book said it was time for a test to come. Tests came when it was clear to me that every student had been given an opportunity to master the material to the BEST OF HIS/HER ABILITY. That took way more work than simply grading every homework assignment and giving tests on a schedule. And it gave students the freedom to learn at their own pace ... students who were having trouble could utilze peer tutoring options ... students who mastered the material quickly could be engaged in some independent learning activities which expanded on the topic we were covering. Lots more to say about that, but not the point of this post! Two students failed my class that year. One who was suspended more than he was in school ... and one who refused to do anything the entire year. The rest experienced success. They weren't all A students ... but they knew more about science, more about patience, more about diligence, more about helping your fellow student -than they knew when they entered my classroom. Fast forward some 15 years to my homeschooling experience ... and basically, my methodology in teaching has not changed! I want AJ to learn some stuff. And there's some stuff I believe to be SO IMPORTANT that I refuse to move forward before there is mastery. Don't read that as beating it into the ground ... read it as we go over the material as much as we need to, come back to topics as many times as we need to so that he can move on to learn new skills. How difficult is this to understand? One can not be successful at multiplying fractions until one is proficient at multiplying. (Not our problem, but you get the idea.) I get the challenge. That's hard in a regular public school classroom. 30-35 kids, 4-5 classes per day ... no child left behind, published test scores ... but why should it be so hard to grasp in concept! Isn't that the ideal? A student works on something until they master it and then move on to a new skill? Not doing him any favors? I missed the part where providing an education where he a)learns the material; b)has an opportunity to not be great at everything the very first time he tries it; c)gets to develop some of his own interests; d) isn't driven by grades and scores, but by the learning itself(on good days) is a damaging. Could someone explain that to me??
On the road again ...Tomorrow we set out for our 2nd trip to Missouri this summer ... in addition, AJ and I made a trek to Indiana. It seems like we've been out of town or had company since August 1st! And we've even had our 30th day of school ... or something like that anyway! I am lovin' the Mystery of History curriculum we're using ... and I think AJ likes it too. I know he likes the map activities! We've had to order a couple of new Atlases to make it through, but I never mind having to buy another book ... The Keys To ... books are proving to be a great transition and skill building tool. We'll do that until January and then switch to Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra. We're reviewing some grammar basics and learning to write descriptive paragraphs ... and all on his own he's keeping a journal. Bible is working out well and affording me the opportunity to really help AJ develop his comprehension skills. We're reading great books ... mostly Sonlight, but a few voluntary things as well. And, we've discovered Audiobooks for his Ipod. Last week he did a couple of projects with my favorite home ec teacher ... he made Indianapolis Colts boxer shorts and learned to make a basic white sauce! We've been to an art museum and the NCAA Hall of Champions. I'm working out a plan for science where dad will be working on the experiments. That's taking a bit more planning and some rethinking, but I think it will be worth it in the end. But tomorrow ... we drive. No school in honor of his birthday on Saturday! 12?? How can that be? I can close my eyes and recall how he felt in my arms the first time ... and now he just rolls his eyes at me as I hug him! Not that it slows me down!
