Homeschool Diaries: Numbers

I have recently learned that I work well with themes.  The thing about homeschooling is that you not only can adjust your lessons towards your children's strengths, but you can do the same for yourself.  The thought of being a parent-teacher can be so daunting.  I have known several women who do it so professionally, and with so many children that I just can't see myself fitting that role.

But that isn't my role to fit... we don't look alike, us homeschool moms.  We don't need to be carbon copies of each other.  Sure I want to provide my kids with the best education possible, but I can't do that if I am not both prepared and excited about teaching them.

I do not get excited about workbooks, and reviewing curriculum, and scheduling.  I do them anyway because I need to.  But when I found there was a way for me to do it, and want to... it really changed me as a teacher.

Once I gave myself the freedom to work in a way I enjoyed, our school time was much better. It was really through trial and error that I learned I enjoy themes.  I was randomly picking books at the library for the boys and making a big production of them with costumes and homemade puppets in our living room.  I was getting field guides about plants and birds and spending the day outdoors with binoculars and mason jars.  Then I thought... why am I not doing this with their school work?

Having a daily theme has helped me have more fun scheduling, and move smoother from one activity to the next. While preschool only takes about an hour a day in the Waggy house, I have to keep it entertaining so it doesn't melt into chaos, and I really have a hard time doing that if I am bored myself.

Right now, we do school five days a week with the themes of:

1)Numbers
2)Alphabet
3)Concept
4)Animal
5)Health and Fitness. 

I thought this week I would blog our work, for my own future benefit.

 

Youtube has great counting songs. I guess I never thought of youtube as a homeschool resource before, but in a vague attempt to google some music for today's lesson, I found a great variety. Annnnd... apparently several songs in a row will play. So I got a good 15 minute jam session of "Count to 20" songs.

I really recommend this little book, Infinity and Me. Not only did each page appeal to my artsy side, it really gave a good visual approach to the concept of infinity, and helped us stretch those counting muscles as we tried to wrap our brains around some big big numbers.

There was an opportunity here to combine tangible numbers with the more illusive concept of things that stretch on and on forever.  Bible verses: 1 Chron. 16:34, 1 Jn. 5:11, Job 11:7, Ps. 145:3 all point to infinite/eternal traits of God. 

Adding and subtracting using some buttons and a muffin tin.  Nothing fancy.

Lastly, comes tracing and writing.  These little workbooks are great, and you can find them pracitically anywhere. They have tracing exercizes, and matching games, etc. Nothing complicated, but helpful.

Today we covered: Art and Music, Story Time, New Word: Infinity, New Bible Verses, Review Concept: Forever/ Eternity, Writing, and Counting.

Homeschool Diaries: Favorites Books {momma's picks}

 

The Boy Who Drew Birds




A Nest Full of Eggs




What Makes a Bird a Bird



The Ugly Duckling



Horton Hatches the Egg



Even an Ostrich Needs a Nest

As Spring transitions to Summer, we have had a yard full of beautiful birds. This has molded my book choices lately.  I want the boys to not only take an interest in the world around them, but to have a decent amount of understanding about how that world works.  I have tried to balance my choices between fun and truly educational.  All of these books are really great, and I enjoyed them as much as the Jedi did {which is saying something, since I am seriously critical of the majority of children's books I find these days}

Making it real: feather art {nothing complex; just paper, glue, and a bag of feathers from the craft section}; bird watching binoculars & sketchbooks w/ colored pencils {we went to the park for this, because ducks are a little slower and easier to draw, but we did get some red and blue shapes in there too. :)}; observe the parts of an egg w/ hard boiled egg; make simple bird feeders with peanut butter, paper towel rolls and seeds, and set out a crate full of scraps of fabric and yarn for the birds to pick from for their nests {they actually do!!  I don't know why I was skeptical.}; we used the Birds of North America memory game for counting, and emphasized "bird words" when doing our letter work.  

**NOTE: All of the titles are hyperlinked to Amazon, if you are interested in adding any of them to your collection. :)

tidbits

 

//1. We went to a farm with my in-laws and met some really sweet animals.  This is Willy the horse. 
// 2. I can't remember this cow's name, so I shall call him "diva"  because he wanted the camera's attention that day. 
// 3. Ummm... It's the size of my dog. 
// 4. Miniature donkey.
// 5. Soy is looking a little angelic here, wouldn't you say?
// 6. The splash pad is pretty much our life these days. 
// 7. And I am always armed with plenty of water, coconut oil, and reading material. 
//8.9. I have had a smoothie obsession lately.  Some are super healthy.  Others or sort of healthy, but really good like this little blend: 1 frozen banana, 2 c frozen peaches, 1 c coconut milk, 1 1/2 c baby romaine, and a sprinkle of white chocolate chips.  Mmmm.... my taste buds were dancing.

