Christine Alcott's Blog

Posted by Christine Alcott

The new school year is creeping around the corner at our house. In just a few weeks, we plan to be back into the full swing of things. Scary and exciting. Scary, as I am still cleaning out and organizing the school room, and exciting to be again adventuring into the land of learning.

I made one mistake this weekend: I looked at some homeschooling moms' blog sites. Now, these are all very neat things, but the problem is, when I see how creative, inventive, organized, and smart these women are, I get intimidated out of my mind! My school room does not look that orderly. My lesson plans are not as fun and creative. I am not that smart or prepared.

This is a huge mistake. It is good to glean ideas from others. However, comparing ourselves to others is invariably a bad idea. It leads to doubt, confusion, and despair. The fact of the matter it, I will do the best job I can, with what I have, be that materials for learning or the personality I have cultivated all my life. I can always find others doing "better" than me. But at the same time, someone else is probably looking at me and thinking, "I wish I did things like that".

So, the best advice I can give you as we head towards September, is listen and learn, but do not doubt yourself or allow yourself to feel intimidated. Be confident, even if you don't feel it! We are our children's first and best teachers!

Have fun!

Posted by Christine Alcott

I am the first to admit that science is not my best subject. Chemistry, in particular, stumped me as a teenager. It took a lot of hoping, praying, and luck just to pass the class, in addition to a great deal of hard work. Since then, I have just assumed that chemistry, and science in general, is not for me.

Until, that is, I became a homeschooling mom. I knew then that I had to find a way to teach my children this crucial subject. Since the day I stumbled across the website, I have thanked my lucky stars for Teresa Bondora and her How to Teach Science site. Through a series of "workshops" done in free newsletter form, Teresa, a science-teacher-turned-homeschool-mom, helped me to understand science as I have never seen it before. If only I had been taught this way as a child, my whole experience of science would be a different story.

Teresa is now offering a new set of lessons on the elements of the periodic table. Please see her site for her passionate reasoning towards exposing our children to the periodic table from preschool on. (I now have a table of elements hanging in our schoolroom thanks to her!) These lessons are intended for all ages, and will arrive in a newsletter twice a month. Each lesson focuses on one element, including facts, history, jokes, links, info for parents, and information for advanced learners.

Best of all - these qulaity lessons from an excellent teacher are FREE!

Go to How to Teach Science to sign up!

Posted by Christine Alcott

The end of July means a new school year is not far away. Where I live, summer weather is just getting warmed up, and the hottest is yet to come. However, every store around us has replaced swimsuits and shorts with warm sweaters, backpacks, and jackets. It seems almost inconceivable to think of wearing the clothing they display at the moment. But no matter what store buying policy or regional weather dictates, school is coming.

In our house, new books are popping up. Workbooks ready to be used, new textbooks with untold information, and a fresh supply of pencils ready to be sharpened litter our school area.

One thing I want to do is clean the school room and organize for the new year. For the first time since our homeschooling career began, I will not have a preschooler to teach. My youngest is Kindergarten age, which is hard for me to believe. However, as he has always insisted on learning with his brothers, it really does not make much of a difference to our school routine - just his mother's heart!

A new year usually calls for new supplies. However, most homeschoolers are operating on a significantly smaller budget than their public school counterparts. Be sure to watch for the new article on good places to look for homeschooling supplies to help you get started.

Enjoy the summer!

Posted by Christine Alcott

Science was never my best subject. Let me just say a big thank you to Mrs. Alfiieri in 10th grade for allowing me to clean lab equipment for extra credit in chemistry so I could pass. I honestly tried; I studied very hard, but I just could not master the basics.

Let it suffice to say that the prospect of teaching my own children science is something I have tried hard to ignore. However, the subject must be covered at some point. I made the brave leap into science. Deciding to teach a homeschool coop class for elementary children on physics has made me look at the subject matter in a new and different light.

Science surrounds us every day. Physics,being basically the science of how things move, literally effects most of what we do every single day. For example, my boys were at a workshop where they built simple wooden trucks. I noticed their attempts to hammer the small nails into the wooden pieces were not suceeding for one reason - they were holding the pieces in their hands away from the table. In other words, every time the hammer hit the nail and the wooden piece, it caused each boy's arm to rock up and down. The energy from the hammer blow was being absoerbed and transfered to their arms, taking away from the energy distributed to the nail. I explained this simply, and we tried holding the pieces against the table. Now their arms did not rock and the nails went right in!

Even if science was never "your thing", you can still teach your child this subject. After all, science is all around us! Try Homeschooling for the Younger Years for some ideas. Or visit retired-science-teacher-turned-homeschool-mom Teresa Bondora's site - How to Teach Science. This site, and Teresa's philosophy, is the reason I am braving the world of science with 12 elementary school kids this fall. And what is more, I can't wait!

