Strong's Inventory

I finally did the Strong's Inventory.

My dh was right.....


I should be a librarian.

So, add that to my list of educational plans. I'm still majoring in English, but when I get to my Master's I think I will apply to both the English department and the iSchool. The career counselor is great. The first thing she asked was if I like research. Ha Ha Ha! I don't do anything without reading a stack of books first. She had already gone over Evan's stuff with him before, so we went in together, so that she could check out his schedule. She had to make sure we wanted to go in together. Ugh..we are best friends. I can't believe a married couple wouldn't want to share their educational plans.

The Middle Ages

Yes, we are still homeschooling. I know we are suppose to go all through History in order. But, Gibran just can't take it anymore. He is done with it! He has to go on to the Middle Ages.

Of course, we are using this:

Peace Hill Press has a complete pack that you can order. You can even get a complete copy of test and student worksheets. Gibran loves having everything all neat and tidy, so I'm thinking about setting him up a notebook with everything all in it. That way he can just plow through it when he wants, too. It will make things easier for me because I just don't have the time for all the running around I used to do. I feel like we should start keeping track of some of his stuff, too. His pediatrician isn't too keen on him homeschooling. I don't think she is upset about it, I just think she is concerned that if he is Aspergers that he isn't getting the socialization he needs.

I'm just updating because Gibran has decided that he wants to use KONOS instead. I have to admit that I'm happy about that. We get so much more done and he learns so much more that way. I love that darn timeline =)

Personality Types

Mom has been studying personalities this week in Psychology class.

I'm really enjoying these studies. It's nice to find out who we are in our family.
Take the Free Rheti Sampler here. There is an audio on your results, as well.
And learn more about yourself here, just click on the link under descriptions.

Here is our 9yo and mom
Here is a better explanation

Here is another one. I just had not found a good link yet! Mom is an INFJ and Dad is an ENFP. It's a crazy mix, but it seems to be working out.
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

School is going well.

I just wanted to check in. It's Friday! School is going wonderfully for Mom and Dad. I can't believe how much better I feel. It really is like a fog has lifted for me. It's been really good for our children, too. G (almost 9yob) is doing so much better. He is really enjoying his new freedom and schedule. He does his schooling everyday while his little brother is in Kindergarten. P(6yob) is loving school and his teacher is awesome. She is so wonderful and caring. She thanked us for sharing our little boy with her!

I'm taking Psych101 and I love my teacher. His goal for the class is to improve our lives. I don't think I could have picked a better time to take this class. It's helping with so many aspects of my life. Especially, with my dh and my oldest son.

Our Favorite Music

I finally got this CD from the library. I'm so glad they got more because I can't wait to get the rest.
Under a Shady Tree

My 2 yob loves singing to music. And, he just started talking. It's helping so much for him. Right now he has taken the cushions off the big chair in our living room and is jumping up and down and saying Choc-O-lot!

Since, B&N isn't showing a picture..I will just have to add my own. I love the cover picture.

Art

We have started taking Thursdays to study Art, Classical Musical and Poetry. We try to have a nice relaxing day and just really dive into our readings and music.

Penny Gardner's Charlotte Mason Art Appreciation Page
I just had to update on our Art Study. We are going to start using a more Charlotte Mason type of approach. I plan to start with having them look at the picture for a few minutes. Then I will take it away and have them describe it to me. I might just start with the Katie books, since I have them already.


A Child's Book of Art: Great Pictures First Words

This is a great picture book for young children. We've had it for quite a few years and all my boys have enjoyed it.

Impressionism

Impressionism at Wikipedia


Katie Meets the Impressionists

We love the Katie series! A great introduction to Monet, Renoir and Degas.

Pointillism

POINTILLISM at Wikipedia.com



Katie's Sunday Afternoon

This book is about Pointillism and the artists Seurat, Signac and Pissarro.

The Idea School

When we lived in Northern California there were wonderful Charter Schools in our area. Most of them were a Waldorf mix. I really, really loved them. We almost stayed in California (we were getting out of the military) just because of those schools. Our present state won't pass Charter Schools. I love the idea of parents being able to make the choices in education for their children. I love giving everyone a chance to become more involved in their schools. The charter we looked into had to have Parents volunteer their time because they just plain needed it. They couldn't afford to take care of everything or pay attendants for children on the playground.

These kids were just plain awesome. They were kind and helpful. I saw older children tying younger children's shoes for them. I met one little girl who had a lot of potty accidents in Kindergarten. But, no one teased or taunted her. She kept clothes on hand and was able to get up if needed. Children could pee when they wanted. Children who needed more movement could get up and walk around. They were taught what things were disruptive but they were allowed the room they needed.

They had onsite childcare for younger children and afterschool care. There was a very fine line between the teachers and parents. All the kids used everyone's first name, yet I never saw a teacher disrespected.

I did see a lot of amazing learning and artwork.

I was just thinking this morning...What would I like to see in schools. I would really like to see year round schooling. That whole break things is just way too much. All you do is get into trouble and forget everything you learned. Most families now can't afford long vacations and they can't afford summer child care. I would like to see 2 hour work and school lunches. I would like to see more schools, so that we can have smaller schools in every neighborhood. I think children should be able to walk to school or go to a school in their parents work neighborhood. Many office buildings already have in house child care. How about if they got some kind of tax break for having an in house school. Wouldn't it be nice to go on downstairs and check in with your kids and walk them down to the park for lunch?

I read and I have been questioned on socialization of schools. That's the number one reason we don't want our kids in school. That isn't proper socialization. Someone becomes the leader and everyone follows. That's how kids work. If you leave them alone they just follow who is biggest and oftentimes baddest. On a sidenote I had to check to see if baddest was really a word. It was in the dictionary, but it is slang. I'll try not to use it in my daily language. Children need to mesh with different age groups. So, many families are only having 1 or 2 children. Those children need exposure to other age groups. It will help them be better adults and leaders. Mostly, it will prepare them for adulthood. It will prepare them to be better parents and spouses. It will prepare them for the working world where they won't just work with 25 year olds or 45 year olds.

Until my perfect little world comes around, I think we will just keep on doing what we are doing. So far, it's going really well.