Please forgive the crazy delay. I popped in today and noticed that my last post was on July 4th. A [...]]]> Obi-Wan: “Captain Typho has more than enough men downstairs. No assassin will try that way. Any activity up here?”
Anakin: “Quiet as a tomb. I don’t like just waiting here for something to happen to her.”
Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones

Please forgive the crazy delay. I popped in today and noticed that my last post was on July 4th. A month and a half. Geez.

So, you see here’s the thing. I got a job. A full-time job. A really full-time, on my feet all day long on a concrete floor job. A this was supposed to be a part-time, up-to-20 hours a week, filler position job, but after six days spread out over two weeks I was offered the position of store manager on July 8. A full-time, at least 40 hours a week job. Well, holy cow. I said yes, took over on July 9, and it’s been a crazy rollercoaster ever since. Have I mentioned that it’s been way too many years since that kind of non-stop on-the-go activity has been a regular part of my life? I have learned a new level of both exhaustion and sore foot pain.

On the up side, I love this job. Love, love, love it. It’s fun, it’s positive, and it’s close enough to walk or bike to. The women I work with are fun and hardworking (a great combo), the challenges are enough to keep my brain pumping along, and the feedback from my employers and customers regarding the changes I’ve been implementing have been uniformly positive.

Many other things have been happening as well these past couple of weeks.

Padawan Learner turned 16 this summer, is driving around town by himself, started back to school at 5 out of the 8 periods (and is picking up a 6th period geometry class starting on Monday) and has been pleased with his newfound freedom. It’s a little weird, but we’re both enjoying the break from each other 24/7. He’s very 16, and I’m definitely a mom. Clashes have ensued. He’s talked about getting a job and working toward becoming independent sooner rather than later. It could be a good idea, but we’ll see how much effort he puts into meeting that goal. As you know quite well, there’s more to being a grownup than earning an income.

PL went to two different camps this summer, a week long half day parkour camp in Boulder. So PL got to participate in one of his most favorite activities ever AND we got to visit with our nephew who just moved into the area a few months earlier. I think he enjoyed our visit too since he was forced to learn first hand about lots of great restaurants in the area. PL also went to a week long overnight camp (his first experience with that type of program) for trampoline and double mini in Michigan, so Dad Windu and I were able to visit some old friends from different parts of Michigan – including some that we hadn’t been able to see for years.

To round the summer out, our niece married, rather unexpectedly but apparently happily, and we were all able to gather once again as an extended family (minus 3) for a long weekend. But it seems that with joy comes pain, and this weekend was no different – DW’s co-worker was in a motorcycle-car accident on the way home the same day we left for MI and was airlifted to a hospital near us. Thankfully he had on his leathers and a helmet (a rarity in Iowa). Still, he has two broken legs, a broken arm, and bleeding in the brain (now stopped), but he survived the first night (a major event) and is on the mend. He is such a sweetheart and such a fighter. I’ve been able to go sit with him in the mornings while his wife gets their four kids off on two different school busses (two hours apart!) so that he doesn’t have to wake up alone. The good drugs are giving us really fun conversations. It’s so nice seeing his bruises go down day after day, but it’s heartbreaking to see the pain that goes along with all the things that will ultimately make him better – multiple surgeries and their subsequent swelling most of all. Send any extra good thoughts along to JerBear.

So there you have it. Sorry for making you wait for an update.

Ah, but the [...]]]> Darth Vader: “What is thy bidding, my master?”
Emperor:        “There is a great disturbance in the Force.”
Darth Vader: “I have felt it.”
Emperor:        “We have a new enemy, Luke Skywalker.”
Darth Vader: “Yes, my master.”
Emperor:        “He could destroy us.”
Darth Vader: “He’s just a boy. Obi-Wan can no longer help him.”
Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back

Ah, but the Emperor knew what Darth Vader had not yet fully begun to grasp. The acquisition of knowledge is a powerful ally against the Dark Side of life.