Posted by Christine Alcott

Summer is almost half-way over, and it seems it has barely begun. We usually start our homeschool year about the same time as the public schools around us. This year they are being forced to start later (Aug 27 vs around Aug 6), so we have more time off to enjoy than normal.

However, while my kids can sit around and play all day, I am planning for our next year. What books will we need? What curriculums am I using? What extra activities will we enroll in? How much is that going to cost?!

For homeschooling parents, summer is often the time to research new curriculums, scope out who has the best prices, and decide who is learning what. My home is littered with pieces of paper bearing sample schedules for each one of the kids. I love planning - the new year seems full of endless possibilities! How exciting!

I hope you are enjoying your summer. Look for an article this week on how to start homeschooling, for all the first-timers out there.

Enjoy the summer!

Posted by Christine Alcott

Games of all kinds are great for every family, whether they homeschool or not. Games help children develop so many skills, from reading and math to teamwork and sportsmanship.

Kids tend to love to play the same games over and over. Repetition is good for children. At our house right now, card games rule. There are several that are in constant play. However, there is a big difference in the way a five year old plays and the way his nine year old big brother plays. Sometimes Mom does more refereeing that playing along!

Here are some simple rules for game time:

• Make sure there are age-appropriate games for each one of your children
• Make sure they clearly understand the rules of the game they choose to play
• Emphasize graciousness in winning and in losing. All parties must say "good job" at the end of the game
• The game will be put away when finished

Although games are good for children to play amongst themselves, parents should join in when they can, too. Spend some time playing a game with your child.

Summer is a great time to add a new game or two to your game library. I try to budget a little money for games a couple of times a year, or buy a really neat game for a child's birthday. The interest in a new game usually far outlives the interest in the newest plastic toy!

One of my newest favorite websites to find games to buy is Bright Pennies. This web store is aimed at gifted children and their families, but don't be scared away by that. I find many homeschooled children, whether gifted or not, share characteristics with gifted learners. For example, homeschooled children are often able to "think outside the box" like gifted learners. Bright Pennies offers many games, puzzles, and books for all kind of learners. One of the best things - you can shop according to the Theory of Multiple Intelligences! I love this feature, as I always find things for my kids I never would have thought of before! Bright Pennies also offers a neat way to fundraise for groups, like homeschool coops. Simply register as a group, get a group code, then whenever anyone in your group buys there using the code, you earn a little money. Be sure to check this site out!

So play lots, learn lots, and most of all, have fun!

Posted by Christine Alcott

This week has been a corker - illness, absent husband, and a flood!

My oldest son has caught some kind of cold virus, that has kept him down all week. A fever and cough has left him so tired that my normally energetic 9-year-old has been making a dent on the couch. Trying to help him occupy himself during this time has been a challenge made easier by one beautiful thing - audiobooks! An avid reader, he has been enjoying listening to "Charlie Bones" and "Artemis Fowl" while working a puzzle book.

My husband had to go on a business trip just as my oldest son became ill. In addition, a great deal of rain has kept my younger two sons from much outside play. We have been using our "Boredom Box" this week. My 7-year-old was delighted when he drew a strip that read "Take a bath". So for 30 minutes in the middle of the morning, he splashed around in the tub!

All that rain led to some flooding. Our area was okay, but one hour north of our home, my aunt lost almost everything. Her apartment flooded so quickly that she had to call 911 and be rescued out the kitchen window. Now, mud and debris have to be cleared out, and what is salvagable is stored for at least a couple of months until residences are repaired. This event has, understandably, shaken the whole family.

One of the best things about it, for me, is to see the compassion and concern my own children have displayed for my aunt. We haven't seen her yet, but the children ask about her, pray for her, and talk about her. Compassion is such a good thing to grow in our children. When we see it, we should be thankful, indeed. Riches can be won and lost, but a compassionate heart is a treasure.

Have a great week!

Posted by Christine Alcott

Here we are, just a few weeks into our summer break, and my children have already worn out the phrase, "I'm bored"!

Summer is my time to catch up on all those things I cannot find time for during the homeschool year. You know, like cleaning the house, reading, or getting ready for the next school year? Bored kids are definitely an obstacle to my catch-up time! So, how to help the kids without driving myself crazy?

In my area of the world, summer is hot. So hot, that by July we are usually driven indoors by triple digit temperatures and high humidity. So simply throwing the kids out the door is not always an option. Here are two options to stop boredom in its tracks.

