Jennifer Lambert

A Sacred Balance

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Hawaii Unit Study

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We lived in Hawaii for three years. We loved it.

But we realized we were temporary, other, haoles in Paradise, and it wasn’t our land. Looking back, I realize there was so much more I could have learned, done, thought.

My girls were very young and I can make amends now as we learn about the history and culture of Hawaii. The kids don’t even remember it.

Our Travels Around Hawaii

My son chose the place of his birth for our homeschool geography fair.

We still had a lot of Hawaiian items from when we lived there.

He was so happy to talk to people about his birth place!

Hawaiian history and culture is complicated. We watched the news and social media with trepidation as the National Guard moved in on protestors at Mauna Kea for the site location of the Thirty Meter Telescope. We agree with Native Hawaiians and feel love and aloha in our hearts for them and their land. Some books may seem offensive to people unfamiliar with Hawaii and colonialism that has affected these beautiful islands and people.

Book List:

Keiki (Kids) Books:

Activities:

Resources:

Hawaii is magic. It is paradise. We left a piece of our hearts in the Islands.

Linking up: Grammy’s Grid, Being a Wordsmith, Life Beyond the Kitchen,

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Constitution Unit Study

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I want to teach my kids US history, government, citizenship.

I don’t want the US government curriculum to be nationalist, fundamentalist, or evangelical.

I’m not sure when many Americans began equating white Republican Jesus with the white male president, right wing government officials, and media, with removing or reducing social programs, but that’s not my religion.

I want unbiased materials and we’re leaning more and more towards secular curriculum to get the true picture of history.

On September 17, 1787, the Founding Fathers signed the most influential document in American history, the United States Constitution.

As we approach Constitution Week, September 17-23, here are some fun educational materials available at no cost to homeschoolers.

A More or Less Perfect Union is a three-part PBS series hosted by Senior Federal Appeals DC Circuit Court Judge Douglas Ginsburg. The series features 17 Constitutional experts weighing in on hot button topics around the document that governs those who govern us.  It aired earlier this year and is schedule to re-air on public television on Sept. 13 at 9 p.m. ET. It is also available on Amazon Prime and PBS.org, if you are a member. It can be watched for free now. It is best suited for high school level students.

Imagine having a discussion with George Washington and Ben Franklin today. Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg sat down with each historic figure to discuss the Constitution, what succeeded and what failed, slavery, education, and even air conditioning and deodorant! Meet the Framers are fascinating, educational and entertaining conversations that shouldn’t be missed.

Judge Ginsburg worked with izzit.org, an online teacher resource, to develop civics educational materials to teach about the Constitution.   The materials include a week-long course on The U.S. Constitution & Black History, a 16-minute teaching unit, Becoming Equal Under the Law, and a number of Teachable Moments (short video clips designed to encourage discussions).

For younger students, the Pups of Liberty series (The Boston T-Bone Party  and The Dog-claration of Independence) are delightful.

A new teaching unit on the First Amendment is recently released.

This is all available to educators at no cost!

Constitution and Government Resources

Favorite US History Books

Linking up: Random Musings, April Harris, Create with Joy, Welcome Heart, Anita Ojeda, Marilyn’s Treats, Little Cottage, Kippi at Home, Home Stories, Mary Geisen, Purposeful Faith, LouLou Girls, Grandma’s Ideas, Anchored Abode, Soaring with Him, Ridge Haven Homestead, InstaEncouragements, My Girlish Whims, Fluster Buster, Ginger Snap Crafts, Ducks in a Row, Our Three Peas, Katherine’s Corner, Penny’s Passion, Mommynificent, Slices of Life, Creative K Kids, Imparting Grace, Life Beyond the Kitchen, Oh My Heartsie Girl, Answer is Choco, Simply Sweet Home, Momfessionals, Embracing Unexpected, Pieced Pastimes, Fireman’s Wife, CWJ, Being a Wordsmith, Mostly Blogging,

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Raising Global Teens

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September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among teens, and experts are fearing the worst as young adults prepare to face unknown challenges that the return of school may bring – from coping with varying curricula, stressing over grades, and continued social isolation from friends and trusted teachers.

