LEARNING GRATITUDE AT HOME

Hi Everyone,

Today I'm obsessed with Gratitude. Gratitude for me means being thankful, grateful. As a Homeschool Family we try and teach our children gratitude, love, respect and care.

How often do you say thank you for all that you have? Do you even realise how much you have? Everything is relative.

Our family is not too fussed with material things, we need the basics, and have them. We live in South Africa. An affluent area in Gauteng, and half an hour away we have people who are no different to us,yet they have no running water, live in tin shacks and are lucky if they have a meal a day. Now I'm not asking for pity on behalf of these people.

What I am saying is don't take things for granted. Don't forget to say thank you, for all you have.

I have family, friends, pets, who all love me. I have food, shelter, electricity, water, a car, and all the goodies that go with this. I'm also privileged enough to be able to homeschool my kids. I do not see this as something to take for granted.

Homeschooling is an incredible experience, that I am very grateful to have the chance to enjoy.
As much as I teach our children gratitude, they teach me in equal amounts. We can be walking to the park, I'll be preoccupied with something, and they turn to me and say something like, "Wow Mom, look at the sky today, it's so blue. We're really lucky to be having a walk on a day like today."

It's at times like this that I'm made aware of GRATITUDE. Being thankful for the gifts we are given.

Have a think, and tell me what you feel about Gratitude. How do you show it?

Blessings, Susan

HOMESCHOOLING ASTRONOMY

Hi Everyone,

You know that painfully boring question homeschoolers get asked, repeatedly, "How can you Homeschool you're not a teacher?"

Well I'm sick of it, along with the unoriginal socialisation maniacs! Anyway back to the teacher question.

Yesterday I was about to teach our kids about our solar system. So NOT BEING A TEACHER LOL, I did a lot of research beforehand.

Remember - we were taught in school there are 9 planets. Well I was aware that one of them was no longer with us so to speak. Anyway research revealed 8 planets and the suns a star, we had a great time "googling" our way around astronomy.

And I happened to stumble across a forum where parents were concerned because there kids were still being taught in Public School about the 9 planets! Shouldn't this be a history lesson?

Mmmmhhhh.... Again I see not being a teacher as an advantage. My kids got the latest info available on our solar system. I have no set ides about subjects, I research them.

So no, I'm not a teacher, but it would appear I may be doing a good job. Makes you think about the advantages of Homeschooling!

See you later!

Blessings
Susan

PS. We've started a Homeschool Newsletter so you can be the first to know whats happening, and receiving the free stuff. Come and visit ans sign up. The first 1 goes out on the 15 July 2007. Don't miss it!

ONLINE HOMESCHOOL RESOURCES

Hi Everyone,

We're busy learning about the solar system. Grade 3, so nothing technical, just the names and where they live!

We found some great online homeschool resources, everything from a walk throught the solar system on your computer to just a brief description of each planet, size colour etc.

One thing I put together quickly this afternoon was a wordsearch puzzle using the names of the planets. This definitely helps as a spelling tool.

I've uploaded the puzzle onto my site, so if you wish to download it for free, simply visit and click away.

We're just taking it slow this week, the kids are have a relaxed Homeschool week, (part holiday) and I've been using the time to write articles, and update our site. And as usual I'm desperate to get people to start Homeschooling!

Speak to you soon,
Blessings
Susan

PROS AND CONS OF HOMESCHOOL

Hi Everyone,

I've been a bit tied up and haven't posted for a few days. That's Homeschool! There is a new article on the Pros and Cons of Homeschool on our site. This took quite a bit of research and I've tried to answer all of your concerns, and questions in it.

The Pros and Cons of Homeschooling articles is our opinion. A view by an average Homeschool family. One of the Cons of Homeschool that wasn't mentioned and only became clear to me yesterday was the importance of a support system. Now I'm not talking about other Homeschool Mom's only.

I have a group of friends and family that keep me grounded and sane. I find it too easy to get so wrapped up in Homeschooling the kids, that the world can often appear a bit distant. This doesn't happen often due to my family and friends, who inject a touch of reality for me, Sometimes quite harsh, but needed!

You'll see I've thanked them all in my Our Homeschool Journey Blog. One is a Homeschool Mom, one is a Public School Mom, and one is a goal oriented career woman. They are all so different, but all mean the world to me. They provide, Homeschool support, emotional and spirtual support. I never realised how important this all was until we moved from our Hometown to a new "city" (yucky place but it's not forever).Even though we no longer live in the same town, we all still continue the role we had in each others lives. I miss seeing them often, but I know they're still so there.

