There are a lot of articles about "learning outside of the box", but I've seen very few about "teaching outside of the box". Yes, there is a difference. In one instance, you are focused on how the child is learning and finding creative ways for the child to learn. But in the other, it's learning as a teacher, to let go of the preconceived ideas of what it means to teach and to be a successful teacher, and figuring out how to teach in a way that you feel best suits you as a teacher.
You know the drill, get the kids up and dressed and fed, and sit them all down at their desks. They have a schedule and a routine and everything is tested and recorded and all those details that everyone says has to be part of school.
Now, if your state requires a lot of paperwork, then you have to do it. If the state requires testing, then you will need to do the testing.
But after that ... just how much does your homeschool have to look just like a "real school". In my opinion, it's your school. Teach in a way that is comfortable for you! And in a way that is comfortable to your children learning!
Now, for me, I'm an INTJ personality. I thrive on structure and routines, I make lists and plans and get very frustrated if everyone isn't on board with my plan. Story is an ENFP, and they thrive on living in the moment. She hated my lists and plans. She had SO MUCH ENERGY!!!! Song is an INFJ, she would get frustrated when she fell behind. Scholar is an ENFJ, he's fine with the lists and thrives on the routines ... when he remembers them. Sunshine is another INTJ. Squirrel is an ISTJ, and he also thrives on schedules and routines. Star is another INFJ, and only this year has she begun to understand the power and freedom of her lists.
And that is a LOT of people to keep happy!
When I started homeschooling, I ran it just a tad off of how a traditional school operated. We worked at the kitchen table, we had set times, we worked first thing in the morning until 3 or so in the afternoon. I used Alpha Omega Lifepacs back then. Awesome program really, until we couldn't afford it anymore. We also tried the computer curriculum. Story did well, Song did not. And then there was the problem of not enough room for 4 computers in the house!
Over the years, I've developed a whole new style of teaching. One day, after many dismal failures and frustrations, I sat down and the thought (maybe it was God) came across ... What is your purpose? .... A purpose for what? ..... The purpose for school.
What was my purpose? What were my goals? Why was I putting myself and my girls through this in the first place?
So I sat down and prayed and thought about it. If you can include your husband, by all means, do so. But I do understand that not all husbands feel led to participate in the education decisions.
Eventually, I came up with the following...
1. I wanted my kids to have a strong understanding of the Bible, how it fits in today's world, a Biblical World view, able to discern false doctrine by studying scripture. I wanted them to be aware of various resources and how to use them. I wanted them to know how Scripture worked from beginning to end and how it fit into World and American History.
2. I wanted my kids to know how to communicate well. This included writing and speaking and listening skills. This meant that I wanted a really good English program. This was also my weakest area. So I needed to find back up help.
3. I wanted my kids to know how to use and understand resources. I wanted them to be able to read and use what they read. And I didn't just want them to know how to use a dictionary and an encyclopedia, but I could see that the internet was shaping up into a potentially useful item. I wanted them to be able to use any resource available to them.
4. I wanted them to be able to write well. Both typing and by hand.
5. I wanted them to have a sense of their strengths and weaknesses and how to use their strengths to overcome their weaknesses.
6. I wanted them to have a good understanding of how mathematics worked - not just memorize the answers. Just because our family is flooded with mathematicians, didn't mean that they would naturally be good at it.
7. I wanted them to get enough exercise and sunshine.
8. I wanted them to be able to function as knowledgable adults by the time they were in their teens, in case they needed to be able to help hold the household together.
9. I wanted them to be able to explore their gifts and personalities.
But the traditional hard nosed approach was not going to work. There were too many days where we were not getting the work finished, and all of us were very stressed. I have vision issues, so I didn't drive. Trying to adjust the way I taught was not going to be easy. And once we left Colorado Springs, field trips became nearly impossible.
I did not succeed at this overnight. In fact, I still struggle. Something in my programming says that it has to be a certain way, that if I do it a different way, then they might miss something.
The first big change that I made was in History. I just threw out most of the curriculum! I purchased a book called, "All Through the Ages." And we started back at Creation and started working our way forward. http://www.nothingnewpress.com/books/all-through-the-ages-2/ We started with Creation, using any resource we could find, and at the time, there wasn't much readily available. An amazing thing happened though. Story didn' t like the formal learning and testing, and balked at every method I used to teach her, but she could not get enough of this new style of learning. There were no tests, she didn't have to memorize anything. But we poured over maps, listened to videos, read books, and even did some crafts. We talked about what they were learning. And she absorbed it all. I planned a month learning about Egypt, and when Song and her best friend moved on to the OT history and Babylon, she refused to budge! It would be 3 full months later when she was "ready to move on". She loved learning History this way and she flourished. The downside to her moving so slowly is that she's not learned much history after WW1, the best part though, she knows how to learn anything she needs to know, and she has a huge world picture in her head to make that knowledge work together.
The next area we relaxed in was Math. We switched over to ALEKS, which was really awesome, but expensive for us. Now they all use Kahn's. When we started using it, it was the only free Math program available.
Eventually, English and Spelling were the only two subjects that I kept as completely formal. English is my weakest subject, so I was more worried about missing something there. We chose Rod and Staff for our curriculum, and I flex it as we need to, mostly we adjust by reviewing, going faster or slower, and not worrying about the grades as much as making sure they have a good grasp of each concept before we move on to the next one.
Some things we have incorporated into our curriculum
Books - we choose topics every 2 - 3 weeks and pull a dozen or so books from our public library on those subjects. We look for books that are picture heavy rather than detail-heavy, though it is common for them to ask for thicker books or go online to learn more. This includes Books on Tape.
Videos - At first we used videos we could get from the public library, but the internet has so much available. You can pretty much find any topic in a video on YouTube.
Crafts - This is one of the weaker areas, but if they want to do anything experimental or crafty, we try to give it a go. ..... We still have a skeleton in the closet to put together someday.
Mini-Breaks - If they get wiggly and giggly, I send them outside for a run. On rainy days, they go outside every time the rain slows down. (At least, that is the goal, there are days the "school routine" takes over.)
Coloring Books - My kids don't care for as much coloring, but our friends love it.
Open discussions - We don't fight the bunny trails, but attempt to use them to answer questions and teach Biblical values.
Outside experts - usually, this means a long video. But the kids are encouraged to ask people we know for answers. There is a physics professor at our church that Scholar has pounced on a few times with questions that made my head spin. Some of their math questions go to Grandpa, even though I can answer them. The older girls frequently join chats to investigate what they want to learn, or even join classes online.
Flexible days - as they get older, it has been more common for them to work in the evenings. I don't know if any of them know how to "cram" subjects together and "just get it done".
Volunteer Work - so far, only Song has kept at it, but it's HORSES! And Story bailed out after only a few weeks because it was HORSES. They also help out at church, and with cousins.
Some elements we kept
The Schedule and Chore Routines - It turned out that I could not teach without a schedule. Open ended teaching just was not my style, so I did not function well as a parent or a teacher.
Working in time frames - Left to themselves, they would do 1 or 2 subjects and ignore everything outside of that box. So they have a schedule and a set amount of time to get the items completed. If they finish early, they can go outside and play, but we are not spending every day on just Science and Penmanship.
Workbooks - I like the concrete feel of the workbooks. Sometimes we print worksheets. This is especially true from K - 4th grades.
Lesson Plans - We have a plan and we make every attempt to stick to it.
An Assigned Seat - they might not stay in that seat all day, in fact, there is a lot of moving in and out of the computer stations, and sometimes they go up stairs to their aunt's house or next door to our house to use kitchen tables. But they have their assigned areas for their books, pens and pencils, etc.
Elements my sister's use
Gymnastics
Soccer
Park Days
Field Trips
Farm Work
Music Classes
Band
Choir
Awana
Garage Sales
Honestly, anything you do can be turned into a learning experience. And any curriculum can be "tweeked" to make it much more learning friendly.
What ideas can you come up with to "Teach Outside of the Box"?
Homeschooling Information and Freebies - from a Christian Worldview
Showing posts with label Beginning Homeschool. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Beginning Homeschool. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Things We "Couldn't Do Without" to Homeschool
There are always the things you think you need to home school.
There are things you wish you could have to home school.
There are things that you put on your list and eagerly anticipate ... and never use.
But in our 15 years of home schooling. There are several things that I have used nearly every single year, and I'm not sure if I could process my school year without most of them! It would certainly be a challenge to try!
