Field Trip - Washington DC

Lots of travel education!!  Washington DC is PRIME for leaning about history and politics.  We had the opportunity to visit MLK, FDR, and WWII Memorials.  We went on a twighlight tour of the Monuments.  We spent time in the Capitol Park.  Stayed in a luxury hotel at the city center, and mixed-mingled like VIPs at the W Hotel with Disney Jr.  Great practice socializing and ettiquette.  And they ROCKED IT!!

"Myiesha, your children are so accustomed to this...they act like the First Family!"  Yeah they do!!  :)

Hana earns 2nd place in Jack and Jill of America Children's Cluster Speech competition

Socialization? With other pre-teens? Not a great idea....

And this article exeplifies how non-essential and potentially damaging "socialization" can be.  Totally overrated!!  I had this conversation with Haley just yesterday, and she agrees that the psychiatric bin that is "school" is uncomfortable at best.  She states she didn't really have real relationships with these "random" children...and noticed that most of them were to total opposite of good role-models and she often questioned the necessity of being forced to spend so much time with people she neither likes nor has anything in common with.

What is she to learn from them?  What are they going to "teach her?"  How to interact with 12 year olds?  I prefer for Haley to learn how to interact with adults - being that she's going to spend the large majority of her time as an adult, with adults and its adults who can actually do useful things for her and help promote her.  Learning to to "fit in" with a group of 6 grade girls...is not a valuable skill.  Learning how to socialize with people of all ages - particularly those who make the rules and are in positions of authority, is a much more valuable skill.

Most people admit that "teen-agers are difficult" and "aren't much fun."  Why would I want Haley to learn to be like that?

"Our current education system was created in the late 1800s and...set up to supply the factories with a skilled labor force... Unfortunately, most people learn in those classrooms to hate education for the rest of their lives...

The factory system doesn't work in the modern world, because two years after graduation, whatever you learned is out of date. ...Education needs to be combined in interesting and creative ways with work.

The more young people are infantilized, the more psychopathology they show.

Teens in America are in touch with their peers on average 65 hours a week, compared to about four hours a week in preindustrial cultures. In this country, teens learn virtually everything they know from other teens, who are in turn highly influenced by certain aggressive industries. This makes no sense. Teens should be learning from the people they are about to become. When young people exit the education system and are dumped into the real world, which is not the world of Britney Spears, they have no idea what's going on and have to spend considerable time figuring it out.

What's the worst part of the current way we treat teens?
The adversarial relationship between parents and offspring is terrible; it hurts both parents and young people.... They don't realize they are caught in a machine that's driving them apart from their offspring—and it's unnecessary.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200703/trashing-teens?fb_action_ids=10151857751479476&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582

Article: Truancy and why we are glad Hana's out of Public School

I had to share these two article that totally capture my sentiment as a new homeschool mom.  As we take take the opportunity for Hana to participate in Artemis and Disney Jrs Doc Mobile tour...and then go to Washington DC to practice our etiquette, fancy dress, manners, and learn United States history in Washington DC...we were super happy with our decision to avoid being criminally accused of being bad parents.




"Leanna’s teacher reports that she “follows classroom rules” and “always participates.” She never disrupts class, loiters at the mall or stashes marijuana in her backpack. But this bashful girl snuggling up to her mom, butterfly-princess-glitter-wand in hand, landed in court a few months ago. And now her mother has a stain on her permanent record."

"Her offense? Leanna was late to school."

"On Tariq’s official Collin County record, the offense appears as “Failure to Attend School – Parent/Guardian Contributing.” It’s a Class C misdemeanor… coupled with a four-hour wait that required Leanna to miss school...."

"Many parents are not even aware until their court summons arrives that aiding and abetting tardiness can go on their permanent records. But for these families, the courtroom becomes the place to hash out their organizational problems, get a court-ordered parenting class and maybe even learn how to get their children dressed in the morning, all on the taxpayer dollar."

