Since I talked about why in my last post, I thought this time I'd address how. Everybody wants to know how! I get asked, "How on earth do you do it?" more times than I can count. So here's a run down of a typical day in the life of my homeschool.
I get up at 6am to take Jenna to seminary. A class that lasts 50 minutes. Since I live so far from town, I wait for her to finish before coming home. Luckily, right across the street is Anytime Fitness. So I get my workout in early. No excuses! When Jenna and I get home just before 8 I usually have to wake up the kids because they are all sleepyheads! Next, I start laundry. Sometimes I was lazy the night before and have to fluff up a load that needs folding. Don't tell! the kids are helpful (kinda!) and make their own breakfast. They also make a huge mess doing it! After breakfast, I send the kids to get ready for the day. No pj's! Then we do morning chores. My goal is to get school going by 9am. Sometimes I actually make it.
We all gather to say the pledge, have family prayer and do calendar with the little kids. Even Gracie gets involved in our "circle time" and has so much fun! I could use a little improvement in this part of my day, but I'm working on it. There are just SO many good options to choose from. A person could spend a lot of time in "circle time" if they wanted to!
Jenna and Haley are enrolled in FLVS, a virtual school where they take all of the required classes to graduate. They have a teacher for each subject and are required to have monthly phone calls with each one. They also have audio lessons, especially for language courses, and a DBA (Discussion-Based Assessment) with each teacher per module, or unit of study. I'm required for the monthly call only. Piece of cake!
The other 3 kids each have a crate I got at walmart for $3! Yay, me! All their supplies are kept in their crates. Books, pencils, notebook for extra writing, journal, crayons, a folder to hold cutouts and things like that. I also have an extra supply crate for things that are available to everyone. I'm trying to implement even more ways to stay organized. This is another area where I could use some work, lol!
Each child has a planner which is really just a calendar with plenty of writing space. I schedule 9 weeks at a time in their planner and write the grade they earn next to the subject on the day it was assigned. I also follow the county school board calendar since Jenna's seminary class follows it. Easy as pie! They get out their planners and get to work! Usually with some proding from me! I sit at the table with them, grade their work as they go and answer questions as they come up. Sometimes one of them needs extra help and we move to the chalkboard. I love my chalkboard! Most days everyone has finished their work by lunch! Other days we might work as late as a regular school day, but not often.
I do have to take breaks sometimes to do things like switch out laundry, fold and put it away. Rock the baby, help Gracie and do regular mom things.
I have enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I'm sure I said that in my last post, but it bears repeating! Ella and Gracie usually hang with us at the table and sometimes that makes it harder, but they are good kids. Gracie watches PBS, NickJr or Disney. But likes to help out with any crafts, story reading and the like.
Somedays I wonder what I've gotten myself into. There are times when it can be very stressful. But I've found that the more organized and prepared I am, the less stress all around. I hope to be able to give courage to someone else who may be looking for an alternative schooling option for their child/children. Trust me, if I can do it, ANYONE can!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Why homeschool?
Recently, I've been asked this question a lot. Most people assume that because two of my sisters homeschool their kids and have for years, that I must have always done it also. Not so. In fact, my children attended public school for most of their lives (except the little ones). Jenna was the one who first peaked my interest. She was struggling and I decided it was time to try something different. So we went with Connections Academy. Great program. It isn't homeschool though. It's online public school and the work load (for me, the teacher) was tremendous. In my opinion. I guess it didn't help that I was pregnant and sick. I had taken them all out of school and they all were attending CA. At the time "all" meant Jenna, Haley and Faith. Wyatt was 3 and Braden was just 1. I was NOT impressed. I re-enrolled them after the Christmas break. That turned out to be no good either. We'd moved and the school they had attended previously, which was one I liked, was too far away. This new school was run by a tyrant who thought I was too opinionated (go figure!) and didn't like me much. Needless to say, the kids suffered. So I tried again and transferred them to Enterprise Learning Academy in Duval County. Loved it! By now, Wyatt was starting Kindergarten and had the best K teacher of all time! I loved her! Jenna though was pulled out and began FLVS, online virtual school. For her, that has been a huge success. Since they service only 6-12th grades, we decided they would go to public school K-5 and FLVS thereafter. And then we got re-zoned to another school. A new school, but one I wasn't keen on them attending. It serviced K-8! Since middle school was one of the main things I wanted to avoid, I was not thrilled. By now, the economy had tanked and we were closing our business and moving anyway, so we decided that while we were in limbo we'd homeschool them all again and see how it went. This time "all" included Wyatt. Guess what....yep, I was pregnant again...and SICK! But it still wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. In fact, I actually enjoyed it. It was easier to be sick enough to make it hard to leave the house, if I didn't actually HAVE to leave! When Ella was born having them all at home made it easier to do Dr appt's with a newborn, which for me is pretty frequent. I think they just like me! Anyway, we made it through the year and decided it wasn't as hard as I'd thought. I liked it.