1. Plenty of writing supplies. Pens of all colors, highlighters, colored pencils, fun to look at pencils, and Crayola Crayons. We are BIG about writing, drawing and creating, and these are the tools we love. Did you notice that markers are missing? Ironically, we don't use markers much. Except for me - I hoard my Sharpie Marker collection. We also avoid twist ups. But the older ones love mechanical pencils! ... These below are not necessarily our favorites, but they are a good sample of what might catch our eyes!
2. Clay. We use clay to learn about letters, numbers, shapes, and colors. Clay doesn't dry out, so we can leave out what we create for several days. Clay is stiff, so it gives fingers a good workout and builds finger muscles - perfect for early writing skills. Making letters with clay also helps bridge the problems early that will lead to dylexia (it runs in our family on both sides). Young spellers build their words with clay, then create a clay picture to show what the word means.
3. Paper - all kinds of paper. Construction paper, manila paper, typing paper, colored paper, cardstock, notebook paper, and drawing paper. We recycle as much as possible.
4. Recycled Objects ..... paper towel tubes, TP tubes, water jugs and water bottles, lids, cereal boxes, and scraps of the paper we cut away. Plus tons more.
These lend themselves well to open ended creativity.
5. Maps - We love maps! The book of outlines that we use appears to be out of print, or not on Amazon ... but we often just head for the internet and find what we want to use much faster than scanning a book.
6. Outside ... we use a lot of things that we find outside. Rocks, flowers, leaves, tree bark, bugs and worms, sand, and other such stuff. This adds again to the creativity. Because we live in the country, we have a huge area to explore.
7. Public Library and the Internet - BOOKS!! Before the internet was so available, we only used the public library. But over the last 4 years, with the price of gas going up, and out budget shrinking, we've turned more and more to the internet - for books to read, information, extra lessons, and even our field trips (via pictures online and Youtube videos). It's not as nice as going on field trips for real - but it has opened up a whole new world for us to explore!
8. Water Bottles. My kids drink a lot. But they also tend to spill, and of course they want their cups at their desks. So every person has 2 or 3 assigned water bottles. Metal or glass - or BPA free. My goal is to eventually have each of us with one very high quality water bottle. Someday. But until then, it is nice to have spill proof or nearly so water bottles at every desk. I look for easy to clean or replace straw tops, huge open tops that are easy to clean and add ice, and easy to hold onto as well as a loopy top to hold onto.
9. MP3 players - The girls got their first MP3 players many years ago, we barely knew anything about them, but fell in love with the ability to put stories and songs onto their tiny 512MB units that ate through batteries at an alarming speed. The following year, their aunt bought them rechargeable units that they are STILL USING! They each have a zen Mosaic. Scholar has been through several - a bear that had an MP3 player inside, and several Visual Land's - one went through the washer, one had a loose on/off switch, and the one he has now seems to be a better build than the one it replaced. These things are in near constant use. Sometimes music only they can hear, and sometimes it is stories or books that they need to "read" for school. They can take them on walks or to do chores.
These are the ones in my house currently ... research them before committing to one - some of them are made to listen to music only and not audio books. Song bought herself a "Pirates of the Carribean" MP3 player, but was disappointed because it automatically shuffled her book chapters.
Things we like in our MP3 players? 1. Rechargable. 2. At least 4 GB of space. 3. Easy to convert videos 4. built in speakers 5. cheaper 6. easy to use 7. fairly good reputation.
We are currently looking at Innotab 2's for Sunshine's Birthday/Christmas. She is super excited about getting her very own MP3 player!
10. Containers! We love little pencil boxes. But my favorite is old lunch boxes, especially soft sided zip closed ones. Hard side lunch boxes are great for keeping an MP3 player and headphones from getting broken. And soft ones are great for transporting writing supplies (school boxes don't have handles). Egg crates can house books and files. Plastic Shoe boxes are great for all kinds of sorting for manipulative and games. Zip lock baggies are great for small pieces and puzzles.
Watch for these items in the pictures this year! Often we use items in a totally unpredictable way - but we've been doing it so long, that we no longer even notice.
And feel free to share your unique solutions as well. I've seen so many "why didn't I think of that?" ideas reading blogs!
Saturday, September 8, 2012
How to learn with your Child From Infant to Preschool Age: Devika Primic: Amazon.com: Kindle Store
How to learn with your Child From Infant to Preschool Age: Devika Primic: Amazon.com: Kindle Store:
'via Blog this'
'via Blog this'
Book Description
The most valuable information for all parents that lack such education, a simple and helpful learning procedure for parents to learn together with their infants and toddlers. Children at this age need their parents, a very important part of a child's life.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Teaching Without Curriculum: Elementary
Once your child is in elementary grades - or ages 6 - 10, teaching without using a curriculum is increasingly challenging, but still very doable.
First, look back to see what I have written on this topic before - and get a feel for the rhythm of the the thinking process.
Teaching Without Workbooks - Getting Started
http://eaglenestmom.blogspot.com/2012/04/teaching-without-workbooks-getting.html
Teaching Without Workbooks - Preschool and Kindergarten
http://eaglenestmom.blogspot.com/2012/06/teaching-without-workbooks-preschool.html
Now as a child reaches 1st grade, you need to do a little more "thinking ahead" and "purposeful" learning. Of course this can still be fun and feel like games, it just means you need to plan ahead a little bit more, to make sure learning happens on a deeper level, and that you are constantly stimulating your child's imagination and creativity. In other words, you want to create an "on purpose" learning environment.
Teaching without an official workbook curriculum, or text books, does not mean that you will be able to teach for Free ... you will probably want to invest in a few books and tools that you can refer to for ideas and instructions to keep you on the right track. What it does mean, is that your child will not be sitting down all day with paper and pencil.
Bible - For us, this is a most important start to our day. We use Polished Cornerstones and will begin using Plants Grown Up soon. And we use Instructions in Righteousness. These are from Doorposts. We purchased them once - and we pick and choose memory work and activities.
In the past, we have heavily used AWANA for our Bible curriculum, along with a daily Bible Story or sermon from the internet.
This should, though it depends on your priorities and your child, include prayers, Bible Reading, Bible memory, and Character Building.
There is a seemingly endless list of free resources online to assist you in teaching Bible to a child. Including catechisms, sermons, children's websites, Bible stories, and coloring and puzzle sheets, as well as crafts and puppets and many other activities. There are even more activities available in a Bible Books store.
English - While this subject can be mostly ignored until Jr. High. It is still important that a child gain an ear for grammar early in life. There are many grammar games, songs, and worksheets that are available online with a basic google or swagbucks search. Scholar has a fairly good understanding of the basic parts of speech and punctuation rules, just by listening to me discuss them with his older sisters and the songs they sing to help them remember things. All in one grade computer games usually cover the basics as well. Scholar is currently working through several 1st and 2nd grade Reader Rabbit and Jumpstart games that were on the shelf, left over from Story and Song and the pre-internet days.
Spelling games exist for computers, but there are also many spelling board games and card games - like Scrabble, Boggle, Bananagrams, and others of this sort.
Reading and Literature, read high quality literature - or use Librivox or the public library to find Books on Tape. I have found it highly effective to give my children the book in hand to read along with the book that they are listening to. McGuffy readers are available for free online - but there are many Reader sets to choose from as well.
Phonics is one area that I would suggest purchasing some kind of basic curriculum. Some children will pick it up without a curriculum, or from watching LeapFrog or Reader Rabbit. My mom loved Spaulding, but I have seen kids learn to read with every method available. Some programs are better for right brained or left brained children, and some focus with auditory, visual, or kinetic. Many children will pick up reading with very little effort by the time they are 9 years old. If one method seems to not work, try another one. Find some friends and see if you can borrow their curriculum. I may tackle this subject later.
Math - This subject often causes great fear and trembling. But it really isn't as hard as it appears. Think about the basics - Time, Measurement, Comparisons, Patterns, and basic arithmetic. Much of math can be learned in the kitchen, playing games, and building projects. Use real coins to play store. Even if this is all you do for the first 5 years, a 6th grader will be well equipped to put these ideas to paper and begin a more formal dedication to mathematics. As long as you are doing applied math, they will be picking up on the basics - so cook, play games, string beads, follow a pattern, follow instructions, build a birdhouse, and talk about the numbers and amounts, while you are having fun. If your child seems to need more, there are plenty of short workbooks available, games online, and Kahn's Academy.
History - This can be a ton of fun - or drudgery. First, find a good timeline (or make one) that you think will be a good fit for you. Some put a timeline around their schoolroom, others use a book, and others use online tools. Whenever you read about or learn about an event or person - place them on your timeline. I have found this to be quite fascinating myself.