"The law refers to children at least 6 years of age…enrolled in *public* preschool…. While some 4-year-olds don’t attend school at all, those such as Leanna who are enrolled in preschool must be on time or face a court date for nonattendance. And the law does not distinguish between tardies and half- or full-day absences...."

http://www.dfwchild.com/features/911/Elementary-Truancy

Of note:  we would have received a threatening letter had we not pulled her out.  This was made known to us - eventhough we organized this trip and "cleared" it with the school leadership.  Nevermind kindergarten is not compulsory....

Hybrid School Update

Haley and Ian have been going to school 2 days a week, from 9-3p for the 1st two weeks.  Then in September began going from 9-4p.

Haley's subjects are:
Life science - learning about the cell, tissue structure, organs.
History - in Ancient times.  She started her reader this week.
Math - order of operations, word problems with the standard 4 operations.
Language Arts - Grammar (nouns, verbs, etc) writing (which is MUCH better).
Spanish - greetings

I will say that she works from about 10-4p on "home days" and then mixes in 90 minutes of piano and 30 minutes of harp each most days.

Ian's subjects are:
Math - which is addition and subtraction
Spelling
History - Ancient history as well
Language Arts
Handwriting

He spends about 2 hours on home days doing his assigned work.

***
And today, Hana was switched over from Public Kindergarten (where we thought she'd thrive) to Hybrid school...for lack of diversity, and the school's lack of ability to squash racial rheteric.  This child has been through too much to allow her to experience the racism of adults via their kindergarteners.  Such as shame.  But nice to have an alternative....

Letter to the Hybrid School 2 weeks in.

Where do I begin?!!  Your school has been such an awesome and blessed gift to our family!!  Haley is thriving!!  My SWEET baby girl is balanced, supported, nurtured, and encouraged.

When she attended Public Elementary School (and Intermediate School), the anxiety of trying to "fit in" and the judgement she experienced distracted from her education and changed her personality.  She was disconnected from us much of the time (both physically, and psychologically).  While academically she was okay, I KNEW she was not performing at her maximum.  Every day the most pressing "issue" was her 'on-again-off-again' friendship with various "random" children (each with their own social issues).  It was like she was a beautiful flower trying to bloom in a hostile environment.

Now, she is excited about learning.  The teachers "love her."  Especially math (NOW her favorite subject).  English/literature teacher has offered feedback that I think will change our life (audiobooks for our slow reader to get her excited and motivated to read).  Already, it's done wonders!!  I love the responsiveness of the teachers.  AND best of all, I like that I am an integral part of Haley's life (and education) and not standing on the outside asking permission to be involved in my own daughter's affairs.  

Thank you, for allowing us to participate in your school!!

Feeling very blessed.

***

Friday afternoon Downtown Fort Worth and STEM

Science, technology, engineering and math is all the rage!!  Especially for young children and girls.  We had the opportunity to expose the children to a celebration of STEM and medicine via Doc McStuffins event with Mommy, and Artemis Medical Society. 

So glad that we don't have to "worry" about "missing school" and being accused of not "teaching" our children.

Bonding = distraction deterrent. Spa day!!

Learning how to complete paperwork is a necessity.  Just as important, is learning how to pamper yourself and take time to relax and celebrate your experience on Earth in this body.  What better way to learn these key lessons than by spending a Friday afternoon at the spa - with Mother/Daughter bonding, "girl-talk," and nurturing one of one of the most important relationships in our lives?  Studies demonstrate (and common sense tells us) that having close relationships with your parents as a child/teen/young-adult is the key factor in preventing drug use, depression, low self-esteem, and other negative sequalae of 'neglect' and 'peer-pressure.'  

Paperwork.  Massage.  Facial.  Pedicure.  

Happy birthday Haley!!  

Ready for school. Before/after.

Meet the teacher at Hybrid School

Lessons in: Spirtuality. Speech. Death. Healthy living.

What a great demonstration of the value of Speech Camp expressed at Grandma Carolyn' funeral when Haley learned a poem in 2 days and got up in front of 100+ family members and expressively recited the poem When Great Trees Fall (below).  Ian and Hana stood up and recited Bible verses (below).  Poised, in command, projecting their voices, and totally impressed the entire crowd!!  Yay public speaking training!!

