Gardening Starting Off dismally

Well the kids and I have planted all of the seeds, only to have Mother Nature over turn them in the little green house with the first strong wind.  We found all the dirt in one big pile, so we scooped the dirt up and put it in a broken drawer in the window to our house.  What do you know, little shoots started coming up all over.
Danilla and Aukxsona transplanted these little seedling into individual peat pots, which sit on plates in the window.  They all seem to be doing very well now.    

We also created two raised beds outside, and littered them with turnips, lettuce, carrot, and radish seed.  Nothing is coming up yet, but may be in a few days.  This weekend, I hope to get 1 to 2 more raised beds completed.  My husband cleared about one acre for planting corn this year.  If we're lucky, there will be plenty of corn to grind into cornmeal this fall.

The home school year is closing up for us.  We will test in May and then start on home school light for the summer.  I always get excited at test time each year, because it shows what progress we have made without a formalized school year.  We are required by law to test annually.  We choose to pay for the tests for our children, even though the state of Arkansas offers to pay for the testing.  We feel it isn't the state's responsibility, because we chose to home school.      

Around testing time, we will have a REAL (TM) vacation.  I am looking at taking the kids camping at Blanchard Springs.  It will tie in nicely with our geology in science.  They even have education packs, to teach about the caverns.  Of course there are also, awesome tours...and a store.  The camp site is $10 a day for 5 days.  Once on site and registered, there are free hot showers and  toilets. There is swimming for the kids, hiking for me, and mountain biking for Tony.  My son mentioned he wants to do a little fishing too...he's only 5.  I think he takes after his uncle Jeremiah.  The really cool thing, is that the caverns have a whole curriculum to go with them.  I think it will really make their trip all that much more enriching.

It has been so long since we have taken a vacation.  The last one we were on was under sad circumstances and rushed to all get out.  We traveled the eastern seaboard and back in 5 days.  I don't want to do that again.  In fact next time, I'll just fly or take greyhound.  Between the gas, fast food, and motel stays... it was about the same.

This vacation will be about an hour from where we live.  It will be educational and fun.  The coolest thing?  (Besides, cheap, educational fun.)  The camp ground is very near the Ozark Folk Center, where the kids can learn a ton of old fashioned skills.  They can learn to use an old fashioned spring pole lathe.  They can watch fiddlers on stage.  They can eat old fashioned corn bread and beans.  (The last time they went this was all free.  It will be free April 15th -17th here soon)  It is so rare we actually get to go out and enjoy the places around us.  This time, I want to make sure it is perfect.      

However, I am getting the cart before the horse.  Before we can do any of these wonderful things, we have to test and find someone to watch our chickens and Spotsy the dog.  On top of that, we will have to get some camping gear.  That's right, we only have one tent.  We bought the tent ages ago, so I don't even know how well it will work.  It only holds 3.  Originally we set it up in the back yard for the girls each summer.  They would "camp" out there.  It is so tiny though, it would only fit our tiniest children.  I don't feel safe having the tiniest camp away from us, when there is black bear warnings at this site.  I hope by the time we reach the site, the warning will have expired.

Well that's our progress and plans, what is everyone else up to?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Lots of News and updates

Our home school has been humming along nicely, with daily work and the occasional day out.  However, I had to give credit to a wonderful man on youtube for helping with this years science lessons.  I know, this will seem odd, but it is a gardening channel.  We always do plant life, every year, since we live in an agricultural community.

Most years we participate in 4 H, but due to the insistence that the children be taught "industry standards", instead of organic standards, this year we are opting out.  In case no one understands what I mean by this, let me explain.  4 H suggests that children NOT let their birds eat natural bugs, or simple grains.  4 H also teaches children they must fertilize with chemical fertilizer.  They also told the children to never put the three sisters, corn, squash, and beans together.  Anyone that knows anything about sustainable agriculture, knows that this is contrary to every blooming thing that is taught.  This is BIG agriculture they teach, for wanna be farmers with 1000 acres and a fleet of tractors to plow it.  That is not what I want to teach my children.  I want them to learn about organic, healthy, sustained, community agriculture.  That being said, we had to find a way to get seeds since we would not be participating in the 4 H garden project this year.  This is where our youtube hero comes in.

This is his youtube page: http://www.youtube.com/user/Praxxus55712  He had a little contest where he asked people to help him build revenue and support his project.  Well, it turned out to be a lot bigger than I or he apparently expected.  He managed to get enough revenue to buy seeds, envelopes, and stamps for 500 viewers to receive a small packet of free seeds.  I followed the directions and hoped I would be selected.  I was surprised to find a letter in the mail about 2 weeks later with a ton of little baggies filled with different seeds and a name tag.  I would like to go through what this kind gentleman sent my children to grow as a part of their home school program.  

