Time Well Spent

We have a fairly busy end semester of this year, ballet, gymnastics, nature club, YHO park days and drama. That leaves us with just two days a week that we don't have to head out. We often have other things like groceries to do but some days we are lucky and can stay home and let the day carry us where it may. Today was one of those days. I am always surprised at how much more learning occurs when I don't have a plan. The young one becomes driven by an idea and the house is her classroom. We read, we invent, we cook, we write, we cuddle and create. It is all in a days work for a homeschooler.

How fortunate I feel to sit back and watch these days unfold.

We stumbled across a really COOOL website today too:
http://www.thetoymaker.com/2Toys.html
It is just perfect for these days that we have nothing planned. An entire archive of toys that can be made out of paper! Even if you don't have a child at home I am sure you will find an amazing project to try. And of course it is all free :)

Lastly, the most EXCITING news on the home front is wiggly teeth. Last night their was a scream, no... a yell... no.... a shriek of delight from Sid's bedroom. "MOM, DAD!!! My teeth are loose." We have the tooth fairy on speed dial even though I think it will be months before she needs to visit :)

72 Hours of Her World

What do homeschoolers do all day if they aren't in school? Well we sit at home alone in the basement with no windows and no socialization of course.... NOT! I have been picture crazy the last few weeks and I even gave Sid her own camera to capture some of her own memories. While processing the pictures from the last three days, I realized we really captured a tiny part of our homeschooling style. Like the life of any five year old, much of our day is spent with routines, getting dressed, eating, going out. However, since we are not in a rush to get on a bus or off to school, it leaves so much time to just enjoy.

A beautiful warm day was perfect for a long hike in the woods with the dogs. Sid is a master at snowshoeing now!

While out and about we kept our eyes open for more than just crows and chickadees and we enjoyed the first touches of warming sun. It has been several months since we actually felt the sun's warmth on our skin!


Snuggled up after dinner to watch American Idol with Dad and Mom. The red blanket has become a recent addition to our family. The "blankie" as Sid calls it is a queen sized flannel duvet cover. She loves sitting in it and turning it into an instant fort. It is even more fun when Mom or Dad are in there too!

Another warm day gave us an opportunity to head for the woods again. This time we saw (and fed) semi-tame deer and walked a long trail to the girls favorite summer fort. The fort was buried but that didn't taint the warmth and company of good friends.


Waiting for the chickadees with perches in hand.


Winter picnic under a favourite tree.

Exploration along an old downed tree.

The third day was a quick trip to the museum with endless opportunities to play and explore.

Why are the pennies doing that?


Watching the pennies spin!

Brewing up something special.

And finally a photo that captures Sid's world from her eyes. She has a playhouse set up in our living room window and has been playing with it all week. I called this picture "feeling watched"



Here is a video of morning fun with Dad before he left for work.

This last video so surprised me. Sid has been listening to a Geronimo Stilton (mouse detective) audio book as she falls asleep for the last two weeks. Getting out of her bath she just started reciting parts of the book. I had her stop and ran for the video camera.

So while we do schooly stuff mostly around routines like meal time or in the early morning we learn and learn and learn all day long. I never dreamed of raising our daughter this way but now cannot imagine anything else.

Sharing Some Insight

I read this post from Radio Free School http://radiofreeschool.blogspot.com/ yesterday and it seems to still be resonating inside me. I thought this was good grounds for sharing.

10 Unschooling Mistakes You Want to Avoid

1.Comparing.

I believe that the root of all evil is comparison. When you find yourself about to do the "is my child keeping up?" or the "her child is better at piano then mine, and they're the same age," just stop. Don't do it.
When you look at another unschooling mum and back at yourself and feel that you fall short, don't go there. Rather, allow her to inspire you; don't feel down.

2.Believing that everyone should agree with you.

This is the attitude of any newbie. I remember how militant I was when I first became a vegetarian (I no longer am-a vegetarian). I couldn't tolerate people who weren't. I must have been an insufferable 'know it all.' I know I certainly annoyed people.