I have suffered from depression since I was about 12 years old. My husband has anxiety. At least two of my daughters experience anxiety and/or depression. We know that mental health issues can be hereditary. My parents and grandparents and my husband’s family members surely were affected and never diagnosed.

We have lived all over. I made it my goal to raise Global children.

We experienced Hawaii for three years, which is very like a foreign country. We as a white family were very much a minority there and loved learning about the history and culture.

We lived in Germany for three years, and were lucky to travel all over Europe to learn and experience the history and culture.

We experienced culture shock when we settled in Dayton, Ohio, three years ago. It’s still hard sometimes to fit in.

The pandemic quarantine hasn’t really affected our family like many others since our lifestyle is very simple, minimalist, and self-sufficient. But there are times that it’s still hard.

In her book Raising Global Teens, Dr. Anisha Abraham analyzes key subjects facing today’s teens, in the context of our modern, mobile world. 

How can we help cross-cultural teens stay happy, healthy, and balanced particularly in a time of uncertainty and a global pandemic? 

  • Stop Comparing – Reminding teens that no one is perfect. Everyone is “uneven”, meaning they excel in some areas, but not others, and that is OK.
  • Time Management – Encouraging teens to set goals, prioritize tasks, break large assignments into smaller steps, work for designated time periods and take  breaks, and use a reminder system for deadlines.
  • Unwinding – Making sure teens take time to fill their “anti-stress toolbox” with healthy ways to unwind. This could be as simple as talking to trusted friends or watching a funny show.
  • Mind & Body Care – Ensuring teens are getting adequate sleep, eating well, and exercising to regulate mood and energy levels.
  • Resilience – Supporting teens during these times of uncertainty and  helping them to build resilience and get “bounce”
  • Conversations – Having important conversations with teens about challenging topics such as pubertal changes, sexting, vaping, planning for the future and more
  • Signs of Depression & Suicide Risk – Understanding warning signs which include: mood swings, withdrawal, poor sleeping or appetite, trouble with memory and concentration, talking or writing about suicide, and giving away belongings.
  • Getting Help – Knowing when and where to get professional support  if you believe your teen is depressed or suicidal

Globalization has given many of us unparalleled opportunities to work, travel, fall in love, and raise kids all over the world. But it has made being a teen more complicated than ever. Imagine having to discover your identity and place in the world when you keep having to move communities, your parents are from different backgrounds, you’re exposed to multiple cultures daily or faced with challenges such as global warming and pandemics. How can we help these teens be happy, healthy, and resilient.

Raising Global Teens explores the hot topics adolescents experience today: identity, social media, body image, traumatic events, puberty, drugs and stress all in the context of our modern, mobile world. In this easy-to-read handbook, Dr. Anisha combines real-world examples with practical solutions, drawing on the latest research, her own experience and that of the many cross-cultural teens she has worked with over the last 25 years. Raising Global Teens enables busy families, health providers, and educators apply powerful tools to help today’s adolescents thrive.

About the Author

Dr. Anisha Abraham, MD, MPH is a board certified pediatrician and adolescent health specialist with 25 years of global experience. She treats and counsels young people with a variety of issues including social media use, drug use and stress. As a recognized educator, she provides training on adolescent health and wellness to faculty, teens and parents. Her clinical and research work combined with her experience with cultures and transition is the basis for her passion and interest in making the lives of global teens better.

She completed her medical degree at Boston University in a 7-year BA/MD program, her pediatric residency at Walter Reed Hospital, a fellowship in adolescent medicine at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC and a Masters in Public Health at George Washington University. During her career, she has served in a variety of roles including as Chief of Adolescent Medicine, a Lt Colonel in the US Army, and Medical Director of a school-based clinic. She has been on faculty at the University of Amsterdam, Chinese University of Hong Kong and Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC.

