5th Grade Work
Traveling with Birds - Trip to Tualitin Wildlife and Ridgefield Wildlife refuges
SCIENCE: Starting a garden
Synonym Study
Complete William Blake's Inn
Memorize 1 poem from this -
Life of Fred Australia
Social Studies: Readying and report with investigation
"So You Want To Be A Leader?" Patricia Wooster
Personally selected books for this week:
Mostly Garfield, nate the great
Handwork - needle point of Fort Vancouver
Spool work from Fort Vancouver
Gandhi Unit Study from Enki - 2nd grade review and practice 4 processes on math.
Charcoal sketching - use with botany study, geometry and form drawing
Postcards written and mailed
Daily practice of music
Daily practice of Spanish
Continue with all the clay practice as free quiet time - use for retelling story.
Continue study of William Blake - explore his life, works of art and discussion
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Review and Reset of our HomeSchool Life
I have just completed a review using the state requirements of Washington as well as the guidelines from our chosen curriculum (ENKI and Waldorf Essentials - we also use Earth Schooling which I pull from using all the grades curriculum)
I am very glad to see that my oldest who is in 5th grade now is right where I had assessed. He is strong is comprehension and across subjects we have covered. Where he is lacking is his hand writing. It's the most challenging. We are bringing in Vimala alphabet and have been since 4th. We also practice calligraphy because he enjoys that. But basic writing, even printing is poor.
It's likely from so much time on the computer - he hunts and pecks but I don't want to teach typing until he masters hand writing, even printing.
Hand writing through narrative stories and reinstating the weekend journal.
Printing through copy work. Use poetry for this. William Blake's Inn
Now that spring is here we can spend longer time outdoors in activities to help build brain and body connection. I've noticed even though we have been active daily, it's not the same as getting outside and running and playing.
Update and reinstate morning circle daily.
Add in gratitude practice, blessing, feel it real practice.
Add in daily Scripture with Dad - Each Night might be better because DH has originated this as an action. Because we have not be active in our religions (I walked away from my religion of many years and searched for a home for our family, moving often has made that difficult to settle in but it's sorely missed and is a top goal for 2017)
As DH and I repair and restore our marriage all things with the boys have begun to improve. Grateful for this beyond words.
Youngest son, now 8. Grateful that I work with Waldorf with him as he is the sensitive sole and still resistant to reading. An amazing artist, exceptional with math and numbers, but the abstract of reading is a challenge. He gets better but he does not enjoy it like his older brother who is more sanguine/air.
Between the nutrition (allergic to dairy in all forms - causes rash and stomach pains along with extreme temperament and emotional upset - this he is old enough to see and recognize so chooses wisely) we have a stronger handle on our journey.
Help build confidence for younger son and self esteem - correct and clear any damage as a result of the turmoil over the last few years. Use tools from work life - emotional freedom technique, Chi Kung, NVC,
Continuing with the Non Violent Communication work - we won't attend NVC family camp this year - decision was made based on having more negative influence on the children and defeating the purpose. There were many children who had very fowl language and some parents unwilling to address this. Both boys came away with worse habits of defiance, fowl language and entitlement. While I don't believe in dictatorship in the home, there must be respect - not only for elders but for self.
We all will continue to work on this.
We as a family are implementing a "FAMILY GAME" we have rules we've all agreed upon and good habit cards. This is inspired by a book called Family Rules, I'm not sure the author - a counselor in the Oregon area wrote it and I picked it up at a church rummage sale. Good Habit Cards have been beneficial. I prefer this over saying "you are down stat" or you are upstat this week. Stat being short for statistic. Which was something we did last year. A little bit too logic metric based. I want the boys to feel like the behavior, words, action, habits are something more integral to themselves than just a word - up or down stat. This is a concept I gained from scientology but I feel should be left for running a business not a family.
SPRING RESET:
Breakfast and Clean up
Morning Circle with Exercise
Main Lesson (Enki with younger son)
Main Lesson (WE plus Fred Series with older son)
Botany - complete Herb Fairies with journal, use for both handwriting practice and reading skills,
Botany in a day: An Herbal Field Guide To Plant Families of North America
Bring out slack line and uni cycle - work for improvement
White Belt Karate
Piano book 1
Violin book 2 - 3 songs, book 1 5 songs
Guitar book 1 3 songs
Voice -
Continue Natural Science Through the Seasons - Spring Unit Studies - incorporate math (geometry for both boys, algebra for older son)
Make Prayer a daily habit.
