Wednesday, March 7th, 2012

We took a Spring Break the past two days, along with the rest of the county. Tomorrow and Friday, though, we are getting back to work!

Monday, March 5, 2012

JACK IS BACK!!!!

He and Annie have devoured loads of trivia along with some warm banana bread and now they are giddy about creative writing! They are using prompt books to do timed exercises and I must say, they are BOTH really good writers! The last think Jack read gave us goosebumps. Very creepy and suspenseful. I'm inspired by their enthusiasm!

Bryan is distracted by technical difficulties with a couple of videos he's completed and trying to post.

Also, he has started getting votes for his LandOMoms contest entry. Exciting stuff! Grand prize is a trip to NYC with vocal instruction and a few other things.

Later that same day.....

Bryan and Annie left for their voice lessons at 2:15, which gave me and Jack a couple of hours to be together and talk. He went with me to the grocery, and he was very talkative and pleasant and helpful. Imagine that! Three helpful, kind, considerate teenagers! Where DO we get this idea that teenagers are a different breed? They are not! It's all in how they are treated. Jack obviously has wonderful, loving parents, grandparents and key models in his life, as he is very gallant, sweet and very, very bright. And what a sense of humor! We are lucky he's with us.

When Jack and I returned home from the store, I started to prepare tonight's dinner in advance, as it is multi-stepped. He started to read me his middle school handbook, which prompted an in-depth discussion about school, methodology, pedagogy and what makes for the best conditions for learning. "Freedom." That's what we have discerned. Jack told me a couple of weeks ago that he doesn't like to read for pleasure. Today, he revised that statement. He likes to read, when not coerced to read something which doesn't hold his interest. WHY do we assume that kids need to be coerced, while adults get to pick and chose? If we are so hell bent on practice and success, why not let a kid practice the fine art of choosing?

We need not be fearful that letting kids choose means that they will not be exposed to a variety of things. That's where we come in. We can facilitate exposure. What me mustn't do is expect that every exposure will light a fire in another person. When Jamie and I took the kids to Monticello, for example, Annie wanted every scholarly book in the gift shop. That taught me a lot about marketing, because she was off the idea of poring over those books once we got home. A waste of money? I don't think so! She's hopefully got many years stretched out in front of her and can read about Jeffersonian policy and the love letters of Abigail and John when she is my age, or at any other time. Until then, those books are cherished memories of a lovely, family trip and are available to us all.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Today, Annie, Bryan and Jamie are the YPPC theater helping to rip out the old seats, in order to make way for new, donated seats from another theater. Their upgrade is our upgrade! Nice, huh?

I am home, having a very quiet weekend, making spaghetti sauce, reading and tidying. It's been a chilly, drizzly weekend - perfect for such pursuits.

Jack is coming back to school this week! We are excited.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Today is a full and fun day of the week. We have physics class in Chapel Hill with "Science Jim" Mueller, then band practice. Annie is busily finishing up her physics homework right now. Bryan is filming.

Film, Physics and Band. Certainly enough to think about for one day! I'm so glad they don't have to stop what they are doing every 50 minutes and race to the next class and try to become interested in a new subject, just in time to race to a third one.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Hello, March!

This month, Annie will be 17! We will have a new niece or nephew! Big month!

If Wednesday are "dancey," than Thursdays are "drama days." Three hours of Homeschool Theater Class in Durham, which was followed by a dental cleaning today, then a two hour Master's Theater Class from 7:00-9:00 in the evening.

We still miss Jack, but the doctor in Raleigh wants to check his lungs daily for a while.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Today was a dancey-dancey day.

Annie had her private ballet class with Elliot. They are working on her comedic Swan Lake dance that she is to perform with lots of little "swans," while she does the Fanny Brice/Funny Girl schtick.

Bryan worked on learning a part of a dance from "How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying." "A Brotherhood Of Man" is a song that Ann, Jamie and Bryan adore. And the dancing is great. Bryan is obsessed with being in a production of that play someday.

Then, I took Annie in the afternoon to tap class with Nicole Batalias. She used to be a Rockette (and not that long ago!) and she's a good, tough teacher. Annie likes her.

They took a break in the afternoon, while Annie wrote and Bryan drew.

Now, they are finishing up their Theater Dance Class in Durham with Susie Kless. They loved her and that class.

They just got back and Susie is going to let Bryan choreograph a number! He's excited!

We HOPE Jack will be with us again soon. Asthma is NO FUN!

Tuesday, February 28th, 2012

Today has been a gorgeous day. Annie and Bryan are in the throes of "Look Homeward, Angel" and busily memorizing lines. Today was so lovely outside, they could go outdoors for long spells.

