Learning style

Recently, my boys were tested on their knowledge of what they have learned in school. Since "we" home-school, I was a nervous wreck during the week of testing. Once I received the results I couldn't/wouldn't open it for several days.

My thoughts were random. Those wonderful self conversations went something like this:

"What if my kids fail the Iowa State Test?"
"That's fine. Whatever. I'll blame the teacher."
"Oh! #@$! I am the teacher!"
"Well.  I'll just send them back to school"
"Yeah. Right! Here comes Jethro! 21 and still in third grade!"

As I suspected! My children are stupid and it's totally their teacher Mother Father's fault!!

There. I said it. Now I can breathe and put down the bag of chocolate Oreo cookies. Okay, yeah. One more won't hurt.  Shoot! There all gone??!  Who ate all the coo...

And that's when I decided that I really needed help. No. Not with the cookies. With learning about the way  my children learn.  Meeting them where they are and not where I would like them to be. SO. For a few weeks during the summer. I put aside all of our "study" books and began reading a book by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias. called The way they learn. How to discover and teach to your child's strengths.

In reading this book I had to rediscover the way I learn. One thing which has come to my attention is the awareness of several dominant learning styles. As we develop and mature over time we often mask or adjust our learning styles to fit our environment instead of allowing our environment to fit us.

Okay, so this may not be a great revelation to a lot of people, but it was to me..I'm not sure that I really put much thought it the way I learn things over the years. I went to school. Sat down at my desk and for the most part did what I was told. When I was told. How I was told. And that's pretty much the way I have run our home-school.

Many people may disagree with homeschooling. Feeling that children need to adapt to all of life's situations no matter what. That's life. Deal with it. End of story. However, My son Brian who appears aloof to a lot of people, and bit impulsive. Is the kid that would be kicked out of the classroom, often exasperating the teacher and sent to the principles office for not conforming.

Alexander on the other hand, appears to be organized and gives great attention to detail. He's the kid that would come home with bundles and bundles of homework every night because he spent to much time on one project trying to perfect the assignment that the teacher assigned. Always remaining as the teachers pet but  his loving parents would be up all night finishing the work he started at 8 am that morning.

While James our oldest often seems to need reassurance and acceptance with a lot of praise and acceptance. He's extremely bright but was the child that took most of the hits as a youngster and was often bullied so other kids would feel better about themselves.

Each one of them are so different and actually tested on or above grade level on the Iowa test. Brian, can learn basically anywhere, with a bunch of distractions and most usually is the distraction with a lot of tapping and standing while learning BUT he learns. Alexander needs a bit of nature around his environment with a quiet serene surrounding and a specific deadline to finish with a set timer. While James needs to be able to move around in a quiet comfortable room with soft light and little distractions.

Now,  I can work around a few distractions but benefit mostly in a bright warm environment. Outside running in the warm sun at the park near a meadow without bugs and other creatures and a package of Oreo cookies is perfect for me.

For the past few years of homeschooling I have pretty much created a very structured environment and although luckily we don't have a Jethro yet. "What? Speak American! Uncle Jed!"  Well then. How does one put all of these things into action and make their homeschooling experience a successful one barring serious weight gain? Thank you Cynthia! My new best friend.

Yep. It only took two or three (or twenty) years BUT  I have begun to realize that I have put a great many demands and stress on my boys.

With this new year, I hope to implement a new approach to the way we learn. Although we will be covering much of the same material, I hope to change the way we learn with a bit of each persons personality giving way to another. Therefore, making it a joy of learning instead of a chore of learning.

Hopefully, I will be able to update as the year progresses. However, I may start on the next book by Cynthia Tobias entitled Every child can succeed. (yippee!)  Who knows where they could end up!

Wish me luck! Better yet, with my high quality organizational skills I'd like to possess perhaps it's best to wish my kids luck. 

Hey Congress! Can't we be friends?