Padawan Learner’s first year of high school is moving along, and I find that I need to cull the homeschooling shelves again. That can only mean one thing, a few more additions to the Watto’s Junk Shop page. If you see anything you’d like to claim, please just leave me a comment on that page and I’ll forward it to you promptly.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have received cheap and free curriculum from other homeschoolers over the years, and I’m glad to keep the generousity humming along. With this many books involved, a little help with shipping would be appreciated – if you can swing it. If you’re in a bit of a tight spot though, just let me know. I’ve been in that boat before and remember the relief that came when our curriculum needs fell into place.

Note: Comments have been re-opened on that page. Sorry for the mix-up.

If any of you are using or considering either the Biology: Visualizing Life or Prentice Hall Physical Science: Concepts in Action With Earth and Space [...]]]> JerJerrod: “I assure you, Lord Vader, my men are working as fast as they can.”
Darth Vader: “Perhaps I can find new ways to motivate them.”
Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi

If any of you are using or considering either the Biology: Visualizing Life or Prentice Hall Physical Science: Concepts in Action With Earth and Space Science (with or without the Earth and Space Science component) textbooks, you might be interested in reading further. If not, I’ll turn my head while you click the hateful X in the corner… *sniff*

I love science and find it fascinating, but it’s not my background (“Boys and girls, can you spell English and Counseling Degrees?”) so I’m scouring the Internet daily for relevent materials to clarify these topics for Padawan Learner. It occurred to me that, since I’m keeping a log of our daily lessons online at The Jedi Academy so PL can start work independently as needed and for future transcript needs, there might be others who would be interested in following along as well – and saving themselves the effort (and occassional hair-pulling) of duplication.

Generally, I try to find materials and videos online, but I also include a few Netflix movies. Those resources fall more frequently in the History category, but there are a few science-related ones that we’ve put in our queue. They could, perhaps, be found through your local library, or simply ignored, depending on the library system’s depth and breadth.

This should also go a long way toward explaining why things have been so quiet here lately. I’m a rather poor multi-tasker.

So… if you’re interested, you’re welcome to follow along – either this year or in the future. To science!

Poor Padawan Learner. All these years he’s never had to learn to take proper notes from a book, but all that has changed.

With [...]]]> “Your feeble skills are no match for the power of the dark side. You have paid the price for your lack of vision.” – The Emperor, Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi

Back in the day I was a homeschooling mom, at least that’s what my tagline says. Ok, I’m still a homeschooling mom  - or eclectic, non-radical unschooling mom if you prefer that label – but it feels like I’ve let the [...]]]> “You must unlearn what you have learned.” – Yoda, Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back

Back in the day I was a homeschooling mom, at least that’s what my tagline says. Ok, I’m still a homeschooling mom  - or eclectic, non-radical unschooling mom if you prefer that label – but it feels like I’ve let the move take over my life these past couple of months. And it has, to an extent, but not exclusively. I am learning, slowly, to step away from The Schedule and let the learning happen in a more relaxed manner.

In our day to day lives, well maybe week to week lives depending on where we’re living at the moment, Padawan Learner is continuing to explore the world of geometry (which he MUCH prefers to algebra). It’s concrete and tangible and he can readily see it being used in the world around him. And for whatever reason, he loves the fact that all angles in triangle add up to 180 degrees. Simple pleasures.

PL is also nearly through reading Joy Hakim’s A History of US. He’s been going through it in fits and starts this year, but since we’ve borrowed the series he’s making work of getting it read before we leave town. She did a nice job covering the history of our land and the people who have inhabited it. And she did it in a way that doesn’t complete turn most late elementary and middle school kids off. That’s nothing to sniff at. When I read the books, it’s almost like a favored aunt is talking – conversational, informed, slightly gossipy and a bit opinionated at times. We also found overviews that were contradictory in tone and interpretation to make sure that we saw other sides to our nation’s history.

