Thanksgiving with family

Family performance.  Trio with Hana on viola, Ian on upright bass, and Haley does the arrangement and accompanies on piano.  #MusicalEducation

 With 2 days of "practice" from intro to performance, this was an excellent FIRST effort for all involved!!  

Free time with his devices

His favorite things.  

Bob Jones Nature Center

Spending the afternoon with Jack and Jill helping to beautify the grounds at The Bob Jones Nature Center.  Fun times with friends, and lots of learning about snakes, composting, bees, and butterflies.

Paper bag book report

Math Olympiad for Elementary and Middle School Contest

Our homeschool is a registered administrator of the MOEM.  This allows the kids to participate in this international math competition, earn credit, and practice problem solving.  Good luck Haley and Ian!!

Ian makes it to level B in 100 meter BREAST STROKE

He did it at the most recent meet with the "new" team.  While he had to swim "unattached" he was able to secure a great non-DQ time (his first) in the breast stroke!!  Congratulations!!

Taste buds

There's no better way to get children to enjoy fine foods than to have them prepare said foods with peers in a fun environment while HUNGRY!!  Suddenly, they all LOVE butternut squash ravioli!!

Pink and Blue Ball

The premier social event of the year:  The Pink and Blue Ball with Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated.  At this event, the kiddos got an opportunity to put into practice their dining etiquette, social networking skills, dancing, and we had great family time.

Hybrid School fundraiser BBQ

Having dinner with Hybrid school at a fundraiser taking place at a local BBQ place.  Fun times!!!

Polymer Experiment

This was a "science experiment" whereby the children make natural polymer from egg white, baking soda, and vinegar (foam).  Afterwards we did a "modified shrinky dink" since the plastic is a polymer, and when heated, polymers try to retain the original [smaller] state, it works with almost any plastic.  So we took some gummies and melted down the back to tiny plastic (polymer) mini versions.  

Folder Book Report on Sarah Noble

Water Polo Scenes

Ian is in FOURTH grade - Fall 2015

Ian is a 4th grader and is doing very well.  The teacher this year runs a tight ship, and the kiddos in her class are actually a fun group (because they are well-behaved and respect her as authority).  The projects have been creative.  They have a specialized math teacher, and science teacher - which is nice.  And the primary teacher is big on writing development, geography, and history.  So his education is quite well-rounded.

Ian has no desire to change anything about his experience being a Hybrid Homeschool student.  He feels "busy" enough, but has plenty of time for video games, MineCraft, and TV (his favorite things).  He is an enlightened child.  When I'm 'frustrated' with him (typically the "I don't wanna do it....its going to take too long..." whiny/sulky thing he does) I remind myself of HIS advice to me:

"Mommy, I will do anything you ask me to do. I understand this work is important. Just because I don't WANT to do it, it doesn't mean that I don't *understand* it's important. It doesn't mean I'm not going to do it. YOU are the Mommy, and you should just ignore my complaints and make me do what you know is best for me."

And so that's what I do....what I think is best for him.

Ian tends to stay to himself and his teachers, coaches, and tutors report very positive things
about his ability to thrive in almost any environment.  Unfazed by "social distractions" but able to "work well with others," he is a great student in groups.  Therefore, I think Ian is benefiting greatly from the balance we have going between group/social learning, and individual learning.

Hana Fall 2015 - 2nd Grade - Social butterfly

Hana is in the 2nd grade and loving the current arrangement of Hybrid Homeschool.  Hana actually particularly enjoys going to school (her social IQ is excellent) and she enjoys being with groups of people.

On an episode of Brain Games recently it is explained that we are hard-wired, via evolution, to feel more "comfortable" with conformation and being in the pack.  I can imagine that in South Ethiopia, the only people who survive long enough to procreate have a strong drive to remain in the pack, collaborate, cooperate, and conform.  While these attributes are particularly useful there, here those qualities aren't as celebrated.  People who "think outside of the box" and are innovators; those who march to the beat of their own drum, tend to be revered.  They tend to be the happiest, most successful, and better "suited" to the Western life-style.  So we need to blend her natural inclination to conform to peer-pressure and her need to please, with a celebration of her uniqueness and a development of her own individuality.

Hana is very interested in trying out a local charter school that we've visited many times (in an attempt to make a decision about whether to choose that option for Haley) and she really likes the idea of a full uniform, school 5 days a week, and "more friends."  However, she actually doesn't perform or learn well in social settings because she is very much interested in "being liked" and "making everyone feel good."  This is extremely distracting - from her own learning, but also that of the class (to the extent that she is a "behavior problem" because she is "disruptive.")  This takes place in orchestra currently, as it did in gymnastics and choir (both of which require focused attention to perform well - so she was a poor performer in both).  My concern is, if she isn't home actually learning (individually) she may not get what she needs academically in a group setting for being distracted (and being a distraction).  So while she feels the "pull" to want to attend a school with more students, and go more frequently, I'm not sure it'll be a great LEARNING environment for her.  And I don't want to introduce the idea that she's "misbehaving" and being penalized by teachers that may not 'understand' her (or care to investigate solutions, or 'tolerate' her 'socialization tendencies.'  [Because we know that in the classroom, talking out of turn, and visiting to frequently with your neighbor will warrant an ADHD evaluation and drugs to shut you up].

But we'll add her name to the lottery list and see what happens.  With each passing day, she matures a little.  And in maturation, perhaps she'll find her "off button" (as the orchestra participants joke) and be able to get what she needs academically in a group, without becoming overwhelmed with conformation and/or socialization.

Spanish Classes Begin

Hana and Ian start Spanish Class with the Flowers Crew.  They are having a WONDERFUL time!! 

Projects: How to blow a bubble. North America. William the Silent. Cleopatra