Monday, September 30, 2013
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Monday, September 16, 2013
Today are pics of the NEW CO-OP
The new CHC is indeed going to be a model of the new homeschool cooperatives. Collinsville Homeschool Cooperative serves the masses. Regardless of where you stand philosophically, you are welcome to participate. As a Christian, I find it a great way to reach others by my actions and example. So much different than sheltering within a subculture, regardless of that that might have been in the past.
This is an important step. The face of homeschool is changing. The mainstream parents are finding ways to meet the needs of their children and the population of homeschooling families is on a rise.
Here are some pictures of the start. If you read the last post you learned about our class fair. Pictures of the displays and teachers answering questions about the curriculum, parents waiting in line for our on site-- on line registration, and then a glimpse at some class and recess time for the young ones. I missed shots of the older students.
This is an important step. The face of homeschool is changing. The mainstream parents are finding ways to meet the needs of their children and the population of homeschooling families is on a rise.
Here are some pictures of the start. If you read the last post you learned about our class fair. Pictures of the displays and teachers answering questions about the curriculum, parents waiting in line for our on site-- on line registration, and then a glimpse at some class and recess time for the young ones. I missed shots of the older students.
Faith back there in math lab
Grace in center in Lego League
Too Busy to Blog
I know everybody understands the title of this post. It seems that the past eleven weeks I have been very busy. I don't understand exactly everything I have done as it seems I still have unfinished projects that needed to be completed two weeks ago.
I still do not have us moved into our new schoolhouse. After a summer of mild weather it suddenly got scorching hot and I was unable to get in the room to do the painting. I do have almost all the painting done now but the use of the roller brush has my back aching. Besides, the new Co-Op development has been very time consuming as well.
New Co-Op? Didn't I tell you about this before. Finally, there is a place that we can go as a group of homeschoolers that I can share ideas with and homeschool in our own style. No specific religious affiliation but also not something that has to include the word secular. When to try to avoid all the limitations and forced ideas from a strict religious cooperative it seems all you can find is the exact opposite. It meant that there was no place in between. I was not a participant last year in the prior cooperative or participate in the Master's Lyceum for group classes. I do not know the particulars of Master's Lyceum and why the "leader" decided to give it a rest for the fall but I am thankful to the Lord for whatever He had planned. The closure of ML did lead to a very small cooperative within the group but it seems to be a very closed situation and unless you are a member of the cooperative everything about it is rather silent on the rest of the local homeschool community. Needless to say, it did spark others to talk. Finally, seven of us and eventually about a dozen of us began having weekly meetings as we discussed the formation of a new cooperative. I knew that I could not be the only person out there that did not see the value of the prior options. Thus the formation of the Collinsville Homeschool Cooperative was completed.
It is stated clearly that we are not a religious or a secular cooperative. We are an educational homeschool cooperative. We honor people from all walks of life with the common denominator being homeschool. It has opened the way for people form the Catholic faith to participate as well, there was not a reasonable option for them at all. We will not exclude group classes that are Biblically based but will be sure to include it into the class description. Group classes you ask?
Yes indeed. A church in Collinsville agreed to let us use their facility. When we sat down at the table and began planning classes it was stated that if the only people who come are our own children then we will still be a success. We put out the information in the social media networks and currently have a Facebook page. The FB page has 165 members but many are just watchers at this time. The paid membership ended up being for 57 families. We have 21 teachers and some teach more than one class. Every family must volunteer to be part of the cooperative and they go where the need it greatest to make the day a success. We have four class hours and an hour for lunch. The lunch period is broken up between ages so that the biggest kids can play in the huge gym without the littler ones. It seems we have a fair size group of older kids which is great for many.
Our first classes began last week in the co-op. From the inside looking out it felt like small chaos but many commented on the day and were pleased. If somebody was not happy they sure did not let us know yet.
I am teaching two different classes but more than once. Magic School Bus is a popular class and I have two periods that it is offered. The fourth period had a waiting list and another parent stepped up to conduct an added class. So fourth period we have 24 MSB students in two different rooms. The other class I am teaching is a self made curriculum. I call it Money, Maps and Measurements. MM&M is a life skills class to teach about maps, trip planning, and cost associated with it. In order to teach a class like this there are many times that we touch on different geography issues, math is used in most classes. To begin the class we began with a tiny overview of the history of maps. After a brief discussion we made our own clay and created an ancient Babylonian map. To do this required measurements and measurement equivalents as well. I hope the class meets my goal. It continues to be a work in progress as well with the core lessons ready to go.
