How Much is Too Much?

Sigh... it seems like this school drama is not going to stop until we just pull Gabby out for good. There are issues with the lunch monitors, recess length, and most importantly the amount of homework and such expected of these 1st graders. Yet, my dissatisfaction seems to be the minority. Most parents are glad that their kids have homework and that they are being pushed to learn more, faster, and younger. But my question is how much is too much schoolwork?

A typical day with Gabby has her in school from 9am to 3pm. She gets 20 mins to eat lunch (including if she has to stand in line for hot lunch, sitting down, and all transitions), about 12 minutes of recess in which she may actually "play", and then 30 mins of gym or music. And after that long day she has homework EVERY night, plus spelling words to review, oh and did I mention that her teacher handed me some extra sight word cards because apparently Gabby doesn't know them all perfectly so I am to make a game of them and practice every night with her those as well. Doesn't this seem like a lot of school and not enough downtime/childhood time? And obviously whatever is going on in class isn't sinking in enough for the tests since I am getting sheets with more red slashes than positives on them. With all the demands of "please practice this at home" it just makes more sense to do it all at home since I basically am anyhow.


Maybe I wouldn't care about all this as much if Gabby was actually learning the material and wasn't getting these less than stellar marks.... but I do care, a lot, because the last thing I want is her school to make her not care about or even worse hate the learning process. And maybe she doesn't care right now that she is getting mediocre marks on these silly tests, but she will care as she gets older.... and what is that going to do to her confidence?

Tomorrow we are going to have another unschooling/homeschooling day and I don't know who is looking forward to it more, me or Gabby lol. Today I will be picking out some curriculum to just guide me and going over the ins and outs of starting to home-school in the middle of a school year.
This is going to be fun, interesting, and definitely a solution to the stress of sending Gabby to a place that is not the best for her.

A Little of This, A Little of That

Today I am 32 weeks along and feeling great! I have been really busy in the shop, it seems like everyone knows I will be temporarily closing for maternity leave and decided to order oodles of fairy doors all at once, which is a good thing. Here are some random thoughts that I am having, links that I have been interested in, and cute ideas that I have seen for the upcoming holiday season, which is not too far away!

One of the best things you can do this holiday season is Pledge to Buy Handmade. As an artist and being a part of the Etsy community I can see how fragile our little world is and all of it depends on people buying handmade instead of Big Box store items. Even buying a few things will make a difference to someone and the environment! You can sign the Pledge here!

These past few weeks have been filled with many conversations between Klint and I about how to handle Gabby's educational needs in a way that fit her particular personality. We have been researching, reading, talking to others, and meditating on the pros and cons of all the choices. A blog that I just started reading really caught my eye with this post, which talks about questions that homeschooling/unschooling families get and how to handle them.... I have already experienced some of the doubters and such, which can be quite nasty!

I think that for anyone, keeping a journal is a great tool whether you use it to vent, draw, work out problems on paper, or just jot down your random thoughts. This blog is my journal and I want the same outlet for Gabby, especially since she is learning how to write sentances. This pretty (and earth-friendly) journal will be under the tree for her this holiday season!

With Fall, like any season, comes change. I love these ideas and projects for your home, yard, body, and spirit. Most are so simple to do but will make a big difference in the coming months.

Even with me being in a healthier place than when I started out in this pregnancy I am still starting to feel aches and pains of my enormous belly. Luckily, this awesome Prenatal Yoga Studio in NYC has some free videos online here to help alleviate some of the pains!

I am always on the lookout for cute stocking stuffers for the girls that are not "junky" but will not cost more than a few dollars. One of the things that they will find in their stocking this year is their own personalized pocket mirror by Olliegraphic. Aren't they awesome looking? There are also personalized growth charts, plates, and other funness to be had!

So that is it.... I am busy cleaning and nesting, finishing up orders and starting others! I hope that you all have a GREAT day!!!

Once Again Karma Steps In

So yesterday I was really stressing out about Gabby and this whole school thing. My brain was going through all of my options and couldn't begin to sort through the muddle. I took a break and went through my blogroll to see what interesting things were on the web, something to inspire and clear my head, when I saw it... the article which answered all those questions that I have about Gabby's situation. "Let Your Child's Schooling Release Her Education"

The basic jist of this beautifully written article is that there is a clear difference between schooling and education, something that I knew but at the same time had forgotten in the whirl of the start of this school year.
The question that the author poses is: "What are your goals for your child this year? Is it to do well at school? Or is it to get an education?" 

WOW! That question cleared up so much for me right from the start. So I thought about what I wanted Gabby to accomplish this "school year".

♥ To view the learning process as something to be not to be dreaded but rather an adventure. 
♥ To continue to love books and to develop the skills to read without assistance by the end of the year.
♥ To be curious about things that she doesn't know about and to learn about the resources available to learn more.
♥ To continue to respect authority but to question things that do not make sense to her.
♥ To tell time on an analog clock and to know the values of coin money.
♥ Understand addition, subtraction, and broad percentages (whole, half, quarter)
♥ To play a sport and continue to have a great team spirit. (We never missed a t-ball game because according to Gabby "My teams NEEDS me!")
♥ To learn the basics of sewing (she has shown a great interest in this lately)
♥ Begin to learn the basic vocabulary of another language of her choice

I am sure that there are other minor things, but these are the major points that I would like for her to get to. The question now is whether the current situation meets these goals and doesn't undo what I am trying to accomplish. That I am not so sure of right now.

