An impromptu experiment

Today we went to the Grapevine Arboretum. It is fairly new and honestly doesn't have a lot to look at. (Nevermind that it is January and everything is dead!) The kids needed to burn off some pent up energy and Troy and I just needed a break with them! (I didn't take my camera).

While we were there and the kids were able to explore freely we found many things; fish, leaves, bird nests with babies, rocks, squirrels, hawks, and even horse apples! We found one rather large one and the girls and I decided to cut it open and see what was inside when we got home.

We started with a list of "Observations"

We wrote different things about our horse apple. What it looked like, how it felt, how much it weighed, etc.

We also decided to compare the size with other fruit in the house. Is it bigger than an apple? How about a small grapefruit?

I don't have a scale (shame on me!) so we decided to compare the weight with other items in the house. We determined that 4 lbs of sugar and a 2 lb can of beans was too heavy. But the 1 lb can was just right!

Then it was time to make a hypothesis! What does the inside look like? How does it feel and smell? Are there seeds?

The girls were almost dead on with their guesses! I was very proud. This was a lot of fun and we learned about weight, measurements, comparison, and nature in general. We even looked up if it was okay to eat one of these apples! We also looked up why we write "lb" for pound!

 
Our finished "Observation Sheets".

The girls loved this and so did I. Jackson wasn't interested which was fine. He and his Daddy are working on their own projects! This is just a small part of what we do in our unschooling day!

Unschooling

Did I get your attention?

We have been homeschooling for 3 years now.  Already we are looking into year 4.  Jackson will be in the 4th grade, Ellie will be in 1st and dear Charlotte will be only 4 years old (I don't believe in homeschooling that young but we do have some fun activities planned). I have actually purchased all of our curriculum.  We are doing a variety of things.

There is a giant box in my living room full of books. Some are for reading some are text books and some are teacher's books.  This big box is starting to feel daunting.  I don't know if I can do ALL of that next year!  We live a very busy life and the thought of getting behind is overwhelming!! 

I have been scoping the blogs and have come across several unschoolers.  Here is a quick definition: Unschooling is when you don't necessarily have a structured "school environment".  Children are free to learn through play and exploration.  Some extreme unschoolers wait for their kids to ask to learn.

I am not on board with the extreme scenario of unschoolers but I have been thinking that maybe, just maybe this could be for us.  Jackson HATES sitting at the table with a text book and hours of writing and reading.  The boy is smart, he just wants to move around. Why not let him have that freedom? We already take more time for breaks than we do for learning.  In the meantime he is outside exploring, playing legos and now...wait for it....reading! All of these "breaks" include some kind of learning.

So how can I incorporate this with out school day?

I am thinking.  I still want to use that big box but I also want to not feel tied down to that big box. So one idea that I am working on is "Unschooling Boxes".  These will be little boxes (or baskets) with different items like crayons, lego, magnifying glasses, paper, pens etc.  The kids will always have access to them and will be able to work on them whenever they want.  The catch? There will be no more TV and video games!!  I am so excited to try this.  I will have to blog about it and let you all know how it goes!! :)

Just a little update!

Wow!  I have been gone a while! I am sorry about that.  It is not on purpose.  I just never can seem to find the time to post something that I think you all want to really read!!


So what is going on here? I am working and loving it.  It has been an adjustment to say the least but the kids and are getting the hang of it.  I had a hysterectomy last week.  I am recovering well.  I am hoping to go back to work next week. 

Jackson is doing well.  We are struggling with some heart issues.  He is at an age where he obsesses over things.  We are trying to teach him about false gods.  About allowing something to consume your mind so much that your focus is taken off of the Lord.  This is something that both Troy and I struggle with too.  We are not perfect but if we were then what would be the point?!

Ellie is still Ellie.  She is excelling in her schoolwork and is reading really well.  I am so proud of her.  She is super sensitive and I am still working on my own responses to her. I don't get her sometimes.  Remembering that this a gift that God has given her helps me to be more compassionate with her. She loves going to work with me.  She LOVES art.  She loves her teachers. 

Char is Char! She is a mess.  She is super bright and witty.  Because of this I am constantly laughing at her antics.  She is a mess and we love her for it!  Her outfit of choice is Minnie Mouse pajamas and to be honest I think that is a GREAT choice!

