Homeschool Preschool

To Homeschool Pre–school or to Not Homeschool Pre–school.  That is the question.

I must admit, with all of the Free VP K programs out there, even I was tempted.  I am thankful for a good husband and his advice.  He said, "Nothing in this world is free."  He was right.  Although the Free VP K programs make you think that you will have free time, a clean house, sanity, a good education, a better education than you could provide by yourself, and socialization for your youngster, VP K is in my opinion is over rated.  By sending your kids away earlier, you are simply just doing that.  Sending them away earlier.  Right when the fun is starting to begin! 

Just last month I was talking to a first year homeschool mom who was struggling.  She was homeschooling her 4th grader and Kindergartener.  She shared her frustration with me that her children had no idea how to entertain themselves, or play alone for any length of time.  She said that they had been doing day care and pre-school for such a long time that now it felt like an insurmountable task to conquer simple things like be home together and not have planned activities for the entire day.  At a point in her life when she saw the value to homeschooling, her choice to have her youngsters leave the nest too soon was biting her back!


Benefits for Homeschooling Pre-school outweigh the rest.

1.  Your child will learn how to entertain themselves at an early age.

2.  You will have a lifestyle of learning (not something that you turn off for summer, or after school time.)

3.  You will spark a love for reading because books become great things to do to fill quiet time.  (Audio books, and reading books.)

4.  You will be with your child and come to know them much better.

5.  They are open vessels for knowledge.  Who do you trust enough to teach them?



In my opinion, VP K programs are about providing daycare for working mothers, and for teaching our young children government propaganda at a young age.  It is absolutely not about what is best for the child.  A friend of mine helped me when I was tempted to send my little ones.  She was from Sweden, and she said that they believed that a child's best learning environment was in the home until the age of 7 or 8.  In Sweden, that is when you start sending your children to school.  Before then, it's all about love and trust and family.  As I am still homeschooling my children, I feel it continues beyond that.  Whole heartedly, I agree with Sweden!

I cannot say that Homeschooling is for everyone.  It is not for the faint of heart, but neither is parenting.  It takes a serious commitment to your children.  Without your constant attention, it could easily go to a neglected child.  However, with constant attention, prayer, and love, it can be the doorway to something beautiful.  They are just getting to an age where they are able to understand the world around them.  Be there to introduce it to them!  Surround them with a learning environment in your home.  Plan field trips, get together with other pre-schoolers frequently.  It just takes a calendar and a pencil, and off you go!

I homeschooled through Pre-school without really thinking that it was a big deal.  VP-K was not even a big deal yet when my oldest started.  I did a group of 4-5 mom's twice a week and we each took turns who would teach that week.  It was a good learning experience for me.  I felt that my first "Real Homeschool Year" though was Kindergarten.  I was scared, but I kept reminding myself... "This is Kindergarten".  How bad can I really screw this up?  And besides that, it didn't even count officially on schooling policy.  In our district, they have to be the age 6 before they are officially on the rosters as a homeschooling student.  Kindergarten and Pre-K are your chance to test drive the Homeschooling Car.

It wasn't until March of my first Kindergarten year that I caught the light of homeschooling.  I went to my first Homeschooling convention in May, and have been hooked ever since!  Don't think I haven't threatened to send them all to school multiple times...  :)   As, it is a jungle out there!  I am hooked though, and I think it has changed our family forever.  We will always be a homeschooling family... even if we do end up sending some of our kids to school one day.  We think differently!  This is a lifestyle of learning.


Take it with a grain of salt!
Candi

Pre-school Groups

I happen to love groups.  It keeps me focused, committed, and willing to put in the extra time to plan.  When I do it on my own, it seems that I spend all of my time cleaning the house, and getting mad a the kids because they are so messy.   I know it's not for everyone.  You can also find Non-Profit groups that focus on Early Childhood development.  The YMCA, or something similar has Mommy and Me programs that you pay for to have bonding, learning time together.  Just realize that there are options out there.  I have seen:  Gymnastics have pre-school time, Sunflower Creative Arts has Mommy and me classes where I live.  Joy School is also a program to purchase that has it all laid out for you're looking for guidance.