Next, find a good color maps book. Dover has many wonderful books. In general, I would start with the USA. Pick up books at the library, read about states, learn about land marks, and have fun working through the books. Involve your friends and relatives, asking for post cards or special "state" gifts as they study each state. Scholar especially loved his package from Idaho, which included several snacks and meals that were produced locally, as well as some rocks, a hat, and a handful of post cards.
If you have room - get a wall sized map of the USA, and one of the whole world. Each time you study a person or event, mark your timeline, and find that location on the map.
Finally, find a good reading program. I suggest All Through the Ages. This will suggest quality books sorted by grade and subject, making it very easy for a parent to look up books at your library or online. History lends itself well to unit studies, notebooking, and lapbooking.
Science - Science is really not much harder than History, and can be incorporated together. Such as, learning about the telescope and astronomy, can also prompt a study of Galileo and other men important to this field. The public library will be a great asset to your adventure in learning.
We plan to use Magic School Bus tapes and books this year. Scholar will choose a book, and we will do experiments related to that topic, as well as extra reading and videos from Youtube.
Find books about Science Experiments - like Experiments That You Can Eat.
Take nature walks, identify strange bugs or plants, draw them in a nature journal.
Watch Science videos from the library or online.
That leaves subjects like PE, Music, and Art.
For PE - run and play outside, go to parks, take walks (nature walks can double as PE), join a running club or baseball or other sport. Just playing outside is fine.
Music is easy too. Borrow the idea of hymn study from Charlotte Mason. Study each of the great composers and their music. Make instruments from recycled things. Sing and dance and have fun. If you feel you have a child who wants or needs more, try violin or piano lessons.
Art can teach a child to notice details. Charlotte Mason suggests studying all of the works of a great artist during a month or two. Their are whole blogs dedicated to Charlotte Mason style learning of art and music. But even if all you do is create science experiments (color, texture, bake cookies) and make musical instruments, the child will be using their creative mind.
The wonderful thing about this more hands off style of learning, is that your child should have time to direct the study to learn things that interest him or her.
One little guy I read about was creating complicated deserts in the kitchen from scratch without any help ... before he was 7 years old. Hardly a day went by without him pouring over a cook book to try something new.
Another little girl liked to build things with the wood scraps that her dad brought home. She has created all kinds of doll houses and bird houses, uses real tools, paints, and does all of the cutting, drilling, hammering - by herself. She was 8 when I tripped on her website that her mom set up - to sell what her daughter was making for fun.
And a set of sisters, ages 8 and 10, that I knew a few years ago, set up a dolly clothing business. Sewing and eventually designing their own clothes for American Girl and baby dolls.
And the one thing that they had in common - was a low key learning environment, filled with activities and opportunities and a parent willing to let the child learn and experiment.
First, look back to see what I have written on this topic before - and get a feel for the rhythm of the the thinking process.
Teaching Without Workbooks - Getting Started
http://eaglenestmom.blogspot.com/2012/04/teaching-without-workbooks-getting.html
Teaching Without Workbooks - Preschool and Kindergarten
http://eaglenestmom.blogspot.com/2012/06/teaching-without-workbooks-preschool.html
Now as a child reaches 1st grade, you need to do a little more "thinking ahead" and "purposeful" learning. Of course this can still be fun and feel like games, it just means you need to plan ahead a little bit more, to make sure learning happens on a deeper level, and that you are constantly stimulating your child's imagination and creativity. In other words, you want to create an "on purpose" learning environment.
Teaching without an official workbook curriculum, or text books, does not mean that you will be able to teach for Free ... you will probably want to invest in a few books and tools that you can refer to for ideas and instructions to keep you on the right track. What it does mean, is that your child will not be sitting down all day with paper and pencil.
Bible - For us, this is a most important start to our day. We use Polished Cornerstones and will begin using Plants Grown Up soon. And we use Instructions in Righteousness. These are from Doorposts. We purchased them once - and we pick and choose memory work and activities.
In the past, we have heavily used AWANA for our Bible curriculum, along with a daily Bible Story or sermon from the internet.
This should, though it depends on your priorities and your child, include prayers, Bible Reading, Bible memory, and Character Building.
There is a seemingly endless list of free resources online to assist you in teaching Bible to a child. Including catechisms, sermons, children's websites, Bible stories, and coloring and puzzle sheets, as well as crafts and puppets and many other activities. There are even more activities available in a Bible Books store.
English - While this subject can be mostly ignored until Jr. High. It is still important that a child gain an ear for grammar early in life. There are many grammar games, songs, and worksheets that are available online with a basic google or swagbucks search. Scholar has a fairly good understanding of the basic parts of speech and punctuation rules, just by listening to me discuss them with his older sisters and the songs they sing to help them remember things. All in one grade computer games usually cover the basics as well. Scholar is currently working through several 1st and 2nd grade Reader Rabbit and Jumpstart games that were on the shelf, left over from Story and Song and the pre-internet days.
Spelling games exist for computers, but there are also many spelling board games and card games - like Scrabble, Boggle, Bananagrams, and others of this sort.
Reading and Literature, read high quality literature - or use Librivox or the public library to find Books on Tape. I have found it highly effective to give my children the book in hand to read along with the book that they are listening to. McGuffy readers are available for free online - but there are many Reader sets to choose from as well.
Phonics is one area that I would suggest purchasing some kind of basic curriculum. Some children will pick it up without a curriculum, or from watching LeapFrog or Reader Rabbit. My mom loved Spaulding, but I have seen kids learn to read with every method available. Some programs are better for right brained or left brained children, and some focus with auditory, visual, or kinetic. Many children will pick up reading with very little effort by the time they are 9 years old. If one method seems to not work, try another one. Find some friends and see if you can borrow their curriculum. I may tackle this subject later.
Math - This subject often causes great fear and trembling. But it really isn't as hard as it appears. Think about the basics - Time, Measurement, Comparisons, Patterns, and basic arithmetic. Much of math can be learned in the kitchen, playing games, and building projects. Use real coins to play store. Even if this is all you do for the first 5 years, a 6th grader will be well equipped to put these ideas to paper and begin a more formal dedication to mathematics. As long as you are doing applied math, they will be picking up on the basics - so cook, play games, string beads, follow a pattern, follow instructions, build a birdhouse, and talk about the numbers and amounts, while you are having fun. If your child seems to need more, there are plenty of short workbooks available, games online, and Kahn's Academy.
History - This can be a ton of fun - or drudgery. First, find a good timeline (or make one) that you think will be a good fit for you. Some put a timeline around their schoolroom, others use a book, and others use online tools. Whenever you read about or learn about an event or person - place them on your timeline. I have found this to be quite fascinating myself.
Next, find a good color maps book. Dover has many wonderful books. In general, I would start with the USA. Pick up books at the library, read about states, learn about land marks, and have fun working through the books. Involve your friends and relatives, asking for post cards or special "state" gifts as they study each state. Scholar especially loved his package from Idaho, which included several snacks and meals that were produced locally, as well as some rocks, a hat, and a handful of post cards.
If you have room - get a wall sized map of the USA, and one of the whole world. Each time you study a person or event, mark your timeline, and find that location on the map.
Finally, find a good reading program. I suggest All Through the Ages. This will suggest quality books sorted by grade and subject, making it very easy for a parent to look up books at your library or online. History lends itself well to unit studies, notebooking, and lapbooking.
Science - Science is really not much harder than History, and can be incorporated together. Such as, learning about the telescope and astronomy, can also prompt a study of Galileo and other men important to this field. The public library will be a great asset to your adventure in learning.
We plan to use Magic School Bus tapes and books this year. Scholar will choose a book, and we will do experiments related to that topic, as well as extra reading and videos from Youtube.
Find books about Science Experiments - like Experiments That You Can Eat.
Take nature walks, identify strange bugs or plants, draw them in a nature journal.
Watch Science videos from the library or online.
That leaves subjects like PE, Music, and Art.
For PE - run and play outside, go to parks, take walks (nature walks can double as PE), join a running club or baseball or other sport. Just playing outside is fine.
Music is easy too. Borrow the idea of hymn study from Charlotte Mason. Study each of the great composers and their music. Make instruments from recycled things. Sing and dance and have fun. If you feel you have a child who wants or needs more, try violin or piano lessons.
Art can teach a child to notice details. Charlotte Mason suggests studying all of the works of a great artist during a month or two. Their are whole blogs dedicated to Charlotte Mason style learning of art and music. But even if all you do is create science experiments (color, texture, bake cookies) and make musical instruments, the child will be using their creative mind.
