Can't afford private school? Home Schooling is an option!

Someone once told me my kids don't go to Catholic School. I beg to differ. I can't check that "box" when I fill out my PSA in the state of California - but I teach Religion everyday - AND my kids must attend the parish Faith Formation classes. The Catholic Faith permeates my homeschool. (I happen to be a Catholic School Teacher myself - so while I run my homeschool differently than a traditional classroom, I think my kids ARE getting a Catholic Education equivalent to going to a private school. In fact if I can step onto my high horse, and I can - it's my blog, they are getting a BETTER education). 

So those of you that can't afford to send your kids to a fancy private school, do not despair! Homeschooling is an option. YES YOU CAN - even if YOU are not a teacher, but that's a post for a different day. 

Douglas received the Sacrament of First Holy Communion today. The S family and his bestie the Grasshopper were here with us as usual! My boy definitely has Jesus in his heart! 

Should I freak out?

The bugs are a complete muddy mess. They have dug a hole in the yard and filled it with water. They are taking "mud pies" and throwing them, splashing the mud all over the place, including themselves. The squeals of delight are what drew me to the yard.

Now, some back story...we live in my childhood home. My father still owns it...and he NEVER let us did, play or otherwise tamper with his "Forest" yard. What is he going to say when he sees what his grandchildren have done? (Turns out nothing, wimpy old man!) My dilemma is the conflict of letting them have fun and disciplining them for destroying part of the yard.  Not to mention their clothing!

However - I am secretly DELIGHTED - my bugs play together 99% of the time awesomely, and this is one of them. They are working as a team. They are laughing and having fun beyond measure. They are learning things I can never create in any lesson plan. How can I stop them... I don't. When Daddy gets home he can figure out a way to fill in the hole and the kids now have muddy play clothes. The world will keep spinning.

I go back inside and get the camera. This is one for the scrapbooks!

Choir

Choir remains a big part of our life. Lauren and Megan are blessed to continue to sing in the Children's Choir under the direction of Fr. Art. This is an activity we can participate in with no pressure! It's easy to walk to practice as needed and if we miss for any reason, we can still sing on Sunday - unlike a sport. Having only 1 car is sometimes a challenge, but we have made it work.

Happy Easter! Thank you Jesus for blessing our family and making a way when sometimes there seemed no way!

Butterfly Jungle at the San Diego Zoo

Zoo passes have provided us with learning beyond measure over the years. Megan LOVES butterflies and has done deep studies of them. She has butterfly nets at home, books, etc. When I saw the San Diego Zoo was having the "BUTTERFLY JUNGLE" this year I couldn't resist. What better way to get up close and personal and GUARANTEE Megan the ability to study butterflies! 

When we arrived the most serendipitous thing happened  we ran into our cousins! An amazing time was had by all. My family thought it was a secret plan hatched by the two Aunts - but no- it was a secret plan of God that the families spend the day together - we really did not know the other was going to be there! 

When you homeschool be sure to take advantage of exhibits at your local Zoos, museums, etc. They provide learning opportunities no books can ever provide! And maybe you'll run into a random family member too! 

Coloring Eggs

Always a good time coloring eggs. The Bugs are joined by Grasshopper for this school time event!

Pride

I just LOVE how PROUD Douglas is of his Communion banner! The backwards "S" especially warms my heart. I would never point it out or tell him to re-do it. Those small criticisms, while well meaning, unless pointed out by the child themselves, are left alone in my homeschool. Is this your best work? Yes...then it is fine with me. Kids don't see with the eyes of an adult and unless there is danger no harm-no foul! Having done this with 2 older children, trust me they develop and learn and grow and eventually self correct without the need for even well meaning criticism. 

How to Eat Cold Pizza

Is this a Lesson in your homeschool? It is definitely one in ours! 

Cold Pizza for breakfast is a must! 

Time in Nature

When you work and Homeschool sometimes it is hard to fit everything in. I try to remember there are no "weekends" or Holidays from our school - everything we do is part of it, including today's awesome bike ride and kite flying. 

