So, I've been talking to my brother about the Catch 22 with my homeschooling goals with Cory. First and foremost, a HUGE disclaimer here. I will not even try to line out exactly what I hope to achieve and why for you to all pick apart here. I am sharing but with the disclaimer that it isn't the entire story because that's a LOT to put in a blog.
To oversimplify, I have two main goals with Cory in this first six month period and that will affect what happens next.
Goal the First: He was getting overwhelmed by pre-algebra. He wasn't getting the help and support he needed. I wasn't getting any cooperation from the school. I wanted to make sure that he wouldn't get any further behind on a subject he'd always been good at before this year.
Goal the Second: He'd never been challenged by a project or done anything that couldn't easily be completed within a class period. He'd never written a report or research paper. I felt those are skills that he will need in life, and certainly in high school. I wanted to teach him the skills to do a more complicated project and write a decent report/research paper.
I don't want him to fall behind but honestly, in Texas, the only thing that seems to matter in public school is that he pass his TAKS tests and that simply doesn't constitute an education. At least not in my opinion. And if he could pass TAKS tests, then he won't fall behind. And if that's all they prep you to do... what kind of future is that?
Which leads to the next strange question... which is harder to answer... if he was getting such a rotten education, why am I so determined to make sure he goes back for more of the same in high school?
Well... that's a bigger answer and although I'll answer it, please read the above disclaimer about not fitting my entire philosophy into the format of a blog post.
1. I am not determined about anything at the moment.
2. I think that what you learn in high school is mostly experiential and not the memorizing of data. If you could just memorize data and be successful, I could easily have him do that here or at home and it wouldn't matter in the slightest except whatever I would prefer. No, I think that the experiences you have in high school are extremely important - and at the moment, I think that would be best served in a larger format than my house... but...
3. Re-read # 1.
-Headmistress DE
Monday, January 28, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
This week
The focus of homeschooling this week has been largely behavioral... because, let's face it, that's more important to success in life than the accumulation of raw data that you may or may not ever use again. I think the show "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader" is good entertainment, but the fact is the only reason fifth graders know the answers to those questions is that they've come up recently. Ask those same kids again in 8th grade, and they won't know the answers to those questions either.
No, the most important things are learning HOW to learn, learning how to manage your time effectively, learning how to get along with different people, and surviving. So, although I won't ignore his education, I will focus on what I think the goal of education should be.
In my mind, education should be useful. You should learn history in order to know who we are, where we came from, what we've been through to get where we are, and the background of the cultures of the world because of how they affect who are are and where we are heading. For instance, if you didn't know anything of the history of the middle east, you would have a very shallow response to what's going on right now. You should learn math in order to learn reasoning and to be able to use math in real life. I could go on and on but I think you get the point.
My goals with Cory are partially educational in the sense that I want to make sure he's learned what he needs to learn not to have fallen behind. I certainly would never want him to be worse off academically because of what we have done. However, I feel that one of the biggest failings of the public school system is that they aren't concerned with teaching kids how to learn. They want them to memorize things that will test well on standardized tests that measure benchmarks. They aren't truly preparing them for much of anything.
Kids should learn HOW to write a report (hence my 3D biographies). Kids should learn how to manage their time, how to research, proper grammar and spelling, logic, deductive reasoning, effective communication skills, patience, persistence, and creative expression. Kids should learn how to learn from different people with different styles and abilities. When you enter the work force, your boss won't always be a good communicator, a good delegator, or a good motivator. You will need to know how to do that stuff yourself. If you want to come across as well educated, you need a good vocabulary (spelled well), a good grasp of grammar, and the ability to express yourself well. People will pay more attention to what you have to say if you can say it well. People will take you more seriously if you present yourself well. You will be given more freedom if you can demonstrate more responsibility.
I keep telling Cory that if he only does the bare minimum required, with the least effort, he can expect the least out of life. If he wants to rush through all his assignments just in order to get to the point where he can have some free time, he must learn the following phrase "Would you like some fries with that?" Because if you only want a simple, entry-level job and the income level that will provide, you can continue to put forth entry level work. You can live that way. You just can't thrive that way. Eventually, you want more out of life...
