Today we went to the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley for our field trip group (although my sister, our kids and I were the only ones who went). The museum is located in Winchester, VA. The museum complex includes the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, the 6-acre gardens, and Glen Burnie Historic House. We toured the museum and the gardens today.
The Shenandoah Valley Gallery shows a history of the valley from Paleo-Indians to the 1930's. It is very interactive. There are computers and video monitors where children can listen to traditional music or learn about early settlers. There are activities related to the German heritage and history of slavery in the Valley. All of the kids really got into the Scavenger Hunt. It was not very complicated. It could be completed by simply reading the titles for each of the displays or paintings. My oldest son actually said his favorite part of the museum of the Portrait Gallery in the Julian Wood Glass, Jr. Gallery. Currently they have an exhibit of O. Winston Link's railroad photography. My kids are train enthusiasts, so this was very popular with them too.
The gardens were beautiful. I think the kids liked the Asian garden the best. There is a water garden, rose gardens, a vegetable garden, and more. There was a garden Scavenger Hunt, which focused on the abundant statuary throughout the gardens.
When we left one of the older boys said that was a great field trip. Everyone was able to tell me at least one new thing they had learned. Some were about portrait painting, others were focused on the settlers having to make their furniture. The museum staff also gave me a pamphlet for the kids called "War Comes to the Valley," about the Civil War in the Shenandoah Valley. We didn't visit the Civil War Room in the museum, but the booklet is something we could read at home.
We took about 1 1/2 hours to tour the museum and 1 hour to tour the garden.
For more information about the museum, gardens or about Glen Burnie visit the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley's website at http://www.shenandoahmuseum.org/.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Fort Raleigh
A few weeks ago, while in vacation, we went to Fort Raleigh in Manteo, North Carolina. We went late in the day, and did not participate in any of the ranger led tours or activities. Although Jamestown is the first permanent English colony in the Americas, Fort Raleigh was the English's first attempt. In 1586 the group of colonists lead by John White set out for Virginia. When the colonists arrived in the New World, they were forced to stop at Fort Raleigh, previously a base for privateering. Governor White was forced to return to England for supplies and once he arrived in England he was not able to return to his colony until 1590 because of war with Spain. When he did return, the settlement had been completely abandoned. The only clue was the word "CROATOAN" carved in a tree. The colonists were never found.
There is a small visitor's center with displays about artifacts found at the site, tools, Native Americans, and depictions of the Native Americans by Thomas Hariot, the scientist and chronicler of the ill-fated voyage. There is a reconstructed moat, earthen wall and palisade, like White found when he returned to Fort Raleigh in 1590. There are trails through the woods, with markers that identify many of the flora and how the Natives and early European settlers used the plants for food, medicine, and building materials. Many of the markers include first-hand accounts of how profitable harvesting the lumber of the region could be.
The boys probably enjoyed the nature trail the best. They would run from one sign to the next. Luckily the markers didn't include lengthy text. My 9-year old thought it was interesting to see the way they used to spell (like "f" being used for "s"). They liked the fort, but were disappointed they couldn't climb on it. My husband and the boys did have fun plotting how they would be able to sneak over the moat, earthen wall and palisades. We talked about what could have happened to the colonists.
Located on the Fort Raleigh complex are the Elizabethan Gardens. The boys and I have gone several years in a row. We love it. There are many beautiful flowers to see. It is a mature garden with wonderful large trees. One big oak tree, that is 300 years old, has a hole in its trunk that was patched with bricks. There is a fountain in the sunken garden and a gazebo overlooking Roanoke Sound where the boys like to take a rest. A beautiful statue of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in the New World and White's granddaughter born just before he returned to England for supplies, is tucked in the beautiful foliage. Last year, my oldest son, got a houseplant as his souvenir. It is some kind of geranium, and it is still living.
