Parenting, the Give Way
- 12-14 Year Old, 15-18 Year Old, Adult Book Club, Adult Education, Book Clubs, Book Focus, Life, the Give Way, Teaching, the Give Way, You Not Them
The Give Way Reading Challenge
One of the things I love about the TJEd philosophy, is the aspect of “you, not them.” Essentially it’s about making sure I keep focused on my own education as a way of improving myself and following my passions while also being an example of lifelong learning for my kids. I found a great list of 52 book genres related to a weekly reading challenge. Since, I’m focused on classics and recently found how wonderful audio books are (thank you, Librivox!), I figured I could do it! So, I used their list, but created my own after that first year. This is such a fun challenge! It got me out…
- 3-5 Year Old, 6-8 Year Old, 9-11 Year Old, Curricula, Interest Led Homeschool, Parenting, the Give Way, Teaching, the Give Way
Mentoring Goals: Age 5
This is my first year being a bit more formal and organized. I’ve started with a bare bones outline for my 5 year old, and will add as we go. In looking at what I did when I first started, I can see elements of the school system still with me. I thought I was doing so much better, but I again caught myself this past year falling back onto the conveyor belt. I had created these cute passports for our book club. They’re exactly what I would’ve done in the classroom. Kids would use the stamp at each station, and they’d have a little record of all the “places”…
- 3-5 Year Old, 6-8 Year Old, 9-11 Year Old, Guest Posts, Interest Led Homeschool, Parenting, the Give Way, Social Activities, Teaching, the Give Way
Squashing Boredom: Scavenger Hunt Style!
Photo Credit: Rachel Samanyi We were stuck in a rut. The “I’m bored bug” was crawling out far too often. I could suggest an activity, but rarely did it spark a creative fire in my kids. I decided that instead of waiting for them to be bored, I would send them on an adventure to start the afternoon. We are blessed to live on a farm with plenty of space, but I think this can be done in any space…just use what you have! It took me about 10 minutes or less to write up short clues for outside and inside. The only problem…they were a little too excited! They ran…
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Thank You for the Smooth Transition
After having my second baby, I was reminded again of how wonderful it is for people to give their time to help. We had some great meals provided to us. And, my mom of course has helped tremendously, as always. Thanks, mom. I look back, with regret, and think of all the friends and family I could’ve helped more. I had so much free time! In fact, I hope if I’d known, I would’ve been like my friend Stephenie. There are people I wish I was more like. She’s definitely one of them. She has gone above and beyond and truly exemplified the give way of life. Being pregnant and having…
- 3-5 Year Old, Curricula, English, History/Social Science, Interest Led Homeschool, Math, Parenting, the Give Way, Preschool, Science, Teaching, the Give Way
What a Three Year Old Can Learn
I really liked having goals for my two-year-old and myself last year. So, I figured I’d try and do it every year. Then as I wrote this article and titled it “Plans and Goals,” I realized that there are goals for me, but most of what I called “goals” are really just what I see her learning. I’ve always had a hard time explaining why I really didn’t care if I met the goals. I mean, why make goals if you don’t want to meet them, right? So, I’m changing my terminology as part of my attempt to grasp this natural learning process. So what follows are goals for me and just…
- 3-5 Year Old, Curricula, English, History/Social Science, Interest Led Homeschool, Math, Parenting, the Give Way, Preschool, Science, Teaching, the Give Way, Tot School
Learning: Ages 3-4
Cutting basil she picked for pasta I’m still dipping my feet into this whole “homeschooling” thing. I really don’t like the term “homeschooling,” since I don’t like what comes to mind when I think of “school.” As a ten year veteran elementary and middle school teacher, I have seen lots of flaws and learned a lot about how we all naturally learn. I like the idea of “unschooling,” “delight-driven learning”, and “child-led learning.” All fancy ways of just explaining how everyone from a baby to a senior citizen learns. So, for the last couple years, I’ve been studying and trying to implement what I’ve learned. Finding what my daughter is…
- Curricula, English, History/Social Science, Interest Led Homeschool, Math, Parenting, the Give Way, Preschool, Science, Teaching, the Give Way, Tot School
Plans and Goals for My Two Year Old
I like to plan. But, I also like to lay in bed. I figured if I tried to have at least a simple list of things I need to keep in mind each day, then I would not spend all day finding ways to keep my 2 year old busy at home, just so I don’t have to go anywhere or do anything. 🙂 I started doing this when she was an early toddler with the hopes that each year I’d reevaluate, but always have something to focus on. Each Day Go somewhere (unless we’ve been doing too much, then stay home and relax 🙂 ) Read for 30 minutes…
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Thank You, You’ve Saved Me A LOT of Money
Giving — it’s not always an easy task, especially if what you’re giving away could potentially make you money (or at least be written off on your taxes). It is also often a thankless task (especially if someone like me forgets to express my deep gratitude!). So this one is for all the people who have given (and continue to give) me bags of hand-me-down clothes, shoes, toys, unused diapers, books, and other baby stuff. I’ve rarely had to buy any clothes, let alone toys. (This is not to mention all the new clothes and new toys and books she’s been given!) This is also in addition to all the…
- Adult Education, Book Reviews, Classroom Management, English, Healthy Living, History/Social Science, Life, the Give Way, Parenting, the Give Way, Teaching, the Give Way
Book Recommendations
In an effort to share information, I thought I’d put together a list of books that have been very helpful to me as a person, teacher and parent. I’ve written reviews of some of them, so you can link to those below, or head over to Amazon to find out more. Teaching The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher by Wong (The main point: procedure, procedure, procedure — the best and most effective teaching tool (I think it’s effective as a parent as well). He gives other info, but that was my huge take away, and it made my classroom function 100 times better.) Help Your Preschooler Build…
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Soft-Spoken Parenting
I like reading. In fact, one of my favorite past times (pre-parenting days), was to go to the bookstore, get a drink (or a donut, if we’re being honest 😉 ) and head straight to the parenting/education section. I’d find a book I liked and sit and read for a couple hours. If it was really good, I’d stay until I was done. (Sorry, Borders — I guess I was one of those people who helped contribute to your demise…but I did buy a lot of donuts from you. 🙂 ) With all the reading I did, I absorbed a lot, became a better teacher, and also learned about things…
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Go Outside and Play!
[Originally posted on vision.org} Is there a correlation between physical and emotional health and communion with nature? How important is it for kids to spend a significant amount of time in unstructured outdoor play? Have modern kids been separated from the natural environment? These questions form the focus of the book Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. Journalist Richard Louv, recipient of the 2008 Audubon Medal and chairman of the Children & Nature Network, challenges parents, schools and community leaders to put this missing dimension back into the lives of our children. As a result of his analysis of the available research combined with personal reports…