Troy is employed but looking for a new job. He has an interview today! Yay! We are praying it is better pay and a place where he is appreciated.  We want him to have a fun job!

I want to be a mermaid

We have been really busy.  I am rarely home anymore and at times I think it is taking a toll on the kids.  But then there are those times that they act like Goofy Goobers!

While at work Char came up to me with a head of wet hair.

Me-Shocked "Char! Why is your hair all wet?"
Char- As plain as can be without any incedents... "I want to be a mermaid, Mom.".

Well, there you go! We all had a good laugh and I let her run off and finish playing.  It is the little moments! Right?

Learning to read..take 2!

Two years ago I started teaching Jackson to read.  The experience was traumatic to say the least! There was a lot of crying and yelling.  From both of us.  So when Ellie started showing signs of readiness I was a little nervous.  Ellie's personality is nothing like Jackson's.  I knew that it would be different.  I was just worried that I might make the same mistakes as before. 

We have taken this whole entire process very slow.  She has finally started to express frustration because she cannot read.  One of her good friends is an excellent reader.  This frustrates her.  I have been preparing her for reading since June.  That is when I formally started teaching her letters and sounds.  The reason why I waited is because I wanted to make sure she got it.  A lot of times letters and numbers are taught at a very early age and I don't think kids really get them.  I think they memorize but then don't know how to apply them.  This is one of the problems that Jackson had.  Anyway, I started with just teaching her letters and sounds.  We worked and worked on them until I felt she was ready for the next step.  Last week we took the plunge.  We have officially started SSR&W.

It is not as easy as she had thought.  We are learning to blend letters like "b-a". Today she was very frustrated.  She really just wanted to read a book.  So today was not as easy as she had hoped.  I on the other hand knew it would not be so I was able to remain calm when she got upset.  I know she will get it.  Jackson did and he was hard for me!

True Greatness

This summer I did a book study on Raising Your Kids for True Greatness by Tim Kimmel.  A great book for all parents, especially Christian ones!  Anyway today, Jackson, out of nowhere brought the book to me.  He said, "Mom. I want you to read this book." I smiled and told him that I had.  He then wanted to know if Troy had.  I asked why and he responded "Because I want to do good things with my life." That is exactly what this book is all about.  I was so proud of my sweet boy when he said that.  He is an amazing kid.  And my hope is that we can raise him up for TRUE greatness.

Busy with School!

The kids and I have been busy with school!  We have been going through the motions and it has been pretty good...for the most part!  We still struggle with attitudes and that can be a bit challenging, especially when I am not in the mood.

Jackson finished an ETC book last week.  It felt like it took forever (because it did) but he finished.  I asked if he wanted me to take a picture and he said "No!".  Oh well.  We have also taken a break from Horizon's Math.  I could tell that he was getting too frustrated with it and for the last 3 weeks we have been only working on fast facts on the computer.  He really likes doing it and it takes less than 5 minutes sometimes.  There are parts of me that think he should be doing more but then the laid back, just let him work at his own pace cause this is why we chose to homeschool, part of me says that 5 minutes of math is fine if he is learning.  He finished a chapter book that was part of the Hooked on Phonics program we are using.  He really enjoyed the story line and I could tell he was really proud of himself when he finished.

Ellie is still trucking away at ETC.  We will be starting SSRW before Thanksgiving I am sure.  Part of me wonders if I should wait until after the new year.  I probably won't because she is so willing to learn right now.  We are still working on number recognition and some addition. She is doing well with it.

Charlotte is craving some school time.  I have started working with colors and shapes with her.  We are also learning "C" for Charlotte.  Last week we talked about circles, purple and the number 8 by making a spider.  She really liked it.  I will have to take a picture of the project.

Overall we have been doing lots of fun things.  There have been times I thought about taking pictures but then didn't because I was enjoying my time with the kids. 

Something Different

Yesterday my sweet friend was sharing her struggles with homeschooling with me.  I encouraged her to try something a little different and today she said it worked! 

Taking my own advice we went outside and picked up leaves and pine cones.  The kids even picked little pink flowers off of my crepe myrtles (is that how you spell that?). Oh well!  Anyway we came in and painted with leaves and used tissue paper and crayons and even googly eyes to decorate all that we got.  It was great!  We had 3 extra kids over so you can imagine I did NOT get pictures! :(  But the kids made some really cool collages. I will post pics of the finished masterpieces soon!

