The Owl Barn, The FCAT, The Presidents

I love, love, love homeschooling!!!! I hate to admit it, but it's sorta of a selfish endeavor for me. Educating my children, plus taking the time to learn new things for myself is exhilarating.

My daughters did a Presidents project that took longer than I expected. However, it was a great learning tool and experience. Once they turned the project in to me, I facilitated a discuss about every interesting fact in the Presentation. We pulled out the globe and looked at the Philippines and how it was from America. Why because of a treaty between the U.S. and Spain over the ownership of the small South Pacific country. We talked about how long the slavery issue in America droned on, and how many Presidents had to consider it before Lincoln actual ended it.

We talked about Bill Clinton's impeachment, the 4 assassinations of our Presidents, the continental congress, and just a bunch of American history. It was an interesting conversation.

Homeschooling allows for some deep and meaningful educational conversations. The kids are genuinely excited to learn new things. That's why I am a little sad to send my 13 year old back to school next year. I am super proud that she got accepted into a performing arts high school, but I am sad that I won't be her teacher anymore. Well, not primarily.

In other news, We have become totally enthralled with the Owl Barn. It's a live streaming of an owl who moved into an owl box after two years of it being built. She's about to hatch 5 eggs and she has a partner too. She has no idea we are watching. Wouldn't it be strange if people from another planet were watching everything we did with such interest.

Anyway, there's my update. I'll post again real soon.

Homeschool Student, 13 years old Now at Morehouse College

Check out this child prodigy. Regular school didn't recognize him as being gifted and now he is just 13 and a student in college!

Gotta Hit the Books Hard

Lately we have had a bunch of special things to come up, and they have moved our school schedule around. First, it was the new baby. Then a couple visits from my mother, then studying for the spelling bee, which btw oldest loss at the next level due to nerves. Next it was a couple of trips to Florida to prepare oldest for entry into Performing Arts high School, mingled in were a few trips to the Zoo homeschool academy and lastly the girls went to Shakespeare Camp for Homeschoolers last week. They have learned a lot about the Bard of Avon, Marsupials, Camouflage, Greek words, etymology, but sadly book knowledge in Spanish, Science, American History, and parts of speech has taken a back seat. Now it's time to hit the books hard again.

March is approaching and I've been getting emails about National Testing dates. All of the sudden I am like Yikes!!! Did they get enough book learning to be able to make the scores on their national testing. Does knowing what words Shakespeare created contribute to doing well on the Iowa Basic Skills Testing? How will learning about extreme adaptation translate into knowledge expressed through those blackened circles? Well, I don't know. However, we will be hitting the books until testing time, and maybe longer so long as we get through the work.

Scripps Spelling Bee and Other News

My Eighth Grader won the Local Homeschool Scripps Spelling Bee!!!!!! Yea!!!!! Now we're on the Homeschool Spell-off in two weeks. It was a nail biter, she went to war with very smart 10-year old. I knew she would win, but I didn't know it would be that hard. Before going in, I thought my sweetie could spell anything that came her way. I was wrong. Now we are practicing Greek, Latin, Arabic, Scientific terms, etc. to win the next round.

This spelling bee is great because we are going over spellings and meanings, so she (and the rest of us) are learning a lot along the way. Like we discovered this guy, a Fennec Fox from Africa.

In other news, my little artist (4th grader) is doing a wonderful President presentation in keynote (mac's version of PowerPoint). She is actually computer designing an American Flag. Did I mention that my husband is a Graphic Designer, so she's got it honest. She also loves to listen to stories on CD. I am learning to go with the flow with her. I read somewhere and not sure where, that I needed to get the book Discover Your Child's Learning Style. I ordered it on ebay right away, and it has helped me immensely. I have changed my teaching tools and style when it pertains to her. I am seeing a difference already. It really really helps to know how your child learns.

Challenges, Triumphs, Joys, and Sighs of Relief...

