An Interest in Pinterest

As a little girl, I always wanted to know more.  My questions were constant and profuse. I lived in a small town far from our library and my single-parent mom did not have the time to take me there. Neither did she have the money to buy me books to peruse at my pleasure.  My questions went unanswered.

In highschool, I scorned the seemingly ridiculous and useless computer classes.  When I graduated from college, my only immediate job offer was for a  computer wordprocessor.  I tried and failed to squirm out of a computer job!  Within the same year, I was engaged to a man with an extreme interest in computers.  So step by step, I was drawn into the world of computers and the internet.

It was an epiphany for me when I began to realize the amount of knowledge at my fingertips through the use of the internet.  I finally was able to instantly satiate my curiosity!  I also discovered the downfalls to the internet.  Addictions, false information, a proliferation of conflict and the wasting of years of time in useless pursuits.

As a homeschooling mom, I must learn to balance the weapon of the internet for myself and my family.  It is good, and it is bad.  I am still struggling with that.  There are three areas that are most important to me in reigning in the internet beast.  Time limitations, avoiding idle pursuits and addictions, and filtering out the sites that can do real harm, i.e. pornography, etc.  Social sites such as Facebook are a fact of life.  But I can choose how I use it.

So what does this all have to do with Pinterest, and why is this topic even in a homeschool blog?  Because Pinterest has proven to be a great site for me to find useful information!  I can use my boards on Pinterest to easily and quickly find  and organize sites that I want to return to for information or to share with others.  It has proven to be, for me, the quintessential bookmarking site.  I don't use it as a "picture board."  I use it as a place to organize visual bookmarks so I can use all the vast information on the internet for my benefit.  Pinterest has been a great benefit for my homeschool!

Tonight I was scanning my Pinterest and a friend had pinned a site where I can print all kinds of papers that are useful for my homeschool.   This website offers 830 paper templates for download. It has anything from regular lined paper to Yahtzee score sheet to music paper.  http://www.printablepaper.net/   It is doubtful that I would have ever found this site without Pinterest.

Pinterest, like almost everything else on the internet, can prove to be a weapon for the good or the bad.  If used wisely, it can be a huge benefit to any homeschooler.  It can also be a huge time waster.  I encourage you to give it a try, and to use it to aid  you in your homeschooling.  Feel free to look me up and follow my Homeschooling Board.  Just search for "Laurel Hartshorn" and click on "Follow" by my homeschooling board.  I hope that what I have collected so far can be a help for as many homeschoolers as possible out there, and that Pinterest will improve your homeschooling experience.

www.pinterest.com

Royal Fireworks Press - A New Gem

I have found a new language arts curriculum that I LOVE!!!  In fact, I love it so much that it will be my sole language arts curriculum for this upcoming year.  It is the language arts curriculum written by Michael Clay Thompson at Royal Fireworks Press.  http://www.rfwp.com/pages/michael-clay-thompson/ 

The benefits of this curriculum is multifaceted.  Unit studies that bring multiple areas together to heighten learning and retention have always appealed to me.  Michael Clay Thompson's curriculum works much like a unit study.  He intertwines the different facets of language arts: grammar, vocabulary, writing, poetics and literature.

The books instruct in a literary fashion that keep students' interest and are based on the great works of literature.  I remember despising books in first grade because I didn't care to see how Jane ran, nor Dick, either!  Thankfully, there are no Dick and Janes in this curriculum.  The excerpts and sentences are based on our rich history of classical literature.  They are interesting and full of meaning.  The original literature in this series that is used to teach is funny and captivating as well.  My children love to read them!

The levels in this series teach cyclically.  Each level gives a painless review of what was already taught while adding new detail and meaning to the foundation that was laid before.  It delves deeper into all the facets of language arts than I have ever gone before despite my love of both language and literature.

A funny thing about these books is who they were intended for and who they reach.  Originally, this curriculum was written for gifted students.  The humorous thing about that is that they teach so well that they are an excellent tool for the average or delayed student.  A gifted student may go through the material faster, but the heights of this material are within reach for any student.

These are just some of the benefits of this language arts curriculum.  I may return to expound on its benefits at a later date.  If you are looking for a new language arts program because the one you are currently using is not fulfilling your expectations, then I encourage you to give Royal Fireworks Press's language arts program a try.  Let me know what you think!

What I Would Do Different – Or Not?

My first baby was born in 1987.  I gave birth to my ninth in 2003.   I have homeschooled from the beginning.  Between baby number one and number nine, I was in for an extreme learning curve on what is really important in homeschooling.  There are things that if I could go on a magic time capsule and return to 1987, I would change.   And there are things I wouldn’t.