1)100 Things to Do When You Are Bored

Make a list for your kids of 100 things to do when they are bored. Be creative and include a wide range of activities. However, make sure you are okay with all you offer. For example, do not include "go swimming" if you do not own a pool and may not want to drive your child to the local pool. Keep the offerings as much in the realm of your child's abilities as possible. Examples might be "Draw a picture", "Phone a friend", "Do a chore for a neighbor or friend (with Mom's permission)", "Read a book", "Invent a game". Be creative!

2) The Boredom Box (Thanks, MaryB for this great suggestion)

Take those 100 bored suggestions, or make new ones, cut them up, fold them, and place them in a box, bucket, or jar. Anytime anyone says, "I'm bored", they have to pull a suggestion, and do it for 20-30 minutes, no mater what. So, even if your son pulls "Play with dolls", that is what he does! What a great way to exercise creativity!

Have fun!

Posted by Christine Alcott

My kids love video games and computers. I have to admit that I love them to. The fact that we have video games in the house is because I love to play them. I also love to play on the computer - researching, discovering, exploring.

Technology is a good thing. So much of our modern life relies on or is supported by technology. Including tech education in our homeschooling life is a wise plan. Particularly if you have a child that is already fascinated with keyboards and monitors and stuff like that!

The problem becomes how to bring technology education to our home classroom. What is the best way to teach our children something chaanges constantly, and may be something we never learned ourselves?

Two great sites bring fun options in bringing tech ed into the home.

Phyllis Wheeler, the Computer Lady from Motherboard Books , offers a computer course just for the homeschooling family. Computer Science Pure and Simple is recommended for grades 5 and up. Logo Adventures is for kids ages 8-12. Wheeler, a homeschooling veteran, knows just what to offer the homeschooling family to keep up and keep ahead. Basic programming, keyboarding, word processing and more, all at a level that kids can understand. You can purchase the curriculum as a package, or buy the pieces separately.

Another option is a program called Scratch. Developed by the MIT Media Lab, Scratch offers kids an easy way to understand and play with computer programming. Using programming that resembles building blocks that kids "snap" together, this program is fun and gives kids the satisfaction of creating cool games and programs. While recommended for ages 8 and up, our 7 and 5-year-olds have had no trouble creating several cool programs.

Sratch is easy enough that kids can see results right off, giving them an immediate reward that encourages further exploration. However, Scratch also has enough depth that our family has clearly only "scratched" the surface! Thewebsite offers a place for kids to showcase their creations, giving everyone who looks a good idea of what the program in capable of. And the truly best part - it is FREE!

Posted by Christine Alcott

We love the word flexibility in homeschooling, don't we? No matter how we plan, things happen. This has certainly been such a week in our house. I have been laid up on the couch with some kind of virus all week. My boys have been having to entertain themselves for the most part. Thankfully, my mother has been able to take them some, as well.

That is life, isn't it!

Prufrock Press offers resources for gifted and advanced learners. They have done a great deal of work on their website, making it a great place for teachers and parents to visit. They offer

I recently ordered several teaching guides from Prufrock Press. I am excited to use these in both our own homeschool and in my homeschool coop. I have found these appropriate for all learning abilities, not just typical gifted learners. Homeschoolers often have the ability to think outside the box, and this gives them a lot in common with gifted learners.

However, if you have a gifted learner, as I do, you know how difficult it can be to challenge them enough. Having a resource like Prufrock Press is an invaluable tool when parenting a gifted learner.

Posted by Christine Alcott

Science has never been more delicious! The Science of Pie combines cooking, science, and learning into fun, hands-on education. The following are recipe and pie suggestions for use with The Science of Pie lesson plans.

Good General Websites for Pie Recipes:

• Kraft Foods
• Simple and Delicious
• All Recipes
• Cook's Recipes

Lesson 1: No Bake Pies

(Note: The term "no-bake" usually refers to the filling ingredients. Many no-bake pies use a store-bought crust, but some call for a simple , home-made crust that may require a small amount of oven use. You can do this step ahead of time if you want).

• Cherry Cream Cheese Pie - a simple and delicious no-bake recipe. My family has had this recipe all my life, and it is a favorite.
• Ice Cream Pies - Combine the Science of Pie and the Science of Ice Cream! Great for a warm day and easy for young children to make. As many varieties as you can imagine.
• Triple Layer Lemon (pudding) Pie - and a whole hosts of other pudding pies.

Lesson 2: Crusts: Fruit Pies

Make your own crust, using the science we have learned. Or, you can purchase prepared pie crusts in your grocery store. Most are refrigerated or frozen. Read through your recipe first to know what to do with these. Some recipes require the crust to be baked first (pre-baked), some do not.)

• Cherry Pie -
• Mixed Berry Cobbler
• Basic Pie Crust Recipe
• Variety of pie crust recipes (Oatmeal Cookie Crust? Meringue Pie Crust? Can you say yum?!)

