Hello, Homeschool Skills readers!
I sincerely apologize for the inconsistent posting over the last month or so. As you may know, Homeschool Skills is run by just one person--me! Although I had hoped to be able to continue posting three times a week to this site, it looks like I will be unable to sustain that goal. If I could, I would--I love writing content for this site much more than I like working at my other jobs!
I will be taking a brief break from this site as I work on other professional endeavors. Starting June 14, posting will resume on a weekly or twice-weekly basis.
Please contact me at homeschoolskills@gmail.com if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for future posts. If you would like to be featured as a guest blogger, please let me know! I am interested in beginning a bi-weekly family feature that shares homeschooling stories from my readers. (I can see the stats! I know you're there! :P)
Thank you for your continued support and patience,
~Nicole
Monday, May 30, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Tornadoes
With record-setting tornado outbreaks across the United States, now is an ideal time to introduce your children to these fierce phenomena. Already, the incomplete 2011 tornado season has set many records. As of today, it is the ninth deadliest tornado year on record. Sunday’s tornado in Joplin, Missouri, is the second deadliest single tornado in the NOAA-NWS Official record that dates back to 1950. The fourth deadliest single day in tornado history was April 27, 2011.
In addition to emergency preparation, this is an excellent opportunity to teach your children the science behind tornadoes.
Tornadoes are columns of air made from fast-moving wind. These storms can achieve wind speeds of 300 miles per hour. Typically formed during thunderstorms, tornadoes are caused by instability in the atmosphere, when a downward flow of cold air meets a rising flow of warm air.
Tornadoes can range in severity from ‘F0’ to a ‘F5’ on the Fujita-Pearson scale, with each category representing a different amount of speed and damage.
F0 | 40 – 72 mile per hour winds cause light damage, such as breaking limbs from trees. |
F1 | 73 – 112 mile per hour winds snap trees and damage roofs. |
F2 | 113 – 157 mile per hour winds demolish mobile homes, uproot trees, etc. |
F3 | 158 – 206 mile per hour winds overturn trains and lift cars. |
F4 | 207 – 260 mile per hour winds level homes into debris and throw cars several hundred yards. |
F5 | 261 – 318 mile per hour winds blow away homes and throw vehicles like missiles. |
Tornado in a Bottle
Create a tornado in a bottle. Fill one two liter bottle halfway with water. Remove the cap from a second two liter bottle and set it on top so that the openings connect. Tape the bottles together with generous amounts of tape. Turn them over so that the bottle with the water is on top, and swirl the bottle to create a tornado inside the bottle.
Use a stopwatch to time the water as it drains into the lower bottle through the tornado. Flip the bottles over again and record the time it takes the water to drain without creating a vortex. Notice that the water drains into the lower bottle much faster after the vortex, or tornado, is created. This is because the hole in the center of the vortex allows air to come up into the upper bottle. This allows the water and air to move simultaneously.
Get Involved
One of the biggest benefits to homeschooling is the ability to get involved and ‘humanize’ the curriculum. You don’t just have to study tornadoes—you can make a difference.
Teach your children about the ongoing damage and suffering caused by this year’s tornado season. Share stories and news pieces of the damage. Share pictures and videos as you deem appropriate, based on the child’s age and maturity level.
Decide today to make a difference and teach your children compassion, something more valuable than science and current events. I encourage everyone who is able to donate to the relief effort through the American Red Cross (https://american.redcross.org/site/Donation2?df_id=5110&5110.donation=form1&s_src=RSG00000E000&s_subsrc=stateofmissouri-pub). The minimum acceptable donation amount is $10.
Officials have estimated that $15 will buy one family clean-up kit. $60 will provide sanitary kits for four victims. $80 offers a night in a hotel for a displaced victim. $115 buys one week’s groceries for a family of four. A very generous $500 gift will provide a disaster victim with medical supplies, equipment, medication and mental health counseling.
Please know that Homeschool Skills does not have any involvement with and does not recieve profit from the gathering of donations by the Red Cross.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Teaching Different Ages
Most home school families (62%!) have three or more children at home. Teaching three or more children of different ages can get complicated! The good news is that it is and can be done. While not every strategy works for every home school family, there is a strategy that will work for you. The trick is finding it.
