Waiting

Yesterday evening, Taliesin started running a fever and complaining of being dizzy. He also seemed totally out of energy. He's had a sore throat and a headache off and on for the past few days. So off to the doctor we went today. The doctor tested him for influenza and strep, which both came back negative. Because of his symptoms, she also wanted to run a mononucleosis test. So now I'm awaiting the call telling me if this test is positive or negative. Poor Taliesin started crying when the doctor told me if the mono test is positive, he will not be able to take karate for six weeks (the spleen enlarges and any kind of bump or hit could cause it to rupture). I hope it's negative and just a small, simple virus (if there really is such thing). Now Nathanael is running a fever, coughing, and saying he has a sore throat. Ughhh. Taliesin is asleep right now. Nathanael just woke up. I took off from work tonight to watch and wait for the test results.

Kandy

Busy Days, Busy Thoughts

One day last week, Taliesin and Nathanael woke up in the mood to study arachnids and insects. These are some of their accompanying drawings.

Saturday, many of Taliesin's and Nathanael's planned activities were cancelled due to snow. But we made up for it. First we had a snowball fight, then onto Freddy's for frozen custard. ..

And to the mall to visit the Mounted Patrol scuba divers in the mall aquarium.

The past few days have been busy. Our days have been full of various activities. I'm still plugging away at college. I am really enjoying classroom management. I'm enjoying my philosophy class as well, although it is more complicated that I had envisioned. I recently blogged about a new tutoring service I'm beginning here. And I have also decided to open a home child care sometime in the near future. I had an introductory meeting today and will attend an orientation next month. After the state receives the paperwork, I should have my daycare established within 30 to 90 days. My workplace is just becoming more and more stressful. I've come to the conclusion that most places of employment will have this stress level, which I definitely do not need right now. Taliesin and Nathanael are so looking forward to a daycare. I only plan on caring for two or three children other than my own two. This way, when we have events for the unschooling group or other activities; they will be able to accompany us. I will use the same activities for the daycare kids that I do for Taliesin and Nathanael. I will be marketing it as a child-directed activities care center - with focus on Montessori and Waldorf methods. I'm really looking forward to this new endeavor!

Kandy

What's a School Year?

My college discussion board for my classroom management class this week was to think of and discuss ways in which a teacher should prepare for the beginning of a school year. This is my posting. I'm eager to see what responses I get. Unschooler's Warning: this post does contain educationalese (phrasing such as "students," "discipline," "rules," and "lessons").

This is an excellent question, but honestly one that I had never really given much thought to. As unschoolers, we do not have a start or beginning of a school year - following the philosophy that learning takes place all the time, not just during a school year and during school hours. My sons do have a school room, but we rarely ever use only it. For us, learning is about so much more than just a classroom and a school year.

That said, the best way to prepare for any important endeavor - including a new school year for teachers - is to pray and study the Bible. God prepares us spiritually for all undertakings. It is not only important to begin the school year with prayer, but to begin each day with prayer and to pray during any difficult situations.

When arranging a classroom, it is important to consider all learning styles. I was just talking with a co-worker and fellow college student last night at work. She was telling me that one of her professors brought in PlayDough for the students to work with as she lectured. Other students took notes. Others walked around the room. Each did what was able to help him/her comprehend the lesson. I told her I totally agree with this. I believe every classroom, regardless of age, should have activities for the students - not just lessons. My four-year old's children's church teacher is awesome at this. She has all sorts of stations set up in the classroom. As she reads the lessons, some of the students play at the sand table, some play in the kitchen area, some play on the plastic slipper slide, and some sit at the table and listen or color a picture. All children learn differently. Some need some type of physical activity when studying. A teacher should prepare the classroom and him/herself for these different learning styles and accomodate the students as much as possible. One activity that I have found my own sons enjoy is getting out blocks or Legos (which are wonderful for all different ages of students) for them to build with as I read. They comprehend so much more when they are able to do something with their hands. I also find it helpful to have models and manipulatives available with different lessons. Games and puzzles are also good ways for some students to learn. Other than just textbooks, I feel a good classroom should be stocked with all types of learning supplies.

