Comments on: Change of Scenery

By: Christina

Christina — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:43:49 +0000

Wow!!! I’m left brained dominant and OCD, I’m not as “stuctured” as Nancy. All of my girls have different learning styles. I had to learn to accomodate. That meant…throw my structing and anal rentetiveness out the window:-)
I had always thought that when my youngest was ready to start her formal learning, I’d used to Rod & Staff Curriculum. It is very structured…like doing school at home. I had it all planned out. By the time she was in her high school years, we’d do dual enrollment for college. HA!!!
Well, after talking with the elementary counselor at our umbrella school a couple of weeks ago, I realized, I needed to not only challenge my bright daughter, but change the way I was teaching her. So the research began….Then when I became overwhelmed and just downright exhausted with all of the possibilities, I began to Pray. I asked God to show me how he wanted me to teach this very annoyingly active, but super intelligent child. I stayed away from google for a few days and just watched my daughter run amock. I payed close attention to what really got her clicking. Well…she likes computers(not suprising as we are web designers), being read to while she does flips on the couch(but she’s still absorbing the story!!!), and the ever so evil TV. I have come to the conclusion that Aliens dropped her off here as a joke(lol).
Nevertheless, I got my butt back on google in search of a way to teach this child. My discovery….Charlotte Mason. I’ve been against her theory during my whole homeschooling adventure. I was afraid that it was just too eclectic for my taste. but wait…is is. But not for my youngest…and I probably should have used it with my oldest too. I bought my curriculum from Timberdoodle. As long as my daughter works well with the curriculums they put together, I believe we are going to use them as long as we can. They include Bible or electives in their packets. So you will have to add your own. But they do included a big handful of what they call thinking putty. Why didn’t I think of that???? We ar now a happier bunch now that momma has stopped thinking that everyone should have her learning style(lol).
Good Luck and God Bless!!!
Christina

By: Colette

Colette — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:34:02 +0000

I agree completely…we definitely need more structure. I love your idea about the clipboard and beanbag ~thanks!

By: Colette

Colette — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:31:54 +0000

hmmm…interesting…I will definitely do some research. Thanks!

By: Nancy

Nancy — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:40:54 +0000

That sounds great, but if you want her to buckle down- the best thing is structure. Now that can sound harsh, and I am not referring to that at all. She needs to know that when it is school time, that is all it is… mama too. You are the teacher and she is the student. Find a cozy place that has all your resources close, but not distracting. If she does not like the table- give a clipboard, and a bean bag! You sit close to her and be open to watching her- show a interest- see if she has a question. Do you know any tricks that involve math or entice her with a story about what you did to figure it out. Turn off the phone, and just do lessons… it will come! Good Luck!

By: Jody Nova

Jody Nova — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:17:01 +0000

Colette, Your daughter sounds like a very Kinesthetic learner. As the mom of a HIGHLY kinesthetic learner I have found a few things that work for keeping their butt in a chair when long worksheets and writing projects are necessary.

Here are a few: Make sure their feet can always comfortably touch the floor where they are sitting – this can have AMAZING effects on their attention span.

Also we have found that a bench seat with various sitting textures is great for keeping my son in his chair – I have a plastic picnic table we drag around to different areas of the house that has a prickly plastic bathmat over part, a piece of shag carpet over part, this strange “gooshy” rubber foam frisbee glued to a “seat” and a piece of that furry animal print material glued to a section. He can slide around as suits him and use the materials to pet and meet some of his K needs while working.

BUT the rule is do not get up from the table until the task is done!

Sum it up I think you need to look at some research on the K learners and also perhaps be a bit more hands on in your enforcement of tasking/timing. GOOD LUCK! Jody

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:54:47 +0000

We are new to homeschooling this year as well and have the exact same problem. Sooo many things to talk about, to investigate, etc. My son seems to focus on his work best when he is under the dining room table! (We sometimes drape blankets to give it the real fort feel.) : )

By: Candace

Candace — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:55:13 +0000

I think that is a great idea. My kids range from 5 years to 18 years. Sometimes when the weather is nice we have a picnic and school work on a blanket in the backyard. We also go to the park for our school work when we start getting stir crazy. Just an extra tidbit; there are plenty of distractions wherever you go. lol My crew are professional distraction finders!!