Horn Homeschool: Week 1

Last week I impulsively jumped into homeschooling Chloe at the kindergarten level. After researching many curricula in the various subjects, I decided to move forward with a conglomeration of materials and teaching methods.

A BIG part of me wishes I could plop down $300+ for a total kindergarten curriculum package. It would ease my fears knowing that everything I need would come neatly packaged in a box. But since I don't have $300 lying around, I'm doing the mix-and-match method of teaching kindergarten.

And honestly, I'm glad! It seems to me, novice homeschooling-teacher that I am, that one of the essential benefits of homeschooling is flexibility. The ability to try one method on your student and then scrap it if it doesn't work well is an option traditional educators don't usually get.

It also seems to me that educating your child should cost significantly LESS than $300.

I'm gradually learning that homeschooling should NOT look like classroom-teaching-at-home. It's not simply traditional school with a change of setting. I'm certain that will be a huge hurdle for me to overcome since I have traditional teaching in my background. I've already succumbed to the temptation to buy lots of workbooks -- who can resist those cute ones in the Target dollar spot? NOT I!

Several older experienced homeschooling moms advised me that they wished they wouldn't have put so much pressure on their kindergartners. So, trying hard to go slowly, easily and with lots of fun tools in my belt, I dove in.

And looking back at our first week, I can't believe how much we got done in such a short amount of time!

As a way of record-keeping and accountability for me, it's my aim each week to chronicle on the blog our week's school progress. I'm chronicling this for my benefit; feel free to skip the long boring details and just leave me a generic comment.

This first week was all about the letter A (original, I know). Clive did several of the craft activities with us and then I did the other activities one-on-one with Chloe in the afternoons during the boys' nap time. Here's what we did:

Monday, August 23
* Made an "A" poster: I drew a capitol A and we all drew and labeled A words on the poster
* A craft: Glued pasta and other objects to a paper in the shape of an A
* Had apricot snacks and quesadillas cut into letter A shapes for lunch

* Read alphabet books together

* Handwriting page (from A Reason for Handwriting level K)

Tuesday, August 24

* Talked about alphabet order, sang the alphabet song together

* Mixed up alphabet game (I wrote each letter on a sticky note and then took the first 10 and mixed them up on the board while Chloe went out of the room. She came back in and had to rearrange the letters into proper order. We did this 3 times each time increasing the amount of letters to rearrange. By the 4th time, I mixed up all 26 letters for her to organize.)

* Reviewed short A and long A sounds

* Read several "ai" and "ay" words together

* Read the book "Play Day" focusing on the long A sound

* Wrote "ai" and "ay" words on a small chalkboard mixed in with short A words and Chloe had to identify and circle the long A sounding words

* Sorting activity

* Read alphabet books together

* Math workbook page

* Handwriting page

Wednesday, August 25

* Long A scavenger hunt game (I wrote 15 long a words on the blackboard omitting the first letter, using paper letters/blends I had prepared ahead of time Chloe had to match the beginning sounds with the long A endings to make words. When she made a word, she had to run upstairs to find that item hidden in the kitchen. I used easy to find items/toys like "plane", "mare", "train", "game", "plate", etc.)

* Read "Play Day" together

* Painting with fruit craft (Sliced a green pepper in half and then dipped it into paint to use as a stamp for making cards)

* Math workbook page

* Handwriting page

Thursday, August 26

* Read "ang" ending words

* Pictionary game with long a sounding words (I wrote 12 long a words on a grid on our small blackboard. Chloe and I took turns drawing one word from the board and the other person had to guess the word. When the word was guessed correctly, Chloe had to find it on the board and cross it off.)

* Read James Herriot's "Moses the Kitten" story from Treasury for Children (GREAT BOOK!)

* Drew pictures of our favorite scenes from "Moses the Kitten"

* Math workbook page

* Handwriting page

* Tangrams (I'm a BIG fan of using tangrams and other manipulatives for demonstrating math concepts and developing problem-solving skills. Since this was Chloe's first time ever playing with tangrams, we just played freely and made various silly shapes with them.)

Friday, August 27

* Drew and cut out lowercase a's and Chloe & Clive had to find "A"s from bowls of Alphabits cereal. Glued cereal A's to their lowercase a's

* Starfall reading journal book, 3 pages (This handy phonics/reading journal goes hand-in-hand with starfall.com, one of our favorite fun educational websites.)

