Throwing Marshmallows

Not June recently had a post, Should Boys Be Homeschooled and then followed it up today with additional comments on Girls Rule? I loved her pictures of her boys learning “in boy fashion” so I thought that I would add our own pics to the mix. Needless to say, I love homeschooling boys!

As promised, here are the Halloween pictures…

Carving the pumpkins

Yes, Jason now actually puts his hands in the pumpkin!

Dad puts on the finishing touches

The final results

Jason, the Dark Mage (don’t you love the ghost pumpkin?)

Kyle the Ranger

They boys joined up with Sean and Samuel for the actual trick or treating and had a blast.

The Crew

Jason crashes after a long, hard night…

You would think they had run miles…

You can check out the rest of our Halloween pictures over at flickr.

Hope everyone had as much fun as we did!

Kyle started a new homeschool class offered by our local nature center today. While there, I talked a little bit with the woman who worked the front desk and mentioned how great I thought that it was that the nature center was offering these programs. She agreed and said that they were really pleased with the turnout (it is a program for K-2nd grade and the 15 slots had filled up quickly).

She then went on to say that I must be so glad to have an oportunity for my kids to be able to be socialize (yes, she used the word!) with other kids. I laughed a little and explained to her that we really did not have any problem finding group activities, that many places were realizing that there was this whole group of kids home during the day and offering classes. I also mentioned that we actually had to drop an activity in order to take this class and how they were taking a homeschool pottery class (also offered by the county park authority) and really enjoying it.

Not convinced, she said that even though she was sure that my kids had lots of opportunities, she was sure that there were other homeschoolers out there did not. And how being in a class with a group of other kids was just so important and the kids just learned so much about dealing with other kids.

She also went on to say that homeschooling seemed like it would be such a lot of work and asked me (in front of Jason!) if I didn’t find it hard being around my kids so much! I just responded that really, homeschooling was easier then it seemed and that being with my kids was one of the reasons that I enjoyed homeschooling so much.

She was a very nice woman and I actually enjoyed our conversation…who knows, maybe I got her to think about things a little bit differently. Or at least opened the door. I am sure that interacting with the homeschool kids and parents who will be coming to the center will help open it further.

I think that for some people, homeschooling is just one of those things that they do not know much about and have not given much thought. It is not until they meet a homeschooler that they start thinking and questioning.

Kyle had a lot of fun in the class and is looking forward to the next one. They are covering earth science types of topics (including magnatism, rock identifcation, pulleys, amphibians, insects etc). He has a couple of friends who are taking it so that was fun for him. And the fact that Jason is not taking has some appeal as well. Jason seemed to enjoy our time…I brought the book we are reading, The Dark Lord of Derkholm by Diana Wynne Jones and he brought the Bone graphic novel that he got for Christmas (that he loves!) and we had a nice time exploring the nature center and reading a bit.

~Stephanie

~Stephanie

Oh my! We come back from the beach and just jump right in. What was I thinking! This week has been a whirlwind and it does not look like it is going to slow down for at least another few days.

A week ago Friday we got home just in time for Jeff’s company crab fest. It was fun, but also hectic as not only did I need to unpack on Saturday, we also had to clean up after the party.

I don’t really remember Sunday or Monday…but Tuesday I had to work our organic food co-op pick up which meant getting the boys and myself up and to Arlington by 7:45 am. We met up with Zac and Kaiya and I took them to the NovaUnschoolers park day while Kathi had a dentist appointment. We had a lot of fun and did not get home until almost 5.

Wednesday was the Maryland Science Museum trip. Also a lot of fun but again we did not get home until after 5pm.

Thursday the boys had their first Games Class at the Arlington YMCA. And then we went and played at Zac and Kaiya’s again. Did not get home until after 5pm.

Friday I decided that we needed a nice quiet day with nothing planned. The only thing that we had to do was to pick up my car (was in for the 15,000 mile check up and a few other things) and pick up cleats for Kyle and a light-weight jacket for Jason from Kohl’s. This turned into an all day thing when the car folks were not ready when they said they would be (I will say that I do enjoy having older kids…they both took the delay in stride). Then the trip to Kohls took longer as we found lots of neat stuff on sale…including lava lamps and electric globes for the kids rooms (they have wanted these for awhile and they were over 60% off so I could not say no). I also got a chance to hit the Teacher’s Mart while we were out…picked up some things that I will need for the Real Science 4 Kids Chemistry that we hope to start soon and some fun games and neat stuff. But again, we did not get home until after 5pm.

