Cheekuns and more…

Well now, things sure have been full on since I last wrote. I keep meaning to sit down and organise my thoughts on here but life has a tendency of taking over at times.

Most recently hubby has made the decision to get his Contractor's License and start up his own Construction business. It's not quite off the ground just yet but he's taking care of all the necessary steps to get it going. He and our oldest son (just turned 18 ugh feeling OLD here) will be taking a Hempcrete course next month making them the only ones certified in our state (that we know of) to actually build these amazing Eco-friendly homes!

Because things with the business are underway and have changed our plans a bit, I've decided to get back into one of my all time loves - chicken raising! It was always the best stress reliever I ever had. I've always loved animals and even though we don't live on as rural a property as we would like, it's still very doable! I've been busy these past few weeks locating breeders of those that I'm after and so far I'm finding what I want. I'm so excited :) My all time favourite breed on the planet is the Blue Laced Red Wyandotte (see picture below). This breed is currently still under development in the US as not many have been able to breed to the correct colours of red and blue but rather a gold and blue. The breed is certainly even further behind here in Australia but a handful of dedicated breeders have been determined to make it happen and I'm thrilled to join them.

A Beautiful BLRW Hen credit:Pinterest

A handsome BLRW Rooster credit: Pinterest

I'll also be raising Gold Laced and Silver Laced Wyandottes along with French Wheaton Marans, Araucanas (can we say Olive Eggers lol) and Blue Black Splash Orpingtons. Hubby and I are drawing up plans for the breeders coop…might as well exploit him while I can. This will be my first time raising poultry in Australia but I figure if I can get eggs year round in Alaska…then anything's possible.

Homeschooling is going rather well. We were recently approved for another year and I'm looking forward to what the kids have in store for us. A few weeks ago for "science" Ben figured out he could cause anything to smoke holding a magnifying glass over it. I was a bit concerned for a while after he made his sister's boot smoke…with her foot still in it! We have some fun museum trips planned and hoping to get up with a local archery club to enrol my minions in. Should be interesting.

Hubby and I have been learning a bit here and there about Druidry, implementing the practices when and where we can. We talked with our kids about it and they were all excited to learn more. We've especially focused a bit on Celtic myths and legends the past few months, as it seemed rather fitting. Due to bad weather and feeling rather sluggish we missed out on the big Yule bonfire a local pagan group had organised. Hopefully we won't miss the next one. I've really enjoyed the people we've gotten to meet and finding out they're really just like us, searching for more answers and following their own hearts and instincts. 

The weather here has been insane lately! We've had nothing but rain and some pretty impressive thunderstorms over the past few weeks. I like it but I miss being out in the garden and telling the kids to go play outside. But at least everyone with a rainwater tank is all topped up. We've noticed everyone around us has been sick lately too but other than a few days of feeling runned down (probably from fighting it off whatever it was we were exposed to) we've been relatively unscathed. I chalk it up to our use of Essential Oils. I was only introduced to them back in September but we love them, they work so well and we've been able to chuck all the old over the counter toxic crap out. I'm really pushing them with our youngest son Liam to help with detoxing the heavy metals out of his system, I use them on everyone but he's the only one with any real issues. I've noticed more alertness and awareness from him and his speech has even improved more. His encopresis has lessened as well, so he's even feeling better about himself which is such a joy to see. I only use dōTERRA Essential Oils as they are the main ones labeled safe for internal consumption (shameless plug time…to learn more check out my website Essentially Organic or pop on over to my Facebook page)  

We've also started a family wide low carb Paleo lifestyle change  (I just hate the word diet). I gotta admit it does feel good but it's a struggle to cook so differently than I usually do. I know it will take some adjusting but we'll get there.

That's all I have for the moment.