She knows what it’s like to face an ever-changing social landscape. She grew up in the United States as the daughter of South Asian immigrants and has lived with her husband and two kids in Asia, Europe and the US over the last ten years. She understands the challenges of moving from place to place with a family and experiencing different communities. Teens need tools and strategies to handle life’s challenges, to be resilient and to thrive in today’s fast paced environment. As a physician, educator, and parent, she helps teens to discover their strengths, focus on their wellbeing, and successfully navigate a changing world.

Preorder Raising Global Teens: A Practical Handbook for Parenting in the 21st Century by Dr. Anisha Abraham

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September Themes

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When my kids were very small, we had monthly themes on our bulletin board, for our homeschool lessons, and to order our daily lives.

As the kids get older, the themes aren’t quite so vivid. I enjoy the liturgical calendar, the natural cycles of the world, and celebrating the flow and small events in our lives.

We loved these themed Calendar Connections.

September is a time to welcome harvest, say goodbye to summer for good even if temps are still warm, welcoming fall.

Apples are a great September theme.

Fun Stuff: National Days

We love reading about saints and sometimes do spiritual activities. And we also talk about how white saviors and missionaries weren’t the best for indigenous peoples.

Labor Day is the first Monday in September. See my Labor Day Unit Study.

National Chianti Day is the first Friday in September.

4th is macadamia nut day!

6th is coffee ice cream day!

7th is beer lover’s day!

11th is Patriot Day. See my 9/11 Unit Study.

12th is chocolate milkshake day!

National Pet Memorial Day is the second Sunday in September. We love our cats!

Grandparent’s Day is the Sunday after Labor Day.

16th is play dough day! Easy play dough recipe here!

Constitution Week begins September 17.

18th is the Air Force birthday. Also cheeseburger day!

19th is Talk Like a Pirate Day! It’s a great day to read pirate books!

22nd is ice cream cone day!

Celebrate the Autumnal Equinox around the 23rd.

25th is math storytelling day. Math stories are so fun!

26th is Shamu day. We loved going to Sea World when we lived in San Antonio, TX.

History: Racial Injustice Calendar.

How do you celebrate September?

Linking up: Our Three Peas, Random Musings, Penny’s Passion, Katherine’s Corner, Grandma’s Ideas, Anita Ojeda, Marilyn’s Treats, Soaring with Him, Mary Geisen, April Harris, Anchored Abode, Slices of Life, Imparting Grace, Ridge Haven Homestead, Welcome Heart, InstaEncouragements, Purposeful Faith, Ducks in a Row, Girlish Whims, LouLou Girls, Fluster Buster, Ginger Snap Crafts, Life on Oak Hill, Kippi at Home, Create with Joy, Creative K Kids, Answer is Choco, Home Stories, Simply Sweet Home, Momfessionals, Embracing Unexpected, OMHG, Pieced Pastimes, CWJ, Fireman’s Wife, Inspired Prairie, Life Beyond the Kitchen,

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Labor Day Unit Study

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Labor Day is not just the official end of summer.

Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday in September to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States.

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.

By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday. Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories. On June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a law making the first Monday in September of each year a national holiday.

All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.     

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Because we have suffered, and we are not afraid to suffer in order to survive, we are ready to give up everything — even our lives — in our struggle for justice. We draw our strength from the very despair in which we have been forced to live. We shall endure. When a man or woman, young, or old, takes a place on the picket line for even a day or two, he will never be the same again.  

Cesar Chavez

Topics for Discussion

  • The Modern Labor Rights Movement
  • The Power Of Agitating & Organizing
  • Child Labor
  • Minimum Wage
  • Maternity/Paternity Leave
  • The Gender & Race Wage Gap: Glass Ceilings
  • The US Economy Runs On The Backbone of Exploited Black Labor
  • The Effect of Exploitative Migrant Labor On Families

Resources

Book List

Labor Day movies

I learned the value of hard work by working hard.