I won't get into many of the other reasons I chose this route except to say that I'd had enough experience with several schools to see that the public school system is broken. It's not the fault of the teachers and administrators. There are some who contribute majorly to the problem (like the tyrant principal before mentioned) but for the most part, the teachers especially are well intentioned, good people. It's the gov't. They have their hands in every piece of the pie. The pie would taste better without gov't interference. Left to their own resource, most teachers would do a better job teaching than they are now being allowed to do. We decided that fixing the school system would take more time than we had and two of our children were suffering. To me, "No Child Left Behind" meant mine. I decided that my child would never be left behind if I could help it and I found that I could!
And so, our children are homeschooled. I'm enjoying it more than I ever thought I would. It's taught me to be more organized, which had always been one of my goals. It's taught me to enjoy those little people Freddie and I brought into our lives more than I thought I could. It's taught me more about me than anything else I've attempted to date. Plus, ever heard the platitude, No Pain, No Gain? Aint that the truth!
I won't get into many of the other reasons I chose this route except to say that I'd had enough experience with several schools to see that the public school system is broken. It's not the fault of the teachers and administrators. There are some who contribute majorly to the problem (like the tyrant principal before mentioned) but for the most part, the teachers especially are well intentioned, good people. It's the gov't. They have their hands in every piece of the pie. The pie would taste better without gov't interference. Left to their own resource, most teachers would do a better job teaching than they are now being allowed to do. We decided that fixing the school system would take more time than we had and two of our children were suffering. To me, "No Child Left Behind" meant mine. I decided that my child would never be left behind if I could help it and I found that I could!
And so, our children are homeschooled. I'm enjoying it more than I ever thought I would. It's taught me to be more organized, which had always been one of my goals. It's taught me to enjoy those little people Freddie and I brought into our lives more than I thought I could. It's taught me more about me than anything else I've attempted to date. Plus, ever heard the platitude, No Pain, No Gain? Aint that the truth!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Haley's sick....
Here's one for the boy who cried wolf.
All of the kids are very dramatic! Nothing ever happens that wasn't the worst pan they've ever felt. We are always telling them to tone it down. That one of these days someone will really be sick or hurt and no one will believe them because they are forever acting so dramatic. A couple of months ago Haley insisted her back hurt and could hardly move for several days. So we made the rounds with the Dr's, x-rays and such. Guess what.....they never found anything wrong with her. So I'm thinking maybe she twisted it wrong on the trampoline and it was a little sore. Oh, no! Haley thought she was ging to die. She cried and moaned and ended up with nothing visibly wrong with her. This is how each of them behaves on a quite regular basis. So magine my surprise when Freddie comes to youth conference to pick up Jenna and I and tells me Haley stayed home sick. He described her acting exactly the way she always does. Broken down and on deaths door. We get home and decide to take her to the ER just in case. They start an IV for fluids and begin running tests. Low and behold they find a kidney infection and she's running a fever of 103.2. They tell me she may be sore for a day or two and she needs to relax, drink plenty of fluids, take her meds and she'll be ok. That was Saturday night. Today is Monday and she's only moved off the couch once! Her fever is down to almost normal, but I know she's probably a little wiped out from being so sick. She had been feeling bad since Thursday of last week (the day I left for youth conference, of course!) so I know that takes some times to recover from. I just ya'll could see her. Sick yes, dying, no! She's so funny! I guess we'll be babying her for a few more days.....longer if she has anything to say about it!