The Teachable Moment

When I was going to school to get my teaching credential

(which is NOT needed to homeschool in California, if you are wondering) ,

one thing they emphasized is what is called the

"teachable moment".

Basically when something cool comes up - make it a lesson regardless of your "plans",

when something tragic happens, like 9-11, make a lesson regardless of your "plans"


- it's using the unexpected as a lesson


- and these usually turn out to be the best lessons of all!

Free Lapbook Templates!

In the Gandara Bug Academy,That's our homeschool name, (Hogwarts was already taken!)we love lapbooking and do it a LOT - we even do a hybrid style where we put the lapbook elements into our notebooks. Classroom teachers tend to call these interactive notebooks. 

Want to learn more about our lapbooking journey? Read the blog article on our sister site - Happy Hive Homeschooling . If you decide you like our style, you can sign up for our newsletter and get these Lapbook Templates FREE! 

I work. I home school. I struggle.

...I know, teachers only work 190ish days a year. I just had a fantastic 2 week break...but as I sit here and listen to my children as they work on their schoolwork, fighting, crying, getting distracted... I question for the millionth time if I am doing the right thing!

My kids are 99% on there own for school - I plan the day, they follow the plan. There is no one constantly monitoring their focus, or their progress. In fact, most nights I'm too tired to even check their work. This is not what I envisioned when I started this journey called Home Schooling --- but it is my reality.

They are learning, I know they are. But I want to be more involved. So i am going to actively seek solutions. Perhaps mini lessons 2 nights a week. Perhaps a full day of lessons on the weekends - or more structured field trips. The soultion to my frustration is out there - and it will help me in my resolution of finding contentment in my life.

There have got to be more families that both work outside the home and home school. I'm not alone, but some days I feel like I am.

Goals

Setting goals is a KEY component in our homeschool. Homeschooling is our life - everything we do is educational - really. Think about your own life, you do it too whether you homeschool, unschool, send you kids to private/public schools or some random combination of each of these educational philosophies... as humans every experience we have is one of learning... so at the end of the year, society joins in and makes goal setting (what is commonly called making a resolution) the 'thing' to do. GREAT - let's do it!!!

I like to pick a word, or a short phrase as the foundation for my goal...

I struggled this year - honestly - I was dreaming of words and rolling over sleepless. What if I can't think of one that is truly meaningful to me??? I really LOVE my attitude of Gratitude and the appreciation for little things that I have focused on in the past. I don't want to let go of those... and POOF - it hit me. Making a new goal does not in anyway mean I have to stop living/fulfilling my past goals. Sometimes I can't see the forest through the trees. I get trapped by over-thinking things. shh - don't tell my husband :-)

so here it is, my goal for 2012:

Content...Contentment

 I will keep my attitude of Gratitude from 2010 and my appreciation for the little things from 2011.

 Gratitude + Little Little Things = Contentment.



Happy new year - thank you for being part of my life!

Your Best Work

believe in encouraging kids - we all do. I also firmly believe in self assessment and self evaluation. That's why For every assignment I give both at home and in my school classroom I say - do your best work. They are starting to listen and UNDERSTAND....

Today - a 6th grader (So I began his training last year)and I had this conversation about an in class book report project. I laid out brown bags, construction paper, egg cartons, empty tissue boxes, tp tubes, craft sticks... you get the idea. The students were to create WHATEVER they wanted from the supplies. This allowed them to be creative without any background influences from parents who like to do book report projects :-)Mrs Gandara...

Yes LoveBug...

I am totally so proud of this zombiekins I made. It turned out so awesome. (two tissue boxes and construction paper)

Why are you so Proud LoveBug?

Because Mrs. Gandara (In a loud voice) This is MY BEST WORK.

And how does it feel Sweetie to KNOW this is your best work -

Awesomer than Awesome!

And I tell him - I want you to feel that way whenever you turn ANYTHING in.... think about that.

He just grinned.

Needless to say He dragged his mom in after school to see it - that's what happens NATURALLY when kids create without "help"

- as helpful as we think our help is...

I like to suggest to helpful parents, Homeschool Teachers as well as Classroom teachers...

Lay off the "requirements" - take a break and see what amazing things kids can do :-)