Restore connections with family through hand written letters.
Decide on trip to the mid west - start savings account for this trip.
Donate books and items from younger age to another home schooling family.
Cultivate a connection with other homeschooling or aligned values families for support and supporting.
I am very glad to see that my oldest who is in 5th grade now is right where I had assessed. He is strong is comprehension and across subjects we have covered. Where he is lacking is his hand writing. It's the most challenging. We are bringing in Vimala alphabet and have been since 4th. We also practice calligraphy because he enjoys that. But basic writing, even printing is poor.
It's likely from so much time on the computer - he hunts and pecks but I don't want to teach typing until he masters hand writing, even printing.
Hand writing through narrative stories and reinstating the weekend journal.
Printing through copy work. Use poetry for this. William Blake's Inn
Now that spring is here we can spend longer time outdoors in activities to help build brain and body connection. I've noticed even though we have been active daily, it's not the same as getting outside and running and playing.
Update and reinstate morning circle daily.
Add in gratitude practice, blessing, feel it real practice.
Add in daily Scripture with Dad - Each Night might be better because DH has originated this as an action. Because we have not be active in our religions (I walked away from my religion of many years and searched for a home for our family, moving often has made that difficult to settle in but it's sorely missed and is a top goal for 2017)
As DH and I repair and restore our marriage all things with the boys have begun to improve. Grateful for this beyond words.
Youngest son, now 8. Grateful that I work with Waldorf with him as he is the sensitive sole and still resistant to reading. An amazing artist, exceptional with math and numbers, but the abstract of reading is a challenge. He gets better but he does not enjoy it like his older brother who is more sanguine/air.
Between the nutrition (allergic to dairy in all forms - causes rash and stomach pains along with extreme temperament and emotional upset - this he is old enough to see and recognize so chooses wisely) we have a stronger handle on our journey.
Help build confidence for younger son and self esteem - correct and clear any damage as a result of the turmoil over the last few years. Use tools from work life - emotional freedom technique, Chi Kung, NVC,
Continuing with the Non Violent Communication work - we won't attend NVC family camp this year - decision was made based on having more negative influence on the children and defeating the purpose. There were many children who had very fowl language and some parents unwilling to address this. Both boys came away with worse habits of defiance, fowl language and entitlement. While I don't believe in dictatorship in the home, there must be respect - not only for elders but for self.
We all will continue to work on this.
We as a family are implementing a "FAMILY GAME" we have rules we've all agreed upon and good habit cards. This is inspired by a book called Family Rules, I'm not sure the author - a counselor in the Oregon area wrote it and I picked it up at a church rummage sale. Good Habit Cards have been beneficial. I prefer this over saying "you are down stat" or you are upstat this week. Stat being short for statistic. Which was something we did last year. A little bit too logic metric based. I want the boys to feel like the behavior, words, action, habits are something more integral to themselves than just a word - up or down stat. This is a concept I gained from scientology but I feel should be left for running a business not a family.
SPRING RESET:
Breakfast and Clean up
Morning Circle with Exercise
Main Lesson (Enki with younger son)
Main Lesson (WE plus Fred Series with older son)
Botany - complete Herb Fairies with journal, use for both handwriting practice and reading skills,
Botany in a day: An Herbal Field Guide To Plant Families of North America
Bring out slack line and uni cycle - work for improvement
White Belt Karate
Piano book 1
Violin book 2 - 3 songs, book 1 5 songs
Guitar book 1 3 songs
Voice -
Continue Natural Science Through the Seasons - Spring Unit Studies - incorporate math (geometry for both boys, algebra for older son)
Make Prayer a daily habit.
Restore connections with family through hand written letters.
Decide on trip to the mid west - start savings account for this trip.
Donate books and items from younger age to another home schooling family.
Cultivate a connection with other homeschooling or aligned values families for support and supporting.