All of the kids are very dramatic! Nothing ever happens that wasn't the worst pan they've ever felt. We are always telling them to tone it down. That one of these days someone will really be sick or hurt and no one will believe them because they are forever acting so dramatic. A couple of months ago Haley insisted her back hurt and could hardly move for several days. So we made the rounds with the Dr's, x-rays and such. Guess what.....they never found anything wrong with her. So I'm thinking maybe she twisted it wrong on the trampoline and it was a little sore. Oh, no! Haley thought she was ging to die. She cried and moaned and ended up with nothing visibly wrong with her. This is how each of them behaves on a quite regular basis. So magine my surprise when Freddie comes to youth conference to pick up Jenna and I and tells me Haley stayed home sick. He described her acting exactly the way she always does. Broken down and on deaths door. We get home and decide to take her to the ER just in case. They start an IV for fluids and begin running tests. Low and behold they find a kidney infection and she's running a fever of 103.2. They tell me she may be sore for a day or two and she needs to relax, drink plenty of fluids, take her meds and she'll be ok. That was Saturday night. Today is Monday and she's only moved off the couch once! Her fever is down to almost normal, but I know she's probably a little wiped out from being so sick. She had been feeling bad since Thursday of last week (the day I left for youth conference, of course!) so I know that takes some times to recover from. I just ya'll could see her. Sick yes, dying, no! She's so funny! I guess we'll be babying her for a few more days.....longer if she has anything to say about it!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Horses! What?
Ok, I might be crazy! Can you believe I got myself a horse? All my life I've wanted one and never had either the space, the time or the money. So Freddie and I decided if we don't just do it we never will. So we did! I love her, she's great! Her name is Lily and she's a real treat. She's an 11 year old walkaloosa. Thats a cross between a Tennessee Walking Horse and an Appaloosa. We've had her a week now and I just love it. I love looking out the window and seeing her there. I love going out to the pasture. As soon as I open the front door she calls to me! She usually meets me at the gate. I love to pet and groom her but I especially love to ride her! I'm still a little scared of her......and she knows it! Not scared really, just nervous that I'm not "doing it" right. So, she acts up a little. Not much but she throws her head around and objects to doing what she's told. Sounds like the kids! And speaking of the kids, she loves them! I love it when they walk towards her and she sticks her head out over the fence for them to reach her. I especially love it when one of them runs along the fence and she runs with them. So funny! I'm getting some help with my horsemanship so hopefully I'll be an old pro before I know it.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Mother's Day
Do you ever have one of those days, or a series of days when you are frustrated and everyone is on your last nerve? Well, I've been having them lately. And then I got called and asked to sing in sacrament on mother's day. I thought "Oh boy! How am I supposed to sing about how great it is to be a mother when all my kids are driving me crazy?"
And then I found a song, called Your Song by Jenny Phillips. Its not really even specific to women and certainly not specific to mothers. Maybe its just my interpretation of the words and their meaning, but it seems to fit. Its all about the gifts the Lord has given us and the beautiful things in our life. So I thought "what more beautiful thing could we be given than our families?" Even when we're frustrated with them, our children are our greatest gift. But what about women who aren't mothers? I thought about them and about how special many of those women are to those of us who do have children. Sometimes its those women we lean on the most. Their shoulders are strong and they can help us carry our burdens oftentimes better than anyone else. There is one lady in our branch who has been especially helpful to me. She sets a good example in her YW calling and for my 2 YW age daughters that is a tremendous support. She always seeks out the things that make them happiest. When someone takes time to know what it is that makes a child happy (even a teenager!) it increases the likelihood of that child being successful in life. No one benefits more from someone who takes the time to know them than a child. So, thank you Sister Collier! I love you! This song is for you!
I will never be able to include all the women who have been special to me, so I'll just name a very few. I'll start with Amy, she's amazing! She always makes herself available when I need her. Even if all I need her for is to complain! This song is for you!