Simple Saturday ...Guys still upstairs sleeping ... they both need it! Mom downstairs aimlessly wandering through encouraging emails, blog world, drinking her 2nd cup of coffee still in her PJ's ... I needed it! The promise of a fun day ahead- baseball game and a church pool party ... our family needs it! I'll post this week, because we rarely have a Simple Saturday ... What speaks spring to your heart?I'm a milestone person ... well, maybe I'm a benchmark person. I don't pay attention to the calendar to take my cues on when the seasons change (though I could have answered the question about when Fall arrives on the new reality show Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?) ... I watch for signs ... the first clusters of daffodils ... the buds on our saucer magnolia out back begins to bud(we pray that the frost doesn't strike) and bloom ... the grass begins to green ... the dogs a bit friskier ... birds seeem to be more active ... my heart yearns for a trip to Cades Cove ... rising in the morning is easier(not after Saturday, but ...) ... I start dreaming of the garden I want to plant (only twice has it actually happened) ... dreams of spring jaunts and summer trips consume my mind ... the want to spend my mornings reading out on the deck ... and my afternoons playing ... the first good strawberries arrive (which makes me think of my friend Curt)... ... and we break out the baseball games for a game of catch. Over the course of the past two weeks I watched as the wheels were set in motion. And Friday was capped off with that game of catch and strawberries begging to be consumed as quickly as they could be washed and topped. We'll have to contend with a terrible case of Spring Fever while testing next week ... and then we take on a whole different approach to our days. Bliss. Confession ...Lots of times 'school' stuff around here just looks like school at any middle of the road public school ... too many years of influence in my habits, too many years of Yesterday was the exception ... and more was learned than just adding fractions. AJ loves to help me cook. I love to have him in the kitchen with me, but often just run off without him when he gets sidetracked. Yesterday, I gathered the ingredients for his favorite snack crackers ... provided him with the recipe ... the baking dish ... paper towel ... taught him to set the fancy/shmancy controls on the stove ... provided hot pads ... asked if there were questions ... and left the kitchen. He did everything perfectly (not a surprise to me, but a confidence builder for him) ... then came the time for him to put things into the oven. And the biggest lesson began ... sometimes it's okay to a) ask for help or b)adjust the tactics if you find that they aren't working. Instead, half the product ended up on the floor! Frustration had to be worked through and a mess had to be cleaned (by him). This morning he wanted to tackle muffins ... unlike many moms, I don't have those ingredients on hand regularly ... so maybe more than the look of learning will need to change around here.
Just a thought ...regarding a poll that has been done for our homeschool co-op. As the statistics begin to pour in regarding the successes of homeschooling, I really believe that there will be monies available from the private sector to support our efforts. Recent changes in Adult Education (ie ... about 5 years ago AE oversite was moved to the Dept of Labor instead of the Dept of Education) and No Child Left Behind initiatives point toward corporate dissatisifaction with the quality of employees being churned out by the public school system. The people who would be considered 'movers and shakers' in the corporate world are pouring private money into public schools ... they will only do that if there isn't a more successful option. Homeschooling is that option. And often those monies come without many strings attached. Private money doesn't come with the stifling mandates that state or federal money comes with ... foundations look at benchmark progress and if you did what you said you were going to do. Instead of just asking the question how much are you spending on homeschooling in your home ... let's look at % of family resources being invested in lifelong learning. Let's talk about what we could do with $______ / year ... let's project how we will impact the community when given a public platform to promote homeschooling ... and still provide sports programs, music programs, fine arts, languages and Bible! I think we'll fiind that we have all compromised in some way ... in our home it meant adjusting our budget to fit one income and submitting to God's Will. It likely meant some sort of compromise in your family ... but I honestly believe that the day is coming when those compromises will be measurable ... keep dreaming of those homeschool resource centers! Today I realized something incredible ...we are really living this homeschool thing. We no longer count hours of the day accounting for every moment of learning from a textbook. We worked on mental math during the basketball game ... we shopped for Valentine candy for dad and decided that even though truffles from the Fresh Market are just as expensive to buy 6 as to buy one ... six will make him significantly happier ... we sat on he couch and read for an hour, no threats, no bribes, no argument ... we created and learned the mnemonic device for the first 10 presidents (and learned what a mnemonic device is) ... worked on fractions ... played a geography game ... had fiddle lessons ... cooked supper ... played basketball ... and never were the words "it's time for us to start school" uttered. OpportunityThe winter months provide a much needed break for the Brown clan. Spring, Summer and Fall are all very busy sport seasons, adventure seasons, school start up ... any number of things get in the way of pleasure reading! So ... as the beginning of the year approached I was reading Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Krouse Rosenthal ... I was thinking somewhat alphabetically. It was during this time that I decided that it worked out wonderfully that there are 52 weeks in the year, 26 Letters in the alphabet ... and that would be the start for my reading goals for he year ... An 'a' title