Dissecting a Mouse

Well, science happens, whether I am looking for it or not!

Last fall our cat was catching plenty of mice, and the thought of having my kids dissect it was--ewwww. Gross! Something has changed, for when Denver found a dead mouse in the house this afternoon, my first suggestion was to have him dissect it. I popped on Google and found mouse dissecting suggestions (http://www.ehow.com/how_2104794_dissect-mouse.html) and away he went! Denver even took a picture, which I'm not going to post here and gross you out.

Now I feel like science is one of our weak areas that my kids are interested in, but not the intensive book-learning way. So this mouse dissecting opportunity was perfect: a hands-on activity! Denver found it intensely interesting, and I'll bet not many other 4th graders have dissected mice at home....probably because their mom's couldn't stomach it!! So this homeschooling thing has given me a new perspective on learning: take it when it falls in your lap (or dies in your house at the hands of a cat!).

Grade Levels

Last year at this time we were exploring the possibility of homeschooling. I remember asking one mom who has homeschooled all of her children what grade her daughter was in. She hemmed and hawed and the pause went on so long I started getting nervous. How could I possibly trust an education where the mother doesn't even know what grade her kid is in?

A year later, I understand. Now when people ask what grade my kids are in I hesitate, think about it, and then often give the standard reply. Sometimes, though, people are actually interested in knowing what grade levels my kids are working at, so I can go subject by subject. The thing is, not all materials my kids use are by "grade level." For example, both the kids are working on a book called "Jamestown" for reading. It is the intermediate level. So what is intermediate? It is probably 7th-8th grade. My 4th grade son and 6th grade daughter are using a 7/8th grade book. In history we're studying ancient civilizations. I'm not sure what "grade level" ancient civilizations are taught, but I suspect it's not elementary school.

I doubt you're interested in what grade levels my kids are at in all their subjects, but the thing is, if they go back to a 'school,' they are going to be way ahead of their classmates in a lot of subjects. I'm sure there are gaps in their education that aren't being filled through homeschooling, but then there are gaps in education even in the classroom. So in homeschooling I end up with kids who simply are at the level they are at, and unless someone asks, I generally don't think about it too much except to find appropriate materials for them. A year ago, I was ready to write off homeschooling because of the response I got from one parent on this question. Now I'm right there too.

SBA Testing Week

Due to traveling last week, the kids were not able to make it to the state standardized (SBA) testing that is required of all homeschooled kids in Alaska. This week was make-up week. Of the 300+ kids in Homer who belong to Connections and took the SBA (I don't know how many of those are in pre-testing grades, but probably not that many), less than 10 were there for the testing make-up days this week. Since my kids missed all three days of testing last week, they showed up for all 3 days of testing this week. Technically they could have taken more than one test each day, but that would have been grueling. Reading was probably the easiest test, and took 1 1/2 hours. Writing took 2 1/2 hours for Denver to complete; he said he was having a lot of fun and got carried away with writing his story. For math both kids only had one problem they weren't sure of the answer but otherwise were confident of how they did; it still took them 1 1/2 hours to complete. Denver took the 4th grade science test the previous week during the scheduled time.

I had to drop them off at 8:45, testing started a 9:00. When they were both done they would call me and I would come pick them up. It works out--I just had to find a place to hang until they were ready.

In the schools the SBA becomes a huge event. Like Aurora said about last year, "My teacher spent 15 minutes just showing us how to fill in the bubbles!" Snacks are provided, notes are sent home to make sure kids are well rested and in school on time for test days, and relaxing events are planned for the afternoons since the kids are so tired from testing for hours. I will admit, both of my generally motivated kids had no desire to do schoolwork the 3 days they did tests. Two of the days I told them to pick any 2 subjects to do, and after 2 1/2 hours of writing on Wednesday I told them they didn't have to do any schoolwork. Both are hard workers and if they are fried, I'm not going to push too hard, especially since both have already finished their math books for their grade level and are ahead of their grade level in most subjects.