Oh yes, one thing about this CHC is that we also had a class fair at sign up time. Each teacher was expected to have a small presentation on their table and the lesson plans available for review. In the past I have had classes that we signed up for which clearly had not been planned out. Proposals were provided and actually reviewed by the group (not one person who decides if it meets criteria for a class). That is a tradition that we think will continue.
So what about Faith and Grace? How is their school year going so far? If you ask them you will discover they love the year thus far. That is because we have been so busy with archery classes, trip to the STL Science Center for a special Lost Egypt exhibit, a field trip to The Nature Institute for a class about prairies and math warm up. This week will be our first week of opening our books and getting to the nitty-gritty. Owen has caught up in his development and Kelley will begin some play school with him. His play will try to be organized a small amount each day to colors, shapes, stacking blocks and such. He is into everything so it is possible that his presence in the school area will be limited.
His favorite activity is to carry a stool to any location that he cannot reach and find a way to reach it. He does not always have an item he is wanting, just the fact that he did it is enough.
Our Girl Scouts have begun again as well. To be honest with you, I may have bitten off more than I can chew but I will be a cow and keep at it for now.
I will try to improve on my blog post as we get into gear here.
Have a blessed day.
I still do not have us moved into our new schoolhouse. After a summer of mild weather it suddenly got scorching hot and I was unable to get in the room to do the painting. I do have almost all the painting done now but the use of the roller brush has my back aching. Besides, the new Co-Op development has been very time consuming as well.
New Co-Op? Didn't I tell you about this before. Finally, there is a place that we can go as a group of homeschoolers that I can share ideas with and homeschool in our own style. No specific religious affiliation but also not something that has to include the word secular. When to try to avoid all the limitations and forced ideas from a strict religious cooperative it seems all you can find is the exact opposite. It meant that there was no place in between. I was not a participant last year in the prior cooperative or participate in the Master's Lyceum for group classes. I do not know the particulars of Master's Lyceum and why the "leader" decided to give it a rest for the fall but I am thankful to the Lord for whatever He had planned. The closure of ML did lead to a very small cooperative within the group but it seems to be a very closed situation and unless you are a member of the cooperative everything about it is rather silent on the rest of the local homeschool community. Needless to say, it did spark others to talk. Finally, seven of us and eventually about a dozen of us began having weekly meetings as we discussed the formation of a new cooperative. I knew that I could not be the only person out there that did not see the value of the prior options. Thus the formation of the Collinsville Homeschool Cooperative was completed.
It is stated clearly that we are not a religious or a secular cooperative. We are an educational homeschool cooperative. We honor people from all walks of life with the common denominator being homeschool. It has opened the way for people form the Catholic faith to participate as well, there was not a reasonable option for them at all. We will not exclude group classes that are Biblically based but will be sure to include it into the class description. Group classes you ask?
Yes indeed. A church in Collinsville agreed to let us use their facility. When we sat down at the table and began planning classes it was stated that if the only people who come are our own children then we will still be a success. We put out the information in the social media networks and currently have a Facebook page. The FB page has 165 members but many are just watchers at this time. The paid membership ended up being for 57 families. We have 21 teachers and some teach more than one class. Every family must volunteer to be part of the cooperative and they go where the need it greatest to make the day a success. We have four class hours and an hour for lunch. The lunch period is broken up between ages so that the biggest kids can play in the huge gym without the littler ones. It seems we have a fair size group of older kids which is great for many.
Our first classes began last week in the co-op. From the inside looking out it felt like small chaos but many commented on the day and were pleased. If somebody was not happy they sure did not let us know yet.
I am teaching two different classes but more than once. Magic School Bus is a popular class and I have two periods that it is offered. The fourth period had a waiting list and another parent stepped up to conduct an added class. So fourth period we have 24 MSB students in two different rooms. The other class I am teaching is a self made curriculum. I call it Money, Maps and Measurements. MM&M is a life skills class to teach about maps, trip planning, and cost associated with it. In order to teach a class like this there are many times that we touch on different geography issues, math is used in most classes. To begin the class we began with a tiny overview of the history of maps. After a brief discussion we made our own clay and created an ancient Babylonian map. To do this required measurements and measurement equivalents as well. I hope the class meets my goal. It continues to be a work in progress as well with the core lessons ready to go.