Then today we had Kyle’s first soccer game. He is on the same team with a lot of the same kids from last year. He had a blast.

All this activity means that I really have not had much of a chance to unpack…the house is a disaster. I am sure that Jeff is wondering if we should have just stayed back at the beach…at least he could keep the house uncluttered! I did get some things picked up today and got some neat ideas for what I want to do with all the miscellaneous files and papers that I seem to attract.

However we also had to pack and get ready for our trip to  Williamsburg tomorrow! One of my homeschool groups got a great discount off the Great Wolf Lodge and it is also Homeschool Week at Williamsburg, so we are meeting up with Jeff’s parents. We will be staying there starting on Sunday and coming back on Tuesday. It should be a lot of fun…but the timing could have been better. Oh well…maybe next week I will feel like we are finally settled.

It is interesting…I am definitely feeling the need to not be as overscheduled this fall. I have been signing the boys up mostly for 1 day events rather then classes. I am looking forward to being home and have lots of plans for this fall. Now I just need to find time to breathe…I know that it will come and I plan on being really agressive over keeping enough free time. Can’t say that I have done a great job so far (!) but it will work out.

There is wireless internet access at the Great Wolf Lodge so I will hopefully find some time to check in…where would I be without my laptop!

~Stephanie

I originally posted this on Life Without School but wanted to save it here as well. I hope that you don’t mind reading it again if you have already seen it!

The Isolated Homeschooler

One of the more common arguments against homeschooling is that it “isolates” kids. That somehow kids, if not in school, will never be exposed to the world at large. That homeschoolers sit at home all day with no interaction with anyone outside their family.

I have found quite the opposite has been true for us.  School can become a crutch – you don’t need to look beyond it because all your kids’ social or academic opportunities are provided for.  But I do not want to be limited by what the school can provide. Homeschooling, for me, has led to a greater involvement in my community precisely because I do not have the school to depend on to meet the needs of my kids. I can not just sit back and let the school provide everything; I need to stay active and engaged in my kids’ lives.

Because we are not in school we have more time to explore our community. I am constantly looking for new activities through our county recreation centers, local YMCA and other neighborhood centers. I search out new parks to explore. I network with other homeschoolers to find interesting activities. I have been amazed at the variety of opportunities that come across my local homeschooling email lists – special events at museums, storytelling evenings at a local community center, music shows, fascinating websites – all things that I would not have been looking for had my kids been in school.

Homeschoolers are also extremely good at creating what they need – be it foreign language classes, park days, co-ops, or yu-gi-oh clubs. We live by the motto “Build it and they will come”. And they do! Local businesses and organizations are happy to offer classes during their typically slow times during “school hours”. Many people are very willing to share their expertise if just asked. And it is amazing what a group of motivated homeschool moms can accomplish together. I sometimes wish that there were not as many great opportunities as it is very easy to get overscheduled! Socialization is not a concern here by any measure.

The homeschooling community is a very welcoming one. When a new homeschooler moves into a new state or city, all they need to do is find the local homeschool email list or support group to get advice about the new laws or places to live. They can also get hooked into the local activities before moving. When we were going to spend the entire summer in Ocean City, Maryland this past year, I joined a few email lists and made connections with some local homeschoolers. The boys made some very good friends and we had a wonderful summer and are looking forward to going back this year. These summer connections led to our finding out about a Maryland homeschool camp this spring where we had an incredible time. The group we camped with has exciting activities that we are now hoping to take advantage of such as star gazing evenings (they are far enough out that light pollution is not the issue it is where we are).  We have now broadened our community from not only Virginia, but to several parts of Maryland as well.  And best yet, these connections are based on common interests and friendship rather then on our zip code and school zone.

Homeschooling has also led me to be more active politically. I am a member of my inclusive, statewide homeschool organization that helps monitor homeschooling legislation. As I have learned more about how the process works, I have been empowered to take a more active role in other political causes about which I feel strongly.

Are all homeschoolers as active and involved in their community? No. Some live in areas that do not have as many opportunities or some choose to not be involved. But attendance in school does not guarantee community involvement either. Some families are able to remain isolated even when their kids are in school. There is no guarantee. Are there parents of school kids who actively look for interesting opportunities outside of school? Yes, of course. But after four years of homeschooling, I honestly believe that I am much more connected to my community and the world at large then I would have been had my kids been in school. I have had to be and I would not have it any other way.

