Arrg matey, we be after yer booty!

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What is your goal in homeschooling? To foster a life long love of learning.

What one expression of you do you want to pass on to you children? From me a love of nature, from Dearest a love of music.

There’s one more question to answer about the “treasure of our home”, but short of putting on a pirate patch and shouting “Arrrg, matey!” I’m not sure how to answer that right now. Perhaps the treasure is having endlessly weird parents who do things like put on pirate patches and shout “Arrrg, matey!” in the middle of the afternoon. Oh, and play Pretty Fly For A White Guy at full volume before bed for a late night booty shaking fest. Sure the boys loved it now but in 15 years they may disown me. Especially when I pull out the video footage.

Technorati tags: homeschooling, children, family life, silly

Tags: life

Sing a song

I was asked what songs I’m using to transition (and why did some of the comments to that post dissapear?). I don’t have af luid day worked out, but here goes. In the morning and at night I found a couple nursery rhymes in the Mother Goose book that I am using. After breakfast we do some stretching which leads us into a short morning circle, I sing Raffi’s Roots and Shoots to transition us into that. Actually we listen to that CD a lot. To tranistion him from an inside activity to going outside I sing Boys and Girls, that seems to get him excited enough that its ok to give up what we’re doing. That also works to get him in the car if we suddenly need to go somewhere. Mother Earth and Father Time helps to relax him and get him into a calm state for nap time, though I haven’t found a good song to transition us out of nap yet. He wakes up from nap in an aweful mood, just unbarable. I also need to find something to help transition us from outside play to back inside, that’s another rough area for E that I can’t figure out how to smooth over yet.

That’s all I’ve got so far. I’m sure I’ll have more as I try to find new ways to help. I would have never guessed that a song would be so comforting to him, but it honestly seems to be helping him. Before this any transition from one activity to another was dreadful, a complete nightmare. I’m not sure if he’s typical for his age or if there are some issues, but so far things are a lot smoother.

Technorati tags: children, songs, nursery rhymes

Tags: life

Get rhythm

I’ve been trying to map out our daily rhythm and see what that gives us in terms of making a daily plan. For the most part it seems easy. E is always grumpy after nap so story time goes there, I never feel awake in the mornings so we’ll do our walk then to stimulate bloodflow.

Just the basic things that I already know in my heart but never got down on paper.

I also worked out a rough sketch of a circle time plan. I don’t like the term “circle time” but I’m not sure what else to call it. A special time set asside every morning for E and I to talk about the day to come, sing songs, and maybe learn something new. Ok circle time is easier to say. I just wanted a plan that moved up and down, like stretches then dancing then sitting down for finger plays.

I’ve also been picking out transitional songs, E does not transition well at all so hopefully having a familiar song every day will help him move from one thing to the next much more gracefully. Now if only I could find some more nature songs to look through.

My goal is by Monday to begin moving into an Enki approach.

Technorati tags: homeschool, preschool, Enki education,

Tags: life

Friday Five

5 books I’m reading:
How Children Learn - Holt
Real Boys - William Pollack
Sacred Pleasure - Riane Eisler
Reading Lolita in Tehran - Azar Nafisi
Homeschool Handbook - Mary Griffith

5 things on my to-do list:
Dishes
Work on quilt
Buy Post-it notes
Call back on book shelves
Work on PPD essay

5 wants for next week:
A few nicer clothes that fit
A call back for the lactation counselor position
Some “mommy time”.
Cooler weather.
To win the lottery.

5 interesting things I’ve said recently:
“We don’t take our pants off in the waiting room.”
“No honey, the doctor doesn’t want to see your bottom.”
“Please don’t stick your sunglasses up your nose.”
“I’m pretty sure Matthew wants to keep his birthday presents.”
“I’m glad you love the mop but can I use it to clean the floor?”

5 fun facts:
Expensive make-up is destined to land in the used toilet.
A baby will hold his poop until the doorbell is ringing.
A toddler will hold his poop until nap time.
As soon as you close your eyes destruction will occur.
As sounds you make will be repeated the next day, loudly, and in front of the elderly neighbors.

Technorati tags: Friday five, meme

Tags: life