and an 'a' author, b, c and so on and I found it challenging, but slightly confining to try to do it in order, so I adjusted my goal to just fill in the list! This only includes personal reading, not reading done as aloud reading for school (though that does bring me much pleasure as well)! A- My Father's Summers by Kathi Appelt TITLE LIST A- A Fall Together by Jennifer O'Neill The impact of my goal was interesting. My 11 year old was shocked when on one afternoon I scrambled through an entire book (partially due to it's depressing tone and my inability to just set it aside) in a couple of hours. So he decided to see how quickly he could finish the book he was reading (the classic The Day My Butt Went Psycho ... ). Shocking himself, he finished up the next day ... which catapulted him into the READING ZONE ... In a week he has devoured Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, the first two Lemony Snicket books and the batteries in a book light on his bedrail. When I found him huddled into his covers at 1am, booklight shining through his comforter ... I could not help but shout within my own soul ... knowing that if he'd had to rise at 6am for public school, I would have had to stop him ... as it was, he could read to the end of the chapter and sleep in an extra hour. The look on his face reminded me of the joy that reading was as a child ... it wasn't simply something to do help me "wind down" at the end of a day ... or a way to escape the laundry ... or an alternative since there wasn't a game on (I watch zero primetime tv, but love sports of all kinds!) ... And then the answer came ... When AJ shouted from the shower Tuesday morning, "Mom, can I take my book with me in the car? I can't wait to see what Count Olaf is doing! Why am I inclined to spend all my time reading right now?" (direct quote) ... I was reminded and able to share with him the truth ... that a good book is like a friend that you can't wait to spend time with, discover something new about, laugh with, cry with, makes you consider, makes you wonder ... makes you, well, somehow better. Be encouraged! It has been a long 11 year effort to bring AJ to enjoy books as much as I do(his baby shower was a children's book shower) ... there have been glimpses of it along the way ... but also times I've felt like a failure and terrible influence because of my own lack of making time for 'just because' reading. Any reading suggestions are welcome!
In case you needed another reason to homeschool ...
By Rick Laney of The Daily Times Staff Blount County is getting a privately funded, independent education group to address what some see as "burning" issues in its public schools. The Blount County Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Board started working over the summer on a plan to create what they are currently calling the "Education Initiatives Group." Research has long suggested there is a direct link between public education in American cities and towns and the success or failure of economic development efforts. Education impacts worker wages, social stability, corporate site selection for new facilities, real estate values and overall community tax bases. Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee recently said, "If you are looking for salvation for the Mid-South Delta, look no farther than public schools. "If we can improve the public schools, economic development will follow." According to members of the Economic Development Board's Education Committee, major local businesses including ALCOA Tennessee Operations and DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee, struggle to find qualified workers for even entry-level positions from Blount County. "DENSO is excited about this new initiative — to raise the level of concern for the importance of education in our community," said Jim Woroniecki, senior vice president of human resources and administration for DENSO. "Our goal has always been to attract and retain the very best candidates." DENSO currently interviews 12 candidates in Blount County to find one worker qualified for an entry-level, hourly position. ALCOA reportedly interviews 10 candidates for every one entry-level new hire. "Some of our local businesses have expressed a concern over access to a well-educated work force in this area," said Fred Forster, President and CEO of the Economic Development Board and a member of the board's Education Committee. Forster said, "We like to tell ourselves we have great schools here, and Blount County Schools rate highly in the state, but they rate highly in a state that is ranked 47th in the nation. "The students lack basic math and English skills, and there's a drug problem. "People need to know that the house is on fire in American education. We have issues here, and until we face them we have a problem." With office space, a job description and "limited support" provided by the Chamber and Economic Development Board, the privately funded education group plans to recruit candidates during January and hire someone to lead the effort in February. The plan calls for the Education Initiatives Group to eventually be "spun off" as an independent entity after five years. "We're putting in a huge technical park and trying to attract high-tech companies while we can't get workers for DENSO and ALCOA," Forster said. According to Forster, the primary focus of the Education Initiatives Group, which will soon be given an official name, will be to let people know how much the local schools impact economic development efforts. "The greatest impact we can have," Forster said, "is to simply let the people know there's a problem." Do you remember being 20?And in college ... and thinking you had all the right answers?
Today I was the 'last item on the agenda for Sociology of Education' at the college from which I graduated. One of my favorite folks has asked me to do this for now the third time ... and I am always surprised at the questions! Of course they, being trained to be public school teachers, always assume that I am some strange religious fanatic who believes that all public school teachers are horrible people that I am protecting my child from ... since I spent about 10 years total in public education, that's really not my particular stance.
