Showing posts with label Home School Methods. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Home School Methods. Show all posts

Friday 19 February 2016

A Day Home Schooling an Only


Welcome to a day in our home school.  I don't know where or how the tradition started but we always wake up and enjoy a cup of tea together.  It's something we did as a family before the children joined us and once they were about four months old they joined us for a wake up cup of tea.  It's what we do to start off our day.  Very few days go by without a morning cup of tea.  Somehow it does not feel complete unless we have sat together in the lounge before Paul leaves before work.  These day's it's just the three of us as Jane is currently enjoying a year overseas working and exploring the U.K. at the moment and Timothy has a slightly different schedule to us.

As I share our day with you I would leave one word of caution.  Never try to make a carbon copy of another families normal day.  Every home schooling family is unique and therefore so should their day be unique.

The Schoolhouse Review Crew would like to welcome you into their homes this week as they share their unique and individual days with you.

Paul works a slightly unique roster meaning that our daily rhythm is slightly different every week.  On a work day he leaves for work at around 7:30 am.

Once he leaves it's time for breakfast, bed making, getting dressed for the day and morning chores.  These are normally things like unpacking the dishwasher and either starting the clothes washer or hanging the already washed clothing. Once these are complete it's time to begin with our school work.


We start our reading list with bible study and encouraging books.
We then read some more and explore different subjects.  If Nathaniel asks a question while we are reading we will take some time and look for the answer.  We also do word studies while we are reading.  Little Pilgrim's Progress has given us plenty of opportunities to expand our vocabulary recently.

 Our currently read aloud for fun is The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B.White.  This is such a beautifully written story.
This year I am adding in poetry reading.  We are not studying poetry but rather just taking the time to read it as part of our day.  We are using Favorite Poems of Childhood.
My all time favourite composer study series is from Zeezok publishing and we are currently reading their book on the life of Joseph Haydn - The Merry Little Peasant.

 We take a small break and then it is time for music practice followed by morning tea.

 Followed by more time cuddled together on the couch when we tackle our history read alouds. This year we are continuing our journey with the ancients and have added an introduction to Australian History.  Our books are:
 Some days we choose to watch documentaries on Netflix or we take one off our DVD shelf.  Yesterday we looked up a few YouTube clips about the ancient Chinese practice of foot binding.

By now it's usually lunch time and time for more chores.


 After lunch we tackle the remaining books in our pile and this day it was the sciences. We are reading:


Next it's time to get out all the pencils and practice the rest of the Three R's. It's time writing and arithmetic.

Most afternoons we have something happening.  Some days it's art co-op and on others it's fellowship etc.



Paul get's home at around 5 pm and then it's time to play with Pugsley and do evening chores.  Pugsley adores Nathaniel and loves his ball (Yes it's a golf ball.  That's the only ball he does not destroy!)

 Homeschooling an only has stretched me in ways I never thought possible and it's a blessing in the most amazing ways as well.  Asperger's Syndrome frustrates us both some days and on other days it's brought about much laughter.  Every day is different and yet somehow the same. Homeschooling has been one of life surprises and it's biggest blessing.  I'm grateful for each new day I get to be this boys Mom and friend.  I get to be there for every amazing adventure and new discovery.  His passion at the moment is movie making and through this I am learning how God has made this miracle gift to me in His image and not mine.

Thank you for sharing our day with us.  I endevour to share our days / week each week on a Saturday via The Homeschool Mother's Journal and daily on Instagram (@Chareenr).  You can see what our favourite books are and hands on projects we have been up to as well as the places we explore on our Field Trips.

This post is part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog Hop A Day in Our Homeschool.  Be sure to check out what my homeschooling friends days look like.

Blessings
Chareen 
A Day in Our Homeschool


A Day in Our Homeschool 2017


Wednesday 13 August 2014

Back to Homeschool Blog Hop with the Crew

Back to Homeschool Blog Hop

It's time for this years annual Back to Homeschool Blog Hop by the Schoolhouse Review Crew.  Be sure to stop by each blog for some jam packed Homeschool equipping and encouragement.