I'm also teaching him that the more he argues, the less helpful I'll be. This happens in life too. He has the right to be uncooperative and he has the right to deal with the consequences that come with such an attitude. Learning that now in relative safety will save him heartache later... IF he learns it.
Time will tell.
- the DE
No, the most important things are learning HOW to learn, learning how to manage your time effectively, learning how to get along with different people, and surviving. So, although I won't ignore his education, I will focus on what I think the goal of education should be.
In my mind, education should be useful. You should learn history in order to know who we are, where we came from, what we've been through to get where we are, and the background of the cultures of the world because of how they affect who are are and where we are heading. For instance, if you didn't know anything of the history of the middle east, you would have a very shallow response to what's going on right now. You should learn math in order to learn reasoning and to be able to use math in real life. I could go on and on but I think you get the point.
My goals with Cory are partially educational in the sense that I want to make sure he's learned what he needs to learn not to have fallen behind. I certainly would never want him to be worse off academically because of what we have done. However, I feel that one of the biggest failings of the public school system is that they aren't concerned with teaching kids how to learn. They want them to memorize things that will test well on standardized tests that measure benchmarks. They aren't truly preparing them for much of anything.
Kids should learn HOW to write a report (hence my 3D biographies). Kids should learn how to manage their time, how to research, proper grammar and spelling, logic, deductive reasoning, effective communication skills, patience, persistence, and creative expression. Kids should learn how to learn from different people with different styles and abilities. When you enter the work force, your boss won't always be a good communicator, a good delegator, or a good motivator. You will need to know how to do that stuff yourself. If you want to come across as well educated, you need a good vocabulary (spelled well), a good grasp of grammar, and the ability to express yourself well. People will pay more attention to what you have to say if you can say it well. People will take you more seriously if you present yourself well. You will be given more freedom if you can demonstrate more responsibility.
I keep telling Cory that if he only does the bare minimum required, with the least effort, he can expect the least out of life. If he wants to rush through all his assignments just in order to get to the point where he can have some free time, he must learn the following phrase "Would you like some fries with that?" Because if you only want a simple, entry-level job and the income level that will provide, you can continue to put forth entry level work. You can live that way. You just can't thrive that way. Eventually, you want more out of life...
I'm also teaching him that the more he argues, the less helpful I'll be. This happens in life too. He has the right to be uncooperative and he has the right to deal with the consequences that come with such an attitude. Learning that now in relative safety will save him heartache later... IF he learns it.
Time will tell.
- the DE
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
I know why...
Sometimes the mind, for reasons we don't necessarily understand, just decides to go to the store for a quart of milk. - Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider
My mind would rather get the milk than hang out with the teenager and his tooty rotten four year-old brother.
-k
My mind would rather get the milk than hang out with the teenager and his tooty rotten four year-old brother.
-k
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Siblings
I yelled at Cory. He was giving me attitude on top of attitude about something I thought I was being very generous about - and the more we talked about it, the worse his attitude got. Then I yelled and suddenly he was very responsive.
Part of that is that he was testing to see how far he could push me and he realized when he reached my boundaries and was suddenly willing to comply.
Of course, I was holding Ian and Katie when I yelled, and I got both of their attentions as well.
I told Cory that I was sorry for yelling, but that it sure got him to understand how I felt and to finally stop arguing. I told him that if he wanted me to talk to him like an adult and reason with him like an adult, then he needed to respond to me that way and not push me until I shouted.
Then I told him again that I was sorry for yelling because I knew he didn't like it. And I told Katie I was sorry for yelling at her, because I was sure she didn't like it when I yelled at Cory either. Before I could say anything else, Ian piped up "I liked it."
-k
Part of that is that he was testing to see how far he could push me and he realized when he reached my boundaries and was suddenly willing to comply.
Of course, I was holding Ian and Katie when I yelled, and I got both of their attentions as well.
I told Cory that I was sorry for yelling, but that it sure got him to understand how I felt and to finally stop arguing. I told him that if he wanted me to talk to him like an adult and reason with him like an adult, then he needed to respond to me that way and not push me until I shouted.
Then I told him again that I was sorry for yelling because I knew he didn't like it. And I told Katie I was sorry for yelling at her, because I was sure she didn't like it when I yelled at Cory either. Before I could say anything else, Ian piped up "I liked it."