This being said, I feel the teacher should also prepare for "out of the box," or, in this case, "out of the classroom" lessons. (S)he should be willing to take the students outside to explore and learn. Call it a field trip. Go on nature walks. Don't be afraid to do things differently. Outside days should definitely be something that a teacher should calculate into his/her schedule. Being outside in different types of weather, even, will stimulate students of all different learning styles and academic abilities to learn and take part. All students will be on an equal footing. Upon coming back into the classroom, the students could then journal about some of their experiences. My sons and I did somewhat of a directed reading assignment during our last hail storm. We took the umbrellas and went outside and collected hailstones. We brought them in and cut them open to see the layers and read two different trade books about hail and storms.

A teacher also needs to discuss behavior with the students. I feel it best to include the students in making the rules as much as possible. I do this with my owns sons whenever we go somewhere or even play outside. We talk about what some good rules would be that we should follow. I like to follow a positive form of discipline as much as possible - focusing more on good behavior than on bad. We also keep a helpfulness chart for each of my sons. Whenever they do something helpful or listen well, we write it down on the charts. Depending upon the teacher's methods, (s)he may want to include one big reward such as a trip to a zoo or a park day toward the middle or end of the school year (depending upon how many times the teacher wants to begin a new chart).

These are some considerations for any teacher at the beginning of any new endeavor (including the beginning of a school year). I feel that keeping in mind different learning styles, keeping discipline positive, and keeping the students involved as much as possible in all activities and discipline methods will make the school year run much smoother.

Kandy

Why We Do What We Do

I have been having a lot of unschooling conversations this week. Seems like everywhere I turn, someone is asking me about unschooling - about what we do as unschoolers. I think some people are thrown off by the term "unschool." Isn't unschooling a little radical? In a word, yes. It really is radical compared to what most children do each day in a regular school environment. But it works. My sons are flourishing in an unschooling environment - an environment where they are allowed to learn rather than being forced to ingest facts. For us, unschooling is more than just an educational system. It's more than just lining up all kinds of projects and activities based upon interest. It is more than just hands-on activities. Yes, we do all of these things from time to time - depending upon what Taliesin and Nathanael are interested that day or week or month. But unschooling really is a lifestyle. It is different from day to day. No two days are the same. I mean, sure, we have weeks where they want to work on a unit study or spend a few days sewing (which reminds me, I have a post coming up very soon of some of Taliesin's newest projects) or read the same books over and over and over. But each day is truly a new adventure, limited only by the imagination of two little boys who love to learn and explore.

Kandy

Unschooling Days

Yesterday, at the mall...

Stringing Beads

Taliesin's beads: "red blood cells and bone"

Taliesin's Glitter Picture

Nathanael's Glitter and Bead Picture

"Therefore, you best of men, don't use force in training the children in the subjects, but rather play. In that way can you better discern toward what each is naturally directed." - Plato

http://www.chrismercogliano.com/playinplato.htm

"Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in a child's soul." - Friedrich Froebel

"The most effective kind of education is that a child should play amongst lovely things." Plato

Thank you to Little Castle, http://showustheworld.blogspot.com/, for this award!

Here are the rules:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs that show great attitude or gratitude.

3. Link to your nominees within your post.

4. Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received your award.

My nominations are:

1. http://mamalavender.blogspot.com/

2. http://randomthoughtsofafierywoman.blogspot.com/

3. http://turtlesinthetub.blogspot.com/

4. http://a2zhomeschool.com/cgailb/

5. http://www.meanwhileinhershey.com/

6. http://reflectionsonlifeandlearning.blogspot.com/

7. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tropicalmom/

8. http://ramblingautodidact.blogspot.com/

9. http://angeleyeschristianschool.blogspot.com/

10. http://larissak.wordpress.com/

Word Games

Taliesin and Nathanael have been having fun with a new Winnie the Pooh word game we found the other day. Here are some pictures. I have been surprised that even Nathanael is getting into it.

Kandy