I cannot stress enough the support I need to Homeschool. One of the Pros of Homeschooling is realising how important your friends and family are.

I feeling very blessed to have realised this, and to have the oppurtunity to cherish these people.

Speak to you all tomorrow.
Love Susan. xx

HOMESCHOOL vs PUBLIC SCHOOL

One of the things I'd like to discuss today is one of the perceived negatives of Homeschooling your child. If you're already Homeschooling, you'll definitely have heard it.....

How can you teach your child you're not a teacher.

Yes I know, roll your eyes. Well the short answer is easily. LOL. Okay seriously, I'm not a teacher, and what I've found is that I have a limited knowledge of the subject I need to teach our kids. This is fantastic, it's not a negative.

I often have no preconceived ideas about a subject. There's no, "oh no it's geography tomorrow". I don't know much about it (not that I can remember from school anyway) so I tackle it from a fresh unprejudiced, excited standpoint. I love learning new things. This enthusiasm rubs off on the kids, and we spend ages together researching things after the lesson is completed. We learn even more than we needed to know in the first place.

Half of the battle of teaching, is won, when there is a love of learning as an example to follow.

We don't just learn about a subject, we discuss it afterwards, even at the dinner table when Dad comes home. He's always got a different perspective, as his life experience has been different to mine.

And even if your still not convinced, then stop and ask yourself...."Before I sent my children to school, who taught them not too touch dangerous things, how to eat at a table, to ride a bike?"

You see you've been teaching them since they were born amazing isn't it, so why stop now when you're doing so well?

If you want to hear more indepth discussions about the Pros and Cons of Homeschooling or are just curious visit our family on our website.

Have a weekend filled with Love and Laughter.

Susan

THE JOY OF CRAFTING

Hi Everyone,

It's winter here in South Africa, and we're busy crafting. Today this brought home the fact that crafting is so important for a child's fine motor skill development. Both Rudolph Steiner and Maria Montessori agree on this!

There is nothing more calming for me than to curl up with the kids, and sew quietly. I started mine sewing at age 3, both StJohn and Juliette. They love it.

I hope you'll join me as we craft today. While the kids were doing worksheets this morning I uploaded Free Kids Craft Patterns on my Homeschool site. These are hand drawn and come with step by step instructions, you just can't miss! You need no experience or skill to do these.

Perfect for children who have never used a needle and thread before are the Rainbow Snake Instructions. Never made one? It won't be long and you'll be hooked! I certainly was.

The second pattern is also dead easy, it's for a Heart Shaped Felt gift. Perfect to finish in an afternoon.

Please pop into our site www.ourhomeschooljourney.co.za. There are many free kids gifts for you to download other than the craft patterns. Definitely worth a look!

READING WORKSHEETS GRADE 3

Hi Everyone,

My daughter, Juliette in Grade 3, has been increasing her vocabularly daily. The way we've been doing this is by using Wordsearch Puzzles. I put them together for her as themes, there are "things we find in the garden", "colours" and many more. It's a great way to teach spelling, as she doesn't view it as "school work" she sees it as a game! Isn't this the easiest way to teach?

If you would like to give a few to your child to try, whether they're Homeschooled or not, you can find them for free on our website, www.ourhomeschooljourney.co.za.

Just go to the "Gifts For You" page, and help yourself to as many as you want. Thanks for visiting, come again soon, we'll be posting daily, so not only can you see how we Homeschool, but you'll also find links to many Online Homeschool Resources.

Have a relaxing day!

Blessings,
Susan

HOMESCHOOLING FOR LOVE

People always ask me,"why do you Homeschool your kids?"

The simple answer? Because I love them!

No, I'm not a qualified teacher, I'm just their mom, and because of this I am more than qualified to teach my children. Who knows my children better? I know their strengths, I know their weaknesses. Because of this I'm able to teach them what they each need to know.

I'm able to help them to strengthen their "weakpoints". Every single individual has completely different challenges in life. As we Homeschool we deal with these challenges one at a time. This is done by teaching my kids one on one, not one on 30 (if you're lucky!) in a public school.

I've done the public school "thing" and it ended in my 2nd grader being unable to read the most basic words, and having to deal with Bullying children in her class. Enough already, one challenge at a time!

After 18 months, my daughter is reading marvellous books, and most important for me she's gained her self confidence back! She has respect for herself and others.

This was taken away from her during her "public school" days. (In all honesty, deep down I feel that this was an unforgiveable thing to do, but I'm doing my best to forgive the teachers and student involved)

So Public School vs Homeschool.... There's no comparison, Homeschool is best, Everyday!