Rules…Many of Them

As with most families, rules are a part of our world. We talk about why we have them. We talk about how to enforce them. We talk about how to recover when they have been broken. When you have a kid like mine, rules can be used against you when it best serves him. I don’t … Continue reading →

Trend?

I’m not a mathematician and I don’t really know what technically is considered a trend, but I think we have one. I think we have an upward trend that I am excited to report. As I report this trend, I feel as though I should throw salt over my shoulder, knock on wood, cross my … Continue reading →

He Kept Going

With Memorial Day behind us, it is really starting to feel like summer.  I’m sure it helps when our weather cooperates and we have a stretch of gorgeous days. Today, we decided to take advantage of one of those gorgeous days and travel to a local tide pool area.  We thought that getting my TBP a little … Continue reading →

Roaming School

It isn’t full homeschooling, but it certainly isn’t unschooling. Everyone knows that I’m way too uptight for that! We read and discuss great books We watch science shows, a heavy emphasis is on the animal life around us. We have math in books, math online, and math using jelly bellies and skittles. We build 3D … Continue reading →

The Fly Project

I have to admit, I am a new homeschooling advocate.  A convert. As an experienced elementary teacher with 20+ years and a MA in Curriculum Development, I felt more than qualified to teach, guide, support and influence my first grade students. Why then, was I so hesitant about my abilities to home school my own son? … Continue reading →

Maybe It’s Because…

I’m not sure if it was the volunteer celebration this morning or the realization that we have only twenty days left of school, today I was filled with emotions. Soon, I will say goodbye to my first graders and proudly watch them as they wave to me from the buses pulling away on that last … Continue reading →

Allowance, Tooth Fairy Style

Until recently, my son was completely unmotivated by the opportunity to earn a weekly allowance.  There were few things that he wanted and he was content with waiting until his summer birthday to earn cash from the relatives. This has changed and once again, I have gaming to thank for this paradigm shift. My son … Continue reading →

Repeat Play Performance

This weekend, my hermit…I mean my son, had a play date with a friend from school.  This was a repeat play date which makes me think that there could be more in his future. This boy is a nice kid from his previous class.  My son and this friend used to eat lunch and play at … Continue reading →

Summer Mama

Although parts of this school year have dragged on at an unbearable rate, summer vacation is just around the corner. Many might be surprised that this is the time of year that teachers are swamped. End of the year assessments, writing portfolios, required curriculum that must be covered, and report cards are just some of … Continue reading →

Two Hermits

It has been almost three months since my family started homeschooling.  No surprise that making this change has erased some major stresses in our home. No more crying about school. No more negotiating about homework. No more wondering if the day is going to fall apart even before it begins. Trust me, I am extremely … Continue reading →