A Look At The Year

I have not updated this blog in nearly the entire school year. I guess it just seemed like it wasn't necessary since the girls were in public school this year. So I thought I'd just share a few thoughts.

School has been good for the girls - mostly. I have heard them comment from time to time that they miss home schooling, but they also comment about how much they enjoy public school too. I think it's good that they see there is value in both - not every situation or every location is perfect for any one decision. It's a personal thing.

But, I have to admit I've been very happy with the "let's work with your child" and "skipping grades is the last thing on our minds" mentality of this school they are in. Though there are two times (that I'm aware of) that Beth ever mentioned being bored, the teachers were already prepared with something a little more or a little more challenging for her. Instead of singling her out and making her be all by herself, they had to participate with the class - but when she'd finish early, they would have "extra" for her to do that would challenge her a little more. They were aware of her advanced status going into kindergarten and therefore prepared for the challenges that go along with that. Beth has been able to make some progress while staying with her peers.

Yes, I realize that she would have progressed academically further being home schooled, but that's not the only thing in life. She continued to learn outside of school and we'll be doing some things this summer too - my girls both still love to learn!

Gabi has done well too. She's stayed top of her class and progressed. She's at a high enough grade level that she is separated out with the other kids in her grade and up for reading. Math will be the next thing they separate for. In the meantime, Gabi's had the opportunity to really perfect some of those math skills - and has since decided she really does like math after all. (Thank goodness for that because she wants to be some sort of scientist when she grows up).

Here are home we've slowed way down. I guess that's normal since we're having another baby (number five - due in about 6 weeks). Fortunately this pregnancy has not been too hard (compared to my others). I've noticed, though, that my focus on organized education has not been quite there. That being said, there were basics that we did focus on in a very non-structured way with Jeremy. His math skills are rather advanced - but he seems to pick up numbers easily and the girls were teaching him stuff as they came home from school. Mostly, though, we've worked on reading and writing. He does read, and he can sound out most words. His confidence in reading has increased a fair amount (which was his biggest stumbling block) - and when encouraged, will sound words out instead of leaning upon us to just tell him the "big words". Being left handed (him, not me) I wanted to be certain he was writing his letters already. He can write them all - and often is neater at it than his kindergarten sister (she's at the stage where she can't seem to be bothered to take the time to keep things neat). So, over all, he's ready for kindergarten this fall.

And Peter - well, his hand-eye coordination is really good! He's learned to use the potty. He's preparing to be a big brother. He knows all his letters and sounds and can spell a few smaller words - and recognizes them too (not really sure that he's reading any of them). He's excited to go camping (which he'll do with Bob and Jeremy in June) where I'm sure he'll learn about neat things in nature. He's also very excited to be going fishing for the first time this Saturday.

So though we'll be continuing with public school, the education does not and will not stop there. With baby arriving in July, there will not likely be much structure to our learning this summer - but really, what better way to learn than in the moment as things arise?

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!