Is this right?

The advantage of homeschooling is to meet individual children's needs. It is difficult sometimes to stay true to your beliefs living in the society we live in now. I find this true for any alternative choice I try to make with my family. I will be going along thinking all is well, then someone questions what I'm doing. Or they will mention what their child is doing and I start to wonder is my kid behind? If you follow the Waldorf method or look at studies from Europe, my kid is right on track. They do not introduce reading until the age of 7-8. Children in a traditional setting are often forced to fit in the box and not allowed to explore outside of what is written in the teacher's plan book. I remember this from being in the classroom. You are just trying to keep everyone in control, while getting through a whole lesson, in each subject everyday. This will insure that you finish the workbooks, so the children will pass all tests and meet all the standards, to move to the next grade level. Ha! What about the poor second language learner or the child who doesn't get any help at home or the child who is a kinesthetic learner, who needs to be moving at all the time! They are constantly in trouble and then really aren't going to get the right education! I am constantly trying to meet my 8 year old boy and 5 year old girl's needs, which are very different. At the same time I am trying to break my mold that I was raised in and taught in. The fun thing about homeschooling is that if you look at it like an adventure, you will get where you are supposed to be eventually. It is not a race, you will hit bumps, you will have doubt, but for the most part you are very lucky to have an opportunity to learn with your child! One day at a time.

100 Day Party

Well most traditional Kindergarten's celebrate 100 days in school. Well I have fond memories of fun parties when I was a classroom teacher. So Josie and I threw a party for her! She invited a few neighbors and had a blast. We measured 100 inches on the sidewalk and they created creatures that same length. We also measured 100 feet. We decorated paper glasses in the shape of 100. We followed clues written on 100 dollar bill copies. They went all over the yard to find a box of 100 jellybeans. They played hide and seek, had a bike parade and played basketball. Many ideas stemmed from her and she led them. I saw her confidence build as she was the youngest kid, but allowed to be the leader! It was a simple party, followed by some 100 day books, and 100 day soup! Which she and her brother said was the best! I love days where learning can occur through play! Lots of math, cooperation, P.E., reading, art!

Fun Friday

Sometimes when the week has had some unexpected events, I must try and come from a different angle in school. I had the kids choose some games to play while I got ready for the day. They had fun playing blind folded hide and seek. They spent 1/2 hour listen to sounds to try and find each other! I then took this idea and hid 8 items related to Presidents day. They had to hunt for the items. They truly enjoyed this and then were excited and ready to learn for the day! All went well until my 8 year old decided he was done. This is the challenge of homeschooling. The ability to stop when needed and resume later, or not :}

Josie wants to get married!

So, when you are going to teach a homeschool lesson, you have to be flexible.

My five year old was set on getting dressed in her gown, with her flowers and getting married. My plan was to have her do a Spanish lesson with grandpa. I told her, "wow, you are going to get to be married and talk about love, and make Valentines, all in Spanish!" She was thrilled to know I listened and her needs were being met.

Now that we have marriage figured out, time for babies! Ha!

Everything's connected

I love how everything in my life is somehow connected! Teaching, natural childbirth, homeschooling, essential oils, GAPS diet, Spiritual Life Center, yoga, meditation, natural healing, ect. When I am open to what I feel passionate about, things make sense. I feel so lucky to have the time to do what I love. Please stay around and enjoy my new adventure into blogging. What a better way to stay connected and inspire others out there!