  

Homeschooling Styles

In following my previous post regarding how to legally start homeschooling in South Australia I've had several friends inquire about our decision to bring our children home and educate them ourselves. Among the many remarks about being brave and gutsy, there have been many curious questions regarding "why would you choose to homeschool" and "how does one go about homeschooling" so I decided I would touch briefly on the many different but popular homeschooling styles out there. Pick one or from several. The important thing to remember with homeschooling is that there is not a one size fits all curriculum out there. What works for one family may not work for another and what even works for one child may not work for their sibling. So be flexible and realise that no matter what you end up doing in the beginning you will most certainly change your ways as you continue to homeschool, and honestly I think that's one of the great things about it. We simply figure it out as we go.  

Not all children learn the same way. Some are visual learners - have to read the chapter, take notes, highlight and answer the questions. Some are audio learners - they can listen to a lecture or watch a video and they've absorb all they need to simply from that. Regardless what their preferred learning style is I think its very important to use a bit of both. Not only for their own development but so you know they can adapt.

Textbook/Traditional Method: this would be the closest thing to a conventional schooling method, the way the majority of us were taught in traditional schools. 

Ex. A Beka

•  studying material in a similar scope and sequence as other public or private schools
•  style of a classroom school experienced at home
•  learn through fill-in-the-blanks and quizzes

Classical: This method encompasses a three-part process known as the trivium. The early years are spent in absorbing facts, laying the foundations for advanced study. In the middle grades, students learn to think through arguments. In the high school years, they learn to express themselves. Ex. Trivium

• this method is very structured
• evaluate your child’'s learning based on academic standards
• developing good study skills early on in your child’s life 
• concentrate on classics literature as a tool to develop critical thinking
• involved in the process of your child’s education –discussing books and giving dictation

Charlotte Mason Method: In this method of education children are taught through a wide range of interesting living books, firsthand experiences, and good habits. Mostly Christian based but also big on Nature studies, learning about fairies and folklore. Teaches the whole child not just dry facts. Ex: Charlotte Mason

• encourages your child to explore and appreciate the world around him/her 
• not sticking to a strict schedule
• evaluates your child'’s education on things other than just formal tests
• well-rounded education, including art, nature, music and lots of books
• parents are very involved in the process of your child’s education – discussing books, giving dictation, listening and encouraging narration, and enjoying poetry, art and music together

Unit Study: Unit Studies, which typically tie in closely with Lapbooking or Notebooking.  Takes a central theme and builds lessons around that theme throughout the year or season. One theme will include all or most areas of study (Science, S.S., Language Arts) by focusing on the main idea. Ex. Five in a Row

• children have freedom to follow his/her own interests
• not all of your child’s learning can be documented by a written test 
• children often develop an expertise in an interest, and are willing to let other activities take second place
• can document their learning through a written record or notebook
• children learn to let their creativity out in learning

Montessori: This method is best described as an “Aid to Life” and seeks to educate the whole child.  It aims to prepare students to succeed in the real world, where technology is changing the way we live, and general life skills are more valuable than mastery of an outdated academic curriculum. Ex. Montessori homeschool

• children of different ages can all study similar subjects at their own level
• take the time to do hands-on-projects and group work, learning around a central theme
• doesn't follow a traditional scope and sequence.

Unschooling: Allows children the freedom to learn about the world in a natural environment. Letting children learn at their own pace. Living life on a daily basis without the hassles of lesson plans. As the child gets curious about something he/she ask questions and you investigate them together. A good description is that this is the way we learn before we enter school and after we leave school and go to work. Ex. Unschooling links

• no set scope and sequence or structure to your child’s learning
• freedom to follow his/her own interests
• children often develop an expertise in an interest, and are willing to let other activities take second place
• children's interests, hobbies can easily be pursued

Computer Based Homeschooling Method: Exactly as it sounds. Most of the child's learning is done via the computer either locally or online. Ex. StudyLadder, MathsOnline

• follow a set scope and sequence
• step-by-step accountability 
• using modern technology 
• child works at his/her own pace using the computer
• can lead to an overuse of technology

Eclectic Homeschooling: This is a combination approach often pulling from several of the above listed methods.

