weederberries
-
Posts
290 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Blogs
Classifieds
Store
Posts posted by weederberries
-
-
1) If you needed this type of evaluation for your child, would you prefer to work with a psychologist who homeschools?
2) Are there other services you'd want to see offered, such as social skills training for kids or psychotherapy for parents?
3) Do you know of other barriers that might make it difficult for homeschoolers to seek or benefit from these types of evaluations?
4) If you are a Christian, would you be comfortable seeking an evaluation from a secular psychologist?
5) Do you forsee any problems with my idea?
1) I'd pursue this first, but depending on the cost and/or insurance coverage, I'd likely end up at the public school. However, I would distrust the public school's motives in testing and treating my children and I like that my local schools don't even know my kids exist.
2) How about standardized testing for the curious? I've never had my kids tested for anything. I don't know what process I would pursue if I wanted to test them against the norms of the state. Services for a potential professional partners would be speech therapy, reading remediation, etc. These are services normally offered through the school district, that I would think twice about enrolling my child in.
3) Cost.
4) I wouldn't hesitate to seek evaluation from a secular psychologist, but I would prefer to seek any necessary ongoing treatment/counseling from a Christian psychologist who would guide my child in a biblical way. I was counseled for a few years by someone who didn't understand or appreciate my Christian view point on issues like divorce and death. I navigated those instances as an adult, but I don't think that my children could accommodate those or would feel comfortable confronting advice/comments that contradicted these beliefs.
-
I love spiral bound books and like to have my regular books sliced and spiral bound. I have often taken a large book and bound it in two volumes. I would suggest taking it to your nearest office store and they can split the volume (you tell them where) and put a sturdy clear cover on the front and back. Copy the table of contents and/or the index for the second book if it will make it more useful to you. I really like to customize my books, sometimes even rearranging sections to make them useful. You'll find two smaller volumes more manageable.
I store my spirals in a magazine box for daily use. When I stash them away for future years, I lay them flat in the boxes. I use a post-it sticky tab for a bookmark and that limits the individual page flipping that can weaken the binding. I can then flip the book open to the right page in one clump.
-
Oh gosh yes, this os what I really don't get. WHY do people say that?
I've always taken it as a way for them to validate my choice, but excuse themselves from the guilt they are already feeling about theirs.
This is a broad generalization, but I've come to this conclusion after having many conversations with other parents. Most people in the world have never given homeschooling any significant thought. I'd guess that most those who have, dismissed it quickly with an excuse. Homeschooling requires sacrifice. Each family sacrifices differently, but the sacrifice of career, money, time to pursue adult interests, unwillingness to pursue educational goals for oneself and many others are immediate stumbling blocks to potential homeschoolers. I see this response as a reaction that illustrates their priorities. Whatever excuse they give for not being able to homeschool is what they value more than the benefits you and I see to homeschooling. Once, I actually agreed with someone who said they wished they could homeschool, but... They had a very good reason not to do it (I can't remember it now). Most of the time, I make a gentle comment like, "it's a sacrifice" and then I change the subject. The bottom line is that I don't want anyone to organize my priorities for me, so I have to be ok with the priorities others choose. I choose my words carefully to not cause undue guilt, but I can't help it if their own conscience is prompting them to look deeper at their priorities. ;)
-
We went through an intense chore instruction time about a year ago. They learned to do the laundry, load and empty the dishwasher, vacuum, surface clean the bathroom, etc. Then we divvied out all of the chores among the three of them. They each have a list of about 8 chores, ranging from feeding the dog to vacuuming upstairs. It should take about 30 minutes to complete their lists. They must complete the chores by 9am or they may not participate in the activity/privilege for the day (scouts, gymnastics, movie night, etc). This goes a long way toward keeping order in the house.
I expect surface cleaning from them, which frees me to do deeper cleaning. Prior to this, I was so overwhelmed by just the surface cleaning, that I couldn't get around to deep cleaning. Now I have the time to do that. They feel proud when they accomplish their chores and we do have battles over chores sometimes, but overall, it makes it possible for our house to continue at an acceptable level. It's never perfect.