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
The Perils of Homeschooling a Pre-Teen
It's been an intense day. I'm always amazed at how dynamic one day of homeschooling can be. Whoever said it was easy - well no one did - did they? Home schooling easy? No - never. But worth it! I believe that.
It was like this when my boys were little - that it's so intense and I'm about ready to scream when they finally lay down to sleep and I look upon cherub faces and it feels as if I miss them already.
This whole parenting journey for me has been one of re-parenting my own inner child, so there is a lot that comes up for me. I do not and did not have things totally together before having children nor even now.
Add in homeschooling - oh I wouldn't change this for a moment - but it gets so intense.
I wonder what would be supportive to me and to our family home schooling right now. I dream that having more family support, having more of a community like the beautiful mams and families from Austin in the Holistic Moms Network I miss so much. I wonder if things would be all "perfect" if I had a better marriage. I don't know.
But I know that the way to unhappiness is thinking what if and should and expecting something from myself, others, my children other than who and what we are.
So, that's a breath to take. Tonglen meditation. Being present to what is. That's my favorite moment. When I just become present to what is - without the judgement. Sometimes it takes me a bit but practice more and improvement and swifter ease will come with it.
This week we have studied the life of bees. So much joy and wonder from the boys this year. Seeing the hives, so much understanding. I hope to do this every year. They want to keep hives. Oh how that would be wonderful. A house, a home, maybe a small piece of land is back in the dreams again.
For now, the trips to the farms are lovely.
Simile and Metaphor - what a delight, sharing this as education for language arts and writing for Ryder has been lovely for me. I get to rekindle my own education and fill in gaps for myself. That is fun.
Is homeschooling more for me than it is for them? No. Yes. I'm certain that if I stay present to this journey I will stay on course and reach the final destination as a homeschooling parent.
Oh in this moment I am delighted to be able to homeschool and so excited about the possibilities for all of us. Even with the days of back talk now from my 11 year old. But to see their wonder and joy and their own perspective on life and everything we are learning.
Ryder reads so much Minecraft - so many of these novels and chronicles - devours them. I shall not complain - he loves to read. Good.
Dax, does not. Hates the library - hates books - why? He loves to draw. Yay. But what did I do on the reading? I see how Waldorf has been the best for Dax - he is still in the soulful period in so many ways - yet - dear heaven he will be 9 in September?!?! IS that possible?
I must learn to be more caring - more gentle with him. Is it a reflection of something I must heal in myself - his anger his intensity? Is it a reflection of all of the turmoil since the day I knew I was pregnant with Dax? So different than Ryder! There is so much that has effected him. I was less careful and good in this time. So much marital strife while pregnant and throughout his life.
I wish I could have changed all of this for him but I must allow that this is part of the journey we will have together. Must stop expecting so much perfection, must stop comparing myself, must stop judging myself so harshly. Just be.
Why do I write all of this - not for anyone to read. Please not. But for me to "wood shed" so I can sleep and rest and know better how I can help these two amazing beings I am entrusted to foster love, wisdom, support, understanding.
There is testing in the public schools - I was going to document what I had begun doing with Ryder but I do not wish to even approach this topic. Ryder doesn't mind testing - in fact he doesn't have issues with it - thank goodness. As long as I keep it as a game - it's not a judgment piece I won't ever let it be. But a way to assess.
I'll continue with Willima Blakes Inn to completion this week and do more diphthongs. I love the Vimala piece and Dax loves cursive - but not Vimala.
We'll foster more of this. ryder was so helpful today. Made pancakes. Did his chores. Then right back to his reading of his novels - what is it with minecraft? They grow out of this right? Stop motion and clay animation seems to have taken it's place. Oh yes, I grounded Minecraft playing this week - why? I can't remember now ----- oh yes, he lied about cleaning the cat litter box. Lying has become a big thing - something I can not tolerate. But someone else in the family does it so I wondered is it learned or DNA? Lessons - stories I must find on this - why does he feel it necessary to lie? I must not make it mean more than it is - it's a learning opportunity. And that it makes me crazy angry is something I must heal - so good - that's my piece in it and I will honor this. Good, I ask for help with this.
Thank you Spring for arriving! I've needed the sun - we all have.