The wonderful thing about this more hands off style of learning, is that your child should have time to direct the study to learn things that interest him or her.
One little guy I read about was creating complicated deserts in the kitchen from scratch without any help ... before he was 7 years old. Hardly a day went by without him pouring over a cook book to try something new.
Another little girl liked to build things with the wood scraps that her dad brought home. She has created all kinds of doll houses and bird houses, uses real tools, paints, and does all of the cutting, drilling, hammering - by herself. She was 8 when I tripped on her website that her mom set up - to sell what her daughter was making for fun.
And a set of sisters, ages 8 and 10, that I knew a few years ago, set up a dolly clothing business. Sewing and eventually designing their own clothes for American Girl and baby dolls.
And the one thing that they had in common - was a low key learning environment, filled with activities and opportunities and a parent willing to let the child learn and experiment.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Teaching Without Workbooks: Preschool and Kindergarten
If you have been Teaching your baby from day 1 - you are already well on your way to continue Teaching Without Workbooks.
The ages between 2 1/2 to 6 are the second most rapid growth and absorption of any age. Repetition is the key to a solid foundation - most children at this age respond well to tactile, auditory, and motion while learning. Sitting still is really not their thing yet - as that part of their brain is still developing. Of course that doesn't mean that it shouldn't be taught. Most children can quickly learn to sit still on your lap or beside you while you read a story - or to sit quietly and color while listening to an audio book.
So, here are some upgraded steps from the last post ... it might sound a bit repetitious.
1. Keep your child with you as much as possible. Your child will learn so much watching you and listening to you talk and interact with others. ... Keep doing this! And if you are just starting, it's not too late! No, you don't have to sleep with them or take them to the bathroom - privacy is allowed.
Some examples:
You are going to the mailbox - take them with you - all of them! Unless it is dangerous - I know out here, some people have to cross the highway.
Let them look at the stamps, look up post mark locations on a map, show them what is inside - is it junk? Let them write on it and "pay bills" while you do the real thing.
Cooking supper? Let them help chop and stir and watch the pot boil. This is a great time to teach math, measurement, time, temperature, chemical reactions, fractions, addition, compare sizes, letters and reading ... if all you ever do for school is cook - your child will have amassed a great deal of knowledge.
Cleaning house? Show them how to dust, pick up and sort their toys, fold socks, and everything in between. Sunshine already is very good at sorting and folding socks, and sweeping the floor.
Shopping? Let them help find the food on your list - show them how to cross check prices - let them feel the differences in weight. Let them pick out something new in the produce department.
Just include them.
2. Talk to your child. It doesn't matter at all what you say. Talk about the sky, the dirt, your life when you were a child, tell them how you met their dad, or how their grandparents met. Talk about what they learned in church and Sunday School. Ask them how they feel, what do they like .... talking lets them know that you are interested in them as a person. It helps them develop an ear for grammar usage and expands their vocabulary. Try learning a new word everyday. Your child will love this game - using a new word as much as possible during the day. Story's favorite game (still) was to go down the road looking for letters of the alphabet, which is now looking for entire words. Song and Scholar are accomplished players, and Sunshine is taking notes. Singing is great too - teach them your favorite songs, silly songs, and worship songs. Singing can be a great way to learn difficult information or memorize lists and Bible verses.
3. Make games of everything you do - be silly and have fun. Sing and dance. Just about anything can be turned into a game - sort the veggies by colors, who can mate the most socks (you do the solid whites and blacks - let the child do the patterns). Make up games. Look in books for hand games like "patty cake" and "where is thumbkin" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider". Cut up an old calendar and make a game of putting the numbers in order. Use dominoes to play addition games. There are whole websites and books dedicated to teaching while you play. It doesn't matter if the book is 50 years old - you can still find great ideas. Sing silly spelling songs, color songs, and more as you work - (tune of This is the Way ... so early in the morning) "My blue plate is a great big circle, a great big circle, a great big circle, my blue plate is a great big circle, it goes round and round. My sandwich is a square, is a square, is a square, my sandwich is a square, and it's really yummy! My m.i.l.k is so white, is so white, is so white, my m.i.l.k is so white, it came from a cow." ..... Just make it up as you go along.
4. Read, read, read. And talk about the words and sounds. Visit the library and rotate books through your house. Don't be shy about reading long classic stories such as The Wind in the Willows, science and history books, and other "deep" topics. In recent years, a whole host of "picture books" have been written to appeal to younger and younger audiences. Magic Tree House, Magic School Bus, Dr. Seuss Science books, American Girls, and so much more. There are so many Free Kindle books available as well, and Scholar loves to stand at our computer and read the picture books to Sunshine. Biography's are making a huge comeback, and there are more educational fun stories than ever before in history. Reading teaches grammar and vocabulary as well. Always talk about what you read - see if they can remember the details. Also this allows you to teach them how to listen for "the underlying theme" of a book. Ask questions like, "How do you think Bilbo felt while he was talking to Golumn?" or "What you have done if you were in this situation? What do you think God would want you to do? Are there any stories in history or the Bible that are similar to this?"
5. Play outside. .... I could just leave the paragraph here from the last post .... but I can also add .... use some creativity. Now is a good time to start recycling containers for bugs and leaves. Look for some good baby silverware for digging in the dirt. If you have a good yard with dirt and sand, once a week or so, strew it with something interesting ... marbles, pennies, beads, odds and ends from packaging (recycle the lids from your milk containers), and find a good sieve and let the child dig and explore. .... If you do not have a nice yard, look up "sensory tubs" and make a few. Usually these are tubs of ... dirt, rice, beans, etc .... and some theme .... maybe it's got a lot of aquarium rocks and sand with some plastic fish. Or soldiers. Or maybe it's rice with tons of craft sticks for building fences for their zoo animals. ..... Water tubs are great too. And water play can be in the pool or bathtub or helpful - my girls LOVED being allowed to wash the silverware, plates, and plastic cups (we had a scrub brush that made tons of bubbles). If at all possible, make sure this sensory play is outside.
6. Art and Creativity. At this age, art is STILL so easy. Children can be amused with a spot of canned whipped cream with a drop of food coloring - or two spots of cream with 2 different colors, a stack of blocks, or gibblets of colored paper with a scrap page to glue it to .... draw a shape or letter and let them glue along the lines. Cheap or free craft items are easy to find. Start with basic school supplies - buy glue when it is 25c a bottle during the back to school sales, a very good pair of scissors, glue sticks, crayons and colored pencils. I actually avoid markers until my child is 5 or so. Then watch for recycle crafts. Actually, just turn your child loose as they get older. You should see the things seven's http://www.se7en.org.za/ children come up with! And the Crafty Crow is another great place for ideas. Oh .. and Filth Wizardry - almost every craft she does is from her recycle box - and end up being amazing fun toys. Things to save include clean plastic bottles, cereal boxes, scratch paper, bottle lids, odd bits of games and puzzles, strings, buttons, yarn, bits of left over craft projects - like the cut off parts when sewing or scrapbooking.
7. Music ... even if it is just listening. Music should be part of every day, or at least every week. This doesn't mean you have to take dance classes or learn to play a violin or piano. This means learning to sing with the right tempo and pitch (or trying to). It means listening to classical music while coloring. It means playing singing games to practice rhythm. You can build a tamborine or water xylophone.
8. Pencil or Crayon work. This should increase the closer the child gets to 6. Most children should be able to write their own first name or nick name by age 4. (So if your child is Samantha - they should be able to write Sam). By 5, half of all children should be able to write their whole first name, and (if they are short) perhaps first and last name. By 6, 75% of children should be able to write their first and last name. Writing developes fine motor skills - which is why coloring in the lines is important. Get your child to hold the pen or pencil right from the very first day - it is so much harder to teach it while they are unlearning bad habits later. There are lots of pencil grips for this. ... Don't feel like this should take hours. Just a few minutes a day.
9. Science experiments. You don't have to buy kits. There are tons of ideas online - and there are Science Fair books in most public libraries that can lend themselves to all kinds of creative discovery. A science experiment can be as simple as a block of wood and a piece of sand paper (just don't let the child sand your hard wood floors or favorite piece of furniture). Talk about friction, energy, saw dust, and whatever else you can think of.
10. Creative Building - Supply your child with building materials - wooden blocks, legos, sticks, cardboard shapes with slots cut in them, or whatever else - if you are brave - give them nails and screws and hammers and screwdrivers. Teach tool safety. Get them making something - houses - airplanes - bird houses ... Let the child be creative. ... Let them create elaborate train or car tracks all over a room and play with it for a while. The idea is constructive creativity.