1. 8th grader is totally loving Latin. She found a Latin workbook I bought earlier this year, and is so excited to use it with her textbook I bought about a month ago. - Triumph!
2. Found out today that the 4th grader has been lying about getting work done in her Language Arts workbook. Now she cannot get a Christmas break and T.V. and computer privileges yanked for a week. - Challenge (this is my fault too, I don't grade as fast and as often as I should).
3. 8 week old is finally latched on and nursing well. It took about 6.5 - 7 weeks. Sigh of relief
4. Making lots of cookies and listening to a great Pandora Christmas radio station. Joy
5. Girls sounded beautiful singing Christmas Carols in the new choir they joined. Joy
6. 8th grader gaining voice lessons and preparation for performing arts High School audition from said choir. Sigh of relief
7. Teaching Algebra I and three-digit multiplication Challenge and then Triumph!
8. Watching two girls who were afraid to put their heads in the water last March, swimming 1,000 yards this December. Joy and Triumph!
9. Receiving lots of support from the girls with feedings, changing, meal prep, and cleaning. Sigh of relief
10. Working at home, schooling at home, eating at home, cooking at home, being at home. Joy, Sigh of relief , Challenge and Triumph!
11. 4th grader's increased reading level and activity Triumph!
12. 8th grader's improved writing techniques sometimes a Challenge, and sometimes a Triumph!
13. 4th grader's handwriting, grammar, and punctuation skills Challenge!!!
14. 
    

How to Incorporate Kwanzaa Into Your Homeschool Curriculum

How to Incorporate Kwanzaa Into Your Homeschool Curriculum

By Daviyd Peterson

With the wellspring of cultural knowledge available to educate African American children about our rich heritage a solid anchor for all of this information is Kwanzaa. Unless you know where you come from, you can never arrive at where you should be going (huge paraphrase). Let's look at this quote...

Kwanzaa was created to introduce and reinforce seven basic values of African culture which contribute to building and reinforcing family, community and culture among African American people as well as Africans throughout the world African community. These values are called the Nguzo Saba which in Swahili means the Seven Principles. Developed by Dr. Karenga, the Nguzo Saba stand at the heart of the origin and meaning of Kwanzaa, for it is these values which are not only the building blocks for community but also serve to reinforce and enhance them. Do a search for the Official Kwanzaa Web Site and read to your hearts content.

After learning American history, World history, the history of art, music, writing and the like - African American history is a must and I will touch on a way to add Kwanzaa to your curriculum.

First let's start with the little ones - the simplest way that we use is with coloring pictures. Give them examples of of the seven symbols of Kwanzaa which you can find online and let them color them as they desire. Remember to write the names of each symbol and tell them the meaning of each one. As they get older they will begin to recall the meaning of the symbols and ask questions about each one. Parents prepare ahead of time to answer their questions about Kwanzaa as they will ask about each one and it will probably be at a time when you are not at your computer or near a Kwanzaa calendar to remember. Our children need good principles to guide them thru life and this is an invaluable way to instill them.

For those a little more mature in age get them to make a Kwanzaa calendar to place in their room, with the symbols, their names and meaning. As an added way to remember Kwanzaa we discuss each separate symbol, name and meaning each month leading up to Kwanzaa - giving you extra material to which subjects like history, culture, languages, writing and composition can be budded from throughout the year.

Starting at those at the ages of 16 and up we let them choose a principle and go online to research examples of each Kwanzaa symbol being applied in the past, present and produce an example that can be used in the future. The future application of their respective Kwanzaa symbol can be next year or five years from now and triggers their use of critical thinking - something that young leaders need to practice in order to be part of building family, community and culture.

A more in-depth lesson plan that can be used as a homeschooling guide to Kwanzaa can be found at the Learning to Give website. Each age group has a different activity planned for celebrating Kwanzaa in a more structured format.

Because of the richness of Kwanzaa and the principles that it points to as a reinforcement for community, family and culture it's values should be rehearsed year-round just as Christmas in July and other holidays are touched upon out of season. We have the future of our nation's principles in our hands let's not forget to remind each other to keep those principles.

Daviyd Peterson: 12-year consultant, instructor, trainer of digital divide solutions for home and business. Helps African American and minority homeschools bridge the digital divide by becoming computer homeschools. Supporting homeschool moms and dads with resources to provide income for their homeschool...

http://www.daviydthepencilpusher.wordpress.com

daviyd@bluebottle.com

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How Does That Work

How is it working out homeschooling with a new baby in the house? Are the children still learning? Are you still teaching? Are you getting any sleep? How are you not sleeping and teaching?

Well it's working on autopilot. The kids are working in their books. I take a few minutes to send a small lesson by email. I take a minute to answer a question here or there or give an assignment. I have even been reading with each child individually. I am using TIVO to record educational shows, and the children are still progressing. It's amazing, but things are still moving ahead. Eight year did a presentation on the Maya, 12 year old is conjugating Spanish Verbs, baby is not latching onto the breast, and I am getting bits of sleep here and there. Oh and hubby is filling in the blanks and spaces everywhere while working our business.