Homeschool Diaries: Dorothea Lange

I recently stumbled upon the incredible photography of Dorothea Lange.  Dorothea, who apparently was molded by double tragedy in her childhood-- the contraction of polio at the age of seven left her with only one good leg, followed by abandonment by her father at the age of twelve-- gave up a more prestigious photography job to follow migrant farmers during the Dustbowl.  Her heart for the subject must have been apparent because she was able to take candid shots that were both brilliant and emotional in composition.

Her most famous photo is of this mother.  Lange stated later in her life that she did not remember ever explaining to this woman about her presence there with the camera, and the woman never asked questions.  She sat quietly while Dorothea took the pictures, and told her that they had been living on frozen vegetables from a nearby field and birds the children had shot.  Dorothea took her photos immediately to an editor of a San Fransisco newspaper.  She convinced him to publish an article that resulted in government intervention to prevent starvation in that camp.

I understand there is a lot about the Great Depression that will not translate to four-year-olds.  But these beautiful photos each tell a story... and young children can both recognize, and are drawn to sadness, pain and poverty when they see it.  They also recognize the adventure of it.  I have always been fascinated by the carnival culture of this time period... which was really fueled both by the hapless wanderer and the human need no matter the circumstance, for entertainment.

I talked with the boys about children who had nothing, and have nothing... How we should always be grateful for the things we've been given, but no matter how tightly we hold them they can easily be taken away.  I told them how important it is to share, and not be selfish with our things.



I think this is a lesson we will go back to several times during the course of their education.  It is one we can all learn from.  While I am not always as appreciative of photography as I am of other art forms, Dorothea Lange has inspired me greatly with her work.  {Look her up.  She also took images of Japanese-Americans who were forced to relocate to displacement camps after Pearl Harbor.  These photos were impounded by the Army, but later some were released to a museum.}

Making it real:

1. We discussed how a Dustbowl works, and looked, touched, and smelled different types of soil.  We placed a seed in well fertilized soil and watered it and watched it grow.  We placed the same kind of seed in dry soil without watering it.  Marigold seeds are some of the quickest to sprout.  We were able to compare results within two days.

2. We imagined having to carry everything we owned on our backs.  We practiced making old-fashioned knapsacks with  handkerchiefs, and tied up our valuable treasures, placed them on a pole and carried them about the house and yard.  I suppose we could have done this with food!  And stopped for a picnic when we were done.  Maybe making food that was most available during this time, like corn cakes and jerky... 

Homeschool Diaries: appreciating art

Bruegel's Hunters in the Snow, 1665

I have always had an interest in art... all kinds of art.  When I was ten, I did a water color of Blue Boy by Thomas Gainsborough {minus the face.  I put a beagle's face on him}, and a colored pencil sketch of The Allegory of a Painting by Francois Boucher.  My parents framed and displayed these for a long time.  I remember copying them from a book.  I was so entranced, especially by the folds in the fabric and how much dimension these details gave.  I remember spending hours shading, trying to duplicate the silky textures. These tedious first attempts led to a path of self-expression, as I discovered release, and confidence, and comfort in my growing love of art.

It is nice to have internet, and access to so many masterpieces at our fingertips.  The Jedi and I have been looking at this painting by Bruegel, and analyzing it as best we can from a four-year-old perspective. :)  We talk about the colors and how they make us feel {cold, sleepy, hungry}.  We talk about what the hunters might be thinking about, and how many dogs there are, and what it would be like to go right outside your front door and ice skate.  Then we try to to copy parts of painting from sight by drawing and coloring.  I think I may read them a little history about the artist, and show them some of his other works {there are six in the same series as this one, I believe.}

At any rate, it is a lot of fun sharing a passion that started in my childhood with my children. It was a passion my father shared with me.  I hope that the generations of my family can continue to bond over dabbling in, and appreciating art.

I would like to end by saying this: I want to start sharing some little things we are doing in the arena of homeschooling.  I, however, believe this is a very personal topic, and that homeschooling is not best for every child, or every parent.  I am definitely not preachy about it.  I do not even commit my own children's entire education to this route.  One day I'll blog about why we do it now.  But as for today, I hope that sharing in the arts is something you feel inspired to do with your children, no matter what school they attend.  No matter if you love classical paintings, or modern art, or theater, or music... they can really grow by seeing what you enjoy and learning to love it too.

 

Thoughts on Deployment

While I am a pretty steady Facebook status update-er, there has been a change of life around here that I have not mentioned.  There really has been no need to, and of course most people know about it already.  If I were to just honestly write what was in my head to say to people all of the time it would be, 'I am fine.' 

Matt is deployed.  It is only four months, which is so small a deployment in military life that I cannot complain.  I don't want to complain.  After all this is the life we chose and the career he loves.  He has deployed before, twice actually.  But my life has changed so drastically since then, that it feels like the first time.  Before when he deployed, I worked.  I went out with friends at night, and I went to the gym when I was lonely, or needed to clear my head.  Now I comfort toddlers, I clean house more meticulously and I count down days...

