I love what I’m reading

I have been reading the Charlotte Mason’s series in modern English, and I really love what I have learnt so far.  I love her method of teaching, and I do believe that it will work.

I will not attempt summarising what I read so far, since I really don’t want to do any injustice to her teaching.  So what is it that I like?

saw examples of living books that other CM homeschoolers are using, and the books are really so so so good.  I am not a reader by nature, so even I am drawn to the books after reading a chapter or two.  The language used is nothing like what we read, the language is a work of art.  Something that I’m sure we as parents, will want our children to learn.

The learning of the English language, from spelling, to grammar, to writing composition, is a natural evolution through her method and philosophy.

The teaching of other subjects like history, science, geography also evolve naturally.

She advocate using manipulatives for Math, and I totally agree.

Her philosophy doesn’t just looking into education, she touches on educating the heart and moral value of the child as well.

Last 2 days, I tried the CM style with Mr E, using one of the FIAR book.  Both of us really enjoyed the lesson.  The book we read was “The Little Red Lighthouse and The Great Gray Bridge”.

The love for knowing more about New York evolved after reading.  He wanted to know where is the bridge and light house on the map of New York, we started exploring who is George Washington, from this, we talked about Singapore’s first president, and who is the face on our Singapore dollar bill. We also read stories about George Washington, and saw the actual picture of the red light house verses the great gray bridge.  And oh ya, we talked about Benjamin Sheares’ Bridge too.  From learning about America to Singapore seamlessly evolved.  Mr E also did some copywork, and he wrote SO DILEGENTLY, and SO NICELY.

I know what I just dropped down is so random and unorganised, but I’m really excited, excited that both Mr E and I are enjoying what we learnt.

Honestly, before reading CM, I am really not sure about homeschooling Primary level, but now, with CM, it has given me a very good direction.

Am I decided about what his Primary education? Actually still not yet Waiting for my hubby’s nod

Good that I have used up all the lesson plans that I did.  I will start doing lesson plan for next term, and I’m certainly looking forward to more interesting journey ahead.

Sir Ken Robinson: Do schools kill creativity?

Or rather, do school AND I kills creativity?  this clip takes a while to buffer, so be patient.  BUT, the message is really worth watching, and listening.

 http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/66

A very big reminder for me to see beyond the children.

What I’m really impressed about is the sharing about Gillian Lynne.  My Ms Z is really something like the girl.  And the video has certainly helps me see Ms Z in a different light.

To homeschool primary or not?

Question: What have been in my heart and mind and prayer list?

Answer: Should I continue to homeschool my children for Primary (& Secondary) level?

Burn out?

I actually posted an entry, but don’t know what happened, it got lost… I must have clicked something wrong … That’s just how blur I am right now.

Basically, what I wrote was that I’m feeling really tired.  I think I spend too much time planning my children’s school.  Sometimes I really wish I can be like some other homeschool mums who are relax, not so control freak, less of a superwoman mentality, and just RELAX!

With Primary 1 approaching in less than a year’s time, I’m starting to worry if my son is well prepared for the formal school, especially his Chinese.

Sigh… a stressed and tired me talking here…

Homeschool 2008 – Reviewed

After just 2 weeks of schooling, I already have a review!!  Well, afterall, this is my first time trying to homeschool 2 children.  For other experienced homeschooler, its a piece of cake, for me, I’m still learning and struggling along the way.

What are the changes now…

I take away all the afternoon homeschool sessions, and replace it with cards, board games, chess, game time, etc with Mr E instead. Anyway he loves such games, so why not!

This is made possible because of the new children’s devotion guide that I have been using with Mr E since beginning of the year. The quiet time in the morning become the Bible part of our homeschool.  This saves me lots of time on lesson plan preparation, and gives me more time on other subjects, without sacrificing spiritual teaching.  I also do not want to overwhelm the children with too much Bible studies, so I thought the devotion is really sufficient.

We now have more time outdoor too!  Our outdoor cloud time left such a deep impression upon the children’s minds that they are consistently observing the clouds when we are out, especially my little Ms Z, who in turn, influence Mr E.

Basically, the changes mean the children, especially Mr E, has more learn through game time, as well as learn at the great outdoor time.  Something that I very much prefer too.

Clouds

Homeschool today started with me reading Little Cloud by Eric Carle to Ms Z.  Originally only planned to go nearby playground to observe the clouds.  But, it just didn’t seemed enough.  Decided to zoom down to the East Coast Park beach.