In geography news, we learned the Central and South American countries. Tomorrow, we will test ourselves on the US, Canada, Central and South America, and then move on to Mexico. It'll be cool to know our way around the globe. As we move to different regions, we keep testing ourselves on the previous ones, so as not to forget.

We are thinking of watching a documentary or classic film tonight.

More later!

Friday, February 24, 2012

Whew!

It's been a busy, productive week that just flew by! We had all of our usual classes and hopefully next week, I'll have more time to share what's happening.

Until then, I'm going to enjoy the weekend!

Get Well Soon, Jack! We miss you!

Jack is having asthma-related breathing problems and hasn't been able to come for a few days. We SURE DO MISS HIM! And yet, we are grateful that he doesn't have to deal with the mountains of busy work that would await him if he were still in public school. Life is learning and learning is life. And right now, Jack has a bigger lesson than worksheets and math homework. He needs to see that his health and well-being are paramount and concentrate his forces on that. Being weakened by stress and arbitrary assignments is not helpful in times of crisis. Neither is knowing it's all building up while you rest.

Monday has become a sort of "life skills" day around here and we've been getting the house ship-shape. Voice lessons and dental appointment punctuated the afternoon.

Supper is over, walking the dog is ahead and we look forward to a full day tomorrow. Lots of formal learning tends to take place on Tuesdays. It just works well for our schedule for Tuesday to be like most peoples' Mondays.

It's been a gorgeous day here, as we wait for more Jack news.

More tomorrow!

Our wild and precious lives.

Why would caring adults ever unnecessarily put CHILDREN in the position to think to themselves, "If I can just get through the day," or "If I can just get through the week," or "If I can JUST make it until June," and so on.

The first day we homeschooled Annie, halfway through seventh grade, it was as if we had woken from a long, bad dream. We looked across the breakfast table at each other with expressions that belied the things going through our heads -- things like, "I remember you! I remember getting up in the morning, having no dread and thinking, "What do I want to do today?" Or as the poet Mary Oliver put so beautifully:



The Summer Day

Mary Oliver

Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean-
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Thursday is theater day for Annie and Bryan. They have a three hour class in the morning and a two hour class in the evening. In the morning class, there are only homeschoolers. This semester, they are working on "The Apple Tree," which Annie likes and Bryan despises. Very seldom do either of them despise a show. So, it will be nice to leave this one behind.

In the evening class (which also meets on Saturdays) they are both really enjoying "Look Homeward Angel." They both have large parts in each show. Lots of lines to learn! This class includes homeschoolers, public schoolers and private schoolers. A nice bunch of kids.

Also, our Thursday routine includes time with their grandfather. My dad picks them up for lunch and they have a great time. Lately, Dad has looked over Annie's physics homework and gets a kick out of how much she likes it.

I'm glad that they have time to spend with him. They will treasure it. Life is about people of ALL ages interacting, rather than artificial age-segregation that ends when school ends. Where else in life does it show up? So how does it prepare for the "real world?" I venture that it does not.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

This week is busy for everyone! Not much time to write.

I've decided that Monday is "life skills" day -- with a private voice lesson sprinkled in. Too many kids graduate high school and can't reconcile a bank statement, fry an egg or really clean a bathroom and have never called to make their own dental appointment. I'm in a much better mood on Tuesday (the day we are home all day and get the most done academically and set the tone for the week -- Tuesday for us is like Monday for most folks, as Saturday is busy and like most peoples' Fridays) if we have a pleasant and organized environment in which to accomplish our goals.

Short summary: Ann and Bryan have been working on line memorization a great deal for the two plays they are in right now. Continuing with the Native American study, geography, and hopefully on Friday, another American Sign Language for lesson for Jack and Ann after physics class.

Voice lessons, dance classes, etc., as usual too.

More later! Off to ballet!

While Ann worked on her physics homework, Bryan and I had fun learning our Canadian provinces. Bryan beat me by one second in the geography game.

I dropped Annie at tap and afterwards, I dropped both kids at Rich and Susie Kless's house for Rich to give Bryan some acting help. He has a difficult character to play in "Look Homeward Angel." He has to be bitter, drunk, not funny but sometime a little funny. Anyway, Rich is such a great actor and teacher.

Afterwards, Susie gave the kids a ride to dance class. A full day.

Jamie and I had a nice evening and tomorrow is already shaping up to be rather busy. We're excited that Jack will spend Friday night so have the better part of two full days here with us. Next week, he's coming on Monday and will be here until Tuesday night. It's fun to have him around!

Saturday, February 11, 2012

A person can learn on Saturdays too?!?

