Poetry Teatime 101

When I first learned about Poetry Teatime from Bravewriter (this is also the writing curriculum we will be using this year), I knew right away it was something I wanted to do with my kids.

We’ve tried it a few times in the past and it’s always a hit but I have yet to be consistent with it. Since we have more flexibility in our schedule this year, my goal is to implement it at least once a week.

What is Poetry Teatime?

If you have never heard of Poetry Teatime you might be asking what it is. Poetry Teatime is a time to come together and read poetry over a treat and tea(or whatever beverage suits your fancy). I believe it got the name Poetry Teatime based on the English tradition of “afternoon tea”. A break in the day to pause and just be.

Why Poetry Teatime?

It is a fabulous and FUN way to bond while also exploring language together. Poetry helps open the imagination. Also, you are inviting your kids to associate poetry with comfort and joy-filled memories.

When Should We Do Poetry Teatime?

Our family goal is to have Poetry Teatime at least 1x/week this coming school year. My kids enjoy it so much, however, that I could see us doing it more than that.

Just today we had a gloomy overcast day and my kids started to get snippy with each other. I knew we needed to change gears. I declared we would be doing Poetry Teatime and the mood shifted to one of delight. My daughter went to work baking a treat while the boys and I set the table, popped popcorn and boiled water for hot cocoa.

What followed was a beautiful half hour of us laughing and enjoying poetry together. Memories being made.

 

Here are my three kiddos picking out their poems and ready to dig into a tasty treat:

Continue reading “Poetry Teatime 101”

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Homeschooling a Creative Child

Life with a creative child (or person for that matter) is never dull.  You never can be sure what the day will hold. What story will be written, worksheet created (for a younger sibling of course), song composed, toy invented (Armless dolls made from toilet paper rolls?!  Check!), imaginary story acted out, kitchen creations baked and the list goes on…

Creativity: The Early Years

As a young girl, my daughter and oldest child (now age 10), had a strong dislike for coloring.  This was concerning to me as all of her peers showed interest in coloring.  If I could’ve looked into the near future at that point those concerns would’ve been washed away.

Around the age of 5 or 6, she started drawing 15-20 pictures a day.  It honestly was a little overwhelming. There were drawings everywhere.   And these drawings were intricate.  Incredibly detailed.  As a sentimental person, I felt like it was my motherly duty to save everything.  I wanted my little girl to have those mementos for when she got older.  And we still do have a few loads of folders of drawings in our basement somewhere.   Her “drawing sprees” make sense me to me now as I believe her strongest multiple intelligence is picture smart.

I won’t even delve into what her bedroom is like.  As someone who feels a bit panicked around clutter, let’s just say I wouldn’t consider her bedroom a sanctuary. Though she does, and I realize that’s what’s important.   Thankfully after a lot of trial and error (and advice from a friend who is very similar to my daughter), we’ve got a system that is working for now.  A compromise that has worked for both of us.  But I’ll save that for another post.  😊

A Need to Create

Somewhere along the line, I began to understand creative “types” a little more, which has helped tremendously.  They create because they need to create.  All of those ideas are looming in their brain and they have to get them out.  It’s not about creating something utilitarian(though it could be at times), but simply about the act of creating.  An expression of what is going on in their brains.

I have personally experienced this and contemplated it as I have started this blog.  Though not nearly as creative as my daughter, I have lots of thoughts roaming around in my own head and writing them out has been therapeutic for me (even if no one else were to read them!).  It frees the clutter from my brain.

Coming to this understanding has been freeing in regards to my daughter because I now realize I don’t need to save ALL of her “creations”.   Certainly, I will save some.  But she isn’t creating for others to see but simply to fill her need to create.  Therefore, I can now go through the “stack” on a daily or weekly basis and save a few of her best drawings/creations.   With no more mom guilt!

Homeschooling a Creative Child

Homeschooling her has gotten easier too, as I’ve learned to work with her creative ways.  Note: This is an art and not a science!  One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that if she’s in her “creative zone”, it will work best if I let her finish what she’s doing before moving on to something else.  This does not work with a super scheduled day, so while I try to keep a general routine, we do maintain flexibility in our homeschooling.  This is essential for everyone’s sanity!

Compromising with my creative child is also key to having a more successful homeschool.  So, compromise AND flexibility are both essential!