Dealing with Babies and Toddlers
Children too young to participate can complicate matters. Trust me—I know firsthand!
While some families prefer to coordinate school time for the older children with nap time for the younger children, I encourage parents to try to keep their little ones close by during school time if possible. I have been amazed to see how fast my young child learns as she watches her brothers. She usually supervises from her perch in the high chair, where she happily snacks or colors pictures. Some parents have found success dedicating a box of toys specifically for use school time, so that the unfamiliar toys hold the child’s attention longer.
If the younger child is detracting from the learning of older siblings, the children should be separated. Put the child in naptime or separate them into different rooms.
Work Together
Homeschooling takes a lot of hard work and dedication from the parents. However, there is nothing wrong with letting a skilled child practice with or even teach a younger child (with supervision). Do you have a child who is talented at math or reading? Encourage them to teach what they know to a younger sibling.
Do you have a child who needs to practice reading, and a child who loves to be read to? Set them up together and let the reader practice reading aloud to a sibling.
Teach the Same Thing
With the exception of certain skill-based material, such as reading and math, the children can be taught together in history, science, etc. While older children will be more prepared to tackle complex information and remember it, younger children will still be able to learn some of the content.
Take advantage of “Unit Studies” which allow the family to learn the same thing at their own independent level. This allows the entire family to learn and work together, without placing unrealistic demands on younger children or cheating older children of a challenging educational experience.
Encourage Independence
Independent learning is a wonderful skill that can be taught and acquired in a home school environment. Older children can be given tasks and encouraged to work without direct supervision.
Keep Perspective
A hundred years ago, one room schoolhouses with all age groups were the norm. Those children survived and thrived, producing educated individuals that excelled beyond the capacity of most modern-day graduates. It takes work and devotion, but homeschooling families with different age groups is very rewarding. Keep up the good work!
Dealing with Babies and Toddlers
Children too young to participate can complicate matters. Trust me—I know firsthand!
While some families prefer to coordinate school time for the older children with nap time for the younger children, I encourage parents to try to keep their little ones close by during school time if possible. I have been amazed to see how fast my young child learns as she watches her brothers. She usually supervises from her perch in the high chair, where she happily snacks or colors pictures. Some parents have found success dedicating a box of toys specifically for use school time, so that the unfamiliar toys hold the child’s attention longer.
If the younger child is detracting from the learning of older siblings, the children should be separated. Put the child in naptime or separate them into different rooms.
Work Together
Homeschooling takes a lot of hard work and dedication from the parents. However, there is nothing wrong with letting a skilled child practice with or even teach a younger child (with supervision). Do you have a child who is talented at math or reading? Encourage them to teach what they know to a younger sibling.
Do you have a child who needs to practice reading, and a child who loves to be read to? Set them up together and let the reader practice reading aloud to a sibling.
Teach the Same Thing
With the exception of certain skill-based material, such as reading and math, the children can be taught together in history, science, etc. While older children will be more prepared to tackle complex information and remember it, younger children will still be able to learn some of the content.
Take advantage of “Unit Studies” which allow the family to learn the same thing at their own independent level. This allows the entire family to learn and work together, without placing unrealistic demands on younger children or cheating older children of a challenging educational experience.
Encourage Independence
Independent learning is a wonderful skill that can be taught and acquired in a home school environment. Older children can be given tasks and encouraged to work without direct supervision.
Keep Perspective
A hundred years ago, one room schoolhouses with all age groups were the norm. Those children survived and thrived, producing educated individuals that excelled beyond the capacity of most modern-day graduates. It takes work and devotion, but homeschooling families with different age groups is very rewarding. Keep up the good work!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Questions & Doubters
Yesterday, I was once again asked The Question. I have a son who recently turned five, and people are very interested in where he’ll be going to school and when he starts. Everyone seems to have lots of opinions.
I always answer resolutely, “He’s already in school. We’re homeschooling.”
Reactions vary after that. Some people are enthusiastic; others don’t care. Some get downright irritated (and I’ll admit—sometimes their reactions irritate me! But I am starting to develop a thick skin about the whole thing). However, almost everyone says one or more of the following comments:
“I don’t know how people can homeschool! How can you stand being with your kids all day?”
“Aren’t you worried he isn’t going to learn anything?”
“He’ll never have any friends that way.”