The kids are responsible for waking up, completing chores, dressing and eating breakfast by 9am. We start school by 9:15 and finish about noon, sometimes as late as 1pm, depending on their level of cooperation. We eat lunch and clean up the school room and the lunch table before our activity for the day. After that, they are free to play and I take time for my specific household, volunteer, and social tasks before making dinner.
It is my opinion that it is important for even young children to have a significant role in the running of the house. You have a near full-time job in teaching them, so others may need to step up to make the house run smoothly. Help them see the investment they are making in the home, the family and their education by giving them responsibilities. It doesn't' mean you won't have battles and struggles (oh, how I wish it did), but it does set a standard in your home and family.
-
For those who give your kids "free reign" do you set any limits at all?
Of course. The limits are on what they eat, where they eat, and indirectly on when they eat.
They can choose a healthy snack from the three designated spots. The fruit bowl, the fruit and veggie bin in the fridge or cheese and boiled egg tray. We only have water (milk is for meals, but I guess they've never thought to "snack" on milk). If there are less healthy options in the house, they know to ask (more like beg). Our food limitations stem from the messes they make. Their freedom to choose a snack means that sometimes I find a string cheese wrapper in the toy box, banana stickers on the couch cushions, or the worst: empty yogurt container behind the books on the shelf. Unacceptable! They lose the freedom to serve themselves a snack when this happens and I dole out the food only when they are sitting at the table (the only appropriate snack location in our house).
My children can eat a 3 course meal, then turn around and eat again 20 minutes later, so I don't worry about spoiling dinner. I often put a tray of veggies out on the table to stave off the whining while I'm cooking dinner. "Is it ready yeeeeeeet? What are we haaaaaaaving?" It's never happened, but if they spoiled their dinner on carrots and bell peppers, I wouldn't be upset.
Our daily schedule naturally limits the times when they eat. They eat breakfast before school and we grab a quick snack during our break. Lunch is served when school is over and then we have some sort of activity or go to the park. They eat a snack when we return. They start whining about food at 5pm, which is when the veggies go out because we often don't eat dinner until 7pm. Bedtime follows shortly. I'm thinking of taking some crunchy veggie snacks upstairs to the school room to stimulate their brains while we study instead of snacking during our break. It goes against my instincts because of the messes they make when they eat.
If we have a lazy day, a rainy day when boredom sets in, they want to eat more frequently. They are also more prone to ask for snacks if there is something unhealthy around. I can't tell if it is because the unhealthy snacks are less satisfying and they need to eat again more quickly or if they just like the idea of eating something prepackaged and junky.
We do go through copious amounts of food. It's amazing how many vegetables we cut and eat in a week. If they choose to sit and eat a weeks worth of veggies in a day, I don't rush out to buy more. I might not wait the whole week, but I don't replace the week's supply daily.
I think there can be freedom within the reasonable boundaries of your family. Provide nutrient dense snacks within your budget and allow them to choose the timing and content. On the other hand, if you like to prepare 5-6 meals/snacks a day and you enjoy sitting at the table together during these times, I don't see a reason you should force this "freedom." I need a few snacks that don't require my supervision for my sanity.
-
My 6 yo second grader got this simply. I read the problem to him first, though he wouldn't have trouble with the language on his own and when he accepted the challenge, he took over rereading for the details. He immediately noticed that purple was missing from the list. He made a chart, listing the weekdays, assigning each a number and writing the colors below.
I agree that the stumbling block most ps second graders would face would be the reading/comprehension.
-
We have a veggie and cheese bin in the fridge, as well as a fruit bowl that the children are allowed to "raid" anytime they like. I have put limits on these when I started finding food stuff upstairs, where it is not allowed. For a time, I require permission. Like a previous poster, though, they never stop eating, so I have to make sure that these options are healthy. Everything else requires permission. Whenever we have something around like cake or cookies, it has to go into the pantry, which has a keyed lock. The lock keeps out the children, but it is mainly for the dog, who can open doors (yes, it's as ridiculous as it sounds). My children will consume an entire cake in one sitting if left to their own devices, so items that are inappropriate for "snacking" are off limits. I can designate items as ingredients and they will leave them alone, usually.