Additionally, we had plenty of lessons and discussion about Life, Death, God, Health and Wellness.  This allowed us to explore our spirituality, review the lessons of our spiritual beliefs, and make health modifications (with this new family health information) to decrease inflammation in our diets.

When Great Trees Fall

Maya Angelou

 When great trees fall,

rocks on distant hills shudder,

lions hunker down

in tall grasses,

and even elephants

lumber after safety.

When great trees fall

in forests,

small things recoil into silence,

their senses

eroded beyond fear.

When great souls die,

the air around us becomes

light, rare, sterile.

We breathe, briefly.

Our eyes, briefly,

see with

a hurtful clarity.

Our memory, suddenly sharpened,

examines,

gnaws on kind words

unsaid,

promised walks

never taken.

Great souls die and

our reality, bound to

them, takes leave of us.

Our souls,

dependent upon their

nurture,

now shrink, wizened.

Our minds, formed

and informed by their

radiance,

fall away.

We are not so much maddened

as reduced to the unutterable ignorance

of dark, cold

caves.

And when great souls die,

after a period peace blooms,

slowly and always

irregularly.  Spaces fill

with a kind of

soothing electric vibration.

Our senses, restored, never

to be the same, whisper to us.

They existed.  They existed.

We can be.  Be and be

better.  For they existed

Ecclesiastes Chapter 3
There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens.
A time to give birth, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;  a time to mourn, and a time to dance.

Where we are

To do list:
Finish our extra room
Discover learning type project
Continue reading "homeschooling books."
Transition kids to more paleo diet.
Don't forget to plan and implement the Spiritual curriculum
All curriculum planned and materials purchased!!
Camps - Writing, Math, Speech/Debate, Art 

School begins - Late August
Plan daily activities based on spreadsheet of curriculum.
Get all supplies


Activities
Visiting friends and lots of water fun
Links Gala - formal ball
High noon tea
Spa day:  Mommy and Haley
Lessons ongoing - Horseback riding, Piano, Harp, Karate/kung-fu

Trips
Portland, OR - July
Atlanta, GA - August
Washington DC - September
Waco, TX - October

Summer Spa Day with the girls!!

Of course there's time for fun and TRAVEL: Portland, OR

Summertime is a time for fun and relaxation.  Time with family and friends.  Great time to travel and see new places.  Here are a few pictures of the kiddos bonding with friends, and having fun in the sun!!  

Snacks and swimming with friends.

The Fourth of July celebration with swimming, BBQ and fireworks with friends and family.


AND we took a trip to Portland, OR.  Educational experiences included a short visit to the Louis and Clark expedition trail end-point at Seaside.  Shark hotel where they were giving out real, live shark teeth!!  AND finally to Evergreen Waves and Wings waterpark AND Museum to see the Spruce Goose.  Honestly, we swam too long to actually go INTO the Museum, so we circled around the outside, peeking thru window...and learned about WWII and the airplanes on the lawn.

Seaside Beach, Oregon.  Lovely day.  Warm sand.  Fun times in the Pacific Ocean.

Landmarks and common places:  Voodoo Doughnuts was a wonderful experience.

And this is Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum located in McMinnville, Oregon.  Daddy gives the kiddos the rundown on this fabulous plane!!  

The Summer Curriculum CAMPS and adjustments

Haley has a new harp instructor.  The wonderful thing is, she comes to the house.  So Haley can learn to play on HER own harp, and take care of her harp.  This young woman is super sweet, and was homeschooled herself, locally.  So it feels like a much better "fit."

In the spirit of "keeping it easy" so we can fully engage in the home-education without feeling frazzeled as things (expectedly) pick up in August with the part-time school for the older 2, and public kindergarten for Hana - we switched Ian from a kung-fu/karate studio way across town (45 minute drive) to one within the city (10 minute drive).