“Is that even legal?”
“Do you homeschool all of your kids? How can you do that?”
“What made you decide to do a thing like that?”
It is important to remember that people who ask these questions usually do so out of a genuine concern for the children. There is significant misinformation out there about homeschooling, and every homeschooler is confronted by some misinformed person at some point or another. Some of us are more fortunate than others, and do not experience much confrontation. Others encounter it from all sides—family, friends, acquaintances, and passersby.
The way these questions are answered depends on the individual family. However, it is generally wise to have your answers prepared before the questions arise. I have been caught off-guard a few times and one or two ill-meaning adversaries have taken advantage of my surprise. Now that I have experienced significant opposition, I am prepared for the comments that people make.
One of my favorite ways of answering homeschool doubters is to have my five-year-old begin explaining what he has learned recently. They can usually tell by his vocabulary that he's a smart kid. However, I haven’t always been able to push the answer off to him.
One of my favorite techniques is to argue with myself. I wrote my reasons down and argued with myself. It can be very beneficial to see your ideas on paper. It gives you the chance to identify and clarify any points that seem weak. Challenge your own statements. Arguing with yourself may sound stupid, but may make you sound a lot smarter when you are approached by naysayers.
How do you handle questions and doubters?
Friday, May 13, 2011
Strategies for FT Homeschooling Parents
The decision to home school is always a major, life-altering decision. Parents who work full-time are often faced with a terrible conflict when faced with the decision. Single parents, as well as parents who work for a much-needed second income, don't have the luxury of quitting their job even if homeschooling is the best choice for their child.
There's good news: with hard work and devotion, you can do both.
Establish a Routine
Establish a routine. If you have a rotating work schedule, a solid routine can be difficult to maintain. However, at least document how much time every day you want to spend doing various tasks. Knowing what needs to get done and when creates organization and order. In the mad rush of life, this organization can dispel feelings of chaos and stress by keeping you on track and giving you a standard by which you can measure success.
Encourage Independence
Older children can work independently and can stay home while you are at work. During school hours, lay down the expectations for the next day's independent study time. Provide assignments or projects for the children to work on while you are at work. This will keep them focused and learning for at least some of the time that you are at work.
Prioritize
Many of us feel driven to be the best, most productive and most impressive people we can be. Often times, this leads to over-committing our time, energy and resources to a variety of tasks.
Homeschooling parents who work full-time must prioritize their time and learn how to say “no” to opportunities they don't have time for—even if they are good ones. It can be very difficult to say “no” to a good opportunity, but it is essential for successful. You only have so many hours in a day, and spending all of that time with extra work, volunteering, planning, etc. will detract from time spent teaching.
Make a prioritized list of things you need to accomplish in a day and write the list down as a visual reminder. Top priorities get done first, so make sure that homeschooling is near the top of the list.
Coordinate with Other Homeschoolers
When possible, find a home school family (or find another working parent who wants to home school their children) and coordinate schedules so that your child can be cared for in a home learning environment while you are at work. Be sure to offer to take the other family's children when possible.
Sacrifice Perfection on the Altar of Reality
Ultimately, all parents must sacrifice their dreams of perfection. Only a superhero can keep their house immaculately clean, their children cared for (let alone educated!), and be wildly successful at their job all the time. Things are going to come up short sometimes. The trick is to balance as best you can, and be okay with the results. Set realistic goals and don't browbeat yourself for short comings.
All full-time working, homeschooling parents deserve praise and admiration, no matter what the house looks like or whatever else they sacrifice in their lives. Kudos to you for your remarkable decision to home school, despite the limitations on your time and energy. You certainly have my respect and admiration (and sympathy—I know what it's like!).
In the Comments: Do you have any questions/comments about homeschooling and working full time? Do you have any success stories? I'd love to hear from you!
There's good news: with hard work and devotion, you can do both.
Establish a Routine
Establish a routine. If you have a rotating work schedule, a solid routine can be difficult to maintain. However, at least document how much time every day you want to spend doing various tasks. Knowing what needs to get done and when creates organization and order. In the mad rush of life, this organization can dispel feelings of chaos and stress by keeping you on track and giving you a standard by which you can measure success.