1.  Pick 3-4 families that have the same mind set as you.  You can find them at church, from library story times, or by visiting a local Homeschool group and asking who has little ones.  With just two families, it falls apart too quickly when someone is sick, or just not in the mood that day.  Be committed to finish out the Semester, or the Year.  Whatever your plan is.

2.  24 weeks through the year work the best.  12 from August to Thanksgiving, and 12 from January to April.  Plan a one week break in the middle for an off week.  It helps for unexpected emergencies.  Sometimes you can shuffle that week if needed.  Everyone has great plans to school during December, but don't do it. It's just too stressful!  Also, when you finish in April, you can get together afterwards for informal playdates in the park if you still want to get together.  No lesson plans, or start planning next year.  You could even plan a 6 week summer playgroup, or art class.  Giving yourself a set time to school, and a set break are important.

3.  Where to meet?  You can rotate different homes, or do it at one house each week.  If you have good weather, plan it at the same park each week that has good shade, a good table, and bathrooms close by.  Have a back up bad weather plan.  

4.  Stay in touch.  Create an email list so you can quickly update everyone if there is a sick bug, or bad weather plan.  Texting also works great for this.

5.  Have a Leader.  Too many times things fall apart because of lack of leadership.  This can take a lot of time if you let it.  Meet together with the other parents during the summer and make a plan... For example, in March, we'll learn about the Circus, and Spring, and Bugs.  Pick your teachers for the day, etc.  Then, it's your responsibility to email each week or verbally communicate and remind everyone what they said they would do.

6.  Cost?  It's easy to have everyone donate $2 or something small to art projects.  You can do this at the beginning of the year, or have a jar for each week.  If you do the each week however, there's a big chance you'll never get paid.  

7.  Celebrate!  When you finish the year, throw a party and congratulate the kids and yourselves for sticking to it!  Go swimming, or have a potluck!  You can make little caps and gowns out of black plastic bags and black paper plates for hats.  So cute!

I found this schedule from long ago.  To me, it seems exhausting to do so many weeks close together, but we did it.  :)  Hind site is 20/20.  I'd definitely spread it out over a longer time period and allow more breaks now.  This may have worked well because it was only an hour.  I think a couple hours is probably a better time, as it takes time to drive to get there (in my case anyways.)

Good luck!

I Need a Break!

We all feel that way!  You can figure it out with prayer.  Just because we homeschool, doesn't mean we absolutely love being surrounded by our kids 24/7.  It's a roller coaster. It's harder to clean the house, feel presentable, use your brain.  If you have lots of little kids younger, that is crazy to think that the only way you can get a break is to send them away... to Pre-school.  Use your head, and think.  All great leaders have to think outside of the box.  This is your moment to invent something awesome for your family!

I have tried all of the following:

1.  Hiring someone to come in a help babysit for a couple hours a week while I am home schooling my older kids.

2.  Go the YMCA and exercise.  Free babysitting for an hour, or do a class together.

3.  Hire someone to help clean once a month.

4.  Find a local 12 year old and pay them a couple bucks to help.

5.  Do your schooling at night when your husband's home to help.

6.  Take lots of educational field trips.

7.  Plan days to be out of the house at least 2-3 times a week.  Even if it's just for an hour or two.

You will not break the bank or be considered a bad mom if you hire someone to help you every once in a while.  A clean house can be therapy.  I personally think that having a friend from church come and help is worth it's weight in gold.  Sometimes I pay... sometimes I repay with cookies!  When there are no friends available, I ask my neighbor's cleaning lady to come and help.  Not quite as fun, but it gets the job done.  Ahhh.... progress.  My house is clean for exactly 20 minutes, and then the chaos begins again.  Take a picture, and look at it.  Relax!

And by all means... Go On Dates with your Spouse!  Get them used to having a babysitter for a minute or two!  They need it and so do you.

See my post on Pre-school Resources

http://candilandflorida.blogspot.com/2015/03/homeschool-preschool-resources.html

Friday Co-Op Semester 2, January 2015

Semester 2:

(Revised Schedule)

Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30

Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27

Mar. 13, 27

Apr. 10, 17

Break:  

Mar 6 (FAU Spring Break) 

Mar 20 (Palm Beach County Spring Break)

Apr 3 (Easter)

Elementary:

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you are participating in all 3 classes.  Bring a lunch.

