I have spent a while online researching craft supplies for our fall/Autumn needle felting project, along with other notions for homeschooling. I am decidedly in love with anything resembling the waldorf style of learning. Hands-on, natural materials, earth-centered, and individually honoring. Which is what we do at home. I visited a mainstream toy store today looking for what to get the play area downstairs that might be fun for the kids, and I thought I'd see what the recommended for toys in Ethan's age range....all plastic and all computer related. I felt sad when I saw the top sellers, Wii crap. I am so not into gaming and disconnecting (my opinon here). I think my kids are very fortunate to have me for their mom, because I am a earthy compassionate creative being that blends both ancient and modern methods for a truly marvelous learning experience. Providing I'm not crabby. :)
I am going to purchase foam flooring for the play area downstairs to make it more user friendly for the kids. Ethan and his friends play down their regularly. It would be nice for warmth and padding.
Ethan and Avery had a great day of schooling. We got to sing all our songs and added movement to them as we sang. It is fun to see Ethan's creativity in his singing. He sings nonstop, and I love it. Avery does too, in her fashion. Singing represents a happy heart and a confident voice. I refuse to let anyone take that away from them. We also read our chaper in the Mighty Minn book and Ethan and Avery both read their books. We all went outside to see the sewer truck come and suck up all our 6 years worth of waste. It was really cool and thankfully windy as well. Nahni and I took a walk down to get the mail and I let her dance in all the puddles along the way. She was wearing her rain boots and a cosy hat and clothes and just loved being in the puddles. She was so happy.
After lunch we worked on logic with one of our sudoku games using shapes and the kids did really well. We also drew our favorite memories of Itasca, created our October Calendar (a little late I know), practiced guitar (with much complaining of hurting fingers(Ethan only), and now their creating with their legos and wearing tubers and zots on their heads. It felt like a good day today.
We purchased a new light for our school area to go over the computer and illuminate the school materails. I am so happy to have it there, as it's where the kids play most of the time. I'm going to hang up a canopy now and help them to create an enchanted realm by the window.
Tomorrow we have science, ASL (I know how to sign- I am happy to meet you, and where were you born!), reading, workbooks, and music lesson. I am taking the night off to enjoy being home and maybe go for a canoe ride to enjoy the fall leaves.
Our theatrical unit is going well. We're at the part where we're going to create our background and costumes. It's really fun to have Marcia over weekly and hear how the kids are leanring with her. It takes a lot of patience on her part and I truly appreciate her efforts. It has been an excellent learning experience and she is completely phenomenal as a teen.
I want to get a melody harp for transition times and helping ethan when he's learning his guitar. I also want to get a pentatonic flute for him and Avery. We'll see about that next year.
Our home is decorated for harvest and we're going to have a harvest party for Ethan's 7th birthday. A harvest carnival with apple dunking, ring toss, pumpkin painting or drilling (as I think some of them would rather drill holes and would tremendously enjoy that), and whatever else looks good.
It's time to go to work. Blessings.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
New and Blue
Ethan got his new blue guitar today. A simple acoustical guitar with a simple case and tuner. He has a lesson book that is easy to understand. We have to retune the guitar due to his mis-understanding of tuning. I am good at tuning guitars and look forward to playing with him when I get my guitar back.
We didn't do any book work today. I had a lesson planned for science and math today that got put on hold until possibly tomorrow. It was too nice to be inside so we went to town. I went outside at 10am and didn't go back in until 4:30pm (well, back into the house). We went into town for lunch and on the way talked all about the trees that we saw and their attributes. After lunch we drove Avery to school and went back to mainstreet to give dad back his van. Then Nahni and Ethan and I went to Alco and bought more fall foliage stuff to decorate. I didn't have anything to go outside and 40% off is nice. He helped me by reading the signs and selecting flowers for the containers we purchased. We then walked over to the school and had dad come and pick us up to go home with the newbold cousins. It was a long day and I'm glad we spent a lot of it getting good exercise, fresh air, and a fresh perspective.