-k
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Mobile Emus
We went mobile again today. We went to a homeschooling group at Landa Park, one of the GORGEOUS parks in our area. I met Amy, of the obnoxiously-glorious-red-and-perfectly-curly hair. She's nice, except for the unforgivable sin of having better hair than I have.
Ian LOVED it. Kept asking me "I can stay with you?" as though in disbelief of his good fortune that he gets to stay with me, go to the library, come to park days, and generally be at home instead of going back to daycare. Bear in mind that he LOVED the daycare he was attending. LOVED it. Was the spoiled crown prince who got extra treats and special treatment there. And yet, he feels he has won the little kid lottery by getting to be with me instead. That makes me feel good.
Cory disappeared instantly to the creek to torture small water creatures. He brought back a net with a crawfish in it and then was indignant that I insisted he return the crawfish to the water before we leave instead of leaving it next to the playground to slowly die. Honestly, Mom. No one else's parents insist they behave less like a future serial killer. I swear. My life... it's like unbearable. Except that he too, can't believe his good fortune at being homeschooled now. And it isn't that he works less. He is achieving more already than he was in school simply because he's one of three and gets more ground covered and more personally than ever happened to him in his whole school career combined - and we've always lived in good school districts.
We went with "the cousins" because we spent today with them. Jim is helping acclimate me to this exciting new world and he's introducing me to other homeschoolers. This park day was part of that process.
And I knew I was in the right place when a little boy who I assume belonged to someone in the group was having a conversation with one of the little girls who I knew belonged to someone in the group. I don't know what they were discussing, because I wasn't paying attention until I heard him declare loudly "I poop out of my butthole!"
And although I don't know which one was his mother, I identified with her immediately and felt right at home.
-k
Ian LOVED it. Kept asking me "I can stay with you?" as though in disbelief of his good fortune that he gets to stay with me, go to the library, come to park days, and generally be at home instead of going back to daycare. Bear in mind that he LOVED the daycare he was attending. LOVED it. Was the spoiled crown prince who got extra treats and special treatment there. And yet, he feels he has won the little kid lottery by getting to be with me instead. That makes me feel good.
Cory disappeared instantly to the creek to torture small water creatures. He brought back a net with a crawfish in it and then was indignant that I insisted he return the crawfish to the water before we leave instead of leaving it next to the playground to slowly die. Honestly, Mom. No one else's parents insist they behave less like a future serial killer. I swear. My life... it's like unbearable. Except that he too, can't believe his good fortune at being homeschooled now. And it isn't that he works less. He is achieving more already than he was in school simply because he's one of three and gets more ground covered and more personally than ever happened to him in his whole school career combined - and we've always lived in good school districts.
We went with "the cousins" because we spent today with them. Jim is helping acclimate me to this exciting new world and he's introducing me to other homeschoolers. This park day was part of that process.
And I knew I was in the right place when a little boy who I assume belonged to someone in the group was having a conversation with one of the little girls who I knew belonged to someone in the group. I don't know what they were discussing, because I wasn't paying attention until I heard him declare loudly "I poop out of my butthole!"
And although I don't know which one was his mother, I identified with her immediately and felt right at home.
-k
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
3-D biography of a household Object
Here is one we did today that we liked so much that we'll do it regularly, keep them all in a notebook together, and we wanted to share this with everyone who might possibly be interested.
We picked a list of 12 common household objects to start this project with and numbered them in no specific order. Then we rolled the dice and chose one to complete the assignment with. Then, we’ll fill in the blank with a new item for next time.
1 Kleenex (tissue paper)
2 toilet paper
3 fly swatter
4 spoon
5 television
6 telephone
7 computer
8 hair brush
9 deodorant
10 pillow
11 compact disc
12 paper towel
Write everything you currently know about your item (i.e. physical description, everything you can think of. This takes at least ten minutes, no more than fifteen minutes).
What did people used to do before there was this item?
Who invented it and when?
Who makes it?
How much does it cost?
Where do you get it?
Where are they in the house?
What exactly does it do?
How long does it last?
What will they be like in the future? (Get as creative here as you can without trying to just be funny).