The Waterside Theatre, where the play Lost Colony is produced each summer, is also located on the complex. The play tells a fictional story (based on first-hand accounts of those who visited the colony before and after its disappearance) of those first colonists. We haven't gone to the play. I wanted to go this year, but decided it might not be a good idea to take my four year old. I think next year he will be able to sit still for two hours and not be distressed by it.
The Elizabethan Gardens and Waterside Theatre are not managed by the National Park service. There are separate fees associated with attending the play and visiting the gardens. If you are in the Outer Banks area, I would highly suggest visiting Fort Raleigh.
Visit the National Park website at www.nps.gov. Here you can find links to all the national parks and national historic sites throughout the country.
There is a small visitor's center with displays about artifacts found at the site, tools, Native Americans, and depictions of the Native Americans by Thomas Hariot, the scientist and chronicler of the ill-fated voyage. There is a reconstructed moat, earthen wall and palisade, like White found when he returned to Fort Raleigh in 1590. There are trails through the woods, with markers that identify many of the flora and how the Natives and early European settlers used the plants for food, medicine, and building materials. Many of the markers include first-hand accounts of how profitable harvesting the lumber of the region could be.
The boys probably enjoyed the nature trail the best. They would run from one sign to the next. Luckily the markers didn't include lengthy text. My 9-year old thought it was interesting to see the way they used to spell (like "f" being used for "s"). They liked the fort, but were disappointed they couldn't climb on it. My husband and the boys did have fun plotting how they would be able to sneak over the moat, earthen wall and palisades. We talked about what could have happened to the colonists.
Located on the Fort Raleigh complex are the Elizabethan Gardens. The boys and I have gone several years in a row. We love it. There are many beautiful flowers to see. It is a mature garden with wonderful large trees. One big oak tree, that is 300 years old, has a hole in its trunk that was patched with bricks. There is a fountain in the sunken garden and a gazebo overlooking Roanoke Sound where the boys like to take a rest. A beautiful statue of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in the New World and White's granddaughter born just before he returned to England for supplies, is tucked in the beautiful foliage. Last year, my oldest son, got a houseplant as his souvenir. It is some kind of geranium, and it is still living.
The Waterside Theatre, where the play Lost Colony is produced each summer, is also located on the complex. The play tells a fictional story (based on first-hand accounts of those who visited the colony before and after its disappearance) of those first colonists. We haven't gone to the play. I wanted to go this year, but decided it might not be a good idea to take my four year old. I think next year he will be able to sit still for two hours and not be distressed by it.
The Elizabethan Gardens and Waterside Theatre are not managed by the National Park service. There are separate fees associated with attending the play and visiting the gardens. If you are in the Outer Banks area, I would highly suggest visiting Fort Raleigh.
Visit the National Park website at www.nps.gov. Here you can find links to all the national parks and national historic sites throughout the country.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Preventing Summertime Brain Drain
Well, summer is flying by and I haven't been keeping up with this project. I can't believe it is July already!
It is important for children to have some review through the summer. As a former teacher I can tell you that when the students returned to school in August, it was like they had lost a grade's worth of material through the summer. You always spent September, and sometimes part of October, reviewing material they should have already known. Since I homeschool a struggling learner, it is especially important that we try to keep what he learned for third grade fresh in his mind.
I purchased a Grade 3-4 "bridge"-book, a workbook that reviews concepts from the previous grade in preparation for the next grade. The one we have is published by Evan Moor. I like the books by this publisher. I'd used some of their materials when I was teaching in second grade. They can be great supplements to use in your lessons. The activities in the book are very short (15-20 minutes a day) and provide means for the child to self-monitor independent reading and to reflect on what they might have learned throughout the week. Each week's activities cover topics in reading comprehension, grammar, handwriting, math, problem solving, and geography.
