Lindy's Homeschool: CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS!!!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS!!!

I can't think of Columbus without thinking of Jo from Little Women exclaiming "CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS!" Maxwell has loved learning about Columbus. He thinks the Santa Maria is the coolest ship ever because he has a cousin he loves named Maria. For those of you who do not know, Columbus day in the states is Thanksgiving in Canada, and even though we are in Idaho, we had a full out Thanksgiving, and that was our activity for monday.

Tues we made boats out of Styrofoam. I left the boys alone for a minute and of course came back to a mess. Styrofoam is a nightmare to clean especially when wet!

For science we talked about centripetal force and I was dizzy for an hour afterward. We spun cups full of water, tried to play "crack the whip," spun pennies in balloons, spun the boys until they were flying, and spun multi colored jello with marbles in them. That was supposed to be the climax. The marbles were supposed to drop down from the inertia, while the jello and cup were held with centripetal force, but the jello was too thick, and it didn't budge no matter how long we spinned. Oh well...the jello looked cool and once we fished out the marbles it tasted good too.

For our field trip we went to Utah! Yah, kind of last moment, but I'm so glad I went. A couple of my dearest friends were getting together, and I decided not to miss it. So for Maxwell's activity we went with my sister's family to Bridal veil falls. It was a perfect fall day for a leaf fight. But of course, i FORGOT MY CAMERA!!! URG!!! so these are my junky phone photos.

Then on Monday we went to the children's museum in Salt Lake...Does that count as this week's field trip?.....

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The "awkward and unprepared" Myth

There are many misconceptions and biases against homeschooling, and many people really think that I've never heard them or considered them. Many people worry about the "inevitable social awkwardness" of homeschoolers or that they are "unprepared for the world." In my experience, I've found that homeschoolers tend to be as socially "normal" or "awkward" as their parents. As far as "unprepared for the world" is concerned, that depends on how they are taught, but I have seen many successes first hand. Basically, I know the ins and outs of the decision I've made, thanks.

Why I Homeschool

When I was first married, I fell in love with the kids of the Leavitts and Schafers (my sisters-in-law families.) They were...and still are...confident, leaders, innocent where they should be innocent, creative, and accepting. They were also homeschooled. I wanted my future kids to be like them, and if homeschooling was part of that equation, then I was willing to make the sacrifice. Now, after years of study, prayer, and experience, I want to homeschool for many reasons. I want my kids to be family oriented not peer oriented. I want to include the gospel in every aspect of what they are taught. I want them to think out side of the box. I don't want them to be obsessed with what is "cool." I want them to feel loved by those around them. I want them to know who they are and what they stand for before they are bombarded by outside influences. I know that many families can do this without homeschooling, but it seems a lot harder to me. Basically, I'm a control freak. I want to be in control of my children's learning and social life....homeschooling makes that easier.

Also, now that I've realized they are severely dyslexic, I think homeschool is the best place for dyslexics to learn.

And there's the statistics.

My Schedule

7:15

START OUR DAY

Daddy does scriptures

Breakfast

Devotional w/ videos

Come Follow Me

Goals/mindfulness/memorization

9:00

School Starts

Maxwell

School of Hope Online

Hyrum's 3 "R"s

IEW Grammar and Writing

Video Text Algebra

Spelling (Word Wasp)

Daniel's 3 "R"s

Writing Prompts

Rightstart Math level "G"

Spelling (Wasp)

William's 3 "R"s

All About Reading

Creative Writing

Rightstart level "D"

Abraham's 3 "R"s

Logic of English

Handwriting Without Tears

Rightstart level "B"

Activity in afternoon:

Social Studies

Science

Art

Chess

field trips

Literature Club

WAS classes

My Curriculum

For math, I do RightStart Mathematics, which is an abacus based math, Times Tales to memorize multiplication, Video Text for Algebra, and Mathantics or other supplements on youtube.

For Devotionals, I use Come Follow Me.

For Reading, I have used the Barton Reading and Spelling program, but right now I'm experimenting with All About Reading and Logic of English.

For Writing, I use Handwriting Without Tears, IEW Fix It! Grammar, and IEW Student Intensive Writing.

For History, and Science, I use The Four Year Plan (which I LOVE.) This year we are using the "Family Jubilee" book which covers Biology, Modern World History, and New Testament.