My Favorite Chaplain's Adventures
Saturday, October 07, 2006
FUN SCHOOLING
I find that people often equate fun schooling or unschooling with NO schooling...I thought I'd share glimpses here and there from our home.
We ARE using some workbooks because the children want to. Not a problem...but I also add lots of real life experiences and games to our day.
Over tea today, Arielle gave a great example of funschooling. She has begun to write a book (I'm starting to think with all the natural writing they see around here that this may be inevitable). She has told Dad about her idea and he thinks its a good one. I haven't taught writing or grammar yet...she's 9 - going into 3rd grade. She asked me if I could teach her the "writing stuff" so she could write a book. There you go....NOW she wants to learn some mechanics and is doing a spelling workbook because she wants to write a book. This is very FUN for her. She'll also do some Mavis Beacon keyboarding to make a book easier. I'll teach her some basic punctuation and such and she'll be off.
I think it was Bridget who shared on SHS about a friend who "strews" things around her home for her kids to pick up and maybe spark an interest. That's a natural around here and it's worked well. I think that all of us MUST some of the funschooling/unschooling techniques in our schools. Don't you think? There really is much to glean from various educational philosophies....it's fun to explore them and use what fits for your child.....
I find that people often equate fun schooling or unschooling with NO schooling...I thought I'd share glimpses here and there from our home.
We ARE using some workbooks because the children want to. Not a problem...but I also add lots of real life experiences and games to our day.
Over tea today, Arielle gave a great example of funschooling. She has begun to write a book (I'm starting to think with all the natural writing they see around here that this may be inevitable). She has told Dad about her idea and he thinks its a good one. I haven't taught writing or grammar yet...she's 9 - going into 3rd grade. She asked me if I could teach her the "writing stuff" so she could write a book. There you go....NOW she wants to learn some mechanics and is doing a spelling workbook because she wants to write a book. This is very FUN for her. She'll also do some Mavis Beacon keyboarding to make a book easier. I'll teach her some basic punctuation and such and she'll be off.
I think it was Bridget who shared on SHS about a friend who "strews" things around her home for her kids to pick up and maybe spark an interest. That's a natural around here and it's worked well. I think that all of us MUST some of the funschooling/unschooling techniques in our schools. Don't you think? There really is much to glean from various educational philosophies....it's fun to explore them and use what fits for your child.....
Stacia you are a CRAZY driver!
I heard the above while typing the last entry. I went to check it out and Stacia had climbed in their Little Tykes Fire engine. She was driving....while playing a recorder and Zander was having a fit while pretending he was holding on for dear life and yelling. I ran for the camera but they'd switched spots when I got back. The picture won't upload....but it's cute.
I heard the above while typing the last entry. I went to check it out and Stacia had climbed in their Little Tykes Fire engine. She was driving....while playing a recorder and Zander was having a fit while pretending he was holding on for dear life and yelling. I ran for the camera but they'd switched spots when I got back. The picture won't upload....but it's cute.
Migraine Update
Wow! This one is a doozey. I woke up this a.m. and it was still “low grade”. Possible to function with some noticing I’m a bit “off” but not throwing up. I thought I’d be able to run to Hobby Lobby, Big Lots, and Sam’s and attend a birthday party. By 10:00 my vision was funky and my head was roaring. I really wanted to attend the birthday party so TOOK MEDS and shortened my list to the essentials: Sam’s club to pick up order that was ready and waiting and to the birthday party. By 11:00 I was throwing up, funky vision and didn’t want to lift my head. Jamin came with me to Sam’s to make sure I stayed on the road and I didn’t make it to the party. I’m very grateful this hit NOW and not during a school week. I am fairly certain I’ll be at least at low grade functioning by Monday – which is good as it is Shop Natural co-op night.
When I got home from Sam’s Arielle got a call to go play with Ashley (Tricia’s daughter). I thought that would be fun for her. Josiah is at work. Nolan and Zander wer very sad because they didn't get to see their friends. We've tried the last two days but it hasn't worked out. I was glad that Play Station and movies are a rare TREAT around here. When Stacia fell asleep, I set up Narnia on the play station and Nolan and Zander played while Arielle went to a friend's. Jared went bike riding and Jamin worked on the first 5 pages of his book. He’s working them over with a book that I found on Amazon, “The First Five Pages – A Writer’s Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile”. He’s not sure he likes the rewrite.
I went to bed until Stacia woke up. I then served tea. I don’t do a lot of caffeine but I find when having a doozey of a migraine it sometimes help….so I made a pot of vanilla tea and the children joined me. I’m about to head to bed again and they are going to watch “Iron Will” a Netflix movie that is recommended for school.