I've also been encouraging my husband to randomly quiz both the boys on things that they learned last year. We try to not make it obtrusive. If we are at a store or read about something in a book that relates to something they've learned, then my husband or I will ask them a question about it. The little one is learning colors, shapes, numbers, and letters. He loves to tell you he knows the letters or numbers on signs. Our older son likes to show what he knows too. So a single question about why the town might have erected that statue in front of the courthouse could lead to him telling you all about U.S. military history.
We are still going on field trips. They are a bit more informal than those we went on during the "school year." Instead of having a formal lesson and writing reflections about what was learned, I might read them a story or talk to them about what they might see or learn and then after the trip I encourage them to tell me about their favorite part and something that they learned on the field trip. The boys still have a great time and learn a lot from each trip.
Games are great. My oldest son loves to play board games. Kids actually learn a lot from games.
Even if you don't purchase a workbook or do mini-lessons with your child, just interacting with your children. Encouraging them to help you figure amounts at the grocery store, to talk to you about prior knowledge before reading a book or what they read about in the book, to play games as a family. All of the these things can foster those connections in the brain that keep the essential knowledge from getting buried deep in their brains. So, instead of spending a month or more reviewing, you can delve right into new, exciting material when you start lessons in the fall.
It is important for children to have some review through the summer. As a former teacher I can tell you that when the students returned to school in August, it was like they had lost a grade's worth of material through the summer. You always spent September, and sometimes part of October, reviewing material they should have already known. Since I homeschool a struggling learner, it is especially important that we try to keep what he learned for third grade fresh in his mind.
I purchased a Grade 3-4 "bridge"-book, a workbook that reviews concepts from the previous grade in preparation for the next grade. The one we have is published by Evan Moor. I like the books by this publisher. I'd used some of their materials when I was teaching in second grade. They can be great supplements to use in your lessons. The activities in the book are very short (15-20 minutes a day) and provide means for the child to self-monitor independent reading and to reflect on what they might have learned throughout the week. Each week's activities cover topics in reading comprehension, grammar, handwriting, math, problem solving, and geography.
I've also been encouraging my husband to randomly quiz both the boys on things that they learned last year. We try to not make it obtrusive. If we are at a store or read about something in a book that relates to something they've learned, then my husband or I will ask them a question about it. The little one is learning colors, shapes, numbers, and letters. He loves to tell you he knows the letters or numbers on signs. Our older son likes to show what he knows too. So a single question about why the town might have erected that statue in front of the courthouse could lead to him telling you all about U.S. military history.
We are still going on field trips. They are a bit more informal than those we went on during the "school year." Instead of having a formal lesson and writing reflections about what was learned, I might read them a story or talk to them about what they might see or learn and then after the trip I encourage them to tell me about their favorite part and something that they learned on the field trip. The boys still have a great time and learn a lot from each trip.
Games are great. My oldest son loves to play board games. Kids actually learn a lot from games.
Even if you don't purchase a workbook or do mini-lessons with your child, just interacting with your children. Encouraging them to help you figure amounts at the grocery store, to talk to you about prior knowledge before reading a book or what they read about in the book, to play games as a family. All of the these things can foster those connections in the brain that keep the essential knowledge from getting buried deep in their brains. So, instead of spending a month or more reviewing, you can delve right into new, exciting material when you start lessons in the fall.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Bug Box
This week we went to the Bug Box, a small insect museum, in Fredericksburg with our field trip group. The field trip was a hit with the kids and adults.
The museum is pretty small. It consists of about 1 1/2 rooms of displays organized into three sections--desert, forest, and aquatic habitats. Since our group was small (just 6 children this time) the kids got to help feed the lizards and turtles that are part of the exhibits.
As part of our educational program the kids got to touch a tarantula and hold Madagascan Hissing Cockroaches. Now my oldest is saving his allowance to buy cockroaches and supplies for their terrarium. (At least he's not asking to get a bird for the moment. I'm super scared of birds!) The program focused on insects being an integral part of ecosystems that humans need to respect.
