Schooling From Home

It has been months since I have posted to the blog. Life hasn't been particularly hectic, no devastating illnesses, no big changes... it has just been ordinary. In light of recent events in our world I am realizing just how ungrateful I was for "ordinary". 

I am a wait-and-see type of person. I think it plays nicely with my tendency to procrastinate. But sometimes life just doesn't give you either luxury. In recent days I have heard from parents who are finding themselves thrown into a position that I miss. They have to school their children at home. I cannot tell you how many times over the years that people told me "Oh, I could never do that", and yet here we are, sheltering in place, being "forced" to learn and teach in our homes. 

School districts all over the country are scrambling to get information and plans up online but in the meantime what can you do? This was my (edited) emailed answer to a friend:

First, let me say that I envy the next few weeks for all the mamas and daddys who get to have their kiddos home. You may feel like Alice in Wonderland falling down the rabbit hole. I know it sounds scary but really, it is a time to get to know your littles in a different way and to learn alongside them. 

If you have to come up with something for a short time, pick subjects that you know they will be interested in, like sharks or computers. You can specialize this right now because it is short-term but it is a taste of what homeschooling can be. 

Once you have your subject/subjects then go hunting on the internet. Pinterest is a good source or Google "free lessons plans for ___________". Search phrases like "free lessons on sharks" or "free printables for sharks". 

As an example you can teach vocabulary words related to sharks. Learn their classification in the animal world, binomial nomenclature and different types of sharks. You can study geography and oceans; which oceans you will find sharks in at what times of the year.  Discover where they like to dine and what they eat.  Discuss the science behind why they migrate and what happens when their food source is scare/abundant. Cape Cod is an excellent example of that. 

Find a story like The Shark Lady, which is only 23 minutes long (https://www.amazon.com/Shark-Lady-Eugenie-Fearless-Scientist/dp/B076BWCY4J), to listen to together online. For longer books, listen for a specified period of time everyday, maybe after lunch then discuss, allowing them to tell the story back to you. After discussing, have them write a brief review of the book, documenting the author, title, date they listened to it. There are printables on line they can fill out. Free book report printables:  https://www.pinterest.com/pin/813040538967088748/ .

Build a lapbook or scrapbook using printables with information about what they are learning about sharks. Here are some I found on pinterest: https://www.naturalbeachliving.com/shark-information-for-kids/ or https://www.simpleeverydaymom.com/free-printable-shark-worksheets/  The scrapbook will be a reminder of the time they got to spend at home, learning beside you. 

Check web pages like the New England Aquarium. If you click on their "learn" tab for "families and teens" you can find more resources with ideas and things to do or study out. You're not limited to just the aquarium in our own backyard but you have access to the best aquariums in the world at your fingertips, in the comfort of your home.

I Googled "dissection of great white shark" and found a PBS episode: https://www.pbs.org/video/inside-natures-giants-great-white-shark/

Intersperse their math skills. As soon as a multiplication time test is done they can watch the video (as an example) or listen to an audiobook on the subject. 

If computers are of interest your child do the same thing. Maybe teach them to simple coding. Search Pinterest for free computer coding lessons like here: https://teachyourkidscode.com/free-binary-numbers-worksheet-for-the-holidays or https://www.pinterest.com/pin/566116615658686837/. Learn the history of the computers, why they were first used, who developed them. How did companies like IBM play a role. What was Prodigy? Learn vocabulary related to computers. Write small sentences in binary code. The possibilities are endless. 

When my kids were young I learned that sometimes their brains just had a hard time focusing. They have to get the wiggles out! A friend taught me, by example with her children, to send those kids outside to run around the house 10 times. Make it a race, everyone gets some fresh air, it expends energy and connects them to something other than your four walls. 

Don't worry, parents. You can do this. Who knows your children better than you? You are being given an incredible gift. Start your mornings curled up on the couch together. Pray, read some Scripture and let them know that you are not worried, God is still on his throne. Let them hear you thank God for this time as a blessing not an inconvenience. Homeschoolers who do this as a way of life and those of us who were retired from homeschooling by the fruition of our work are praying for you. 

Blessings, 

Jolena

Link parties: Our Home Away From Home, The Dedicated House, My Wee Abode, Ducks N'A Row, Katherine's Corner, April J Harris, Home Stories A to Z, Fluster Buster, Grammy's Grid, Jenerally Informed

"Fall"-ing Behind... Again

Friends, it has been a rough year for me and this little blog. I do feel like I am exiting the fog and as I look around I am keenly aware that Summer is over. Summer was a very good healing time for me this year but Fall is pressing in. "Fall" has never been my favorite word. I prefer "Autumn" because the word fall has a negative connotation in my mind. The dictionary defines it thus: move downward, typically rapidly and freely without control, from a higher to a lower level. Well, that doesn't sound like fun! And, to some extent that is what is happening in my brain as I leave my first love, Summer, behind.  The cooler temperatures and shorter days along with the endless barrage of pumpkin pictures in my social media feeds serve to remind me that I had better get with the program!