I am NOT complaining.... I actually really hate that.  The, "woe is me" attitude about inevitable events.  No military wife thinks she's going to keep her husband by her side all of the time.  But I guess this is the first time I understand the process from a SAHM's perspective, and I feel much more sympathetic about it now.  Children don't understand-- the first time Daddy doesn't come home for several days.  They adjust, I am sure, but the first time he goes is kind of heart-breaking for them.  Titus has told me several times that he is going to learn to fly/ build an airplane so that he can go find Daddy, and Jayden absolutely melted in church yesterday morning when there was no Daddy's lap to sit in.  They both ask every day if he is coming home tomorrow.  I guess that they are at an awkward age for this: so much understanding, and yet so little.

For the most part they are doing great.  And I know as time goes on they will do even better.

But I can't update my status on these little issues.  These are things we just work out and through, and we grow happier and stronger, and fonder of Daddy every day. And I am fine; truly. I always see these little lapses in togetherness as a time for accomplishing personal goals. I am working on losing some weight, plan to paint a mural somewhere in our house, and maybe plant a small garden if the weather will ever stop being ridiculous. I have been sewing, and drawing into the wee hours of the morning {those times when I miss him most}. And everything is fine. I am not complaining. Seriously. I am good. 

I am actually really glad I have a husband that I can miss. A keeper, I suppose. I am glad he didn't want to leave, and I am glad our children feel the void. I am also grateful for grandparents, a sweet church, McDonald's, goofy golf, trampolines, bicycles, and all sorts of other healing potions right now. We are really spoiled to be honest.

So I guess my thoughts to others in this arena: single moms, I give you mad props.  You are seriously amazing people.  Men everywhere: your families need you.  And not because you do things perfectly, your presence is the best thing ever.  And to all of the kiddos whose daddies are gone for a short time or forever, I say a prayer for your comfort every night.  I hope that some of you guys will come to know and understand the never-leaving love of our heavenly Father.... the same prayer I pray for my children, I pray for you.

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Thoughts on a favorite shirt...

   

Reviewing some pictures I have taken of the boys lately, I realize that a documented month or two could look like one long day of activity.  All because of THIS shirt.  It is a lucky Walmart find from my grandmother that they just LOVE.  They literally wear it every time they see it.  They will strip down and put it on, they will pull it out of the dirty clothes bin, and let us not get into the tears that can occur if it is actually IN the washing machine. 

Parenting is all about choosing your battles, and this is one that I can gladly say I am not fighting.  I really don't care if they wear it ragged, I absolutely adore their attachment to it.  Similar to the blanket and thumb thing, I just think that this is such a precious part of childhood.  While a man is not made of his possessions, we could certainly learn something from the simplicity of a child's material wants.  A favorite tee, a superman cape, a football... they are good to go.

They do own other and far cuter apparel, though, in case there was any wonder.  But nothing can beat the happy faces, and the confidence they get from this one simple piece of clothing.

Mornings...

I have been trying to jump start a different morning routine.  This has gotten me thinking about mornings in the past, the days I started off right and the ones that were not so good.  I am not a morning person at all, so I remember vividly and with little pleasure phases of my life that required my getting up at the crack of dawn.  Eew...

Lately I have had the great pleasure of sleeping until seven, and then crawling through a languid list of activities until about nine.  It has to change... I hate that it has to change.

I look back on mornings before I had the boys, and even after and my routine has been so much more relaxed, even bordering on the slothful; but I can't help it--- I so much love our lazy mornings, and I feel so blessed to have had a season in which I could just really love life at this time of the day.

Lately...

Mornings are for little hands on my shoulders gently waking me, and sweet little faces so happy to see my eyes open.  I watch them walk ahead of me to the kitchen, and melt over how they wobble because they feel they must carry every blanket and stuffed animal they own to the couch with them.

Mornings are for filling our bellies with soothing drink: creamy chocolate milk for them, piping, freshly ground coffee for me.

Mornings are for quiet talk, cuddling with favorite books, deep breathing, and the joy of being, and of being together.

Mornings are for a half hour to myself in the bathroom.  It's hard to explain how sacred this time is, but I love being able to start my day with a shower, to fix my hair and stare at my face.  I  don't think it's vanity... at least I hope not too much.  I don't stand there and criticize or pat my back for looking good.  I just stand there and think, and try to remember what I looked like younger, and imagine what I will look like older.  It's just a little way I try to connect with this body God gave me.

Mornings are for fresh laundry, clean dishes, putting away, sweeping under and dusting the tops off.  They are for teaching and sharing in little chores that make our days cleaner, clearer, and fresher.

Mornings are becoming a little rowdy, a little unhappy, and our days are a little too busy.  It is not a bad thing, it just means they need to be jumped into a little earlier and with a little more energy.  I would be crazy not to feel a little sad about what I'm losing, but I would also be crazy not to feel incredibly spoiled by every morning I have to spend as a stay at home mom, with such a sweet little family, in such a pretty little house.  Each and every day--- I am completely blessed.