Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Beginning Homeschooling

We started our odyssey I call homeschooling.  My son has balked at any attempts to get him to learn something.  The nicer you are to him the less he does.  He is nine and has been going to public school since preschool and has just scraped by.  He and I have clashed and argued and fought every day since the curriculum was introduced.  Today has been particularly stressful.

My son is burned out with school and learning and I know it is really going to be a challenge for me to get him to do the work without a fight.  It makes me very sad that the public school took away his love of learning and turned it into a tedious unrewarding chore.  I have got to find a happy medium.  I have a super stubborn child who refuses to make any effort at learning new skills.  How do I make it enjoyable for him again?

Wow I think I just answered my own question.  I have several tests or questionnaires that tell you individual learning styles.  I think that will be the lesson plan tomorrow.  I feel more optimistic now.  Search Amazon.com for learning strategies

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

House Inspection and USA International Ballet Competition

We got through the house inspection and we're home free...so to speak.  A few minor things that can be fixed easily.  We will close at the end of next month and move into our new house.  My husband is happy and relaxing right now as the worst part is over, at least in his mind.  Is there anything more nerve racking than selling and buying a house?  The young man buying our house is really excited he drove by a couple of times looking at the outside.  The same thing we've been doing with the house that we are buying.

The USA International Ballet Competition was amazing.  The second competitor was from Canada she was terrific.  The athletic stamina those dancers have is amazing.  My five year old was inspired to  practicing her ballet positions today.  She said she really enjoyed herself. Check out usaibc.com for more information.  It's a great show and the tickets are really inexpensive.  



   

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Off to the Ballet

My daughter and I are going to watch a USA International Ballet Competition matinee today.  We are meeting some homeschool families who are attending too.  My daughter has been taking tap and ballet since she was 3 years old.  It is great discipline and great exercise.

http://www.usaibc.com/  Here is the website for anyone who is interested there are still lots of special things that go along with this event.  It is one of the world's most prestigious dance events.  It is an olympic style event where competitors vie for medals, cash awards and scholarships. The USA IBC is held every four years.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

The First Day of June 2010

Yep it's here.  June and it's hot here in Mississippi.  My daughter says it's the first day of summer.  I don't blame her because it has been hot for about a month here.

We are going to the Museum of Natural History today to see an exhibit on snakes with a lecture.   We will hopefully see some of the homeschoolers from the group that I recently joined.  I am really stoked about teaching them at home this year.  I hope  all goes well.  I am giving them a couple of weeks to unwind and then we will start adding school work.

We are going on a cruise in the fall with my mother, grandmother, and two of my aunts out of New Orleans...I can't wait.  It will be a great teaching experience for the kids too.  I will try to think up some lessons on the ocean or boats or something before we go.