Classical Education:  Please arrive at 9 a.m. to help set up!  All hands needed.  

We will be introducing Week 13.  We also have 2 possibly 3 new families joining us!  Please lend a hand to help show them the ropes!  We are spending the majority of our time this semester on Weeks 13-24.  5 minute review each week on Weeks 1-12 to accommodate the new families.  

Mini Toasters:  I'd love to have 3-4 speakers.  Any takers?  2-3 minutes on a topic of your choice.  All about me, My family, History/ Biography,  Book report, you name it.  :)  Goal is to speak at least every other week.

Science Olympiad:  Starting in Full Swing on Friday!  We're all registered for the Competition on May 2, 2015 at FAU in Boca Raton.  Our Team is called Boca Buddies (After our HOPE Homeschoolers 4H Club… seemed easy to remember.)  We still need a few more members to make our team of 12.  Focus group:  Grades 3-5.  Will accept Grades K-2 if we can't get enough older kids.  $20 to compete.  $12 for supplies.  Need to be a member of HOPE, and pay $10 Friday Co-Op Yearly Fee (1/2 price for starting in Semester 2).  We have room for about 4 more kids.  We can have a smaller club… just more fun with a full 12!

http://www.science.fau.edu/scienceolympiad/so_new_002.htm

For New Elementary Families:

Required:  HOPE Membership ($25)

Required:  Friday Co-Op Fee ($10/ year / family if starting in Semester 2)

Classical Education:  K-6 grade.

Classical Conversations iphone / ipad AP preferred method of teaching materials.  Cycle 3.  (About $15)

Purchase Timeline song from Classical Conversations Bookstore. (About $10)

Supply Fee ($12- $1 per class per kid)

They have a ton of helps to teach at home at classicalconversations.com.  I own a ton of them.  Audio CD's, Flash cards, handwriting helps, you name it.  You can make this as big as you want it to be.)

Mini Toasters:  K-5/6 grade.

No materials fee.

Science Olympiad:  K-5 grade.  

$20 Competition Entrance Fee (if you aren't competing, you don't need to pay.)

$12 Supply Fee ($1 per week)

Willing to Teach and help out.

Middle School/ High School:

Shakespeare:  Starting at 10 a.m.   Yes, there is class this week.  Next week, Jan. 16, No class due to the Biology Lab.  

Public Speaking Toastmasters Gavel Club:  

Starting this Friday, January 9th, at the Community Center, from 11:30 am to 1pm.

Additional Details and Updates:

•  Cost of Club Registration, Manuals, Room rental, and End-of-Semester Pizza Party: $30/student

   Cash preferred, or you can make a Check out to Candi or Eugene Lehenbauer.

•  HOPE Membership is not required for this club.

•  Friday Co-Op Fee is not required for this club.

•  We have a new teacher joining us along with Mr. Lehenbauer.  Mr. Davis is a homeschool Dad, who held his own Speaking Club a few years ago.  He will be there with his two daughters, and a few friends to add to our club.  It will be a great opportunity to learn from these two veteran Toastmasters.  •  Class will be held on all the dates listed above, for 12 classes.  If you are unable to attend, due to a Biology lab, or another important reason ;), you'll just miss that day.  Please sign up to do your speeches on days that you can attend. 

*  Work on developing your Leadership and Public Speaking Skills, while working to earn credit toward a Toastmasters International award.  (All certifications earned can be transferred to a Toastmasters Group when 18yrs. old.)

Come join the Gavel Club!

Friday Co-Op Elementary Science Olympiad

Boca Buddies now has a new website:  Visit bocabuddies.weebly.com

Friday Co-Op 2014–15
Elementary Science Olympiad K–5
Corresponds to Classical Conversations Cycle 3

Competition Dates: FAU - May 2, 2015  (They now have one close to us!  No trip to Orlando on May 9th!) Register Team Prior to March 15

GOAL:  REGISTER TEAM BY MID–OCTOBER
              (Possible Training for 2 Mentors?  Unknown location and dates.)
              12 Students.  Goal Grades 3–5.  Will use younger if needed or very willing.

GOAL:  CHOOSE YOUR EVENTS BY FEBRUARY
              See which events children respond to the most.  Assign teams and individuals so they can
              be preparing at home also.