Our YW presidency and Primary presidency. You ladies are instrumental in my life. You help me teach my children the gospel. No education is more important than that! This song is for you!
Our RS presidency. You ladies give me strength to be the very best I can be. As a mother, a wife, a grown up! Sundays are great because of all of you. This song is for you!
My mom and grandma's and sisters. That includes my sisters-in-law. Whether its reading your posts on facebook, chatting on the phone or hanging out you guys make my life awesome!
I know I may not be Celine Dion (don't I wish!) but I'll sing it as well as I can. Because this song is for all of you! So Happy Mother's Day! Whether you have children of your own or not, you are still a mother! If it takes a village to raise a child then you are my village!
And then I found a song, called Your Song by Jenny Phillips. Its not really even specific to women and certainly not specific to mothers. Maybe its just my interpretation of the words and their meaning, but it seems to fit. Its all about the gifts the Lord has given us and the beautiful things in our life. So I thought "what more beautiful thing could we be given than our families?" Even when we're frustrated with them, our children are our greatest gift. But what about women who aren't mothers? I thought about them and about how special many of those women are to those of us who do have children. Sometimes its those women we lean on the most. Their shoulders are strong and they can help us carry our burdens oftentimes better than anyone else. There is one lady in our branch who has been especially helpful to me. She sets a good example in her YW calling and for my 2 YW age daughters that is a tremendous support. She always seeks out the things that make them happiest. When someone takes time to know what it is that makes a child happy (even a teenager!) it increases the likelihood of that child being successful in life. No one benefits more from someone who takes the time to know them than a child. So, thank you Sister Collier! I love you! This song is for you!
I will never be able to include all the women who have been special to me, so I'll just name a very few. I'll start with Amy, she's amazing! She always makes herself available when I need her. Even if all I need her for is to complain! This song is for you!
Our YW presidency and Primary presidency. You ladies are instrumental in my life. You help me teach my children the gospel. No education is more important than that! This song is for you!
Our RS presidency. You ladies give me strength to be the very best I can be. As a mother, a wife, a grown up! Sundays are great because of all of you. This song is for you!
My mom and grandma's and sisters. That includes my sisters-in-law. Whether its reading your posts on facebook, chatting on the phone or hanging out you guys make my life awesome!
I know I may not be Celine Dion (don't I wish!) but I'll sing it as well as I can. Because this song is for all of you! So Happy Mother's Day! Whether you have children of your own or not, you are still a mother! If it takes a village to raise a child then you are my village!
Friday, February 26, 2010
How cute!
So, Haley has decided to do something for the people in Haiti. She wants to take donations and put together hygiene kits. I want to encourage service in my kids and so this is going to be a family project. I know we are only a few people, but sometimes great things come in small packages. I'm soliciting help from anyone who wants to be included. We'll pay to have kits sent to Utah. I'm including the address for anyone who wants to be able to reference it quickly.
Latter-day Saint Humanitarian Center1665 South Bennett RoadSalt Lake City, UT 84104Telephone: (801) 240-5954Hours: 8 am — 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday
Hygiene kits are to include the following:
Hygiene Kit Hygiene kits are sent to orphanages, homeless shelters, medical facilities and disaster areas.
• 2 unbreakable combs (no sharp handles)
• 4 toothbrushes (packaged)
• 1 tube of toothpaste (6-8 ounces, no pumps)
• 2 bars of soap (approximately 3.5-5 ounces)
• 2 hand towels (see hand towel guidelines below)
Place items in a heavy-duty, one-gallon sealable bag. Remove the air before sealing.
Hand Towels (for Hygiene Kit) Use new 15-inch by 25-inch hand towels. Please do not use dish towels or washcloths.
Hand towels may also be sewn. To sew towels, use terry cloth to make 15-inch by 25-inch hand towels. Serge or zigzag edges securely to prevent fraying.
