This Year's Schooling Approach

So far there seem to be mixed reviews about schooling and not officially home schooling. That's okay. I think we've decided that the bulk of it is from so many changes in our lives all at once.

I must admit that I'm happier with the school that I ever was with any back where we were. That being said, it's still too early to know for sure if it's of great benefit yet. Certainly there are pros, not matter that else might happen.

Just the other day one of Beth's teachers (she has two teachers and an ed tech in the in the classroom) approached me and told me the highlight of her day was that Beth read an entire book to her! She had noticed that Beth always chose to read during free choice, so she asked Beth to read to her. She was very impressed with what she can do. Those of you who know Beth aren't surprised... she's been reading since she was three and loves to read just about anything. Chapter books are what challenge her - and then, it's probably close to 2nd or 3rd grade level anyway. So Mrs. D said that they had the yearly assessments coming up the end of the month and she was eager to see what to put Beth. At the teacher meeting (which happens every Monday afternoon) they discuss specific needs of specific kids. Beth was one to be discussed that day. They are considering pulling her out and putting her with the grouped reading / phonics / comprehension groups. Math has not been discovered yet... so we'll see what happens then.

Unlike when Gabi was in kindergarten, this school has what they call a math and a reading rotation. That is when the entire school is on that subject. This is done specifically so they can move the kids to the appropriate group without skipping grades! A huge plus for me!

Attitude is still an issue though... especially for Gabi. Bob and I are going to try something new. Instead of me taking an interest in what has happened at school (I'll get that information from Bob) I'll focus on spending time together doing fun things. Bob really thinks the problem is more that Gabi misses the time she had with me because she's always bubbly about school until about half way home. I'll still be involved in homework, which allows me to know what is going on and be a part of it.

Some of the things we'll do are baking, science, games, reading and crafty projects. I'm not convinced that I need to leave the academics entirely to the teachers at school. I suspect we'll be tying in different things. As well as during vacation doing some home schooling. The girls have been missing it, and I think it will do us all some good.

Grandma Nielsen will start the girls on piano lessons after soccer season ends. Bob and I tried to do it ourselves back in Maine, but it was always too hard with the schedules. Now, we feel it would be a great blessing for them to have the time with Grandma one on one with something they have both been wanting to do. Gabi doesn't know it, but she's going to need to get her attitude turned around before Grandma will take her on as a student. She doesn't want Gabi to decide she hates piano when she's always loved it. I agree.

The boys and I typically walk the girls to school then go the long way home . We also often walk the long way down and pick the girls up too. It's good to be out of the house, but also to have the fresh air and exercise. We also try to have a story / cuddle time right after lunch on the couch.

Other than that we're not terribly organized yet. We're getting there, but I'm still unpacking and organizing the house. We get out the math stuff more for fun right now and color and practice writing. We do go to the library every Wednesday morning for Story Hour and Craft which they seem to be enjoying themselves! They love to play with the toys that are there and picking out books as well.

We're working on attitudes, being polite, being patient, taking turns, being gentle and whatever else does not seem to come naturally to most little boys! =) It's not easy for anyone, but it's necessary and we're making slow progress. I hope to get charts printed up by the end of the week for chores and for progress!

Boston Museum of Science

Okay... so back tracking...

On our traveling adventure, we stopped off in Boston at the Science Museum. I remember it from when I was young - did an over night adventure with my school class. It wasn't as big then, although still bigger than we could do in one day.

Buying tickets for just the day was going to be more than buying a season pass (which is not just for there but for lots of other museums around the USA) so we spent $6 less and got the season pass.

We went to a 3-D movie and to the Butterfly exhibit. We also explored certain of the many areas of the museum, like the physics playground and the fossil dig area. We made it a point to stop by the dinosaur exhibit - the kids really were impressed with the large models, as well as the real bones and large foot print.

There is even a discovery center - it's a classic Children's Discovery Museum so the kids knew exactly what to do there! They had a lot fun and the girls made paper helicopters. Peter wanted to try too - they gave him some really cool scissors (I'd never seen before) and so I just had to ask where to get a pair... probably for Christmas or something. They are perfect for little hands as they pop back open themselves and have lots of safety features. I just don't know why stores don't carry them locally - they really are the best first time scissors I've ever seen. Peter was cutting like a pro!

There is so much we would love to do there - some day, when the kids are bigger, we have more time, and they aren't so tired from the packing and moving drama! Still they had fun!

Back To School

Well, first day of school was yesterday. Gabi had a hard time all Sunday. She was clingy and whiny... when she wasn't around, I made mentioned that my guess was it had something to do with her "not getting as much of mom's attention as everyone else" because school was starting the next day - which was one of her biggest complaints with public schooling when she was in kindergarten. Sure enough, later on when it hadn't ended, she told Bob that exact same thing.