3 fun facts not covered above.
1. ___________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
If you used resources like the internet or a dictionary, list them here (if you used the internet, please list the sites that you used.) ______________________________
_____________________________________________________________
This is the outline where you have done all the research. Now, write a 1-2 page paper using all the information you gathered above. Check for spelling, punctuation, and grammar. If you like how it turned out, you can blog it.
We picked a list of 12 common household objects to start this project with and numbered them in no specific order. Then we rolled the dice and chose one to complete the assignment with. Then, we’ll fill in the blank with a new item for next time.
1 Kleenex (tissue paper)
2 toilet paper
3 fly swatter
4 spoon
5 television
6 telephone
7 computer
8 hair brush
9 deodorant
10 pillow
11 compact disc
12 paper towel
Write everything you currently know about your item (i.e. physical description, everything you can think of. This takes at least ten minutes, no more than fifteen minutes).
What did people used to do before there was this item?
Who invented it and when?
Who makes it?
How much does it cost?
Where do you get it?
Where are they in the house?
What exactly does it do?
How long does it last?
What will they be like in the future? (Get as creative here as you can without trying to just be funny).
3 fun facts not covered above.
1. ___________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
If you used resources like the internet or a dictionary, list them here (if you used the internet, please list the sites that you used.) ______________________________
_____________________________________________________________
This is the outline where you have done all the research. Now, write a 1-2 page paper using all the information you gathered above. Check for spelling, punctuation, and grammar. If you like how it turned out, you can blog it.
IF YOU USE THIS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND GIVE EMU CREDIT.
Peeping with Farmer Dell
Ian and I made up a new song today. It's the Peeping in the Potty song, sung to the tune of that Farmer in the Dell song. It goes as follows:
We're peeping in the potty.
We're peeping in the potty.
We're not going to peep in our pants anymore cause that would just be naughty.
We sang it several times, giggling to each other. I would sing the beginning and then Ian would chime in on the word "naughty".
We decided to go into Grandma Bob's room and sing it for her while Cory worked on an assignment in the other room.
We got to the point in the song where Ian is supposed to chime in and he hesitated... and from out in the other room, in a high falsetto we hear Cory sing, clear as a bell "because that would just be nasty, dude!"
To think that other people are missing these opportunities with their children!
-Headmistress DE
We're peeping in the potty.
We're peeping in the potty.
We're not going to peep in our pants anymore cause that would just be naughty.
We sang it several times, giggling to each other. I would sing the beginning and then Ian would chime in on the word "naughty".
We decided to go into Grandma Bob's room and sing it for her while Cory worked on an assignment in the other room.
We got to the point in the song where Ian is supposed to chime in and he hesitated... and from out in the other room, in a high falsetto we hear Cory sing, clear as a bell "because that would just be nasty, dude!"
To think that other people are missing these opportunities with their children!
-Headmistress DE
Cory humor
Actual conversation, completely unretouched, from today:
Me: Resistance is futile.
Cory: I'm aware of that.
Me: So why are you resisting?
Cory: ::with all the sarcasm and layers of flaky disdain that only a teen-aged boy with his hair pulled over his eyes can muster:: I'm not. I'm just doing it with very little happiness and enthusiasm.
And I burst out laughing.
- Headmistress DE
Me: Resistance is futile.
Cory: I'm aware of that.
Me: So why are you resisting?
Cory: ::with all the sarcasm and layers of flaky disdain that only a teen-aged boy with his hair pulled over his eyes can muster:: I'm not. I'm just doing it with very little happiness and enthusiasm.
And I burst out laughing.
- Headmistress DE
Another reason homeschooling is really cool
Today, during his morning recess, Cory chose to play an online game from a site I have previously approved. It's an online anime dueling site... and he dueled a girl... in Japan.
How's THAT for social interaction?
-Headmistress DE
How's THAT for social interaction?
-Headmistress DE
Day Two
So, homeschooling is a lot like parenting in general really. Parenting any one child is not a problem, although they can be rotten little mongrels. But even the most stubborn child is no match for a parent one on one.
However, the little bastards can sense weakness... or the best/worse possible timing to pounce/strike/act out. They sense it like sharks sense blood in the water and they go into a "badness frenzy".