Margaret Mead

How can you support workers?

No one really cares what you post on social media or clapping or being honored at a parade or event. Workers need and want tangible rewards for doing what they do – better conditions, higher pay, protections for illness or injury, security. Respect their dignity.

Make sure you tip well. More than 20%. Don’t be insulting or rude. Service is a very difficult job.

Gifts for the services you use and appreciate most. Keep in mind that most workers can technically only accept gifts equally up to $20 or less. Don’t embarrass them or put them in an awkward position. A gift card, a homemade treat, a caffeine drink, a token is much appreciated.

Vote. Protest. Support public officials, government agencies, and private organizations who protect wage workers and their benefits.

Speak up and teach. Our kids need to see us fighting injustice. They need to know we are not silent and complicit.

Linking up: Random Musings, Welcome Heart, Anita Ojeda, Marilyn’s Treats, Little Cottage, Mostly Blogging, Kippi at Home, Purposeful Faith, LouLou Girls, Our Three Peas, Grandma’s Ideas, Anchored Abode, Soaring with Him, Ducks in a Row, Fluster Buster, Girlish Whims, Ginger Snap Crafts, Katherine’s Corner, Penny’s Passion, Mommynificent, Debbie Kitterman, CKK, Imparting Grace, Ridge Haven Homestead, Slices of Life, Life Beyond the Kitchen, Answer is Choco, Simply Sweet Home, Momfessionals, Embracing Unexpected, Create with Joy, OMHG, Being a Wordsmith, InstaEncouragements, Create with Joy,

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Sambucol Black Elderberry Gummies Review

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I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

I love all the fun goodies we got for the review! The elderberry stress ball is probably my favorite.

We received Sambucol® Black Elderberry gummies, syrup, and drink powder.

We love elderberry and elderflower! They smell sweet and taste delicious.

The Sambucol® Black Elderberry gummies are perfect.

They taste great! They’re small enough for small hands and mouths. They smell great! We have to remember these are not candy and not treats.

They remind me a little bit of berry or grape gummy snacks in texture and flavor. They were a big hit with the whole family!

Sambucol® Black Elderberry syrup was not good at all.

It didn’t smell good. It tasted like bad medicine. We were very disappointed with the thick texture and flavor and scent.

Sambucol® Black Elderberry Daily Immune Drink Powder is a great way get the benefits of elderberry and stay hydrated.

The drink powder smells great, like the gummies.

Adding about 4 ounces of cold water, the powder dissolved almost completely, even without stirring. It tastes great and my daughter and I loved it! It was similar to but better than grape drinks.

We love the Sambucol® Black Elderberry Gummies and the Sambucol® Black Elderberry Daily Immune Drink Powder.

Sambucol®, the original Black Elderberry extract, provides strong immune
system support to help you and your family stay healthy throughout the
year. Sambucol® Black Elderberry extract conveniently arms you with
some of the best protection nature has to offer. Sambucol® is a unique
black elderberry extract rich in immune supporting flavonoids. Sambucol®
is made from black elderberries which have twice the natural antioxidant
capacity of blueberries and more than 50% the overall antioxidant
capability of cranberries.

Did you know?

Both the flowers and berries have a long tradition of culinary and folk medicinal uses going back thousands of years. In fact, Hippocrates (often
called the father of medicine) called elderberry a medicine chest because of its seemingly endless health benefits and usability.

The stem, bark, leaves, flowers, berries, and root extracts of the plant are all used in traditional folk medicine There are even some elderberry-based recipes dating as far back as Ancient Egypt!

I do not recommend harvesting or using the wild flowers or berries. They can be poisonous if not properly prepared. It’s safer to buy the products from a reputable source!

