Part of my New Year's Resolution was to get better about our homeschool structure and curriculum. So, I set out to find a schedule and structure that would work for a family that didn't really do structure and schedule. Turns out that is harder to find than I thought. Most of you homeschoolers out there have it way more together than I do!
The Waldorf-Steiner educational philosophy has long been something I found fascinating. I love the emphasis it places on the role of imagination in learning and it's focus on the coordination of education with the rhythms of everyday life. If I had my wish (and money was no object) I'd have them enrolled in the Atlanta Waldorf School in a heartbeat. I really truly think this philosophy of education breeds imaginative, innovative free thinkers with a love of learning. And that is an approach to education I desperately want for my girls.
Since we're not ready for fork over $10k for Preschool/Kindergarten right now, I set out to find an inexpensive (or free!) Waldorf style curriculum to use for our homeschool trial. Since Waldorf doesn't really emphasize a strict curriculum for pre-school and Kindergarten I found a site that has great information on Waldorf philosophy as well as some of the stories, fingerplays, songs, and crafts that make up it's early curriculum.
I'd been avoiding tackling this project but with the help of the links I've included above I've managed to create a great Waldorf style rhythm that works for both girls.
Part of Waldorf is having days of the week being designated for specific activities. Which means Mondays are now Baking Days, Tuesdays are Watercolor Days, and Wednesdays are Clay Days. This gives the girls a chance to know exactly what creative exercises we'll be doing on what days and allows for a bit more structure and predictability in their schedule.
Since it just seems impossible for me to fully commit to a schedule, Thursdays are "Wild Card" Days and Fridays are Field Trip Days. I need just a little wiggle room in our schedule so this seemed like the best compromise.
I feel great having finally gotten this part of our life organized, structured, and down on paper! I can't wait to see the difference it makes in our homeschooling weeks!
To see what other moms are tackling this week, head over to 5 Minutes for Mom for more Tackle It Tuesday!
Showing posts with label homeschooling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label homeschooling. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Thursday, September 18, 2008
How to Make a Rain Stick
Since we're studying the weather, I've been looking for some cool weather related craft ideas for Kai to do. One of the coolest ones I found was the Rain Stick craft. It was easy, fun, and not something that made a big huge mess in my dining room (not that I'm opposed to big huge messes in the name of creativity).
It didn't turn out stunningly beautiful (it's the process not the product, right?) which, of course, could be because we didn't quite follow all the instructions. But we did have a fun time making the rain stick and it lasted a whole 48 hours before being completely destroyed by my kids.
Insert toothpicks at various locations/angles on the rain stick.
Add rice to the tube and seal up remaining end.
Break off ends of toothpicks and wrap tube in duct tape.
Add stickers, paint, glitter, and ribbons.
Shake it up and enjoy the sounds of the rain!
It didn't turn out stunningly beautiful (it's the process not the product, right?) which, of course, could be because we didn't quite follow all the instructions. But we did have a fun time making the rain stick and it lasted a whole 48 hours before being completely destroyed by my kids.
Supplies Needed:
Duct Tape, Paper Towel Roll, Scissors, Rice, Toothpicks, Paper, Stickers, Paint, Ribbons, etc. (and one super cute kiddo!)
Duct Tape, Paper Towel Roll, Scissors, Rice, Toothpicks, Paper, Stickers, Paint, Ribbons, etc. (and one super cute kiddo!)
Trace the ends of your paper towel roll (or 3 toilet paper rolls) and cut out small circle to create a cap on each end.
Seal up one end by taping the cap down onto the paper towel roll.
Insert toothpicks at various locations/angles on the rain stick.
Add rice to the tube and seal up remaining end.
Break off ends of toothpicks and wrap tube in duct tape.
Add stickers, paint, glitter, and ribbons.
Shake it up and enjoy the sounds of the rain!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
What I've learned from my first homeschool month
1. Homeschooling freaking rocks! Don't make fun of me. We are really loving it!
2. Scheduling minute by minute is definitely not my thing: I tried using a lesson plan book and scheduling every single second of the day. But, freaking out because we are 2 minutes late for "snack time" is too stressful to be worth it. I'm thinking that making a list of objectives for the day is a much more productive and Loving family appropriate way to do this. We just don't do well with overscheduling.
3. I'm more organized than I thought I was: I found some awesome organizers and record keeping sites for homeschoolers/unschoolers and it has helped me to recognize and record just how much we are doing at home. It is amazing to see how much education a child unintentionally receives over the course of the day.
4. I'm definitely a homeschooling/unschooling hybrid: I don't fit into one category. **Shocking, I know!** But, I have come to think I am definitely some kind of cross between these two styles. I need a bit more structure than some of the hardcore unschoolers and yet I just can't embrace the whole single curriculum/home classroom model either.
In the end, we've ended up having a learning objective list for the week and the month with activities, worksheets, books, videos, and field trips planned throughout the month. We do alot of hands on activities and not so many work sheets. We're learning math at the park, science through art projects, and history through story books. We're learning traditionally and unconventionally and we're really enjoying every minute of it.
5. It's seems to be about finding your child's rhythm: Kai tends to pay better attention in the morning to subjects like math and science. Worksheets that are going to be done for the day need to be done then. But, afternoons she's more creative and experimental and those hands-on projects are best saved for after our "siesta" time. Any extracurricular classes that require paying lots of attention we do in the a.m., but ballet/tap/physical activities are best planned for later in the afternoon to help her work off energy and settle down for the evening. Of course, rhythm can be fickle and we are learning to be flexible to what her daily needs are.