Perhaps I need to speak with my nephew Matthew, our residential genius but he's in Alabama listening to someone speak for the next 5 or so days, for 12 hours a day, about Economics and since he is only taking calls from his Mother, I'm not sure he will answer mine.

BUT I just don't get it? The debt ceiling talks? Have you heard about it?  What is the purpose of all this? Why would the House of Representatives and Senators be holding out and not coming up with an agreement?

I am so confused by the entire concept. I have listened to several in the news media. I have watched Fox News better yet known as the republican view point and to MS NBC the democratic viewpoint.  Is it simply media hype like the bird flu was many years ago? Where is Dan Akroyd and Jane Curtain when you need them? Remember? Point counter Point? on SNL. "Jane you ignorant ..." Or even Dana Carvey?

Ya gotta wonder. Did one of the Senators not like the way the other one buttered his bread? Maybe Polesi took the last chocolate covered biscotti? She is a women. It could happen. Women seem to be the start of all troubles. Remember Eve?

Perhaps they just need more fiber in their diets. Today I saw a pair of underwear for people who are flatulent. Hides the smell. Maybe they should get a pair of those. Ya think that'll help?

I don't think those on Capital Hill remember that a while back they passed a bill to include National Friendship Day! That's probably why they aren't getting along! It's True. Today is National Friendship Day. Brueggers is giving away free bagels. 

Calling all bug enthusiast!!

So... I'm a homeschooling Mom. I'm not great at it.  My sister is much better at it than I could even pretend to be but that's another story. This past year our homeschooling life was not the greatest in getting things done. My awesome organizational skills were little to none. 

There just never seems to be enough time in the day. Of course if I was better with time management which was an actually course that I took while in school. Yes. I passed with a B, who knows maybe a C. However, now I have no idea of what I learned!!

Calling all organizers to the rescue! 

Yep, another story. Anyway, in thinking over what type of curriculum we will follow next year,  I realized that we are really not strong in the sciences. Not a surprise, as I have been greatly focused on reading, writing and arithmetic. Better known as the three R's and haven't given much thought to other subjects.

However,  I have boys who love to build, bang and boom things forever and ever, Amen.  This year my goal is to try to become a bit more creative and open minded to other options. So I asked my children. One of the things the boys would like to do is study bugs. I know. I know. I hear you  - my one and only follower!   I hate bugs. I loathe bugs. The thought of it already has me squeamish.

I'm one of those that believe God blessed me boys was for the sole perhaps of killing bugs that come into my house. In God's great sense of humor and knowledge he sent me not one but three wonderful boys who are kind, gentle and love all of 'Earth's creatures'.

Okay. So James - the older college student in the middle - not so much anymore. But you get the point.

I have budding entomologist in my mist and as a responsible homeschooling Mother *gulp* I've got to  embrace *gag, gag*. Yeah.  Who am I kidding?

This is going to be one of those girlie-girl-yikes-screaming moments. Truly, I can feel the stress coming on.

Please HELP!!!  I need suggestions. Books to read? Things to do?  Other than posting bugs *breathe* to a board and naming them... Oh gee-sh! I have a lot to work through but in the mean time, is there anyone out there including my sister - who has suggestions other than seeking counseling - on how to get this bug party started?

Any other ideas about innovative science ideas would be great too!

Free Lego Supscription

Alexander loves Lego's

Someday he hopes to work for the company when he grows up.  One of his many ambitions. Recently, we signed up for a free (yep. F-R-E-E) 2 year subscription to Lego Club magazine. You can too, if you log on to the site. Although it takes 4 - 6 weeks to deliver the first magazine, my kids love it

 The coolest thing is that f your child is 7 years old or older they will be automatically eligible to receive Lego Club Jr. magazine, which includes stories and comic strips for them to enjoy.  It's the highlight of going to the mailbox when they find their free magazine. Hopefully yours will too.

Born on the 4th of July

Every year across our land Americans everywhere are celebrating a very special day.

and If your parents give you a really big ego, eventually you might even think those fireworks are in honor of you.... for you.

and Year after year, you may actually be bought not to let out the "big" secret.  Allowing others to think that they are celebrating their country.

and You may eventually become happy and content to simply let them eat cake. Especially if it's chocolate.