Beth was certainly nervous, but seemed to do okay once she was lined up to go inside. The Mini Kindergarten day helped with that, I'm sure. But she was certainly done at the end of the day and very happy to be picked up.

Their day wasn't over though, since it was back to school night - apparently that's a parent thing here, not a kid and parent thing. Not that I knew that going down. Thank goodness for grandma driving up the road (though nearly hitting Jeremy - not really, she was paying attention - since he thought he was so smart and so big and had wandered into the middle of the lane while looking behind him instead of in front) because she picked up the boys right there and headed up to her house with them.

Through whatever miscommunication (whether school or husband or whatever) and my own stress (due to needing to race through Back to School Night as the only parent of two (Bob was working in his own classroom) and needing to get a key from Bob, race back home to drive the girls to soccer practice so that the lady covering for Bob would have soccer balls... )well, my experience was not very good. I really felt it was a waste of my time and that it was poorly set up... later reading the handbook I learned parents were suppose to be handed basically a syllabus of sorts at this Back to School Night. I got nothing from Gabi's teacher and a whole packet from Beth's - though nothing close to a syllabus. Oh well... it's elementary school, right?

Something about being new in a community, not understanding the vast differentness of West Coast mentality (I don't think I'll ever figure that out), and apparently not having all the information needed to be ready and prepared.... you know, moving really sucks! No matter what, when, why or where you're moving, that initial "I'm new and apparently stupid because of it" feeling along with everyone making weird faces at you because they are "trying to be nice but think you've got a few loose screws" doesn't make it any easier!

On the other side... discipline as reared its ugly head once again in our house. Okay, so it never fully left, but now that we're not rushing to meet some deadline it's back in force. That was the hardest part of little boys. Peter spent a good hour crying and screaming as he sat on his bed because of behavior issues. Then was so tired he slept a good two hours and I had to wake him up so as not to be late to pick up Beth and Gabi.

We unpacked the paints, so the boys spent some time painting. Jeremy began working with starfall.com again - this time with me watching and coaching. When I get the boxes of books organized we'll start sitting and reading together for about 10 minutes a day to help him with his confedence.

Peter is potty training in "undy pants" again as well. That is his first major schooling focus. We'll probably jump in with some nutrition stuff too, since they will be here helping me with lunches anyway.

Anyway, right or wrong... school has started up. I hope to be volunteering once a week in Beth's class, sent in the form for it today, so we'll see what happens. I'm unaware of any volunteer opportunities (as of yet) for Gabi's class. I guess we'll just have to keep our eyes open for anything that might come up.

(I'll add pictures to this post when I get them downloaded... need to clean up iPhoto first)

The End And The Beginning

Well... we never had the time to really discuss and make a decision together. Life doesn't always allow for that when we "want" it to. Never the less, we have talked about it some prior to getting here... two different thoughts... same goal.

For now, the girls will both be starting school on Monday. I'm not sure I'm excited... after all, I will miss working with them myself. And I'm not willing to put a whole lot of stake in what others say. I did that once... circumstances led to something different. I'm also not immediately lumping this school with the last... so, being open, yet cautious, we're moving forward for now.

So many people say things like "you can still home school when they're not in school" but I have a really hard time with the "double curriculum" concept. I also have a hard time with the idea that kids are in school all day to turn around and do more school at home. I'll work with them... we'll continue to use the various experiences to teach them, but it will be different. I'll also volunteer in each of their classrooms once a week.

In the mean time, I have two little boys I'll be continuing to work with. And we'll re-evaluate later on when we see how things are going.

On another note - the girls started both dance and soccer this week... so, right on track with that!

Big Decisions

Our family is embarking on a new adventure. We're moving... out of state...

While there are many reasons, it was a decision prayerfully (and carefully) made. We're excited about this next step in our lives.

Making this decision has been large enough - now that it's been made, I've finally had some time to start really thinking about how I feel about all the changes this will bring. I've also begun to find time to focus on one thing at a time in deciding what is right for our family. Recently the focus has been on home schooling.

Due to many dynamics here where we currently are, the decision has always seem apparent - not requiring much thought (since we did that before embarking down this road to begin with). It was not without thought - but the decision was pretty clear, home schooling works for us and with so many cons to the public schooling option where we currently are, we were set to home school again.

However, when considering the move, we also began to consider all the changes - including the option to public school our children again. Initially, though I was saddened at the very thought of not teaching my own children, I didn't actually feel bad about sending them. Knowing we'd be in a new town, needing to meet new kids (and parents), it seemed cut and dry. Not-sick-to-the-stomach-feelings must mean public school is what we need to do, right? Well, maybe not.