Oh yes, one thing about this CHC is that we also had a class fair at sign up time. Each teacher was expected to have a small presentation on their table and the lesson plans available for review. In the past I have had classes that we signed up for which clearly had not been planned out. Proposals were provided and actually reviewed by the group (not one person who decides if it meets criteria for a class). That is a tradition that we think will continue.
So what about Faith and Grace? How is their school year going so far? If you ask them you will discover they love the year thus far. That is because we have been so busy with archery classes, trip to the STL Science Center for a special Lost Egypt exhibit, a field trip to The Nature Institute for a class about prairies and math warm up. This week will be our first week of opening our books and getting to the nitty-gritty. Owen has caught up in his development and Kelley will begin some play school with him. His play will try to be organized a small amount each day to colors, shapes, stacking blocks and such. He is into everything so it is possible that his presence in the school area will be limited.
His favorite activity is to carry a stool to any location that he cannot reach and find a way to reach it. He does not always have an item he is wanting, just the fact that he did it is enough.
Our Girl Scouts have begun again as well. To be honest with you, I may have bitten off more than I can chew but I will be a cow and keep at it for now.
I will try to improve on my blog post as we get into gear here.
Have a blessed day.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Observing them as they observe and explore the world
As Owen is beginning to be with us more and more each day I have noticed a tremendous explosion of knowledge gathering. He has made such progress now that his brain is not foggy with anticonvulsants. I can't imagine what it would be like for the world to so abruptly open itself to you in such a short period of time.
We have not officially kicked off our new school year but when you homeschool, learning happens all the time. Actually, every parent or grandparent experience the same thing regardless of how or where you school but homeschoolers tend to recognize it more readily as a learning opportunity.
What has Owen reveal to us this week? Several of his words and phrases are making sense. Some days they are so clear it is amazing. Most little one's refer to ME and not "I" but he uses I very often in referring to himself and very appropriately. Today I asked him if he would like some bacon and he clearly stated it back to me. When I asked him if he was ready he clearly said "yes" and nodded his head. He is often found saying thank you, and kitty-kitty-kitty, not to mention so many other attempts. In our car we have a game we call YELLOW CAR and he seems to have joined in. He does not actually see a yellow car but he points out the window and calls out for the count. He does well with the word. His energy is amazing. He will have one more week of therapy as he has surpassed his development milestones in many areas and at level with others. Considering how far he had to come it is fabulous that he had managed this. His understanding of the world as it unfolds to him is unbelievable.
Today he and Faith enjoyed an old fashion mud puddle. It began as an area of dirt but with small amounts of water from their watering cans it was a great mud stew and a stick became a favorite tool. Just a moment ago he drug a small chair to the piano. There is a chair at the piano but he wanted his and he sat, reached high and played a tune. I could go on and on with the little things I am observing.
He is not the only one who is observing the world around them. Faith has had a huge challenge to alter her self centered ideas. She is loving but is the most selfish of the three children. Her tendency to be jealous or sassy has been bad lately so we are working on that one. Today I utilized the teachings of God through the story of Moses to work on following God's rules. She is a great big sister but tires easily with any responsibilities. To work on this I got her a classroom bunny and 100% of the work is hers. It does not matter that Grace also ended up with a bunny. I mean, Faith ended up with a donkey when Grace got one. So Grace will carry the burden for donkey food/barn/water and Faith for the bunnies. I noticed Faith observing what her bunny responded favorably to. I love it when I see a moment in their life.
The classroom must be done soon, no more delays. I will be sure to post pictures very soon.
We have not officially kicked off our new school year but when you homeschool, learning happens all the time. Actually, every parent or grandparent experience the same thing regardless of how or where you school but homeschoolers tend to recognize it more readily as a learning opportunity.
What has Owen reveal to us this week? Several of his words and phrases are making sense. Some days they are so clear it is amazing. Most little one's refer to ME and not "I" but he uses I very often in referring to himself and very appropriately. Today I asked him if he would like some bacon and he clearly stated it back to me. When I asked him if he was ready he clearly said "yes" and nodded his head. He is often found saying thank you, and kitty-kitty-kitty, not to mention so many other attempts. In our car we have a game we call YELLOW CAR and he seems to have joined in. He does not actually see a yellow car but he points out the window and calls out for the count. He does well with the word. His energy is amazing. He will have one more week of therapy as he has surpassed his development milestones in many areas and at level with others. Considering how far he had to come it is fabulous that he had managed this. His understanding of the world as it unfolds to him is unbelievable.