6. I have very little figured out. As with any journey into education, I think half of the experience is realizing how little you really know. There is so much I am figuring out and I am in awe of those career homeschoolers who have been doing it for years. I don't know know how long we'll do this. I don't know whether all of our kids will be a fit. I don't know whether or not I'll ultimately be able to pull off everything that is involved. But, I do know that for now it is working and that we'll keep it up as long as it is...
2. Scheduling minute by minute is definitely not my thing: I tried using a lesson plan book and scheduling every single second of the day. But, freaking out because we are 2 minutes late for "snack time" is too stressful to be worth it. I'm thinking that making a list of objectives for the day is a much more productive and Loving family appropriate way to do this. We just don't do well with overscheduling.
3. I'm more organized than I thought I was: I found some awesome organizers and record keeping sites for homeschoolers/unschoolers and it has helped me to recognize and record just how much we are doing at home. It is amazing to see how much education a child unintentionally receives over the course of the day.
4. I'm definitely a homeschooling/unschooling hybrid: I don't fit into one category. **Shocking, I know!** But, I have come to think I am definitely some kind of cross between these two styles. I need a bit more structure than some of the hardcore unschoolers and yet I just can't embrace the whole single curriculum/home classroom model either.
In the end, we've ended up having a learning objective list for the week and the month with activities, worksheets, books, videos, and field trips planned throughout the month. We do alot of hands on activities and not so many work sheets. We're learning math at the park, science through art projects, and history through story books. We're learning traditionally and unconventionally and we're really enjoying every minute of it.
5. It's seems to be about finding your child's rhythm: Kai tends to pay better attention in the morning to subjects like math and science. Worksheets that are going to be done for the day need to be done then. But, afternoons she's more creative and experimental and those hands-on projects are best saved for after our "siesta" time. Any extracurricular classes that require paying lots of attention we do in the a.m., but ballet/tap/physical activities are best planned for later in the afternoon to help her work off energy and settle down for the evening. Of course, rhythm can be fickle and we are learning to be flexible to what her daily needs are.
6. I have very little figured out. As with any journey into education, I think half of the experience is realizing how little you really know. There is so much I am figuring out and I am in awe of those career homeschoolers who have been doing it for years. I don't know know how long we'll do this. I don't know whether all of our kids will be a fit. I don't know whether or not I'll ultimately be able to pull off everything that is involved. But, I do know that for now it is working and that we'll keep it up as long as it is...
Friday, August 8, 2008
And then she ate the baby...
In my not-so-brilliant attempt to teach Kai about dinosaurs (that's what we're studying this month) I found Jurassic Fight Club today while flipping through channels and thought it might be cool to show her what dinosaurs look like.
I mean, it's on the History Channel, so how scary could it be, right? She wasn't really scared to see the dinosaurs fighting. She thought that was cool. And when I told her the mommy dinosaur was protecting her baby she thought that was even cooler. That mommy dinosaur kicked some serious butt and I think moms became a little cooler in her mind after seeing that.
But, perhaps I should have screened the show first, because when I told her that her mommy was like that dinosaur and would protect her just like that mommy dino did I didn't realize what was coming next.
Immediately after saying that, the big bad boy dinosaur killed the baby and was then beaten up by the mommy dinosaur. And then it happened. The mommy dinosaur ate her own baby. 'Cause, you know, she needed some food after all that fighting.
And Kai looked at me suspiciously and said, "So, if I die, will you eat me, too?"
I mean, it's on the History Channel, so how scary could it be, right? She wasn't really scared to see the dinosaurs fighting. She thought that was cool. And when I told her the mommy dinosaur was protecting her baby she thought that was even cooler. That mommy dinosaur kicked some serious butt and I think moms became a little cooler in her mind after seeing that.
But, perhaps I should have screened the show first, because when I told her that her mommy was like that dinosaur and would protect her just like that mommy dino did I didn't realize what was coming next.
Immediately after saying that, the big bad boy dinosaur killed the baby and was then beaten up by the mommy dinosaur. And then it happened. The mommy dinosaur ate her own baby. 'Cause, you know, she needed some food after all that fighting.
And Kai looked at me suspiciously and said, "So, if I die, will you eat me, too?"
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Jumping in
It's less than 2 months until we officially start the homeschool journey with Kai. We'll be doing some preschool/kindergarten with her to see how things go. This is our test year. Our year to see if I am able to pull this off.
We chose this age 'cause we decided if it didn't work out, at least she wouldn't be behind the other kids her age. But, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit nervous to try this.
Still, I think it will be an exciting adventure for Kai, me, and the rest of the family.
My biggest fear is socialization. Or rather, lack thereof. I tend to be a bit on the introverted side in real life (the internet gives me amazing courage) so my biggest worry is that my tendency to withdraw in social settings will ultimately affect Kai in a negative way.
But, I'd love to know, oh blogosphere friends, do those of you homeschooling have any words of wisdom for a fledgling homeschool mom embarking on this journey? And tips for making sure she's educated and sociable??
We chose this age 'cause we decided if it didn't work out, at least she wouldn't be behind the other kids her age. But, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit nervous to try this.
Still, I think it will be an exciting adventure for Kai, me, and the rest of the family.
My biggest fear is socialization. Or rather, lack thereof. I tend to be a bit on the introverted side in real life (the internet gives me amazing courage) so my biggest worry is that my tendency to withdraw in social settings will ultimately affect Kai in a negative way.
But, I'd love to know, oh blogosphere friends, do those of you homeschooling have any words of wisdom for a fledgling homeschool mom embarking on this journey? And tips for making sure she's educated and sociable??
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
