Raising Little Shoots
-
Posts
358 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Blogs
Classifieds
Store
Posts posted by Raising Little Shoots
-
-
Hello all
please may I ask for wisdom from the boards ;)
Is there a resource just for diagramming? Something simple that can be done in short lessons? that starts right at the beginning & will hold this mother's hand. Oh, and something I can get hold of in England, please!
Thanks in advance
-
Yes, I agree with Ellie. The thing that helped my handwriting as a kid was learning calligraphy. I know it seems completely not intuitive that if you have a child who's really struggling to write legibly that you teach them really artful writing - after all, all you really want is just readable letters! - but I think it helps a lot of kids. Other things with small motor skills can also help, even at this age.
On the other hand, I think if it doesn't pan out, it's fine to move to the computer at this age. I've worked with some kids who just need to be typing and fighting it is just going to draw tears for everyone involved. So I would do both tactics simultaneously, at least for awhile. If she doesn't know how to type, Dance Mat Typing from BBC is a nice free intro and a good way to start.
Thank you for your thoughts. I think the 'pen' thing is a great idea. I am going to have a look for a fountain pen and ink.
-
Thank you Ellie
I did not know that and it will be most useful :)
-
Thank you, that is super helpful. I shall look into those fonts.
I should definitely have 'sat' on her more & observed her writing more closely. That will have to be the goal for our Autumn term.
-
Please can I ask for thoughts..
My daughter's writing is difficult to read. She is 11 yo & writes in cursive. It is getting tiny & not particularly uniform. Today is our last day of school, so I am going to leave it over the Summer break & come up with a plan for Autumn term. I am thinking to get her to do her writing on the computer & work one on one with her daily, on copy work / dictation until the situation is remedied, but wondering if any of you wise ladies had better suggestions...
-
I am wondering how much you do & how you fit it all in?
I am wanting to read most if not all of our read alouds before the kids do, so I can think them over & make notes. DD 11 & I are studying Latin together this year - 'getting started with Latin' so I thought it would be a good idea to study ahead. Then there is the maths...oh, the maths!
How do you do it?
-
I watched this video in March and I was inspired by it. I tried to think of ways to 'make honey' with my children without it begin contrived. I was not successful in thinking of any lasting ways. Then life happened and other things crowded out the brainstorming.
Thank you for bumping the video up in my thought processes. Now that planning for this coming school year is in full throttle, maybe I can think up ways on how 'making honey' will look for our family.
Please keep me posted on your thoughts :)
-
YES!!!!!! A year ago I heard a talk by Christopher Perrin, I think, that went along these lines...it inspired me to toss all my school-ish stuff from the school room and turn it into a comfy room that we can enjoy, with lovely art on the wall, real furniture, etc. I really did toss it all, the huge whiteboard that was hanging on the wall, the alphabet handwriting cards, the poster with the steps for the scientific method...everything! It really made a difference this past school year.
That reminds me, I need to clean up the mess that has slowly began to spread in the school room.....
That is interesting...we do not have a 'school room' as such. We work at the table in our dining room, but we have a BIG blackboard in there & various posters on the walls (world map, map of the UK, The British Year, kings & Queens)
-
I'm just throwing this out there, but could the schooling environment play a big part?
I teach preschool (not at the moment, but going back, and have always considered that my "calling"), and am a bit into a philosophy/method called Reggio Emilia, after the Italian town that first sparked this sort of teaching. The room is called the "third teacher," and much attention is given to the set up and atmosphere of that room. They use lots of loose parts and natural materials, because that is valued in that particular philosophy (for lack of a better word--it's more a method I guess,,,anyway...).
So for homeschooling, could part of the liturgy be the surroundings in which you teach? And that, in homeschooling, would really be about the home, wouldn't it? So beauty, for instance--making beauty something to soak in in the home--what would that look like? Famous pictures on the wall? Quotes hung in unexpected places? Music playing occasionally? Fresh flowers and nature tables and shells to play with? Open windows? Scents? Cleanliness and order, or maybe beauty in messes? LOL (THAT would be me...) And steeping in that beauty--you'd have to define it, somehow, a bit, wouldn't you?
The liturgies could involve seasonal decorations, or rituals that are meaningful, or family traditions--all would make up the environment, tangible and intangible, wouldn't they?
Much to think about--
What a great point! It ties in with Charlotte mason`s quote
Education is an atmosphere,a discipline,a life.
-
I'm mostly just commenting to follow and hear other responses, because I am a recovering school-at-home mom. ;) I watched that video a few weeks ago and loved it! I was wanting to watch it again, since I missed so much the first time, and couldn't remember where I had found it, so thank you for the link.
In regards to the above questions, I think the biggest things I'm finding to encourage more creativity in our elementary years is to cull out the unnecessary in our schooling, limit screen time, and fill their heads with great ideas and beautiful stories. At least I'm seeing the positive results of that in our home. I wanted to direct you to a podcast I'm currently listening to - Julie Bogart (of Brave Writer): One Thing Principle (I always have a hard time finding her podcasts, I know they are available on iTunes for free if you have trouble with that link I gave.) She addresses a lot of the questions you are asking - WHEN do we do those extra things that require planning or extra thought, over and above the delight-directed play? She talks about the differences between schedules and routines, and how we so often feel like a failure when we follow a schedule, but how by following a routine, we can build in time for extra things we want to accomplish, simply by taking one thing at a time. She discusses how to plan for it to make it doable. I love how she gives an example of building in an artist study and how to make it memorable. She is very practical and easy to implement.
Okay, now to :lurk5: ...
Thank you! I shall load that onto my iPod. It sounds intriguing.