My homeschooling experience began with virtually no support, no money, and no curriculum.  Those were the days when the moment you said the word “homeschooling,” you were asked the same two questions.  The first question was, “Is that legal?!?” followed immediately by, “What about socializing?”  If you are a homeschooler, I assume you have laid those two questions to rest.   The question of what to teach and how to teach it are central to every homeschool.   Both of these questions must rest solidly on the foundation of knowing WHY you want to homeschool.

I would not change my reasons for homeschooling.  My primary reason was to share my faith with my children and teach them God’s Word.  My second reason was because I believed I could offer a higher quality education than what is offered in the public school.  Twenty-five years later, those are still the reasons I homeschool.

There are quite a few things I would not change from the years when I had very little funds for materials.  Go to the library – a lot!  Read to your kids while you are there.  Bring home lots of books to read at home.  There are lots of great books at thrift stores, garage sales, library sales, etc.  Take advantage of these and build an enticing library for your children’s minds to feed from every day!  The great outdoors is the greatest classroom your children will ever have.  Walk through the woods with them and question everything.  Bring home lots of keep sakes and critters for your children to study.  Fill your house with bugs in jars, fish in tanks, plants growing and artwork taped to the walls.  Remind them that everything in this world that was created by the Lord God is ours to learn from and love.  Even the scary, icky things are fascinating.  We are to take care of the world God put us in charge of, not fear it.  If you can’t live on a farm of some type, visit other farms as much as you can.  The busy learning environment I attempted to maintain for my children is a vital part of our homeschool that I would not change.

So what would I change?  If I could go back to 1987, I would read aloud even MORE to my children.  I would read more poetry.  I would use audio books every single day during nap times and bed times.  This not only enhances their audio learning mode, but they are also able to learn copious quantities of quality literature and Scripture at a young age just by listening to it.  Too often I would read aloud only if the children would ask.  It can be used just as background while they are playing.  I would fill the rest of their time with a variety of classical music.  Outdoor time would be a daily requirement.  I would keep the T.V. and computer turned OFF except for special occasions.  We would work on memorizing from the day they learn to put two words together.  Not only would I require Scripture memorization, but I would include poems and sayings as well.  I wish so much that I had understood the rote memory stage of children better. 

There are methodologies I would change.  I would use less workbooks.  I would require the use of scissors and fine motor skills more when they are very young.  I would make a general schedule that was to be followed every day.  Don’t get me wrong, schedules in a homeschool with babies and toddlers is very difficult to make and maintain.  But I would definitely give it more of an effort.  I would require more narration.  Every time we told a story, I would require the children to tell it back to me.  I would require daily oral practice of the facts and poems they were to memorize.

I would use cursive from the very beginning and only teach print after they have learned cursive.  I would test more and require writing every day.   I would switch curriculum faster if it wasn’t working for me.  Many homeschoolers are of the opinion to not change their curriculum once they have started.  I disagree.  I have seen these same homeschools collapse from frustration by the parent or the children.  Better to change than to fail.

I would schedule a study time for myself to learn everything I could to help my homeschooling.  There was so much more I could have taught if I had taken the time to study.  Teacher supplements, seminars, etc. are abundant now.  I would have studied Christian parenting regularly.  If children do not obey and respect their parents, then teaching them can be almost impossible.  I would have focused more on the joy and privilege of teaching my children than worrying over the difficulties.

Lastly, I would have taught worldview every day.  It is THE most important subject to teach our children.  After the many years of teaching and loving our children, they are sent out to an environment hostile to Christianity without an understanding of what the world believes.  Very few children can withstand this environment when they have not been taught to defend their own faith or have an understanding of other worldviews.

I cannot wallow in regrets.  I did what I could with what the Lord gave me.  Now I must look to the future and I want to help other homeschoolers as much as I can.  My reasons for all of my choices here cannot be fully explained in one blog.  I would encourage every homeschooling parent to be passionate about their teaching and look to the future.  Make sure your foundation is right and build on it.  Learn all you can and make your children excited to learn.  The rest will follow.

Online History Courses at Veritas Press

I have used a lot of history courses over the years.  ABeka.  Bob Jones.  Sonlight.  History at Our House.  Some were good, some OK, and some pathetically disappointing.  After trying Veritas Press' Self-Paced Online History Courses, I just had to give them the thumbs up.  www.veritaspress.com  They're GREAT!   We have only worked in the first one so far, which is Old Testament and Ancient Egypt, but it is enough to leave us begging for more.

For quite awhile I have been trying to find a history course that would give my children more structure to their history knowledge.  I wanted them to not only know stories in history, but to REMEMBER dates, understand cause and effect, and have a far reaching understanding of world history, not just US history.  That sounds sort of dry, doesn't it?  I also wanted history that would capture their interest and keep them coming back for more.  Veritas Press does just that and more!