11. Clay ... or other squishy creative substances ...
Dyslexia runs in our family - both the Ref and I are dyslexic, and Story and Song are both dyslexic. Scholar is showing subtle signs of it as well.
One of the BEST ways I've found to teach letters and numbers that helps as a therapy for dyslexia (which is really an ability to think 3 dimensionally instantaneously) is to make the letters and numbers with Clay.
When we stopped and used this program with Story - at age 7, she went from a struggling reader to a 3rd grade reader over the summer. Song didn't get to do the program - she got frustrated with how stiff the clay was and refused to participate. Last year, she picked up the book and began to follow some of the advice, and it really helped. Now that she is older, I'm going to have her do the program with Scholar this summer.
But every child will benefit from the holding a 3D object (magnets, clay, pipe cleaners, etc) in their hand of their letters and numbers. The more mediums through which your child experiences the letters and numbers as you talk about them, the more firmly it will be fixed into their brain. This is true of every subject really. You can use craft sticks, blocks, their hands or bodies, sticks, dirt, shaving cream, cheerios, ... anything and everything. I will be posting ideas as Sunshine learns her alphabet this Fall.
There are some topics that you will definately want to cover. There are many books and lists online about "what your child should know by age "whatever". So I'm just going to give you a basic list of what to aim for between 2 1/2 and 6 years of age.
Numbers - Count unaided to 20. Aim to count to 100
Recognize and write numbers to 100
ABC's - Upper and lower case, primary sounds
Colors - a standard 12 count of crayons. Try for 24 box. Mixing primary.
Texture
Taste
5 Senses
Safety Rules
Basic Health
Basic Time - to the hour, most will be able to do half hour, try for full time
Basic Money - all coins, try for exchanging coins (2 nickels = dime)
Write Full Name
Write all of the Letters and Numbers - at least copy them.
Simple addition and subtraction concepts
Simple grammar and sentence structure
Basic shapes
Months and Days of Week
Understand the basics of most holidays
Cut curves and zig zags
Glue without help
Hold a pencil correctly
Color inside the lines - and recognize that trees are green and water is blue
Expand a simple pattern
Sort by shape and color and texture
Line up from biggest to smallest and vica versa
Jump on both feet forward at least a foot
Jump in place on each foot (one at a time)
Bend over and touch toes without falling over or bending knees
Walk on a straight (2 inch wide) line.
Stack blocks 5 high
Know nouns and verbs (cat is a thing - run is an action)
Capital vs lowercase letters
Question mark and period
Basic map skills (like what they do on Dora)
Basic solution skills (like Blue's Clues)
Basic manners
Fix a simple meal for themselves
Identify common animals and their sounds
Identify common zoo animals and their sounds
Names of baby animals (kitten, puppy, colt)
Identify most common objects and their names (Get a good My First Dictionary)
That is all I can think of right now.
One more thing ... somewhere around age 4 - after they have realized that words have meaning. Go around your house labeling as many common items as you can ... bathtub, kitchen, stove, refrigerator, hair brush, comb ...etc. Especially label the things that he comes in contact with every day. As you label the object WITH him, spell out the word and tell him what it says. Most kids will soon be able to recognize at least a dozen of these words within a few months - no matter where they are seen. Make a habit of pointing to words as you pass them and saying them. Even if your child shows no interest immediately - sooner or later, he will begin to study the words. Later, when they are learning to read, these will be familiar friendly words, and make reading less of a chore.
Note: Not all children will be able to do this on schedule - this is assuming you have a completely average normal or above average child.
BUT
Even a special needs child can learn this way - and often with amazing results. Even if she can't say a single word, or can barely move, including her as much as possible as you go about the day will be a priceless gift to the child.
The ages between 2 1/2 to 6 are the second most rapid growth and absorption of any age. Repetition is the key to a solid foundation - most children at this age respond well to tactile, auditory, and motion while learning. Sitting still is really not their thing yet - as that part of their brain is still developing. Of course that doesn't mean that it shouldn't be taught. Most children can quickly learn to sit still on your lap or beside you while you read a story - or to sit quietly and color while listening to an audio book.
So, here are some upgraded steps from the last post ... it might sound a bit repetitious.
1. Keep your child with you as much as possible. Your child will learn so much watching you and listening to you talk and interact with others. ... Keep doing this! And if you are just starting, it's not too late! No, you don't have to sleep with them or take them to the bathroom - privacy is allowed.
Some examples:
You are going to the mailbox - take them with you - all of them! Unless it is dangerous - I know out here, some people have to cross the highway.
Let them look at the stamps, look up post mark locations on a map, show them what is inside - is it junk? Let them write on it and "pay bills" while you do the real thing.
Cooking supper? Let them help chop and stir and watch the pot boil. This is a great time to teach math, measurement, time, temperature, chemical reactions, fractions, addition, compare sizes, letters and reading ... if all you ever do for school is cook - your child will have amassed a great deal of knowledge.
Cleaning house? Show them how to dust, pick up and sort their toys, fold socks, and everything in between. Sunshine already is very good at sorting and folding socks, and sweeping the floor.
Shopping? Let them help find the food on your list - show them how to cross check prices - let them feel the differences in weight. Let them pick out something new in the produce department.
Just include them.
2. Talk to your child. It doesn't matter at all what you say. Talk about the sky, the dirt, your life when you were a child, tell them how you met their dad, or how their grandparents met. Talk about what they learned in church and Sunday School. Ask them how they feel, what do they like .... talking lets them know that you are interested in them as a person. It helps them develop an ear for grammar usage and expands their vocabulary. Try learning a new word everyday. Your child will love this game - using a new word as much as possible during the day. Story's favorite game (still) was to go down the road looking for letters of the alphabet, which is now looking for entire words. Song and Scholar are accomplished players, and Sunshine is taking notes. Singing is great too - teach them your favorite songs, silly songs, and worship songs. Singing can be a great way to learn difficult information or memorize lists and Bible verses.
3. Make games of everything you do - be silly and have fun. Sing and dance. Just about anything can be turned into a game - sort the veggies by colors, who can mate the most socks (you do the solid whites and blacks - let the child do the patterns). Make up games. Look in books for hand games like "patty cake" and "where is thumbkin" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider". Cut up an old calendar and make a game of putting the numbers in order. Use dominoes to play addition games. There are whole websites and books dedicated to teaching while you play. It doesn't matter if the book is 50 years old - you can still find great ideas. Sing silly spelling songs, color songs, and more as you work - (tune of This is the Way ... so early in the morning) "My blue plate is a great big circle, a great big circle, a great big circle, my blue plate is a great big circle, it goes round and round. My sandwich is a square, is a square, is a square, my sandwich is a square, and it's really yummy! My m.i.l.k is so white, is so white, is so white, my m.i.l.k is so white, it came from a cow." ..... Just make it up as you go along.
4. Read, read, read. And talk about the words and sounds. Visit the library and rotate books through your house. Don't be shy about reading long classic stories such as The Wind in the Willows, science and history books, and other "deep" topics. In recent years, a whole host of "picture books" have been written to appeal to younger and younger audiences. Magic Tree House, Magic School Bus, Dr. Seuss Science books, American Girls, and so much more. There are so many Free Kindle books available as well, and Scholar loves to stand at our computer and read the picture books to Sunshine. Biography's are making a huge comeback, and there are more educational fun stories than ever before in history. Reading teaches grammar and vocabulary as well. Always talk about what you read - see if they can remember the details. Also this allows you to teach them how to listen for "the underlying theme" of a book. Ask questions like, "How do you think Bilbo felt while he was talking to Golumn?" or "What you have done if you were in this situation? What do you think God would want you to do? Are there any stories in history or the Bible that are similar to this?"
5. Play outside. .... I could just leave the paragraph here from the last post .... but I can also add .... use some creativity. Now is a good time to start recycling containers for bugs and leaves. Look for some good baby silverware for digging in the dirt. If you have a good yard with dirt and sand, once a week or so, strew it with something interesting ... marbles, pennies, beads, odds and ends from packaging (recycle the lids from your milk containers), and find a good sieve and let the child dig and explore. .... If you do not have a nice yard, look up "sensory tubs" and make a few. Usually these are tubs of ... dirt, rice, beans, etc .... and some theme .... maybe it's got a lot of aquarium rocks and sand with some plastic fish. Or soldiers. Or maybe it's rice with tons of craft sticks for building fences for their zoo animals. ..... Water tubs are great too. And water play can be in the pool or bathtub or helpful - my girls LOVED being allowed to wash the silverware, plates, and plastic cups (we had a scrub brush that made tons of bubbles). If at all possible, make sure this sensory play is outside.