* Wrote thank you cards (we skipped handwriting today since Chloe did plenty of writing on the thank you cards)

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Additionally, Matt did several math lessons on his own with Chloe. He wants to be a big part of homeschooling Chloe. But since Matt teaches college level English it's oftimes difficult for him to stoop to kindergarten mentality. When I went downstairs and found him trying to teach Chloe double-digit adding in rows, I had a little talk with him and brought him back to reality. :) He altered the lessons and instead focused on simple addition. Matt even crafted an addition chart with her pointing out patterns in the sums.

All in all, I think Chloe had a great week of kindergarten! Since I eased into things slowly, I didn't think it wise to add all subjects this past week. I want to hammer away at reading, math and handwriting for sure each week and then when I see an opportunity for a science lesson or history application we'll slide that in.

If you're homeschooling, when do/did you begin? What are you doing and how are you keeping things light and enjoyable?

Stay tuned for week 2!

Trying to be thankful

Yesterday was one of THOSE days. You know what I'm talking about.

Solomon was a crab all day long and didn't nap more than 45 minutes at a time. Which meant that by the time I settled down into an activity of some sort (reading to Chloe, working online, contemplating a nap) he was waking up again. And then he was a cranky pants!

I felt frustrated all day long. I know frustration is born from my refusing to let go of my own expectations but try as I might I could NOT shake it.

When the long day wore into evening I was spent. After yet another fussy period when I KNEW with all my mommy being that Solomon was exhausted, I stopped trying to multitask. I put on my flip-flops and took Solly for a long walk in the warm summer air.

Holding my curious baby boy and soaking in the quietness of the summer night I finally stopped regretting the day. I forced myself to stop looking at the "wasted" day and to think instead of the many tangible things I have to be thankful for.

I've been harping on Chloe lately about how fortunate she is. I explain and explain how privileged she is for being healthy, having a loving family, and living in America. But all I get is blank looks in response. I feel like I've reached official mom-status now because I totally get Ralph's mom in A Christmas Story when over a plate of unappetizing food she says, "Children in China would be happy to have that!"

I also get why she wears an apron all the time. I have used spray-n-wash on my clothes every day of my life since bearing progeny.

But I digress.

The clarity of the night and removal of distractions helped me focus on the big thankful things. And even though I didn't feel like it, I spoke truth to my lying emotional heart.

Truth is, I'm healthy. I have a husband who loves me, treats me well and makes me smile. My children may be fussy, annoying, needy, or dirty but they're mine. And they are alive without illness. Truth is, God loves me. The God of the universe. That's huge. I have friends. Good friends that I can be real with and laugh 'til I snort with.

When Solomon and I got back from our walk, he was still awake but no longer fussy. I laid him on the floor and just played with him. Our shared laughter was good therapy and a great reminder to me of the healing goodness of God. That despite my wanderings and self-imposed frustrations, God can wipe it all away in a moment. Through the simple joy of a baby's laugh.

This is the day the Lord has made, I WILL rejoice and be glad today. And tomorrow too with God's help!

What are you thanking God for today?

Keeping me humble

My kids certainly have a special knack for keeping me humble. Coming from the mouths of such small souls, the words are especially hard-hitting and dramatic.

Don't worry, I know better than to take my children too seriously.

But upon reflection, it's good to look back at their quips and quibbles and see God's lessons for me. And lately that lesson has been about humility. I'm so glad God, in His wisdom and humor, gave me these precious little grindstones to make me a better mommy.

Cases in point:

Case #1

(Setting: After Clive's nap he was sitting on the counter eating a snack while I prepared dinner.)

Clive: "Mama, what you cooking?"

Me: "I'm making zucchini muffins."

Clive: "Yum! Mama, you are a good baker!"

Me: "Thanks, Clive-y!"

Clive: "And you look like a jellyfish."

Case #2

(Setting: During the boys' nap time, Chloe was lazing around on the couch looking for something to do while I worked on the computer.)

Chloe: "Mama?"

Me: "Yes, Chloe?"

Chloe: "When I grow up I'm not going to be anything."

Me: "What do you mean, Chloe?"

Chloe: "I'm not going to have any job. If I'm a mom, I'll just be a mom and I won't work on the computer all the time."

Case #3

(Setting: Putting things on the table for dinner.)

Chloe: (walking into the kitchen) "Mmm, mommy what are we having for dinner?"

Me: "Healthy hot dogs, mangos and yogurt, and cheesy veggie noodles" (I was pretty proud of for whipping up a pasta primavera like dish using zucchini, green pepper and corn)

Chloe: "Mommy, you are the BEST cook! I'm going to give you a big hug!"

Me: "Thanks, sweetie. I hope you like it."

(Dinner transpires)

Chloe: "Mommy, this is the BEST meal I've ever had. (Thinks for a few seconds) Except when I have peanut butter and jelly. THAT'S the very best."

