Traditional school schedule? Only when convenient...

It has been awhile since I participated in the Blog Cruise. Life got busy and then the Blog Cruise took a short break.  I've never been one to keep a consistent schedule either, and kept missing the post date.  So, what's the Blog Cruise question for this week?  Let's see...

Do you follow a traditional school day/time/schedule/year?

Can you guess my answer?  I'm not any better following a traditional school schedule than I am following the Blog Cruise schedule. And that's ok.  It works for me.

When we first started homeschooling, when of the big advantages I saw was that we didn't have to follow a schedule put before us by someone else. We had the luxury to take vacations in the fall or simply have a down day when we needed it. For the first several years, I took the whole month of December off.  I figured it would be stressful trying to get school during a busy holiday season, so why go there?  We don't take December off in its entirety anymore, since it no longer works for us.  We've been forced into conformity somewhat by outside classes. But, we had the choice to take those classes or not, and it is still a self-imposed schedule. During those first years, though, my kids didn't envy the kids standing at the bus stop on Dec 23rd one bit!

The other area in a traditional school schedule  that I can just not follow is waking up bright and early.  None of us are morning people, so why in the world would we get up at 6 a.m.?  Now, I do wish we'd get going earlier than we currently do, but I have no desire to get up at the crack of dawn on a cold Michigan morning.  I asked a friend what time her middle school daughter gets up for public school.  I was told she gets up at 5:30 a.m. to be ready for the bus at 6:30 a.m.  First hour starts at 7:19 a.m. (Don't you just love the weird times schools start in order to meet seat time requirements?).  I'm sorry - my kids aren't going to crank out too many math problems at 7:19 a.m. or any other time that starts with a 7 and ends in a.m. I used to feel a bit inadequate about this until I received a big stamp of approval from our very traditional and by-the-book pediatrician when she asked about my kids' sleep habits and I sheepishly divulged their resting hours.

"Growing kids need their sleep!  A big advantage you have as homeschoolers is that they don't have to get up early for school.  Let them sleep in as long as they like; they need it!"

There you have it, doctor's orders to sleep in! Now, I don't  follow that advice exactly.  I do have standards and would prefer to start school before noon, which wouldn't be possible if I let them sleep as long as desired needed.  However, it was good to hear the advice to embrace our laziness natural body rhythms in the name of health and learning!

We also school year round...sort of.  It is more of a must-do-math-in-July-to-finish-the-year than a we-love-math-so-much-we-want-to-do-it-all-the-time scenario.  Because we adapt our school schedule to suit our needs, we aren't always "done" in June.  There are certain subjects and material that I require to be completed each year, so in a sense we really do follow a traditional schedule for the year as far as material.  It is just a matter of "when" that is up for negotiation. Even if work is completed in June, we still do some formal learning throughout summer.  I don't want my kids to shut off their brains for three months, only to have to spend the first three months of the official school year turning them back on.  It is a hodge-podge schedule from June-August, but we just keep on keepin' on during the summer, while enjoying things a bit more relaxed.

Even though we take days off when we need them, stay tucked in our beds in the early morning hours, and dabble in summertime work, I find myself conforming more to a traditional schedule as my kids get older.  My oldest takes many online classes, which typically start in August and end in June.  The local support group I run also offers classes during a typical school schedule (though we do take all of December off!).  And while we aren't starting school at 7:19 a.m., we aren't getting done at 2:07 p.m. either. My kids cover just as much material, and likely much more, than traditional school students do in a day.  The only difference is mine are more rested!

As in real life, there are some things you just have to follow and stay on schedule. When I was working outside of the home, I had to get up at 5:30 a.m. in order to get my daughter to daycare and be at my desk at 7:30 a.m.  It certainly didn't follow my natural body rhythm by any stretch of the means (my co-workers knew not to speak to me for an hour or so), but sometimes you just need to conform in order to make it work best for you.  In this case, I needed a paycheck.  In my kids case, they need an education.