First, I'm facinated to find that many people believe isolation from the world is the only reason to homeschool. Asking the typical socialization questions. And some standardized testing and accountability questions. But this time there were two that blew me away.
The first blow me away question isn't a new question, but just always makes me so sad ... "Aren't you creating in your child a bias for your way of thinking? Afterall, they aren't being exposed to any other ways of thinking about the world. (I imply that to mean that since I'm a homeschooler, my worldview must be very small and limited.)
My consistent answer to bias questions in parenting or homeschooling is simple ... if, as a parent, you don't believe strongly enough in what you believe to pass it on to your children, you ought look at that and get yourself something else to believe in! That doesn't change because you are the homeschooling parent.
To which a vocal young woman says, "Aren't you just promoting elitism with such intolerance?" Do we ever really have conversations in which we use the words promoting and elitism outside of a college classroom?
My reply was that I believe it is my responsibility to teach my child and pass on my beliefs. If what you are seeking is tolerance as opposed to elitism, then I would suggest that tolerance runs both ways. I received lifted eyebrows and a sense that she at the very least understood what I was driving at. There are a hundred other things I wish I'd said, but quickly my mind was distracted by the most frightening question ...
It was frightening not because of the content but because it spoke to how completely we, as a general population, have totally given up on parents teaching their children ANYTHING and assume that it is the role of the public school teacher provide EVERYTHING a child needs. (I think I am beginning to see public school education and parents as the most seriously co-dependent relationship that exists!)
Question: So when you homeschool, how is a child taught sex education? They aren't in wellness or health classes.
WWWWWHHHHAAAAAAATTTTTT????? Since when should a child be educated on sex by someone other than their parent? I know it's part of a curriculum. I understand that some parents shirk this responsiblity (I was the director of a program for teen moms for about 6 years and believe me I know that kids aren't always getting information from their parents). Since when is it FIRST the responsibility of the public school and after that if the parent joins in, fine??
Give me a break! I know that my wear it on my sleeve face gave my shock away and I had to regain my composure quickly.
Again, we talked about parental responsibility vs. teacher responsibility. I told then the short version of how such topics were approached in our own home, revolving around our girl dogs and the boy dogs that were lurking around. About teachable moments and how to use those times to teach subects that were more meaningful when approached at a time when information was necessary(by the way these were 2nd and 3rd year education majors who couldn't tell me what a teachable moment was ... sad). Her follow up question was, " So when do you teach that?? What age?" I think she missed the point, so I went back to our personal experience ... and told her my son was 10 when the subject came up and required an explination. She suggested to me that maybe that was too late.
Some hopelessness began to settle in my mind regarding winning this young woman over to open-mindedness.
It never enter their minds that we might homeschool for a hundred reasons. So, here's my question. I'd like to stockpile a collection of homeschooling parents reasons for homeschooling. Would you be willing to post a comment or blog on your own site the reason you homeschool. I'm going to compile a notebook of your responses. My response will follow in the next couple of days.
Can there be any higher calling??Question tonight night ... following a hard day for my guy:
Mom, do you think God has any purpose for me at all??
What if I'd been at a faculty meeting or a class or a teacher's meeting or driving an hour home or anywhere but here? I don't want a stranger helping my son explore that question. I'm thankful that there are any number of trusted adults/peers that I'm willing to participate in the journey. All I could do today was be profoundly thankful!
Today we will ...do our 5 senses activity
math ... fractions again!
grammar ... can you believe it's one of his favorite things to do, right up there with spelling
reading ... we must finish My Side of the Mountain(biggest activity of the day)
organize the corner of AJ's room which will become 'electronics central' this weekend(no new stuff, just putting things in one place)
Growing bacteria(real experiment, not just a field trip in the fridge)
Chess, Boggle or Lemonade Stand
make no-bake cookies (alas, I still have no oven) ... moment of panic ... Thanksgiving is coming, my parents are coming for dinner ... no way to bake a turkey ... AAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!
trip to the Guitar Center and Dick's Sporting goods ... maybe we'll stop by best buy too(oven)
Basketball practice
Devotions, journaling and history have seemed to go by the wayside for the past two weeks ...
enjoy one another ... laugh more ... remember what's important
A Month of ThanksgivingI love thanksgiving for a hundred different reasons. It isn't surrounded by the impossible expectations that accompany Christmas being one at the top of the list(before you email hate mail ... I love Christmas ... I hate the hype that comes with the season DAYS BEFORE HALLOWEEN even arrives on the scene). But also at the top of the list is a reason to stop and really count your blessings! Here are a few of mine!