Yep, they sure can. :) In becoming "de-schooled," we sometimes forget what day of the week it is around here. Annie is spending the entire day at the theater (or in "drama class," in school terms). She is stage-managing a play for the younger kids, as part of her volunteer hours. Then, her own class will commence in the late afternoon. Bryan will attend that class as well.

We don't know exactly what Jack is up to today, as he is home for the weekend. But I aim to check in with him.

Life is good! Life is learning. And learning is life.

Happy Saturday!

Friday, February 10, 2012

Yesterday (Thursday) is a heavy theater day for Annie and Bryan. Homeschool Theater Class during the first half of the day and then Masters Class in the evening. This gives Jack some time to do math, geography, reading and/or work in the shop his mother manages. It is good to have teenagers help out. Boys like to "raise a barn." Don't give them a bunch of busy work. Give them a sense of purpose - a feeling of really helping out and making a difference. Too often, in the confines of school buildings and with the hours of busy work assigned for later in the day, teenagers don't have the chance to be a part of things. They don't get to help their parents, take out the garbage or paint a garage door. This disconnection is part of what creates the "generation gap." Some of it is hormonal, sure. But much is conditioned.

A friend of my mom's from Pakistan told her that the "terrible teens" is a very American phenomenon. She said we cut them out of our circle, don't expect anything from them in the way of "barn raising" because of all the isolating school work. We push them to think of little else than getting into college. Then we point to them when they collapse on the couch and say, "Look at those lazy good-for-nothings -- only thinking of themselves." We definitely create that scenario, just to turn around and complain. Homeschooled, non-sleep deprived, kids -- kids who aren't treated like liabilities or enemies to adults, kids who aren't talked down to all day, droned at all day, or worse, bullied or ignored all day, prove this theory. They are as good-natured as any adults I know. No more moody than their menopausal mothers, that's for sure!

Annie, Bryan and Jack all went to physics class today, which sounded fun! In the words of Science Jim, their teacher, "A very fun day today! We took a look at conservation of momentum by crashing balls together. We took a look at impulse by shooting spit balls and we took a look at the relationship between impulse and momentum by dropping eggs out of my window! Physics rocks!"

Afterwards, the boys and I took Annie to the YPPC theater for her to volunteer with the younger kids' production. She and her friend Martin, who are both in the high school, YPPC Masters program are helping out.

Once back at home, Jack and Bryan went to find Avery to play outside. Jack told us that he didn't get any physical education at his old school. The only exercise or fresh air he got was while running from one building to another, trying not to be late for another "sit down and shut up" session. I'm so glad he's with us now. Even if we don't do everything right -- how about the "First Do No Harm" axiom?

In Clark Aldrich's book, Unschooling Rules, he questions the effectiveness of having more than one or two academic pursuits a day. He is rather convincing. He explains how humans can't really take in all of that lecturing and information. He states that even when geniuses travel the globe to convene at summits, dealing with the most interesting and pressing issues facing humankind, that people begin to nod off or daydream at the 45 minute mark. At best, we can be presented one subject to think about in the morning and one in the afternoon. These should be interspersed with movement, fresh air, participation in our own upkeep (i.e., growing food, taking out trash, etc.) and especially, pursuing our own passions.

That said, when the boys come back in, while I'm cooking dinner, they plan to work on the computer together. Jack had several questions for Bryan about how to make a YouTube page and such. This should be fun! AND educational. :)

Later: Jack left tonight most pleased with his accomplishments and in high spirits. He and Bryan made him a YouTube page, as I mentioned earlier. And Jack has a new Flip video camera and I can tell he's going to have fun with it! Letting these guys pursue things that excite them provides proof that learning is fun.

Already, Jack is a blessing to us all!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

So far, today has been less splashy. Jack arrived around 12:30 and started math straight away. Annie is working on physics homework, while Bryan is hatching Valentine's Day plans, while playing his ukulele.

We have decided that a weekly writing assignment, mostly short and sweet ones, would be a good idea. We'll see how it goes. Right now, we are thinking of writing more personal, creative pieces and some reviews of films and articles. Jack and Bryan are not big novel lovers, but Annie can review those too.

Today, Ann has a lot of dance! Her Monday ballet lesson with Elliot was rescheduled for this morning, her tap class is later this afternoon, and theater dance class is tonight. Bryan takes that last class too.

The boys are going to participate in some "fundjucation," as Bryan calls it, and watch an episode of "Myth Busters" while we wait for Ann to finish physics and head over to Durham for tap class.

More later!

We are back from Durham, for a short rest and refueling. Bryan and Ann have theater dance class at the Arts Council and 7:00, during which time I will meet Paul and Maria at Whole Foods and have dinner with Jack and hand him back over.