Encourage Independence
Older children can work independently and can stay home while you are at work. During school hours, lay down the expectations for the next day's independent study time. Provide assignments or projects for the children to work on while you are at work. This will keep them focused and learning for at least some of the time that you are at work.
Prioritize
Many of us feel driven to be the best, most productive and most impressive people we can be. Often times, this leads to over-committing our time, energy and resources to a variety of tasks.
Homeschooling parents who work full-time must prioritize their time and learn how to say “no” to opportunities they don't have time for—even if they are good ones. It can be very difficult to say “no” to a good opportunity, but it is essential for successful. You only have so many hours in a day, and spending all of that time with extra work, volunteering, planning, etc. will detract from time spent teaching.
Make a prioritized list of things you need to accomplish in a day and write the list down as a visual reminder. Top priorities get done first, so make sure that homeschooling is near the top of the list.
Coordinate with Other Homeschoolers
When possible, find a home school family (or find another working parent who wants to home school their children) and coordinate schedules so that your child can be cared for in a home learning environment while you are at work. Be sure to offer to take the other family's children when possible.
Sacrifice Perfection on the Altar of Reality
Ultimately, all parents must sacrifice their dreams of perfection. Only a superhero can keep their house immaculately clean, their children cared for (let alone educated!), and be wildly successful at their job all the time. Things are going to come up short sometimes. The trick is to balance as best you can, and be okay with the results. Set realistic goals and don't browbeat yourself for short comings.
All full-time working, homeschooling parents deserve praise and admiration, no matter what the house looks like or whatever else they sacrifice in their lives. Kudos to you for your remarkable decision to home school, despite the limitations on your time and energy. You certainly have my respect and admiration (and sympathy—I know what it's like!).
In the Comments: Do you have any questions/comments about homeschooling and working full time? Do you have any success stories? I'd love to hear from you!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Handling History
History can't just stay in the past. It's an essential part of curriculum and, when properly covered, can give students and parents a unique perspective on today's events. After all, it was history that brought us where we are today.
If you are struggling to engage and enjoy the study of history, consider these ideas.
Find the Lesson
History enables us to learn from our mistakes. Have you ever touched a hot stove? Touched the thorn of a rose? Got a cavity? Most people have done at least one of these things, and learned a valuable lesson from it – don't touch hot surfaces, be careful with thorny plants, etc. Because of your history, you know to avoid these things.
Looking farther back into history can let us learn from the mistakes of others. When studying history, look for the lesson. What important lessons do we learn? How does it apply to life today?
Read it Firsthand
Find firsthand accounts of the history. Textbooks can be dull and distant, and remove the human elements of emotion. Reading a journal of someone who lived through the period being studied can pull emotional strings and make the study more engaging. For very recent history, try to locate a survivor in your area and interview them about their experiences.
Act it Out
Cast roles. Give each person a part to play and act it out within realistic and appropriate limitation. Becoming part of the action pushes players to learn their roles while gaining empathy and understanding by acting out the roles.
Eat It, Sense It
Engage the senses. As much as possible, incorporate tastes, smells, sounds and touch into the lesson. Make foods from that culture or period. Sing songs. Be creative.
Please comment! How do you handle history?
If you are struggling to engage and enjoy the study of history, consider these ideas.
Find the Lesson
History enables us to learn from our mistakes. Have you ever touched a hot stove? Touched the thorn of a rose? Got a cavity? Most people have done at least one of these things, and learned a valuable lesson from it – don't touch hot surfaces, be careful with thorny plants, etc. Because of your history, you know to avoid these things.
Looking farther back into history can let us learn from the mistakes of others. When studying history, look for the lesson. What important lessons do we learn? How does it apply to life today?
Read it Firsthand
Find firsthand accounts of the history. Textbooks can be dull and distant, and remove the human elements of emotion. Reading a journal of someone who lived through the period being studied can pull emotional strings and make the study more engaging. For very recent history, try to locate a survivor in your area and interview them about their experiences.
Act it Out
Cast roles. Give each person a part to play and act it out within realistic and appropriate limitation. Becoming part of the action pushes players to learn their roles while gaining empathy and understanding by acting out the roles.
Eat It, Sense It
Engage the senses. As much as possible, incorporate tastes, smells, sounds and touch into the lesson. Make foods from that culture or period. Sing songs. Be creative.
Please comment! How do you handle history?
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