Posted by Christine Alcott

Saturday, May 19, 2007 will be the 1st International Sidewalk Astronomy Night. Join amateur astronomers all over the world and look to the night skies on May 19.

The official website says: "Our goal is to take 1000 scopes to the public on the same night worldwide, reaching hundreds of thousands of people and uniting amateur astronomers on different continents."

Be sure to check the International Sidewalk Astronomy official website to see if there is already a viewing location in your area, or to find out what parts of the world are participating. If there is nothing in your area, you can volunteer to set up a telescope in a public area for viewing. If that is not for you, you can sill view and home and know you are taking part in a worldwide effort to enjoy the night sky.

Be sure to brush up on your astronomy:

• Space.com - facts,hints, and tips, as well as links to see what stars will be seen in your area
• Kid's Astronomy - a great site for kids to explore
• Astronomy.com - News, star charts, and a good kid's area

Posted by Christine Alcott

It won't be long now until we switch to summer mode at our house. Which means another year of homeschooling is through. This is the time of year when I reflect on what did and did not work in our homeschooling, and what I want next year to be.

This year we tried a different approach to curriculum, going from eclectic to a more classical, Latin-based approach. I learned:

• My own teaching style just does not work well with tight regulations. Neither do my kids. They need more flexibility.
• I love the whole Classical curriculum. However, I need to accept it may take us longer to get through parts of it . And that is okay. After all, I never took Latin. My kids will be just fine if they do the first course in two years instead of one.
• I learned not to be afraid of my own deficiences in teaching my kids. Some things I can teach them, some we can learn together, and some they will excel in without me. It is a humbling thing.
• I really, really need to stop buying so many books.

Many of us are beginning to look towards our next school year. This can often mean a change in curriculum. If you are new to homeschooling, or just wanting to see what is out there, please make sure you read Curriculum Round-Up 2007.

Have fun!

Posted by Christine Alcott

Spelling was never my best subject. My high school teachers were always appalled at my efforts (we did have computers, but they were not in use like today). For some reason they thought an AP student should be able to spell!

Spell-check on my computer is a life-saver. However, I hope to impart a better sense of spelling to my children than I ever had.

May 30-31, 2007 marks the 80th Scripps National Spelling Bee. Are you ready?

Here is a fun website to check out - Mirriam-Webster Online's Spelling Bee Hive has spelling quizzes, word games, a word of the day, and much more. This will be the 50th year Mirriam-Webster has been involved with the Spelling Bee, and this website is a great way to celebrate!

Happy spelling!

Posted by Christine Alcott

A friend and I were discussing today how anything can become an educational opportunity. A local animal shelter is asking for people to become foster carers for kittens and expectant cats, due to an overflow of animals at the shelter. A four-week commitment to help a shelter can be a great learning opportunity for our kids.

A study of the country of Belgium has to include a sampling of Belgian chocolate, or course.

In our house, spring has meant bugs. A new bug habitat now houses a really cool black and orange beetle and two hideous grub things. We watch, observe, and discuss. We have also learned which bugs do not live long as captives.

This very afternoon was another great learning opportunity. Another round of severe weather in north Texas meant the news stations were broadcasting the weather for two hours straight. The kids were fascinated. We watched and learned what the different colors on the weather map meant. They heard how circulation occurs, the correct atmospheric conditions for hail and tornados, and what a dry line means.

In short, homeschool happens. We do not need classrooms, desks, textbooks, or government money to make learning alive, relevant, and real. Life is all around, making learning opportunities lurk behind every leaf, branch, book, and cloud.

So live big, learn big!

Posted by Christine Alcott

Spring is here. It is so much harder to pay attention to schoolwork when the birds are chirping, the sky is blue, and the trees dance in a cool breeze. We often rely on little breaks in our homeschool day - time to recharge the brain. It is easy to get out of focus, particularly in the afternoon hours. Be sure to check out the article on "Five Minute Homeschool Breaks" for ideas to wake up during the day!

Be sure to watch out for upcoming articles on preparing your homeschooled highschooler for college, great cooking curriculums, and a review for a super-cool learning website we were able to try out (and love!).

Have fun!

Posted by Christine Alcott

Perhaps it is living in Tornado Alley that makes our thoughts turn to weather at this time. Spring has sprung, and severe weather boils around my area of the world. Alerts, watches, warnings, bulletins - we pay special attention as our severe weather season begins.

We recently went through our first round of severe weather of the season. My kids were full of questions as we listed to the constant National Weather Service updates of Tornado Warnings, Severe Thunderstrom Watches, and Flood Warnings. We discussed our family's safety plan for severe weather both in our home and if we were out and about.

Homeschooling is great for curious kids. Put those minds to work with weather-related lesson plans and ideas. Check out the article on Weather Lesson Plans for all you need to get started.