There are a bunch of homeschooling pals I am thankful for ... some of them because they listen when I'm ranting ( wife2 of dad2three), some because they are a voice of reason in a sea of chaos(smallworld), some for their support conveyed only with a knowing smile(jenmcintyre), some for their offer of support as I enter into battle(brownsugar) and others still because they simply go about the business of homeschooling everyday ... regardless of the struggle, continuing to embrace the life they've chosen(sixredheads). And these are just the bloggers(or lurkers as the case may be blogless ... is that how lurker is spelled???).
Then there's the farm wife who always has a smile (okay ... as long as it's 9am and coffee has been added) and the blonde who on a regular basis makes me laugh so hard I ... well, we'll leave it at that and the wife of bookstore guy who keeps it in perspective and math girl who helps me glimpse at the ideal and misc. girl who always wants to help create a solution and admin girl who is always the calm, give it another go encourager. There are others I am sure I'm leaving out ... blessings beyond measure.
And then there are the faces that go with those names of the kids we are trying to serve! And for those smiling, laughing, contemplative, opinionate, passionate, joyful, adventurous faces ... I am especially thankful!
Blessings to you! A Crisis of Identity ...In my life I have very different relationships. I really prefer seperate but equal. Church ... HomeSchool ... College ... Work(outside the home) ... Friends ... Deep Relationships ... Family ... Aquaintances. I love compartments! It gives me the security of knowing who I'm supposed to be in each place! When I get those relationships confused I begin to make mistakes, reveal too much or just plain offend people. BUT ... in a quest for growth in several areas, I am working on "removing the masks" that we wear to make other people more comfortable with who we are ... or what others perceive of us! John Eldridge says this, "We come into the world with a longing to be known amd a deep-seated fear that we are not what we should be. We are set up for a crisis of identity." I guess I fall into this category at this point in my life. And the enemy knows it. Just this week, a job possibility comes- affirmation, a feeling of worth. Just when I'm feeling like maybe I'm not doing such a good job at this homeschooling thing. Maybe I do need more structure. Possibly my feelings of insecurity aren't completely unfounded. Can I provide enough interaction for AJ? Is there any such thing? He's busy, but really deep friendships ... it's so hard. Things are great when we're REALLY busy with school. But down times are hard. I don't know if this is all working for us.
Then AJ gets a boost from his baseball coach. An offer( a very serious offer, with a plan, a 6 year plan) to play ball for him where he coaches in public school ... what a boost to the ego(his and his dad's). Don't get me wrong, I laughed at parents like this, but AJ is a talented athlete. I can't provide a team for him to play for(we're a family of 3) ... enter more doubt.
So here I am. Looking at the life I thought I had figured out. Looking at the life that I had prayed about. And now, what doors are opening? What doors are seeming to close? What does God have for us? What does he want for me? Looking deep inside to see, "Who am I in Christ?" And how does that mesh with the opportunities before me? What role am I playing now? Is it real or is it just another part in a play?
Weary, I'm faced with the reality. My church friends are public school people and don't really get the whole homeschooling thing, even though they love me and don't interfere. My homeschool friends know my homeschooling persona but don't know much about any of the rest of my life. My college friends and collegues want to know when I'll come to my senses and get back to it! My friends know that things just haven't been quite right. Those I consider the deep relationships in my life know I want this to be the right life, that I want to be the wife my husband wants, I want to be the mom AJ needs, my brain is bored, my heart is empty and I can't pinpoint why. And change is so hard for me. My family is comfortable with things just the way they are(none of us like change) ... except AJ, he wants more people around, more running around and more fun. Aquaintances ... well, they are just that. From all outward appearances, everything would seem to be in order. But chaos (and masks) abounds. So, the question is: How is this chaos honoring God?? The answer has got to be that it doesn't. Except, I still know God is God. His plan. His future for us. Unfolding before us ... Crossroad just ahead.
