Homeschooling through the sickness...

I find having to school with even one sick child challenging.  Today I got three children through all their subjects and one partially through and the sick kid... she spent a lot of time on the couch.  It was clear that the sicky would not be able to concentrate on bookwork.

I thought perhaps that I could turn on the TV and find a history or animal documentary but those things don't exist anymore.  It seems these days everything on channels that used to be somewhat educating are now swamped with "reality" shows that offer little besides a lot of bleeped out words or cheap entertainment.

So tomorrow the snow is supposed to let up some and I am heading to the library.  I am picking up arm loads of documentaries and non-text books to keep her busy on the couch and yet still learning at the same time.

Any other homeschoolers out there have any tips on how to have a "sickie" learning under the radar?  I'd love to hear some ideas on this!

Schedules and Limited Screen Time!

Who knew that a schedule would not only work to organize our hectic days but be embraced by my children as well.

Because of sickness we had been off schedule more than on and now that things are back to normal I've been hearing things like, "I like being on a schedule.  It makes me more productive."  Every one of the five kiddoes feel that way!  That is a huge praise.

Along with our time being mapped out we've also severely curtailed screen time (computer, video games and t.v.).  This too has had marvelous results.  My screen loving son actually got some puzzles out and started them!  Unheard of before.

We also severely curtailed copious amounts of free time.  They still have some but we've filled their days with school, chores, service to others, and skill building according to their personalities.  This prevents boredom, too much laying around being lazy and promotes a good work ethic and training for adulthood.

Also rather then separating out to do our own thing we have implemented family time in the evening.  Sometimes it's a game, sometimes a movie, TV show or listening and discussing a Generations Radio broadcast.

It's so easy to get caught up in doing our "own" thing.  It is good to reassess and make positive changes to bring the family closer together.

What do your families do?

Off To The Theatre!

Yesterday was City Girl's first Theatre Lesson at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre And School Of Theatre Arts.

She has recently become interested in acting and wanted to try it on for size.  We covered the cost of a Christian homeschool summer day camp for the arts for her and she loved it.  She decided that she wanted to try out for the winter play this group puts on.

It costs $175 to participate in the production and Farmer John and I had to tell her we couldn't afford that.  But because she was passionate about it we found a fundraising site and she gathered a portion of the money from donations of family, friends and blog readers and then Farmer John found her a summer child care position for a couple of weeks. Between the two she was able to cover the cost.

Audition day for Peter Pan came and went.  Finally the cast list was posted and ache of all motherly aches, she didn't make the cut.  She didn't get a part, not even a small one. To keep total devastation at bay I quickly got online to find out if there was some other drama program she could take part in.

I found out that the local Grand Rapids Theater did indeed have classes available for her age group and the cost was $135- money she had from above.

So for 10 weeks she will learn the basics of acting.  I wish it was under the shelter of the homeschool group instead of the Civic Theater but it is only a couple of hours a week for ten-weeks.  I will be praying for discernment for her.  Worldly theater can be, well, wordly.

I'm a firm believer that modern "culture" is the way it is because we Christians have abandoned it.  We should be leaders of culture and that is the reason I am letting my daughter foray into this field of interest.  Should she feel led by God to continue on then we will discuss ways for her to study to the fullest glory of her Savior, The Lord Jesus Christ.

Thank goodness the Lord knows the plans he has for us! 

Art Prize 2013

'Tis the season!  Grand Rapids annual art competition has arrived once more.  Since our daughter had a doctor's appt. downtown we took a field trip day and saw just a very small portion of what was entered in the contest.

 

 Pastels on wood- a rendition of the Last Supper

 

Even the River gets art in it.

 

...And the bridges...

 

Using recycled or found objects is always popular .

Sculpture and bells made from old oxygen tanks. My kids enjoyed those.

 

The Artist and an attendee play Amazing Grace on the bells.

 

Who doesn't love a family of giant yellow ducks?

 

Nemo was there.  This was made with tack nails and sequins.

 

Giant "recycled" dragon... old metal and tires, tube lights and a big propane tank to make it breathe fire in time to music.

Owls

 

Pandas

Bronze sculpture...

 

Or is it performance art?