Marcy @ Ben and Me
Jacquelin @ A Stable Beginning

Karen @ Tots and Me

Rebecca @ Raventhreads
Jennifer @ Milk & Honey Mommy
Lisa @ A Rup Life
Beth @ Weavings

Melanie @ finchnwren


Shawna @ Tenacity Divine
Adena @ AdenaF

Remember to visit Marcy over at Ben and Me and enter the Back to Homeschool Giveaway.  There are TWO major prizes up for grabs.



Blessings
Chareen

Thursday 1 March 2012

NBTS Week 4 - {A Day in our life}

Our Worldwide Classroom Welcome to Week 4 of the Aussie NBTS Blog Hop.  This week we are sharing a Day in our Lives.

In week one you met my three children Mr T, Miss J and Sir N who have all been homeschooled.
In week two I shared the curriculum choices I have made for the year ahead with Sir N.  This inspired me to share a Time Line of my homeschool journey with you.
Week three saw us looking at our learning spaces.

Well the last week had no typical days in our lives because in between it all I got sick and spent the days sleeping and calling in Paul to step in so I thought I would give you an approximation of a typical day in our lives.

An Average Day in Our lives goes something like this:

So teach us to number our days, that we may get us a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90: 12


5 AM I get up
Do my Cover to Cover bible study.
Blog at One Year Through The Word.
***********************************************
6 AM Exercise Walk
or do a programme using a DVD
or do a session on Wii Active.
***********************************************
7 AM Shower
*********************************************** 
7:30 AM Cup of tea with Paul
*********************************************** 
7:40 AM IF it's a work day I drive with Miss J and Paul
to drop Paul at work.
*********************************************** 
8 AM Take Miss J who is on her L plates
and let her drive herself to work
She is currently working full time since her graduation.
*********************************************** 
8:30 AM Home
Breakfast
Clean the kitchen
Touch base with my Mom
Sir N to do his morning Five Fingers Chart.
*********************************************** 
9 AM School written work
Go for the Code
Abeka Arithmetic 1
Developing the Early Learner.
A Reason for Handwriting 1
*********************************************** 
11 AM Play Time
House Work
Laundry
*********************************************** 
12 PM Lunch
1 PM School Read Alouds
*********************************************** 

Core A
Science A
*********************************************** 
2 PM Play Time
*********************************************** 
3 PM Room Time
Sir N will either listen to an audio book
or Classical Kids CD
or Hide em in Your Heart
***********************************************
4 PM Chores
*********************************************** 
4:30 PM Fetch Paul from work (Pick Him up at 5)
*********************************************** 
5:30 PM Fetch Miss J from work
*********************************************** 
6:00 PM Dinner Time
*********************************************** 
6:30 PM Bath Time Sir N
Evening Sir N Five Fingers Chart.
7:30 PM Bed Time Sir N
*********************************************** 
Read bible
Sing Along time with Paul
*********************************************** 
8:00 PM DVD / blogging time for me
*********************************************** 
10 - 12 pm Bed Time
***********************************************  


This list is what I aspire to but by no means is it always done but it's a good outline for us to work to.

I have a rough schedule or else I waste the time I have each day and do not accomplish much.

So teach us to number our days, that we may get us a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90: 12
 
We are very flexible and will stop what we are doing if visitors arrive.  Some mornings and afternoons contain extra Murial activities and we adjust our schedule for that.  For example we have swimming lessons on a Friday morning.  We have a weekly play date etc.
 
Paul works on a rotation roster and will often be home during a weekday meaning we can go for day trips such as: { Sustainability Expo, Fishing, Ballet, Hanging Rock, Australia Post}

Don't forget to pop on over to  Our World Wide Classroom and read about other Australian Homeschoolers and what they do each day.

Blessings
Chareen

Tuesday 28 February 2012

NBTS Week 3 - {Learning Spaces}

Our Worldwide Classroom Welcome to Week 3 of the Aussie NBTS Blog Hop.  This week we are sharing our Learning Spaces for 2012!