After our museum visit, we went to Loriella Park just outside of Fredericksburg. That was great. There was a play structure, but the real highlight was the paths through the woods. They boys started off searching for cockroaches. They found centipedes, beetles, a turtle, a salamander, mushrooms, lichens--no cockroaches, though. A small stream runs across the path we took and the paths were steep. Some of our party didn't have very good shoes for hiking through the mud and loose dirt (something to keep in mind for next time). There is also a path through a meadow, but we didn't have time to explore that option.
My boys and I enjoyed the trip. The only problem was the lack of follow through in our group. The cost to just tour the exhibits at the Bug Box is $2 per person or you can pay a flat fee to have an educational program for up to 25 people. I arranged for the educational program because all but one family in our group originally said they liked the idea of going. In the end only three families attended the field trip; there were only 10 of us in the entire group. The presentation was good, but with so few of the field trip group families participating it ended up being rather costly for those of us who did attend.
www.bugbox.net
The museum is pretty small. It consists of about 1 1/2 rooms of displays organized into three sections--desert, forest, and aquatic habitats. Since our group was small (just 6 children this time) the kids got to help feed the lizards and turtles that are part of the exhibits.
As part of our educational program the kids got to touch a tarantula and hold Madagascan Hissing Cockroaches. Now my oldest is saving his allowance to buy cockroaches and supplies for their terrarium. (At least he's not asking to get a bird for the moment. I'm super scared of birds!) The program focused on insects being an integral part of ecosystems that humans need to respect.
After our museum visit, we went to Loriella Park just outside of Fredericksburg. That was great. There was a play structure, but the real highlight was the paths through the woods. They boys started off searching for cockroaches. They found centipedes, beetles, a turtle, a salamander, mushrooms, lichens--no cockroaches, though. A small stream runs across the path we took and the paths were steep. Some of our party didn't have very good shoes for hiking through the mud and loose dirt (something to keep in mind for next time). There is also a path through a meadow, but we didn't have time to explore that option.
My boys and I enjoyed the trip. The only problem was the lack of follow through in our group. The cost to just tour the exhibits at the Bug Box is $2 per person or you can pay a flat fee to have an educational program for up to 25 people. I arranged for the educational program because all but one family in our group originally said they liked the idea of going. In the end only three families attended the field trip; there were only 10 of us in the entire group. The presentation was good, but with so few of the field trip group families participating it ended up being rather costly for those of us who did attend.
www.bugbox.net
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Reflections on Our First Year Homeschooling
My third grader just completed his "progress" test required by the state. And, now I feel like it is time to reflect on how our first year has gone.
First I want to say that I am so glad I decided to homeschool. It isn't always easy. There have definitely been days when I think, "What in the world am I doing? Why did I leave my job to stay home with these ungrateful children? " But those days have become fewer and farther between as the year has progressed. And, when I reflected on it, I realized my children aren't ungrateful--they are children. I also realized that my thoughts were actually selfish and unkind. Everyday I get to see them growing and discovering new things about themselves and about the world around them. I've concluded that I am truly lucky to have this opportunity!
I definitely feel like I need to be more organized. As I am going through his paperwork, trying to make sure I have a portfolio with a good representation of materials that show what we've done this year, I keep finding stuff that I'd wanted to do, but didn't get around to doing. I think the reason for this is wasn't lack of time--it was my lack of organization.
Another thing I would like to do next year is more cross-curricular projects. (Any ideas, let me know!) One of his weak areas is capitalization and punctuation. I hope that I can incorporate some fun writing activities into the cross-curricular units. And try to teach grammar and usage in an applied manner. He seems to be really turned off by traditional grammar lessons, so I definitely need to find a different way to teach this.
For math this year I relied a lot on worksheets. Next year I am going to use a math text book. Toward the end of the year I found a really old math text and started using it to do some review assignments. Copying the problems from the book and then solving them actually seemed to help him pay attention to the signs and how the numbers line up. (I used to do a lot of math tutoring and even taught math for a little while. I am a stickler for neatness in math!)
