Homeschool View Tube

Posted on | October 15, 2008 | No Comments

I couldn’t have picked a better time to become a homeschooler. I’m fashionable - I can wear T-shirts and sweat pants anytime I want, my children are desirable - businesses, colleges and universities are starting to consider homeschoolers viable contributers to the population, and we’re live and on “television” - We now have our own version of You Tube. I’m proud to introduce you to Homeschool View Tube.

Homeschool View Tube is brought to you by a homeschool family, of course, is Christian-based, and provides a video sharing site for you to “share, show, and teach, while glorifying God.” It is safe for you as well as your children to view the videos that are shared on the site without having to worry about the extra advertisement of other, sometimes offensive, videos that are displayed at the end of watching a video on the mainstream sites. It is like not having to worry about what your children hear on k-Love. You don’t have to worry about what they see or hear on Homeschool View Tube. All of the videos are carefully screened before they are uploaded and included on the site.

There are tutorials, music videos, and all sort of contributions that will make your homeschool experience a little easier. Are you handy with a video camera? Charity Woon is giving away a free e-book titled Scriptures for Counseling and Discipline through November 7, 2008. The book is a compilation of scriptures that address topics all children, not just homeschoolers, face everyday. Parents can include Biblical scripture as they discipline their children. All you have to do is upload a video that is helpful to homeschoolers and you will receive your free copy.

So, if you ever dreamed of seeing yourself “in pictures,” then this may be your chance to shine. If you are ready for your close-up, then let the cameras roll. The red carpet is not included.

Who Am I?

Posted on | October 14, 2008 | No Comments

This is part of my featured artist series. If you ever wondered, then listen to and watch this video and you may receive an answer.

Whatcha’ Readin’? The Eleventh Hour

Posted on | October 13, 2008 | No Comments

Who doesn’t love a great birthday party? I’m always up for a birthday party because I love cake. In The Eleventh Hour, you get an elephant that can cook the pants off of Martha Stewart, princess dressing swans, mystery, intrigue, and oh yeah, let’s not forget the cake.

Horace the elephant is turning eleven, which he has never done before though he’s been “… the age of eight and nine and six and seven.” The turning of age eleven is a big deal for Horace, so he decides to throw a birthday bash for himself. A little self-indulgent, but he has wonderful and exciting plans for his guests; good food, fun games, and he is the consummate host.

The Eleventh Hour is the Sixth Sense, but in G-rated form. What I mean by that is, you have to not only pay attention to the words you are reading, but you have to really look at the pictures and pay attention to the words you’re reading so as to not miss the clues to the mystery revealed in the book. All I have to say is “Where is the food and who took it!” No. I didn’t give it away because I don’t know, or at least I didn’t until I read the Top Secret information. Even after that, I’m still stumped by the mystery that looms within the pages of this book.

If you and your children are not into mysteries, then this book is fun just for a decent read. If the true detective is trying to break free, then this book is a lot of fun. You may have to read it a few times before the clues are identified, which start with the title of the book, Horace’s age, as well as the number of guests. That is about all I can say besides warning you to never watch a movie with me that I’ve seen before.

Watch your child’s detective mind work and enjoy a fun and entertaining story without a dull moment. Once the guests arrive, there is never a dull moment.

Tot School #3 - I Am Seeing Red!

Posted on | October 12, 2008 | No Comments

In this case, seeing red and lots of it is a good thing. Red was the color of the week and Schubaboobaly had plenty of it everywhere he looked. Each day he wore an outfit with the color red. Some days he was covered in it and others there were just a few stripes to remind him of the color of the week. I couldn’t understand him too well, but I

believe he was saying red every time I said the word for him to repeat to me. After I started looking for things around the house that had red, I was surprised at how much red we really have and it isn’t even Christmas and Valentine’s Day is even further away.

We have Lego and Mega Blocks in the house and Schubaboobaly’s brother and sister still play with both. They are always building something with them and because of that I had to get permission to use the ones we did. Maybe, when they both are ten and eight, they will pass them onto him. I can’t imagine them taking the blocks to college.

It’s amazing the joy a box of red blocks will bring to someone. He just couldn’t stop smiling. Little did he know what fun was in store for him.

Why is pouring out something or just making a mess so liberating? Hmm…Maybe, that’s just for the people who don’t have to clean it up.