Today he and Faith enjoyed an old fashion mud puddle. It began as an area of dirt but with small amounts of water from their watering cans it was a great mud stew and a stick became a favorite tool. Just a moment ago he drug a small chair to the piano. There is a chair at the piano but he wanted his and he sat, reached high and played a tune. I could go on and on with the little things I am observing.
He is not the only one who is observing the world around them. Faith has had a huge challenge to alter her self centered ideas. She is loving but is the most selfish of the three children. Her tendency to be jealous or sassy has been bad lately so we are working on that one. Today I utilized the teachings of God through the story of Moses to work on following God's rules. She is a great big sister but tires easily with any responsibilities. To work on this I got her a classroom bunny and 100% of the work is hers. It does not matter that Grace also ended up with a bunny. I mean, Faith ended up with a donkey when Grace got one. So Grace will carry the burden for donkey food/barn/water and Faith for the bunnies. I noticed Faith observing what her bunny responded favorably to. I love it when I see a moment in their life.
The classroom must be done soon, no more delays. I will be sure to post pictures very soon.
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Survey says.....
This morning, while sitting in the waiting room to begin Owen's physical therapy, the news reported about a study of 200 smokers and found that those parents who smoke tend to have children who smoke. I thought is was so ridiculous that my mouth spoke about it before my brain thought. The room had about seven other people who were waiting. Half of them were ladies who had that ragged smoker skin look to them as well. So I said out loud, "really they need to have a study to show that children learn by the example set by their parents" followed by "and to think, people go paid to do that stupid study" The room looked at me as if they were clueless. I suddenly realized I was the only educated person in the room except for my 6 and 9 year old grandchildren. Grace thought is was hilarious and asked me how she could get a job like that some day.
Survey says...... children learn by the example put forth by their parents. In my little homeschool world that is a well known fact. Everything you see in parent magazines encourage you to read to your child early. Public service announcements tell parents that the first teacher a child will have is their parent. I cannot think of a single, most important teacher than a parent or other family members. Locally, in St. Louis, there are schools who have lost their accreditations and so local law will permit parents to enroll them into outlying schools at the cost of their own school district. It all sounds so crazy if you ask me. I can look a the primary lifestyle of most the members of the school districts that are failing and put it right back onto the parents more than the school. The example that uneducated and unprepared parents give lead to further failures in a failing school system. Just as the survey about smoking so goes the same survey if we addressed it toward a failing school.
I am not saying that I know the parents of the schools and I am sure there are many who are educated and trying hard to help their child succeed. I also know that statistics of the area will tell you that the overall truancy rate is high. I can imagine being a teacher in a district like this. Some will be well prepared but the many who are not, who did not get their studies done at home, are going to slow the entire process.
The school district that the grandchildren live in had horrible scores. Two years ago the won a beacon of light award for raising the scores so much. Mind you, they were still not at acceptable levels but they made such a huge increase and kept their accreditation. I checked into the award they won and found it to be an award meant to motivate inner city schools who were struggling and poverty rural area as well who were struggling to teach their children. So as the survey would imply the same goes for education. If a parent is struggling then so will the child. In a poverty stricken school district it is important to have parents who sit down each night and are engaged with what their child is doing in school. I am not saying that it does not happen at all but it does not happen to enough children. Perhaps it is because the parent is so tired from all the struggle and stress in their life. Perhaps they are exhausted from working so hard and long that day. Perhaps they are not even home because they are working two jobs in hopes of making life better for their children. But life does not get better if a parent does not give the example. Sure they will have hard working children (for those who have witnessed that in their own parents) but they will not be better off as they did not get the education they needed.
While it is true that many can survive the streets they cannot open their eyes and hearts and opinions when they are not well rounded in their education. So the cycle of the school district keeps on going.
It is becoming more and more clear to me that homeschooling is the preferred method for my grandchildren. I would love to do this for all my grandchildren but my son does not live as close and even if he did I don't think he agrees with the concept.
One thing I think about in the study about parents who smoke is that of course we all are the first teachers in a child's life. The example of the parent or the adult authority is the MOST important factor in what a child does and how a child learns.