Class is slightly shorter (45 minutes vs. 1 hour) so the amount of time-resource that is utilized on this activity has diminished from 3+ hours, to 1 hour and 10 minutes!!  And the new guy came highly recommended by colleagues.  As an added bonus, there are a few local Jack and Jill friends in his studio as well.  The fact that the head-guy is African American is a benefit as well as it allows Ian to interact with a diverse educational "team."

This studio is new and wasn't an option when I first started my search.  Nonetheless, it is not purely kung-fu, which we actually preferred.  However, the Universe has led us to karate (mixed martial arts minus tae kwondo) so we're happy to give it a try.


We have considered letting Haley take Karate/kung-fu.  However, currently her schedule is full.  And she likes her "free time."  It's important to not over-schedule the children, so we'll wait and see how school (and homeschooling) goes.

Likewise, we'll wait until early next year to put Hana in swim lessons because she's advancing to 2 day a week pre-team gymnastics AND will have public kindergarten everyday. 

On the other hand, Ian could use a few additional activities (or at least one more).  But we will see how school goes, and seek out opportunities as he expresses interest (rather than sign him up for random 'stuff' just so we feel like 'things are equal.'  Because equality isn't our goal.  Providing to each child exactly what THEY need, individually, is the goal.  And that may not be what seems 'equal.'

Haley and Ian have completed their summer Art Camps with a home Art Show.  They made sculptures, beads, learned about arts around the world.  They painted, and drew.  They used materials, and the group was only 6 children.  They had a blast.  And the great thing was...the art teacher is going to be Ian's 2nd grade teacher.  So they had a chance to bond in a fun, informal setting.

The kids are quite comfortable on the horse - which is outstanding.  It is our goal to get them horseriding-competent (being from Texas and all).  Soon they trot.  They are SO excited.

And Speech/Debate camp.  I am looking to continue this for Haley, however its not easy finding Debate teams for 11 year olds.  So far there's on that seems great, but it's way way across town.  I know better than to take that bait...

...so our search continues.

Of note:  We did not get to do formal photography lessons.  Nor did we do IT (because I couldn't find a local instructor that worked with young children.  Ditto with American Sign Language (for a reasonable fee).  My preference is actually to utilize someone who isn't deaf, and that course was offered through a local homeschool center for quite a hefty price.  Resources better spent for summertime fun went to art camp.  And finally, music camp was canceled.  Which was okay because Haley continued her piano and harp privately nonetheless.  

Summer Curriculum In Action

Math camp continues, and Haley is working on exponents and negative numbers...order of operations, and even a short introduction to square roots!!  She's feeling like a math whiz, and her teacher emailed me to share that Haley is engaged in class, asking lots of questions, and seems to be excited about learning!!

Writing camp continues.  Haley has learned how to write a theses statement, and is working on grammar.  Additionally, she is reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.  During week 1 of her Art Camp, she was scheduled to miss writing camp, BUT the writing teacher agreed to teach Haley one-on-one so she wouldn't be behind the following week.  He said, Haley was very engaged in the 1-on-1 session.  And Haley said she prefers the 1-on-1 session.

Art camp was a HIT.  They painted, did paper mache' and sculptures.  Spent 2 hours each day with an art instructor and 4 other children was time they enjoyed.  There's one more session later this month.

Horseback riding continues.  Haley has already "graduated" to a larger horse.  They are comfortable on the horse, and know horse etiquette.  Ian and Hana are there as well, learning side-by-side.  Just them with the teacher.

Homesteading:  All the children continue to nurture our garden, care for the hens and dogs, and do light chores around the house.

Hana continues gymnastics.  The teacher said she needs to practice "following directions"...so we're working on that at home so she can make the Team in December.

Martial Arts:  Ian continues kung-fu, HOWEVER, we have moved him to a studio closer to home.  As the girls get busier, and Dad gets more contracts, it became increasing burdensome to go way across cities for him to do something that he can very well do a mile or two from the house.  Additionally, I appreciate the diversity and African American leadership at the studio close to the house, which I think is great for Ian since my own father (his grandfather) is dead.

The kung-fu place by the house ALSO teaches a karate component - so really it's "martial arts."  But NOT Tae Kwondo.  So, it works!!