At least I have a starting point on where to go from here and some great resources on how to accomplish what I want for Gabby's education. Now to see how the schooling fits in!

Wordless Wednesday- First Day of First Grade!

**AJ isn't going to preschool, 

she just didn't want to feel left out of the school fun! =)

More Thoughts About Homeschooling

As I continue to struggle with the educational choices that I have before me I am reading more and more that is steering me toward homeschooling, at least for Gabby. That, along with happenings- like her getting 3 check marks, the worst punishment in the class, for not putting her chair up on the table and such- is really making me question what is really going on. The best part was, Gabby didn't even feel remorseful for getting those three checks... she knew that they were for something that was not awful or hurtful, therefore, she didn't care. And I was not mad at her in the least because to me they were pretty insignificant. More than likely she was off in "Gabby Dreamland" and not even meaning to be disobedient.

Well, sometimes I just surf around the web checking out random links and such and I thought that I would share this lovely post with you from Bloom regarding her own homeschooling experience. It really made me think about school in general and how kids learn. Hopefully it is interesting to you as well! 

I often get the question; how do you do it?
How do you home school?
Why?




So I thought maybe this is something I could write about and maybe spur you on to try it...or run the other way.

At least tell you why it works for us and how it is part of our life.

I guess I'll start with some background on me and what made me want to.

I grew up in Norway with your regular school system.
School bored the heck out me. I was there to socialize.
I didn't find much challenging or remotely interesting except art class and Norwegian Mythology.
Hated math...not to mention English...ever tried to listen to a Norwegian try to teach English...good grief.
Science, dissecting animals...NEVER!
I really liked P.E especially skiing, also home economics was really fun.
Other than that, school was a chore....dread.

When I was on my last years of high school I had enough....I ditched...my name was "the tourist" I came to school when ever I felt like it.
That is when the black Mohawk showed up and I did many notsogood things...

Well wasn't I the proudest student on the last day of high school ?
-I failed. Surprised?

So that is when my ever absent dad said California was the solution!
Packed my bags and flew to Coronado and enrolled in high school....whoa!
Was that a life change or what?

Talk about a fish out of water.

However there was a kindness and sincerity about a few of the teachers that would reach out to me. I worked my rear end off....every single extra credit homework I could do, I did...I was hell bent on graduating.
I amerced my self in Ulysses and Shakespeare...even U.S. Government.

My stepmonster hired a french tutor that helped me so much.

Well this sad story has a great ending.
I graduated...top 10% of my class.

All this to say...I am not sure if the system failed me or I failed to be the "norm".
I swore this was never going to happen to my children.
It is amazing what you can achieve when someone "gets you".




When I became a mother I wanted to stay home with my children. As they grew older and were getting ready for school I found out that you could hold them back a year and also that kindergarten was not mandatory...hmmm.
So I held Jules back one year and enrolled him in a private alternative school.

All I can say is when I walked in those doors I never wanted to leave (good sign)
The basis for the school was constructivism. Based on the books of Holt and Gardner.
They would let the kids think for them self and learn based on their own personality type and style. The idea of the school was teaching the "whole student".
What a concept...
They grew an organic garden that the children tended. Music i.e violin, flute etc. Math with chickens...(don't ask) and so on. The students would go grocerie shopping, prepare snack and lunch...just to name a few.
Julian had the year of his life...learning real life skills.

We moved to Montana and Jules started 1st grade....yep.

I knew there had to be something else out there..
Armed with books on homeschooling and Gardener and Reggio Amelia...I set forth to make a plan over the summer that I would home school Jules and Sophia.

That fall we dove in.


So the question I am trying to answer is why?

I love my children, spending time with them. I want them to have a wonderful and meaningful childhood free to be themselves who they are without all this peer pressure carp.

I don't want them to be motivated by treats, bribes and check marks. I don't want them to react because a bell rings,wanting them to think for themselves learn life skills understand how the world really works. Learn thru experience, exploration and travel.
I am also an advocate for children having a childhood...playing. Perserving it a little longer. Climbing trees, making forts, shooting hoops, biking, playing with dolls, coloring and so forth all good things...I think.

You ask can I home school?
- I don't know, can you?
Do you like your kids?
-Do you have patience to stay home with your child/children can you forgo your own schedule of having coffee with friends, workouts etc....
100s of questions pummeling at you all day long, screaming shouting, laughter & tears.
- Oh yeah...NOISE.
Add a few babies in the mix...there were times when I was nursing and reading history at the same time.

Sometimes a messy house, laundry piles that are the size of mount Everest.
Can you put things you would rather do at the moment aside and focus on your kids...can you live your life in organized chaos?

