Why Home School?

I believe that every parent/family has the obligation to choose how to educate their children. Last year I had a friend who had chosen to home school her 3 boys. On our run each morning we would talk about every aspect of our lives and I especially enjoyed her telling me about what she was doing at home with her kids. Her life wasn't easy in any way and she didn't hold back when it came to describing the difficulties that home school presented. At the same time I was starting my oldest in the local public school and was really excited for this new part of her life.

Kindergarten started out really great, and she loved going to school. My husband and I volunteered to come in to her class every week and help out where we could. It was one of these days that I was in her class that I noticed that she wasn't really getting the experience that we had hoped for her. On this day, for math, the teacher had them measuring the lengths of their feet with connectable cubes, then they were comparing the lengths. The teacher had a list of the kids' names up on the projector and was going around asking the kids to tell her their length and then she was recording the number of cubes long up on the screen. Since Elizabeth's name was longer than the other students' names, the teacher didn't notice that she hadn't placed a number at the end of Elizabeth's name. Elizabeth quietly raised her hand and when the teacher called on her she tried to tell her that she had been missed, but in all the chaos and loudness the teacher didn't really hear her and just kind of nodded her head and moved on. Elizabeth looked so disappointed but just continued to sit quietly in her chair while the teacher moved on with the lesson. After noticing this, I realized that Elizabeth's behavior at school was completely different than at home. She was quiet and shy and obedient. Not that any of these things are bad, they are in fact the perfect way a child should act in a public school setting. I noticed it because she has always been the child with 1000 questions, that would rather play outside than color, that needs extra love and attention, and that needs to be told how wonderful she is on a regular basis.

Perhaps you think that I hold on to her too tight, or that I need to make her be quiet and encourage her to be shy of those in authority. The thing that I am coming to realize is that I want to encourage her to be herself. I want her in an environment where she can develop her personality in a healthy and positive way. Now, am I perfect at encouraging her to be inquisitive? No because sometimes I can't handle the thousands of questions! But I am improving every day, just as she is getting better at asking real, honest, thoughtful questions.

This experience prompted me to begin searching for something better. My husband, Joshua, was completely against home schooling. He had known some kids growing up that were home schooled and thought they were weird and backward. He wouldn't even consider the possibility. I prayed every night for guidance and strength and for my husband to experience a change of heart. I wasn't really, at this point, ready to fully embrace the idea of home schooling, but I did want at least to be able to have this conversation with my husband. In the end my friend's husband was at the park with his kids and my husband and our kids and Joshua was asking him questions about their kids and what he thought of home schooling. In the end my friend's husband told my husband that it couldn't hurt to try. How far behind can they be really by second grade? He figured that was true and why not travel down the path less traveled. So we began discussing and agreed to try it out for 1 school year. Guess what? He loves it! He loves our bright, intelligent, inquisitive child and really enjoys diong her science lessons with her when he can! Who would have thought?

Now, after the 1st year of home school I have gained a better grasp of what is required of me, yet I know that I am still lacking. I have often felt as though I have left my 5 yr old and my 3 yr old to fend for themselves. It has definitely been a struggle to give each of them the attention that they need. But, you know what? Rachel and Jorgan have become such good little friends. They play together so well! Yes sometimes they fight and yes sometimes they get into things that they are not supposed to. But that's how kids learn and grow! I still have a long way to go in figuring out how to give every one what they need, including myself, and including my husband! At least this way we are learning and growing together instead of separately. Both my husband and I have concerns about what will happen this next year when we have a 2nd grader, and kindergartener, and a preschooler. However, we still have an entire summer to work out the details and an entire school year to figure it out. It's not perfect but it's what we think is the best that we can do.
In conclusion I want to share a thought with you.

Last week Joshua and I attended a parenting class put on by a group funded buy the county we live in. The guest speaker was a professor from the local university that taught in the child development department. There were several things that he said that struck me as critically important, and hopefully I will be able to share more of those with you later, but I want to share just one of those now. He said, pointing to the parents, "It is your responsibility to educate your children. The state has given you a tool called school, but it is primarily your responsibility to educate your children." Now he is not a homeschooling parent, he talked about several of his children who attended public school. I am not trying to bash the public school system, every system of education has its difficulties, but I really want you to take to heart what he said. Now you go and choose the way that you want to educate your children! There are so many ways out there, just find the tools that are most helpful to you and use them! But never forget that YOU are in charge of educating your children! Take that responsibility fully to heart and you can never go wrong!