Just the facts:

• Sambucol® Black Elderberry Gummies offer natural immune support.
• Black Elderberry is high in antioxidants and has been used for
thousands for years.
• Sambucol® gummies are pectin based, sweetened only with pure cane
sugar, and contain no artificial flavors or colors.
• They are gluten, nut, soy, dairy, and egg free.
• The gummies are suitable for vegetarians and vegans and can be
used by adults and children from four years old.
• There is only 1 g of sugar per gummy.
• One 30-count bottle of Sambucol® Black Elderberry Gummies typically
retails for $12.99 and a 60-count bottle for $24.99.

Where to purchase:

Sambucol® Black Elderberry Gummies are available to purchase at
Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, GNC, The Vitamin Shoppe, Ralphs,
Vons, Safeway, and Kroger. To find a store near you, visit: sambucolusa.
com/pages/store-locator

Have you used Elderberry products?

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Jurassic Quest at Coney Island Amusement Park

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Our dinosaurs are ready and raring to return from extinction. After sold out weekends in San Antonio, Dallas, OKC, and Detroit, we will now be migrating to Cincinnati, OH, August 21 – August 30, with our FIRST EVER JURASSIC DRIVE-THRU!  

The nation’s best touring dinosaur exhibit has been transformed into an interactive drive-thru experience, featuring over 70 moving and life-like dinosaurs, as well as our 50 foot-long Megalodon!  The drive-thru experience has seen over 100,000 cars and 400,000 people in attendance since launching the national tour in mid-July.   Although the drive-thru experience means guests will stay safe inside their vehicle, you’ll still need to watch out for the swinging tail of our 80 foot-long Spinosaurus! 

The Jurassic Quest Drive Thru is the only place to encounter some of the largest dinosaurs to ever roam the earth, and some of the eeriest marine creatures to ever lurk the ocean’s depths, from the safety of your family vehicle. Cincinnati guests will be among the first in the nation to go on a quest with our online audio tour that will lead them throughout the thrilling dinosaur safari.

Currently touring as a Drive-Thru only. The largest and most realistic dinosaur exhibition in North America. Now with new animatronic water dwellers, Jurassic Quest is the only dinosaur event that has up to 100, true to life-sized dinosaur replicas from the very small, to the gigantic, to those found under the sea. Guests will witness their favorite dinosaurs move, roar and roam and have the chance to interact with baby dinosaurs and adolescent dinosaurs, including the T. Rex, Spinosaurus, Triceratops and many others. With the addition of Ancient Oceans, guests will also be able to “swim” with our 50 foot long, prehistoric Megalodon!

For $49 per vehicle (9 people or fewer), your dino crew can time-travel and enjoy about an hour-long ride back in time.

Happening at the spacious Coney Island Amusement Park, Jurassic Quest worked in collaboration with leading paleontologists to ensure each dinosaur was painstakingly replicated in every detail. Guests will have the chance to drive through realistic scenes, without leaving their own vehicles, depicting how we understand dinosaurs looked and moved!

In addition to the life-like dinosaur exhibits, there will be opportunities to visit with our one-of-a-kind baby dinosaurs and our team of dino trainers as well as the chance to capture the moment with a safari-style photo of your vehicle and family transported back in time via a Jurassic setting complete with a dinosaur backdrop.

All attendees will leave with the same bragging rights, “We Survived Jurassic Quest 2020!” One photo per family is FREE and included in ticket purchase.

We will continue to take extra precautionary measures to provide a clean and safe event. Guests are to remain in vehicles and to wear masks in the event they exit the vehicle in allowed areas, including complimentary restrooms and the Dino Store.

Social distancing rules will be requested of all guests and maintained by Jurassic Quest crew. We will be sanitizing equipment, dinosaurs, and workstations more frequently and thoroughly throughout the entirety of the event. Our employees will be applying hand sanitizer and washing their hands regularly throughout each day, in addition to wearing masks. Guest safety and enjoyment is our top priority.