We aren't having RE (religious education) tomorrow and so I won't HAVE to be up and about until the evening service....I'll baby this head and be fine....in time. Yes...I'm choosing joy...really this could be much, much worse...I do have Jamin and Jared here to haul everyone off my bed when needed. :::snort:::
Wow! This one is a doozey. I woke up this a.m. and it was still “low grade”. Possible to function with some noticing I’m a bit “off” but not throwing up. I thought I’d be able to run to Hobby Lobby, Big Lots, and Sam’s and attend a birthday party. By 10:00 my vision was funky and my head was roaring. I really wanted to attend the birthday party so TOOK MEDS and shortened my list to the essentials: Sam’s club to pick up order that was ready and waiting and to the birthday party. By 11:00 I was throwing up, funky vision and didn’t want to lift my head. Jamin came with me to Sam’s to make sure I stayed on the road and I didn’t make it to the party. I’m very grateful this hit NOW and not during a school week. I am fairly certain I’ll be at least at low grade functioning by Monday – which is good as it is Shop Natural co-op night.
When I got home from Sam’s Arielle got a call to go play with Ashley (Tricia’s daughter). I thought that would be fun for her. Josiah is at work. Nolan and Zander wer very sad because they didn't get to see their friends. We've tried the last two days but it hasn't worked out. I was glad that Play Station and movies are a rare TREAT around here. When Stacia fell asleep, I set up Narnia on the play station and Nolan and Zander played while Arielle went to a friend's. Jared went bike riding and Jamin worked on the first 5 pages of his book. He’s working them over with a book that I found on Amazon, “The First Five Pages – A Writer’s Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile”. He’s not sure he likes the rewrite.
I went to bed until Stacia woke up. I then served tea. I don’t do a lot of caffeine but I find when having a doozey of a migraine it sometimes help….so I made a pot of vanilla tea and the children joined me. I’m about to head to bed again and they are going to watch “Iron Will” a Netflix movie that is recommended for school.
We aren't having RE (religious education) tomorrow and so I won't HAVE to be up and about until the evening service....I'll baby this head and be fine....in time. Yes...I'm choosing joy...really this could be much, much worse...I do have Jamin and Jared here to haul everyone off my bed when needed. :::snort:::
Tea Time
Today we used the Korean Tea Set that Mike brought back from...well....*K*O*R*E*A*! {bg} I also began to wonder if they have unique tea sets in the Middle East? :::hint, hint:::: :::rolling eyes:::
Some have asked about our tea times. I don't have a set time for tea. Usually once over a weekend. In AK we'd often do this on a long afternoon when we couldn't get outside. We don't have many of those days down here. LOL I don't FORCE the boys to attend but most often they join us. Sometimes we have sugary treats. In the past we've had poems we've read...but what we really like is to simply slow down, nibble on goodles and sip a fun drink.
For my children that don't like tea I have an organic hot cocoa from Ah!laska. I can live with the ingredient list (it's a once a week treat TOPS). Unfortunately, I forgot to order any this month from co-op so we may run out. I also serve apple cider or steamers for children that don't like tea.
We have a variety of tea that we drink. My very favorite is Taylors of Harrogate Vanilla. They make a variety of tea - but Vanilla is my favorite. I have a new friend, Mandy, who is from England...maybe she'll have better brands to recommend to me. I saw a yummy English Toffee tea that I need to try soon. If its evening time I often have a decaf Vanilla that STASH makes. I like the Stash Vanilla nut creame "ok" too....but that Taylors is the best. {G} I'm running low and need to check out local tea supplies or order online.
Snacks: they can be elaborate (if we have time) but our focus is not the food. Today I set out a plate of grapes, organic wheat thins and Ritz like crackers, chicken salad and halibut salad I'd made earlier in the week, a bowl of mixed nuts and some Newman O's. It's that simple. When Bre is home she makes these scrumptious "shortbread" cookies. She dips one corner in chocolate and they are wonderful for tea time.
I do have some "strudier" tea cups for those who like them (young boys!). I have a hodge podge of tea cups and everyone has sort of adopted a favorite one that they use. Our focus is really on being together.