• takes time to find the materials that will suit your child’s interests and learning styles
• scope and sequence, though there can be possible “gaps from going back and forth between different curriculums
• can provide a well rounded education from using several styles and methods

All in One Box style Curriculums:  These box sets provide all the necessary subjects, lesson plans, and answer keys. They provide parents with some peace of mind and organisation. Makes life a bit easier when trying to educate several students on different grade levels. I highly recommend an all-in-one box curriculum for beginners as this will help keep everyone on track. Very similar to a traditional style of curriculum. 

Ex. Calvert, Winter Promise

• Comes with daily lesson plans already made up
• Follows a National Curriculum standard  
• Incorporates all core and elective subjects

So far...I have found what really works for our family is a bit of an eclectic approach. I never wanted to be a teacher and have found that before when I tried to make my homeschool similar to a conventional school, we all suffered. 

We use some computer based programs and some literary based curriculums. My children love to read so I really like the Charlotte Mason approach the most. However I hate Math, I suck at Math and believe it or not you don't have to be a Math teacher to teach your children Math! Whew, dodged that bullet... thank the good Lord for MathsOnline. I don't have to do much at all with this as it meets the Australian National Curriculum standards, keeps the kids on track with grade level scope and sequence and allows me to sign in as their parent to view grades and progress. They can even move up and down between the grade levels to make sure they are learning what they need to and not just at their grade level. Here's a terrific 60% discount for homeschool families. 

How much time to allocate each school day?

I try not to have a strict classroom schedule every day. We usually get 2 hours a day for the younger two boys, grades 1 & 3. About 2 1/2 - 3 hours a day for my 5th grader and 4 - 4 1/2 hours a day for my older ones who are in grades 8 & 11. This allows us plenty of time to do some chores, have family meals, and enjoy our days together. The fabulous thing with homeschool is that neither you nor your children need to spend 7 hours a day doing "school" then another 1-4 hours to do "homework." Depending on their age and grade levels an average homeschool day shouldn't exceed any more then 4 hours. If it does, then you're not doing it right, your kids will lose interest, and you will require more coffee than you ever thought imaginable! Homeschooling should be fun and relaxed, sure there will be those days when you will question why you are doing this but those days are usually few and far in between. Don't stress and more importantly, don't let your kids stress.

Famous Homeschooled People in the World

I came across this very interesting list of Famous Homeschooled People and thought I would share it. Its great seeing things like this as it helps build confidence in a parent's ability to home educate their child, especially when you see the names of some of the inventors and scientists. 




Some famous Home schooled people:
Bindi Irwin (Steve Irwin's daughter) 
Maria Sharapova (tennis player) 
Venus Williams (tennis player) 
Serena Williams (tennis player) 
Pro Hart (Australian artist) 
Hanson (band) 
Moffats (band) 
Christina Aguileria (singer) 
LeAnne Rimes (singer) 
Justin Timberlake (singer) 
Hillary Duff (singer/actress) 
Whoopi Goldberg (actress) 
Dakota Fanning (actress) 
Jennifer Love Hewitt (actress) 
Alan Alda (actor) 
Frankie Muniz (child actor) 
Agatha Christie (author) 
CS Lewis (author) 


HS'ing parents: 
Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt- actors
Michael Card - contemporary Christian songwriter 
Duane G. Carey - NASA astronaut 
Mike Farris - lawyer and co-founder of Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) Robert Frost - Pulitzer Prize-winning poet 
David Guterson - educator and author of Snow Falling on Cedars 
Kimberly Hahn - Catholic apologist and author 
Gregg and Sono Harris - pioneers in the modern Christian homeschooling movement Barbara Howe - Libertarian activist 
Eric Jackson - Whitewater paddler 
Christopher Klicka - attorney and Senior Counsel, Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) 
Len Munsil - attorney, President of The Center for Arizona Policy (CAP), and gubernatorial candidate 
Paul Overstreet - musician, songwriter 
Jada Pinkett Smith & Will Smith - actors  
Kelly Preston & John Travolta - actors 
Rick Santorum - U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania 
Mike Smith - lawyer and co-founder of HSLDA 
R.C. Sproul, Jr. - pastor, author of When You Rise Up: A Covenantal Approach to Homeschooling 
Stefan von Trapp - grandson of Captain von Trapp from The Sound of Music  
Darrell Waltrip - NASCAR racer 
Lisa Whelchel - former actress, "The Facts of Life", now a pastor's wife and author 


