First Day of School!

Katrina and Heather reading about the Earth's crust, mantle and core.

I can't believe it's already the start of school.  We started a little early, because we always end up taking off for traveling, long Christmas break, etc.

 

Jonathan and Heather studying.

 This year, I'm doing things a little differently.  I'm using an approach called "self teaching". (Read more at her website here: http://homeschoolcoach.wordpress.com/)  For Katrina and Heather, they are self-directed in their studies.  Jonathan of course, needs my one-on-one attention.

Jonathan coloring in his devotional book.

The basic theory is to allow the child to decide when and what they will study, and then allow them to do so without much interference.... and to be available to answer questions, and to generally facilitate the learning process.



 

"Study Hall", doing homework in the afternoon with a snack.

I admit, I was a little hesitant at first. "How can this possibly work?"  Let me tell you that I was very apprehensive about whether my children would "choose" to not do a subject, or other tactics that would make my life difficult.

 

 

But, as of day one, it worked amazingly well.  If they didn't understand something in the lesson they would come to me for a quick explanation, and then do they work by themselves.

 

So far, so good.  My oldest daughter, especially, is a leader and she has always balked at my constant instruction, looking over her shoulder, and "reminding"...ok, nagging.  She is loving this new system where "she is in charge".  (Of course, she must be studying, and not just goofing off.  But, I think she knows that if she does start wasting time that I'll come in again and start micro-managing her life!)

 

 

The real reason I know it's working-- Katrina was happy and excited about school.  She even lead a science project for the other kids, on her own initiative- using play dough to create the layers of the Earth's crust.  Go for it, girl!

 





Where did Summer Go?...on the move again

Wow, this summer has flown by!  We made a trip to Dar and the coast of Tanzania, done projects and art, stayed up late watching movies, played outside, and other summer fun.  Last week, we made a trip to Nairobi, which was supposed to be just overnight, and ended up being four days-- our vehicle broke down on the way home and we ended up spending two nights in a hotel in the middle of nowhere!
  We were blessed though- no one was hurt, we were safe and together, and we were at a hotel that had a pool... and we were able to RENT swimming suits for the kids.  From the kids' perspective, it was a mini-vacation, but Bill and I were stressed out about the car! ;)  It all ended up alright though, thanks to those who gave towards our vehicle repairs.
    We will start school again on Monday, in the midst of packing for a move.  It seems that our family is always on the move, packing, unpacking.  We haven't stayed in one house for more than a year since Bill and I were in married student housing. (At least that I can remember) 
     Yes, we are very nomadic, but this missionary lifestyle lends itself to adventure!  Never a dull moment.  Now, we will be entering into a new area, and beginning "afresh" again.... Let the games begin!

Is Someone Watching me?

When you are living in a foreign country, it can feel like you and your family are always on display.  That is because they are. 

Can you find the white children in the crowd?

  Most places we go here, we stand out.  Even in our own gated community, the gardeners and guards often watch (stare) at the kids and I when we go out to play.  You sort of get used to it. 
         Most Americans, if they saw someone of interest, would maybe glance at them, and then continue on with their life.  (For instance, we've been taught not to stare at someone with disabilities, or of a different race, etc.)  Ok.... Tanzanians don't do that.

                     They stare.   Openly and gawking.  The kids as well as the adults.
                                    They watch your every move, and may proceed to comment to each other about you in Swahili (um, I know Swahili....)

                It's hard to just ignore it and go about your life.  But, that is what you have to do if you want to live your life.

    Today, I took Jonathan to the playground in our gated community to play.  We were being watched by three ladies who were sitting on the bench openly staring at us.  They gasped when I let him jump from the swings, and laughed when I pitched him a ball and he missed.  Thankfully, Jonathan is clueless to all of this.  I feel very self conscious, but just keep playing with Jonathan as if they weren't there.  I know they don't mean anything by it.  They just find it fascinating to watch us. 

10 Free Summer Ideas for Kids

1. Have the kids wash your car.

 

2.  Go play outside!

 

 

3.  Go to the library (or borrow some books from friends if you don't have a library near you).

 

 

4.  Let the kids make a fire in your BBQ pit, and burn paper, sticks and leaves.

 

 

5.  Have a slumber party in your living room, pop popcorn, and watch movies.

6.  Bake a cake or cookies from scratch.

 

7.  Break out the Legos.

8.  Make compasses with needles and cork (or just float the magnetized needle on a leaf).  Directions are easy to find online.

9.  Wash your own clothes by hand, outside.

 

10. Break out the games!



You know you're a missionary when...

  You know you're a missionary when...   at the restaurant, your kids entertain themselves with bottlecaps they find in the dirt..... and you're ok with that!

End of School

We officially ended school on Friday, June 6th.  Then, we took a nice trip as a family for 5 days which was nice.  Summer vacation is officially here at our house!
             We are taking about 6 weeks off before next school year.
Although we tend to have school year round, I still like to have a bit longer of a break over "summer" although here it's the cold and rainy season, and not hot enough to swim in Arusha. 
  Yay for break!!

What is Education?

     As a homeschooling mom, this question passes through my mind from time to time.

            Heather asked me today, "What is education?" 

Good question.  I should know, since I'm supposedly providing her and her siblings with one!

         I answered, "It's learning through reading books, talking to people, watching TV and movies, and listening to music."   "Even watching TV?!"  "Yes, you learn through TV and many other things."
    


Heather works at her desk while Katrina and Jonathan play Alphabet Go Fish

      It did bring me back to that question though. 

                              What is Education?

     Hopefully, we all received or are receiving an education, and homeschooling moms are working on giving one to their children, but WHAT IS IT?
         Merriam-Webster says it is the "knowledge, skill, and understanding that you get from attending a school, college or university".
      Hmmm... since my kids stay at home, does that mean they aren't receiving an education? :)

I think most of us would agree that to be educated, one should have knowledge of how the world works, a sense of their place in history, understand math in order to do banking, and shopping, and to know how to read and understand what you are reading.
        In other words: Science, History, Math, and Literature.

But, is there something more to an education?  Are you truly educated if you don't have common sense, or if you don't have empathy, or have no creativity?
          Is there something more to education that studying for tests?


In my opinion, to be truly educated, one should have not only skills in reading, math, science, history, typing, art, handwriting, etc., etc.... they should also be taught life skills like empathy, cooking, creativity, responsibility, and forgiveness. 
                 Of course, most of those last things are things you learn at home.

                                    When you are homeschooling, they become part of the curriculum.

      I strongly believe that all children need to learn to read, learn the multiplication table by heart, and know what the Civil War is about.
             They also need to know how to make up after a fight with a sibling or parent, how to mend a torn off button, how to entertain a toddler.  And most importantly of all, what is faith, what does the Bible teach, and having a personal relationship with Jesus.  Some day, those "non-curriculum" items will be as important, if not MORE important than the "book learning".
         What do you think?

PS. Found this on Wikipedia so take it for what it's worth but, "the word "education" is derived from the Latin ēducātiō ("A breeding, a bringing up, a rearing)