So testing is over; now we wait and see how it turned out!

Free Time Activities

Since schoolwork only takes half a day, I find it interesting to see what activities my kids do to fill up their free time.

Denver has some some passions: LEGOS are a never-ending source of joy, and hardly a day goes by that Denver doesn't come dashing down the stairs asking, "How do you like my hovercraft?" or some other creation. Long conversations could ensure if I care to engage him, with detailed explanations of what the object can do, how fast, how high, how strong, etc. Each item has stories that go along with it, but I don't usually have the patience to get that far.

Playing with his neighbor friend, also a homeschooled 10-year-old is another one of Denver's favorites. Getting pictures of the cat, putting them on the computer, moving pictures around and manipulating them on the computer are all high fun.

Aurora's passion is schoolwork. If she doesn't have a book to read or puzzles or brain teasers to work on, she will do math or continue writing her book. She is very focused and I often wish she would play more. I don't push or even guide the kids much in their free time; it's theirs. Learning is what Aurora loves to do and I don't feel right taking that away from her.

Reading is the standard standby, and I would estimate both my kids read for fun at least 2 hours a day and sometimes more. Both kids like to bike, climb trees, build forts and otherwise wander around the yard daydreaming or thinking. Both kids also love computer games. Neopets, Plant Tycoon and online math games are their favorites, and in this area I see the greatest cooperation between my kids. They share passwords and take turns and both agree on things to buy, sell, trade, etc. on their games. We limit their computer time to 30 minutes a day so that it doesn't become obsessional and take over their lives (like I see it take over so many people's lives).

Besides those things, the kids have their sports and we have our family and church activities. When I look at how many of my kids' free time activities are enriching their minds or bodies, I have to admit I am pleased. Partly I want homeschooling to be a time to allow the kids their passions and interests. Our days are relaxing and our evenings are a whirlwind of activities, so a balance is struck. If the kids were in school all day they would be too fried to want to go, go, go all evening with their fun extracurriculars. Right now I think we have a good balance!

An Even Weirder Day

My kids headed up to Kenai with my husband early this morning to hang out with relatives for a day before having some fun skiing at Alyeska tomorrow. This left me a day without kids!

Whoa! When was the last time this happened?? Never this year! The silence was delightful; I got a lot done and could really focus on my tasks. This was what life was like before homeschooling. Now I cannot imagine having this kind of time to myself every day. Today was great, and tomorrow will be nice, but then I will be ready to have my kids back. Just as kids need a break from school and adults need vacations from jobs, I think parents need breaks from kids, especially the parent who does the bulk of the work when homeschooling. It can be hard, in a way, to take that. The level of commitment to the kids is high, and one doesn't always "feel" like they need a break. I didn't when I decided yesterday to stay home and let the rest of the family go play. But when a friend at church today mentioned that I looked very peaceful and relaxed, I realized that I needed it. Now I just have to coach myself not to feel guilty about it!

The Importance of Handwriting

My handwriting is a mess and difficult to read, as Denver often reminds me when I scribble a note on his paper. "Mom," he levels at me, looking stern, "I can't read your handwriting. You need to write neater!" I don't know if handwriting would have even come across my radar with homeschooling if I hadn't been at a homeschooling mom's group where it was brought up. There, all concurred that handwriting was important, despite some reports saying that it is obsolete now that we have computers.

My minimum requirement for handwriting for my kids is that I can read it. I never have them practice cursive, and they generally print. I feel guilty about this. Should I be making them practice their handwriting? Just how important is it? When I look at what they study every day, I can point to the value of nearly everything, but handwriting is just not one of them that I want to torture myself with requiring. I'm sure my attitude is part of the equation here, but I know that they would balk.

Hmm. I had a thought. Maybe if I add a little bit of handwriting to their drawing lesson every day.....? Think I could sneak it in??