And wish those wonderful people of your country a Very Happy 4th of July in honor of your very special birthday in the USA.

Happy Birthday! 

Mission Control, this is Apollo

Many years ago, thanks to the wisdom of my Mother, my Father applied and worked for NASA in Florida. Because of their foresight my brother's, sister's and I had a fantastic opportunity as young children to experience several of the Apollo explorations while living in Satellite Beach, a town or two from Titusville. The home of the Kennedy Space Center. 

Back in February of this year our younger boys and I visited my Mother while she spent a month in Florida. On the way back from our wonderful trip I decided to take a detour by my childhood home and therefore take the boys to NASA..

Growing up close to a world of space innovation, or perhaps to the excitement of our parents, each of my brothers and sisters learned to appreciate the history of space exploration.


Be as it may, I was extremely pleased when both of my younger boys found the same love and fascination. Especially,  my sweet Alexander. Even before our trip, Alexander had built quite a collection of different aircraft's with Lego's and has since hoped for this everyday since we have gotten back from our trip.

In my haste to run out and buy these and many other things my son wants, we headed to the library instead. Thankfully he found just the book he has been "looking for all of his life!". 

       


He's 10.










Mission Control, This is Apollo
The Story of the First Voyages to the Moon














This 100+ page colorfully illustrated book was written by Andrew Chaikin. A man who has been writing about space exploration for 25 years and as chance would have it, actually met Alan Bean when he was 12 years old, back in 1969 and is pictured on the back insert cover. Indeed, an amusing recount of fate.

This book is recommended for ages between 9 - 12 with the idea of introducing them into space exploration at an early age. It is quite rich in text with a lot of information and has a great deal of interesting facts. I too found this book to be fascinating. It is definably a book that should be shared with your child when they have your full attention. It is well worth the time spent to refresh your history of what it took to have "one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind".

Each mission from Apollo 1 to 17 is explained in great detail about space exploration's successes and failures. The book details each part of the rocket, who designed it, why it was designed and how. In it the author covers the space race between the Soviet Union and the United States and proves informative on even more pressing issues like what happens "when you gotta go".

This book certainly depicts a wonderful collection paintings detailing special moments of each mission. It  is  beautifully illustrated. As I stated earlier Alan Bean, astronaut, turned artist, began his artistic career after he returned from a Skylab mission in 1973.

All in all, we feel we found another hit during our library trip and give this book a thumbs up!  This book is definitely is a must for your budding astronaut.

In my opinion, the best part of this book is the dedication page where the author and illustrator both smartly thanked their Mother's. Another very important teaching tool. Need I say anymore?

Alexander feels that the artist pictures and his work is the number one reason of why we should buy the Apollo book. In fact, he suggested it would make a fine addition to our coffee table. I would suggest that if  you purchase this book, keep it open to page 2, simply as a constant reminder for your children to often Appreciate and Acknowledge their Mother.

(Right, Mom?)

All The Dirt

Recently my cousin left a comment in reference to giving more dirt.  

"be sure to include a little dirt here and there!" She said.

 Regina,  her daughter Mary Kate and my husbands knee.   

Well! As luck would have it. It stormed here last night.  

MAN o Man what a storm it was! Gray gloomy clouds gave way to black. In the distance we heard thunder roar as the clouds suddenly turned to an ominous green. Then POW!

Flashes of lightening danced in the night, as golf ball size hail plummeted from the sky. Ends up loads of trees uprooted leaving even more Dirt!! .






My Mother's pool was covered.

The DIRT was every where!  Clean up was exhausting! 

My brother George

Mud holes so deep you could swim in them.

Literally.

Thankfully the storm has passed and I sincerely hope I satisfied your need for dirt my dear Regina.

 BUT It's to bad you didn't ask for a bit of gossip. I've got plenty of really good stuff for that!