As the decision to move has given way to decisions about our life after the move, I have been guided through priesthood blessings to look at each thing separately. To ponder carefully and prayerfully each element. And as I've begun to do this, I have focused in on the schooling. My heart and my head are saying different things. I can still see the pros and cons of both sides. But when I take it before the Lord, the peace comes when I consider home schooling. It's the same calming peace and comfort that has come along with the decision to move (without all the pieces of the puzzle in place).

Because I do not want to be a dictator, and because I do not want to make this decision rashly, I've discussed with the girls the feelings and council I've received. And I've asked them to pray over the next few days to see what they feel the Lord is guiding us to do. We've talked about how the Lord will help us to make the decision that is best for us and our family. And we've talked about concerns and thoughts and found answers to questions. We are doing the research the best we can so that we can make a prayerfully informed decision.

At this time, we have not yet decided which form of education we will follow for our children directly after our move. But we have recognized the importance of this decision and are working through it with the love and guidance of our Heavenly Father.

Please be patient with us while we are making this decision. If you feel inclined to help, please only do so through prayer that we will be able to make the decision which is in the best interest of our own family. Thank you - we really do appreciate your love and support.

Burnt Island

This is a special island purchased by the State of Maine Marine Educational Program. Because the lighthouse was still there (it's actually still in use at times), and because the old house and out-buildings were too, they researched the area and decided to put together a living history tour (only two afternoons a week during the summer) set in 1950.

Though the mainland had things like running water and electricity, such novelties were not to be had on the island at the time. You arrive by ferry, get introduced to the time era, then head up to the house were you meet Mama and one daughter, tour the house learning about the different items, housekeeping and work. Then you head out into the "yard" where you meet the two other sisters (and a friend) and learn about their lives (and attitudes) as well as the games they played.

Then on down to the dock where you meet the brother (who is only there visiting) and learn about the dock, the peapod, and how things were delivered. He takes you up to the little lighthouse and you meet Pa who tells how things were to run and the expectations.

It's not very long and you have lots of time to explore the little island afterwards. Groups can go up to the light in the lighthouse (just a small lighthouse) - and a tour (if you wish) explains the island itself. Or, just explore the island on the little trails around (the island is not very big) - we found the rocks to be lots of fun and some tide pools. Gabi was disappointed because there was no good place to "swim".

There was, hiden in the "overgrowth" a discovery center were you could learn about the Pirates (and the glad and ships and knots). A pirate ship and a peapod were there for playing in as well. This was a favorite of the younger three (it was like one of the exhibits in the children's discovery museum).

All in all it was nice - short, but nice. You head over on the ferry at 1pm and leave the island at 4;30pm - no one is allowed to stay behind! It was perfect paired with the Maine State Aquarium since it was really small and took only a couple of hours of interactive touch tanking in the morning.

I could not believe how much my children loved the ferry! The wind blowing all around them, the boat "jumping", and two of the kids (Peter and Beth) staring behind watching the foam kicked up. Jeremy was the biggest surprise, though, because he has such a fear of the wind. He put on his hoody, pulled it up over his ears, held it tight to his face, and loved every minute. He says it was his favorite part of the whole day!

Children's Discovery Museum

There are many different ones to choose from depending on where you live and what you want for your kids to do. In Maine there are three - our favorites are Bangor and Portland, though there is also one in Augusta. What's special about them is the range of "fun" activities which also allow children to learn while exploring and playing!

Gabi wanted to go back to the one in Bangor - it had been just over a year since she'd been there. And, the great excitement, there was a whole new section. I don't know exactly when it opened up, but it was new for us and provided tons of fun (especially for Jeremy).

There was, of course, the first floor: filled with "animal" habits to explore, microscopes and tanks to look at, and a water section which allowed the kids to explore the "flow" of H2O - pumps, blocking shields, and even a water wheel. Aprons are provided for anyone trying to keep their little one from being too wet!

The second floor was my favorite - it's the "storybook village" of sorts. There is the farm where Wilbur is along with a special Web for kids to arrange words and thus become "Charlotte". There is a motorcycle, a lobster boat and a lighthouse - just for exploring and climbing all over.

A puppet theater is complete with numerous puppets (and bean bag chairs to lounge in) while adults can watch the show from the other side sitting in chairs provided. I always love to listen to the kids are the create their own imaginary tales.

Across from the puppet theater is the "library" complete with two computers - each set up with a different program to play/learn. One was an ASL program and Peter just couldn't get enough of that! And, what would a library be without books... shelves of books.

But that wasn't all... there was also a closed in section perfect for little ones under 5. Unlike in Portland where it's a huge climbing thing in the middle of the floor so parents can watch other kids running around and doing other things (which I loved about Portland's one), this one is a little room with a half door. It has building blocks, a "fireplace" a couple of chairs and a little house... not just any house, mind you, but the Three Bears' House. Peter loved stacking the blocks and every time Grandma Nielsen would hand him another he'd say "Thank You" - Lynne said it must have been 30 or more blocks and it never failed that he'd thank her for every one. Peter's like that - he loves to say thank you, and means it.