• California wonder peppers about 20 seeds
• Cucumber straight 8 about 15 seeds
• Beefsteak tomatoes about 20 seeds
• Imperartor Carrot about 100 seeds
• Jalapeño peppers about 30 seeds
• Polish Linguisa Tomato about 10 seeds
• Pickling Cucumber about 10 seeds
• Butter crunch lettuce about 50 seeds
• Cubanelle pepper about 15 seeds
• Cherry tomato about 15 seeds

  These all had germination rates, maturity rates, and their proper gardening names on them.  They also are all heirloom varieties that we can save seeds form year after year.  If you notice he provided enough seeds in each one to be considered a regular seed packet one would buy in the store.  I compared a lot of the seed to Bakerscreek seed and found he sent about 45 dollars worth of seeds, if you include shipping.  I know the kids are looking forward to planting these and I am extremely grateful for the gift.

Also, we received information on testing our children this year per required by Arkansas state.  I tried to register them online for private testing, like we do every year.  However, in the process, something messed up.  I called the Arkansas testing office, but no one was in.  We received a voice mail today, so I will have to call them back tomorrow morning.

We always do our annual testing through Seton Home. They supply a CAT test for each grade and process them for about 25 dollars per child.  Most other "approved" places require 50 or more for each student that is tested.  We have 3 children that must be tested by law, and we will have more as time goes on.  Arkansas requires all children grades 3-9 to be tested via a CAT, IOWA, or Standford exam.   Arkansas state does provide the test free of charge, but it must be at their time and place.  Also, parents may not be in the same building with the children during testing.  Furthermore, parents must provide testing to the facilities where the tests are being taken, no matter how far.

Arkansas gets to review all tests, although they say they don't look at a child's individual data, there is nothing to stop them.  Furthermore, the tests are only required to prove a child is attending school.  Arkansas requires just 4 hours of instruction per week.  Although, I am glad for the lenience, I don't understand the need for testing conducted by the state.  I tested Precious long before I was aware of the law requiring it, for my own guidance.  I don't understand why other parents wouldn't as well.

Until next time...

Owl Pellet Activity

You may recall we have been doing an Owl Unit Study for the month of December.  Due to the holidays it has been carried over into January.  The children are almost finished.  We dissected owl pellets tonight.  The children were ages 5 to 10 in the Owl Pellet Activity.  They thoroughly enjoyed the process.  

I was surprised to find the younger children not minding their less than prestigious roles as flash light holder, magnifying glass holder, or documenter so long as they had gloves too.  (Like real scientists!)  The children soaked the owl pellets in individual disposable plastic bowls, with one bowl for each pair of children.  Team A was comprised of a 7 year old and a 5 year old.  Team B was comprised of a 9 year old and a 10 year old.  

To my surprise Team A was very diligent and engaged in the activity.  They never bored or tired of the tedious work that included picking through a mass of fur and bones tangled together.  They made objective observations and compared their findings with Team B (the older group) frequently.  The only concern was the youngest member of Team A seemed to disregard any sense of personal hygiene seeking to fling his hands full of owl pellet every time he found a bone in excitement.  (Yay!  I found a bone!  While clapping, waving his hands, and hopping)  He also had difficulty keeping his hands only on the owl pellets.  Otherwise, he did lovely for being so small.  

Team B on the other hand plowed through most of the hard de-tangling much quicker than Team A.  They found it boring to pick the tiny bones out after an hour and frequently complained that there were too many bones.  Team B made very good observations and also compared their findings with Team A.  They were much neater and more concerned about "germs" and the "ick factor" of owl pellets.  They squabbled amongst themselves frequently and asked me to intercede in their arguments frequently.  

On clean up the eldest member of both teams did much of it.  The leaders of Team A (7 yr old) and Team B (10 yr old) both had to clean up their place mats, bowls, gloves, tweezers, and partners gloves.  The 10 yr old had to vacuum the experiment area after due to the 5 yr olds excited flinging of the owl pellets.  She did it without complaint.  

The owl pellet bowls were placed in a secluded place with a bleach/water solution to further clean them.  Tomorrow Team A and Team B must identify they types of bones they have from their owl pellet and from which animal it came.  Tomorrow they must fill out a lab report and rebuild the skeleton(s) of the animal(s) they found if it is at all possible.  I expect Team A to find the lab reports difficult as both are emergent readers and I expect Team B to find the rebuilding of the skeleton boring or tedious.  

Both Teams are expected to complete both tasks regardless of their perceived abilities.  I do not allow younger children slack even when the material is miles above them.  I will allow cooperative learning, where in Team A and Team B can share and help one another complete their tasks due to the recent studies that suggest that this learning model is best for retention.  I would like to update with pictures when all is done.  

Happy Yule!

We are taking a hiatus from home schooling for the rest of December now.  However, I must relay the wonderful things we have done so far.  Thanks to the kind and generous gift of a keyboard, and not just a tiny one either, Lucy has learned to play "Mary had a little lamb" on piano.  She is very proud of herself.  She wants to learn "Twinkle, twinkle, little star" next.  I am searching for online sheet music for her.  This is so exciting for all of my children though.