“Tell me there’s more. There’s just gotta be!”

I guess I can see why all of the children enjoy playing with the blocks because even I enjoy jumping in and building a few things.

We moved to snack next and a red week wouldn’t be truly red unless you sat in a red chair and ate from a red bowl. Guess what we ate? Strawberries of course.

Schubaboobaly received help from his sister with practicing the letter b. He did well. I’m going to continue through the alphabet, but may end up spending two weeks instead of one on each letter. I will see how the next few weeks go.

This was one of his “uniforms” for the week. He’s mighty fashionable if I do say so myself - and I do. When we went to the bank, there was a man dressed in a red tank top and red shorts. I always carry my camera with me except into a bank. He was very friendly. I thought about running out to my car, getting my camera, and asking him if I could take a picture of him. That is just what everyone needs to see is some crazy woman running out of the bank and running in…taking pictures? Could I cause anymore commotion? Instead, I let calm continue and just pointed out his attire to Schubaboobaly. Throughout the week, everytime we saw red, anywhere, we pointed it out to him.

Schubaboobaly is always getting into something. I haven’t figured out if he’s just determined and curious or if I’m just not keeping a good eye on him. In the past, I’ve had to replace a box of personal products because he opened every single one (packaging included) in the box. I have no idea where I was during that time. Instead of getting upset, I’ve decided to treat each of these instances as a learning experience (for Mommy too). Now, I keep my personal products up high in my closet.

This time, I was in the room and I decided to allow him to continue playing with the rest of the sticky notes on the pad. He was rally having a good time until…

They wouldn’t stick. I don’t think that life could have been more cruel.

It just kept getting worse until…

All of a sudden, angels started singing and everything was alright again.

We found another surface to use that was more sticky note friendly and he was mighty proud of his work. Now you have it - another wonderful day in Tot School.

I thought about following form for the study of other colors, but he doesn’t have solids in all of the basic colors, so I will have to come up with some other creative way of teaching the colors. It’s funny. I’m wondering where I got all of that red from.

See Schubaboobaly’s Gold Star Moment this week.

I hope you enjoyed A Peak into Our Week. See what other Tot School students were up to this week.

Gold Star Moment #3

Posted on | October 12, 2008 | No Comments

I’m not sure what it is about men and their grills, but this may be how it all begins. N.B. always likes to help Daddy with his work around the house. This is great father son time as well as Daddy’s chance to participate in the homeschool experience. A few of the other projects he has worked on with Dad are making a repurposed gun and planting a tree. It’s amazing how attentive N.B. (until he decides on another name - he has to process much before making a decision) becomes when he needs to be. Nothing says pay attention like be careful so you don’t catch on fire. He headed to the warning and was very methodical and careful to ensure the safety of himself as well as others around him.

Ms. Minna Beana is in true form here. At the age of two, she put in her order for a horse. Hmm…it may be another ten years before that order is filled. I hear all orders are being placed on backorder. Meanwhile, she gets to ride the horses of friends. We attended a birthday party for the son of a family friend and they taught the children horse riding etiquette and also gave them a ride around the bend. Minna Beana listened carefully, spoke softly around the horse and was sure to stand on its side so it could see her and not get spooked. Minna Beana is a natural. She may get that horse, one day.

There is nothing else to do other than to praise my little artistic boy. Schubaboobaly sees a blank canvas and to him that is a place that needs art. Again, you ask where I was. I just don’t know. So, rather than be upset, I’m going to praise the beautiful artwork he did and secretly hope that when he has children, that they too freely express their true spirit on any walls and doors in his home.

I love watching my children grow up, but sometimes it brings tears to my eyes.

These are just a few of their Gold Star Moments this week.

Life and the Best Homeschool Plan

Posted on | October 9, 2008 | No Comments

In “homeschool land,” we make a plan and breaking away from that plan or making changes is not in the plan. A change in the plan could be the difference between our child learning how to add 2+2 now or six (6) or more months down the road. As a dedicated mother and teacher I ask, “How could I do that to MY child and hinder his education?” When my youngest (now 23 months) was born, his impending arrival cut short the foundation of a plan that involved a promising school year, which consisted of heavily scheduled studies, goals that would have impressed the superintendent of any public school district (hee hee), and plans that were to never really come to fruition.

