Christine Alcott's Blog

Posted by Christine Alcott

Ready for the New Year? It is just around the corner. We are planning some exciting things to bring you for 2007.

• A new year brings new decisions. Those looking at homeschooling for the first time will find helpful advice for making the decision and for getting started.
• Medieval, anyone? Look for exciting curriculum suggestions for teaching the Middle Ages.
• Getting healthy - The new year is often a time for shaping up. Look for ways to teach about health and nutrition, and ways for the whole family to get in shape.
• Advice for teaching multiple ages
• Advantages and disadvantages of homeschooling coops.
• ...and much more!

Happy New Year to all!

Posted by Christine Alcott

Here are some great websites to explore for crafts and activities for kids:

• Great and easy kids crafts - kidscrafts.suite101.com/
• Fun activities - kidsactivities.suite101.com/

Posted by Christine Alcott

Well, we are 4 days till Christmas, and my children are gearing up. We did a project yesterday, where I asked my three boys to create certain decorations for a small tree. They happily volunteered to make the various items. I set down a wide variety of items on the coffee table, and they were off.

The oldest has a big imagination, but not a great deal of craftiness! His attemp to create animals for our tree were awkward. However, they were his vision, the way he responded to the project creatively, and the best he could do. I gave him a great deal of praise.

The middle child has both his father's artistic sense and his logic. This child picked an item to create, took the supplies he needed, and took them to another table to quietly work. He would bring back the item he created, and each one was suprising.

The youngest, being four, needed help, but he could direct me with ease. I was amazed at his ability to see what he wanted to create.

So, this tree is finished. Does it look the same as it would if I had done it myself? No! Not at all! However, each one is precious. Each one is an expression of my children's creative vision. So, it is not going to be featured in any home magazine, but each ornament will be treasured.

The holidays often present many opportunities for creativity. However, even after the holidays are over, kids need time to be creative. Read "Giving Kids Space to Grow", homeschooling.suite101.com/article.cfm/giving_kids_space_to_grow, for more tips on encouraging kids to be creative at home.

Posted by Christine Alcott

Ah, the holidays are here. Music plays serenely in stores, good movies abound, and television commercials promising the most amazing toys ever are plentiful. My children, ages 9, 7, and 4 1/2 (he never lets us forget the 1/2), are learning the true meaning of holiday advertising.

We laugh at the 4 (and 1/2) year-old. No matter what the toy is the commercial is advertising, he always sighs, "I want dat". This is true for cars, trucks, and video games, and for dolls, stuffed animals, and ballerina outfits. He has been caught by the music, the graphics, the promises. Whatever it is, he wants in that world of happy children playing.

What the commercials do not show are the broken parts, the kids who are bored after the first five minutes of the toy, the fact that the batteries run out after 15 minutes, and so on. Instead, the world of toy commercials is charming and perfect. Easy to become lost in, isn't it?

All the commercials and advertisments have become a wonderful learning opportunity in our house. We have been talking about what the real purpose behind these ads are, if my kids really believe the claims a particular toy is making, and what the advertisers are doing to attract the kids. So, my kids fall for it, but they know what they are falling for.

All this led me to research lesson plans on advertising. What I found were some great sites on internet safety, which is equally important. My favorite site was one with lesson plans on advertising on websites, and getting kids to think about what they are seeing. Check out the article on "Staying Internet Smart", homeschooling.suite101.com/article.cfm/staying_internet_smart, for more information.

Happy Holidays!

Posted by Christine Alcott

If life imitates art, then my home resembles one of those modern pieces of art that looks like someone threw paint on a canvas and slapped a title on the back.

After wrapping up the fall semester of our homeschool coop we jumped right into Thanksgiving week. My husband and I thought a holiday week would be the perfect time to jump on a chore that we have been needing to do - laying the "easy, do-it-yourself" laminate flooring in my mother's house. She has been walking on bare cement for weeks, as the carpet was torn out so foundation repairs could be made. (There is a very good reason why surveyors labeled the land in central North Texas as "not suitable for development", as every house sports cracks of some kind on its walls).

Well, let me just say that the flooring was neither easy, quick, nor painless to install. After three full days of cutting, measuring, and testing of patience, my husband was able to lay the floor (I was more a "cheerleader" than "co-worker"). I have to say, my mom's new floor looks wonderful, though.

After a whirlwind of activity and three days of full-time work at mom's, our own home has been more a place to grab some sleep and breakfast. Today we have been home, and as I sorted the dirty laundry, I was horrified to find it literally is taking up half of my not-too-small master bedroom! I am cycling through it now. I also just mopped the kitchen floor, and was relieved to find it is still white underneath the grime.

All of this is being done while we are getting back into school after a break.

Homeschooling is grand, isn't it! Life moves fast, even for those who are at home. I sometimes feel that, if I am staying at home, my home should reflect the fact. In my head, that means if I am there to clean, then clean my home should be. The reality of it is, we are home, busy working most of the time, and chores can mound up around us. Time to let go of fantasy (perfect home) and embrace life (my house is well-used).

So, this week I aim to get the chores back under control, give my kids the attention they deserve, continue with school, and relax a little. Oh, yes, even in the middle of this hectic life, even with Thanksgiving over, I am going to remember to continue counting my blessings, and being thankful for this crazy, busy, wild ride we call life!

Have a great week!