Famous Artists:
Claude Monet 
Leonardo da Vinci 
Jamie Wyeth 
Andrew Wyeth 
John Singleton Copley

Inventors:
Alexander Graham Bell 
Thomas Edison 
Alec Issigonis 
Cyrus McCormick 
The Wright Brothers

Scientists:
Blaise Pascal 
Pierre Curie 
Albert Einstein 
Booker T. Washington 
George Washington Carver

Statesman:
Winston Churchill 
Konrad Adenauer 
Benjamin Franklin 
Patrick Henry 
William Penn 
Henry Clay

Composers:
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 
Anton Bruckner 
Felix Mendelssohn 
Francis Poulenc 
Conlon Nancarrow 
Irving Berlin 
Yehudi Menuhin

Writers:
Agatha Christie 
C.S. Lewis 
George Bernard Shaw 
Noel Coward 
D.H. Lawrence 
Hans Christian Anderson 
Charles Dickens 
Mark Twain 
Margaret Mead 
Sean O'Casey 
Rumer Godden 
Brett Harte 
Phillis Wheatley 
Mercy Warren 
Pearl S. Buck

Miscellaneous: 
Charles Chaplin - Actor 
Florence Nightingale - Nurse 
John Burroughs - Naturalist 
Charles Louis Montesquieu - Philosopher 
Albert Schweitzer - Physician 
George Rogers Clark - Explorer 
Andrew Carnegie - Industrialist 
Bill Ridell - Newspaperman 
Will Rogers - Humorist 
Tamara McKinney - World Cup Skier 
Jim Ryan - World Runner 
Ansel Adams - Photographer 
John Stuart Mill - Economist 
John Paul Jones - father of the American Navy 
Clara Barton - started the Red Cross 
Abigail Adams - wife of John Adams 
Martha Washington - wife of George W. (a distant relative of mine, so my Mama says)
Venus and Serena Williams

Religious Leaders:
Joan of Arc 
Brigham Young 
John & Charles Wesley 
Jonathan Edwards 
John Owen 
William Cary 
Dwight L. Moody 
John Newton


If you know of any people I can add, let me know.




Thanks to The Educating Parent for sharing this.

How Homeschooling is done legally in South Australia

I do hope this post isn't too dull but I've had a lot of people ask me about how it works down here in Oz with regards to homeschooling. So I wanted to cover the process of getting started and the legalities involved with home education in SA.

I know here in South Australia (and all of Australia) it is legal to home educate your children. But of course there's a process to it all. If your children are currently enrolled in school then you need to let the school's Principal know your intent to homeschool, verbally and in writing, to ensure sufficient documentation of your intent. Make sure to let the school's Principal know that you've already contacted DECS regarding home education.

You will have to register your children with the Department of Education and Children's Services (DECS). The Ministry of Education's Project Officer will mail you a packet of papers including the "Application for Exemption from Attendance at School." Once the forms are completed and mailed back to her she will then contact you to schedule an in-home interview to further discuss your application and how you'll go about homeschooling. Once permission is granted (which it usually is) then you have a 12 month exemption allowing you to legally homeschool.

However before the 12 months is up, in order to be approved for the next year, you will need to complete a review process to show samples of work and discuss how your children did during the year.

Technically children are suppose to remain in school until the entire process is complete however it is my understanding that once you've made contact with both DECS and your children's school regarding home education that DECS does not have any issues with you beginning to homeschool immediately.

Some people (so I've heard) simply skip registering their kids with the Dept. of Education. The idea of possible Gov't interference doesn't sit too well with some people. Not because they have something to hide, but because they simply don't want anyone telling them how to raise or educate their children.