3. Getting offended/feeling hurt when people don't (agree with you).

The world owes you nothing. If someone tosses you a dubious look or expresses doubt in what you are doing-deal with it in a mature way. Learn not to take yourself so seriously. Laugh.

4.If there really is a problem, being afraid of admitting it.

Your kids are unruly, or they really don't seem to be 'getting it'-there might actually be an underlying cause for it. Or they don't seem to have any interests. Don't panic.You can still uphold your values and raise a child that is learning naturally. Get the support you need.

5. Expecting your kids to be best buddies and get along all the time, just because they're unschooled.

They fight. They say they hate one another. That's okay. We can't choose our family but we share as heck have to learn to get along. That's one advantage of unschooling. They HAVE to work it out because they spend so much time together.

6.Expecting your kids to become educated by osmosis.

This is magical thinking. They won't. You have to engage them. You have to make sure they get exposure to a wide range of activity.

7. Thinking that you are their one and all.

Share them.

8. Over-protectiveness.

Let them venture forth according to their strengths, age and ability.
Be sensitive to the needs of the changing and growing child.

9.Having to proof that unschooling works-especially in BIG ways.

Funnily enough-BIG gets redefined over and over and you realize that they are doing BIG things but not in the way you and others might have envisioned it. And remember, behind a shining star, there might be an even brighter star shining so be careful not to block that light because of your belief in the first.

10. Immediate evidence of 'learning' taking place.

Relax. You will be amazed at how what you angst-ed over last year is all but a distant memory this year. Learning unfolds-often with out us noticing.

It was -7 out, not -20 like the previous day but it was still really cold with the gusting wind. The first trek around the property was to create the 2 ft deep ski trails, the second lap worked out much better :)

This picture was taken of Groovy on Sunday after a walk in the woods. The temperature was 5 so the knee deep snow was a bit sticky. It really slowed her down... poor pup.

This week Ken and Sid were both on TV at different times for different reasons. Wow these two are hard to keep up with!

Sid drew this picture and had me send it in to CJOH

J.J. Clarke, the local weather man featured it on Tuesday nights news as the Weather Watcher Picture of the day!

On Monday morning Ken was on TV on the Rogers Daytime show. He was backing up musician friend Andy Mason. He had to be at the studio super early to tape the songs. You can see them here:

Morning Train
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHT2soAl4O4

Barbwire Blues
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PavxFlfw7s

Andy Mason is one of the musicians playing with Ken in 4Way Street and one of the guys who Ken will have back him up on his album.
4Way Street is playing this Saturday at the Royal Oak in Gloucester. Should be a great time!

I am so proud of my family!

Brrrrrr

It was -31 when we woke up this morning! Holy COW! It is the coldest it has been so far this winter. By the time we headed out to play we decided on boots and jackets for the dogs. It is the first time this year they have had to wear them and they were great about it. We managed to stay outside for about and hour and a half.


Maggie testing the footwear. "SUPER MAGS"

All tuckered out, but warm!

A few weeks back I struck another Freecycle gold mine. A 6ft wooden toboggan in awesome condition. I picked it up during our big thaw and have been really anxious to give it a go. Ummm I mean I have been really anxious to let the kids try it out :P

Last week with snow really here to stay, Magda and I took the girls out for a touch of sledding.

The hills was steep so Sid wore her helmet. She really wasn't too sure about the entire thing. It took some convincing but finally she sat in the middle and braved the hill.

Here I am shocked as the sled had been pointing down hill (all the way to the left in the above picture) but just as we came into camera range, right on cue, the toboggan spun counterclockwise to provide Magda with the perfect shots!

And then we wiped out!

This is what it is alllll about :)

Heading back to the van, the girls got a free ride which was well deserved after all that hill climbing. Great shots Magda thank you! And also a SUPER big thank you to the kind family that re-homed their lovely toboggan with us.