What kind of fun things do you do to break up the monotony of the day? Ours was impromptu, what about you?

Charlotte

Each day we start with breakfast and a few chores.  Then we go on to start our school day.  Charlotte is old enough to realize that she is missing out on something.  Lately she has been asking for her "school".  She has a few things that she just loves!  Some of them are independent play and others are with Mommy!

Matching these bears is always fun!  She is learning size and color with this activity.  As I type she and Ellie are pretend playing with them.  They have each grouped them by color making "families". 

Puzzles are always fun.  She has actually begun to do more difficult puzzles.  She is learning how to look at the colors on the pieces of a traditional puzzle and is able to match them up.  She still can't quite finish one but she is getting really close!  Luckily, Ellie is a puzzle whiz and is very patient and loves to teach her sister!

She also LOVES to color!  You can see that she is a lefty! She has excellent fine motor skills and has been holding a pencil/crayon correctly for about 9 months now.  Recently I noticed that she was starting to color in the lines really well.  Occasionally she will scribble on the paper, mostly when she is being silly.  She is also starting to "write letters" with a pencil or pen.  She already recognizes what writing looks like and is very intentional with the lines and curves that she makes on a piece of paper.

We also LOVE to read together.  Each morning when the big kids are done Charlotte and I pick 3 or 4 books and read them together.  I have started asking her context clue questions and have even asked her to read to me.  I love the stories she makes up just by looking at the pictures.  She even does the voices! :)

We also have started going to PBSKIDS.org.  She does not use the mouse but I let her point to the place she wants me to pick.  She really enjoys that!

All in all she is doing really well.  She is very bright.  I don't want to push her.  I want this to be as organic as it can be.  I am going to continue to put things in front of her that interest her.  After all she did JUST turn 3!!!!!

It doesn't seem like it could even be possible that we are struggling ALREADY this year, but we are.  For the most part we are getting our assignments done.  It just seems that the overall moral is a little down.  I think part of that is the fact that I have been in a little funk lately. 

Here are some things we are working on:

Hearts: I truly believe I have great kids.  For the most part they are well-mannered and obedient.  But we have been struggling lately with bad attitudes and disobedience.  There are many different opinions from the masses on what I should be doing to correct these things.  There are several different approaches that I have been trying.  Some are working and some are not.  What I do know is that I am starting to see a slight shift in their behavior which means it is all downhill from there...right?

School is boring: I had all of these ideas about school this year.  I had planned out the curriculum and thought "okay this is going to be good".  Well, it's not!  The kids are bored.  Yesterday after Ellie was finished with her assignments she asked if she could play a game.  I pulled out the pack of Crazy Eight's cards that we got from the Dollar Store and she and I played.  It was her first time and she WON!  As we were playing I realized that we were practicing shapes, numbers and colors.  She didn't even know that she was learning.  Afterwards we put on some dance music and I let the kids get up on their desks and dance.  We had so much fun!  So I want to start doing more things like this.  I don't want it to be monotonous for them. I want them to be glad they are homeschooled because of all of the fun things they get to do!  I mean what kid in public school can say I played cards today for math and that was it!? 

As you can see this is all a process.  If you are willing and able to look at the big picture then it can become really fun.  Making adjustments to your schedule and your lessons can lead to a whole lot more exciting times for you and your kids!

Two new fun links!

Let me start by telling you that I am not getting anything for endorsing these two sites.  But I do like them!

The first is Reading Eggs.  My friend Mindy told me about this one and we started playing it yesterday.  Ellie LOVES it!  We are just starting to learn letters.  She knows 85% of them.  We have been using ETC but I noticed that she was having some difficulty recalling some of the letters.  I wanted something that would help reinforce what we are already learning.  (ETC does have an online program too).  When we started Reading Eggs I thought, "Wow this is really going to be fun". And it is! We were able to get a discounted rate at Homeschool Buyers Co-op.

The next site is a FREE site! Sheppard Software has free math games for all ages.  Ellie and Jackson are using this site to reinforce what they are learning.  So far it has been a hit!

Do any of you have a site that you love to use?  Let me know!

