Snowflakes for Sandy Hook

Jack's Class, much like all elementary school classes across the state have made snowflakes for the Newtown, Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Gingerbread Houses with Daddy

Little Lady's off to Learning Camp

Trina is off to her "first day of school", she even instisted on having a back-pack and lunch box packed JUST like big brother, despite the fact that she'd only be there for two hours.

She seemed to do "okay". I need to realize that she is a year younger (or more) than ALL the kids in the class, becuase I was having a hard time with the fact that she couldn't perform the same tasks as the other children. She caan make the "K" for her name, and that's about it (which made it difficult for me to see the other children writing their names independently). She did have fun, learn somethings and spend time with other children WITHOUT being desruptive, so... we are off to an excellent start.

Parent/Teacher Night

My stomach was in knots for days over Jonathan's Academic performance and the curriculum in Kindergarten, as well as his seemingly inability to make friends with the children his own age. His teacher alleviated a LOT of my concerns, although not all of them. She did confirm that he often is playing alone outside at recess time. Of course I worry less about that and more about his academic achievements, especially since I KNOW he has friends elsewhere and REALLY can get along with anyone. I think the play-time issue is, he doesn't like excluding anyone, and that is the nature of the recess BEAST. Over All, I had a FANTASTIC meeting with his teacher. She totally put my mind at ease... He's in for a challenging year! HOORAY!

Regaining & Maintaining Attention

Give Me Five

When it’s time to begin an activity I sometimes hold up my hand and use
Give Me Five
to get the attention of my students.

Eyes are watching
Ears are listening
Mouth is quiet
Hands are to myself
Hearts are caring

Hold up 1 finger as you say each rule. You’ll soon find your students reciting these with you.

To school or not to school?

I have been researching like crazy to determine what will occur this fall for Jack. Obviously, like any parents, Matt and I want to make the absolute best decision for him regarding his education, much like anything else. The thing is, we NEVER planned on homeschooling, we just sort of FELL into it. Mainly because being a teacher is in my blood, and I just couldn't give up this part of me if I tried! (Not that I wanted too... I like it). In any event, the district in which we currently reside is going through a serious transition, (budget cuts, schools closing, programs ending and GOOD teacher's being laid off) not something we think would be the best for our children's education. I scoured the internet doing all the research I could on local school districts that are established, with no signs of immediate, devastating change in the near future with homes for sale at reasonable prices... I was ASTONISHED to see which districts made the "grade" and which did not... Needless-to-say, no longer an option. With two option gone: (a) local public school (b) moving to receive a public education elsewhere We were left to explore other options: (a) local private schools (b) continuing to home-school To me, there are clear benefits to both of these options, and I needed to sit with each one and really own it. I took Jack's to look at one school, VERY close to home... Unfortunately - It too is currently undergoing a transitional period... (recent merger with another school 3rd principal in 3 years and staff and parent upheaval). So I looked a bit further away and nearly ALL the private schools within a FIFTEEN mile radius were booked solid WITH waiting lists!!! Except ONE school...so I scheduled a visit for the three of us to go and look... Part of me is glad we did, and part of me is terrified. The school is fantastic... I like the combination of Faith in Education - I AM thrilled the private schools system are freed from the public schools’ restriction regarding the separation of church and state—both private. It allows for the opportunities for prayer and worship are incorporated into the school day. I AM thrilled that holidays, traditions, and rituals are practiced, discussed, and included with other school activities and functions, just like we were at home.... Class Size Another area in which homeschoolers may find themselves with a similar view to private schools is in ideas about class size. Private schools may choose to operate with a small class size as one of their distinguishing features, separating them from the too often overcrowded classrooms of public schools. In either case, the child has both socialization opportunities, but also the benefits of a great deal of teacher attention. And of course, the opportunity for the teacher to get to know each student is increased when there are fewer students in the class. Special Curriculum Private schools and homeschools take advantage of some of the same curriculum products and services. The differences between home-schooling & private schooling. Instructors in private schools more often have professional teacher training than home-schoolers, EXCEPT, when the mom (like me), is a certified teacher, with several years of experience...AND licensing requirements for faculty at private schools are different and less stringent than the requirements for public schools. The private schools generally have more extensive resources—including buildings, supplies, books, materials, and equipment—than we, like most home-schools can afford. Other Areas Private schools with small class sizes may be able to have extremely flexible schedules, and more flexibility about location (because of smaller costs and less planning required) than public schools, but homeschools—when funding is not an issue—are still likely to have more flexibility in both areas. And private schools are likely to offer more opportunities for large group activities (even if the large group is smaller than what you would find in a public school) than homeschools can, due to larger enrollment. Looked at a different way, homeschools may be able to offer many of the benefits of private school without what are in some cases tuition charges. Private school tuition can run up to $40,000, and for far less than that, one could have an absolutely fabulous homeschool experience, provided one has the commitment and ability to do so. In fact, by taking advantage of free or low-cost resources, both those available for the community at large and specialized resources, supplemented (if desired/necessary/affordable) by private tutoring, lessons, and activities, one can create an exceptional homeschooling experience for far less than $40,000 per year. Of course, if a parent is forgoing work in order to homeschool, that is an important cost to factor in. And in the end, the choice between private school and homeschool is a very personal one, that will depend on the factors mentioned here, and others that are particular to your family situation and your particular child’s needs. So.... we decided.... HE is enrolled. We plan to home-school through this summer, and most likely all the summers in the future... Take vacations at will, and pick up ANY slack left in the school educational system. We also plan on sending him to Sunday School and some other programs offered in the area to maximize the ease of transition and allow him to make more friendships.