A child who was fairly well behaved, and say... writing a paper... will sense that another child who is say... supposed to be taking a nap, is resisting. And the child who was fairly well behaved can't stop himself. He must start being a turkey. And with that, the child who was calmly watching the whole thing from your arms and chewing on your thumb senses the "badness frenzy" and proceeds to pee through her diaper, pants, and most of the upper west side of MANHATTAN, requiring an instant diaper and outfit change for both of you... while the nap resister is now OUT OF BED, in the hallway, asking if his nap can be over, ALTHOUGH IT NEVER ACTUALLY STARTED.
And lest you lose it and start yelling, you must take control of the situation. You get the non-paper writing turkey and explain that school will not be over until this assignment is done and done well... even if that takes FOREVER. Then, you turn to the nap resister and explain that if they don't get back into bed you will be forced to kill them dead and tell Daddy about their bad behavior as though to further malign the dead. And the babe in arms? Well, she just needs a warm bottle and a trip to the swing of sleeping plus four. No one can resist the sleeping swing. In fact, I would pay good money for the adult version. There would be money to be made there. A large motorized swing that's incredibly comfortable, plays music, and does a little light show for you? Who wouldn't want that?!?
The previous may or may not be an accurate snapshot of Day Two at that moment in time. What I do want to report is that I am loving this. There are moments, like say... hypothetically the previously described moments... where I want to be parentless and working any other job in the known universe. But there are also moments like the rest of the posts I will be blogging today. And THOSE moments are awesome. And since this is only Day Two, and we are still very much in the "testing to see what we can get away with" stage, it will just keep getting better from here!
-Headmistress DE
However, the little bastards can sense weakness... or the best/worse possible timing to pounce/strike/act out. They sense it like sharks sense blood in the water and they go into a "badness frenzy".
A child who was fairly well behaved, and say... writing a paper... will sense that another child who is say... supposed to be taking a nap, is resisting. And the child who was fairly well behaved can't stop himself. He must start being a turkey. And with that, the child who was calmly watching the whole thing from your arms and chewing on your thumb senses the "badness frenzy" and proceeds to pee through her diaper, pants, and most of the upper west side of MANHATTAN, requiring an instant diaper and outfit change for both of you... while the nap resister is now OUT OF BED, in the hallway, asking if his nap can be over, ALTHOUGH IT NEVER ACTUALLY STARTED.
And lest you lose it and start yelling, you must take control of the situation. You get the non-paper writing turkey and explain that school will not be over until this assignment is done and done well... even if that takes FOREVER. Then, you turn to the nap resister and explain that if they don't get back into bed you will be forced to kill them dead and tell Daddy about their bad behavior as though to further malign the dead. And the babe in arms? Well, she just needs a warm bottle and a trip to the swing of sleeping plus four. No one can resist the sleeping swing. In fact, I would pay good money for the adult version. There would be money to be made there. A large motorized swing that's incredibly comfortable, plays music, and does a little light show for you? Who wouldn't want that?!?
The previous may or may not be an accurate snapshot of Day Two at that moment in time. What I do want to report is that I am loving this. There are moments, like say... hypothetically the previously described moments... where I want to be parentless and working any other job in the known universe. But there are also moments like the rest of the posts I will be blogging today. And THOSE moments are awesome. And since this is only Day Two, and we are still very much in the "testing to see what we can get away with" stage, it will just keep getting better from here!
-Headmistress DE
Monday, January 14, 2008
Today
Was the first official day of EMU and it was a great success. None of the kids are dead. I didn't storm out of the house. All of the kids tested the boundaries at one point or another. We are all looking forward to it tomorrow. So, it was a huge success by any standards, really. We even did intelligent things that worked towards the academic success of nearly every student... including a trip to the library, learning a letter in ASL, starting several on-going projects, introducing the Traffic Light of Behavior, writing several small papers, sending off a package to a correspondent, and not killing each other.
I'm taking this thing one day at a time at the moment.
-Headmistress DE
I'm taking this thing one day at a time at the moment.