On Wednesday our beautiful Groovy turned 8. Now that she is an older gal perhaps I should introduce her with her proper name, Princedale's Wildflower Groove C.G.C.. Eight years, wow! She really has mellowed into a beautiful friend with a huge heart. For Groovy's present Sid selected 3 small Kong squeaky tennis balls. These are perfect because Maggie does not like any other dogs having fun and will always take Groovy's toys from her when she is trying to play. These little balls tuck right into Groovy's mouth where Maggie cannot pull them out. Happiness is.....

Today I got an interesting link about whether to teach young kids math. I laughed because I happened to sign Sid up for Dreambox math online today. LOL never fails... Anyhow I thought it was worth passing on.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/freedom-learn/201003/when-less-is-more-the-case-teaching-less-math-in-schools

And finally something else schooly, a cool parenting quiz to see how you parent/teach your kid(s). Who doesn't love quizzes?! Enjoy!

Edu-Parent Quiz provided by DreamBox Learning a kindergarten, 1st grade and 2nd grade math game.

About the Edu-Parent Teaching Styles
As part of our commitment to support parent involvement in their children’s education, DreamBox Learning has sponsored the development of this Edu-Parent™ Quiz. It’s designed to help parents assess the style with which they interact and engage with their children on variety of educational topics. The Edu-Parent Quiz was co-authored and compiled by recognized educators and experts on parent education with over 30 years of community leadership.

The Edu-Parent Styles
There are a range of edu-parent styles, and each offers benefits and presents unique challenges. Here are the different styles that our experts have identified.

Coach
Coaches expect their children to always do their personal best and become successful learners. They talk with their children about school and steer them towards situations that play to their learning strengths. Children come to coaches to brainstorm ideas. They help their children “practice” and encourage them in any endeavor, offering reinforcement, advice and praise. The feedback coaches give helps their children course-correct, and learn from any experience.

A Coach’s challenges are:

•To recognize when to let their children take the baton and run on their own.
•And to realize that not everything in life has a game plan.


Historian
Historians share both knowledge and confidence borne out of a wealth of experience. They want to save their children the trouble of re-inventing the wheel — they’ve learned what does and doesn’t work and want to pass this along! Historians want kids to understand and benefit from valuable lessons they learned growing up. They take time to explain how to complete tasks and projects, and show their children how to take proven and effective approaches in their life. Historians are available to provide guidance and direction when needed and their children may seek out their tried and true advice and support.

An Historian’s challenges are:

•To recognize and adapt when their children prefer their own unique and effective solutions.
•And to let their children learn about the process of discovery instead of prescribing the outcome.


Mentor
Mentors are focused on preparing their children for life-long learning. When talking with their children, they listen and guide with questions, often providing choices and decision-making opportunities. While strategies and boundaries they establish might be invisible to the casual observer, they ground their parenting style. By modeling independent thinking and problem solving, Mentors hope their children become independent learners and thinkers in their own right.

A Mentor’s challenges are:

•To listen to what their children are saying, rather than listening for what they want to hear.
•And to respect their children’s independent thoughts and ask the next question—even when they disagree.


Observer
Believing that children learn from their experiences, and with a high tolerance for mistakes, Observers feel children do best with minimal parental interference. Sometimes they stand back and let the situation unfold in its own way — thinking they may not have the right answer — knowing the more experiences their children have, the more confident they will be as adults. Assuming things will work out, as they should, Observers believe the most valuable gift is letting go.

An Observer’s challenges are:

•To recognize when their children need them to be available.
•And to help their children know when they need to ask for assistance or advice and whom they might ask.


Superhero
Superheroes understand the value of hard work and persistence, and have high standards. They teach their children to always do their best, and that it never hurts to have an extra set of eyes double-check their work to eliminate errors. They have that eye for detail and help their children by showing them where something might need a bit more work or attention. Because Superheroes are dedicated to the end result, they will help their children finish projects and provide encouragement, guidance and assistance to make sure their best is always represented in everything they do.

A Superhero’s challenges are:

•To recognize how mistakes can become steppingstones to learning.
•And to help their children decide when and how to be independent with their work.