We will spend months indoors but for infrequent hours here and there outside. Today was wonderful and a treat to spent with excellent company and in the spirit of real life education.
It's time for bed.
We didn't do any book work today. I had a lesson planned for science and math today that got put on hold until possibly tomorrow. It was too nice to be inside so we went to town. I went outside at 10am and didn't go back in until 4:30pm (well, back into the house). We went into town for lunch and on the way talked all about the trees that we saw and their attributes. After lunch we drove Avery to school and went back to mainstreet to give dad back his van. Then Nahni and Ethan and I went to Alco and bought more fall foliage stuff to decorate. I didn't have anything to go outside and 40% off is nice. He helped me by reading the signs and selecting flowers for the containers we purchased. We then walked over to the school and had dad come and pick us up to go home with the newbold cousins. It was a long day and I'm glad we spent a lot of it getting good exercise, fresh air, and a fresh perspective.
We will spend months indoors but for infrequent hours here and there outside. Today was wonderful and a treat to spent with excellent company and in the spirit of real life education.
It's time for bed.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
My Guitar Boy
My wonderful son surprised me today. He started his guitar lessons today with great results. Even though he didn't have his own guitar, which we've ordered and it should be in by next lesson, he was able to use the teacher's guitar and play the first song. He impressed them and certainly impressed me. We ordered him a blue 3/4 size student guitar and he will have lessons weekly on Wednesday 3:30-4pm. I am very pleased and will get my guitar back from the folks soon so I can learn with him. I am quite musical too and want to learn with him.
Our schooling has gone well this week. We enjoyed an afternoon of schooling, as this morning I wasn't feeling well. We sang our circle song, reviewed our new song as we learn one new song a week that we'll eventually perform in November, read about dinosaurs going to sleep, did our workbooks, and ended with a science experiment that wasn't successful but fun.
This afternoon I bought a six sided puzzle for Avery and Nahni to enjoy and a birdhouse kit for Ethan to build tomorrow. We are learning about Egypt tonight with a presentation including homemade food by our cousin Katie Jeanne. I am excited!! And I hear the dessert is stellar.
Ethan and Avery will also have a monthly visit with a local folk musician to learn about folk music and whatever else he has up his sleeves. I have missed my dad's musical influence with my kids and wanted to find someone to help fill the gap and Drew H. is the man. He is good with kids, loves his music, and is passionate about life. We are also enjoyed our theater workshop with Marcia. The kids are developing their play and will perform it in October or November. I'll let her decide. They love their hour with her and it's a win win for us all as it gives them something to do and me time with Nahni or to myself, always on the sidelines though.
I am seeking an artist to come and play with the kids, teach them something either I suck at or just don't like to do (some things I love but suck at, other things I just loathe doing). I like having people come here, and we have a wonderful setup for most activities.
Namaste
Our schooling has gone well this week. We enjoyed an afternoon of schooling, as this morning I wasn't feeling well. We sang our circle song, reviewed our new song as we learn one new song a week that we'll eventually perform in November, read about dinosaurs going to sleep, did our workbooks, and ended with a science experiment that wasn't successful but fun.
This afternoon I bought a six sided puzzle for Avery and Nahni to enjoy and a birdhouse kit for Ethan to build tomorrow. We are learning about Egypt tonight with a presentation including homemade food by our cousin Katie Jeanne. I am excited!! And I hear the dessert is stellar.
Ethan and Avery will also have a monthly visit with a local folk musician to learn about folk music and whatever else he has up his sleeves. I have missed my dad's musical influence with my kids and wanted to find someone to help fill the gap and Drew H. is the man. He is good with kids, loves his music, and is passionate about life. We are also enjoyed our theater workshop with Marcia. The kids are developing their play and will perform it in October or November. I'll let her decide. They love their hour with her and it's a win win for us all as it gives them something to do and me time with Nahni or to myself, always on the sidelines though.