Education Reform

I have stepped out of the "classroom" some time ago but, I am still very away of how it is painfully obvious that we are in need of an educational revolution in the United States.
NOT all students are receiving what they need to THRIVE in the educational system. Some are behind, some excel, however not ALL have their parents support or the necessary interventions.

Realistically education in a large forum can NEVER be ideal, BECAUSE each child develops sensory/motor skills at a very young age and these developments are often taken for granted because they are basic and develop automatically in the typically developing child. When we teach a student at school, children in whom these skills have not fully developed find learning difficult if not impossible. On a separate note, we will NEVER bring a child TO level by moving SLOWER or bring a child who is ahead further ahead by throwing "extra" work at them.

Through the years, many have tried to reform education from the OUTSIDE. It has not worked. IF you have NEVER been in a classroom, you have NO business attempting to reform the educational system! The point is something new and innovative must take place for education to make real changes.

Public education cannot fix it all; it’s not a one-stop shop. Let’s be honest, students come to school with all kinds of issues, and as a whole we cannot ignore the numbers. Our students in this state are not making the cut. That is why we need an Educational Revolution.



THIS is why I home-school... well A LOT of the reason, but not ALL of it!

BECAUSE of my educational background and my views on the current educational system, my current choice of home-schooling my children is often seen as offensive or judgmental or wrong. The truth is, my reasons for homeschooling are many.

I am a teacher and I pretty good one at that. (on a side note: there are lots of smart and productive people who have never gone to college or are college drop outs -- so the fat that I have several degrees is SORT of irrelevant) While I take pride in being the FIRST and ONLY person in my family to have a college degree it is not the sum and total of me being.
I am NOT a patient person and I WILL roll my eyes when people tell me they could not home-school their children because they lack patience. While I strive NOT to complain, and act completely insane some days when it comes to my kids, as it was a CONSCIENCE DECISION I determinately am not exuding patience. I act nutty! I get frustrated! I SCREAM! I wonder what I am doing with my kids some days and yes even think "the heck with this - sign them up for school".
The thing is, I WAS your child(ren)’s teacher AND I HAD bad days, I WAS nutty, I have even shut the classroom door to scream or left feeling crazy, or lacking patience. AND I AM A GREAT TEACHER.
I know teachers. EVERYONE has friends that are teachers and they are not patient, do-rights EVERY day. In fact some of them don’t even like their job or kids.
BOTTOM line - I am doing what is BEST for my child RIGHT now.
I really do believe there are great schools out there in different communities,but as long as schools are following current trends in education and No Child Left Behind, MY child whether they are in a school with excellent standardized testing scores or poor ones, is getting at best a sub par education geared towards fake learning to pass a test at the end of the day. I WAS THERE! I KNOW!
AND there is SO MUCH wasted time in schools, so much NON-EDUCATIONAL GARBAGE goes on in the morning and the time they get home has absolutely nothing to do with educating our children. In fact schools are being used as a substitute for home and for things that should be taught at home. YES, this has A LOT to do with the break-down of the family structure, so maybe what we really need IS FAMILY REFORM and NOT so much education reform?