Normally, the advent of the new school year moves me to accept the inevitable season change but my baby graduated in May so this homeschooling mama finds herself wondering what to do next. Presently, I am weeding through tons of books and saved school work. Reading journal entries from my then 5 and 7 year olds and looking at artwork that makes chameleons look like birds has resulted in many tear-inducing laugh sessions with my younger girls. It is bittersweet to part with most of it but again, the seasons are changing.

I never made a summer-decor post this year but I did decorate for it. It is my favorite way to decorate my home. So here are a few pictures of what it looked like.

I reuse a lot of the things I love. I reused the spring-time wreath I made this year. Moving it to a new location makes a difference. Before running out and buying new things just move what you love to a different spot. It really does make a difference and can make you the love that piece all over again.

Fresh flowers from my gardens make me happy. 

I am an eternal beach glass (treasure) hunter. One day I may part with some to actually use them in a craft....nah.

Now all these lovely beach things have been put away 'til next year. This is another fantastic tip. Just put things away for a while. The following year it is like a free shopping trip as you sort through the things you want to use and what can be passed onto others or sold to make more money for new things!

Plaid is all over the place, again, this year. Not sure what that is going to look like in my home but I did manage to find a runner and cloth napkins for my dining room that has the same color of my walls running through them. (The color doesn't translate well in this crummy photo.) They play nicely with the paisley print of my window valances. Now I just need to figure out how to put if all together.

Last year I painted all my pumpkins in trendy blues and whites. I may reuse them as is or I may repaint. I've not decided that yet either.

Yes, I have once again "fall"-en behind the decorating 8-ball but I will get there. Looking forward to this new season of hope

because time waits for no man or procrastinating blogging decorator.

Thanks for stopping by. Happy decorating and happy Autumn! You can follow along on Facebook or Instagram!

Linking up to these parties:
Celebrate & Decorate, The Dedicated House, Ducks N A Row

Washington D.C.

If your new here or if you only visit here for the crafts or decor stuff maybe you don't know we are a homeschool family. I don't usually talk much about it here. I have realized (through many too opinionated conversations-on my part) that the homeschool experience can be a deeply personal and wildly different experience for every family.

As a homeschool mama we have enjoyed the days curled up on the couch as I read aloud. Those were my favorite times. My second favorite times were the field trips. We live in an awesome area of the country for history and art field trips and those times were great, especially when the kiddos were younger but time goes by and they grow up. Their growing has meant that they have surpassed some of my abilities or even desires to try to teach in certain areas. Thankfully, we have several homeschool co-ops around that offer different tutorials. My girls have benefitted from outside classes in writing, choir, biology and chemistry, algebra, foreign languages, drama, AP Literature and AP Government, ect. all taken by different instructors. This takes some of the pressure off an overwhelmed mama and gives a different source of accountability to my young adults-in-training.

Recently, the AP Government class got to take a trip to Washington, D.C. Of course, their interest was the government mechanics but for me it's all about the beautiful architecture! This was my 2nd trip to the capital so I didn't worry too much about taking photos of different landmarks but really looked more at not-so-famous buildings. Here are some photos to maybe inspire you. All were taken with my phone.

Loved the iron work on the stairs! 

 Don't you just love the color on this building...

A little Victorian flair to these two...

Lovely trim work and corbels always catch my eye...

I don't know what kind of a tree this was but the blossoms were beautiful against the cloudy sky and gray row house. 

We crammed much into the two days we were in D.C. The kids had a great time, we all learned more about our government and I came home with some beautiful photos for inspiration. Thank you for visiting with me, I do hope you enjoyed the trip around D.C. through my eyes. 

Fall Home: In The Kitchen and Dining Room 2016

I have embraced the cooler weather, pulled out my sweaters and boots, and even went to a farm or two. I aspire to someday have a bigger blog audience like the bloggers I follow but it comes with a price. I watch their blogs and boy-oh-boy they are ahead of the game- by miles. I don't know if my family would like me taking all the summer stuff away and putting up pumpkins in August but I guess ya do what ya have to. As for me... i am last minute Lucy! I'm lucky if I get my stuff up before Thanksgiving or at least get it shared with you by then. So, before it starts snowing, here is what I did for the fall season.

In the kitchen:

Shop your produce aisle for inexpensive accessories! I love the color of these green Granny Smith apples.

I love my yummy soy candle from Old Sterling Candle Company. I picked it up at a recent trip to Clinton, MA. 

Easy-peasy topiaries made by shopping the produce department. Buy an artichoke (less than $2) and put it in a cup. Done!

Fresh greens (or autumn hues) cut from the yard. 

In the dining room:

Remember the hydrangea and daisy bunches I picked up to make my wreath? I used some of them in the dining room .

More uses for my cute little acorns I used to make my wreath. I sewed them onto a piece of twine, cut leaves from an old book using this template from Country Design Style. I also cut burlap leaves using a piece of scrap booking burlap from the craft store.

Now, in case you have the wrong idea, nothing is ever as pretty as it seems. This is what the dining room looked liked when I started taking pictures.

Yup, homeschooling means lots of books and sometimes messes. But I don't want to leave you with that image so here ya go, look at something pretty-it works for me.

I will share the living room and front porch next week...and, of course, you're invited!

See more beautiful ideas for dining rooms at Top Reveal.

Party Time!
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