I am seeking an artist to come and play with the kids, teach them something either I suck at or just don't like to do (some things I love but suck at, other things I just loathe doing). I like having people come here, and we have a wonderful setup for most activities.
Namaste
Friday, September 5, 2008
Welcome Fall
Last week we began our fall schedule. It has been a good two weeks. I feel accomplished, something I didn't feel but two or three times total last fall semester. I am doing my blending of curriculum and tending to what we need for the day and season. We are not in Itasca, which was on our weekend schedule. The weather is wonderfully rainy and allows for us to have an evening home. I didn't schedule work this weekend so I am happily home with the four kids (Konnor is here) and the hubby. And the skunk dog.
Okay, I'm rambling.
Today Ethan worked on handwriting, reading, art, and creative construction using my yoga blocks and legos. It was a mostly pleasant day, and everything got done with fun. I like days like that.
We have a new computer, a Mac Mini, that we use for basic functions. I am happy to have a little computer with no noise other than happy sounds that we want to hear. The other one sounded like a jet engine.
Okay, I'm rambling.
Today Ethan worked on handwriting, reading, art, and creative construction using my yoga blocks and legos. It was a mostly pleasant day, and everything got done with fun. I like days like that.
We have a new computer, a Mac Mini, that we use for basic functions. I am happy to have a little computer with no noise other than happy sounds that we want to hear. The other one sounded like a jet engine.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Our new year has begun. I have all my supplies necessary to begin. We visited Ikea and got a new desk and shelf unit that allows for me to be super organized, which I need for flow. We have three stations set up, one for computer, one for art, one for mixed media. We also got a new big soft rug for happy feet and hands as they play in our school area. I feel so excited and we have had a great start to our week. Each day has 3-5 subjects, and I'm blending curriculum and other materials to make a fuller experience for us. We ordered science and math materials from Delta Education. We are ordering more art supplies for our needle felting fall project and other art/craft projects. We have a friend coming in every Monday starting mid-September doing a theatrical/drama class with the kids and Ethan will start music lessons in September as well as Tae Kwon Do. Avery will not be going to ECFE's day program but will attend their Monday evening program with either Ryan or myself. Nahni has her own little table with two chairs and while we did our workbooks today she laid on her belly looking at her books. It was so cute.
I am delighted to have a good start to our new year. I am delighted to have enough funding to make our schooling fuller, more hands-on and fun (and doable). I am honored to have my children want to school with me. I do not feel stressed by this opportunity and am glad I've been at it for four years. It gets better with every year.
Avery is doing kindergarten level work, Ethan 1st-3rd grade depending on the subject. Nahni is absorbing and dancing with us.
Over the summer Ethan's reading light went on and he's reading up a storm. It's awesome to see his progress and this will help me considerable this year.
Out trip to Minneapolis was wonderful. We visited Como Zoo and enjoyed all the very active and lovely animals. We loved the giant lilly pads outside. We swam three times and no one drowned. It wasn't a big pool but we had fun. Ryan and the kids rode the light rail from the city center into the mega mall while Nahni and I enjoyed Ikea. Then we visited the fish at the Underwater world and finished our experience with a long and wonderful visit at the science museum. It was a busy but fantastic time. I am so glad we survived with smiles.
Next week we visit Itasca State Park. We'll get the camping trailer ready next week and make sure we're good to go every other way. I love Itasca and am so excited for the kids to meet the ancient ones in the woods and to dance in the head waters. It will be magical!
Mahalo
I am delighted to have a good start to our new year. I am delighted to have enough funding to make our schooling fuller, more hands-on and fun (and doable). I am honored to have my children want to school with me. I do not feel stressed by this opportunity and am glad I've been at it for four years. It gets better with every year.
Avery is doing kindergarten level work, Ethan 1st-3rd grade depending on the subject. Nahni is absorbing and dancing with us.
Over the summer Ethan's reading light went on and he's reading up a storm. It's awesome to see his progress and this will help me considerable this year.
