I'm one of those rare people who don't mind Mondays--at least not now that I homeschool. Yet every once in a while there is a day that feels like a Monday should. Today was one of those days.
Everyone in the house woke up late. My dd's bus (she's not homeschooled) broke down and the kids had to wait for a new bus. Of course it was one of the coldest days of the season and snowing. Hubby was late to work. Normally these things don't transmit to me and the boys, pretty insulated from such tribulations as we are.
Knowing it was "that kind of day" I even opted for the rare treat of letting them spend the day in their pj's. Another treat, we worked in the livingroom instead of the kitchen. They like those days, when they can stretch out and relax and just be. There are certain days this is also a self-preservation kind of thing, lol. Then we began our lessons.
Roughie did great, finishing everything but math in record time. His little quirks today included pretending to be a mute hermit. He made a "cave" with some pillows and did his workbooks in there. When it came time to work with me, it was quite interesting as he mimed all of his answers. Math wasn't too bad but reading was a hoot. Needless to say he gave up and read aloud to me after all. I wish I'd taken pictures.
Since Toughie has been having a hard time in math, we started that first so I could help him. Like I said yesterday, he's still adjusting to getting back to business. Anyway, Toughie dragged the assignment out until it became almost unbearable. He did fine through his science and history lessons, but then came spelling. MERCY! His father came home in the nick of time and took over the lesson (babbling moms are difficult to understand, lol). He's finished now and playing his video games. I'm hoping he has a better day tomorrow. I don't like to see him frustrated or sad.
And that's our day in a nutshell. Right now headed off to make some yummy chicken for dinner and possibly run the dryer (it helps heat the house). It's downright frigid outside!
Stay warm and safe.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Monday, January 15, 2007
But, what about socialization?
Right now there are all kinds of blogs across cyber space in reference to an article on the NEA (National Education Association) site. I've kept quiet on this matter, but wanted to talk about it a bit tonight.
See, when we first considered homeschooling, we didn't know a lot about it and I'll be the first to admit one of my questions to some homeschooling moms was, "But what about socialization?" While there are no silly or stupid questions, I can see how it can be frustrating for someone to explain this to someone who doesn't understand. Thankfully, my friend knew my heart was in earnest and I wanted to know, not to point fingers, but to determine the best course for my child.
I did not realize what a hot-button topic this was last summer, but now I see it's one of the most-discussed arguments "against" homeschooling by those who are in my old shoes (a non-homeschooler). I can't quote statistics, but can share some very honest and heartfelt revelations within my own home that convinces me my children not suffering in the least and are more open and outgoing, more confident in their own abilities.
We limit extra-curricular activities, but even so, the boys are in Tae Kwon Do and Judo. They both belong to Royal Rangers (a religious form of boy scouts). We get together with the homeschool group, or individual families within the group at least once a month. They see their friends in church and they have several friends in the neighborhood. So, they are in constant contact with children their own age, simply not 10+ hours a day. And we can't forget the multitude of cousins they see on a monthly (sometimes weekly) basis.
They had most of that even before we began homeschooling. What they get now is more interaction with people of all ages and backgrounds. They are no longer afraid to ask questions, even ones that make adults giggle. They go to their older cousins for help or to chat. They show the younger children they meet care and consideration. They have learned to get along with each other better and treat each other with respect and courtesy. Oh, they still bicker, but they are just more apt to get over it quickly and to be more loving.
Toughie had an issue with temper tantrums and being staid and reserved. For a young man, it was so odd. The only things he talked about (constantly) were the things he and his pals chatted about during the few moments of recess and the bus ride. Unfortunately, those things were often violent, the cartoons which talked about demons and destruction and all those negative things that shouldn't come out of a young boys mouth. It was affecting his mood. Since he's been home, he's loosened up, he'll talk with anyone about a lot of different topics, he loves to talk; but more importantly, he loves to be silly. He'd lost that a few years ago. During Christmas break he was overtired from late nights and excitement and he had a mini-tantrum. Barely a yell, a couple stomps. It shocked me because I hadn't seen it in months. Yet, I didn't need to say a word, he realized how out of character that negative behavior had become and calmed down himself, even saying sorry for stomping in anger. WOW.