Day 3

Just want to let you know that as I type this post my 3 year old is having one of the biggest meltdowns I have ever seen! I just had to scream at her to get her to stay in her room.  Motherhood.

I wanted to post some pictures of what we have been doing.  It is only day 3 but the kids are really enjoying our new schedule.  So here it goes.

In Friends and Heroes, we are learning about keeping a diary/journal.  We researched Samuel Pepys and read some entries of his.  Then Jackson had to pretend he was in a loft of a barn like Macky from F&H.  He was to wrap up in his blanket and write about his adventures that day.  The lesson suggested that we do it by candle light but I used my own discretion. This was out of Jackson's comfort zone.  He is still not a very good speller and lacks confidence.  But after writing a bit I caught him writing notes by himself.  I LOVE when he realizes he CAN do something!

Charlotte received excellent presents for her birthday!  One of them was this sorting activity.  She still doesn't quite understand patterns but she does understand different colors and sizes.  She really enjoyed this activity today.

Ellie is really doing very well with ETC!

We also played UNO Moo!  The kids really like this game!  Thank you Mrs. Mindy!

Look who is learning how learning how to ride a bike!  Go Ellie T!

Following Through

Okay so I am just going to put it out there....most days we sit in front of the TV all day and do nothing.  This has become a reality that I am ashamed of.  I could blame it on the heat or not having a car, but in all actuality it is because it is so much easier to let the kids be occupied by the big box that makes noise! As you know we are schooling through the summer and the last two weeks have SUCKED!  We have not gotten anything done. 

Se la vi (is that how you spell it?).

So this week I decided we are going to start over.  No more kicking myself or boo-hooing.  We are going to start.  The first day, Monday, we had 3 different visitors stop by.  This put a wrench in my plans but I stuck with it and made the kids stick with it too.  While I prepared dinner, Ellie sat at the island and did her ETC while Jackson sat at the table and worked on his math.  Jackson did not finish until 9pm.  He is a trooper!

*Before you get all judgmental on me for making my kid work into the night... let tell you that it took him about 6 hours to do 2 pages of work.  He chose not to get it done! Today he finished a much larger amount of work in about 45 minutes!

Anyway. Today was much better.  We started the day off without TV and the kids ate and played outside first thing.  Really, we have to go out before 9 am to keep cool (or cooler!).  After playing we started school.  Ellie is always faster because she has less work.  She finished with a great attitude and then worked on her chores.  Jackson also had a great attitude and finished all subjects by 10:30!!  Only an hour and 45 min!  I was so proud!  Char watched PBS.  I know I just said no TV but she woke up on the wrong side of the bed and I didn't want to fight her while I was helping Ellie.  And if  I am following my lesson plans, 30 minutes of TV is allotted for Char! The kids ALL did had their chores done by 11 and we were able to go next door to play with our friends.

Anyway all that to say I am going to really try to follow through with the kids this year.  It is so easy to stop doing our work when it gets hard or we get a better offer.  I think it is a good lesson to teach them too!  I am not worried about how they will turn out in the academically, I am more worried about how they will turn out spiritually.  And following through is a lesson that needs to be learned!

When is my birfday?

This a another post about my dear Char!  She is obsessed with her birthday.  She has been talking about it since Jackson's in April. 

Yesterday she looked at me in all seriousness and asked, "Is my birfday in four more minutes?".  I just about died!  She had her four fingers up and anticipation on her face.  I was sad to tell her she still had 20 days!

She was okay with that.  After all, she has no concept of time! :)

This isn't going to last forever

Char just came into the living room holding her dress up around her chest with a long strip of toilet paper in her hands.  She looked at me with all seriousness and said, "I need you to wipe my hiner".

This made me think of her and how little she is and how big she is all at the same time.  Not quite 3 she is talking like a big girl.  She is completely potty trained and she doesn't even tell me when she has to go anymore (hence the reason she has to come find me to help her!). She is "writing" her letters and shapes, she only knows how to make a circle.  And she loves to read me the stories in her books.

But then there are those times that she just wants to be held.  Times when she wants me to blow on her food because it is too hot.  Times when she is scared and needs me to go with her to make sure it is all right. Times when she needs me to wipe her hiner!  I love that little girl.  I am not ready for my baby to grow up! She still has a long way to go!