Once you log into the course, the kids work by themselves through their lesson.  There are history cards for the children to use to find information to answer questions in their lessons.  Actors portray the different people in history and talk to the children.  In Old Testament and Ancient Egypt, they even have the Sphynx talk to the kids.  They use games, puzzles, live actors, map work and music to teach them.

Best of all, they remember what they learn.  They use the same song for every lesson that teaches them the chronology of the history they are learning.  All six of my youngest can sing the song and tell me in what order their Old Testament and Egyptian history occurs.  They definitely know more than I do.  When we were studying in Judges the other morning, my children interrupted to tell me how to pronounce one of the city names they knew and let me know that they knew where it is on the map.

There have been some small technical glitches, but Veritas Press works to help you through those very quickly.

Overall it is the best history I have ever used.  Even though it is made to be used for first through sixth grade, I have had my older children whizzing through the course as well.  Being the homeschooled children they are, they are willing to learn and enjoy curriculum directed at younger children.  By the time you are done with the history courses, you will have covered all ancient history, world history and US history.

Yep, I am one happy and satisfied customer :)

Draw Squad

A common complaint amongst homeschoolers is that they cannot teach art.  They either do not have the knowledge, desire, know-how or curriculum that would help them accomplish this goal.  I consider myself an "amateur artist" and yet have been a poor teacher of art.  Knowing how to draw and knowing how to teach drawing are two entirely different things. 

There are many good curriculums available that teach art history, drawing, and every other aspect of art.  Draw Squad by Mark Kistler is a how-to-draw book.  He has hosted the TV series, "The  Secret City," "Mark Kistler's Draw Squad," and "Imagination Station."  I even remember getting glimpses of one of his TV shows when I was a child and loving what I saw.  He really makes drawing fun.

Draw Squad is one of the easiest, step-by-step art books I have seen for all the parents who haven't a clue how to teach drawing.  That would include me!  In my opinion it could be used for gifted kindergarteners up to adult, if they are willing to handle a little zany humor.  He uses cartooning as the tool to teach the basics of drawing, which can then be applied to any form of drawing.

Let me walk you through the book a little, and the format of his lessons.  He begins Chapter 1 with his philosophy of teaching drawing and why he feels most anyone can draw.  He teaches ten key words of drawing.  At the end of the book he has special chapters for classrooms, teachers, and highschoolers which we can all skim good information and ideas from for our homeschool.  He also talks about drawing self-esteem and goals.

There are 30 lessons, each of which start with a warm-up drawing exercise and a key word that the lesson will be teaching.  He then has a few art exercises, each of which are shown step-by-step, line by line.  They are simple and straight forward.  he also shows student gallery, challenges and motivators to get kids even more excited about drawing.  The lessons are non-teacher intensive.  It might take five minutes a day to direct your child in what he should do, and then give him 20 minutes to practice.

I love this program.  Some of my children were too immature when I tried to start them on it, so I stopped until they were older and more physically mature.  Drawing does require some physical dexterity!  When they were not interested, I went slower, and walked them through it step by step, drawing by drawing.  Sometimes we only did one or two drawings a week.  We kept the lessons very short until their confidence and interest increased.  The older ones I have pushed to do up to a lesson a day.  It all depends on the child's abilities and interests. 

We have yet to complete the whole book, yet they have learned so much about drawing.  Their confidence builds as they add yet another skill to their repertoire.  They will not be encumbered with the fear of drawing that plagues so many adults.

Draw Squad is an inexpensive way to conquor the skill of drawing that fits in with many homeschools.  Mark Kistler even has online courses that follow the book.  He has authored nine books with a new book out just recently.  You can check out his website at http://www.draw3d.com/ . 

Why I Homeschool

As I share more of my homeschool journey, many might wonder why I persisted.  Surely, you will wonder, it would have been better to put your children into public school?  I would wholeheartedly disagree.

Everyone needs to be sure of their reasons for homeschooling before they even begin.  Without the sure foundation of sound reasoning for homeschooling, one will falter and fail.  The criticism of others and the day-to-day frustrations will weaken your fortitude.  Public school will become an unwanted salvation that you may regret.  I had many reasons for homeschooling to begin with, and they have not changed.

My own educational past convinced me of the ineptitude of public education.  Perhaps in a future blog I will share more details of my schooling.  Needless to say, I did not learn much.  Homeschooling my own children taught me more than I ever learned in my own education.  My schools had no idea what to do with me.  My challenged brother failed pitifully, with no sympathy from public school bureaucrats.  My gifted sister was a dropout.  I knew I could do a much better job educating my children myself.