Without me prompting much, Ms Z kept looking up the sky.  And her favorite cloud is Mr Dinosaur!

“Mum, look, this is baby dinosaur.”

“Mum, that’s the scary dinosaur who eat the sheep.”

“I see a whale.”

My heart smiles hearing all these.  It felt so great showing the children the world that God has made.   For me, this is what schooling is about, and this is the beauty of homeschooling.

Beginning of homeschool 2008

Officially our school term started on Monday.  But it happens to be a playdate.

Tuesday, ie, today, we are starting homeschool, as in proper schooling, not playdate.  Its gonna be Zoe’s official homeschool too .

Probably we have stopped for too long, which is why Ethan been looking forward to it.  For me, I am also looking forward cause I be approaching this coming term a little differently from usual.

Bible and moral gonna take priority over everything else.  Which is why for Ethan, we have morning focusing on Bible and Chinese, while Zoe, I have replaced the stories used in Oak Meadow with bible stories instead.

Will write more on the curriculums we will be using.  I’m just so excited over the start of a new school term that I simply have to blog it down

Disciple the little ones to know God

Few weeks ago, as I think about 2008, I realised that it will most likely be my last year of homeschooling Ethan before he enters formal school!!!  I freaked out!  Suddenly, I was desperate to arm him with the ‘holy bullets’ before he enters the ‘world’.

As I look around some bible curriculum and lesson plans, there are really a lot of things that can be covered.  But, what should I focus on?  As the night went along, as I think, plan, and pray, felt in my heart that I should pass on to my children, Who is God to ME, and, Why am I still a Christian today.  Basically, to share my life journey in His Kingdom with my children, especially to Ethan.

And it becomes clear to me what I want to cover in 2008.  Through my own life testimonies and the bible stories, I hope faith can be built upon this little one to know that God is with him every step of the way even though mummy is not at his side.

Why am I still a Christian?/Who is God to me?

• He is the beginning – Creation and the fall of man
• He gives Eternal Life – Jesus and Judgement Day 
• I have the Holy Spirit – Pentacost 
• Our teacher and guide – The bible
• Jesus’ special love for the children 
• His grace – Jesus and the prostitute
• He gives us a sense of purpose – Light of the world/Esther
• His miracles in my life – Walk on Water/wine/etc 
• He is my strength and my courage – Joshua/David & Goliath
• He is my guide and helper – Wisdom, story on solomon
• Our healer - Jesus and the 10 lepers
• Joy in times of trouble – Paul in jail
• Protection – Daniel in the Lion Den
• He hold unto me even when I drift away from Him – Prodigal Son
• Freedom from worry – “Do not worry”
• His blessings of love through – Family (Ruth & naomi), Friends (David & Jonathan), Strangers (The Good Samaritan)
• Financial Blessings - Elijah and the widow with her son

Zoe’s Curriculum bought!

Finally, I invested in it!!!  After thinking and re-thinking, I decided to get the curriculum from Oak Meadow.

But, after looking through the whole curriculum, I realised the stories it uses are not that suitable for Zoe’s age. They are tooooo long, I think I will lost her half way through the story! …

Decided to improvise it by changing the story to a suitable bible story instead.  That solves my biblical part of the lesson plan!!!

US$300.  I like what my dear friend says:

“US$300 – is considered very cheap compared to you sending her to school Everytime I want to say – wah!So expensive to any curriculum I am considering, I’ll force myself to think that if I send them to school, it’ll cost as much if not more!”

Which, is very true.  Cause the kindergarten that I originally wanted to send Ethan to cost S$540 per term anyway!

End of Year – Planning Time again.

I ‘owe’ this part of my blog a lot… It has been nearly impossible for me to update much here.  No time…

I’m now busy planning my homeschool for 2008!

For Zoe, at first, it seems so easy to just use my B4FIAR lesson plans that I used on Ethan, BUT, after doing 2 books with Zoe this year, she proves to be different from her brother in terms of her learning style.  As such, I am delaying B4FIAR for her, will likely start it again after she turns 4 towards end of 2008.

Currently checking out a curriculum, which, gonna COST me… about US$300!!! But, I really like what I’m seeing in their sample lesson.  Only drawback is, I still have to top it up with Bible Study.  Well, that’s my headache and I’m still on the look out for something to pluck and use.

For Ethan, FIAR is still working well with us.  More or less decided on what he gonna do next year, pluck and use stuffs from here and there!

Will update more when I have finalised everything.