Leadership training and Music:  Haley has started teaching Hana piano. This allows Haley to establish her teaching style, practice being a fair and effective instructor, and start working on writing her Intro to Piano book with her piano teacher!!

Haley watched an Artemis webinar on Branding YOU.  So she can begin learning about her *reputation* and personal style and brand (because its never to early).

Time management:  Haley has been introduced and is utilizing a *schedule*!!  It looks something like this:
10:00a - wake up/use bathroom
10:10 - make breakfast/get dressed
10:30 - Math assignments (or move ahead)
11:30 - break
11:40 - Writing assignments (or read if completed); speech
12:30 - Lunch
1:00p - Piano (for 2 hours)
3:00p - Harp* (for 30 minutes)
3:30 - DONE with schedule

Of course she can modify as necessary.  And on days that she actually has lessons or class, THAT is the time that is used for that activity.  She realizes she may need to "borrow" time from one subject if another is due sooner.  And on some days, her days are going to be longer (if her motivation to complete the assignments is lower).  It's lighter on the weekends.  But, essentially, this is her daily schedule (that she can modify, as mentioned).

*We have a new harp teacher that comes to our home - further attempts to maximize our time and avoid spending/wasting it in the car.

Ethics/Spirituality:  We have TONS of "Mommy Wisdom Lectures" whereby at teaching moments, particularly when it comes to leadership training (don't make your sister cry), and concept of humanity/ethics (sharing cautionary tales from the news, or delving into deeper conversations about self-image, self-respect, state of the World politically, socially, etc) we can engage in long (sometimes hours at a time a couple of times a day) exchanges that only a Mommy can with her Daughter!  I estimate at least 30 minutes of "this time" a day.  Always impromptu.  Primarily because I'm HOME and and TIME...so as things happen or issues arise, I am there and available to talk it out with her (and SHE is present and available to receive it).  As I spiritually feed myself (though various means, including Church and personal reading, Earthing and meditating) I allow myself to be a channel so I can share it with her.  (Of course its age-appropriately adjusted for the younger children).

Social etiquette:  We've been to, and plan to attend a few deliberately different social settings (scholarship dinner, formal dance, pool party with colleagues, dining out, being thoughtful and helpful, etc).

Of course there's plenty of time for fun socialization - water fun, pool fun, fun with friends, going out to eat, bowling, birthday parties, and church (socialization at its most effective).

Financial literacy:  Renewed bond with Grandma yielded cash gifts that were used to learn about shopping and saving.  For Haley, this entailed going to the bank and opening a checking account - with a real debit card!

Safety:  We practice water safety.  Hana now knows how to swim!!  (Still not super strong, but she doesn't sink to the bottom.  She only needs to practice breathing while she swims - coming up for air, dog-paddle, etc).

Debate:  Haley is doing a Speech/Debate Camp as well, which is scheduled for next week.

Homeschooling Workshop:  I attended a homeschooling workshop and discovered an entire university-type facility that offers classes in almost everything!!  Theater and social opportunities as well (such as dances and sports teams for homeschooled children).  At this workshop it was emphasized that we should really take time to get to KNOW our child's learning style.  So I'm reading this great book:  Discover Your Child's Learning Style.  The kids and I have been taking "quizzes" so we can all learn about our learning styles.  It has been enlightening.  One of those elements of being human that you tend to under-acknowledge, but it is SO important!!

Preparation for Fall:  I have purchased ALL OF THE TEXT BOOKS (except one book for Haley, and the supplies/books that need to be purchased at registration) for Haley and Ian for the 2013-14 academic year.  I also completely organized and created excel documents for the children's curricula.



***
To do:
Get Classroom Ready
Finish Discover Your Child's Learning Style
Purchase that last Life Science Book for Haley
Try to find/connect with Secular Homeschoolers locally

Upcoming:
Debate Camp
New Karate/Kung-fu (consideration for Haley to take lessons as well, but possibly in the Fall)
Trips:  Portland and Atlanta (then later Washington DC) - that takes planning and preparing to maximize the learning time.