As much as it can be tricky homeschooling a creative child, it is also a joy.  Every day brings something new!

Are you a creative person or do you have a creative child?  Please comment with any thoughts/insights you’d like to share!

 

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How Can I Get My Kid to Read?

Do you ever ask yourself, “How can I get my kid to read more?”  Whether your kids are readers or not, here some tips that are sure to get them reading more!

Disclaimer: In the name of full transparency, please be aware that this blog post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me (at no extra cost to you).


1. Read aloud to your kids. 

There are so many benefits to reading aloud to your kids. Getting them motivated to read for pleasure on their own is just one of those benefits! Check out “The Read-Aloud Handbook” by Jim Trelease or “The Read-Aloud Family” by Sarah Mackenzie to learn more about the importance of reading aloud, and if you need some book ideas, here is a list to get you started.

2. Get books your kids are interested in.

For us, that is anything weather/natural disaster for our 8-year-old and cookbooks/sushi books for our 10-year-old. Our 4-year-old will “read” just about anything. Use your library! So many great books right at our fingertips for “free”!

3. Have books in every room, and the car too! 

We use baskets, bags, bookcases, whatever can hold books! And yes this may get a little annoying,  but isn’t it worth it, to have readers?

4. Leave books ‘face up’ around the house.

Especially in a place your kids are likely to lounge. For us, that’s our living room. The fronts or ‘faces’ of books are way more likely to entice a child to read.

5. Be a reader yourself.

Set an example! If your children see you reading for pleasure, they will be more likely to do so themselves.

Two great reference books (both include book lists):

           

Do you have any tips to add?  Please leave a comment below!

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When To Call It Quits

No one wants to be a quitter.  Good work ethic and perseverance are important qualities in life.  Enduring through circumstances when it’s tough builds character.

Having run a marathon many years ago, I know this to be true!  I remember hitting the “wall” around mile 20.  My legs felt like 50-pound weights. I often think back to that marathon and I’m so glad I did not quit.  It’s a reminder to me of the joy and exhilaration you feel when you do not give up.

Sometimes, however, quitting IS appropriate.  When it comes to our children, WE have to be their compass and help guide them in this.

My 8 year old has been in Taekwondo for the past 18 months (as has his 10 y/o sister).   Since he has dyspraxia, which is a brain-based condition that affects one’s ability to coordinate and plan motor tasks, taekwondo has been amazingly helpful for him.  I can’t count the number of times I’ve said out loud to others, “Taekwondo is so good for Joe!”

He has been able to break boards with his hands, learn forms, and memorize various Taekwondo “meanings”.  He has grown stronger.   Perseveringly, he has worked up to his green belt and we’ve seen his confidence soar!

However, last month he moved up from beginner to intermediate.  Intermediate is not like beginners.  The pace picked up.  The kids are faster.  The forms are more complicated.  He now dreads going and talks about his disdain for Taekwondo all the time.  He is more on edge.

But I keep telling myself, “He can do this!”  Nose to the grindstone, right? 

Well, for someone with dyspraxia, this is easier said than done.  And it’s been going on longer than a month.  We put him in taekwondo to help build his coordination, strength, and confidence.  But his confidence has tanked.  His usually optimistic self is gone. 

His little body is STRESSED.  

THIS, along with seeking the Lord in prayer, is how we knew it was time to call it quits.  And I’ll be honest… I’m mourning it a bit.  I had high hopes for him in Taekwondo.  We saw so much growth during the 18 months he participated in it, and I thought we’d get to see even more.  It was great for him………for that time.

Sometimes, things are only for seasons.  Sometimes, that season changes sooner than we expected. And knowing when to shift gears isn’t always easy.

But when our kids are STRESSED about something, and it’s not getting better or showing signs of improving, that’s a pretty good indicator it’s time to call it quits. Time to go a different direction and try something new.

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How We Became “Outside the Box Learners”?

Isn’t it funny how so often things in life come about from what DOESN’T work? We can make plans but must adjust if we are hitting a wall.  

Homeschooling Outside the Box Was Not the Original Plan

I did not set out to be “outside the box” in regards to homeschooling my kids. I’m a planner and there are plenty of well-planned out homeschool curriculums. I would prefer to be using one of those lovely well planned out curriculums. I’m a list person. A box checker. I prefer to have my plan and stick to it. However a lot of methods that SHOULD work and DO work for most families, simply are the not the best way of learning in our home.