If our budget required a tighter rationing of reasonable snacks, I would have different rules in place. As it is, we are able to refill the fruit bowl and veggie bin every other day, without detriment. If I had snackable food stores, those would most definitely be off limits.
My kids are saving for a new video game system in a jar. We contribute to the jar weekly, but when they eat something they aren't supposed to (i.e. a entire bag of chocolate chips), we require they pay to replace them from the savings jar. If taking food designated for other things is a problem for your son, he can be asked to replace them from his own funds.
My personal philosophy is that a 14 yo boy should have enough self-control, responsibility and independence to choose his snacks within the boundaries of the family rules. No one eats the food stores, no one may consume inordinate amounts of any food, and one must notify the list maker when an item is in short supply. If you can place some reasonable boundaries, a teen should be given authority over his snacks.
-
Drawing triangles with specific angles and leg lengths is difficult. I'd try tracing, measuring actual items or something less taxing on the fine motor skills.
-
We school year round, beginning our year in January and ending around Thanksgiving. We take time off when we need it. We usually travel about a month in the fall, but I don't consider it "time off" since it is always educational.
We get our stuff done and don't worry about a schedule. We promote to a new "grade" at the new year, so about half a year, my kids are in a sunday school class at the level below them until everyone else promotes in August. Oh well.
The heat in the summer is one major reason for this as well. It's nice to have a few hours of planned a/c time. We don't have too much trouble playing with neighbor kids because we only school 3-4 hours a day and we move our school time to the hot part of the days in summer.
-
I read this book this week. EYE OPENING! I now understand myself and my schooling and am ready to implement some big, big changes for my three Dreamer children.
Strong-Willed or Dreamer? has explained why taking risks, trying new things is so frightening and that guiding them with gentle reminders of their past successes because of their efforts is what will gradually make it easier for them.
-
A#1 would be a nap.
Sounds like a great place for some research projects or papers.
Foreign Language study
I think I'd probably utilize it for our core subjects shared at all levels. (independent work at home)
-
We also reference What the Bible is All About and there is a Visual Version for 10 and up and an adult version in various translations.
-
We are really, really enjoying the Picture Smart Bible curriculum right now. It is appropriate for all ages (6 and up). We are not reading the Bible cover to cover, but only major stories and verses because of the age of my students. This is a survey course that helps solidify the theme of each book through pictures and symbols that you draw/trace as you study (no drawing skills necessary - trust me). It could create the framework for your own study. It gives good explanations of events and goes to great lengths to illustrate (literally and figuratively) the theme of each book and demonstrate the reference to Christ found in each book of the Bible. It encourages you to read the books entirely, memorize key verses and complete the picture survey, but you might need a supplement to delve deeper within each book. There is no reason this couldn't be used along side a deeper study curriculum if the offerings here aren't what you're looking for.
I'd suggest that you download a sample lesson to see if it is aiming for what you would like. Students (and teacher) create an illustrated page for each book of the Bible that compile into a nice visual summary of the Book. With my young children, they are getting the grand picture both of each book as well as the over-arching story of the Bible. You can study as deeply or superficially as you'd like. Drawing the pictures makes it stick in my mind.
Attached are two pictures of my 6 year old's work. He drew/traced those pictures and can tell you the major events and the significant verses from that book by examining the elements he drew to represent each one. For instance, regarding the top right corner of the Exodus page, he'd probably say something like: Moses ran to the desert (arrow), married Zipporah (ring with a backwards Z ;) ), Moses is a shepherd for 40 years and learns about the desert so he can lead the people later (staff, "40 years" and "God's School of the Desert"), God speaks to him from the burning bush (Bush, white cloud represents God), Moses argues with God 4 times ("but 4x"), So God sends Aaron with him ("Aaron 4:16"). He's very proud of his work and we store each sheet in a binder with page protectors. We'll do this course again in Middle School and study the Word in more depth.
