"Wade in the Water" Pic for Homeschooling

Make a Smilebox slideshow

It's the middle of my homeschooling day today but I couldn't resist sharing the picture!

We're focusing on art and music today. In fact, he has a homeschooling ballroom dancing class later this afternoon and practice for their recital. But this month, we're studying black history, so we've been taking a look at the Underground Railroad. Earlier this month, we looked at slavery, the Civil War, Harriet Tubman and others.

Today, I asked for a picture of what "Wade in the Water" was all about in connection with that movement.

We're also taking a look at Duke Ellington, Bessie Smith, Marian Anderson and William Grant.

Back2Homeschool After the Holidays: Smart Art

Make a Smilebox slideshow

My son and I went back to homeschool this morning!

We had a wonderful holiday season!! We watched Christmas movies, baked cookies and bread and desserts, went to our church's Christmas Cantata, the Christmas party, the Christmas Eve service and several gatherings of the Wednesday Night Supper Club.

On New Year's Day, we ate black-eyed peas and collard greens and watched "A Grandpa for Christmas" with Grandma (my mother) who came over to celebrate with us.

But now, we're back in business :).

And we started with a play my son created called "Smart Art". Take a look and have a listen...

Back 2 Homeschool

Early this morning, in pjs and robe, my son and I went back to homeschool. He was very excited to be a second-grader! And I was excited about the school year ahead. In addition to the regulars, he and I have plans for some great explorations...

yoga for kids

eco-spirituality

conversational Spanish

ballroom dancing

science club

cooking

etc.

Today, we focused on reading, art, cooking and a little about the presidential election. I've shared a little of his artwork.

We had a great day!

"School's Out for Summer!"

Okay, well, it's not quite...

But we are finishing up this week, so I hope to be singing that line at the end of the day tomorrow! For the past few years, I have ended the year with a book full of core knowledge info for his grade to make sure we've covered most of what's essential during the year. But I think next year, I may begin with that book, so I can avoid the year-end anxiety about finishing.

I'm very proud of my son, though, and must take a moment to brag!

In part because of what happened to his "best friend" (he has several), Tristan, and partly because of other things that came up in the past few weeks, we are a little bit behind. So I told my son we might need to add on a week or so past what the public school kids are doing. Well, he would not have it and was determined to finish on time, even if it meant some intense catching up.

Well, this morning, he got up early, grabbed the book and read for two hours before taking a break and has been very enthusiastic about continuing with me once I was ready to join him!

And he plowed through a lot of material!!

Of course, we will review some of it again, to make sure he actually ingested it, but his effort and his reading ability really impressed me.

I think we just might finish on schedule!

"Music Simply Overtakes Me!"

At the end of our day, Jonathan and I sometimes watch "Little Bear" on Noggin, and he loves one of the "commercials" where someone (a character whose name I do not know) sings a whole song about music. Jonathan invariably sings along and I love to watch him, especially when he gets to the line "music simply overtakes me"! He adds a little Satchmo-style with jazz hands and quite the increase in volume.

This morning, he decided to write a song based on yesterday's social graces lesson on "magic words". Then, he finished a book he has been writing about this year's birthday extravaganza.

I love his creativity!

Touching Earth

Another great homeschooling day, although I am still recovering from sitting next to someone with pets during the scrapbooking crop Saturday afternoon.

In the middle of our day, I had a break, for a meeting. The group of us who take turns facilitating Sunday School at church had a meeting this morning. We need to choose a focus for the next few months, but half of us weren't there so we put off making a final decision until next week.

Then, Jonathan had ballroom dance class, followed by social graces class.

Our day ended with a walk under the trees. But this time we were able to get closer then we usually do. Because people use that courtyard area for their dogs and often aren't courteous about cleaning up afterward, we don't go in too far. But the landscaping people cleared it out today and there was rich dark soil to walk on when we got back this afternoon.

So we walked up to our favorite trees, talked to them, infused their energies and connected solidly to the earth beneath us.

I'm glad the day is over, but it had some great moments!!

Homeschooling to Unschooling

Though I am still learning what unschooling means, I have begun a shift in that direction and am eager to learn more about it.

One change I want to make is broadening the options for what can constitute homeschooling. And I want him to have more choices. I'd like to be able to say "here are some ideas, what sounds good to you?".

And I'd like to include more play...

From an article, How to Raise A Happy Kid, provided by Associated Content, Inc., ...

"Unstructured play hones children's imagination, teaches critical problem-solving skills, and trains them to tolerate frustration. It also helps children learn that doing things again and again leads to improvement. In fact, play is the most important "work" your child can do."

Winter Solstice

I went to bed last night and woke up this morning to the pouring rain and a gusty wind, which made me ever-so-thankful for a warm comforter and a blanket. No sunshine on this cold winter solstice. I suppose that's appropriate!

But I'm having a great morning!

My son and I are burning a cinnamon apple candle, listening to Christmas music, reading Christmas stories and coloring last-minute Christmas gifts for Grandma and other family members. Well, he's actually doing the coloring, but it was my idea! :)

As a homeschooling day, I decided to mirror what usually happens on the last day of school before the holidays begin. So this afternoon, we're going to watch a Christmas movie, drink apple cider and eat Christmas cookies.

As it gets dark, we will probably do something to celebrate the winter solstice, but I'm not sure what that will be. The winter solstice actually will occur tonight at 1:08am, so the 22nd is the official date. I'm not sure which day will be the shortest day, so we will compare and celebrate both days.

And have I mentioned that I am officially on vacation?

Christmas Homeschooling

I am having a wonderful day!

Jonathan and I have been reading Christmas stories, listening to Christmas carols on a lullaby CD, and having a great time together. We took a walk and right now, we're listening to the CD and having quiet time (I insist on it now that he doesn't take naps!).

He just presented me with a drawing he titled, "Jonathan and Jesus". I had given him a picture to color that I'd printed off the Internet which had a manger scene with Jesus surrounded by animals. On the back, he added himself to the picture, standing beside the manger. So cute!

Naturally, I had to share pictures! :)