But if you have the flexibility to get accomplish what you've set out in a manner that works best for you, why wouldn't you?

Find out what my fellow TOS Crewmates have to say about this topic by clicking the button below.

Field trip, anyone?

I haven't participated in the Blog Cruise for a few weeks, partly because I've been very busy.  However, I thought this week's topic is one that I've put some thought to recently.

What are some field trips that your family has enjoyed? 

We used to schedule field trips into our activities on a regular basis when the kids were younger. Below is a list of some of the trips we've taken over the years.  For my local readers, I've included links if I have them handy.

Detroit Main Library/Rare Books Collection (original Laura Ingalls Wilder transcript here)
Detroit Opera House
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Jiffy Mix tour
Lionel Trains tour
Fossil Park (Sylvania, OH)
WJR Tour (Detroit radio station)
PBS tour
Westwind Milling Co tour, http://westwindmilling.alittleingenuity.com/
Ford Rouge Factory Tour
Frankenmuth Historical Museum programs
Morley Candy Makers
Second Baptist Church of Detroit (part of the Underground Railroad)
Turtlebee Farms (beekeeping class), http://www.turtlebeefarms.com/
Parade Company Tour (behind the scenes of the Detroit Thanksgiving Parade)
Native prairie seed collecting with the DNR
Observer Newspapers tour
The Scrap Box, http://www.scrapbox.org/
Pewabic Pottery, http://www.pewabic.com/
MRF Recycling Center, http://tinyurl.com/2l97ae
various local Metropark programs
Preuss Animal House tour (very large pet store!) ,http://www.preusspets.com/

Don't forget programs with local museums and theaters.  Also, when the kids were early elementary, they loved doing tours of our local bakery, fire station, police station, and post office.

As you can see, we are very fortunate to live in an area with lots available to us.  And while we haven't done many field trips lately, we did recently take advantage of a great museum that visitors to our state should be sure to visit, The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village.  We visited last month with some friends, a great way to kick off the school year.

It is almost impossible to view both the Museum and the Village in one day, so we opted to enjoy the beautiful weather and tour the Village.  Our first stop was the Printing Office, where we watched a demonstration on how things were printed long ago - one at a time...

Then, the we headed over to the tinsmith to watch a tin punching.

The glass shop is my absolute favorite.  In the summers, they run camps for kids ages 14 and up to learn a bit about the trade and give it a try.  I always thought that would be a ton of fun.  Watching the process from raw materials to finished pieces, which are sold to the public in the gift shops, fascinates me.

The kids were ready to let loose a little, so we headed over to the Village Green where some old fashioned toys were set out for use.  The stilts were the first thing the younger ones of the group (ages 10 and 11) wanted to try.

The teens of the group hung back for awhile before they finally caved and decided to give it a try too.

A few more games...

And then we were ready to sit down for lunch and watch one of the many shows around the Village. My daughter was delighted to discover that one of the actresses she performed with at a local theater not only worked at Greenfield Village, but was performing in the show we happened to sit down to watch.

After lunch, we had just a little bit longer to explore the Village some more. One of my favorite buildings to visit is Thomas Edison's labs.

Then we visited the home of Noah Webster.  This kids had fun reading some of the old stories used to reach children to read.

The teens got a kick out of some of the language.  My daughter thought "civilly accosted" was particularly funny!

As we waited for some of our party to return from another part of the Village, the other kids were able to just hang out and enjoy the company of one another.

We then enjoyed a huge serving of ice cream as a great finish to a hot and enjoyable day.  It melted fast and ended up all over the place, though some managed to get consumed. I have no pictures, but I wish I did! It was a funny sight. As we exited, I snapped this shot - satisfied faces after a day of learning.

Recapping this day makes me want to schedule more field trips.  I haven't been as good about doing that over the last few years. Field trips certainly aren't just for for elementary ages!