Roughie is no longer embarrased to read aloud or to share his knowledge or droll humor with everyone he meets. They greet everyone from the postal lady to the cashier at the local grocery to their grandparents with cheerful greetings, knowing that they and their opinions are valued. They ask to learn new things, unafraid of being belittled. German has been an eye-opener, they love to learn it and love to try to outdo each other in it. They are showing signs of coming out of their shells both physically and emotionally. They know they can ask anything and learn it, they know they can meet new people, and while some might not care for them on sight, most people (of all ages/backgrounds) are friendly when given the chance.
Do I think this could have happened had we not homeschooled? Possibly. But I doubt it.
The longer we homeschool, the more I worry about the state of publicly-funded schools. Some people forget that the "traditional" public school system is a relatively new concept in the history of the world. Schooling originated in the home. It still does in a sense. We teach our children from the moment they are born. We teach them love, we teach them to care. And through these, we teach them to care for their fellow man. Children are not born anti-social and I think that sometimes being with peer groups the majority of their young lives makes them anti-social of sort. Sometimes it could be rebellion against an authority figure. It could be they fight constantly with younger or older children. While I do think play is necessary in every child's life, I do not think that their peer groups should be the ones teaching them the morals and ideas (not to mention the new "vocabulary") they carry home. It is a case of the blind leading the blind. Unfortunately, those hard-working teachers cannot be everywhere and handle everything and it comes home. The negativity, the things I'd rather they not know about yet because I think every child has the right to be a child.
So, yes, my children are on their way to being good social creatures who care for their fellow man and treat everyone they meet with respect and courtesy. I have never believed these virtues to be wrong before and do not see them going out of style any time soon.
NOTE: As with all my posts, this is merely my opinion. You may or may not agree. That is your right. I simply ask that you refrain from personal attacks if you do disagree. There are many sides to this argument, as there are in many aspects of life. What is right for me, is not right for you. If I did not agree with you, I would still defend your right to your opinion, and hope you show me the same courtesy. Also, please forgive any errors in grammar or typing, it's very late! :)
See, when we first considered homeschooling, we didn't know a lot about it and I'll be the first to admit one of my questions to some homeschooling moms was, "But what about socialization?" While there are no silly or stupid questions, I can see how it can be frustrating for someone to explain this to someone who doesn't understand. Thankfully, my friend knew my heart was in earnest and I wanted to know, not to point fingers, but to determine the best course for my child.
I did not realize what a hot-button topic this was last summer, but now I see it's one of the most-discussed arguments "against" homeschooling by those who are in my old shoes (a non-homeschooler). I can't quote statistics, but can share some very honest and heartfelt revelations within my own home that convinces me my children not suffering in the least and are more open and outgoing, more confident in their own abilities.
We limit extra-curricular activities, but even so, the boys are in Tae Kwon Do and Judo. They both belong to Royal Rangers (a religious form of boy scouts). We get together with the homeschool group, or individual families within the group at least once a month. They see their friends in church and they have several friends in the neighborhood. So, they are in constant contact with children their own age, simply not 10+ hours a day. And we can't forget the multitude of cousins they see on a monthly (sometimes weekly) basis.
They had most of that even before we began homeschooling. What they get now is more interaction with people of all ages and backgrounds. They are no longer afraid to ask questions, even ones that make adults giggle. They go to their older cousins for help or to chat. They show the younger children they meet care and consideration. They have learned to get along with each other better and treat each other with respect and courtesy. Oh, they still bicker, but they are just more apt to get over it quickly and to be more loving.
Toughie had an issue with temper tantrums and being staid and reserved. For a young man, it was so odd. The only things he talked about (constantly) were the things he and his pals chatted about during the few moments of recess and the bus ride. Unfortunately, those things were often violent, the cartoons which talked about demons and destruction and all those negative things that shouldn't come out of a young boys mouth. It was affecting his mood. Since he's been home, he's loosened up, he'll talk with anyone about a lot of different topics, he loves to talk; but more importantly, he loves to be silly. He'd lost that a few years ago. During Christmas break he was overtired from late nights and excitement and he had a mini-tantrum. Barely a yell, a couple stomps. It shocked me because I hadn't seen it in months. Yet, I didn't need to say a word, he realized how out of character that negative behavior had become and calmed down himself, even saying sorry for stomping in anger. WOW.