Posted by Christine Alcott

This has been one of those weeks here in our little corner of homeschool. A week of migraines related to sinus/allergies has kept me from doing all of what I hoped to do. My kids have been sympathetic, at least. They pass by the couch where I collapse every day at pat my head and give lots of hugs!

When a homeschooling Mom has a sick day, she has to decide - school or no school. School means planning, having patience, and thinking (all hard to do when there are 1,000 jackhammers dancing in your head). No school means anchorless kids, who get bored and need entertainment. So what's a mom to do?

This is when to bring out those computer games (educational, of course). We are using a site called time4learning, which I will be reviewing in the next week or two. Using educational games or websites lets the learning continue while Mom gets a little rest.

Next week we will be taking our Spring Break. A chance to tackle all that housework!

Have fun!

Posted by Christine Alcott

Several months ago, before our school year geared up, I realized that this year I needed to concentrate for on geography. I already had a good atlas for young children, so I purchased a slightly more sophisticated one with more country facts, a detailed atlas of our country, and a lot of contact paper.

Really, it has been an evolution throughout the year. I worked with my first grader to learn the seven continents and four major oceans. My third grader is exploring our nation and learning all 50 states. My preschooler is learning left from right and north from south,

Lately, our home is becoming covered in maps. We already had an awesome shower curtain map of the world hanging on our school room wall. Now, there is a U.S map on the bathroom wall with weekly challenges (like, "can you name all the states on the East Coast"). in our minivan, the 1st and 3rd graders trade maps of Africa and the world, both covered in sturdy contact paper.

We pull out the atlas for any subject that names a place.

Best of all, together with about four other families, we are part of a Geography Club. The kids meet two times a month to learn about a different country. The moms take turns teaching. We do not follow any particular curriculum, but take what we glean from many sources. One of the most fun has been the pre-class activity. About one week before we meet, the teaching mom has been emailing the kids clues about the country to be taught. All the kids have had fun researching. So far, we have covered Hungary, Belgium, Austria, and Paraguay. We have tasted Austrian chocolate, made little Hungarian crafts, and feasted in Helado de Pina from Paraguay. What fun!

So, take the challenge. Teaching your child geography is a great learning tool, and good for moms and dads, as well! Check out our article on Basic Homeschool Geography.

Posted by Christine Alcott

You might be a homeschooler if you are sitting in church, and as the pastor says, "...like Newton's 1st Law says, 'For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction' ", and all you can think is - "Hey, that's Newton's 3rd law, not the 1st law"!!!!

Have you ever had one of those moments? When you realize you are definitely viewing life as a homeschooler? Come post on our discussion of "Homeschooling Moments"!

Posted by Christine Alcott

Why do you homeschool your kids?

Last week, a new friend asked me this question. Now, this is not the first time I have been asked that, and the question was asked in an inquisitive way (as opposed to argumentative). So I should have had an answer for her.

To my embarrasment, I stammered out some reply. Since then, I have been thinking about my answer to the question, "Why do I homeschool?". I have a multitude of reasons, but honestly, I mainly stumbled into the whole thing. There are many reasons I continue to homeschool. Some make sense to others, some probably seem vague.

While I do not think we homeschoolers should be grilled like criminal suspects, I do believe it is prudent to have a well-formed answer to the question. If we are to be effective examples of the homeschooling community, we should be ready to share with others, to some degree, why we do what we do.

This does not mean spilling all our personal information to anyone who asks. Rather, a concise explanation of why we have chosen this path will do.

Sometimes, it even helps our own self to answer this question every once in a while. Call it a homeschooling "mission statement" if you will.

So, think about it. Write it out if you have to. Come to our discussion on "Why We Homeschool" and share.

Posted by Christine Alcott

Here are some great books we have been reading this week.

My younger two children, ages 4 and 7, are reading this and that. A great way to read for kids!

My nine-year-old is reading Swiss Family Robinson, by Johann Wyss. It is a great old book. I had never read it, either, but I enjoyed reading through it before my son began. It tells the tale of a family with four sons who are shipwrecked on an unknown island. They make an idyllic existance there, with hard work and luck. They meet all manner of animals, from penguins and elephants to monkeys and ostriches. There is a lot of hunting, and animal death, which seems strange to our modern thinking. However, it is a great adventure book for those who are willing to wade through the slightly more difficult writing.

I have two books this week. I love to read more than one book at a time, going back and forth as I wish!

My first offering is for those who are Tolkien fans, or who wish to read the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I have to admit that I was a fan long before the movies. Since my mother put the books in my 13-year-old hands (a long time ago now), I have read and re-read the stories countless times. I purchased The Origins of Tolkien's Middle-earth For Dummies by Greg Harvey, one of the books covering a wide range of subjects for the Dummies series. I got it as a joke, or a humorous piece. However, I have found it to be full of great information and a great way to keep all the people, places, and events in the history of Middle-earth straight. This would be a great addition for any homeschooler beginning the series.