Living plant wall art

 

We enjoyed ourselves and there was plenty of eye candy.  But after we got home my husband and I discussed that there was nothing we saw that really blew us away.  I guess I'm a traditionalist and am looking for art that I can't replicate, that takes real talent and skill not just a clever mind.  I'm sure that those pieces exist in the competition but we didn't come across them.  Again, we saw only a very tiny bit of what was on display. I will try to post and link to the winners when they are announced.  I'm sure those will be more traditional "fine" art.

Homeschooling In The Orchard!

 

We took our first homeschool field trip of the season today.  We went apple picking at the U-pick farm in Fennville.

 

They had tons of varieties to chose from.  We only got a few kinds. Some for baking, some for sauce and some for eating.  They are so much better then any grocery store apple.  It was almost like eating sweet, crisp candy.

 

I sense apple pie for dessert tonight.  The ladies over at Homestead Blessings are cidering.  What do you like to do with apples? 

 

I'm having some issues with uploading photos right now but if I get it working I have a lot of fun pictures to post.

 

 

 

 

Too Many Happenings Around The Homestead!

Sometimes I don't post because nothing particularly exciting is going on.  Other times like, these past few days, I don't post because there is too much going on.  My husband rotated to a new position at work, we started a school, we started a new schedule, and I've been canning tomatoes.

My husband has moved to receiving manager instead of administration manager. That means instead of closing the warehouse and getting home around 11:00pm, he opens the warehouse and goes in at 4:00am.  This also means that he gets up at 3:00am.  Guess what time I get to get up at?  Yep... 3:00am. Yeah!

I get up at that time to make John's coffee, breakfast and pack him a lunch.  Also, if I can stay awake, that gives me time to have a personal quiet time (that really is quiet), computer time, writing time, time to get ready for the day, time to clean and time to make breakfast for the kids before they get up and start their days.  It all looks really good on paper but 3:00am is really early.

The kids get up at 8:00 and eat, get ready for the day, do their morning chores and are ready to start school by 9:30. The school day keeps me busy rotating between children and their subject needs. Sometimes I am free if they don't need a lot of help.  Other times I have very little free time.  School is done by 4:00 and I get a few minutes to breathe before dinner prep, dinner, family time and bed.  It is a very full day but the schedule allows us to keep on task. There are days (like tomorrow- my daughter's birthday) that we throw out the schedule all together and just enjoy the day.  Also we had to toss the schedule yesterday because we have tomatoes to can.  But that is okay.  My goal is to be productive so schedule or no as long as what needs to get done, gets done it is a good day.

How do you do all you need to?

And now we wait....

 

We had a busy day, yesterday.  My oldest had tryouts for the Grand Rapids Homeschool Performing Art's Production of Peter Pan. She said she did well.  Not perfect- I guess the dance portion could have gone better- but she is content with her audition.  Now we wait for the e-mail that tells her if she got the part or not.  She could know as soon as today or as late as the end of the month.  Many thanks to family and Mr. Herrick Kimball of the Deliberate Agrarian for their financial donations to make this happen for her and to the Weber family for hiring her for childcare.

 

She isn't after any specific part. In fact she'd prefer a smaller one since this would be her first production but I know she hopes to get A part.  Even just part of the pirate chorus.  I told her I know she tried her best and now all we can do is ask the Lord to guide decisions.

I also am playing the waiting game. I applied (via essay) for a scholarship to a local writer's conference this fall. Deadline for entries is 8/15/13 and then I might not hear till the end of the month also.  Don't you just love waiting?

Homeschool Season Is Fast Approaching!

 

 

It's almost that time of year again.  Back to home-school!  I've got schedules made. (Notice mine- up above- starts at 3:00am in the morning. Yuck! But that is what time Farmer John has to get up for his new shift so, why not.  I hope to accomplish much in the wee hours while children slumber.) I also have subjects and curriculums picked out.  Now I need to individualize assignments and purchase the remaining things we need.

This is my first year schooling all five.  Last year I did start pre-school with my littlest but it was quite lax.  This year I'm starting her in Kindergarten so we'll see how she does. If she was in public school she wouldn't start until next year since she turns 5 after labor day.  I figure if she needs a couple of years of Kindergarten we're okay.