-Headmistress DE
Saturday, January 12, 2008
This story of a smoothie move... gives me the shakes
Another example of Cory's inability or unwillingness to read directions and the consequences:
I sent him with a carton of smoothie concentrate to share with his cousins on Friday. He read the part that said "Shake well and refrigerate once opened". They poured it over a few ice cubes and started sipping away...
When I got there, I saw Alex drinking a glass of brown sludge and couldn't help asking if they'd read the directions. You know, the part where it says "Mix 8 ounces of product with 16 ounces of ice cubes and blend until smooth in blender?"
Just thinking about them drinking it straight hurts my teeth.
-k
I sent him with a carton of smoothie concentrate to share with his cousins on Friday. He read the part that said "Shake well and refrigerate once opened". They poured it over a few ice cubes and started sipping away...
When I got there, I saw Alex drinking a glass of brown sludge and couldn't help asking if they'd read the directions. You know, the part where it says "Mix 8 ounces of product with 16 ounces of ice cubes and blend until smooth in blender?"
Just thinking about them drinking it straight hurts my teeth.
-k
Friday, January 11, 2008
Queasy Bake Update
So, Cory took the Queasy Bake oven over to Jim's... and Jim agreed to let him use it to make the nastiness pictured on the side.
And MonkeyBoy the Magnificent Intellect made up the recipe, put it into the oven (in the plastic bowl you are supposed to serve it in), and baked it... until the bowl MELTED.
Sigh.
We are hoping he learns to play the guitar, or makes it as a tennis player because brain surgeon is RIGHT OUT.
-Headmistress "DE"
And MonkeyBoy the Magnificent Intellect made up the recipe, put it into the oven (in the plastic bowl you are supposed to serve it in), and baked it... until the bowl MELTED.
Sigh.
We are hoping he learns to play the guitar, or makes it as a tennis player because brain surgeon is RIGHT OUT.
-Headmistress "DE"
Thursday, January 10, 2008
The Bulb and the Smackdown
Cory got a Queasy Bake Cookerator, the gross little boy version of the Easy Bake ovens of the past, that bakes nasty looking treats like foamy drool covered dog biscuits and Mud and Crud Cake with worms. I can't imagine WHY, but I've been putting off opening and using this thing.
So I decided to let him take this as a homeschooling project with Jim today. (I DID ask and gave Jim a chance to say no). And it takes a single lightbulb to work.
Which Cory proceeded to carry around everywhere and would pop it up above his head like a light bulb had just gone off because he'd had a thought... complete with the little binging noise it would, in theory, make.
I dropped him off at Jim's this morning and he did it a bunch of times before he made it up to the door.
It was cute.
But the best part was that Mom dissed him a little when he did it for the millionth time. She said, "it's like you are thinking but haven't actually had a thought... or wouldn't the bulb light up?"
You go, Mom.
-k
So I decided to let him take this as a homeschooling project with Jim today. (I DID ask and gave Jim a chance to say no). And it takes a single lightbulb to work.
Which Cory proceeded to carry around everywhere and would pop it up above his head like a light bulb had just gone off because he'd had a thought... complete with the little binging noise it would, in theory, make.
I dropped him off at Jim's this morning and he did it a bunch of times before he made it up to the door.
It was cute.
But the best part was that Mom dissed him a little when he did it for the millionth time. She said, "it's like you are thinking but haven't actually had a thought... or wouldn't the bulb light up?"
You go, Mom.
-k
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Bummed out MonkeyBoy
Cory thought he was getting the brackets put on his braces today. Totally psyched himself up for it. For days. Wrote it on the kitchen calendar. Bought soft, squishy foods.
Then nothing. Just a regular check-up and then in six weeks, still no brackets yet.
And he's mad at them...
Not him. Not then boy who DOESN'T WEAR THE RUBBER BANDS REGULARLY. No, no... not him...
So he consoled himself that he was going back to Royal Crest Academy today and when we called over there... since they thought he wasn't coming in today, they'd made other plans for today that would be difficult to include him in...
So today we are homeschooling on the go. We went to the Kitchen Collection and got some things for the house... we go my hair trimmed... we are picking up a few ingredients for dinner... we will have some lunch... we are covering the mail center for a little while for Michael... and we'll do some more structured schooling at home... if we feel like it. We may call this a sick/personal day. What, like public schoolers never do that?!?