In the meantime, Annie is teaching Jack to knit! They are having fun together. Lots of unforced bonding and it's only the first week! I think Bryan and Jack have bonded outdoors, with Avery and such. And Annie and Jack have bonded more inside, doing calmer things. No surprise there, I guess.

We are still buzzing with the excitement that Jack is with us!

Tuesday, February 7th, 2012

Today was productive! We began with geography. Bryan and Ann familiarized Jack with the geography game we use. I've always liked it, as it uses mistakes to teach. What a concept! Mistakes can be a good thing! Right now, we are working on North America.

As it was a mild, sunny day, I dropped the kids at Poet's Walk, while I went to the store. They walked down the trail to the Eno River and got some exercise and fresh air and a little time to be on their own - collectively, that is. On my way back, I called Annie on her cell phone and they were down at the river, not quite ready to head back inside. So, I unloaded groceries and waited a short while for them to call me. It's so nice that something as beautiful and historic as Poet's Walk is so nearby. We love to witness the seasons change there - so picturesque. Here's a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oi48Szd7oe8&feature=related

We made our bagel lunches and watched part 1 of the the five-part PBS documentary, "We Shall Remain" about the history of Native Americans. Part 1, "After the Mayflower," begins in Colonial America, ending with the aftermath of King Philip's War (1675-76) in which King Philip (the Wampanoag Indian Chief, son of Massasoit) sought to rid New England of British settlers; two thousand settlers were killed before King Philip perished and his followers were subdued. Here is a nice summary:http://thewampanoag.com/wampanoag-history/metacomet-king-philip/

Bryan followed up on a lead for a guitar teacher for him and Jack. We should be hearing something soon!

Afterwards, the boys took out trash and recycling and shot baskets for a while. They played some video games while waiting for Avery, a neighbor boy, to finish his homework. Then all three boys jumped on Avery's netted trampoline and had a great time. I could hear the laughing from next door -- and there is a wooded lot in between!

While I cooked dinner, Annie and Jack worked from their "Editor in Chief" grammar books. Unlike the geography game, this book series allows the student to correct the mistakes of others. They read and find the mistakes in articles. In the instructions, the student is informed as to how many mistakes appear in each article. There is an answer key in the back.

We ate homemade pizza and chili and then Annie started making brownies. While they baked, she and Jack began an online American Sign Language program. We used a cable to view it on the big screen and they REALLY got into it! They were downright gleeful about their first complete sentence. They were in their own world for awhile. Definitely "in the flow" of learning.

What is "flow?" In his book, "Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience," Csikszentmihalyi defines flow as ‘the state in which people are so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter; the experience itself is so enjoyable that people will do it even at great cost, for the sheer sake of doing it.’ I saw this firsthand with Annie, Jack and American Sign Language today. When Paul and Maria came to pick up Jack, they were able to get more instruction from Paul, who knows ESL, or English Sign Language.

It was a great day. We are excited about having Jack around!

Our school is blog-worthy!

When Annie and I first started homeschooling, it was just the two of us. It was January 4th, 2008, the day all of her classmates were returning to seventh grade, after the holiday break. It was cold that morning and we made a pot of Lady Grey Tea. We took out charcoals and paper and she began a series of tree drawings. After years of being told how unartistic she was, those beautiful charcoal bare-branched trees are cherished and framed.

When Bryan wanted to join us the next fall, homeschooling became something that took more thought. How do I meet both their "educational needs?" I began to doubt that teachers could even come close to meeting the needs of twenty-plus, sometimes thirty-plus students.

My children's interests overlap a good deal. Both are musical, both are very involved in community theater (Talk about a rich social life!) and both like to see Broadway shows, comedians, performers, etc. But Bryan hates math, doesn't want to read novels, loves to film and categorize, while Ann is not particularly affected one way or the other by math, adores reading and writing, would rather analyze than list, and a host of other differences.

Traveling as a family, watching wonderful films and reading great books aloud have been rich sources of pleasure, learning and nostalgia. We are really happy, at the very least, not to be dealing in mounds of busy work, the realms of tardy slips, hall passes, bubble sheets and daydreaming our way out of a classroom.

Now, we have a new student. Our friend, Jack, is joining us this semester. We are excited to have him with us. Now that we have expanded to a two-family homeschool (as much as our state allows) I can see that a blog could be a valuable tool for us all. Parents and grandparents can get a view in to what we are doing. And the kids and I can keep track of our accomplishments and plans. It will be helpful, on a not-so-productive day to look back and say, "How 'bout that? We've done a lot!"

So, welcome to our blog. I hope to introduce myself and each student in the coming weeks. We are happy to be together!