Out trip to Minneapolis was wonderful. We visited Como Zoo and enjoyed all the very active and lovely animals. We loved the giant lilly pads outside. We swam three times and no one drowned. It wasn't a big pool but we had fun. Ryan and the kids rode the light rail from the city center into the mega mall while Nahni and I enjoyed Ikea. Then we visited the fish at the Underwater world and finished our experience with a long and wonderful visit at the science museum. It was a busy but fantastic time. I am so glad we survived with smiles.
Next week we visit Itasca State Park. We'll get the camping trailer ready next week and make sure we're good to go every other way. I love Itasca and am so excited for the kids to meet the ancient ones in the woods and to dance in the head waters. It will be magical!
Mahalo
Monday, August 11, 2008
Mid-August Already
Time is indeed rushing past as the speed of August, a month that seems to disappear even before it begins.
Today we deepened into the exploration of the mississippi waterways. We colored the states that touch the river and talked about where the river begins. We will deepen into the adventure through our book, the Might Minn over the next few weeks before our visit to Itasca.
This week we'll chart the flow of the mississippi in Minnesota and note where we'll cross it on our upcoming trip.
Today Ethan began writing a bionicle book. It's great. He's also creating illustrations that indicate a storyline developing from still images. Like a jedi attacking a droid. Ethan is constantly building and because of his hands-on approach to learning I'm ordering science kits that are all about hands-on learning methods to understand the subject. Each kit has several activities and comes with all the materials needed and in its own little storage box. Nutshell kits from Delta Education.
I haven't enrolled Avery into ECFE's preschool and don't know if I will. She comes home from the wonderful Wednesday activities all ornery but she has fun. I know she will do fine without attending the ECFE program but we can still make the final decision before the end of August.
I'll be getting a new desk this week at Ikea during our trip. I will have 25 cubbies for organization, which I desperately need for our craft materials and paperwork and homeschool materials in general, and a desk that can be used by three people at the same time including computer usage. I am SO excited. I am an organizational nut. I need everything in a space, labeled if possible, and easily accessible. Flow. Sometimes flow takes effort to get it there but once it's there, whee!
It's time to get back into the flow beyond the mind-suck computer screen. Blessings!
Today we deepened into the exploration of the mississippi waterways. We colored the states that touch the river and talked about where the river begins. We will deepen into the adventure through our book, the Might Minn over the next few weeks before our visit to Itasca.
This week we'll chart the flow of the mississippi in Minnesota and note where we'll cross it on our upcoming trip.
Today Ethan began writing a bionicle book. It's great. He's also creating illustrations that indicate a storyline developing from still images. Like a jedi attacking a droid. Ethan is constantly building and because of his hands-on approach to learning I'm ordering science kits that are all about hands-on learning methods to understand the subject. Each kit has several activities and comes with all the materials needed and in its own little storage box. Nutshell kits from Delta Education.
I haven't enrolled Avery into ECFE's preschool and don't know if I will. She comes home from the wonderful Wednesday activities all ornery but she has fun. I know she will do fine without attending the ECFE program but we can still make the final decision before the end of August.
I'll be getting a new desk this week at Ikea during our trip. I will have 25 cubbies for organization, which I desperately need for our craft materials and paperwork and homeschool materials in general, and a desk that can be used by three people at the same time including computer usage. I am SO excited. I am an organizational nut. I need everything in a space, labeled if possible, and easily accessible. Flow. Sometimes flow takes effort to get it there but once it's there, whee!
It's time to get back into the flow beyond the mind-suck computer screen. Blessings!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Upcoming Adventures
I'm working on getting two field trips put together for my family- one to the Twin Cities for a trip to the Science Museum and maybe Komo Zoo and the other to Itasca. We'll be going south to the Twin Cities August 14th-16th and will take in the Star Wars show at the Science Museum. We're also working on local history and will go to Itasca and camp two nights to enjoy the outdoors and the special perk of the Mississippi headwaters. I'm excited and looking forward to seeing something new with the kids.
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