Helpful Changes

Well, it has been a busy month. Sorry for the lack of posts!

At the start of our term, I made a few changes to how we are doing things, and I've been very happy with how things have gone so far!

First off, I was given a copy of the Accountable Kids book - and made myself handmade sets. We are still only in Stage 1 of the 4 stage system, but we have been having some fairly good results. Delta earns most of his tickets. Echo sometimes earns some, sometimes doesn't. Foxtrot also earns some... she is technically a bit too young for the program.

Second - Although I had been using the Simply Charlotte Mason Organizer for about a year, I recently made a change that has been helping. I'm now printing off the daily plan for Delta and Echo, and putting them in a planner for them. I highlight each item that I think they should be able to do on their own (not many at this stage, but usually a couple...). They get out their planners, and pick what they are going to do next - based a bit on my availability. I do sometimes have to remind them to mix-it-up so that they don't end up with all the readings at the end.... They get to check things off as they finish things - and it seems to give them a feeling of accomplishment. The general idea of planners and a bit more independant learning was from URtheMom.com

Third - I now plan our weekly schedule to be mostly accomplished between Monday and Thursday. (with a math lesson on Friday...) Yes, this makes a little more work each day, but it has done wonders! Why? Well, if the weeks work has been all done, then we have a "Wild Day". If not, then we get it done on Friday. (if still not done, we can do some on Saturday too...) So, our Wild Day involves getting out of the house and going wild. Many weeks it will include Nature Study, and/or Scouting activities. On other occasions, it may be a field trip, or other fun activity. Today there was a blizzard - so we drove carefully to the conservatory and had a picnic in the tropics! We have also gone swimming, and in the spring I look forward to hikes and other fun outside activities.

Between all these things, homeschool activities have gone a lot easier. The kids are more motivated to get things done, and we have found time again for the fun activities I've been missing (and I'm sure they have too.)

Flowers are Red.....

Harry Chapin has a song, which explains one reason why we homeschool better than I ever could...

Flowers are Red
by Harry Chapin

The little boy went first day of school
He got some crayons and started to draw
He put colors all over the paper
For colors was what he saw
And the teacher said.. "What you doin' young man?"
"I'm paintin' flowers," he said
She said, "It's not the time for art young man
And anyway flowers are green and red."

"There's a time for everything young man
And a way it should be done
You've got to show concern for everyone else
For you're not the only one"

And she said...
"Flowers are red young man, and
Green leaves are green
There's no need to see flowers any other way
Than they way they always have been seen "

But the little boy said...
"There are so many colors in the rainbow
So many colors in the morning sun
So many colors in the flower and I see every one"

Well the teacher said..

"You're sassy, there's ways that things should be
And you'll paint flowers the way they are
So repeat after me"

And she said...
"Flowers are red young man, and
Green leaves are green
There's no need to see flowers any other way
Than they way they always have been seen "

But the little boy said...
"There are so many colors in the rainbow
So many colors in the morning sun
So many colors in the flower and I see every one "

The teacher put him in a corner
She said, "It's for your own good..
And you won't come out 'til you get it right
And are responding like you should "

Well finally he got lonely
Frightened thoughts filled his head
And he went up to the teacher
And this is what he said.. and he said

"Flowers are red, green leaves are green
There's no need to see flowers any other way
Than the way they always have been seen "

Time went by like it always does
And they moved to another town
And the little boy went to another school
And this is what he found
The teacher there was smilin'
She said..."Painting should be fun
And there are so many colors in a flower
So let's use every one "

But that little boy painted flowers
In neat rows of green and red
And when the teacher asked
him why This is what he said.. and he said

"Flowers are red, green leaves are green
There's no need to see flowers any other way
Than the way they always have been seen. "

Youtube Video