We have a wall hanging in our school rooms that says “Mistakes are lessons inside out.“ I had it custom-made for my daughter – to remind her it’s OK and NECESSARY to make mistakes! It’s part of the learning process!

Our family has come around to this “outside the box” approach to learning in an inside-out way. And it has been downright frustrating for me at times. There have been tears shed by more than one person…..including myself! And definitely more than once!

And the truth of the matter is my kids did not become “outside the box learners”. They always were. It just took me a few years and to catch on and have the confidence to do things in less conventional ways.

Finding What Works With Our Outside the Box Learners

After years of trying things that “should have” worked, I’ve learned to follow my kids’ lead more. Sometimes that means stopping what we’re doing, and continuing at night while drinking hot chocolate after younger siblings have gone to bed. Sometimes
it means switching between different types of math curriculum throughout the year. Often it means checking out loads of books at the library on whatever is interesting to them that week…..or decade! For my creative child, it frequently means letting her get her inventive ideas out of her head in the morning so she can more fully focus on her work later in the day.

Ultimately it means letting go of the idea of doing “school at home” (as a former 4th-grade teacher this is hard for me!) and remembering one of the beautiful things about homeschool is the flexibility it offers. This attitude/philosophy is a work in progress for me. I have certainly not arrived. And I am too much of a list/plan person to let all routine go to the wayside. I do have things I expect my kids to accomplish each day.

However, every day I also try to give them time to create, imagine, play and read. And the great thing is, when we’re in the rhythm of this, it doesn’t feel like school. It’s enjoyable and there’s plenty of learning happening. Just not the way I expected it to.

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What Are Living Books?

If you’re a homeschooler, you have most likely heard of the term “Living Books”.  You may be thinking, “What are they?”

Living Books are to homeschooling as Apple Pie is to America.

I first heard this term about 5 years ago, when I was a new homeschool mom. To me, the term was simply synonymous with “good” books as opposed to “fluff” books(ahem…Babysitters club).

However, as I began to dig deeper, I went to good ol’ Google and found that they are described many different ways…….

“Living books breathe life into a subject.”

“They tell a story behind the history.”

“They promote noble and good thoughts.”

“… are written by a person who has a passion for that particular subject about which they write.”

I decided to do some research for myself.

This post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me (at no extra cost to you).
What Are They?

The term “Living Books” was created by Charlotte Mason, a classical English educator from the late 19th century. At a time in England’s history when most children had no rights whatsoever, Mason had the revolutionary belief that children should be treated as whole persons.

From Karen Andreola’s book, A Charlotte Mason Companion:

“Living books, unlike the compressed compilations of textbooks, are laced with emotion, saturated with ideas, and they convey information as well.”

Also:

“If we want the mind of a child come alive, we feed him living ideas. Ideas reside in living books, which I think has something to do with the intermingling of story, fact and author’s opinion or viewpoint.”

As you can see, these books are many different things. In a nutshell living books engage and ignite the heart and mind of the reader.

Why Living Books?

The characters in these books come to life and cause us to think and feel more deeply, which helps cement the facts in our brains. This contrasts with textbooks which tend to be drier and contain just the facts and information. They also inspire us to think about what is good, noble, and lovely.  In our home, living books have prompted many good discussions and we find this to be an extremely engaging and enriching way of learning history.

Where Can I Find Them?

I have a few tried and true resources I use for finding these books:

Honey For A Child’s Heart
by Gladys Hunt

Books Children Love
by Elizabeth Wilson

What are living books?

Beautiful Feet Books:

Beautiful Feet Books has tons of options and sets based on age, period of history, etc.  This is one of our favorite sets:

What are living books?

 

Turning Back the Pages of Time by Kathy Keller

Happy Reading!

 

You may also like:Ancient Egypt Books

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Therapy – Bane, Blessing, or Both?

I am a therapy mom.

Therapy is a good thing and a gift we can give our kids who need it. Many “outside the box” kids require extra services.  My middle child (age 8) has been in therapy since the age of 2.  He has a diagnosis of dyspraxia.  Dyspraxia is a brain-based condition that affects one’s ability to coordinate and plan motor tasks. (That will be a post for another time).  He actually received three different therapies each week between the ages of 2-3.  That meant three separate days therapists came to our house.  Our playdate availability pretty much went out the window that year.