-
I usually emphasize the ability to individualize each child's education to their strengths and capabilities. That's enough to satiate the polite asker.
If I judge that as well-recieved, I might elaborate that it frees our schedule to travel and explore in less-traditional forms. It frees us to begin teaching when my children are eager to learn, rather than waiting for a birthday cut-off. We are free to choose subjects that are appropriate for their level regardless of age or what classmates are capable off. We explore their strengths in depth, move past mastered concepts quickly and linger on more difficult concepts. In a light-hearted way, I add that we enjoy sleeping in, vacations at off-peak times, and museums on weekdays.
This focuses our choice on the direct benefits to us, not against or compared to another's choice. As soon as you start to rank or quantify schools there is the potential for offense.
If they are still smiling, I might discuss my deeper philosophy. It pushes the envelope to ranking the schools as inferior to what I provide (and perhaps what others could choose to provide), but not judging those who participate in schools. I mention that homeschooling has worked for us so far, that our responsibility is to give our kids the best available education and I choose to be available at home. If and when the best available is no longer at home, we will happily enroll them in the school that will serve them better. I know that homeschooling is not an option for everyone for many reasons and their best available education lies in a school institution.
It's a more polite way of saying, "our schools don't do our kids any favors by lumping them together and I refuse to buy in to the philosophy that schools know better than parents." It might just cause some to think about whether they could provide something better for their kids at home. They might decide they can not, but a little seed of thought that it is the parents' responsibility to provide the best education possible and that state schools aren't necessarily the best is good for Americans to consider.
-
P.S.
Prepare to be shocked, by the prices you will pay in the UK or in Europe! Far more expensive than in the USA.....
We've been there several times. We were shocked the first time, but it's all part of the planning that goes into this business move. Prices around London, where we would go, are about double. Food in Germany is pretty cheap, but I don't know much about lodging. Milk is half the price as here. I've only lived the tourist life in France, which is always pricey. We've never been to Ireland.
-
Instinctually, I say no.
I could be motivated to tutor.
I could also be motivated to "cottage school" where the other mom is present during school hours and assists her child or my children as fit, perhaps taking on some lessons on her own.
-
Thanks, ladies.
This helps. I got the hare-brained idea last night to consider putting the kids in state school if we land in Germany. They'd pick up the language more quickly (they already study it now, since dh and I speak some and we have many German friends) and it would be a great immersion opportunity. School is only 4 hours long there and I'd still have time to do some english classes with them a couple of days a week. It'd be quite a shock, being their first time in a standard school environment, but I'll keep it in the back of my mind as a possibility. I guess I'd consider it in France as well, for the language opportunity.
-
My husband's (US) company is thinking of branching to Europe. Many of their clients are European, but they don't have the physical presence required to grow further. Our family would be part of the lucky team to start the new offices. The discussion now centers around location. The options are: England, Ireland, France or Germany.
If you have any specific experience homeschooling in any of these countries, knowledge of the legalities involved or can guide us to information about doing so, we would much appreciate it. Our stay would last about one year.
I do know that homeschooling is illegal in Germany, but I'm curious if there is a certain type of visa that would allow us to maintain our US rights to educate our children while there. Perhaps our "school" can apply for an educational visa and take a study abroad approach. :-)
We have taken our kids to several european countries in the last 2 years, tagging along on Dad's month-long business trips. As we were on a tourist visa and our stay was short, we didn't concern ourselves with the legalities at the time.
Thank you!
-
I have five, ages 11, 9, 7, 4 and 2, and I hear you, sister. :laugh:
One thing that has worked well for us is to get bins that latch and can't be opened by little hands, or bins that go up high in closets that can't be reached. The littles get out one bin at a time, if they want a different type of toy, the first bin has to be picked up and put away. A few toys are left out where they are accessible, but not many.