6. Art and Creativity. At this age, art is STILL so easy. Children can be amused with a spot of canned whipped cream with a drop of food coloring - or two spots of cream with 2 different colors, a stack of blocks, or gibblets of colored paper with a scrap page to glue it to .... draw a shape or letter and let them glue along the lines. Cheap or free craft items are easy to find. Start with basic school supplies - buy glue when it is 25c a bottle during the back to school sales, a very good pair of scissors, glue sticks, crayons and colored pencils. I actually avoid markers until my child is 5 or so. Then watch for recycle crafts. Actually, just turn your child loose as they get older. You should see the things seven's http://www.se7en.org.za/ children come up with! And the Crafty Crow is another great place for ideas. Oh .. and Filth Wizardry - almost every craft she does is from her recycle box - and end up being amazing fun toys. Things to save include clean plastic bottles, cereal boxes, scratch paper, bottle lids, odd bits of games and puzzles, strings, buttons, yarn, bits of left over craft projects - like the cut off parts when sewing or scrapbooking.
7. Music ... even if it is just listening. Music should be part of every day, or at least every week. This doesn't mean you have to take dance classes or learn to play a violin or piano. This means learning to sing with the right tempo and pitch (or trying to). It means listening to classical music while coloring. It means playing singing games to practice rhythm. You can build a tamborine or water xylophone.
8. Pencil or Crayon work. This should increase the closer the child gets to 6. Most children should be able to write their own first name or nick name by age 4. (So if your child is Samantha - they should be able to write Sam). By 5, half of all children should be able to write their whole first name, and (if they are short) perhaps first and last name. By 6, 75% of children should be able to write their first and last name. Writing developes fine motor skills - which is why coloring in the lines is important. Get your child to hold the pen or pencil right from the very first day - it is so much harder to teach it while they are unlearning bad habits later. There are lots of pencil grips for this. ... Don't feel like this should take hours. Just a few minutes a day.
9. Science experiments. You don't have to buy kits. There are tons of ideas online - and there are Science Fair books in most public libraries that can lend themselves to all kinds of creative discovery. A science experiment can be as simple as a block of wood and a piece of sand paper (just don't let the child sand your hard wood floors or favorite piece of furniture). Talk about friction, energy, saw dust, and whatever else you can think of.
10. Creative Building - Supply your child with building materials - wooden blocks, legos, sticks, cardboard shapes with slots cut in them, or whatever else - if you are brave - give them nails and screws and hammers and screwdrivers. Teach tool safety. Get them making something - houses - airplanes - bird houses ... Let the child be creative. ... Let them create elaborate train or car tracks all over a room and play with it for a while. The idea is constructive creativity.
11. Clay ... or other squishy creative substances ...
Dyslexia runs in our family - both the Ref and I are dyslexic, and Story and Song are both dyslexic. Scholar is showing subtle signs of it as well.
One of the BEST ways I've found to teach letters and numbers that helps as a therapy for dyslexia (which is really an ability to think 3 dimensionally instantaneously) is to make the letters and numbers with Clay.
When we stopped and used this program with Story - at age 7, she went from a struggling reader to a 3rd grade reader over the summer. Song didn't get to do the program - she got frustrated with how stiff the clay was and refused to participate. Last year, she picked up the book and began to follow some of the advice, and it really helped. Now that she is older, I'm going to have her do the program with Scholar this summer.
But every child will benefit from the holding a 3D object (magnets, clay, pipe cleaners, etc) in their hand of their letters and numbers. The more mediums through which your child experiences the letters and numbers as you talk about them, the more firmly it will be fixed into their brain. This is true of every subject really. You can use craft sticks, blocks, their hands or bodies, sticks, dirt, shaving cream, cheerios, ... anything and everything. I will be posting ideas as Sunshine learns her alphabet this Fall.
There are some topics that you will definately want to cover. There are many books and lists online about "what your child should know by age "whatever". So I'm just going to give you a basic list of what to aim for between 2 1/2 and 6 years of age.
Numbers - Count unaided to 20. Aim to count to 100
Recognize and write numbers to 100
ABC's - Upper and lower case, primary sounds
Colors - a standard 12 count of crayons. Try for 24 box. Mixing primary.
Texture
Taste
5 Senses
Safety Rules
Basic Health
Basic Time - to the hour, most will be able to do half hour, try for full time
Basic Money - all coins, try for exchanging coins (2 nickels = dime)
Write Full Name
Write all of the Letters and Numbers - at least copy them.
Simple addition and subtraction concepts
Simple grammar and sentence structure
Basic shapes
Months and Days of Week
Understand the basics of most holidays
Cut curves and zig zags
Glue without help
Hold a pencil correctly
Color inside the lines - and recognize that trees are green and water is blue
Expand a simple pattern
Sort by shape and color and texture
Line up from biggest to smallest and vica versa
Jump on both feet forward at least a foot
Jump in place on each foot (one at a time)
Bend over and touch toes without falling over or bending knees
Walk on a straight (2 inch wide) line.
Stack blocks 5 high
Know nouns and verbs (cat is a thing - run is an action)
Capital vs lowercase letters
Question mark and period
Basic map skills (like what they do on Dora)
Basic solution skills (like Blue's Clues)
Basic manners
Fix a simple meal for themselves
Identify common animals and their sounds
Identify common zoo animals and their sounds
Names of baby animals (kitten, puppy, colt)
Identify most common objects and their names (Get a good My First Dictionary)
That is all I can think of right now.
One more thing ... somewhere around age 4 - after they have realized that words have meaning. Go around your house labeling as many common items as you can ... bathtub, kitchen, stove, refrigerator, hair brush, comb ...etc. Especially label the things that he comes in contact with every day. As you label the object WITH him, spell out the word and tell him what it says. Most kids will soon be able to recognize at least a dozen of these words within a few months - no matter where they are seen. Make a habit of pointing to words as you pass them and saying them. Even if your child shows no interest immediately - sooner or later, he will begin to study the words. Later, when they are learning to read, these will be familiar friendly words, and make reading less of a chore.
Note: Not all children will be able to do this on schedule - this is assuming you have a completely average normal or above average child.
BUT
Even a special needs child can learn this way - and often with amazing results. Even if she can't say a single word, or can barely move, including her as much as possible as you go about the day will be a priceless gift to the child.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Charlotte Mason: Christian Homeschoolers Taking a Stand
Homeschoolers working together to gather Biblicaly proven safe homeschooling resources in one place. | Christian Homeschoolers Taking a Stand:
Narration is an important part of the Charlotte Mason approach to curriculum.
I don't use it, or perhaps I just don't call it narration ... but many homeschoolers LOVE the CM method.
So here is an EXCELLENT article on what Narration looks like and how to apply it.
'via Blog this'
Narration is an important part of the Charlotte Mason approach to curriculum.
I don't use it, or perhaps I just don't call it narration ... but many homeschoolers LOVE the CM method.
So here is an EXCELLENT article on what Narration looks like and how to apply it.
'via Blog this'
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Teaching without Workbooks - Getting Started
Preschool, and the first several years of school, can be taught without a child ever sitting down during the day and "doing school".
Teaching little ones has become a lost art, once upon a time, children learned to do this watching their parents teach younger brothers and sisters, cousins, neighbors, and nieces and nephews. It is not hard, and mostly common sense. But just like washing hands after playing, or eating, or using the bathroom - it just isn't the natural response of most humans.
But I wonder if it has been an art that has been "getting lost" for quite some time. For the first time in about 25 years, I picked up a Grace Livingston Hill novel. "The Enchanted Barn" In the book, there was a 4 year old baby sister, but I was appalled to realize that the child seemed more like 18 months than 4. Sunshine has far passed her at 2 1/2. I found this rather shocking as the book was written in the 1900's. But obviously, she hadn't been around a lot of young children.
However, parents all over the US are rediscovering how to do this and the benefits of doing so.
So as soon as the baby is born, you do a few very easy things.
1. Keep baby with you as much as possible. Baby will learn so much watching you and listening to you talk and interact with others. Wearing the baby is even better, but not all mom's have the posture and muscle structure to do this all the time. At least have the baby in the same room as you are - TV off - and as close to your activity as possible, whether baby is in a pack n play or a swing or bouncer seat, or a blanket on the floor.