I'm very proud of her and all my children. As soon as Haley showed an interest, they all were excited to pitch in. Earlier this year Freddie and I had talked about ways to get everyone thinking outside of themselves and serving others. Disney has the give a day get a Disney day promotion going on this year and we were planning on a service project through them without telling the kids about a free day at Disney. We're still planning that, but this was just an extra way to let the kids be involved. How wonderful to have kids who are willing to give even when they have no frame of reference for the suffering of others. It's amazing to see them empathise without being able to sympathize. Anyway, if your interested in pitching in you can comment here, email me at natalie7kids@gmail.com or give me a call 904-349-4798.
Latter-day Saint Humanitarian Center1665 South Bennett RoadSalt Lake City, UT 84104Telephone: (801) 240-5954Hours: 8 am — 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday
Hygiene kits are to include the following:
Hygiene Kit Hygiene kits are sent to orphanages, homeless shelters, medical facilities and disaster areas.
• 2 unbreakable combs (no sharp handles)
• 4 toothbrushes (packaged)
• 1 tube of toothpaste (6-8 ounces, no pumps)
• 2 bars of soap (approximately 3.5-5 ounces)
• 2 hand towels (see hand towel guidelines below)
Place items in a heavy-duty, one-gallon sealable bag. Remove the air before sealing.
Hand Towels (for Hygiene Kit) Use new 15-inch by 25-inch hand towels. Please do not use dish towels or washcloths.
Hand towels may also be sewn. To sew towels, use terry cloth to make 15-inch by 25-inch hand towels. Serge or zigzag edges securely to prevent fraying.
I'm very proud of her and all my children. As soon as Haley showed an interest, they all were excited to pitch in. Earlier this year Freddie and I had talked about ways to get everyone thinking outside of themselves and serving others. Disney has the give a day get a Disney day promotion going on this year and we were planning on a service project through them without telling the kids about a free day at Disney. We're still planning that, but this was just an extra way to let the kids be involved. How wonderful to have kids who are willing to give even when they have no frame of reference for the suffering of others. It's amazing to see them empathise without being able to sympathize. Anyway, if your interested in pitching in you can comment here, email me at natalie7kids@gmail.com or give me a call 904-349-4798.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Logan
Yesterday my brother Logan reported to the MTC in Utah to serve a 2 year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am so proud of him! The church has changed my life so much. I'm so happy to know that missionary work is going forward and has strong young men like Logan sharing the gospel with people all over the world. Even though I've been a member all my life, my husband hasn't. When he decided to be baptised I was so thrilled! I have never wanted anything except to be a forever family! To be married is such an amazing experience, but to be sealed in the temple is so much more. How wonderful to know my baby brother is sharing that same truth with the people in Denver Colorado! Thank you Logan! There is nothing more important than what you're doing right now! These people will be thankful for this gift you're giving them for all eternity!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
My family!
One night last week I asked Fredde to hold Ella while did something. He was a little congested and had one of those breathe right strips on his nose. When I came back in the bedroom, this is what I found. Both boys had gotten bandaids and one of Gracie's baby dolls and they were all watching tv on my bed. Too cute!
Monday, January 25, 2010
homeschool diploma
Ok, I found a place that specializes in diplomas for homeschoolers. You can get them in packages or individually. My oldest is only in 8th grade so I have some time, but I'd love to help anyone interested. I'm still hoping to put together a group no matter how small. I started this blog so that if there's anyone in my area looking for help, support, classes, etc. we could get together. I think my next step will be to see if I can get the homeschool rep at the school board office to pass out flyers for me.
On a side note, I've been trying to get ahold of a place for my daughter to volunteer. I found a horse rescue here in Ft White, FL but they aren't insured and volunteers have to be 18 or older. It's sad to me that we live in a society that has become over run with lawsuits. When a child is interested in giving their time to help a charity and we can't let them, how long before that desire is squashed? We are becoming so obsessed with self-preservation. How sad and how disappointing!