Take some "Me Time" and your kids will thank you

Something has bothered me about the recent back-to-school commercials.  The overwhelming majority show moms celebrating as the kids head off to school.  It's like they can't wait to get rid of them!  I don't know how many times I've heard a mom say  to me, "You homeschool?  I could never spend that much time with my kids!"  The last time I heard this from a mom, I replied,

"Sometimes I need to take a break, just like everyone else, but I happen to enjoy being around my kids and wouldn't have it any other way!"

This brings me to a very important topic, which happens to be the focus of this week's Blog Cruise:

How do you find free time? Is it okay to take time for yourself? If so, how? 

Is it okay to take free time for yourself.  Absolutely!  There is no question about it.  Getting some "me time" on occasion definitely improves my outlook on the day.  Also, our kids need us to take free time. It is difficult to parent if you are constantly drained and don't recharge. Sometimes we moms forget to make time for ourselves, but it is so important.  The more difficult part to this question is how?

1. If you have younger kids, barter child care with a friend

When my kids were younger, a friend and I used to swap kids once a month for three hours.  This seemed to be the right amount for us to feel like we had a break without interrupting our daily schedules.  The kids enjoyed it too, since they 'd have playmates for a few hours.  As a result, the mom doing the child care sometimes had a bit of a break too, simply because the kids were occupied playing.

2. If you have older kids, assign some work and step out for a bit.

Now that my kids are older, I can leave them home alone.  I'll often give them independent assignments and then go run errands.  Even though this isn't complete "me time", it does give me a bit of a break.  No errands to run or you need a bit more relaxation? Perhaps there is a coffee shop nearby that you where you could just put your feet up for 30 minutes or so? My husband and I do a version of this on Saturday mornings. Our schedule and finances don't allow us many "date nights", but we usually head out every Saturday morning without the kids and grab a Starbuck tea. We'll either sit at the outside tables and enjoy the activity of our downtown area or run various errands.  It doesn't much matter which, it is really just a break from the household.

3.  Plan family activities that both kids and adults enjoy.

Several years ago we started what our family calls "Football Ministry".  Essentially, it is a time of fellowship with other families, usually coinciding with Sunday afternoon football games, that the whole family enjoys.  Each family brings a dish to pass and stays for several hours, often times well after the end of the game.  The kids usually go off and hang out, the men (and some women) go watch the same, and the rest mingle around the food table and converse.  It is a way for everyone to get a bit of "me time" at the same time.

4. You must have a Moms' Night Out on occasion!

Our support group tries to schedule at least several Moms' Night Out events each year.  Really, several isn't enough, if you ask me.  Usually someone offers to host in her home and those attending bring a snack or dish to pass.  You could meet up at a coffeehouse, a restaurant for dessert, take a class together...anything. The important part is to get something down on the calendar! It doesn't have to be anything huge.  Coordinate your schedule with a friend's and head on out!

Often there is no agenda other than to talk with other homeschooling moms.  I often feel most recharged when talking to other homeschooling parents as they understand my perspective, whether we are discussing homeschooling issues or otherwise.

There are other ways to find time for yourself, such as hiring a mother's helper or enlisting the help of relatives on occasion.  What I think is the biggest challenge for homeschooling moms is to just do it.  We need to take the time for ourselves, even if it is just a walk around the block if that is all that can be managed.  I don't believe the "hows" are the biggest obstacle, but rather understanding the importance and making the time.  So, grab your calendar right now and plan some "me time".  You'll be glad you did (and your kids will be too!).

A smile and confidence will go a long way

This week's Blog Cruise question is:

How do you respond to family/friends that don't support your decision to homeschool?    

I've been very fortunate in this area in that I haven't really received a lot of negative comments from friends and family about our homeschooling.  In fact, I thought my dad would be my biggest skeptic, yet when we made our announcement it didn't phase him one bit.

However, I haven't completely escaped friends and family questioning me about our educational choices for our children.  I had two in-laws in particular that questioned me heavily in the beginning.  Our children were young and bright, however, and I think they felt that I couldn't mess up those early years anyhow.  Then, after several years, they saw the results for themselves firsthand and really didn't have anything negative to comment upon.