  Alestria plinked around on the keyboard all afternoon.  Although he never played a verifiable song, he made some good music.  He even had the beats going and everything.  The baby certainly liked his music.  He was bee-bopping in the playpen having a good old time.  Everyone told Alestria how good it was, and being he is just 5 I don't expect much more than that.  

  We still have our owl theme to finish.  We have owl pellets to dissect and a few owl pages left.  We will finish these in January.  The kids need a break anyway.  They have almost finished a year worth of geography and math in half a year.  Their reading is right on task, so not too worried about that.  We may focus on science when we get back.  Spring is a great time to do that.  Until now, we were watching a lot of science shows, but I feel some experiments may be in order.  Anyway, the best to you and yours :)

Thematic Units

  We have discovered the joy of thematic units recently.  On a whim, I picked up a book on owls this September.  I made an "activity book" from a lot of the activity pages inside this October.  At first I thought it would be a fun little coloring project for the kids.  However, as I delved into each and every page, while deciding which pages to include in our little activity booklet, I found that there was a little of everything in there.  It seemed to me this was the perfect opportunity to give a more structured school setting, without the oppressive feel most school has.

  At first I let the kids discover what to do for themselves.  I was surprised to find, even my emergent readers, were actually completing the work with some level of success.  This I attribute to my elder children actively guiding them based on what they could gather.  I went over the work they felt confident enough to accomplish.  I was pleasantly surprised, but I noticed they skipped many sections I thought were easy.  Then I asked them why.  This is when I found the older children didn't know exactly what they were supposed to do to complete the work.

  This is when I actively began to teach the children based on their interest.  I found they wanted to know things about the songs, the poems, the stories, and the plays that I had included just for fun.  I was pleasantly surprised by this, because I was certain with out pictures this would be the most boring part to them.  I explained what each was and began "actively teaching" which is different than just asking questions and providing material they can use to self teach.  The kids really enjoyed the process of me actively teaching, so long as I keep it to a minimum.  I noticed after about an hour, they were ready to go back to coloring and playing with each other while doing their work books.  I don't take this as a bad thing, just means they know enough to build on the knowledge by themselves again now.

  How do you teach?

Hello and Welcome!

  Hello and Welcome to everyone of you.  Many of you will know our little home school and it's students personally, either by meeting them in passing, or as a friend.  Some of you have been acquainted with us for years, and a select few are family.  I want you all to feel comfortable here.  This is not a typical family blog where in one shows the kids off to grandma, since most of the grandmas have passed on.  Nor is this intended to be public display off sorts really.  I sincerely hope to document my children's progress through the years and give a lasting testimony to their development.  I also sincerely wish to engage in public debate about school in general and home schooling.

  Home schooling is deeply personal, and certainly is not for every parent.  I found it to be a natural extension of my parenting, and sort of took to it like a duck to water.  I was young, idealistic, ambitious, and full of sky high dreams of what she could accomplish by the time my eldest was 14.  Many of those things have come true and some of them did not.  That isn't to say I have always been happy with home schooling my children or that I have never considered public schooling.

  In fact the public vs. home school debate comes up once a year in the household, usually around fall.  That is why I would like to open with which schooling option seems best to you, the reader.  To engage in a deeper conversation, and perhaps bring a fuller understanding of other's view points into my life.

  We home school for quite a few reasons; flexible schedule, more one on one instruction, diverse availability to curriculum, and the ability to tailor the curriculum to the child's needs.  We do not follow the Prussian model of schooling, nor rely heavily on rote learning except in a couple core subjects.  Also, we try to make our learning focused on what we actually do everyday.  This engages the children in a manner where they are learning without trying.  Much of what we do is hands on, and books are used as a back up to flesh out our lessons.

  For example; In cooking math is involved when doubling or tripling batches for our large family.  Some of my smaller children that help with these tasks have mental math abilities on par with children far older than they are.  The same is true for sewing I might add.  When my husband built the children a new bed, they got to be involved with the whole process, right down to assembly.  This helped them with math, but also to see what math can do for them.  It made their lessons come to life!

  However, we aren't building beds everyday or sewing clothes.  In the days between to keep the children sharp, we do drills of one or two minutes based on basic math skills.  Math and basic reading are one of the few things we do actually drill on.  However, most reading is whole language based where in the children are given books to read, for fun, and after we simply discuss them.

  How do you get children to read for fun?  You turn off the tv, the Xbox, the computer and you read as a family.  Will they whine and cry it's boring?  Oh you bet, until they get the hang of it.  But it's not a crime to insist a child read for a certain part of the day, for fun.  The fun part is they get to choose the book they wish to read so long as it is grade level and has been approved.

  We also play games with the children, like scrabble.  We play hang man.  We play tag.  We allow them to put on "Fork Theater" at the dinner table most nights.  Which is a more rustic version of "Barbie's" using forks and spaghetti for hair.  That's the thing, children are naturally curious, and if you allow them the proper space to learn, they do so on their own in abundance.

  What are your reasons for your views on home schooling?