An encouragement....

We started a new curriculum and schedule today.  A schedule is something that we, as a family, struggle with.  I can never keep up and the kids always do something to mess it up! But that is okay..I think! :)

So this morning as I was reading over the teacher's notes for the lesson today I read a prayer that was so good.  It put me in check and I really appreciate it.  I thought I would share it because as a mom this is such a battle.  Not just for homeschoolers but for ALL moms out there!

"Diana just wanted to protect her family. She was going wrong because she was relying on her own strength, rather than crying out to the Lord for help. When she was reminded of the story of Daniel and the lions' den her heart was softened. It is very easy to rely on our own strength and get stressed. This robs peace from the whole household. Today take courage that there is no lion's mouth that God can't shut, and when you trust Him you do not need to fear."

"Dear Jesus, I call on your name to strengthen me to raise my children to love you. I surrender to You and ask that will lead our day. Please give me wisdom, grace, and energy. To your glory alone, amen."

We started our day with this prayer and the Lord is so good.  Instead of being frustrated with the fact that the schedule was already out the window at 9:15 am, I was gracious to my children.  And because of that my son asked me some really good "God questions".  I could have missed them if I had been consumed with myself today!

Summer Vacation at Grammy and Popsy's!

My bigs went to my parents house this past week.  It was a good time had by all.  Mom and Dad took them fishing.  Ellie was the only one who caught anything...

and did she ever!  An 18 in, 2 lb catfish!

Jackson tried....

but she beat him again!  Another catch!  This time a little bass.

Ellie fishing with Popsy.  Jackson is in the background trying a different spot.

Char and I made the drive to go and pick them up in Waco.  She was one tired puppy!  She fell asleep with her tongue hanging out!  Love this little girl!

There are more pics that I will post when Mom sends them to me!

PICTURES!!!

The kids painted the other day.  They needed something fun to do and what is more fun than painting?  The did great and I think I am going to frame them and decorate the school room with them! Hope you enjoy them! :)

My 2 year old is a MESS!

Many of you know that both of my girls have their favorite security items.  For Ellie it is a little brown puppy appropriately named, Puppy, and then a pink and white crocheted blanket from Mimi.  For Charlotte it is a little (used to be) white sheep from Bath and Body Works appropriately named, Sheepy.  So now that you are all caught up....

About two weeks ago Puppy went missing.  It was a sad day in the house.  Ellie cried and did not sleep well the first couple of nights.  Thankfully she was able to get over it and really has only missed it when she was extremely tired. I found it odd that we couldn't find Puppy.  I had just seen him in the gameroom and he just disappeared. We even cleaned it well and couldn't find him.  So two weeks and a very tired and cranky girl later, I decided to look one more time!

*Just a little side note here.  To all you Mom's out there, are you the only one who can find anything in your house?  I am!  And it drives me nuts!

Anyway back to the story.  Last night I decided to take one more look.  Behind the couch under a few strategically placed items was PUPPY!! I was so excited.  I quickly took him to Ellie, who was already in bed, and she was elated.  I told her where I found him and that it appeared someone had hidden him there.

Charlotte jumped out of bed and declared, "I did it!". She was so proud.  She then told us that she had put it in her "Fecret hidin' pwace" (secret hiding place).  She is such a MESS!  For two weeks she has known that we were looking for it and she remained quiet like she had no idea.  If this is how she is at 2 what will she be like at 15?  Lord, help me now!

She can swing!

It is a typical morning in the Brown house today.  We just finished working on our lap books and now the kids are outside enjoying the semi-cool morning while I catch up on email and other random things.  I am sitting in the living room in front of our big window occasionally looking up and watching what they are doing. And much to my surprise I see me 2 1/2 year old sitting on a 'big' swing going almost as high as her sister.  The only thing is there is no one pushing her.  As I watch her I realize she is pumping her legs! 

Oh my goodness!  She can swing!

I know that first children are slow to do things because they don't have someone to watch and the subsequent siblings catch on more quickly; but man, I was not expecting this!  She is growing up so fast and that makes me so sad! :( If I am being totally honest it makes my uterus hurt! I have been heart broken over her milestones because that means that she is no longer a baby.  She is closer to a preschooler than a toddler now.  I know I am not the only one who feels this way..right?