-Headmistress DE
Then nothing. Just a regular check-up and then in six weeks, still no brackets yet.
And he's mad at them...
Not him. Not then boy who DOESN'T WEAR THE RUBBER BANDS REGULARLY. No, no... not him...
So he consoled himself that he was going back to Royal Crest Academy today and when we called over there... since they thought he wasn't coming in today, they'd made other plans for today that would be difficult to include him in...
So today we are homeschooling on the go. We went to the Kitchen Collection and got some things for the house... we go my hair trimmed... we are picking up a few ingredients for dinner... we will have some lunch... we are covering the mail center for a little while for Michael... and we'll do some more structured schooling at home... if we feel like it. We may call this a sick/personal day. What, like public schoolers never do that?!?
-Headmistress DE
Friday, January 4, 2008
Supplies
Got a bunch of necessary though basic supplies for setting up The University. Things like a magnetic white board with a picture of a traffic stoplight on it and two little magnets that represent each of the boys. They start the day on the green light... and depending on their behavior throughout the day, they will either remain on the green, advance to the yellow, or plow into the red. If they advance to yellow, they will still have the chance to redeem themselves and earn their spot on the green back. If they plow right into the red, they remain in the red and when the Alpha Male EMU gets home, they will have to explain their position on the stoplight.
(Did I mention that I used to be a kindergarten teacher?)
There will be a list of things that they get to do if they end the day on green, a shorter list of things for ending the day on yellow, and a list of the bummer things that happen in consequence if they finish up red.
And fortunately, there's always a new day the next day - and every day, you start on green again.
-Headmistress/Dominant EMU
(Did I mention that I used to be a kindergarten teacher?)
There will be a list of things that they get to do if they end the day on green, a shorter list of things for ending the day on yellow, and a list of the bummer things that happen in consequence if they finish up red.
And fortunately, there's always a new day the next day - and every day, you start on green again.
-Headmistress/Dominant EMU
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Reprint of the Bank Account Revelation
The blog was originally posted on themikeharrisons.blogspot.com. I had to repost it here because it truly belongs here and there will doubtless be follow-up posts in the very near future.
After yet one more blowout with Cory today about irresponsible, thoughtless, "entitlement" behavior, I lost it completely and then redeemed myself. Yelling doesn't get through to him, but I gave it a good effort. But it was working me up and it wasn't working on him at all...
So, I sat on the floor, took a deep breath and counted to a hundred before I spoke to him again. I sat there on my berber and tried to think of a way I could speak to him that would get through to him, because my next option was to literally give up on him and opt for murder. Then it came to me, and I explained this concept...
You open a bank account and you have to put deposits in before you can make withdrawals. You can’t withdraw more money than you have in there. If you try, there are penalties. If you leave enough money in there on a regular basis, you actually gain interest on the money you have put in and managed to keep in there.
Our family relationship is the same way.
Every member needs to make deposits, not just withdrawals.
There are actions that are deposits, and there are actions that are withdrawals. Some actions are worth more than others – but all actions count towards the balance one way or the other. And carrying a positive balance all the time is a very good and necessary thing to establish good credit. People look at your credit when they are deciding whether or not to approve for your things.
And by god, I think it worked. I don't mean that I think his behavior will henceforth be sparkling and a right-wonderful example of the ideal boy. That would just be silly. However, I explained it in terms that he could understand, and will be able to remember for more than twenty seconds.
In theory...
-k
After yet one more blowout with Cory today about irresponsible, thoughtless, "entitlement" behavior, I lost it completely and then redeemed myself. Yelling doesn't get through to him, but I gave it a good effort. But it was working me up and it wasn't working on him at all...
So, I sat on the floor, took a deep breath and counted to a hundred before I spoke to him again. I sat there on my berber and tried to think of a way I could speak to him that would get through to him, because my next option was to literally give up on him and opt for murder. Then it came to me, and I explained this concept...
You open a bank account and you have to put deposits in before you can make withdrawals. You can’t withdraw more money than you have in there. If you try, there are penalties. If you leave enough money in there on a regular basis, you actually gain interest on the money you have put in and managed to keep in there.