Semester 1:  (Meeting Every Other Week)
CC:  Weeks 1-12  Human Anatomy

Weeks 1     No Class
Week 2       A is for Anatomy:  Skeletal, Muscular
Week 3       No Class
Week 4       A is for Anatomy:  Digestive, Nervous, Sensory
Week 5       No Class
Week 6       Solid, Liquids, or Gas
Week 7       No Class
Week 8       A is for Anatomy:  Urinary, Circulatory
Week 9       No Class
Week 10     A is for Anatomy:  Endocrine, Respiratory
Week 11     No Class
Week 12     Solid, Liquids, or Gas
Break          Bridge Building
                   (Can visit the Bridge Building Competition at South Florida Fair Grounds as a family.  Usually first or 2nd Week in December.)
FYI:  Last Year's Bridge Building Information for Middle/High School:
I just wanted to put out a quick reminder that the bridges are due for certification on Dec. 10 (Tues) between 1 and 5 pm at  the South Florida Fair Grounds. For those of you that are not familiar with the location, it is just off of Southern Blvd. east of 441, in Palm Beach County. If you are headed north on 441, turn right onto Southern Blvd., and when you see the sign for the fair grounds, turn left.  It will be through one of the gates.  The actual testing takes place the next day, starting at 9 am at the same location.

Semester 2:  (Meeting Every Week)
CC:  Weeks 13–18  Chemistry
CC:  Weeks 19–24  Science Theories

Week 13     Egg Drop
Week 14     Mystery Packaging
Week 15     Estimania  (CC Science Lab Appendix for Cycle 3)
Week 16     Mystery Powders
Week 17     Mystery Powders
Week 18     Mystery Powders
Week 19     Starry, Starry Night
Week 20     Who Wants To Be A Biologist
Week 21     Rock Hound
Week 22     Rock Hound
Week 23     Energy Lab
Week 24     Fun Time

Official Events:  Teams will receive the rules manual after registering.

2015 Events.

There are some different ones!  Please refer to link.  Not text from 2014.

http://www.science.fau.edu/scienceolympiad/so_new_006.htm

• A is for Anatomy -The event will consist of questions, case studies, pictures or models that will require an understanding of the structure and function of the following systems: skeletal, muscular, digestive, respiratory, circulary, urinary, nervous, sensory, endocrine.
• Bridge Building - This event tests students' ability to build a lengthy, strong, stable, and reproducible bridge from common materials.BUILT ONSITE.
• Egg Drop - A team of two students will construct and bring a package to protect an egg from breaking. The egg is dropped free fall from a high spot selected by the tournament director. This is a PREBUILT EVENT.
• Energy Lab - The objective is to build a reflecting device that most efficiently uses and focuses the energy supplied to a light bulb. This is a PREBUILT EVENT.
• Estimania - Students will be asked to estimate the answers to approximately ten questions requiring an estimate between ten and one million. Students will be provided a sample of the item to be estimated and will be premitted to measure its mass and the total mass of the container that contains all the objects. No calculators will be permitted.
• Mystery Packaging - At the beginning of the event, teams will be given a bag of building materials and instructions for designing and building a package that will protect a given material from a drop. BUILT ONSITE
• Mystery Powders - A team of two contestants will be asked to identify a mixture of common white household powder.
• Pentathlon - Five physical skills are interspersed with science questions in an obstacle course that will be run in a relay race style where each student passes the balloon to the next student. This year, the concepts will focus on those related to the water cycle and weather.
• Rock Hound - Teams will prepare charts, identify various rocks and minerals, and describe their characteristics
• Starry, Starry Night - A team of two students will identify constellations, planets, and other common celestial bodies in our universe.
• Solid, Liquids, or Gas - Teams of two students will test their abilities to classify materials into one of three categories.
• Water Rockets - Students will build and launch a 2-liter plastic bottle for maximum time aloft. This is a PREBUILT EVENT.
• Who Wants To Be A Biologist - Teams will compete in three game show style events that will focus on various aspects of biology and life science.

HELPFUL LINKS:
http://mrsbaileysbrilliantbunch.weebly.com/elementary-science-olympiad.html

Mystery Packaging
http://www.sciencenc.com/event-help/junkyardchallenge.php