In week one you met my three children Mr T, Miss J and Sir N who have all been homeschooled.
In week two I shared the curriculum choices I have made for the year ahead with Sir N.  This inspired me to share a Time Line of my homeschool journey with you.

I have a confession to make (blushing) I had been avoiding this post.  I had popped on over to Our World Wide Classroom and had a look at some of the dedicated learning spaces that  Our Aussie Homeschool, Pumpkin Patch, Our little Homeschool and Educating April had shared and got cold feet showing our space as we do not have dedicated space for homeschooling. Over the weekend I popped back over and had a look at Doves Rest, Home School Dreaming, Defying Gravity, Herding Hobbits!, Acres of Learning, Mansted Family Project and Seven Little Australians and was inspired to tidy up and invite you on in to see where we learn.

Welcome to our Learning Spaces
Click on any of the pictures to enlarge them for a better view.
Sir N's drawing of where he learns.
This picture means a lot to me.  Sir N did not know about this blog hop. He asked me for a piece of paper yesterday to draw.  Quietly sat down and drew me a picture.  He brought it to me and said "This is where I learn ! "

This is a panorama of our living area where 80 % of our learning takes place. The balance is outside and in the community {e.g. Sustainability Expo, Fishing, Ballet, Hanging Rock, Australia Post}

Our lounge is currently occupied with Sir N's Farm !


This is our read aloud space.  If it's cold we hop into bed with a warm doona and read there.  In summer we read here and if the day is not too hot we will hop onto the trampoline or a picnic blanket in the garden. To the left of the chair I have a bookshelf with most of the years Core books and some extra research books.
To the right of the read aloud chair I keep two boxes.  The blue one contains the current read alouds.  The basket contains our library books.

This is our dining room where Sir N sits and does his writing work. The draws to the right of the freezer contain all his pens, pencils and books we are working through. On top of these draws is a terrarium where what ever we have caught in the garden temporarily lives for us to study. We also have some rather unique pets in our home. Being married to a Zoo Keeper means that we get to look at and touch many interesting types of wildlife and get to go to the zoo as often as we like.  Last year we enjoyed Night Zoo.

This is our kitchen where we cook together.  A few months ago I moved the microscope to the kitchen bench. It used to live next to my computer but never got used because we forgot we had it.  It now gets used quite regularly. An example of one of the things we looked at last year is a flea we found on our cat.

I have this wonderful corner display cabinet we keep our treasures and memories and talk about.  It is also a perfect spot for our world globe.

This is our rumpus room which contains five of my seven book shelves.  I am truly blessed. One word of warning to homeschool Mums you do NOT need or have to own this many books to effectively homeschool.  I have this many books because I LOVE books and my husband graciously indulges my delight.
The three identical book shelves on the right are special to me.  My Dad hand made these when we immigrated to Australia.  I was in need of book shelves as the last house we rented had built in book shelves.  I was frustrated over the expense and design of book shelves.  We purchased the wood and my Dad spent hours making these for me. The tallest one contains mainly novels. 

Thank you to all of you who shared your spaces and inspired me to share mine.

Blessings
Chareen



Monday 20 February 2012

Time Line of my Homeschool Journey

Yesterday as part of the Aussie Not Back to School Blog Hop I shared my Sonlight / Eclectic approach to homeschooling.  This post has inspired me to write a Time line of my journey.  A word of warning this post is LONG!!!

Its been a busy fourteen years of discovery and learning. Learning all the time.  I have become an Eclectic Homeschooler more as the years go by.


My Journey in Detail


The very first book I read concerning Homeschooling was For The Children's Sake by Susan Schaefer Macaulay. I am so grateful that I did.  This book challenged me and encouraged me to really enjoy my children and to see each thing that I do as purposefully training them.  It challenged my core values and grew me as a person in ways I never expected from a book.






I was then given a Sonlight Catalog. My saving grace.  I read it from cover to cover and was hooked.  I liked the idea of an Instructor guide.  I had no idea what to do and some guidance sounded like a good thing.  And books good living books really appealed to me.  Our first year we used Sonlight K.
 This catalog has become my living book resource and I eagerly anticipate its annual arrival in the mail.