So here is the break down:

Seven (Junior in Highschool)

Algebra - Alpha Omega Life Pac
History/Geography- Great Courses Daily life in the Ancient World
Spanish - Instant Immersion
Biology-  Apologia
Personal Bible Study- her choice
Personal Reading- her choice
PE/Nutrition- Work out videos/Nutrition 101 Choose Life
Theater- Homeschool Performing Arts group
ACT Preparation/Study Manual
plus she has her general chores and homemaking/entrepreneurial skills to work on
(I'll assign writing/language arts based on her history course study)

Andi (Sophmore in Highschool)

Algebra- Alpha Omega Life Pac
History/Geography- Far Above Rubies
Spanish- Instant Immersion
Science- Far Above Rubies
Bible- Far Above Rubies
Personal Reading- her choice
Reading- Far Above Rubies
PE/Nutrition- Work out videos/Nutrition 101 Choose Life
Practical Arts- Far Above Rubies
Decorative/Perfoming Arts- Far Above Rubies
Health- Far Above Rubies
Writing- Far Above Rubies
plus she has her general chores and homemaking/entrepreneurial skills to work on and she will be teaching cursive penmanship to her little sister to refresh hers

Remington (Jr. High)

Math- Spectrum
Guitar- Private Lessons
Typing- Typing Instructor Platinum
Bible- Blessed Is The Man
History/Geography- Blessed Is The Man
Reading- Blessed Is The Man
Writing- Blessed Is The Man
Science- Blessed Is The Man
Health- Blessed Is The Man
Personal Reading- his choice
PE/Nutrition- Work out videos/Nutrition 101 Choose Life
plus he has his general chores and entrepreneurial skills to work on

Reagan (4th Grade)

Math- Spectrum
Reading- Mom's choice, her choice, sister's choice
Cursive- Handwriting Without Tears
Grammar- Up With Language
Spelling- All about Spelling
Science- Apologia
History- Various sources following topics listed in what your 4th Grader Needs To Know
Bible- Character Building For Families
Art- What your 4th Grader Needs To Know
PE/Nutrition- Work out video/Nutrition 101 Choose Life
plus she has general chores and homemaking skills

Taylor (Kindergarten)

Math- Alpha Omega Horizons
Reading- Alpha Omega Horizons
Writing- Alpha Omega Horizons
Bible- Character Building For Families
Art- What Your Kindergartener Needs To Know
PE/Nutrition- Work out video/Nutrition 101
plus she has general chores and homemaking skills

Whew!  There done!  It's not as heavy as it looks really except for my oldest who has decided to go to college at this point.  I really only work with the younger two as the olders teach themselves! I very much love homeschooling and am glad God led us in that direction.

What do you all use/do?  How do you fit it all in? Do you schedule or fly free?

A Rainy Day Is Welcomed!

I awoke this morning to the glorious sound of thunder rumbling and rain falling.  This was wonderful in two ways;first, it drowned out my two roosters crowing- my normal alarm clock at dawn and second it meant an inside day!  No one needed to mow or weed or pick strawberries.  I only needed to take care of chickens and let's face it... they kinda take care of themselves except for daily food, water and egg collection. (And my little peepers occasionally like to fly to the top of their fencing and sit on it and then fly off the fence into the yard, so I do check on them frequently so as to avoid my garden being eaten by teenage chickens.)

Our rainy day was spent quilting downstairs with homeschool friends and planning for next year's schooling.  My older two daughters and some of their friends have been meeting weekly and bi-weekly for some time making their first quilts.  Today was a daylong push to finish up the projects.  One young lady finished quilting hers today and we got the binding ready to sew up.  Now if my two can finish up their quilting we can bind theirs and shout a "Hurray, we're done!"  At this point in time I don't think any of the girls will take up quilting as a permanent hobby. 

I also spent sometime researching science curriculum for Seven.  She has decided to attend Grand Rapids Community College after graduating (in two years) to earn an associates degree in photography.  Since she is going the college route I need to make sure she has what is needed credit wise so she is eligible for entry.  After looking at what we have already accomplished and what we were planning on doing, science came up as the weak link. We are on track for everything else. She will study biology this year and chemistry next year  (Apologia- I think.) and then we are good. (Provided I can get her through algebra two and geometry.  Math is her downfall.) She will also need to be studying for the ACT.

I had to laugh at Seven when I told her we'd need to do biology in a little more structured format.  She was very concerned that she will have to dissect something.  But I told her not to worry they have computer programs for that now days.  Of course she will still be required to help with the chickens when the time comes.  Not exactly dissection but a close second. Oh, how I wish they had computer programs for that when I was her age.  I was totally freaked out by dissection.  I made my lab partner do the entire thing. Still shuddering about that.  There is a good reason I am not in a medical field other than as a herbalist.  Yuck.