2. Talk to baby. It doesn't matter at all what you say. Talk about their body parts while dressing "Lets put your pretty toes inside your socks. Look you have 5 toes. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Inside your purple sock they go!" Include counting, colors, shapes, prepositions, opposites, and anything else you can as you chatter to the baby. You will very quickly realize that by 6 months, your baby has a personality and understands much of what you are saying. And MOST babies will have already started to play back and play with and respond to your chatter.
3. Make games of everything you do - and include baby, especially as they begin walking and trying to imitate you. In the beginning, this may just be giving baby a bowl and a spoon with a tiny bit of water, and scoot the high chair right up next to where you are mixing and cooking supper. Sunshine loves to cut soft veggies, like mushrooms, with a kitchen knife. Ironically, while she will not touch veggies on her plate at meals, she will happily munch down every veggie available while she is helping cut up salad. Let baby fold washrags, mate socks, help sweep and put away silverware. Teach to do it the right way, and it will rapidly become just part of the babies store of knowledge.
4. Read, read, read. And talk about the pictures. Visit the library and rotate books through your house. Having a favorite book is fine - but add a new book at least once a week. Don't be shy about reading long classic stories such as The Wind in the Willows, science and history books, and other "deep" topics. In recent years, a whole host of "picture books" have been written to appeal to younger and younger audiences. Magic Tree House, Magic School Bus, Dr. Seuss Science books, American Girls, and so much more. Early readers can be be enjoyed by even very young 1 and 2 year olds. There are so many Free Kindle books available as well, and Scholar loves to stand at our computer and read the picture books to Sunshine.
5. Play outside. Outside time provides so much good for a child. You get the Vit D from the sunshine that helps build up the immune system, strengthens the blood and bones, and stimulates the brain. Running and climbing and moving around helps develop the kinetic learning centers of the brain, plus allows for development of both gross and fine motor skills. The sounds outside will help develop the auditory learning centers of the brain - birds singing, laughter, children's chatter, dogs barking, all of it stimulates the ears and the brain so much better than inside noise - because the brain has to also work out how far away and from which direction the sound is coming. It also stimulates the visual learning centers of the brain because the eyes are constantly changing the focus length of their eyes to see up a tree, down to the ground, across the street, and the bug crawling across their fingers.
6. Art and Creativity. At this age, art is so easy. Babies can be amused with a spot of canned whipped cream on their high chair trays, a stack of blocks, or gibblets of colored paper, even their supper can be an effort of creativity - although I do not really encourage playing with their food. But as your child grows, cheap or free craft items are easy to find. Start with basic school supplies - buy glue when it is 25c a bottle during the back to school sales, a very good pair of scissors, glue sticks, crayons and colored pencils. I actually avoid markers until my child is 5 or so. Then watch for recycle crafts. Actually, just turn your child loose as they get older. You should see the things seven's http://www.se7en.org.za/ children come up with! Things to save include clean plastic bottles, cereal boxes, scratch paper, bottle lids, odd bits of games and puzzles, strings, buttons, yarn, bits of left over craft projects - like the cut off parts when sewing or scrapbooking.
Anything you say or do can be turned into a learning experience for a child. Keep your eyes open, don't go overboard (Baby doesn't need a college explanation of a blue sky), and be open to your child's interests and shortcomings. The goal is to encourage a love of discovery and learning, and a willingness to find out and solve problems. What they know is far less important as knowing how to learn something new.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Homeschool Preschool - Age 4
At least 60% of 4 year olds are ready for a little bit of more formal learning.
For the creative parent, this can still look like fun and games, cooking and cleaning, chores and adventures, and be pulled off as just part of the day. In fact, this is the best way for any child to learn - just by living and doing and playing.
Yesterday, I talked about homeschooling a 3 year old. http://eaglenestmom.blogspot.com/2012/04/teaching-preschool-age-3.html
And much of that advice could also apply here.
If you have already followed some plan with your 3 year old, it is often best to continue with the plan as you had it the year before, adding 5 - 10 minutes to each area of your day, and upping from 2 days a week to 3 days a week.
Horizon lends itself well to this 2 days / 3 days approach.
http://www.aophomeschooling.com/horizons/preschool/
BUT
If what you were doing as a 3 year old wasn't working - or if you have a 4 year old who you want to start "in school", then you might want to do something different a little different.
Not all children are ready for school even at 4, especially boys. Some believe that a formal education should not begin until a child is 8 or 9 years old. And if you are a parent who can provide a stimulating environment for learning and exploring - it really is the best way for a young brain to learn.
I suppose that would make a great topic for tomorrow - what does a day look like if you school without curriculum?
But for this post, I'm going to assume the reader wants to do something more formal with workbooks.
For starters .... limit your preschool time to 15 hours a week. And you will be surprised how fast that 15 hours will go! Of course, you will want to provide games and toys that will stimulate their brain the rest of the day as well.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some Options:
1. The Horizon Preschool curriculum (link above) is perfect for a full year with a 4 year old - The curriculum provides 180 days of school, and is one of the best all around curriculums put together for parents (or small schools) that give you every tool that you need. You can use this curriculum to "do school" for 2 - 3 hours daily.
If you already used it as a 3 year old, you can drop that to 3 days a week, and do something else (or nothing special) the other 2 days.
2. Rod and Staff ABC books : http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/list/Rod_and_Staff_Preschool/
I absolutely love this set - simple, fun, lots of cutting and pasting, but it has so much to offer.
The later books are are more a kindergarten level than Preschool.
3. Read Books - lots and lots of reading. Of course the library has enough to keep any preschooler busy for a few years. But if you want something to keep at home,
Rod and Staff has this set http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/list/Little_Jewel_Books/
4. Christian Liberty has a new Preschool curriculum http://www.shopchristianliberty.com/preschool/
5. Dollar Store and Walmart Workbooks
6. You can always peruse the CBD catalog for
"far too much to decide"
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?event=EBRN&category=Homeschool&N=1014667+5401+200813&Ne=200800&Nso=1&Nu=product.endeca_rollup&format=1014667&Ns=product.number_sold
7. Love To Learn Catalog - http://www.lovetolearn.net/curriculum_kits/preschool/
8. AWANA Cubbies ... if you go and you want a GREAT Bible curriculum, ask for the Cubbie Character Builders books. There are 2 of them - one for each year of Cubbies. And they are AWESOME!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What did WE do??
Story --- Covered everything I could find as a 3 year old. I went ahead and started her in Alpha Omega Kindergarten.
http://www.aophomeschooling.com/lifepac/grade-k/
If I had to do it over again - I wouldn't have let her go so fast. I think I could have found more for her to do on computers and cut/ paste/ art. But I also had a baby in the house, and Story being rather ADHD - I did what I thought best at the time.
Song ---- Was still working on the workbooks that we hadn't yet completed as a 3 year old. She preferred hands on activities. And our life was just beginning to settle down after a hard year. But the Ref wasn't working, so we were trying to keep all purchases to a minimum.
Scholar --- We used the Horizon Preschool, 3 days a week. Plus I used extra workbooks on the other days. Scholar LOVED workbooks and would happily sit piddling around with school work for hours. He loved to draw and work with manipulatives. I started him in the Horizon Kindergarten books just after Christmas. We did those 2 days a week, and continued finishing up the Preschool. I also used the AWANA Character Builders Cubbies books A and B (we are STILL working on book B).
Obviously, our 2 year old Sunshine isn't ready for this yet. But I'm planning to use a similar approach to what we did with Scholar.
For the creative parent, this can still look like fun and games, cooking and cleaning, chores and adventures, and be pulled off as just part of the day. In fact, this is the best way for any child to learn - just by living and doing and playing.
Yesterday, I talked about homeschooling a 3 year old. http://eaglenestmom.blogspot.com/2012/04/teaching-preschool-age-3.html
And much of that advice could also apply here.
If you have already followed some plan with your 3 year old, it is often best to continue with the plan as you had it the year before, adding 5 - 10 minutes to each area of your day, and upping from 2 days a week to 3 days a week.
Horizon lends itself well to this 2 days / 3 days approach.
http://www.aophomeschooling.com/horizons/preschool/
BUT
If what you were doing as a 3 year old wasn't working - or if you have a 4 year old who you want to start "in school", then you might want to do something different a little different.
Not all children are ready for school even at 4, especially boys. Some believe that a formal education should not begin until a child is 8 or 9 years old. And if you are a parent who can provide a stimulating environment for learning and exploring - it really is the best way for a young brain to learn.
I suppose that would make a great topic for tomorrow - what does a day look like if you school without curriculum?