I think the best approach is to address any concerns, comments, or questions with confidence.  I had done a ton of research on homeschooling before starting. The result was that any question brought forth to me already had a well-thought out, articulate response.  I did not take offense to any question about our homeschooling and simply answered it.  Not only did it show that I had already thought through the concern, but usually it exposed a fair amount of misconception that the inquirer had about homeschooling.

After that first year, I really didn't get any more comments from family and friends, though I know there were still concerns.  In fact, my brother, who said to me that first year, "Well, homeschooling is ok for kindergarten but you'll eventually need to put them in school for them to function in the world," became a homeschooler himself several years later.  I, of course, reminded him of his intial comment to me. (smiles)

Now that I have an almost high schooler, I 'm beginning to get a few more questions. I'm taking the same approach I did many years ago.

• "Are you going to continue through high school?" (Yes)
• "Maybe she can take art or something at the school?" (Why?  We already have an art class!)
• "How will she get into college?" (By applying, like everyone else.  Universities often seek out homeschooelrs.)
• "Don't you think being in a classroom will be good for her?" (Um, sure.  We already have plenty of classroom activities) 
• "What about prom!" (I really don't think educational choices should be decided on a dance opportunity.  Besides, there is a local prom just for homeschoolers.) 
 

If you simply don't engage the negativity and answer with confidence, what more is there really to say?  I understand that some relatives may be more negative and persistent, but as with any decision for your family, you just need to draw the line in how you will engage in such conversations. If you find yourself addressing the same things over and over, it may be time to simply say, "Thanks for your concern," each time it is brought up and move on to a different subject.

In my experience, answering with a confident smile and allowing the time to show the results has been all I needed to live peacefully among those that may not be entirely on board with my decision to homeschool.

Technology: Embrace it as a learning tool!

This week's Blog Cruise question is one similar to one recently asked by a member of my local homeschool support group.

Do you use technology (iPods, Computers, Videos, Digi. Cams,etc.) in your homeschool? 

I think sometimes people get so wrapped up in the potential negative of something that it prevents them from seeing the many benefits. I've seen the use of technology in the home fall into this category.  And while overuse of technology, as well as the information being passed along, can bring about concerns, I wouldn't say going technology-free is the better path.  Technology is a tool.  Tools are something that have the capability of hurting you if you don't know how to use them properly.  However, using tools certainly can make ones job easier.

I certainly use technology as a tool in my homeschool, with the computer being the most used tool by far. Young children need to be trained how to use technology properly, but I really don't know what I'd do without it at this point.  Below are the various ways technology has helped my children become better learners.

1. Educational software

I have a picture of my daughter playing on the computer at about 18 months with a Jumpstart program.  I'm sure some will be appalled at that, but she loved this game and learned a lot from it.  It was just like any other toy in her toybox and it taught her that a computer isn't a forbidden item but something available for her use when appropriate. We've always had a variety of educational software games available to the kids to use within limits.

2.  Online Classes

At about 3rd or 4th grade, both of my kids started with an online class experience.  For our family, it is a very convenient way to have the kids experience another teacher without the limits of what is available locally or a creating a disruption of the day's schedule.  For my daughter, online classes have been wonderful and she usually takes 2-3 a year.  For my son, they have been a good experience in small doses, but not something that he's ready to utilize for heavy coursework quite yet.  Most don't realize how interactive online classes can be, but it really is no different than sitting in a classroom. Since online meetings and webinars are growing trends in the business world, giving your kids this experience is multi-purpose.