This is how I survived 3 under 3 years old. Those locking boxes are amazing...until they learn to open them around age 5 or 6.
-
I'm sure there are lots of golden nuggets of advice in the prior posts. I haven't read them yet.
Here's my caution to add to your situation, which is largely, just like mine:
I have 3 kids. They have 3 chores in 3 different areas of the house which I trained them to do because if they are in the same room, they get nothing done at all for all the bickering or playing. The trouble is, I can only get one kid to comply at a time. My 6yo picks up clutter in the rooms with wood floors (the entry and the hall). My 8 yo picks up clutter in the 2 tiled rooms. My 9yo picks up the carpeted room (which is often the messiest). "Ok kids, pick up the clutter, while I (wash the pots and pans, clean up after the dog, clean out the fridge, etc)." 2 minutes later none of them are in the right room. I have to stop my chore to get the 6 yo on task. The 8 and 9 yos are in the next room fighting over whether she put the sock on the tile for him to have to pick up. Get the 6yo working and go to settle the 8 yo. Now, 6 and 9yo are playing together, making a bigger mess. Arg! I am so angry that we can't complete the chores in tandem.
Sometimes we need to tackle one specific area and we all jump in together. 6yo picks up one item and twiddles it for 10 minutes. 8 yo does most of the work to get it over with and 9 yo pouts because it's not fair that 6yo isn't working.
They are capable of doing the chores when motivated, but utterly resistant when it matters most to me.
So, I feel your pain. I don't know that separating them is the answer, since then you've got too many unsupervised mess-makers in the background.
-
Wow! I just read Strong Willed or Dreamer, as recommended by a previous poster.
Does this book ever explain me, my siblings, my mom, and ALL 3 of my children! What an enlightening book! It also smacks of the issues the OP is having.
I've gotta make some changes in the way I interact with my kids, but at least I'm not guessing at strategy now.
Thanks!
-
You've got very reasonable chore lists.
Over the course of the week, some daily, some rotating:
My 9 year old:
makes bed and tidies room
Tidies the carpeted rooms
washes and dries laundry
loads dishwasher
wipes kitchen counters
Tidies school room
feeds the dog dinner
vacuums upstairs
vacuums downstairs
tidies Dad's truck interior
My 8yo:
Makes bed and tidies room
gathers laundry from downstairs
empties trash and takes cans to street
folds laundry
empties dishwasher
clears/wipes the table after meals
Tidies tiled rooms
pooper scoops (with brother)
wipes bathroom surfaces (between major cleanings)
tidies my car interior
My 6 yo:
Makes bed and tidies room
empties recycle and takes to street
replaces the trash bag
gathers upstairs laundry
tidies the hall, stairs and bathrooms
tidies wood floored rooms
sets the table for dinner
pooper scoops
dusts
My neighbors ask questions in a friendly way and often try to step up their efforts based on interactions with my kids. My kids are FAR from perfect, but they have a pretty good reputation with the parents around here and I take their questions as compliments. They've never tried to belittle our choices though.
-
Our phonics book teaches this rule too. Alphabet Island Phonics. It is introduced in level 2B and offered in depth in the Handbook that follows.
I imagine that many phonics programs just practice the rule by memorization, not by understanding the rule.
-
My husband teaches Science without a curriculum. We address topics based on the children's interest and questions during the week. We add a new topic to the list when someone asks a question. He and I sat down and brainstormed the different areas of science and topics we wanted to be sure to cover, but we haven't had to choose from it yet...the kids are naturally curious and ask good questions.
bible curriculum to help read through the entire bible-?
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted
Ummm...for an older student. It's not formatted for student use, but it's "scripted" so it could easily be read and performed by a student.
Edit: I think it could be used independently for a strong reader if you do the first couple of lessons with them to get them familiar with the text, when and how you want them to pursue the scripture references, and the general process of completing the work. It's fairly straight forward. "Draw this element...here's the significance. Look up these verses if you choose."