Star Wars ancillary fiction and Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series have taken pride of place in PL’s recreational reading these past few months. It would appear that the doings of Moist von Lipwig (and his none too benevolent over-seer, Lord Vetinari) are just too entertaining to put down. I spotted a new visual dictionary, LEGO Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary, the other day at the bookstore, but didn’t have time to check it out. It might not be something PL would be interested in anymore (although the fun factor might be too high to pass up), but it’s probably perfect for the younger Fanboy and Fangirl set.

Out of time for now. Just wanted to remember out-loud that there’s more to live than moving. See, I’m learning.

I think most people have hibernation sickness these days, or have recently had it [...]]]> Boushh: “Just relax for a moment. You’re free of the carbonite.”
Boushh: “Shhh. You have hibernation sickness.”
Han Solo: “I can’t see.”
Boushh: “You eyesight will return in time.
Han Solo: “Where am I?”
Boushh: “Jabba’s palace.”
Han Solo: “Who are you?
Leia: “Someone who loves you.”
Han Solo: “Leia!”

I think most people have hibernation sickness these days, or have recently had it from all the spring-related posts I’m seeing lately. The warm air, the buds on the trees, kids taking to their bikes again (be still, my beating heart), talk of farmer’s markets opening soon here in the Great Frozen Midwest. Ah, it does a weary brain good.

Padawan Learner and I made a trek out to the eye doctor’s yesterday. He, as usual, has perfect vision and just needed a check up. I got a pretty sizable up-tick in my prescription, so I ordered a new set of contact lenses and a new pair of lenses – because they were just a few days off from being older than the sun. These new ones will be my fourth pair of glasses in over 27 years of wearing the bothersome things. Not too bad. Wearing contacts most days has a nice way of extending the life of a pair of frames I guess.

It was nice to take the day off – driving there and back, eating out, haunting a bookstore, watching the orange construction cones popping up here, there and everywhere. Admittedly, I’m a fan of road construction sites in general (they pay my bills), but I’m especially glad to see them popping up around here this year. Michigan’s roads are in such sorry shape because there’s been just no funding for (long, long) over-due repairs for several years running.

We got back around dinner time and after a rousing meal of mac & cheese, I cleaned up the kitchen and then cozied up with another Nevada Barr mystery. They’re getting darker and darker as the series goes on. PL wrote about a spring-loaded mechanism he figured out, read some more about the 20th century, practiced the piano, and played around with a Mobius strip he found in his math book. All in all, not a bad day.

Last weekend, my neighbor and her sun had a “Minute to Win-It” party for the kids on the block, which looked to be great fun. They had kids from 2 to 14 participating in silly games – all to be completed in 60 seconds or less, of course – and even had the local news channel come out for a little “in the city” segment. I was busy cleaning the house for a weekend showing, but PL attended and represented the Jedi in fine style I am told.

What did you do yesterday or over the weekend?

OK, the homeschooling info session was good. The woman who spoke before me gave a good overview of homeschooling methods, so I ended up not needing to use the list [...]]]> Jar-Jar Binks: “I spake!”
Qui-Gon Jinn:  ”The ability to speak does not make you intelligent. Now get out of here.”
Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace

OK, the homeschooling info session was good. The woman who spoke before me gave a good overview of homeschooling methods, so I ended up not needing to use the list I’d prepared last night. But I’m glad I made it anyway. It’s always good to reacquaint oneself with the pros and cons of different homeschooling methods. I rambled on beyond everyone’s interest probably, but there it is.

One very nice side effect of the session was meeting a woman who wants to host my local homeschooling website – thankyouthankyouthankyou. I’m glad to know that the last year’s energy and efforts aren’t going to be tossed to the winds just because we’re moving away.

One of my local librarians asked me to sit as part of a panel before a statewide group of librarians tomorrow. The goal is a [...]]]> Obi-Wan: “Interesting… I’m still not sure I understand.”
Jocasta Nu: “Well, I’m sure you didn’t call me over here for a history lesson. Are you having a problem, Master Kenobi?”
Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones

One of my local librarians asked me to sit as part of a panel before a statewide group of librarians tomorrow. The goal is a better understanding of homeschoolers and better linking between the homeschooling community and the programs/services available in local libraries.

I know! How cool is that?