Roughie is no longer embarrased to read aloud or to share his knowledge or droll humor with everyone he meets. They greet everyone from the postal lady to the cashier at the local grocery to their grandparents with cheerful greetings, knowing that they and their opinions are valued. They ask to learn new things, unafraid of being belittled. German has been an eye-opener, they love to learn it and love to try to outdo each other in it. They are showing signs of coming out of their shells both physically and emotionally. They know they can ask anything and learn it, they know they can meet new people, and while some might not care for them on sight, most people (of all ages/backgrounds) are friendly when given the chance.
Do I think this could have happened had we not homeschooled? Possibly. But I doubt it.
The longer we homeschool, the more I worry about the state of publicly-funded schools. Some people forget that the "traditional" public school system is a relatively new concept in the history of the world. Schooling originated in the home. It still does in a sense. We teach our children from the moment they are born. We teach them love, we teach them to care. And through these, we teach them to care for their fellow man. Children are not born anti-social and I think that sometimes being with peer groups the majority of their young lives makes them anti-social of sort. Sometimes it could be rebellion against an authority figure. It could be they fight constantly with younger or older children. While I do think play is necessary in every child's life, I do not think that their peer groups should be the ones teaching them the morals and ideas (not to mention the new "vocabulary") they carry home. It is a case of the blind leading the blind. Unfortunately, those hard-working teachers cannot be everywhere and handle everything and it comes home. The negativity, the things I'd rather they not know about yet because I think every child has the right to be a child.
So, yes, my children are on their way to being good social creatures who care for their fellow man and treat everyone they meet with respect and courtesy. I have never believed these virtues to be wrong before and do not see them going out of style any time soon.
NOTE: As with all my posts, this is merely my opinion. You may or may not agree. That is your right. I simply ask that you refrain from personal attacks if you do disagree. There are many sides to this argument, as there are in many aspects of life. What is right for me, is not right for you. If I did not agree with you, I would still defend your right to your opinion, and hope you show me the same courtesy. Also, please forgive any errors in grammar or typing, it's very late! :)
Welcome to 2007
Wow, can you believe it's already 2007? Time sure goes quickly, but since we've begun homeschooling it speeds by at a rate NASCAR would envy.
We celebrate Christmas here in our home and had a lovely holiday break from everything but loved ones and good times.
Right now we are swinging back into rhythm with homeschool. Toughie is still dragging his feet when it comes to math, but Roughie is back in the groove and moving forward like a trooper.
This week we will start up pilates (they have enough sports, but need some indoor exercise since it's so cold they cannot play outside without getting frostbite--eek). Figure it might help work off some of their cabin-fever energy. As a treat we might go visit grandma on Tuesday. The rest of the week will be fun. For home-ec we are going to bake a cake (they will learn) for their daddy's birthday this weekend! They are very excited. Toughie loves to cook, just learned to make french toast over Christmas break, his daddy taught him so it was a great bonding experience.
Dad gave me a break today to do some necessary deep cleaning--he taught the boys their lessons. I am so blessed to have a spouse to share the duty from time to time. We are in the process of decluttering our entire house. Today was my "office nook" with all the papers that accumulated. We are recycling as much as possible through the normal phases and also through donations and FREEcycle.com. If you've not used them before, it's a great organization and you should log in and check out your local area.
We have a full week ahead of us and now that things have calmed down, I'll be back more often.
We celebrate Christmas here in our home and had a lovely holiday break from everything but loved ones and good times.
Right now we are swinging back into rhythm with homeschool. Toughie is still dragging his feet when it comes to math, but Roughie is back in the groove and moving forward like a trooper.
This week we will start up pilates (they have enough sports, but need some indoor exercise since it's so cold they cannot play outside without getting frostbite--eek). Figure it might help work off some of their cabin-fever energy. As a treat we might go visit grandma on Tuesday. The rest of the week will be fun. For home-ec we are going to bake a cake (they will learn) for their daddy's birthday this weekend! They are very excited. Toughie loves to cook, just learned to make french toast over Christmas break, his daddy taught him so it was a great bonding experience.
Dad gave me a break today to do some necessary deep cleaning--he taught the boys their lessons. I am so blessed to have a spouse to share the duty from time to time. We are in the process of decluttering our entire house. Today was my "office nook" with all the papers that accumulated. We are recycling as much as possible through the normal phases and also through donations and FREEcycle.com. If you've not used them before, it's a great organization and you should log in and check out your local area.
We have a full week ahead of us and now that things have calmed down, I'll be back more often.
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