When my box arrived from Sonlight they had given my a gift worth its weight in gold: The Three R's by Dr Ruth Beechick.  This is a treasure trove for new homeschoolers of primary aged students. Ruth empowers you with the jargon and know how to put you at ease when teaching Reading Writing and Arithmetic. Excellent.  It is available from: The Book Depository, Amazon, Fishpond, Sonlight.
One of the very first Homeschool seminaars I attended was a video one hosted at my good friend Jenny's house.   The Homeschool Seminaar presented by Greg Harris (Father of Joshua Harris known for I kissed Dating Goodbye)  Greg has written a book on Homeschooling called: The Christian Homeschool.  In Homeschool circles he was also known for The 21 Rules of This House. Gregg's passion is Delight-Directed Study which has been their family's approach to home schooling for over thirty years.  Priceless Treasure: Why I Choose to Home School was published in Talk Magazine in 1999. I found an excellent article summarising what happened to the Harris family since then.
The thing I remember from this seminar was Greg encouraging us as homeschoolers to look around and try something.  Use the curriculum for more than a week before putting it aside. Use it for at least three months.  If it's still not working then put it aside / sell it and use the wisdom from the experience to purchase your next choice. Write up what you liked / did not like and do research till you find what works for your family.

  • I hooked in to two Home School groups: South Island Home Educators and Christian Home Educating Families. (Christian Home Educating Families (CHEF)   Dot was an inspirational mentor.  We would meet once a month at her place and fellowship with home educating moms who would share treasures they had unearthed.  This is where I discovered a Charlotte Mason Companion.

I have three favourite homeschool books and this one is by far my favourite. It is written by Karen Andreola. This book fed my heart, and encouraged me. It contains Karens journey of homeschooling her children using the Charlotte Mason Method. I love the practicality of this book. The line drawings ....  If you don't own this book you need to get it for yourself you will not regret it. It does not matter if you are new to homeschooling or a veteran of 15+ years there is something in this book for you. A thorough chapter-by-chapter overview of the inspiring teaching principles of Christian educator Charlotte Mason, this book reveals the practical day by day method of how to teach "the Charlotte Mason way". The author offers friendly advice, and humor, along with the joys and struggles of real homeschool life
It is available from: The Book Depository, Amazon, Fishpond. Karen now has a blog you can follow: Moments with Mother Culture.

The year 2000 introduced me to the wonderful Waring Family who were touring New Zealand sharing Beyond Survival with us.  Oh I am so glad I attended this home school seminar.  Diana is an enthusiastic encourager and her family were an inspiration and encouragement to keep schooling through the high school years. Diana's passion and Bills gentle encouragement recharged my batteries.

It was Diana who inspired me to get Beyond Survival in my homeschooling and enjoy the abundance the lifestyle has to offer.  At this conference I learned about learning and teaching styles and the impact this has on our school at home how it causes a lot of frustration both for the teacher and student and it did not have to.  Arm yourself with this treasure from Diana and discover some excellent tools for your homeschool today. This book is available from: The Book Depository and Amazon.


It was through this conference that I first me the wonderful Smith Family.  Craig and Barbara were and are pivotal to the Home School Movement.  They started the Home Education Foundation and if you needed anything all you had to do was pick up the phone to access their wealth of information.  If you are in need of some excellent encouragement and information I recommend their quarterly Keystone Magazine . Our family had the privilege of being the feature family in 2010.
Before Craig passed on into glory last year he recorded a few encouraging YouTube clips. There are 146 clips for you to choose from.  Make a cuppa and take some time to have some of your questions answerd by this godly man who was a pioneer and leader in the homeschool movement for over thirty years.


Enter the Well Trained Mind.  This book took the homeschooling community by storm in 2000/2001.  I was hooked.  I loved the idea of teaching history chronologically. At this stage Sonlight did not have a chronological history programme. The do now (Core G & Core H & Core 300 ).  I could not wait to start using her recommended books.  We used Sonlights catalog to find twaddle free read alouds.  We sourced them from all sorts of places. (Amazon and Childrens Books in particular).  We ambled along this journey for a few years.   
This book is available from: The Book Depository, Amazon, Fishpond.