I felt from the beginning that public schooling my children would be handing the raising of my own children to someone else.  These people do not know my children the way I do.  They do not share my beliefs nor will they teach my beliefs to my children.  When children are cared for by nonfamilial authorities, they are rarely cared for with the intensity and concern of parents.  Unsafe situations arise because nonfamilial custodians would rather be doing something else, like being with their own families!  You cannot replicate the bonds between parent and child.  I am not saying that all teachers are terrible or do not care for the children under their care.  However, I truly believe that they cannot watch their classrooms of children with the love and concern of a parent.

In keeping my children at home, I allowed them to strengthen their natural, familial ties.  Have you ever noticed that when young children start going to school, they often fall in love with their teacher?  This is because children are made to bond with the adult who cares for them.  Why would I want them to replace their bond with me for their teacher?  Secondly, they will bond with their peers, and lose their bond with their siblings.  In the public school environment, mini families are formed and given the term "cliques."  Their natural family bonds have been replaced with their peers.  These bonds continually change with the annual rotation of teachers, and often their peers, and children become untrusting.  I feel the connections from a stable family are much healthier and natural than the artificial family they would form in a public school.

The morals and religious beliefs that are taught, in various ways, in the public school was another reason for me to teach my children at home.  I am a Christian.  I believe Jesus Christ died for my sins and rose again.  I will do anything in order to teach my children what I believe.  The public school takes away my authority with my children.  That is something I cannot and will not tolerate.

These reasons are the foundation to my homeschooling.  I believe homeschooling offers a better education to my children.  I want to be the one to raise my children and not hand that responsibility over to another.  I want my children to form healthy relationships with their family.  Last but not least, I want to teach my children what I believe.

So before you begin your journey that will contain twists, turns, bumps, bruises, and challenges, be secure in your reasons to home educate.  These reasons will hold you up through the hard times.  The joys and rewards of homeschooling will be all the more exciting.

CalcuLadders, ReadyWriter and AlphaBetter

In math, rote memory is a necessity.  This is also an area of weakness in many homeschools, including mine.  There are many math drill programs available, but the one I use and love is called CalcuLadders.

CalcuLadders has 6 levels, with multiple worksheets for each level.  The earlier worksheets all have two minute goals.  As the worksheets progressively become more advanced, the goal times become longer, with five minutes being the longest.  CalcuLadders 1, Worksheet 1 starts with having the child practice writing the numbers 0 through 9 quickly.  The worksheets begin with simple addition and work through advanced addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

This is a mastery program.  The child is expected to complete the worksheet at 100% within 30 seconds of the worksheet's timed goal two times before going onto the next worksheet.  The next worksheet will review old material while adding new facts to learn, until you move onto another topic.  The difficulty levels really do go very high, so this can even be used for review for higher grades.  If you wanted to work on this orally, you could start as young as your child was able to recognize numbers and add "one more".

This program can be as flexible as you want it to be.  If your children have problems with writing, you can point to the problems and have them give you the answers orally.  If they cannot handle timed tests, you can just give it to them as an untimed worksheet.  When they become comfortable with the worksheets, you can then begin timing if you wish.  If the timed goals are too long for your child, you can have them do half a sheet at a time.  It can be used to build their memory of math facts, or just for occasional review.  It is what you make of it.

It may be a temptation to push your children through many levels very quickly, but I would not suggest this.  One of the high points of this program is that it is quick, and thus makes it an easy accomplishment for the child each day without burning him out.  Also, it is in the consistency of doing a worksheet a day that children can convert their short term memory of math facts into long term memory that is permanently retained.

CalcuLadders comes in preprinted workbooks, or on CD so that you can print out the worksheets yourself.  I highly recommend the CDs.  This allows you to make as many or as few copied of each worksheet as you need per child.  But if you are the kind of parent who wants a workbook to get through, then buying the preprinted workbook is for you.  If you do buy the MasterPak CDs, you will also get ReadyWriter and AlphaBetter.

ReadyWriter is a collection of drill sheets for the movements made for print and cursive, while using a background story of helping Farmer Brown on his farm.  They will practice horizontal and vertical lines, angles, circles, swirls, swoops, dots, etc.  All my children have fond memories of ReadyWriter.  It was a way to get them to willingly practice penmanship.  These are not timed.

AlphaBetter consists of  alphabetizing drillsheets.  Like CalcuLadders, they begin very simple and progressively become more complicated.  When they are done with them, they will not have to "think" to know where things are alphabetically or have difficulty finding words in the dictionary.

There are many drill sheets available out there and I use more than one.  CalcuLadders, ReadyWriter and AlphaBetter is just my personal favorite and is tried and true for my family.  So if you are looking for worksheets you can print out without an internet connection, I suggest these.

One place I found to buy CalcuLadders and the MasterPak 1 and 2 is at the Rainbow Resource Center:
http://www.rainbowresource.com/search.php?sid=1295922026-798015