But for this post, I'm going to assume the reader wants to do something more formal with workbooks.
For starters .... limit your preschool time to 15 hours a week. And you will be surprised how fast that 15 hours will go! Of course, you will want to provide games and toys that will stimulate their brain the rest of the day as well.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some Options:
1. The Horizon Preschool curriculum (link above) is perfect for a full year with a 4 year old - The curriculum provides 180 days of school, and is one of the best all around curriculums put together for parents (or small schools) that give you every tool that you need. You can use this curriculum to "do school" for 2 - 3 hours daily.
If you already used it as a 3 year old, you can drop that to 3 days a week, and do something else (or nothing special) the other 2 days.
2. Rod and Staff ABC books : http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/list/Rod_and_Staff_Preschool/
I absolutely love this set - simple, fun, lots of cutting and pasting, but it has so much to offer.
The later books are are more a kindergarten level than Preschool.
3. Read Books - lots and lots of reading. Of course the library has enough to keep any preschooler busy for a few years. But if you want something to keep at home,
Rod and Staff has this set http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/list/Little_Jewel_Books/
4. Christian Liberty has a new Preschool curriculum http://www.shopchristianliberty.com/preschool/
5. Dollar Store and Walmart Workbooks
6. You can always peruse the CBD catalog for
"far too much to decide"
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?event=EBRN&category=Homeschool&N=1014667+5401+200813&Ne=200800&Nso=1&Nu=product.endeca_rollup&format=1014667&Ns=product.number_sold
7. Love To Learn Catalog - http://www.lovetolearn.net/curriculum_kits/preschool/
8. AWANA Cubbies ... if you go and you want a GREAT Bible curriculum, ask for the Cubbie Character Builders books. There are 2 of them - one for each year of Cubbies. And they are AWESOME!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What did WE do??
Story --- Covered everything I could find as a 3 year old. I went ahead and started her in Alpha Omega Kindergarten.
http://www.aophomeschooling.com/lifepac/grade-k/
If I had to do it over again - I wouldn't have let her go so fast. I think I could have found more for her to do on computers and cut/ paste/ art. But I also had a baby in the house, and Story being rather ADHD - I did what I thought best at the time.
Song ---- Was still working on the workbooks that we hadn't yet completed as a 3 year old. She preferred hands on activities. And our life was just beginning to settle down after a hard year. But the Ref wasn't working, so we were trying to keep all purchases to a minimum.
Scholar --- We used the Horizon Preschool, 3 days a week. Plus I used extra workbooks on the other days. Scholar LOVED workbooks and would happily sit piddling around with school work for hours. He loved to draw and work with manipulatives. I started him in the Horizon Kindergarten books just after Christmas. We did those 2 days a week, and continued finishing up the Preschool. I also used the AWANA Character Builders Cubbies books A and B (we are STILL working on book B).
Obviously, our 2 year old Sunshine isn't ready for this yet. But I'm planning to use a similar approach to what we did with Scholar.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Teaching Preschool - age 3
Not all 3 year olds are ready for formal schooling. Probably far fewer than a quarter of 3 year olds will thrive in a more formal "school" setting. I happen to have kids that fit that bill, but I've also taught ones that did not.
Most children will continue to thrive with the list and suggestions in the post about teaching toddlers. http://eaglenestmom.blogspot.com/2012/04/teaching-toddler.html
What are some signs that your 3 year old is really ready for a more official school day?
1. Asking constantly for "school".
2. Sitting down with paper and pencil and mimicking doing school work for more than 10 minutes at a time.
3. Correctly holding pencils while writing without prompting.
4. Showing interest in saying and identifying letters, numbers, colors, shapes, and other information.
5. Teaching the dolls, cars, or pets.
6. Able to follow 2 or more instructions correctly.
7. Consistently picks up crayons and pencils with the same hand.
8. When asked to draw a person, has at least 8 details. Such as: head, hair, 2 eyes, mouth, 2 arms, 2 legs
9. Can copy a simple shape and trace slightly more complicated items ... draw a circle or a line, trace letters or a star
10. Routinely sits still and quiet for 15 minutes of time doing a task - coloring, puzzles, games, etc.
Most children will continue to thrive with the list and suggestions in the post about teaching toddlers. http://eaglenestmom.blogspot.com/2012/04/teaching-toddler.html
What are some signs that your 3 year old is really ready for a more official school day?
1. Asking constantly for "school".
2. Sitting down with paper and pencil and mimicking doing school work for more than 10 minutes at a time.
3. Correctly holding pencils while writing without prompting.
4. Showing interest in saying and identifying letters, numbers, colors, shapes, and other information.
5. Teaching the dolls, cars, or pets.
6. Able to follow 2 or more instructions correctly.
7. Consistently picks up crayons and pencils with the same hand.
8. When asked to draw a person, has at least 8 details. Such as: head, hair, 2 eyes, mouth, 2 arms, 2 legs
9. Can copy a simple shape and trace slightly more complicated items ... draw a circle or a line, trace letters or a star
10. Routinely sits still and quiet for 15 minutes of time doing a task - coloring, puzzles, games, etc.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Doing "official" or "real" school with a 3 year old should take no more than 10 hours a week.
Depending upon the child, you can teach every day for 30 minutes - 2 hours, or only once or twice a week for 2 - 4 hours.
This time should include no more than 15 minutes at any one activity.
When I do preschool, I attempt to break it up as follows:
5 minutes of prayers and pledges
10 minutes - Bible Story
10 - 15 min - Bible Craft or Color Page
5 - 10 mins - Flash cards (words, letters, anything being learned)
5 - 10 mins - writing / Phonics
30 mins - outside playing
10 mins - snack and potty break (although I allow them as needed)
30 min - video (educational - usually Science or History)
10 min - Math worksheet
5 min - Math manipulative
While I'm reading a story - or they are listening to a Book on Tape
15 min - puzzle or game
15 min - Art project
Time's are estimates, I try to stay under the max time, and be really flexible.
For my 3 year olds, I do this twice a week.
For my 4 year olds, I do this 3 times a week.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Story was a child who wanted to do preschool early.
But there was very little "official stuff" to purchase back then - she's 17 now!
We purchased anything written for preschoolers,
Coloring books,
Workbooks,
Cut and Glue books,
Sticker books.
Mostly we found things at Wal-mart and the Dollar Store.
Some featured characters, like Pooh or Jumpstart.
Ironically, most of these books are still available, and can be still be purchased
for about the same amount we paid 15 years ago - $7 for a big book,
and small books for 50c to $1.
Plus she loved being on the computer,
and had several Preschool Games,
such as Reader Rabbit and Jumpstart.
She played for an hour or more every day, whenever I was cooking and cleaning.
Story was voracious and had competed every book we had found,
including most of the Kindergarten books,
before her 4th birthday.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Song went though most of the same books.
But we also found more - what a difference 2 years made.
She was a much slower worker, and loved to repeat pages.
I was also more laid back ... and we moved - TWICE that year.
While we did eventually finish all of her books,
it took more than one year.
She also enjoyed the computer games,
helped a bit too much by big sister Story.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 years passed before I had to think about preschool again.
This time, Scholar had several cousins the exact same age.
Alpha Omega was offering a BRAND NEW
preschool curriculum.
I started the year with 3, and by the end of the year, I had 7 kids.
We met Tuesday's and Thursday's.
All of these were cousins - or very good friends.
We had so much fun as a group.
This is by far the best curriculum I have seen for a small group or
starting out parents.
It was so easy to adapt to our needs.
There were stories to tell, crafts to do, exercises and PE activities,
sometimes there were snacks, songs to sing, and worksheets
that went along with each lesson each day.
The curriculum can be used as ONE year for a 4 year old or a slower older child.
or break it up into 2 years easily and do 2 days a week for a 3 year old
and 3 days a week to finish up as a 4 year old.
On the days that we didn't have our cousins around,
we used Rod and Staff books -
and the same workbooks that Song and Story had used.
These were more to keep him busy while I needed him to be quieter while the
big sisters worked.
He also spent time on the computer,
but not the same amount as his sisters.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now it is Sunshine's turn.
She'll be 3 this Fall.
So I've ordered the books, and found a few random workbooks.
We'll see how she does,
but so far she seems very ready for more structure.
Plus, I STILL have 3 older kids.
So this will keep her a little busy.
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The best advice I can give to parents
wanting to begin at this age ....
Don't push it.
Have FUN!
Do lots of hands on stuff.
Take messes outside if you can.
Experiment.
Read a lot.
Play a lot.
Talk a lot.
Pray a lot.
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