In 2003 I was introduced to Teaching Writing Structure and Style.  I had been wrestling with how to teaching essay writing and preparing my students to be excellent writters.  I needed tools and this course equipped me. If you are wanting to know what excellent composition writing is this is the program for your homeschool. It is an easy step by step system.  I recommend your co-op purchase this programme for the moms to do.  If you are confident you can teach all that is required and have your students ready and well equipped for university by year 12 (or earlier if you have a confident writer).   IF you would rather have Andrew teach your students you can buy the Student Intesnsives  from Linda at Adnil press in Australia.There are three levels A, B & C these levels are identical in their content, the level is in reference to the age of your student.  If you come unstuck Linda is Australia's Certified Instructor.  The program is designed to be taught over the lifetime of your student not in one week !



When first looking at homeschooling I liked the idea of homeschooling all my subjects from a christian point of view. We had looked at Advanced Training Institute Wisdom Books  when I first looked at homeschooling and thought that would be great to do for high school.  A good friend of mine was switching over and I realised high school years were upon us. So we joined IBLP and started using Wisdom Books and Lap packs for our learning. You can download a sample Wisdom Booklet #4 from IBLP
ATI is available world wide. (Australia, New Zealand, USA)

Bill and Diana returned to New Zealand in 2004 to encourage and support the homeschool community.  We were once again privileged to attend a seminar by Diana.  It was here that I was blessed with this treasure.  This too is on my favourite homeschool resource pile.  Things We Wish We had Known. it's a compilation of letters by 50 veteran homeschoolers all sharing what the one thing is they wish they had known when they started home educating. Q: Who do parents turn to with questions about homeschooling, whether they're novices, long-timers, or just testing the waters? A: Experienced homeschoolers. Who better to answer the questions arising from any serious endeavor than those who have been there, done that, and found a better way? The one thing I remember most from this conference is Diana warning us to avoid a snap shot mentality with our children. This book is available from: The Book Depository, Amazon, Fishpond.

2006 arrived and we moved to Australia.  It was at this time that I felt ATI was no longer a good fit for our family and in my heart I knew I needed to return to Sonlight.  So we embarked on Eastern Hemisphere Explorer.  I was in heaven surrounded by good books and an IG.  What more could a homeschool mom want ??

2009 I heard Diana would be in Melbourne so we attended her conference.  What a blessing that was. Diana encouraged us as moms.  What is the one indispensable ingredient needed for homeschooling ? YOU are that ingredient.  Diana encourages us to use the Bible as our plum line (The Well Kept Secret of a Biblical Education).  She encouraged us to Actively ENGAGE learning as well as to enjoy teaching History via the Scenic Route. You can purchase some of her workshops on CD.
Diana has written an excellent chronological history curriculum (History Revealed) from a biblical perspective (Ancient Civilizations, Romans, Reformers and Revolutionaries, & World Empires, World Missions, World Wars) her History Audio products are excellent and children of ALL ages will enjoy their journey through history with Diana.  Dianas books have encouraged and inspired me on my journey.


2009 I really wanted some specific geography curriculum and discovered: Trail Guide to World Geography.  If you’d like a geography course that includes mapping activities, atlas usage, research, notebooking and culture with very little teacher preparation, look no further. The Trail Guide to World Geography is a “week one, day one” kind of teacher’s manual with daily geography drills (answers included) and numerous weekly assignment choices. Multi-level geography course for 36 week school year for elementary through high school. This program comes in three levels: Primary, Intermediate & Secondary. It is value for money and available in book form or digital download. In the space of three years your student will do a comprehensive walk through earths geography. I will be using this with Sir N when he is 8, 12 and 16.  


In 2011 I embarked on this blog and discovered just how much curriculum is available on line to us as homeschoolers. I was feeling a little burned out and tired and on my blog hop adventures I discovered Erica over at Confessions of a Homeschooler. This year she shared The Worlds Greatest Artists study. The best part is it's FREE! I am so glad that I did. The source books are excellent and Sir N is enjoying this project !


