I realized today after I’d been a bit more snarky than normal that I’ve got a good case of the grumps. What is interesting about this case of the grumps is that it is mostly manifesting in lack of patience with people, with things, with the season. With everything. It isn’t patience with speed but with more the patience you call upon when you need to be tolerant or mindful. I’m finding that those small things I can typically – and easily – let go of are harder to simply breathe away.
I know that this will be a short lived thing but I also think there is no harm to me in taking a moment to acknowledge that I’m out of sorts. To remind myself to breathe deep. To find my center and balance. To not fall into being impatient and grumpy.
03.03.2010
musings
I almost have next year figured out! Almost.
I almost have our method of homeschooling such that it works for our family and more precisely for the boys. Almost.
Unlike a classroom teacher we are not limited to choices or plans made for the year ahead. We are not necessarily limited by a budget process for our materials. Instead we are fortunate to have the ability to make decisions and changes specifically to our students needs. We are able to abandon, even the most thoughtful purchase, when it isn’t working for our student. We are afforded an opportunity to make changes as needed when needed. The caveat to that is that we can be overwhelmed with choices and thrust into a constant state of flux.
Realistically this doesn’t happen to everyone. And it doesn’t happen all the time. But it can happen even to the best of decision makers.
One of the many things that I have learned in these first few years of homeschooling is that *I* must battle against slipping into chaos. That I have to be aware of the reason behind the changes we’re making to make certain that they are need or warranted. That I must work to prevent myself from making changes simply for the sake of changing. I spend a lot of time evaluating what we are using and how it is working for my boys. What I don’t do is spend a lot of time thinking about what might be better. I found that if I’m focused on what MIGHT be better then I’m more likely think that the grass is greener. Pretty new curriculum can be so very tempting!
Here are some of the thing I do for myself:
1. Borrow if I can. A quick flip through will often tell me if it will work.
2. I’m sure to check out the free (sample) pages.
3. I want to be open to new ideas but I don’t forget to appreciate what I have chosen when it IS working.
4. Watch for things that I want a few years down the road. I’m working now on collecting a few resources that I know I’m going to use in a year or two. One is Hakim’s History books.
5. Sometimes you have to spend the money to know and sometimes that purchase won’t work. Build a little bit into your budget for those purchases.
So what do YOU do to keep yourself from a constant state of flux?
24.02.2010
greenfield academy
Seriously I’m very distracted by the Olympics. In fact you could say that I have started several post tonight. But after I’d get my thoughts going along someone would fall in the halfpipe and I’d lose my thought train would derail!
So here for your clicking please are a few of the resources that we use. And I mean really *use* at our house.
Classics for Kids makes it very easy to add to your houses musical education.
Growing with Grammar makes grammar almost painless here. We’re in our third year of using this program and this was one of my first choices for next year’s curriculum.
Iknowthat.com Math Blox is our favorite drill practice. My son Jr. likes that he can try to best his highest scores. I like that he’s practicing his multiplication math facts.
Professor Noggin Games What is more fun than making your Mom and Dad play the “hard” level? We have several of these games and enjoy playing them as a family. Easily adapted to play in the car as well (simply choose your number versus roll the dice).
Enjoy!
18.02.2010
greenfield academy
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