On a side note, I've been trying to get ahold of a place for my daughter to volunteer. I found a horse rescue here in Ft White, FL but they aren't insured and volunteers have to be 18 or older. It's sad to me that we live in a society that has become over run with lawsuits. When a child is interested in giving their time to help a charity and we can't let them, how long before that desire is squashed? We are becoming so obsessed with self-preservation. How sad and how disappointing!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Great Granny's pound cake
Tonight at YW Jenna is supposed to bring something passed down from an ancestor. Just recently we got a copy of my Great Granny's pound cake recipe so we just made it and put in the oven. I remember eating it when I was little and thinking it was heaven on earth! I'm a little sad that I won't get any of this one! It brought back tons of memories like first Sundays at Granny and Pa's, playing ghost in the graveyard and thinking Bill, Nate, Danny and David were the scariest people alive. I never could get up the nerve to go to the front of Great Granny's house by myself! I remember the big fires Pa used to build and how fun it was to run up, throw in some leaves to listen to them crackle and run off again. All this from a pound cake! I guess the weekend I just spent alone with my family helped a little. Speaking of that.....I had a great time. It was kind of a family drama that I won't get into on here, but it was a good kind of drama. And it really sparked some good memories. Maybe the pound cake memories are just icnig on the cake!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Well, today is kind of a busy day where we won't get much done. Don't you just love days like that? We have to do school work, of course, and Jenna and Haley have chorus at the high school, but mostly we have to get this house cleaned up! I was out of town for the weekend so the kids turned the house into a pig pen! Then Sunday we spent the day at church and picked up a little. Yesterday we tried to have a fun day for Braden's birthday with an impromptu trip to chuck e cheese, so today.....its time to tackle this mess. I'm hoping to get with someone about a cooking class today. I have a cousin who makes the most beautiful cakes and loves to cook. I'm hoping I can talk her into doing a class for homeschoolers. Anyway, I'll let you know how that goes!
Monday, January 18, 2010
MLK Day Braden's birthday
Well, this year Braden's birthday falls on MLK Day. Neat huh? I think we'll take the day off and maybe just have a quick review of what Martin Luther King contributed to our country. The man with the dream. I often wonder if we're living his dream yet. I don't think so. Not because black and white people live differently from each other, but because I don't think things like affirmative action is what he was meant by being equal. I think he'd just want us to live side by side, advancing in our schools, jobs and our lives in general on our merits.
Anyway, we'll celebrate Braden's birthday today, but save the party for the weekend. Freddie isn't home and I don't want him to miss it. Maybe we'll just go to McDonalds to eat and play. They really do grow up so fast. When he was born it was so sweet, but a little scary. He is our 5th child and when he was born he had pnuemonia. He was taken to the NICU right away and stayed there for a week. Which really was amazing! He started out as the baby in the NICU on the greatest amount of oxygen but also the baby whose oxygen was decreased the quickest. A miracle! When I brought him home all the other kids couldn't wait to get their turn to hold him. It was so fun. Having a new baby usually is! Happy Birthday Braden!!!
Anyway, we'll celebrate Braden's birthday today, but save the party for the weekend. Freddie isn't home and I don't want him to miss it. Maybe we'll just go to McDonalds to eat and play. They really do grow up so fast. When he was born it was so sweet, but a little scary. He is our 5th child and when he was born he had pnuemonia. He was taken to the NICU right away and stayed there for a week. Which really was amazing! He started out as the baby in the NICU on the greatest amount of oxygen but also the baby whose oxygen was decreased the quickest. A miracle! When I brought him home all the other kids couldn't wait to get their turn to hold him. It was so fun. Having a new baby usually is! Happy Birthday Braden!!!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Homeschooling in Lake City, FL
I'm a homeschooling mom living in Lake City, FL. I've been looking for an active homeschool group in the area and haven't been able to find one. So I'm going to create one! I'm looking for interest in this type of thing in our area, so if you think you might like to be a part of it, let me know! I'm trying to set up classes for my children, and anyone else's, such as cooking, music, drama, computers, science, etc. If you or anyone you know might be interested in teaching a class please let me know. The classes would require a fee for a pre-determined number of classes. I'd like to eventually be able to provide a graduation ceremony for our older kids! Wouldn't that be great! I'd love it if everyone interested would leave me a comment. The more interest I find, the lower the cost. So please spread the word!
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