Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic

Sorry it has been so long since I have blogged. I'd like to say that it is because I am so busy teaching my children, but that would not be entirely true. The truth is that I just haven't had any idea of what to write. With that said, I will try harder and inspire myself to write more about homeschooling ideas and thoughts in the months ahead.

It has been brought to my attention that I have filled my children's schedules up and maybe not discussed the importance of the basics. I admit that I do have alot of things available for my children to do. If I didn't, I wouldn't be fulfilling the dream I have for them to actually have more opportunities than what the public school system has the ability to allow. I have never stressed before on this blog that the true basics; reading, writing, and arithmetic is ultimately the most important at stake in our children's lives. My friend has a child that is really good at reading and took the standardized test for her state requirement to homeschool. The child had never before been exposed to science. Because she was great at reading, her test scores excelled in science even though she had lacked in that area of learning. I am not encouraging any of you who homeschool to necessarily eliminate subjects just because this child did well in science with only the skill of reading. What I am saying is that homeschool teachers do not need to stress on many subjects at any time as long as the basics are being taught. If the basics are the only thing learned because of time, or finances, children can still succeed. They can still find exposure to areas of study through everyday living.

Do my children complete everything I have to offer in a day? I have one overacheiver that cannot get enough, and one child whom works at his own pace completing maybe two subjects in a day. The question is, do they learn? Yes. Even my child that completes two subjects a day at the moment is two grades ahead in his reading level. This is only because I have stressed more to my children on reading, writing and math in the beginning years.

I hope that this blog is only a tool to you to see what is available for your children to do in a day. What works for me may not work for you, but please focus on the basics so your children can succeed in the world ahead of them.

First Day of School

We've had a great first week. I started last Wednesday with our new schedule. The children seemed to be excited with doing school. They actually looked forward to their last subjects since it involved computer time. I am trying to teach my son how to type. We have a very basic typing program that teaches with a series of games. He seems to be catching on.

My other children love computer time too. Learning Spanish with Switched on Schoolhouse was somewhat of a last minute idea of mine, since I will be having my son do Latin and didn't purchase enough curriculum for anyone else. The Spanish program can have up to eight different students learning at a time. This seems to be really working out for us.

All in all, this last week was great. I hope the rest of the year turns out to be just as fun!

The Newest in Interactive Game Systems

We jumped into society this summer and purchased the most popular game system out there right now, the Nintendo Wii. For those of you that are unaware of what it really is, I will tell you briefly. This is I believe the first game system that you can literaly run, jump, box, play a real tennis game, and so much more! It took me a week and a half of going from one game seller to the next just to get my Wii Fit Board. I love it. Now I have someone that will hold me accountable for my weight loss/gain that can't pass judgement on me. The Wii Fit Board is loaded with excersizing tips and information. My posture is better and I have a pretty good awareness of my weight vs. strength levels. Unfortunately, the Wii Fit does not cater to children as well. I have to tell my children that gaining weight and growing is actually in their best interest. The Wii Fit is only programmed to celebrate at weight losses. So when my child gains 2lbs. and grows an inch, the program will respond concerned and ask why, while adding a tip on how to lose weight or something of such.

All in all, for you homeschool moms out there, it really is a great way to take care of yourself if you get the Wii Fit Board and game. It is nice to have something you can do anytime and will hold you accountable without anyone knowing what your measurements actually are.

My Trip to Germany

My last post was about not being able to travel. I should have added anymore. Having children is great, but with finances the way they are when having them, traveling sort of go's on the back burner. I did get to go to Germany when I was 17 as part of an exchange student program. I loved it, and this is probably what sparked my love of travel. I visited many of the cathedrals, the Feirnsetuerm, and Muenich to name a few. My favorite was the visit to Trier (the oldest town in Germany dating back to 12BC).

If I could, I would send my children for an experience in another country. I really began to understand a real appreciation of my country. The scenery was very different over there. It was hard to communicate because my German language skills was not so good. People are not as naturally polite. I had to look real hard for water that didn't "sparkle". Milk was purchased in a box and tasted like really thick, creamy butter with the same consistency that milk we have has.

Don't misunderstand me. I am only trying to say the things that made me appreciate America. It was a great learning experience. I hadn't traveled much outside of my home state before this. Anywhere one go's, there are differences. Even in America. Maybe even within ones own state they live in.

Getting out of my home helped me see the world and remember the differences that we all have. I now am a better person because I know that these differences are what make us who we are. It is very interesting also to see how other countries do things. The medical system, government system, and even agriculture is managed very uniquely. I wonder at times if the every day American could learn from how other countries do things and improve on our own system by comparing and contrasting the way we do things against the way others do them.

Traveling

I really wish that I had the opportunity to travel. I would love to go to Italy some day, or even Scotland. There are so many things to be experienced out there. Things like walking across the London Bridge, or visiting the Eifel Tower. The encyclopedia has so many good ideas of places to visit, only I haven't been able to figure out an easy way to pay for traveling. Guess I'll just have to let my imagination take me where I want to go. Maybe I will get to go somewhere grand one day. Better yet, maybe my children will grow up and pay my way for a great, expensive, family vacation! Do you think that will ever happen?

Camping

We just went to the most beautiful campsite I have ever been to in my life! There were miles of creek for the children to play and hike through. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking! I was having so much fun enjoying the freedoms of nature that I didn't take any pictures. Mmm. Maybe I could describe the experience. When we arrived I almost didn't want to stay at the site that my husband chose because it was the farthest from the out-house. After biting my lip, I looked up. There was a forest covered hill right in front of me, and forest beyond the campsite. This site was by far the most private one for the whole campground. There were only two other campers in the whole campground. I was truly in heaven when we chose to stay here. We had some friends come with us, and that proved to be the most fun of all. My friend and I went for the first nature walk, looking for firewood. We went into the thick forest to find many fallen trees just a few yards away from the camp. This would have been great had the men remembered to bring axes. We had a great time though eating toasted marshmallows, smores, homemade chili, baked potatoes, and some Indonesian food another friend cooked from her experiences on the mission field. The children had alot of fun being free in the forest. I am glad we went, and hope to go again next year.

Annual Assessment

Well, I did it! Or my son did I guess. We went for the annual evaluation to see if I did a good job at schooling my child for the year. He has an excellent reading level, testing 3 whole grades above average. I love the teacher that does my assessments, because my son left with such a good self-esteem. I did learn that he is not a phonetic speller. The teacher said that some people just aren't. I really don't understand. I have been teaching phonics since before I began homeschooling. This is something I will certainly be researching. It just doesn't seem right. In any case, we did a good job this year, and are greatly inspired for another year of homeschooling.