The sun did eventually come out a bit this evening but quilting all day can actually tire a person out.  I did point out to the girls that they should be thankful to live in this time period and in this country or they might be (or have been) sitting in front of sewing machines day in and out getting paid very little for their work. They groaned at the thought and suddenly were very thankful for their current lives.  Perspective is always helpful.

Homeschool Photography

Last year my older girls did a study on photography.  This was not a class they took outside the home.  I do not like having to drive ten thousand places for every child so this was from a book checked out from the library.  They read it, studied and took notes on it and then I made assignments for them for each chapter.  They enjoyed it very much.  My oldest is even considering further study in the field.

One of my joys in homeschooling is seeing not only learning taking place but a love of it as well.  Now, you won't find my kids doing math for fun but just the other day the girls went outside and took these wonderful pictures all on their own.

I love it when learning becomes doing and time gets spent productively!

Lewis Family Version of Homework

Today was just too nice of a day to spend inside in school books.  That's the beauty of homeschool. We took the learning outside and did "Homework".

 

Science and art: Planting lettuce and greens, laying wood chip pathway, Painting stepping stones, placement of stepping stones.  The kids learned repurposing and frugality with this too.  The wood chips are all shredded in our chipper from fallen branches around our property. The stepping stones are left over wood from building our chicken tractor's nesting boxes.  The paint was leftover from the kid's bedrooms.

 

 More hands on garden experience: Three freshly tilled garden beds.  Our fourth bed wasn't tilled but covered in layers of leaves last fall and then covered with a tarp to promote decay.  We will compare which method (till or no till) produces better crops.

 

 Animal Husbandry: Feeding chickens dandelion greens, worms and grubs and learning that the chickens really prefer you to till the garden bed rather then do it themselves.

 

 Auto detailing:  Something my 12 year-old son is interested in doing to earn some $$.  Today was step one- learning how to properly wash the outside!

 

 Yes, a lot of kids are already proficient at washing cars by 12, 14 and 16 but when we were suburbanites our cars didn't need washing often and we just drove them through a pay car wash.  Now that we live on a dirt road the cars get a wee bit more filthy.  They will get a lot of practice.

For those of you who are freaking out because of lack of "studious" school, today we also had personal reading time, Bible study, WW2 history, and guitar practice. It was a full but fun day.

I'm Back!

Oh My Gosh!!! I still exist!  Getting serious about a great many things.  Farming... got chickens!  Bees are next. We've had our top bar bee hive for two years.  This is the year to finally get bees for it!  Also getting serious about writing and selling artisan products from the homestead.  More soon...

 

Reagan holding one of our "Little Peepers"!  12 Barred Rock Pullets.

Homeschool Art Appreciation

We are very lucky to live in the Grand Rapids area.  Every Sept. there is a huge art competition called Art Prize.  Artists from around the world enter and their art is displayed all over the city.  Thousands of entries!  It is so fun to go downtown and stroll the venues.  The kids get exposed to lots of art for the price of parking and the synthetic rubber on the bottom of their shoes.  (Oh, and the obligatory ice cream treat after spending the day walking all over.)  There are art pieces we marvel at, art pieces we "don't get" and of course the few "why do they think it is art?" pieces.  But the large expanse of creativity is amazing.  We do enjoy being "city people" for the day.

Ocean sculpture made from driftwood.  This sculpture rotated and everywhere you looked there were sea creatures carved into the wood.  We caught the whale on film.

 Gotta love a large toy truck!

"A Conversation With Myself"

This was one of those "I don't get it" pieces.

Tree fish

Iron horse sculpture

Collage

Bowling pin penguins

This sculpture is not bronze but wooden.

Field of flowers made from recycled plastic water bottles.

Carving/sculpture from limestone

Chainsaw wooden bears put all over the fountain at the Gerald Ford Museum.

Electric lightning interactive picture.  It changes colors!

Paper art

Who doesn't love a giant mousetrap?  We didn't test it out though.

You might be a redneck if.... you love fry pan art.  (I do!)

A huge children's sack lunch made entirely out of juice boxes.

I think this was my favorite.  It is a picture of the skyline of downtown Grand Rapids but it is made out of....

 thousands of post it notes!  I wanted to run my hand over it very badly.