Those willing to take the challenge and join our Cincinnati Drive Thru Quest will need to buy tickets in advance online at www.jurassicquest.com. Tickets are $49 per vehicle. Guests must travel through the drive-thru in the comfort of their own vehicle – no rentals or golf carts will be provided and walkers are not allowed. To ensure participant safety, all guests must ride inside their vehicles (yes, pets inside vehicles are allowed), no riders in truck beds, however. Trailers are also not allowed – we’re worried they might tempt the hungry dinos too much! Oversized vehicles and vehicles with more than 9 riders are allowed but will need to contact Customer Service, customerservice@jurassicquest.com, for pricing and scheduling.  A full list of Frequently Asked Questions can be found online, https://www.jurassicquest.com/drive-thru-faqs. For more information and to buy tickets visit www.JurassicQuest.com.  Whether they are big or small, young or old, guests of Jurassic Quest have a dino-mite time!

Event:  Jurassic Quest

Place:  Coney Island Amusement Park

Date: August 21 – August 30, 2020, Timeslots and hours will vary by day (Closed Monday & Tuesday, August 24 -25)

Hours: 11 am – 8 pm opening day, August 21; 9 am – 8 pm daily

Admission: Tickets available online: https://www.jurassicquest.com/events/drive-thru-cincinnati

Cost for entry: $49 per vehicle.

Our Review

We attended Jurassic Quest as a family on the morning of Friday, August 21, 2020.

I will say I was a little apprehensive going with my kids who are older – ages 10, 13, and 14. I was concerned they would be too old and find it silly, but I needn’t have worried! We all loved it!

We found the entrance easily with our GPS app.

We thought the audio tour was wonderful. Great information, storytelling, and fun asides about William Shakespeare and Pluto. We laughed so hard we almost had to rewind it.

I do recommend best viewing out the driver’s side but the path zig zags through so everyone gets a good look.

We were impressed with the animatronic dinosaurs in their displays. We drove through and never felt rushed. I don’t think there was anyone behind us at all.

There were sounds for many dinosaurs, even though we can only speculate what they could have sounded like based on current animals that may have similar features.

We loved seeing all the different dinosaurs sorted into their various geological periods.

There are carnivores and herbivores, feathered, furred, flying, and swimming dinosaurs.

We were thrilled to see a life-size megalodon.

Oh no! This T Rex got hungry for Triceratops!

Thankfully, the companion Triceratops is ready to defend!

Watch out for the runaway T Rex!

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High School Homeschool

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I graduated my eldest daughter from our homeschool a few years ago.

Her homeschool high school years were exciting for us all, and unique since we lived in Germany at the time.

My two middle girls are entering their high school years.

I feel a little more comfortable for our second round.

We’re adding more multicultural and social justice books to our reading lists. I am much more relaxed.

More and more, I am watching them walk away from me.

What Homeschool High School Looks Like for Us the Second Time

We’re trying to max out their academic transcripts with 4 English, 4 Social Studies, 4 Math, and 4 Science.

My girls have already completed General science, Physical science, and Biology from Apologia.

We use Tapestry of Grace for humanities with a 4-year history cycle. Tapestry of Grace offers lovely descriptions for each thread to help with transcripts.

Electives are religion, art, cooking, sports, and foreign language.

My girls are 13 and 14 this year and we homeschool year-round so we don’t have to rush.

They expect to complete all my requirements around age 16, like their older sister did. They want to get part-time jobs, volunteer, explore hobbies, perhaps pursue dual college enrollment locally until beginning college full-time. And we don’t pressure about college.