Our family relationship is the same way.
Every member needs to make deposits, not just withdrawals.
There are actions that are deposits, and there are actions that are withdrawals. Some actions are worth more than others – but all actions count towards the balance one way or the other. And carrying a positive balance all the time is a very good and necessary thing to establish good credit. People look at your credit when they are deciding whether or not to approve for your things.
And by god, I think it worked. I don't mean that I think his behavior will henceforth be sparkling and a right-wonderful example of the ideal boy. That would just be silly. However, I explained it in terms that he could understand, and will be able to remember for more than twenty seconds.
In theory...
-k
Mascot naming contest
Our school mascot, quite naturally, is the EMU. We have yet to determine if this will be a male EMU or a female EMU, and of course, this EMU needs naming.
We welcome your suggestions and will happily give you credit if your name is the one chosen!
Please either leave a comment with your suggestion, or email it to me directly.
We plan to draw a cartoon representation of our EMU, based on the personality of the name chosen and will have shirts made!
Headmistess and "DE" -k
We welcome your suggestions and will happily give you credit if your name is the one chosen!
Please either leave a comment with your suggestion, or email it to me directly.
We plan to draw a cartoon representation of our EMU, based on the personality of the name chosen and will have shirts made!
Headmistess and "DE" -k
Welcome to Eagle Mountain University!
Welcome to Eagle Mountain University! This VERY exclusive school will have a total enrollment of three students, with an exchange program with our sister school, Royal Crest Academy.
We are the EMUs, the mighty mighty EMUs.
We are excited to be entering into this new venture with our first student, Cory. This young man, sporting a deadly terrible hair-do and about to have a brand-new set of braces, is a real lady-killer. Planning to be either a rock star, an actor, or a professional tennis player, this heartthrob plans to major in looking cool and disdainful, impressing girls, working on his dreadful sense of humor, and learning to do a decent accent.
Our pre-school program will have its hands full with its only student, Ian. Sir Crabby Pants is in for a bit of rude awakening. He's previously attended a fantastic daycare/preschool in the area where he was spoiled and has turned into a royal handful at home. One of the driving forces of opening the University was the need to keep him home for financial reasons, and the desire to keep him home so that we can establish some better behavioral boundaries and start to love being around each other again!
And last but certainly not least, our nursery has the most beautiful little baby girl ever, Sweet Princess Pee-pants Katie Rose! She'll be turning six months in two days, and will likely be the most frequently represented in pictures here. Although we expect great things from all three, she'll certainly change the most in the upcoming year.
And I am Headmistress Kristen, the Dominant EMU. I come into this insane and fantastic adventure having taught kindergarten and junior high, having watched my brother home-school his children rather successfully for years, and without the slightest doubt that several times in the next few months I will think this was alternately the best and worst idea I've ever had!
Enjoy the ride!
-k
We are the EMUs, the mighty mighty EMUs.
We are excited to be entering into this new venture with our first student, Cory. This young man, sporting a deadly terrible hair-do and about to have a brand-new set of braces, is a real lady-killer. Planning to be either a rock star, an actor, or a professional tennis player, this heartthrob plans to major in looking cool and disdainful, impressing girls, working on his dreadful sense of humor, and learning to do a decent accent.
Our pre-school program will have its hands full with its only student, Ian. Sir Crabby Pants is in for a bit of rude awakening. He's previously attended a fantastic daycare/preschool in the area where he was spoiled and has turned into a royal handful at home. One of the driving forces of opening the University was the need to keep him home for financial reasons, and the desire to keep him home so that we can establish some better behavioral boundaries and start to love being around each other again!
And last but certainly not least, our nursery has the most beautiful little baby girl ever, Sweet Princess Pee-pants Katie Rose! She'll be turning six months in two days, and will likely be the most frequently represented in pictures here. Although we expect great things from all three, she'll certainly change the most in the upcoming year.
And I am Headmistress Kristen, the Dominant EMU. I come into this insane and fantastic adventure having taught kindergarten and junior high, having watched my brother home-school his children rather successfully for years, and without the slightest doubt that several times in the next few months I will think this was alternately the best and worst idea I've ever had!
Enjoy the ride!
-k
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