3. Email

Probably many don't think of email as a learning tool.  However, not only does email give kids the means to connect with other kids, near and far, it also forces them to learn how to type, write, and spell!  I also sometimes use it as a way for me to communicate to them their schedule or give them an assignment.  That way, there is no question about whether or not they were asked to do such-and-such and/or given directions.  (smiles)

4.  Audio podcasts, lectures, and stories

My kids didn't have ipods until last Christmas and I haven't yet utilized them for audio podcasts, but this is on my to do list.  There are all kinds of  resources available for free using an ipod or just your computer, if you don't own an ipod or MP3 player.  One great resource is  Learn Out Loud.  You can sign up for their newsletter that highlights a free resource every Friday. There is also a section of free resources just for kids.  Other audio resources that I happen to have bookmarked include LibriVox, Internet Interactive (I've linked to the Old Time Radio files), Open Culture, Lecture Fox (free university lectures), and  Free Books (Accelerated Schools),

5. Video resources

One of my favorite video podcasts for kids is the CNN Student News. This is a great way for kids to keep up on current events.  There are many sites that have categorized video segments by topic for a quick tutorial in a certain area. HippoCampus is one such site. Other sites include: Free-Ed.net, http://education.jimmyr.com/, Annenberg Media, Internet4Classrooms , The Futures Channel, and Academic Earth.  You can even have your kids watch Liberty Kids, a PBS show about American history, completely free the Jaroo website.

6. Video cameras and movie making

My oldest has done several video presentations for classes, camps and special projects, which I've shared here in the past.  My youngest will be taking a class this fall which will focus more on the technical side of movie-making. I think such projects are a great opportunity for hands-on learners to grasp a subject and also a wonderful way for your student to show off their work to others.  Let's face it, Grandma and Grandpa would probably rather watch a cool video clip than read a 10-page research paper.  There is quite a bit involved with movie making, though at the same time the technology part isn't too difficult.  Students need to not only learn the material for the video, but have to plan, decide on graphics, work on presentation skills, etc.  Video making is also a fun group project.

7. Educational DVDs and lessons

Some of our curriculum has lessons presented on DVD and I have even purchased full courses on DVD.  Sometimes I watch the lessons with the kids and sometimes my students are independent enough on the subject to be able to watch without further explanation.  Either way, I'm thankful to have options like this for our home.

There are plenty of great resources out there; I've only shared a few. In fact, I found a new resource in the process of writing this blog post, Free Technology for Teachers, which is directed more toward traditional classroom teachers but still has plenty of useful information on teaching with technology. And while the abundance of technology resources can be overwhelming, in addition to requiring caution to not overuse and/or screen properly, there is no reason a homeschool should throw out all the good with the bad.  Instead, use technology wisely and embracing it as a learning tool in your homeschool.

A quality education doesn't have to be expensive!

This week's Blog Cruise topic is about the financial cost of homeschooling.

How do you afford to homeschool? What are some ways to save money on hsing supplies?

People really get hung up on numbers sometimes, don't they?  In fact, just this past week I was asked about how much homeschooling costs. The nice thing about homeschooling is that it is possible to homeschool on even the smallest of budgets if necessary.


Before I give some money-saving tips, let me give you some points to ponder about the cost of education.

• A more expensive resource doesn't necessarily mean a better quality resource. I've seen some high-priced resources out there that simply don't deliver.

• Homeschooling saves in unexpected areas, therefore balancing out some of the necessary expenses. For example, kids don't have to wear costly name-brand clothes to fit in and expensive convenience food items or the purchase of a school lunch that lacks nutrition is not necessary.

• Compared to private schools, even a generous budget for homeschooling is much cheaper. Your dollars, directed specifically to your child, will go much farther.

Now, on to specifics on how I personally cut costs in our homeschool while still delivering a quality education.


1. If possible, buy curriculum used.

There are some great swap boards out there. Vegsource and  Homeschool Classifieds are two that I frequent.  Yahoogroups has swap lists as well, some specific to certain programs, such as the IEW Items for Sale list.

Buying used takes some planning, especially for items in high demand, so there is a time investment. I feel the savings are definitely worth it.  For example, let's say I spend an hour of my time scouring lists looking for a particular item. If I save $25 as a result of my efforts, it would be like "working" for a pay of $25.  As a single-income family, I wouldn't hesitate to pick up an odd job here or there with the pay of $25/hour, would you?