9th grade curriculum

  • Ancient world literature
  • Ancient world history
  • Ancient world geography, philosophy, government
  • Ancient religion and Bible history
  • Algebra I (Life of Fred, VideoText, OpenStax)
  • Astronomy and Microbiology from OpenStax

10th grade

  • Middle Ages world literature
  • Middle Ages world history
  • Middle Ages world geography, philosophy, government
  • Middle Ages world religion and Bible history
  • History of language – King Alfred’s English
  • Algebra II (Life of Fred, VideoText, OpenStax)
  • Chemistry (either Apologia or OpenStax)

11th grade

  • Renaissance-Industrial Revolution world literature
  • Renaissance-Industrial Revolution world history
  • Renaissance-Industrial Revolution world and US geography, philosophy, government
  • Renaissance-Industrial Revolution world religion and Bible history
  • US History from OpenStax
  • Geometry (Life of Fred, VideoText, OpenStax)
  • Physics (either Apologia or OpenStax)

12th grade

  • Modern and Contemporary world literature
  • Modern and Contemporary world history
  • Modern and Contemporary world and US geography, philosophy, government
  • Modern and Contemporary world religion and Bible history
  • US History from OpenStax
  • Trig/Calc from OpenStax
  • Psychology and/or advanced science from OpenStax

Pinterest Boards

High School Homeschool Resources:

How do you homeschool high school?

Linking up: Random Musings, Mostly Blogging, Anita Ojeda, Welcome Heart, April Harris, Marilyn’s Treats, Little Cottage, Kippi at Home, LouLou Girls, Home Stories, InstaEncouragements, Purposeful Faith, Our Three Peas, Grandmas Ideas, Anchored Abode, Soaring with Him, Ducks in a Row, Girlish Whims, Fluster Buster, Ginger Snap Crafts, Katherine’s Corner, Penny’s Passion, Debbie Kitterman, CKK, Imparting Grace, Ridge Haven Homestead, Apron Strings, Life Beyond the Kitchen, Create with Joy,

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Quarantine Schooling

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I taught school for about ten years, and always homeschooled my four kids, so I have a bit of a different philosophy towards education than many.

Around March 2020, may families found themselves in awkward situations. Many parents worked from home while children completed their school year online. Teachers scrambled to prepare online lessons for hundreds of students. It was stressful.

Many families and the media call this homeschooling.

Narrator: “This was not, in fact, homeschooling.”

Now the word “homeschooling” has evolved over the years and used to have different connotations than it now does. It’s not such a weighted or negative word as it used to be.

The word often conjured images of denim jumper dress-wearing evangelical fundamentalist Christian families. And that certainly is still a subculture within homeschooling communities.

While it is still difficult to find secular and liberal homeschoolers in many areas, it is becoming more widely acceptable for many families to home educate their children in different ways.

Homeschool choices are almost limitless. Many states and school districts provide online or video lessons. There are secular and Christian curriculum options. Parents can create an eclectic mix of academics and hobbies for kids to explore.

Many families are concerned about safety, continuity, and consistency for this next school year.

Some schools are closed, some offer part time or staggered attendance, some are going completely online. I am not here to judge parents whose choices are impossible during these circumstances. I realize many parents must work outside the home and need childcare. Our society expects schools to provide education and care during working hours.

Teachers are facing impossible situations. Required to teach in person or prepare and teach engaging lessons online, risking their health or their careers. I can’t imagine making these hard choice if I were still a classroom teacher.

I understand that it’s overwhelming to suddenly homeschool kids who expect to attend school. It’s a completely different lifestyle for many families and the unknown is scary.

It took me a few years to adjust as a reluctant homeschooler.

For first time homeschoolers, pandemic/quarantine/crisis homeschoolers, reluctant homeschoolers, even veteran homeschoolers:

Some things to think about school at home:

What is your focus?

Search your heart for what you want this school year to look like for your family. Use this time to learn about your children – their hopes, dreams, preferences. Don’t just think this is about academics. This is about relationship. This is about making memories. What do you want your family to look back on during this time and remember fondly?

Ease into it.

It’s often best to start with the bare bones. Fun, fun, fun. Outside time. Hiking. Nature exploration. Learn about your backyard nature. Fall in love with learning. Maybe just begin with reading, writing, arithmetic. Have story time and talk about the book afterwards or make art. Do kitchen math with delicious recipes. You don’t have to recreate a classroom school environment in your kitchen, dining room, living room, or basement. You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on curriculum, books, computer programs.