~Steph

I have a new post up over at Life Without School called The Isolated Homeschooler.

” One of the more common arguments against homeschooling is that it “isolates” kids. That somehow kids, if not in school, will never be exposed to the world at large. That homeschoolers sit at home all day with no interaction with anyone outside their family.

I have found quite the opposite has been true for us. School can become a crutch – you don’t need to look beyond it because all your kids’ social or academic opportunities are provided for. But I do not want to be limited by what the school can provide. Homeschooling, for me, has led to a greater involvement in my community precisely because I do not have the school to depend on to meet the needs of my kids. I can not just sit back and let the school provide everything; I need to stay active and engaged in my kids’ lives.”

Check it out!

~Steph

Natalie over on Homeschool Cafe has a great post on Silencing Homeschool Critics Without Statistics. She makes the point that you do not need facts and figures and “proof”, sometimes all you need to do is ask a question or two back to help them look at things from a different point of view.

I have started pointing out to people when they ask questions like “aren’t you concerned about socialization” or “aren’t you worried about them getting into college” that of course I am concerned about these things. Of course I want my kids to grow up and be functioning adults. And after much reading and research I choose to homeschool. So maybe, just maybe, it is possible to homeschool and raise functional adults. Ya think?

I really do think that most people (at least the ones that I come across) are well-meaning and genuinely interested or curious. It is just something with which they are not familiar. Homeschooling does require a bit of a paridigm shift…you have to think outside the box and question commonly held and accepted beliefs. See how socialization can occur without school. See how learning can happen without grades or tests (at least for us). One warning though…homeschooling can lead to the questioning of many these beliefs…but that is half the fun!

I actually enjoy the looks of surprise when people find out that I homeschool. I do not fit many people’s image of a typical homeschooler. I am a democrat, I am a Unitarian Universalist, and for the most part I am a fairly normal person. Really, I am! So it surprises people to find out that I homeschool. The interesting thing is that the homeschool community actually is very diverse…people from all faiths, all political points of view. There are about as many reasons to homeschool as there are homeschoolers. You would be surprised.

But I like the idea that I can help someone expand their understanding of homeschooling and I am always willing to talk about it. Jeff has asked me many times why I always wind up talking about homeschooling…I think the reason is that most people ask me about my kids..and then the next normal question is what grade are they in and do they enjoy school. Which leads to homeschooling…so it really is not my fault! But it is fun…

~Steph

Tara on the VaEclecticHS email list forwarded this article about how college admissions folks are coming to view homeschool applicants.

“Homeschooled students, by and large, are a liberal arts college’s dream,” says Sabena Moretz-Van Namen, associate director of admission at the University of Richmond. “We want more students who think outside the box and color outside the lines. Homeschoolers often have developed into self-directed learners. Traditional high school students sometimes lack that trait.”

My feeling is that it is going to get easier and easier as time goes on for homeschooled kids to get into college with a non-traditional transcript. Very good news indeed!

There was a great article in the Daily Nebraskan on how some homeschooled kids are making the transition from homeschooling to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Talks directly to how homeschool kids deal with the whole socialization issue (which seems to be one of the biggest worries of non-homeschoolers). I have heard many times…how will they transition into college if they have never gone to high school? From what I have heard from friends with older kids and read in articles like this one is that, on the whole, homeschooled kids make the adjustment just fine.

What many homeschooling parents find, is that if their kid decides that college is where they want to go, more then likely they will be motivated to get there because it is their choice. What many colleges are finding is that homeschooled kids have a love of learning…they are there to learn, not just get a grade. Many kids also take community college, co-op or self-study courses while in high school, so going to a 4 year college is not their first taste of structured learning. Yes, sometimes depending on the kid there might be more of a learning curve when heading to college, but they do manage to adjust in most cases.

This quote sums up the article (and my personal feelings) very well.

“You’re going to meet people who are homeschooled who can’t (socialize), but you’re going to meet public schoolers who can’t socialize either,” Anderson said. “It depends on the individual, not the method of schooling.”

My kids are still young, so we have plenty of time to figure it all out. But hearing stories from those who have gone before me is very reassuring!

CAUTION: Unsocialized Homeschoolers On Board

More on homeschooling and socialization to come…..(what homeschooling blog would be complete without it!)