2. Sell your curriculum when you are done with it.

I've known some to not want to be bothered with listing items and either let them sit on their shelves or just give them away.  The latter is a wonderful gesture to a homeschool family in need and I don't want to discourage anyone from doing so.  However, if  you are having trouble paying for next year's materials, take the time to sell your used items.  You'll not only bless another family by saving them money, you'll have some cash to make new curriculum purchases.


3. Buy items you know for sure you'll use in the future when you see them at a good priced used or on sale.

You need to be careful with this one, as you don't want to get stuck with items that you end up not using.  However, I keep an eye open for higher levels of programs that I am currently successfully using and know I'll be using into the future.  Sometimes some real bargains can be found and it's worth the savings to have the item sitting on my shelf for awhile.  I also tend to pick up items that I perhaps want to try and are priced such that I know I can turn around and resell at the same price I purchased it for if it doesn't work out. This way I get to try the product without actually losing money on a bad purchase.


4. Barter or borrow materials.

Bartering used to be a common way to obtain what you needed.  I have a friend that offers my daughter writing and literature lessons in exchange for phonics and spelling work with one of her kids. This would work with curriculum too.  For example, you could teach someone's child how to knit in exchange for a program or text the other family is done using. Or, perhaps a friend has some desired curriculum on their shelf waiting for younger sibling to reach that level who might be willing to loan it to you for a year.

5. Seek out inexpensive or free opportunities. Be creative!

I've been able to find many inexpensive opportunities in our area that are higher quality than more expensive programs. 4-H has been a wonderful find.  It only costs $10/student to join a club and there are so many opportunities outside of individual clubs.  Last year, our family received $40 in scholarships to attend already reasonable priced programs, simply by applying. Also, 4-H isn't all about cows and pigs. Check out your local area 4-H to see what they have available.  Starting your own club is very easy and might be consideration if you can't find something of interest.

Don't pass up community programs.  Look at what is being offered with an open mind. My daughter joined a creative writing group in our community recently.  It was intended more for adults, but they were very welcoming to her. It is completely free and she always receives positive feedback on her writing.  Also, I'm not shy about approaching someone offering a class or program in the community about teaching or speaking to a group of homeschoolers.  They are often very willing and will do so at an affordable price.

6. Teach your kids to be frugally minded.

I've been blessed with kids that aren't caught up on having certain items.  For example, my daughter likes to shop at Salvation Army for cheap and unique finds, which saves on the clothing budget.  Both my son and daughter do odd jobs for neighbors and save money for items that they really want.  Teaching good stewardship is a lesson in itself, but the practice will also save dollars in the long-run.


7. Utilize the library and parks!

You might as well take advantage of the resources your tax dollars support!

I feel a bit silly mentioning the library, because it seems so obvious. If your local library doesn't have an item that you need, ask about interloaning it.  Also request your librarian purchase items.  If it is in the budget, they are often happy to try to acquire items for their patrons.

We have several Metroparks in our area that are more than willing to provide low-cost educational programming for homeschoolers.  One such park is even offering a biology class based on a homeschooling curriculum in their lab classroom.  Just because there isn't an already established class doesn't mean they aren't will.  Ask and you may be surprised!

8. Don't feel like you have to do everything to provide a good education. Choose wisely!

In the past, I tended to overbuy and over schedule.  All of those materials and opportunities cost money! I've learned that while there are amazing resources out there, we can only use so many.  My kids don't learn if the materials on the shelves aren't actually used. And if we are running around every day going from activity to activity, the kids will be too scattered to actually get the most out of every activity. Over the years I've needed to learn to say no to activities or materials, as wonderful as they sound.

Homeschooling does not need to cost a fortune to be successful. All it take is a bit of creativity and determination, not a difficult task for a community that already is willing to look outside of the (public school) box.