As if all that weren't enough, this is also the floor with the "addition" - hand drums, a lounge area with a hammock, a giant cargo ship complete with control room, deck and storage area. Plus packages and a crane for the kids to "load' the ship . This is where Jeremy wanted to stay. He didn't care about anything else once he saw that crane - something about levers and pullies, not that he realizes that yet.

In the addition was also a pasta shop, a large world map with interact game, and a delivery truck.

There was still another floor - the third floor is a neat science area. There is the human body - you get to make the blood pump around the heart, see how eyes work, lay in a mouth full of teeth, crawl through veins, and sometimes (though not when we were there) there is s section for "playing doctor and vet".

A small "planetarium" which was neat because the kids were all "glowing" - they thought that was cool, though Peter wasn't fond of that much dark. Also a couple of "slopes" for racing balls. And little air blowing tubes with ping pong balls (try to make a basket). Plus a place to go in and make "shadows" that stick around for a while.

On the other side, there is a place more suited for younger kids - panels of those heat pads (you know, the kind you stick a hand on and it shows different colors based on the heat coming from your body), a giant light bright, some gears, and other little things. A craft room was there, but busy with a summer camp. Also in that area is a Hyrographic "machine" - kids could choose two or three colors and makes these silly pictures just by pushing the board.

A "dance studio" which shows the image of movement in various colors, a song board arranged by specific singers and you press a button to get them to sing, a "recording studio" where you could sing karioki style.

This floor was also where Peter learned the fun of gravity with one of those coin wheels things. It was also Gabi favorite floor - go figure, the science kid!

All in all they had a wonderful time and played well. It was nice to go and not be on the "school time schedule", but our own and to be able to gauge it by the kids. We were there nearly five hours - they had a lot of fun!

Maine State Aquarium

Though it's not a very big aquarium - one large room with several closed tanks in the surrounding walls - it does have a certain fun appeal for young kids. There are two "touch tanks" that are the central focus of the aquarium. The first is in the middle of the room and contains several small sharks. The other takes up and entire wall length and has all sort of life from the bottom of the ocean.

After the initial excitement of the tanks around the walls, the kids naturally turned to the center tank. There they were allowed to pet the Spiney Dog Fish Shark - who is, by the way, quite the entertainer. He loves to be touched, but he also loves to push his head up out of the water and dance around. It was cute.

This was, by far, Peter's favorite part. He would stay there for long lengths of time, wander off, and always come back again. We were told to pet the shark using only two fingers (which was demonstrated as the pointer and middle fingers kept together) from back of head to tail, avoiding fins. Peter caught the "two fingers" part and would say to me "See, my two fingers" before petting the shark as he came around. His "two fingers" were the pointers of both hands.

The other children stayed closer to the other touch tank. They enjoyed being able to not only touch the sea life, but also to hold many of them. There were lots of starfish - which we had to watch closely because Peter thought he ought to pick them by only one leg.

The others not only held starfish, but also things like the sea cucumber, crabs, small lobsters, sand dollars, muscles, and much more.

Though it doesn't take long to go through the place, we easily spent an hour enjoying the marine life. The older kids would have stayed longer, but Peter was starting to get antsy. That was when it was time for Lobster Talk - where live and toy lobsters are used to explain to the children all about lobsters, tracking, and trapping. Beth and Gabi sat and listen to that, but the boys wouldn't be contained. There was no way to get pictures of that part.

Since we were out on the deck, the boys discovered a few discover set-ups. A Rubbings board complete with paper and crayons, a mystery feel exhibit (where you reach into a whole and try to figure out what is in it), and a true "sand box" - the Maine Beach kind (full of little rocks, lots of shells and not much sand). This kept them entertained while we waited for the girls.

This is not an aquarium we would have done by itself - since it's 2 1/2 hours from our home - but we coupled it with the Burnt Island Living History Tour so it made for a full day in Boothbay Harbor. (There are tons of other things to do in Boothbay Harbor if one is looking for a couple of good field trips all together).

Narrow Gauge Railroad

There are many of these in Maine - all have been restored for rides and tourist information.

It was the only day that Bob and his father went with us anywhere, but we had a lot of fun over in Phillips, Maine.



Not only did we get to ride the old train, but we stopped at various points to get out, walk around and see some of the old things there. Other trains, buildings and artifacts, and even the roundhouse.





The kids loved walking out on the turn table and running along the turn table track.

Our guide was also the ticket collector - he had a lot of information to give and was very patient with the children running here and there in all of their excitement. He even showed us how the round table was operated by hand!





Peter did not want to leave - he wanted to keep riding. It was a short ride and Peter loves trains so much, but it was fun and we took lots of pictures. Hope you enjoyed the few we shared!