Keep records.

Records, portfolio, book lists, field trips are handy to have if you plan to send kids back into public or private school attendance at any point. It’s also nice to look back over what was accomplished on the days when you feel like nothing ever got done. I often enlist the kids to help make their notebooks or portfolios. It’s a great family project! Many homeschoolers must submit curriculum lists at the beginning of each school year with their intent letter and provide a portfolio or test score at the end of the year. Keeping records as you go makes this easier than scrambling last minute. It’s good to have a scrapbook or journals for kids to look back on too.

Take it slow.

You will have bad days. Keep your cool as the adult when things fall apart. Don’t think of it as a failure. Think of the unpleasant moments as opportunities to learn how to do better. No one is falling behind. You’re not competing with anyone. You don’t need a strict color-coded schedule for every minute of every day. You don’t have to know how to do everything, teach every subject, or complete every lesson. There is a plethora of resources out there to help. Screentime is ok. Sleeping in is ok. Meal times are arbitrary. Later bedtimes are ok. I realize this is a stressful time for everyone, even veteran homeschoolers who usually participate in lots of activities with others.

Keep in touch.

It’s important to allow kids to keep in touch with friends until it’s safer for in person meetups and play dates and group activities. We live in a brave new world with so much technology allowing us to communicate any time, anywhere, with almost anyone. My kids have iPads and/or smartphones with Discord, messenger apps, social media. We find it difficult to find other kids whose parents trust them to use these services. It makes it more difficult for my kids to keep in touch with their friends.

Start a new tradition.

Breakfast announcements. Morning message before beginning seatwork. Weekly tea time (it doesn’t even have to include tea!) with fun snacks and music or poetry. Friday free days (or afternoons) for playing outside. Friday pizza nights with movies. Saturday dance parties. Sunday hiking.

Resources:

What does this school year look like for your family?

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Not Back to School

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Homeschoolers often celebrate “back to school” with fun and different traditions than other families whose children attend school.

Homeschoolers also do many of the same things as school families. We buy new supplies and clothes with all the sales, tax-free days, and coupons. We like the first day photos.

Homeschoolers look forward to the day when school kids go back to classrooms and all the fun places we love to frequent aren’t busy with summer crowds anymore. But even homeschoolers aren’t gathering or doing co-ops or meeting up this fall.

My kids used to wave goodbye to their neighborhood friends who rode the bus to school while we began our homeschool day. They often waited for their bus at the end of the day to greet their friends again.

This school year looks very different for many families. Some school districts are offering options for in person full or part time attendance, or online classes.

No matter what kind of school year our kids are beginning, making the first day of the new school year a special day may help ease jitters or disappointments. We need to make great memories with our kids.

Celebrating Not Back to School

  • Night before school party
  • Special breakfast
  • Pictures to commemorate the new year
  • Memory board or interview page
  • Gifts or treats
  • Look through new school materials and books together to get familiar.
  • Set up a work area for each child to complete assignments.
  • Special back to school books. It’s hard to find books celebrating homeschool.
  • New clothes fashion show. It could be new loungewear or pajamas!
  • Schultüte – traditional school cones for 1st graders in Germany. Another Schulüte DIY idea here. DIY auf Deutsch hier.
  • Ice cream!
  • Chalk drawings in the driveway or sidewalk
  • Fresh flowers, especially roses for new schoolers! I love the Waldorf rose ceremony.
  • Discuss plans, desires, and dreams for the year
  • Make calm jars with glitter, oil, food coloring, and water.
  • Make tie-dye shirts or bags.
  • Go hiking or do a nature scavenger hunt.
  • Picnic lunch
  • Bowling
  • Parties with a fun theme, even if it’s just immediate family
  • Movie night

How do you make the first day of school special?

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