The school year began smoothly and we had at least one month where order peacefully resided in a corner believing it had found a home. Then, life jumped in. Instead of pulling books from the new bookshelf my husband had made for our office/classroom and filing worksheets into the purple file folders I had carefully labeled for school, I found myself shuffling through books in the back of the car and rummaging through a box of papers that were stacked in what was now my cardboard box “filing cabinet.” This was not at all how I pictured my “trial year” of homeschooling. This was the year to reinforce the fact that it was a great idea and the best way to educate our children. This was the year to build up excitement about the “great plans” I had made, the lessons we were going to cover, and the wonderful experiences we were going to have.

My homeschool plan was to teach the children according to the schedule for two months starting in September, deliver a baby in November, and continue school until the Christmas holiday in December. I had worked everything out and our journey was moving according to plan. Somewhere in the middle of October, I received all indication that a baby was coming, so I packed up the children and drove nearly three hours so I would be near the hospital where I chose to deliver. When you’re pregnant, you make all sorts of wacky decisions. I blamed a lot of my decisions on my pregnancy.

I wanted our third child to be delivered under the care and at the same hospital as were his siblings. It didn’t matter if it was almost three hours away. Yes, I traveled every month for prenatal care. I learned that I wasn’t the only patient who did the same thing. Before you judge, that is a story deserving of a post, which I may share later. With the gas prices we’re experiencing today that would not have been possible then. Once we arrived, the contractions I thought I was experiencing ceased and we ended up living in corporate housing for over one month because I wanted to be near the hospital in case contractions began again.

The original plans for our school year underwent a big change after only one month. Sometimes that happens. My suggestion is to definitely make a schedule, but also realize that at some time within your school year, there may be a need to make some changes. Don’t be afraid or concerned if you have to make changes to your original plan. Make the changes and continue on your mission because the commitment is still there. Life sometimes gets in the way of the best homeschool plan.

Experiment of the Week

Posted on | October 8, 2008 | 2 Comments

A few years ago, before I started homeschooling, I received a free copy of Bubbles, Rainbows, and Worms. It was originally published in 1981. When it comes to science and history books, I’m usually cautious about older publishing dates because many times the information may be too antiquated and not as useful as a currently published book. In this instance, much of the information is still useful and current enough to become a regular resource for our weekly science projects. The science experiments are elementary for children to conduct while providing a lot of hands on activities for them to do.

With them becoming older, they now enjoy things that blow up, things that crawl on the ground and belong outside, and are more inquisitive than ever. I keep telling them, “We can look that up, we can look that up” and along with their curiosity, mine too grows. I also like some things that blow up, but I just don’t like cleaning it up. That aside and in the spirit of home education, it’s time to move onto bigger, better, and more exciting science experiments.

My children are great fans of Mythbusters and How Do They Do It?, and a few other regular shows on the Discovery Channel. Sometimes I sit down with them and Dad, but when episodes or segments involve insects, things that crawl, or a lot of blood thirsty animals, I find something else to do. I haven’t figured out from whom and where they are going to learn biology.

Experiment of the Week is science that even I can enjoy. Geologist, Dr. Robert Krampf, has created an online science workshop where you can learn the answers to many “mysteries” and everyday occurrences. If you are a science junkie (and even if you are not), there is some really great information and the children will love it because he blows up a few things every once in a while. Even better than that are the video tutorials that show you how to conduct the same experiments at home. It’s like having your own private science tutor who is fun, really cool, and very knowledgeable.

The free experiments and videos offered at the site are great fun and enhance any science curriculum. You can also create your own study around the experiment of the week which is sent to newsletter subscribers. If that isn’t enough for you, then for a reasonable membership fee of $20, you can gain unlimited access to archived (If you are not a member, then you have access only to the current experiment of the week.) and new members only video science experiments and help support the free offerings and management of the site.

Love Them Like Jesus

Posted on | October 7, 2008 | No Comments

This is part of my featured artist series. Love Them Like Jesus is another favorite of mine by Casting Crowns. If needed, then I hope this meets you where you are now.

Whatcha’ Readin’? Cinderella

Posted on | October 6, 2008 | No Comments

I have no idea how this happened, but I’m raising a princess. She loves to style her hair, loves wearing dresses (finally - having an older brother slowed this down), loves wearing pretty shoes, and loves Cinderella and any other princesses. She talks about getting married when she grows up and speaks about her husband. I can’t tell you how many times she has been “pregnant,” sometimes with twins. Minna Beana even knows how to nurse her babies from watching me nurse her younger brother.