1st Fun Field Trip Day

Since Daddy had a night shift clinical, I needed to get the kids and I out of the house so that he could get some sleep. I decided to have our 1st summer field trip! Jorgan had a stomach ache, but didn't think he would throw up so we ventured out anyway! Good thing we did too, because he was fine all day and we had a great time.
A friend had recently suggested we visit the Visitor's Center of the Mormon Temple in Idaho Falls. Since they seemed like the only tplace open at 9am on a Friday morning, we went ahead and tried it out. Lucky for us there were some very kind elderly missionary couples there, and us! They were very understanding of the kids and really happy to see us.
We first saw the Christus statue and listened to a recording of some of Jesus Christ's teachings. The kids sat so still and listened intently, I was a super proud mama! Then after a sweet hear felt testimony by the sister missionary, she invited the kids to come up and touch the statue. It was inspiring to hear them talk to each other about why Jesus had "owies" on his hands and feet. This was a very sweet experience for me.
Then the kids were able to try out all their touch screen computers. There was one computer devoted to the explanation temples; this had a children's coloring section where they could color the temples. Elizabeth's favorite was a screen that let her view all of the different commercials that the church has created. There were several funny ones that they watched over and over. She also showed Elizabeth how to get on Mormon.org and find kids activities that way. I should look at that website... how can I be a mormon and have never visited the mormon.org web page?
Last we were taken into a little room with benches where we were able to watch a movie about the importance of families. It was a real tear-jerker! I balled like a baby, but luckily Elizabeth was perfectly happy to read the captions for us!
As we left the kids were each given a card with a picture of Jesus Christ and a card with a picture of the Idaho Falls Temple. We took a quick walk around the temple grounds and saw, of course, a bride and groom! The wind was blowing and most of the tulips were dead, but kids never notice those things like us adults do, and they enjoyed smelling the flowers and running along the sidewalk.
A great activity for starting off the day. We all left feeling happier than when we got there and with the feeling that we should go again soon!
The rest of our outing involved lunch at a 50's style Diner, milkshakes and all, and then a race back to town to get Rachel to preschool on time. A great start to a beautiful summer! Hope the next few months go as smoothly as today! Wishful thinking... I know!

Summer Vacation

As much as we all wish this was THE reality for summer vacation... we all know that by about day 3, summer vacation looks more like this:

As appealing as this may be, I DO NOT want to spend my summer as the children's referee. So, here's my first "home school summer don't go crazy and have fun , really!" plan.

First I need to remember some important things:
1- Don't over schedule... remember you want this to be relaxing for you too!
2- If things don't go as planned, FAKE IT!!
3- SMILE
4- PRAY PRAY PRAY

OK, so here's the "Best Home School Summer Schedule" Ever... (memo, things may be changed without notice)

Monday:
Scripture study
Chore: vacuum upstairs and downstairs
Activity for kids: Library- turn in summer reading chart for library bucks
Lunch: Tuna Sandwiches with ants on a log
Activity for Mom: weekly planning

Tuesday:
Scripture study
Chore: Bathrooms
Activity for kids: Movies (use punch card for Paramount 5)
Lunch: Chips and bean dip with fruit
Activity for mom: quilting/reading

Wednesday:
Scripture study
Chore: Mop kitchen and bathrooms; vacuum downstairs
Activity for kids: park (meet the mom group for lunch)
Lunch: Sack Lunches
Activity for Mom: quilting/reading

Thursday:
Scripture study
Chore: Laundry
Activity for kids: Computer games*
Lunch: Sack Lunches
Activity for Mom: quilting/reading

Friday:
Scripture study
Chore: help kids clean their rooms; vacuum downstairs
Activity for kids: Swimming at the lake (buy a season pass for entrance)
Lunch: Mini Pizzas with fresh veggies and dip
Activity for Mom: quilting/reading

*I found a great website for summer educational ideas and computer games. This might be fun to implement: http://childparenting.about.com/od/learningenrichment/ss/homelearning.htm

Well this is all I have for now... remember that the kids are responsible for their chores BEFORE they get to play. Oh, perhaps we should try a new rule: everyone must be up and ready (dressed and hair brushed) before breakfast?