As for us we're keeping all our ducks in a row and following the rules. I guess I really don't mind as I have found the process rather straight forward and easy. The Dept of Education seems to just want to make sure that as a homeschooler you will make sure to cover the 8 areas of the Australian Curriculum Standards with your children, which are:

English
Mathematics
Science
Design & Technology
Studies of Society and Environment
The Arts (Music, Art, Dance, Drama)
Health & Physical Education
Language Other than English

Honestly with keeping to those subjects, children will get a well rounded education. And as parents we can always add more if there is something else our children want to cover. You'd be surprised at what you can teach your children and yet it would still fall into the 8 subjects that must be covered often taking care of more then one subject at a time. Say for example you want to teach your kids a bit about the Human Body and Anatomy, that fits easily under both Health and Science. If you want your babies to learn a bit of French, well you can teach them about France with maps, history, and about the culture (that takes care of SOSE) then you can have them learn to speak some French with Rosetta Stone - a computer based total immersion Foreign Language program, they even have a homeschool version. That takes care of Technology and Language other then English.

Parents often get so overwhelmed once they start to see how many subjects must be covered during the school year. The idea is to keep it simple, keep it fun and keep them learning.

Homeschooling in the USA

This was originally published almost 2 years ago...I'm cleaning and reorganising my blog and some things have to be reposted or else I'll lose them

Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives. ~ Ronald Reagan

As I mentioned earlier I began homeschooling our kids in the Fall of 2007 right after we came back from our 3 months in Australia. Our first go at it was a mess, at least in my opinion it was. I tried the "Independent" way of it, which consisted of a lot of educational internet sites, books from the library and even ordering a less common box curriculum called A.C.E. It really wasn't making us feel very confident in our decision.

After moving to Alaska in 2008 we discovered a way that we could continue home schooling and provide them with the best available. Alaska has a wonderful program called I.D.E.A. which stands for Interior Distance Education of Alaska. It's a state wide home schooling program (the first of several now in the state) out of the Galena City School District. IDEA receives states funding per student, the same way other public schools do, then issues an allotment to the parents of almost $2,000 per child that we can then use on almost any educational  materials. They will even cover the cost of field trips to the museum or zoo, science kits, books, curriculum and school supplies.

Some of the different options include All in One box curriculums such as Calvert or K12, or using different publishers such as Pearson-Prentice Hall or Houghton Mifflin for each core subject. For instance this year we decided to go with Calvert for our students in K-7 then Pearson for our 9th grader. We also supplemented the Math program for them all with Saxon Math (which I love) as well as an Art program called Atelier. Home schoolers in Alaska can also have their children take music classes or join a chess club and the state will pay for it.

On a separate note, I've never been the most organized person out there, just ask my wonderful husband why I can never find my keys. One of the beauties of homeschooling is you will learn to organize yourself or you will fail and your kids will suffer. It didn't take long and every year I've found what does and does not work for my family and every year we get better.

I truly love home schooling our children not only for the freedom it allows our family but also because I know my kids are actually learning. If one of our kids doesn't get something the first time around, we don't have to move on and tell him "that's too bad" we can cover it again and again until he or she does.

Home schoolers in Alaska are very fortunate, Alaska has no regulations whatsoever regarding government interference on how you or I educate our children. Some states however are not so lucky, those such as New York, and North Dakota have very strict regulations where parents have to report to that state's Department of Education their student's test scores and professional evaluations.

 I wish the rest of the country was more accepting of home schooling the way that Alaska is. Here it is embraced and almost the norm. When my family and friends down South found out about my home schooling, we got the usual list of questions such as, how will they be socialized or make friends, or play sports etc? Considering the fact that we actually have 6 kids, they are rather social and outgoing to begin with, but they have also been in "regular" schools most of their lives, with the exception of our younger three. They have kept in touch and visited with the friends they've made from prior school years. We also attend church where they've made friends as well as neighborhood kids and our adult friends' children.