Some Comments on comments to my original comments:
Lis, I believe it was Mary did a study and assures me that snorting is Biblical and is in the Bible. I'll continue to snort but I think you are right that snorting when attached to machines and tryng to take deep breaths should be limited. I'll remember this in the future. :::snort:::
Beth
**What is a story quilt?
This is yet another idea for school that I got from Jodi. {hugs Jodi} I ordered the kit from Oriental Trading. I ordered 3 kits. My plan is for Nolan and Arielle to each make a square each week that represents something we studied. We'll assemble it and have a nice quilt to remember the 20th Century. We're going to use paint markers to decorate. For week 1 Arielle chose a Teddy Bear and Nolan a Car. For week 2 Nolan chose an airplane and Arielle the panama canal. I really like this project. If I can't get my printer working soon it may take the place of a lap book until Mike gets home to fix the printer. {G}
**How does the Sams online thingy work?
Go to Sam's Club online. You can order things to pick up at the nearest location and to be delivered to your home. If you pick up at the store there is no fee whatsoever. I go online, search for the items I need, add them to my shopping cart and click. They send me an email telling me when it is ready to pick up. I go to the Customer Service desk at Sam's and tell them I'd like to pick up a click & pull order. They go get my carts - usually one in the cage and one in the cooler. When they scan my card it is all already in the system and I simply have to pay. If you put your order in by 5 p.m. it is ready by 7 a.m. the next day. Today was BUSY at Sam's being a Saturday but I was able to get in and out in 9 minutes....with 2 carts of items. Jamin misses roaming the aisels while I shop...probably once a month we'll do a trip in person...but this is saving me TIME. I keep a list on the fridge of Sam's things I need and when I have enough and time the next day to run in, I go online. I am NOT picking up extras that I see as I go through the store so it is also saving me MONEY. {G}
Darshia, I'm not sure about the temp of a freezer.....
Steph - that's ME the Savior of Breakfast everywhere. LOL Seriously, one of the boys said today, "Does this mean that bisquits and gravy are back on our menu?" Yep. We can have them...and eggs and sausage too.....spicey taste...no nitrites, nitrates, BHT or pork. LOL
Jodi and Beth, thanks for the tip about melatonin. I don't like to take ANYTHING but I may check into this if my sleeping pattern doesn't adjust soon. Frankly, I simply need to hear "Good night cutie" or "Good night pretty lady" and it doesn't cut it to hear it from Zander. :::snort:::
THANKS for all the prayers for the migraine. It's a doozey this time.
Lis, I believe it was Mary did a study and assures me that snorting is Biblical and is in the Bible. I'll continue to snort but I think you are right that snorting when attached to machines and tryng to take deep breaths should be limited. I'll remember this in the future. :::snort:::
Beth
**What is a story quilt?
This is yet another idea for school that I got from Jodi. {hugs Jodi} I ordered the kit from Oriental Trading. I ordered 3 kits. My plan is for Nolan and Arielle to each make a square each week that represents something we studied. We'll assemble it and have a nice quilt to remember the 20th Century. We're going to use paint markers to decorate. For week 1 Arielle chose a Teddy Bear and Nolan a Car. For week 2 Nolan chose an airplane and Arielle the panama canal. I really like this project. If I can't get my printer working soon it may take the place of a lap book until Mike gets home to fix the printer. {G}
**How does the Sams online thingy work?
Go to Sam's Club online. You can order things to pick up at the nearest location and to be delivered to your home. If you pick up at the store there is no fee whatsoever. I go online, search for the items I need, add them to my shopping cart and click. They send me an email telling me when it is ready to pick up. I go to the Customer Service desk at Sam's and tell them I'd like to pick up a click & pull order. They go get my carts - usually one in the cage and one in the cooler. When they scan my card it is all already in the system and I simply have to pay. If you put your order in by 5 p.m. it is ready by 7 a.m. the next day. Today was BUSY at Sam's being a Saturday but I was able to get in and out in 9 minutes....with 2 carts of items. Jamin misses roaming the aisels while I shop...probably once a month we'll do a trip in person...but this is saving me TIME. I keep a list on the fridge of Sam's things I need and when I have enough and time the next day to run in, I go online. I am NOT picking up extras that I see as I go through the store so it is also saving me MONEY. {G}
Darshia, I'm not sure about the temp of a freezer.....
Steph - that's ME the Savior of Breakfast everywhere. LOL Seriously, one of the boys said today, "Does this mean that bisquits and gravy are back on our menu?" Yep. We can have them...and eggs and sausage too.....spicey taste...no nitrites, nitrates, BHT or pork. LOL
Jodi and Beth, thanks for the tip about melatonin. I don't like to take ANYTHING but I may check into this if my sleeping pattern doesn't adjust soon. Frankly, I simply need to hear "Good night cutie" or "Good night pretty lady" and it doesn't cut it to hear it from Zander. :::snort:::
THANKS for all the prayers for the migraine. It's a doozey this time.
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