My second book this week is by Ron Clark. I am a sucker for good teacher movies, so when I heard "The Ron Clark" story advertised on television a while back, I was enchanted. I tuned in, and was not dissapointed. Ron Clark is a dynamic guy who is full of energy and passion for teaching kids. Having taught in public schools in North Carolina and New York, he is now opening the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia. You will have to read it to get the full idea, but if i lived there and could get my kids in his school, I would gladly give up homeschooling! Anyhow, I have recently purchased and read his book, The Essential 55, his books of essential rules for the classroom. Only, these rules go way beyond the classroom and affect the way we interact with others and behave in a mannered way. I am really excited about this book, and plan on using some of these rules in our own small homeschool, and instituting more at some of the classes I teach. This book is a great tool for any teacher you know, all parents, and quite a few adults!

Read deep, read wide, but most of all, just read! Happy reading!

Posted by Christine Alcott

My family is in our second year of participating in a homeschool coop. So far, the experience has been wonderful. My children have made many friends and have learned things in ways I have never thought of teaching.

This semester, one of my children is taking Guitar, US Presidents, and a class on the book Swiss Family Robinson. One of my other children is taking Spanish, and learning cool building things with Legos. Last semester, the high school students were taught Square Dancing by a real Square Dance caller. The semester before that, it was Ballroom Dancing. My own husband, a real-life artist, is teaching a real art class. And every year, there is a Shakespeare play the children put on.

Our coop is a good size, boasting 25 families with a total of 77 children, ages infant through high school. The fees are small compared with all they are learning.

On the other hand, I have taught several classes, and sometimes the pressure of coming up with lesson plans every week is terribly stressful on top of our already busy schedule.

Overall, our coop experience has been far more positive than negative.

Be sure and check out the new article on coops!

Posted by Christine Alcott

I have to admit that there are times I am intrigued by the snappy titles on the sidebars of MSN. I like to read snippets of this and that - it can come in handy as conversation boosters.

Today I could not help but click on one that read "9 Ways to make Your Kids Smarter". * I knew, just by the title, that I would not like it, but like a sheep, I went where I was led.

The pictures and suggestions were general. I have problems with the title and the article on many levels, but we must be brief here.

The overall point of the article was sad. A few suggestions may apply to boosting brainpower. Most, however, were just Parenting 101. Do children of decent parents stand out so much in today's world? This article would indicate that children of parents who...well, parent, actually stand out as smarter than their peers. Noticeable brighter because Mom listens or Dad actually plays with them.

I am as busy as any other parent, be they homeschooling, public-school, or private-school. The first ones to be punished for an adult's hectic life (other than the adult themselves) are the adult's children. Having kids is hard work. When you are tired, who wants to go in the backyard and play baseball (playing with your kids in the backyard is so passe anyways. If you are at all in the know, you will have your child enrolled in multiple competitive sports by preschool)? When you need peace after a full schedule, the last thing you want is to have to answer the 1,000 questions kids collect by day's end, or to listen to the minute detailing of the history of the lastest Bionicle.

However, having kids means precisely that. Children are not convenient. They are not file-able or considerate or timely. They are, rather, a glorious mess. I am all for having "personal space", as my children well know. All parents deserve time-outs and minutes of actually having a complete thought. However, people who have children are parents, at all times, no matter how much they sometimes want to forget it. If the suggestions in the MSN article are any guide, then todays' children do not need 9 suggestions to become smarter, they just need more involved parents.

*(This link may or may not work. The problem is with MSN's site. you can see by blog, "MSN's "9" Ways" for a summary of the original article.)

Posted by Christine Alcott

Since I am having a lot of trouble with MSN and their links, I think I should give you a summary of the MSN article I recently editorialized in "Response to MSN Article".

Briefly, the article promised nine ways to get smarter children. Most of the nine ways, however, are not suggestions of genius, but rather simple good parenting. Here are the nine suggestions, and my comments.