It's rather a shame the way the world has changed its stance on homeschooling. Years and years ago a child's ONLY teacher was their parent. Mothers not only taught their daughters how to cook and sew and their boys how to tend livestock and the fields but were often the ones who taught them Reading, Writing and Arithmetic. Unfortunately today's parents often forget they are their child's first and most important teacher in life, and not only are our schools letting our kids down, but so are the parents.

I honestly don't know if I will continue homeschooling once we settle in Australia or not. I have heard a lot of wonderful things about the school systems in Oz and I think we will be trying them out, at least for the first year. After that, who knows!

Quite the array of Curriculum

Our homeschool room, it's not much but it works

Homeschool.com - A great place to begin

Homeschool Legal Defense Association - Find out the regulations in your state

Educators at home blog - This lady has some wonderful tips on homeschooling along with reasons why we should

Homeschooling...again?

Ok, so it's been a long time since I've written on here....a really long time, 8 months kind of a long time. I'm so ashamed. Moving on...

I've been thinking about returning to homeschooling for a while now. I'm constantly asking my kids if they'd like me to do it again, to my surprise most of them say "yes." My problem is self doubt. I have 5 kids currently in school, that's 5 different grade levels, 5 different sets of curriculum, 5 different levels of my attention required...you get what I'm saying here, right?

I often find myself alone when talking to the other Moms at school about holiday break times. How I don't look forward to my kids returning to school, like all the other Moms do.  I miss my children, and worry not only about how they're treated by other students and even staff but what so called "life lessons" happen to be circulating around the playground. I worry about the slow progression and the boredom or lack of attention my kids get at school. I've noticed bad attitudes coming from my kids that were never there before. I've heard the potty mouth language coming out of the 8 year old "mouths of babes" when they've come to my home for birthday parties. I've seen the drama and disappointments on my daughter's face when I ask her how her day was. I also feel some of what they learn is a bit redundant, my kids have either already learned it or the class just spends too much time on it to make sure the other kids are all on the same page before moving on. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with their school, matter of fact I think they go to a pretty good school, expensive but good. But all conventional schools have the same problems and the staff and parents don't always want to see what really goes on.

However (and you can call me bias, I really won't care) my kids are not conventional, they're unique, inquisitive, self motivated and down right amazing little minions of mine and my husband's making. I don't believe I'm sheltering my kids from the "real world" or that I'll be that super over protective parent but honestly isn't that my job? If my husband and I don't look out for our kids's best interest, no one else will.

I don't work outside the home (I sell Scentsy, or I will once it opens up here in Australia next month, but that's another post all together) and I'm currently finishing up a degree in Organic Horticulture so I'm quite able and willing to homeschool them again.

As one who's been here before, I keep revisiting things in my mind where I can do it differently and be even more successful at it. Right now I'm currently settling down to the idea of it again, learning laws, rules and regulations, searching curriculum sites, homeschool groups, forums and how to go about this again. Should I home school my oldest son who's currently in 11th grade? I'm thinking I probably won't, not unless he wanted me to but as for the younger four I think it would be wonderful.

I've had friends and family ask me over the years "how are homeschooled kids socialised?", "how do they get to enjoy extra curricular activities?" yadda yadda yadda! Socialising for us is easy, we're a family of 8, we're plenty social when its needed. Keeping kids involved is the key, whether it be sports clubs, church groups, and or homeschool groups the kids make friends and enjoy common ground.

I'd much rather not have my kids stuck doing 6-7 hours of school work just to come home to do 1-3 hours of homework. What kind of life is that for them or even us as a family? There isn't much quality family time in the evening when the kids are glued to math books and science notes.

Life goes by too fast, childhood isn't always the best time of it either but it's certainly the foundation for the type of adult we grow to be. I want my kids to feel loved and supported, to know that they are always accepted and acknowledged. That they can learn more during "school" then just what the year's curriculum has assigned.

I hope to look back on my life and be able to say that I did all I possibly could to help my children reach their full potential and to be the best people they can possibly be. Here's to the beginning of our new journey ahead.

Our beautiful family