We did private school, public school, home school, junior high, high school, private school, junior college, and holy smokes, it was all a hot mess.
Last year was great. I really did like home school. Sure it pushed me to my limits balancing work and teaching, but we had so many great adventures and experiences. With the start of this new school year, I couldn’t help but look back and think about those lovely home school days (top ten, countdown… More 10 Things I Miss About Home School: Part One
After plenty of preparation and excitement, we managed to get the child off to school. Sure she was up at 6am. Of course she was ready and dressed by 7am. We needed to pick up her girlfriend Ashley at 8am (no one goes to school alone on the first day) so we had lots of… More Day One: School Starts; Hello Sixth Grade!
I thought she was going to burst. It was 24 hours before school would actually start and the kid was totally losing it. It turned out to be one of the longest periods of time I have lived through. I know, I have to come to terms with the fact that Katie did not love… More A New Adventure Begins: Middle School – Public Middle School
If you haven’t played Farmville yet, you’ve been warned! Don’t start! It’s totally addicting. I initially started playing to learn more about how the folks at Zynga (the company behind the franchise) were so good at being “sticky.” That’s what we call it when an online application does a good job of bringing people back… More Am I Stretching Things too Far? Home School Lessons from Farmville!?!
We started watching Undercover Boss with the very first episode. I was intrigued that the CEO of Waste Management was willing to do a “reality’ show and I was interested in learning more about their business. I mean we see their trucks all around us – what made it tick? Katie went along with me… More Undercover Boss as Homeschool Curriculum – This is good stuff! (Worksheet Included!)
One year, I took Katie to Henry Cowell the first Sunday of every month and had her take pictures so she could see the seaons change month to month. It was a great exercise and helped her actually see how forests change based on daylight, rain, fog, and more. This year, since we are officially… More Henry Cowell State Park: Home School Scavenger Hunt
That’s right! We had us a Science Fair and it was great. Despite the hesitation and resistance expressed by the teachers about competition or, wait for it, setting expectations, the kids did great! In fact, it was probably the best event I have attended at our home school! As you might have read in my… More The Home School Science Fair: The Results are In!
I am not writing about the actual Science Fair – I will do that in an upcoming blog. Nope, tonight, this is my bully pulpit. My chance to be heard. Tomorrow, I will get back in line. Our home school is a program organized by our local school district. While we do our own thing,… More The Home School Science Fair: Are You Kidding Me?
Today began so simply. Up early, bugged out to breakfast so the housekeeper could kick some butt. Took home school work to do at the IHOP. All good. Then it started raining. We got home to find the housekeeper freaking because the vacuum nearly caught on fire. And then Josh called: could he come over?… More Do boys and girls play differently? Oh yeah they do!
Katie and I slept on the USS Hornet! Holy cow, talk about bringing history to life! It was a fantastic experience – from walking up the gang plank to choosing our bunk to eating in the mess. What a ship. We arrived in Alameda on Saturday at 4pm. It was a little “Navy” from the… More Life Aboard the USS Hornet: We Lived Like Sailors – Awesome!
I figure one of the big “themes” of home school is letting Katie try to do things on her own. Giving her the freedom to experiment, fail, succeed and having me stay out of it. But holy crap is that hard! It started last weekend. She had a good friend over who she hadn’t seen… More Fostering Independence (While I Take a Pill and Try to Stay Calm)
One of the best things that happened in early winter is a friend joined us in home school. Jordan and Katie had played together and I had always thought Jordan’s mom Heidi seemed cool, but I had no idea. We’re In This TogetherHaving someone to share the experience with has been outstanding. It really helps… More Home School: With a little help from my friends…
Yep. Last blog was November 16, 2009. Feels like a lifetime ago. Work got crazy, Thanksgiving was just around the corner and what happened on the home school front? Hapless grasping at learning opportunities that were often sacrificed to other commitments. I can’t be the only one who has had this happen. I had the… More Good Grief: Does Anyone Home School During the Holidays?
Unassuming. Intimate. Incredible. Those words barely begin to describe Safari West. (Click on any of the photos to see them in a larger format.) We went up on Friday to spend the night in a canvas tent cabin and then join a Girl Scout tour in the morning. Located just above Santa Rosa (it was… More Safari West: Best Animal Experience Ever
(This is part two of two on our trip to Gold Country.)We arrived at Columbia State Park just as the sun was setting. We quickly found our Bed and Breakfast, The Harlan House, which was more than adorable. We had the “wine cellar” which means we had a lot of space, the whole downstairs and… More Gold Rush Continues: Columbia State Park Takes Us Back in Time