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See what I mean? :) I'm so thankful for these darling little ones. They keep me humble, make me laugh and help me see joy in every day life.

What funny things have your little people been saying?

Interview

Stole this cute idea from blogger friends Christina and Katie. While "interviewing" Chloe and Clive with the questions below, we were all downstairs together in the basement schoolroom/playroom. Distractions abounded! Not that Clive needs much to distract him as you'll soon discover when you read his *interesting* answers.

By the end of the interview Matt and I were both laughing to the point of tears! Experiences like this remind me yet again of the super fun phase we're in with our precious kiddos. It's draining to have three little ones 5 and under but these are sweet precious days!

Without further ado, here's the interview. Enjoy and try it out on your little people!







1. What is something your mom always says to you?
Chloe: "Um, I love you!"
Clive: "No no, I a baby. Babies not talk, babies cry. WAAAH." (I asked the question again this time addressing it to "baby" instead of "Clive".) "Uh, shhh."

2. What makes mom happy?
Chloe: "When I give you a BIG hug!"
Clive: "Sad!"

3. What makes mom sad?
Chloe: "When I disobey."
Clive: "Uh, no I a baby. Uh, I don't know."

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
Chloe: "By tickling me!"
Clive: "Tickle me!"

5. What was your mom like as a child?
Chloe: "A gift" (Not sure what she was thinking with this response but she's right on. I WAS a gift to my dear mom when I was a child. Now if I was a lump-of-coal type gift or a bright-shiny-new-bike type gift is up for debate.)
Clive: "I don't know"

6. How old is your mom?
Chloe: "35"
Clive: "3"

7. How tall is your mom?
Chloe: "50 inches"
Clive: "50 inches" (copycat!)

8. What is your mom's favorite thing to do?
Chloe: "Take naps" (So true!)
Clive: "Get in a bus"

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Chloe: "Sit and cry"
Clive: "Wash the dishes"

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Chloe: "For being superman"
Clive: "I need to wash my hands!"

11. What is your mom really good at?
Chloe: "Taking naps"
Clive: "Eating supper"

[At this point in the interview Clive yells out, "Where's my hammer?!? I need my hammer!" For the next several questions of the interview Clive hammers the bookshelf while singing the Bob the Builder theme song.]

12. What is your mom not very good at?
Chloe: "Lifting chairs"
Clive: "Lifting chairs"

13. What does your mom do for her job?
Chloe: "Teach"
Clive: "Lifting chairs" (guess I'm not very good at my job then according to Clive)

[Since Clive kept repeating Chloe's answers, Matt proceeded to conduct a whispering lesson with Chloe. Chloe wasn't getting it and the whole thing spiraled into silliness quickly.]

14. What's your mom's favorite food?
Chloe: "Cheese"
Clive: "Cheerios"

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
Chloe: "She wins races a lot."
Clive: "She . . . . hammering."

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Chloe: "Superman" (Can you tell Chloe's fascinated by superman lately?)
Clive: "Kipper the dog" (HEY, I object!)

[After his last reply, Clive explored the game closet, found the bananagram bag and shouted, "BANANAGRAMS!" while dumping all the letter tiles out.]

17. What do you and your mom do together?
Chloe: "Doing school"
Clive: "Do bananagrams in here"

18. How are you and your mom the same?
Chloe: "We both have brown hair and brown eyes"
Clive: "Both 3 years old"

19. How are you and your mom different?
Chloe: "I can't hear" (Huh? Maybe she meant she couldn't hear the questions over her brothers' racket?)
Clive: "I different and mommy's different too"

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Chloe: "Because I love her"
Clive: "She told me"

21. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
Chloe: "To stores"
Clive: "To Krieger's"

Together

Matt and I just celebrated our eighth anniversary. Eight years already?!?

In some respects it seems as though it's only been a few months. The last eight years have passed by super quickly. In other ways it's as though we've been together forever. And I mean that in a good way. :) Living life together with Matt is natural and easy and good for me. He sharpens me, challenges me and complements me. We're opposites in lots of ways and while that sometimes brings conflict it also brings balance to our crazy home.

And don't get me started on what an amazing and involved dad he is.

If we were on a dance floor, this is the song I'd pick for us.

I love you, Matthew Clive Horn.

Blurry milestones

I have a theory regarding time. Time is proportional to the number of children you have distracting you. Now that I'm the mother to three little blessings, time seems to go by THREE times as fast.

Somehow my baby Solomon grew overnight into a 16 1/2 pound bundle of baby chub. He's rolling, laughing, eating cereal, TRYING TO CRAWL (he doesn't yet realize he's not allowed to achieve mobile status for many more months) and blowing spit bubbles. He's knocking down the milestones like a boxing champ.