Survey says...... children learn by the example put forth by their parents. In my little homeschool world that is a well known fact. Everything you see in parent magazines encourage you to read to your child early. Public service announcements tell parents that the first teacher a child will have is their parent. I cannot think of a single, most important teacher than a parent or other family members. Locally, in St. Louis, there are schools who have lost their accreditations and so local law will permit parents to enroll them into outlying schools at the cost of their own school district. It all sounds so crazy if you ask me. I can look a the primary lifestyle of most the members of the school districts that are failing and put it right back onto the parents more than the school. The example that uneducated and unprepared parents give lead to further failures in a failing school system. Just as the survey about smoking so goes the same survey if we addressed it toward a failing school.
I am not saying that I know the parents of the schools and I am sure there are many who are educated and trying hard to help their child succeed. I also know that statistics of the area will tell you that the overall truancy rate is high. I can imagine being a teacher in a district like this. Some will be well prepared but the many who are not, who did not get their studies done at home, are going to slow the entire process.
The school district that the grandchildren live in had horrible scores. Two years ago the won a beacon of light award for raising the scores so much. Mind you, they were still not at acceptable levels but they made such a huge increase and kept their accreditation. I checked into the award they won and found it to be an award meant to motivate inner city schools who were struggling and poverty rural area as well who were struggling to teach their children. So as the survey would imply the same goes for education. If a parent is struggling then so will the child. In a poverty stricken school district it is important to have parents who sit down each night and are engaged with what their child is doing in school. I am not saying that it does not happen at all but it does not happen to enough children. Perhaps it is because the parent is so tired from all the struggle and stress in their life. Perhaps they are exhausted from working so hard and long that day. Perhaps they are not even home because they are working two jobs in hopes of making life better for their children. But life does not get better if a parent does not give the example. Sure they will have hard working children (for those who have witnessed that in their own parents) but they will not be better off as they did not get the education they needed.
While it is true that many can survive the streets they cannot open their eyes and hearts and opinions when they are not well rounded in their education. So the cycle of the school district keeps on going.
It is becoming more and more clear to me that homeschooling is the preferred method for my grandchildren. I would love to do this for all my grandchildren but my son does not live as close and even if he did I don't think he agrees with the concept.
One thing I think about in the study about parents who smoke is that of course we all are the first teachers in a child's life. The example of the parent or the adult authority is the MOST important factor in what a child does and how a child learns.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Some days are heavy on a soul
Nothing has gone wrong. There are just so many things happening all at one time and I feel like I don't know from one moment to the next where I am going to land. I am flexible. I am flexible. I can bend. I can bend. I don't want to bend and be flexible as it is so exhausting on the soul.
My calendar if filling rapidly. It is filling with the things I want to do for teaching the girls. It is filling with things that I MUST teach the girls. It is filling with responsibilities that I have in commitments to others. It is filled with helping my mother get to and from a multitude of physicians. It is filled with helping my son when suddenly his little one was ill and could not go to day care. SO, everything else that was going to happened had to change. I have asked my mother to avoid Thursday appointments and the Mondays for zoo school. Other than that it is all fair game. By the time I get to her it is a 45 minute drive. To her appointments and back is several hours and then I have to get home again. That shoots the day for the girls. Kelley will begin her new job and that will mean Thurs. and Fri. are tied up.
My soul just feel so tired from juggling so much right now. I know I take it all on but I take on what the good Lord hands me. (yes, I know I sought the co-op and that is a different story)
Praise GOD that I can take it on still.
My calendar if filling rapidly. It is filling with the things I want to do for teaching the girls. It is filling with things that I MUST teach the girls. It is filling with responsibilities that I have in commitments to others. It is filled with helping my mother get to and from a multitude of physicians. It is filled with helping my son when suddenly his little one was ill and could not go to day care. SO, everything else that was going to happened had to change. I have asked my mother to avoid Thursday appointments and the Mondays for zoo school. Other than that it is all fair game. By the time I get to her it is a 45 minute drive. To her appointments and back is several hours and then I have to get home again. That shoots the day for the girls. Kelley will begin her new job and that will mean Thurs. and Fri. are tied up.
My soul just feel so tired from juggling so much right now. I know I take it all on but I take on what the good Lord hands me. (yes, I know I sought the co-op and that is a different story)
Praise GOD that I can take it on still.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)