Well that my friends is a tiny glimpse in to some of the things that have influenced my journey so far. If you are looking for homeschool supplies please check out my Links page for some of the companies I have used in the past.

May your week and year ahead be filled with His abundant blessings.

Blessings
Chareen 

** There are NO affiliate links in this post **

Tuesday 31 January 2012

Tuesday Treasure {25} - Things we wish we'd known

 Welcome to Tuesdays Treasures.  I started these posts as a way of sharing great books in honour of my friend in New Zealand who would arrive with the treasures she had unearthed at her weekly trip to the library!

There are so many wonderful books out there hiding on shelves so I invite you to blog about a book on your shelf, one you're reading or one you found at the library and add your post to Learning All the Time Favourite Resource Link Up

This week ...
Today's resource is one for the mothers, it's a compilation of letters by 50 veteran homeschoolers all sharing what the one thing is they wish they had known when they started home educating. Q: Who do parents turn to with questions aout homeschooling, whether they're novices, long-timers, or just testing the waters? A: Experienced homeschoolers. Who better to answer the questions arising from any serious endeavor than those who have been there, done that, and found a better way?

50 Veteran Homeschoolers share ...



  • Format: Paperback
  • Number of Pages: 232
  • Vendor:  Publishers YWAM USA
  • Publication Date: 2001
  • ISBN: 1-883002-42-7
  • Author Compiled & Edited by Bill & Diana Waring
  • Illustrator: N/A
This book is worth it's weight in gold and I recommend it to any homeschooler whether they are new to homeschooling or been on the journey for fifteen years this is a gold mine of encouragement and insight in one book.

The book is divided into 6 parts
  • The Basics - Keeping the fun in it
  • The Concepts - Redefining the 3 R's, Curriculum: tool or tyrant?
  • The Priorities - You can't do it all and don't have to
  • God's Involvement - Home educating for eternity
  • Character and Academics - Developing the worker and the tools
  • The Blessings - Homeschooling pieces our hearts together, and much, much more
Blessings







The book is available for purchase from:
** These are NOT affiliate links

Thursday 15 December 2011

Be True to Yourself.



This weekend while spending time with my sister she encouraged me saying: “Be true to yourself.”   

I have really been struggling with feelings of insecurity, yes even after 14 years of homeschooling! 

As I went through my week my heart kept reaching for His.  “Lord why do I feel this way ?” 

and His reply kept echoing.  “Be True To YOURSELF”  


While over at Jo's place take a look around.  Her blog is full of rich lessons learned from the King.  

Lessons that will inspire and encourage you.

Blessings


Sunday 18 September 2011

Homeschool Rhythms

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens,
Ecclesiastes 3:1



We have been on school holidays this past week and this got me thinking about how we came to our home school rhythm.

When we first started on our home education journey I started out by following school term dates and was really fearful every step of the way.

As we marched along the weeks doing school, home school outings, extra mural activities I found we were becoming more and more tired and the more tired we became the shorter my fuse grew and the more cranky we all became.  There had to be a better way. 

I started asking the moms around me what they all did.  A few of the mom's did a 5 week school cycle and I decided to give it a go.

Sonlight works on a 36 week school year. I took my IG (Instructors Guide) and divided it by 4 and came up with 9 four week cycles.  Added a week in between each four week cycle means that school will take us 45 weeks a year and that in turn leaves us with 7 weeks to have a long summer break over December and January.  

I put this into practice and I must confess it's the best thing we have ever done. I find that four weeks of continuous school means no one gets too tired.  One week of holidays is short enough to not get out of practice and not long enough for boredom to set in with the added bonus that it's not hard to get back into the rhythm of regular school after one week of holiday.
 
We have not quite settled into a daily rhythm yet and as soon as we do I will be writing a post on what our daily / weekly rhythm looks like and how we have organised our school.

So tomorrow we start back for our second round of school.  Week 5 -8 with Sonlight Core A and we will be adding in Expedition Earth from week 6.

What rhythm works for you and why do you use it ? IF you have done a blog post about your home school rhythm please add the address I would love a read.

Blessings