How do you feel about teaching your kid to read.. how about algebra?
(How 'bout not getting paid for it...bitter pill in some cases)

You home school everyday when you teach your child to do laundry when you read to your child...go skiing..baking, help them with their math homework, gardening, playing chess, building something in the woodshop...sewing, knitting..talking about your childhood or family history.



Every day is different...good,bad or in between....
We are human beings and our moods and needs change on a daily basis the sooner you accept that, the easier it will be for you to ease into a routine...you just have to relax into it.

It took me a good 3 years until I got the swing of it. The first year it was way more structured.

Now we have a plan for the week and try to stick with it...but if the kids find something along the way that they want to investigative...then that is what we do, it leads to some interesting places.
There are also times when we just need a break and we'll watch DVDs on the subjects...read, play games and go for walks. Do art, listen to music.
Unit studies are also really great to mix things up.

There are days when you just want rip your hair out (being honest here) and nothing works...take a break, take a personal day...a sick day. It's important to give yourself credit for all the good you do and remember that tomorrow a new day is a fresh new day.
It's also important to take care of yourself here...make sure YOU get break from kids and house. I used to run, now I do yoga every day for an hour...keeps my head clear and it relieves stress.


Homeschooling is also about other things as respect, goals and patience.
Just because your book smart does not mean you can negotiate or conduct yourself well in a business meeting. It's the every day experiences and interactions that are important too....and the burning questions being answered...Questions...huge! Finding the answers.

Also home school is so much fun!
Think about it...you get to rediscover your childhood..brush up on math, do science experiments (and understand it this time around) learn a foreign language,there are fringe benefits here people.
Throw paint on a canvas....
Sew, cook and dive into history and maybe even focus on countries that you would like to explore more, plan a vacation visiting these foreign places.
Learn about cultures and people from far away.
Read folklore and fairy tales.

You have strengths and weaknesses focus on your strengths...the rest will come.
I have an easier time with languages and the arts.

I hate science and Math...guess what, I am teaching 8 th grader algebra...and I am loving it...I am actually good at it...so much so that I get hugs after lessons thanking me for making it clear and easy to understand, maybe because I have had such difficulty I can feel the pain(go me!)
Science...bring it on...we found a fantastic curriculum and as a bonus planning a 10 day trip where we are studying the ocean more in depth...somewhere warm and beautiful surrounded by ocean.

Okay, so now you have read some of my reasons and your either intrigued or not so much...

Here is some things to think about.
Be aware of your kids socialization...note did you see I said "be aware" make sure they get plenty of playtime with other kids...maybe soccer, dance and other fun things away from house and home with other children.
Field trips are good...excellent way of learning; post office, fisheries, theater, hospitals etc. real life learning.

I have also heard some pretty hurtful things such as; "you're home schooled...you must be stupid".
I feel sorry for people that are unable to think out of the box and teach their children to be just as ignorant.
(For the record...I had to put my kids in public school for a year...they were on the honor roll...nuff said)

The first year is the hardest. The second year a little easier and so it goes...
Try to find like minded people and other families who home school. Getting support is very important. Maybe there is a home school group in your area.

Get used to your kids not doing things that are the "norm"...my daughter is learning quilting from a lady in her 70's with her posse of older women...she is not only learning quilting but listening to stories of "the old days" (history) and socializing & interacting with some of our finest citizens...yes, the elderly.
My kids pick apart old telephones and computers to see "whats inside and how they work".

Some famous home schoolers...
Alexander Graham Bell
George Patton
Thomas Edison
Claude Monet
Leonardo Da Vinci
Albert Einstein
Pierre Curie
Charles Dickens
Mark Twain
Abraham Lincoln
John Muir
Ansel Adams
Louis Armstrong
LeAnne Rimes
Venus and Serena Williams
the list goes on....you're in good company.


So if you have read this far....and you are still interested...tune in next week I'll tackle books, curriculum and whatever else I can think of.
Questions?
Ask.
Email, comment.

...and last but not least...you do what you do, what works for your family.
Public school, private school, home school...what ever, I am not here to judge or persuade...I am just telling you like it is in our little world...

Art and chilli in the kitchen...it's a good thing.

Isn't that such an interesting post? I love how candid and real Camilla is about the whole thing- the good, the bad, and the "oh my God, why the heck am I doing this" moments. All I know is that it really hit home with me, and I feel like something just clicked.... =)

Back to School Printable

I thought this little printable would be a good start to the school year!! Get it here to print out!

Almost Wordless Wednesday

My little girl isn't so little anymore... tear! Off to Kindergarten she went today!!

Get Your Scholarly Fun On!

Now that we found the backpack and the lunch box, what do we put in them?? In keeping with my non-commercialized/eco-friendly trend here are some goodies for the backpack, the lunchbox, and even just for fun!!

clipped from ep.yimg.com

clipped from www.shoponlygreen.com

clipped from www.stubbypencilstudio.com

clipped from seejanework.com

clipped from www.stubbypencilstudio.com

clipped from www.sustainablegroup.net

My little ones have these water bottles by Sigg and just adore them! I am a huge fan of the graphics as well!

clipped from www.reusablebags.com

clipped from www.amazon.com

clipped from www.materne.us

Coming Up: You got the gear, now get the look!!