Field Day is over ...and somehow as the rain over took the event and 60 degree temps fill the day and the forecast for the next week; it felt like summer slipped into my heart. It was cold and rainy and WAY FUN today. Parents helped, kids cooperated, teens helped littler kids! Laughter was ample, smiles and friendship were shared among young and young at heart. It makes me love this group of BHEA all the more. Friendships I want to foster for myself and my AJ. It makes me want to do a better job of bring us all together more often. I'm afraid that so often I let life slip in and get so cluttered that I forget that relationships are what we're called to ... not what I think of as bump and run encounters!
Surreal...that's the only way I know to describe the moments when I return to Maryville College and do anything other than being a student. Today I stood in the classroom where I took American History from Dr. Russell Parker. The classroom in which I received a D+ and really deserved much less than that! It was the first semester of college ... I was the first from my family to attend college ... I was outclassed in my prior knowledge(afterall, I had breezed US History in HS without opening the book)! He wanted me to ???? analyze and discuss???? what happened to good 'ole spewwwwwiiiiinnnnnngg of facts!!??!! Today, I was discussing Homeschooling with about 35 upcoming public school teachers. They were kinder than the crew Sarah mentioned a few weeks ago in smallworld . And some of their questions were quite interesting ... like "Isn't if difficult when you just need a break?" as if all parents don't need some time off!! And, "Aren't you sheltering them too much?" as if you could possibly shelter a 6 year old too much in this day! But there were some thought provoking questions like, "What, if anything, could be done to make homeschooling more successful?" And, "How do you allow your children chances for diversity?"
They asked questions about socialization and high school core subjects and sports and extracurricular activities. They were young and idealistic ... that is an admirable quality. I remember it fondly. I think it began to dwindle when I pulled a kid out of a fight and had to carry him to the principal's office in my arms while my co-teacher held the bully against the wall. But ... I was reminded today of what once was a desire to go out and change the world a classroom at a time. My goals are more focused now ... my world a bit smaller in scope right now, but the desire is still there. I need to be doing more in terms of supporting the education of children. I don't know right now what that looks like, but I owe it to myself to think about it some more.
So- it has been a good day in my neighborhood! The evening was cool, AJ enjoyed a long night of jumping on the trampoline we've been blessed to receive, a new dog has come to live at the Brown Lodge and Randy's home getting some much needed sleep before midnight tonight. The Lord has been good to us! I love homeschooling ...and all that it means for my family. When we left the public school forum two years ago, my main objective was to transform my home from the bondage of believing that learning only happened within the constraints of the school building and school hours! I believe we are making progress! Projects, crafts, books and questions have become the bulk of what we do. There are still battles over how much TV and how many video games ... but those are dwindling.
Meanwhile, we are all trying to do a better job of adopting the life-long learner attitude! Thus, a blog. Something new. Something to exercise my mind and my Harbrace skills(which weren't that great to start with |
About Me My Profile Archives Friends LinksTia's Blogbhea Beth Moore Adventure Church Focus on the Family Family Life Today Categorieshomeschoolingponderings Things I'm thankful for ... Recent EntriesSo what about the times when you don't know what He's saying???I've been searching for something to kick me out of this slump ... oswald cut the chase today ... My Playlist Scattegories FriendsTOSPUBLISHERByHisGraceInColorado CreativeHomeschooling KyMentor Indiana MySmokyMtnHomeschool DandelionSeeds Titus2woman Confessor SmallWorld Redeemed Happyhome quietcajun TheMonkeyParade Jimmie debs02 Garrisongang LadyMother Tennessee Sweetie seekingHim CommunicationFUNdamentals jennfromtenn BrownSugar NeverAlone Dad2Three jenmcintyre BHEA BL13 sharonkay QueenoftheHill partyoffive fyftn weesma rksut1 anniedarlin MyPathtoProverbs31  Take the 100 Acre Personality Quiz! Blog Ring Join | List | Random | ||||||
) but I'm working on it! Maybe this will replace my conversations with myself. My son will be happy ... he often sighs loudly while stating, "you're doing it again ... moving your lips without saying anything" then rolls his eyes and walks out of the room. 