1. Play an instrument - This is one I actually agree with. Research has proven that learning music stimulates important parts of the brain. That does not mean the child has to be a prodigy, but just learn basic music theory and how to play "Old MacDonald" on some instrument (the kazoo is an inexpensive choice).
2. Breastfeed - Well, by school age this is a moot point. We have all heard this one. If you can, do it. If not, things will be just fine.
3. Be Fit- General fitness is okay, but organized sports is better. Children tend to be cooped up in classrooms all day (PE? What is that?), and then shepherded around to multiple activities everyday. There is little time for outdoor play. I think it is eerie how few kids' voices can be heard in the average neighborhood an any given day. I do think organized sports can offer many things to kids; I do not think they replace regular outside play.
4. Play Video Games - Those that emphasize logic and strategy are best. Focus on "educational games" I admit it - I am a video game lover. The reason we have them in our house is me! There are some good games out there, and playing them can help develop skills in children. However, too much dependence on these quickly creates imbalances, like poor eating, less exercise, and so on (see suggestions #1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
5. Eat Healthy - Does this really make our kids smarter, or just less dumb? This is an important distinction. (See #4)
6. Nurture Curiosity - In other words, listen to your kids. Have conversations with them. Kids are curious, by nature. Unless their parents, and schools, regularly squash it out of them.
7. Read - If the average parent does not do this, at least for babies and preschoolers, then the MSN article was sorely needed. Research has proven over and over that reading to young children is vitally important. More important than video games (see #4).
8. Eat Breakfast - The fact that this is listed as a way to make your child smarter, instead of basic things a parent owes their child (I am pretty sure feeding them is way up there), is sad. Kids need to eat, period. I love donuts as much as the next gal, but we all know the healthier breakfast is, the better.
9. Play Mind Games - Play games like Soduku, chess, or any game that encourages strategic thinking, logic, critical thinking skills, or any other brain boosting skills. And yes, it means play against a human being, not a computer or video game. Human beings are completely unpredictable, and children learn valuable lessons like good sportsmanship. Playing with your child is a good thing, at least every now and then.

Posted by Christine Alcott

Ahhh, wintery gray skies, chilly winds...the perfect weather for a good book!

This week our schedule picked up a bit, but we always make time for reading.

Our first pick of the week is a classic children's series. My lovely mother-in-law sent my oldest son this series of books a couple of years ago. I had never read them, so I (appropriately) borrowed them and entered into a magical, wondrful world. This week, when I wanted something good, but not too taxing, I picked them up again. Mary Norton's The Borrowers is a delightful tale of a race of small beings who live off the leavings of humans. The main characters are a small family - father, Pod; mother, Homily; and daughter, Arrietty. Togther they struggle to understand their place in life, deal with precoscious Arrietty's growing up, avoid the danger of exposure to humans, and just try to live in the big world. This series of five books has adventure, humor, danger, and even smidgen of romance thrown in. A great read-aloud for the family, or read-alone for 3rd grade and up.

Every Kids Need Things That Fly, by Ritchie Kinmont, is a fun project/science book. Featuring 20 projects to build, including the 36-inch Helium Balloon and the Popsicle Stick Aircraft, this book is an attractive find for the builder in your family. Each project is given a skill level rating and a fun level rating, so you know who can (help) build each project. Shopping lists and supply lists for each project, in well-organized charts make knowing what you need easy to see. Step-by-step instructions and lots of pictures detail each project. Honestly, we have not built anything yet, but we plan to. For now, just looking at the book has been exciting for my kids. In short, this book is just plain cool!

Have fun!

Posted by Christine Alcott

I believe many homeschooling parents are big readers, whether of books or articles on the internet or the backs of cereal boxes. As a community, we typically read. So, here I share with you what we are reading in my house this week.

Mom - I have two books this week. One is nonfiction, and one is fiction.

Ms. Moffett's First Year, by Abby Goodnough. This non-fiction book is an account of the first year teaching experience of Ms. Moffett, who made a mid-life career switch during an push for an experimental program in New York City to become a teacher. Ms. Moffett's experiences are awkward, sometimes painful, sometimes sad, and sometimes funny. This book is neither pro-school or anti-school, but one woman's experience as she learns that teaching is not what she thought it would be. At the same time, it is a tale of one large, urban city's inadequacies towards it students and its teachers.

I Don't Know How She Does It, by Allison Pearson - This book makes me laugh! A fiction book of motherhood, balancing work and life, that any woman, no matter what she does with her life, can appreciate. Kate Reddy has a successful career, a husband, and two children, but motherhood is the puzzle piece that does not quite fit in. Her children are both the rock on which she stands and the wave that threatens to dorwn her. Can she truly juggle a demanding job, real motherhood, and sanity? And where does her husband fit it? This book is a bit irreverant and, well....saucy. However, parts of it are so funny (because we mothers have all been there) and other parts are so poignant, I tear up.

Kids

The nine-year-old and I are still reading Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Rings.We are more than half-way through, and it is getting exciting!

The four (and 1/2) year-old and I are reading chapters from A.A. Milne's The World of Pooh. These stories are so sweet and funny. They use challenging language at times for a little one, but he does appreaciate the humor.

The 7 year-old has been reading various books from the Pokemon series, as well as revisiting one of his favorite books of his younger years, Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson. Some stories are great read-alouds even at older ages.