And instead of waiting expectantly for these precious baby milestones, I'm a spectator watching as they speed past me in a blur.

Solomon isn't the only one blowing past the milestones at lightning speed. My baby girl Chloe is doing it too. This past week she turned 5, lost a tooth, spent a day all by herself with grandma (during which she got to eat at a super fancy restaurant -- subject for another blog post), and has grown into a lovely "big girl".

Thankfully Clive is frozen in super-cute 2 year old mode. My favorite word he says right now is "actually". He uses it correctly too. It just sounds so darling in his little 2 year old voice!

As the milestones blur past me, I'm reminded to slow down the blurring and savor these moments. To let go of petty minor issues and to focus on the big stuff. Like loving God, living in peace, and laughing with the children He's given us.

What fun things are your kids doing in their current phase?

Homeschooling poll

Ok, I realize I'll be opening up the floodgates here when I ask this question but I don't care! I LOVE hearing what curricula others use in homeschooling and I'm desperate for more ideas. I'm also starting to panic a little since I still don't have a solid plan yet for Chloe's kindergarten year.

But then I remember that we're talking kindergarten and not highschool calculus. Actually, I enjoy calculus so that's slightly less intimidating to me. Kindergarten means art projects, reading LOTS of books, learning to tell time, counting money and fun field trips so why am I stressing?!?

SO, what do you currently use for homeschooling curriculum in the major subject areas? I need advice in every area so feel free to give me a detailed report!

How can he sleep like that?!?

We recently upgraded all the kids to bigger beds. Solomon went to the crib, Clive to a twin sized bed, and Chloe to a full sized bed in her OWN room. Her room is pink and girly. She's already possesive of it and trying to keep her brother out. I thought that wasn't supposed to happen until adolescence?

All things considered Clive is doing great with the new set up. He's always been a thrashing moving type of sleeper so the bed rails are a MUST for his safety. Even with the rails, which cover almost the entire length of his bed, he's already fallen out of bed once.

And with his new found freedom we certainly have our staying-in-bed battles. He's a completely different beast than Chloe in this regard.

I knew we had it too easy with Chloe. Oddly enough, Chloe used to stay in bed and then call for me to get her up! It was as though she didn't realize she could get out on her own. Since she was our first child, I assumed that was the norm. (Please don't laugh too hard at my naivete.)

Somehow, I never tire of going in late at night to peek in on the kids while they sleep. Part of me wants to make sure they're safe. But a bigger part of my heart loves to see them peaceful and innocent while they slumber.

And with Clive I enjoy going in and discovering what crazy new sleeping position he's gotten himself into! Ah to be able to sleep that soundly!

Is my wacky boy the only kiddo who sleeps like a contortionist?

Pretty tips?

Today was an insanely productive day for me. I simply can't believe all that I got done in a 12 hour span of time! I won't tell you what I accomplished because

a) you won't believe me,
b) you'll think I'm bragging, and
c) God should get the credit since HE supplied me with the strength and motivation.

Five hours of uninterrupted sleep and several cups of coffee helped too.

Mid-afternoon I raced upstairs to use the bathroom and as I washed my hands I caught a passing glance of myself in the mirror. YUCK! Who was that sweaty messy person looking back at me? My brushed-once-this-morning hair was disheveled and frizzy. The powder I had hurriedly applied was completely gone. Sweat droplets, red cheeks (will I EVER remember to put sunscreen on myself?) and blotchiness covered my skin.

Besides that my clothes were a wreck! After grocery shopping and plastering layer 1 on Chloe's birthday pinata I felt like one huge stain.

I don't expect to look like a fresh dewy supermodel while I'm in the grind of mommyhood but I DID hope I'd look better than the bride of Frankenstein. It's no secret that I don't spend much time on myself. Primping and floofing are NOT high on my priority list right now. Sleep, having fun with my kids, sleep, making meals, sleep, connecting with my husband and keeping the house slightly cleaner than filthy are tops on my agenda. Did I mention I need more sleep?

Today I neglected to take a few minutes to pretty myself up. It doesn't usually take more than 5 minutes to do my normal routine of face powder, mascara, clean clothes, painted toenails, earrings, a spritz of perfume and lip gloss. (And I must confess, I often apply my makeup in the car. It saves precious minutes in the morning and I can apply almost everything without ever taking my eyes off the road. Granted, mascara is a bit tricky but I apply that at red lights.)

Which leads me to ask . . . what quick things do you do to up your daily pretty factor?