-
You might like the book Project Based Homeschooling. It talks about how to create an atmosphere that encourages exploration and contemplation and attention. It pretty much answers all the questions you asked above. And while the word "project" is in the title, it's not about pre-planned projects that the parent chooses. It's about projects that the students chose for themselves.
I think one big factor in this kind of learning is allowing plenty of time for things to really soak in. It's so important to just live with an idea for awhile and to allow it to grow. Then there can actually be real fruit, or honey. :)
You might also find The Living Page to be helpful in thinking about and understanding how to implement this concept.
Thank you
I actually used to read Lori`s blog. I have not read the book so must look into it.
I am currently reading the living page :)
-
Inspiring isn't it!
Thank you for the bump.
-
The Liturgical Classroom, Virtue & Renewal of Education
I have only watched this video once so far (hoping to watch again this afternoon) but it made me feel so excited about what *could* be achieved in my own home. The 'making honey' was just beautiful. I went on two silent weekend retreats very recently (November & January) & personally explored Lectio Divina whilst there & I was able to see the fruit it bore in my own life.
I was hoping that more experienced mums could share how this process works with your own children? The 'making honey' part. I gave up 'pointless' crafts a few years back, and this year began to see that a lot of projects don't work for us. (you know the type!)They drain me & the kids don't actually seem to learn much. The Circe discussions have just been a series of lightbulb moments for me & I have pared back our requirements. Well, actually no. I have pared back the wide spread of 'lessons/resources' but this year I think I will actually require *more* from us all (me included)
So, to get back on track, how do your children 'make honey'? Do you guide them towards activity? (write a poem, paint, get out the clay etc) or do they create naturally? If so, how did you guide them to that place? How do you 'make it happen' regarding time? Do you have a set block of time for this stage of responding, or, for example, is the time found from the time you have allocated to literature (if the response is to what you are reading?) OR do you just have not time planned for anything & just have 'things to be done' so this fits in pretty seamlessly ?
My own children often do come up with their own responses. For example, we have been reading Norse myths this year & my 11 yo DD made herself a book into which she wrote in Runes, drew pictures etc. But I would like to create the opportunity for this to happen more frequently. I see that TIME would be a key factor...
I hope this question is clear, I do not write very well. Please excuse me.
Thanks for sharing any thoughts you may have, I know we are all busy mums here.
-
Also, would this be an accurate resource for us:
http://www.montessoriforeveryone.com/Plant-Kingdom-Chart-Masters_p_38.html
TIA!
-
Hello all!
DD & I are working in our nature journals. We decided to classify 'Feverfew' (herb)
& now I am hugely confused.
First of all, could someone help me out with classification itself?
We found two different tables:
Kingdom
Phyllum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
Kingdom
Sub kingdom
Superdivison
Division
Class
Subclass
Order
Family
Genus
Species
So which one would be 'correct' or most widely used?
Also, what category in the second table does 'phylum' equate to?
Thank you for bearing with me!!! Help most appreciated !
-
Not sure everywhere has clay. Outside of a baseball diamond at the local park, we don't.
A friend of mine posted this about a fortnight ago. I've started to use the principle ideas with my bored ones when their school day is done:
oh, I just *love* this!
-
I agree with Mandy. There really are only so many hours in a day.
Is it possible to combine some subjects ? Is it possible to study, say, Logic for 3 months & science for the rest of the year?
-
I am still here... :)
-
1
-
-
Wow! well done to you *both!*
-
I think writing on a blog is a great idea! You could also have her write Amazon reviews for the books. Also you can include art in the "commonplace book" or journal. She could draw her favorite scene, doodle and so on.
One idea from Bravewriter that I cannot wait to implement is to read a book before they do and to put post it notes throughout asking interesting questions, pointing out vocabulary or allusions, or simply just "yay you made it to chapter 10, come see me, let's make brownies."
I think as long as the child can own the process and it doesn't morph into a school type assignment...go for it!
I really like your suggestions...
I have ordered her a little book (see post above) but have not yet decided whether it should be blog or book :) She does like having little notebooks & I thought that it would be a more permanent record of her reading...
she will enjoy sketching out scenes etc & I LOVE the sticky note idea, thanks
-
That sounds lovely!
I have just ordered this one for my daughter. I liked that it was lined & had a sewn binding.
Our daughters are the same ages! I have an 8 yo also :)
-
So after researching & also reading part of 'The Living Page', which arrived yesterday, I do think keeping a Commonplace Book would actually sum up what I am looking for.
I found this piece on keeping a commonplace book most helpful.
I hope it is of use /inspiration to someone else!
-
I just found this quote:
"It is very helpful to read with a commonplace book or reading-diary, in which to put down any striking thought in your author, or your own impression of the work, or of any part of it; but not summaries of facts. Such a diary, carefully kept through life, should be exceedingly interesting as containing the intellectual history of the writer; besides, we never forget the book that we have made extracts from, and of which we have taken the trouble to write a short review." -Charlotte Mason
This is what I am thinking of, but did not realise it :)
-
My daughter is 11 years old. We have read aloud time during the day & we discuss what we are reading as we go along.
She also has required reading that she usually does in the evening (she is my night owl)
I thought that it would be a great idea to reflect on her reading via keeping a blog. But I don't want to turn this into something dull. I would like this to be 'authentic reflection' IYSWIM?
This is all so new to me (my summer plans are to self ed re. Lit. analysis) Would anyone have suggestions of prompts I could print & discuss with her that she could refer to as she blogs. I feel like I don't need a huge long list, just a short succinct list that will lead to meaningful reflection on her part...
Thank you for any thoughts you can share!
Diagramming
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted
Thank you. I can get that in England :)
Have you used it yourself? If so how was it? My grammar is rubbish, so I need some serious hand holding....