Lindy's Homeschool: There's GOLD in them there Hills!

Sunday, March 20, 2011

There's GOLD in them there Hills!

This week was quite the week. Of course one of the main things we studied was earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, and Japan. I didn't teach about radiation because frankly it was too stressful to talk to my kids about it. Maxwell was fascinated and kept Japan in his prayers every night.

We continued to talk about the pioneers. It was suggested in the Four Year Plan to make soap. You should've used 13 cups of fat from meat drippings. We don't really eat red meat in our house. 13 CUPS! I guess I could have bought the fat. I really should learn such a good and prudent skill, but the smell.....I bought a kit from Michaels....I'm a wimp. We did make lots of fun soap though. Just not like the pioneers made soap.

We learned about California pioneers this week, namely the Gold Rush. What a sad story! Did you know, however, that Levi Strauss got his start by making sturdy pants for the gold miners from tent material? Cool random fact. We had a little gold rush of our own, and filled our tub to make a makeshift river to pan gold in. It ended up to be really fun and the cleanup wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

For science we learned again about electricity. We talked about open and closed circuits. We played a game were if your metal wand touched the metal loops, a light bulb would go off. It was sort of like "Operation," What kid wouldn't love THAT experiment?

This week was of course St. Patrick's day, so we made Leprechaun traps. Wow did they go to town with this! It's fun to let kids loose with a basic idea and watch them as they create. Maxwell was SOOOO sad that he didn't catch a Leprechaun, even though he did catch his gold chocolate coins. He said "I need to change my design to make it more effective." and went to work with vigor to make a better Leprechaun trap, even though I told him that they wouldn't come again this year.

We had the most amazing field trip this week! We went to the Thomas Jefferson Education Forum. While our boys went off to their own classes, we learned all about how to be the best parents in the world!!! Or at least better then what we have been doing. It was great to discuss the true meaning of liberty, education, and parenting with such amazing people. If you missed out, you can get a recording of everything at tjed marketplace. I highly recommend it.

I'm off on vacation for a week or two...time for hands on learning! :) bye!

No comments:

Post a Comment

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.