I was trying to calculate how many hours we’ve spent at therapy and it must be greater than 500.   500–that’s insane!   And that doesn’t include the early intervention therapy our youngest son (now 4 y/o) received in our home for a year, which he no longer needs.  Our 8 y/o is still in occupational therapy and we were beyond blessed to find an AMAZING therapist in our area when we moved here two years ago.

Due to insurance reasons, we’ve had to stop therapy for the last month and wait to see if they will approve more sessions.  During this time of waiting, I have really enjoyed not having to go to therapy each week.  It’s summer and it’s nice AMAZING to have more freedom in the schedule.  However, I feel a little guilty…..  I mean therapy really helps him and it helps me keep a pulse on where he’s at.  It is still necessary for him as much as I enjoy not having to go.

The reality is – therapy definitely puts a kink in your schedule.  It pretty much takes up a half day of our week (thankfully we’ve evolved into relaxed homeschoolers, so we roll with it) and often conflicts with field trips or other fun opportunities.  Therapy can be a real pain in the rear end – schedule-wise.  It’s not as though you go to one or two sessions and then “BAM!” you have a new kid.  It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

However, therapy truly is a blessing   I see it as an investment.  What we are doing now will help my son for the rest of his life.  And as parents, WE are the advocates for our children.  If we don’t fight for them, who will?!  When I think of it that way, it helps me to stay the course and not give up.

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Multiple Intelligences – Discovering the Ways Your Child is Smart

Disclaimer: In the name of full transparency, please be aware that this blog post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me (at no extra cost to you).

I first heard of multiple intelligences when I was a college student taking loads of education classes. The idea of multiple intelligences completely resonated with me and set a framework for how I now see my own kids.

So what ARE multiple intelligences?

The idea started with a man named Howard Gardner who came up with the “Theory of Multiple Intelligences” which he proposed in 1983 in his book Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. As a side note – I have not read this book. I have read Dr. Kathy Koch’s book How Am I Smart? (now called 8 Great Smarts) which is all about multiple intelligences.

multiple intelligences

I am not here to debate the science behind this, but want to present the information for you to use as a tool to encourage and empower your own kids, especially those kids who may be “outside the box”.

According to Gardner there are eight different intelligences or “smarts”.

They include:

Spatial – “Picture Smart”
Possible careers: Architect, Illustrator, Construction Worker, Web Designer

Musical – “Music Smart”
Possible careers: Conductor, Disk Jockey, Music Therapist, Sound Engineer

Bodily-Kinesthetic – “Body Smart”
Possible careers: Actor, Carpenter, Dancer, Physical Therapist

Linguistic – “Word Smart”
Possible careers: Teacher, Lawyer, Politician, Writer

Logical-Mathematical – “Logic Smart”
Possible careers: Accountant, Banker, Computer Programmer, Scientist

Interpersonal – “People Smart”
Possible careers: Counselor, Teacher, Administrator, Nurse

Intrapersonal – “Self Smart”
Possible careers: Guidance Counselor, Comedian, Detective, Entrepreneur

Naturalistic – “Nature Smart”
Possible careers: Animal Trainer, Environmental Scientist, Meteorologist, Nature Photographer

Where do your kids fall in this list? OR, where do you fall? Happy learning!

This is merely a “cliff notes” version of Multiple Intelligences. I encourage you to check out the books(linked above) to learn more!

**For a more complete list of possible careers go to the Kathy Koch’s website listed below.**

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Here are some links for further reading:

www.8greatsmarts.com (Dr. Kathy Koch’s website on Multiple Intelligences)

http://multipleintelligencesoasis.org/ (This is Howard Gardner’s site on Multiple Intelligences)

Also, a book I just discovered while gathering info for this article is You’re Smarter Than You Think. I will be checking if our library has that one!

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Taking the first step

mlk-faith-quoteI’ll admit, I’m kind of scared terrified to start a blog that’s for more than my family to read.  It’s insanely more comfortable to have ideas and thoughts swirling around in my head than to share them in the blogosphere!  However “Necessity is the mother of invention”, and in this case necessity was me needing an outlet to share, encourage, and help…. and the invention is this blog!  I’m excited to share our home school adventures and write about a few other things too.  Welcome!

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