The overall consensus among the librarians appears to be that working with homeschoolers is akin to herding cats. As Yoda & Qui-Gon Jinn love to say, “Bless their hearts.” They’re trying to include us all, but we all seem to have our own direction, rate of speed, and degree of willingness to play along.

To make a little more sense of what “we homeschoolers” do on a day-to-day basis, I’m including an overview of the most common homeschooling methods. What do you think of my breakdown?

Butt in the Chair (Like what most grow up with – often thought of as the One Right Way to Learn)

School-at-Home: This mimics a traditional school day, for the most part. Subjects are defined, delineated, and ordered by subject or time during the traditional school days & hours. Often a single curriculum or two is the basis for all the core lessons. Lessons and tests often have the option of being checked and graded by either a parent, mailed to a program teacher, or taken online. (e.g., k12, Abeka, School in a Box)

Classical: This approach gained favor over the years with high-octane parents of college-bound students as school systems drop traditional classes such as Latin, Greek, Logic, and the Fine Arts. Think of a traditional high school curriculum, only much more intense. (The Well-Trained Mind is one of the more familiar programs.)

A Theme (Often thought of as an “interesting” or “cute” approach to the general public)

Charlotte Mason: This is a liberal education with a decided bent toward nature and classic literature. Emphasis is placed on narration, journaling, getting outside as much as possible, studying local flora and fauna, and eschewing all “twaddle.” (e.g., The Tales of Peter Rabbit rather than Captain Underpants, and Pride and Prejudice over Twilight)

Unit-Study: Especially common among families with young children, all aspects of the child’s education is wrapped around a unifying topic such as the Little House on the Prairie books, classic children’s literature (such as in the Five in a Row series), or just about anything else you can imagine. This is especially helpful when children of different ages, skill levels and interest are being taught at the same time as activities can be expanded or contracted to meet each child’s needs.

Bits and Pieces (often brings out the “But what if they have gaps in their education?” argument)

Eclectic: The direction and timing is the parent’s, but it’s based on the child’s needs alone. Kids might take a Homeschooler Only orchestra class and an after-school wood-working program if they fit a desire or need. These families are willing to skip parts of a “program” if it’s deemed unnecessary or accelerate/delay parts based on the child’s readiness. Different kids in the family will likely use different curricula. These families may use textbooks, or they may not. They may use worksheets for math but not for spelling, or vice versa. They may give tests, but they probably don’t do it very often.

Unschooling: This is full-on, child-led learning with a whole lot of “trust the child” thrown in. This is the practice of letting real life situations (such as shopping, cooking, gardening, volunteering, etc), any and all local resources available (museums, colleges/universities, state parks, historical markers/sites, stores and a parent’s/friend’s place of employment) and passions (dinosaurs, space, trains – and often a rotation of many passions over the years) lead children to meaningful knowledge.

These families believe that children have an innate need to learn, understand and be part of the world around them and, therefore, will want to learn about as many topics as they can and participate in life as much as they are able. They do not follow any pre-determined educational schedule whatsoever. (e.g., Reading Robin Hood leads to an interest in archery.) Unschooling families may use textbooks or not. They may take outside classes or join a task/topic specific club (pottery class, piano lessons, writer’s club, etc). They may simply borrow/buy the materials needed to learn the process/skill together or on their own. There is no “one way” to an unschooling family. Unschooling is presenting topics, ideas and opportunities to kids with enthusiasm, but also being able to accept “No thanks,” as an acceptable answer.

Waay Out There (These people scare the beegeezus out of me. Sorry, but it’s true.)

Radical Unschooling:  They take educational unschooling one more level and apply it to every single aspect of life — brushing teeth (don’t feel like it? don’t do it), meals (candy for dinner? sure), safety (don’t want to wear a bike helmet? leave it in the garage), bedtime (who needs bedtimes?) and etc.

NOTE: Yes, I know there’s more to Radical Unschooling than that – but that’s what screams through my head when I even hear people talking about it. No flaming necessary. No need to send in the RU troops to set me straight.