Well, that is it in a nutshell for this week. Find a good book and enjoy, my friends!

Posted by Christine Alcott

Winter weather means lots of indoor time for our homeschool. This creates a great opportunity to add in some games to our daily schooling. Check out the article on great game suggestions here in Suite101's Homeschooling Topic.

Cold weather means it is a good time to watch some great movies, read good books out loud, play games, and make fun art!

Wherever you are, and whatever your weather is like, I hope you have a great week homeschooling!

Posted by Christine Alcott

We officially jumped back into school this week, after a nice holiday break, a round of influenza, cold, sleety weather, and family visits. The boys were so glad to return to classes, and I have to admit that I enjoyed returning to our routine, as well.

This week, we really enjoyed our lesson based on the Cornelia Funke book, The Thief Lord. I thought I would share it with you here on Suite101. You can find the article here.

My husband, a wonderful fine artist and graphic artist, is preparing to teach a class on drawing to our homeschool coop. He is learning many exciting things about teaching our children drawing - I hope to be able to pass it on to you in the near future.

Need a few ideas for refresing yourselves this week? Try one of these:

• during school, when you or your child becomes sluggish, drowsy, or unfocused, try standing up and taking a quick stretch break. This helps the blood to circulate more freely around our bodies and helps to re-awaken our attention spans.
• Play this game for fun, or around the family dinner table - Go around the table, person by person, with each person having to recite a store or commercial jingle. You will be amazed by what your children pick up, and this can lead to a lot of laughs.
• Set a time limit (your choice) - During that amount of time, you may only speak in questions. You may not state anything at all. This is a fun way to practice punctuation and memory!
• A,B,C Charades - You must act out one thing/animal/emotion/whatever for every letter of the alphabet - no noises or words allowed (ex. "A" - angry, "B" - bear, "C" - cactus). You will be amazed at what your children come up with (My favorite was my son's rendition of "U" - umbrella).

Have fun!

Posted by Christine Alcott

We are big readers in my house. I come from a long line of big readers. My oldest son inherited this trait, as well. We love good books. In my experience, many homeschoolers tend to be avid readers, as well. So, I hope to share with you what we are reading every week. None of this is intended as an endoresement of anything, but just a chance to share with you what is on our reading list!

What I am reading - University, Inc., Sold,:The Corporate Corruption of Higher Education by Jennifer Washburn - Are universities sacrificing their identity in order to obtain private funding for research? An interesting read concerning the dubious relationship between American universities and the corporate world, and the impact of this relationship on education, students, and the general public. Makes you really think.

What the 9-year-old is reading - The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke - My son and lI ove to exchange good books, and Cornelia Funke is an author we both enjoy!

What we are reading out loud -

The Fellowship of the Ring, by JRR Tolkien - The 9-year-old has been anxious to start this, so we are about half-way through reading it out loud. So fun!

The Little Bear Treasury by Else Melund Minarik. This compendium of classic Little Bear stories is so sweet and funny. The 4-year-old loves this.

Adventures With Arnold Lobel by Arnold Lobel - A great collection of stories by Arnold Lobel. The stories are cute with a slightly more sophisticated sense of humor. Great as "I Can Read" books, but also a fun read-aloud.

Pick up a good book, and have fun!

Posted by Christine Alcott

Homeschooling was not really an option. I remember quite clearly the discussion I had with my husband when our oldest was only a baby. We were looking ahead, wondering where we would be when the little cherub turned five, and where he would go it school. Barring a miracle, we knew private school would be beyond our reach, even five years down the road. My husband and I were both public school education and had a fair experience, and were open to that for our own children. I recall clearly stating, "Well, I know I will never homeschool!"

Flash foward five years. We were right that private school was out of our financial realm. Our son was very bright, frequently bored in preschool, sweet, and going through an intense separation anxiety. Then I found out that all the kindergartens in our school district were going to full-day schedules. Homeschooling became an option for me, much to my surprise. I felt that my son needed another year at home before he was ready to be gone all day, five days a week. The little tyke hated being away even for the 2 mornings a week he was at preschool.

My husband was very supportive. Both our extended familes were very supportive. After some research, I made the final decision to homeschool for one year.

Well, homeschooling is not easy, but it is addictive! I discovered so many advantages to learning at home for my children, my family, and myself. One year led to another, then another, then another. We are in our fourth year of homeschooling our three sons.

There are days I love it, days I hate it, days I feel like a champ, days I feel like a failure. There can be incredible pressure in homechooling, and incredible freedom.

If you are considering homeschooling, take a look at the series of articles we will be having on this subject. The first one is out and ready, "Considering Homeschooling". Keep your eye out for more over the next few days. Please email me if you have specific questions about homeschooling, or feel free to start a discussion.