This is somewhat funny to me because I never dreamed of getting married. I just figured it would happen. I never imagined having kids. I thought I would never be ready and it would be too hard. I ask, “are we ever really ready?” I keep my hair short because I never really learned how to style it and it’s convenient; the peanut gallery wants that to change. I love princess dresses and did watch Princess Diana get married. Oh yeah, I love pretty shoes, but only own three pair.

I enjoy raising my princess. She motivates me to be more of a “lady.” Afterall, she will be learning alot of how to be one from me. My biggest challenge has been hair maintenance because I do hair once (in the morning as w/make-up if I use it) and that is supposed to take care of it for the day. Because she has more hair than I do, throughout the day maintenance is required. For now, I can get away without doing much because she “looks cute,” but I want her to know how to properly groom herself, so I find myself fixing hair throughout the day. Actually, she does a pretty good job herself, which she just figured out. Maybe, this raising a lady stuff isn’t so hard; if only that were true.

It only seemed appropriate that Minna Beana’s book choice for the week is Cinderella. I asked her what her favorite parts were and she shared the following:

Mommy - “Ms. Beana, what do you like about Cinderella?”

Minna - “I like that she gets married. I also like when he sees her.”

Mommy - “When he sees her?”

She took the book from me and started flipping through the pages.

Minna - “Here,” she pointed.

The page she showed me was when the prince first sees Cinderella at the ball in her pretty dress and he is marveling at her beauty. A romantic at the age of four (4). If she ain’t a princess, then she is definitely a “girlie girl.” I guess I better hang up my worn tennis shoes and sweatpants. I’ve got an example to set.

After reading the book, check out Rodger & Hammerstein’s Cinderella with an all-star, muti-ethnic cast that includes Brandy as Cinderella, Whitney Houston as the fairy godmother and Broadway actor Paolo Montalban as the handsome prince. Along with the excellent singing, because most of the actors have Broadway stage experience, there is humor (Whoopie and Jason Alexander to name a few), and Hollywood spectacular with a budget to match.

Related Post: The Joy of Reading

Tot School #2 - A Peak Into Our Week

Posted on | October 6, 2008 | No Comments

We actually did manage to get some schooling in this week before we headed out the door for some last minute “summer” fun. I have been saving Popsicle sticks for months. The children are in the routine of licking the last drop of the Popsicle and then handing the stick over to mommy. I repurpose everything. Now,

if I can only figure out what to do with the 30 plus yogurt containers I have. I’m trying to figure out how I can use them for Tot School. Does anyone have any ideas?

My older two are using tally sticks in their math studies, so Schubaboobaly received his own sticks to use. I would love to say he was counting the sticks in the cup, but we haven’t covered that yet. He was probably just checking out his cool stash.

Schubaboobaly very meticulously removed the sticks one by one.

After removing a few, he decided on a better method called dump. They came out more quickly and that is when the fun really began.

He was able to entertain himself for a while becoming engrossed in his work. These are the kind of messes I can get used to.

Schubaboobaly found a nice quiet spot to rest while he munched on his hulled rice. We visited Montna Farms this week and were treated to some unprocessed rice; yummy for the moment. He seemed to enjoy the taste even though it’s not something you should snack on daily. Schubaboobaly has made me proud because he isn’t afraid to taste anything. He even likes snacking on chick peas (garbanzo beans).

After a Mommy mishaps, we ended up at the California State Railroad Museum. This place is like pleasure palace for the children. I can never go wrong taking them to the museum. We spent some playtime with Thomas when we arrived and a little more right before we left. Thank goodness for the Caboose Club.

I enjoy our morning walks because we get some good connecting time and every once in a while, I’m reminded of how quickly they are growing up. I try not to think of him ever graduating from Tot School.

See Schubaboobaly’s Gold Star Moment this week.

I hope you enjoyed A Peak into Our Week. See what other Tot School students were up to this week.

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Recent Posts

• Homeschool View Tube
• Who Am I?
• Whatcha’ Readin’? The Eleventh Hour
• Tot School #3 - I Am Seeing Red!
• Gold Star Moment #3

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