Renew the spirit. How can I best support my boys? How can I best support Ryder? I let go and open my heart to the answers.
It was like this when my boys were little - that it's so intense and I'm about ready to scream when they finally lay down to sleep and I look upon cherub faces and it feels as if I miss them already.
This whole parenting journey for me has been one of re-parenting my own inner child, so there is a lot that comes up for me. I do not and did not have things totally together before having children nor even now.
Add in homeschooling - oh I wouldn't change this for a moment - but it gets so intense.
I wonder what would be supportive to me and to our family home schooling right now. I dream that having more family support, having more of a community like the beautiful mams and families from Austin in the Holistic Moms Network I miss so much. I wonder if things would be all "perfect" if I had a better marriage. I don't know.
But I know that the way to unhappiness is thinking what if and should and expecting something from myself, others, my children other than who and what we are.
So, that's a breath to take. Tonglen meditation. Being present to what is. That's my favorite moment. When I just become present to what is - without the judgement. Sometimes it takes me a bit but practice more and improvement and swifter ease will come with it.
This week we have studied the life of bees. So much joy and wonder from the boys this year. Seeing the hives, so much understanding. I hope to do this every year. They want to keep hives. Oh how that would be wonderful. A house, a home, maybe a small piece of land is back in the dreams again.
For now, the trips to the farms are lovely.
Simile and Metaphor - what a delight, sharing this as education for language arts and writing for Ryder has been lovely for me. I get to rekindle my own education and fill in gaps for myself. That is fun.
Is homeschooling more for me than it is for them? No. Yes. I'm certain that if I stay present to this journey I will stay on course and reach the final destination as a homeschooling parent.
Oh in this moment I am delighted to be able to homeschool and so excited about the possibilities for all of us. Even with the days of back talk now from my 11 year old. But to see their wonder and joy and their own perspective on life and everything we are learning.
Ryder reads so much Minecraft - so many of these novels and chronicles - devours them. I shall not complain - he loves to read. Good.
Dax, does not. Hates the library - hates books - why? He loves to draw. Yay. But what did I do on the reading? I see how Waldorf has been the best for Dax - he is still in the soulful period in so many ways - yet - dear heaven he will be 9 in September?!?! IS that possible?
I must learn to be more caring - more gentle with him. Is it a reflection of something I must heal in myself - his anger his intensity? Is it a reflection of all of the turmoil since the day I knew I was pregnant with Dax? So different than Ryder! There is so much that has effected him. I was less careful and good in this time. So much marital strife while pregnant and throughout his life.
I wish I could have changed all of this for him but I must allow that this is part of the journey we will have together. Must stop expecting so much perfection, must stop comparing myself, must stop judging myself so harshly. Just be.
Why do I write all of this - not for anyone to read. Please not. But for me to "wood shed" so I can sleep and rest and know better how I can help these two amazing beings I am entrusted to foster love, wisdom, support, understanding.
There is testing in the public schools - I was going to document what I had begun doing with Ryder but I do not wish to even approach this topic. Ryder doesn't mind testing - in fact he doesn't have issues with it - thank goodness. As long as I keep it as a game - it's not a judgment piece I won't ever let it be. But a way to assess.
I'll continue with Willima Blakes Inn to completion this week and do more diphthongs. I love the Vimala piece and Dax loves cursive - but not Vimala.
We'll foster more of this. ryder was so helpful today. Made pancakes. Did his chores. Then right back to his reading of his novels - what is it with minecraft? They grow out of this right? Stop motion and clay animation seems to have taken it's place. Oh yes, I grounded Minecraft playing this week - why? I can't remember now ----- oh yes, he lied about cleaning the cat litter box. Lying has become a big thing - something I can not tolerate. But someone else in the family does it so I wondered is it learned or DNA? Lessons - stories I must find on this - why does he feel it necessary to lie? I must not make it mean more than it is - it's a learning opportunity. And that it makes me crazy angry is something I must heal - so good - that's my piece in it and I will honor this. Good, I ask for help with this.
Thank you Spring for arriving! I've needed the sun - we all have.
Renew the spirit. How can I best support my boys? How can I best support Ryder? I let go and open my heart to the answers.
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