Another big change for next year is how I handle my younger son's schooling. Last year he was 3 for most of the year, so we did stuff when he was interested. I wasn't very structured with what he was doing. Next year he will actually be 4 (pre-school age). I want to organize lessons for him, while respecting that he is still a little boy. I think he is ready to begin more structured lessons. About a week before he turned 4, he told me, "When I turn 4 I will do school like brubber."
I truly believe that kids are natural learners. They will absorb stuff they find interesting like sponges. As I am making plans for next year I want to remember that one of the reasons I decided to homeschool is as a teacher and a parent I saw daily how traditional school turns kids off from learning. I did not want my eager, inquisitive young children to become the apathetic, indolent students I taught in high school. So, I will try to be careful as I (with my adult mentality and perceptions) look at activities and lesson ideas and think well that is "very interesting (to me)." I will also think is it fun, can I make it fun for the boys, is there a more engaging way I can do this with the boys.
First I want to say that I am so glad I decided to homeschool. It isn't always easy. There have definitely been days when I think, "What in the world am I doing? Why did I leave my job to stay home with these ungrateful children? " But those days have become fewer and farther between as the year has progressed. And, when I reflected on it, I realized my children aren't ungrateful--they are children. I also realized that my thoughts were actually selfish and unkind. Everyday I get to see them growing and discovering new things about themselves and about the world around them. I've concluded that I am truly lucky to have this opportunity!
I definitely feel like I need to be more organized. As I am going through his paperwork, trying to make sure I have a portfolio with a good representation of materials that show what we've done this year, I keep finding stuff that I'd wanted to do, but didn't get around to doing. I think the reason for this is wasn't lack of time--it was my lack of organization.
Another thing I would like to do next year is more cross-curricular projects. (Any ideas, let me know!) One of his weak areas is capitalization and punctuation. I hope that I can incorporate some fun writing activities into the cross-curricular units. And try to teach grammar and usage in an applied manner. He seems to be really turned off by traditional grammar lessons, so I definitely need to find a different way to teach this.
For math this year I relied a lot on worksheets. Next year I am going to use a math text book. Toward the end of the year I found a really old math text and started using it to do some review assignments. Copying the problems from the book and then solving them actually seemed to help him pay attention to the signs and how the numbers line up. (I used to do a lot of math tutoring and even taught math for a little while. I am a stickler for neatness in math!)
Another big change for next year is how I handle my younger son's schooling. Last year he was 3 for most of the year, so we did stuff when he was interested. I wasn't very structured with what he was doing. Next year he will actually be 4 (pre-school age). I want to organize lessons for him, while respecting that he is still a little boy. I think he is ready to begin more structured lessons. About a week before he turned 4, he told me, "When I turn 4 I will do school like brubber."
I truly believe that kids are natural learners. They will absorb stuff they find interesting like sponges. As I am making plans for next year I want to remember that one of the reasons I decided to homeschool is as a teacher and a parent I saw daily how traditional school turns kids off from learning. I did not want my eager, inquisitive young children to become the apathetic, indolent students I taught in high school. So, I will try to be careful as I (with my adult mentality and perceptions) look at activities and lesson ideas and think well that is "very interesting (to me)." I will also think is it fun, can I make it fun for the boys, is there a more engaging way I can do this with the boys.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Hawksbill Greenway
Today we loaded up the bikes and went to a wonderful park in Luray, VA. It is called the Hawksbill Greenway. It runs along Hawksbill Creek in Luray. We met some of the families from our field trip group there. We rode bikes around the first loop. (There is a cow pasture in the middle of the loop, which was neat. Right now there are a few calves. But, no touching. The enclosure is surrounded by an electric fence.) Everyone walked along the creek and looked at the signs that showed the water level was high because of all the rain we'd had lately. One of the boys had brought a net and the kids took turns dipping the net in the creek. They even caught a little fish, which they did release. The kids collected caterpillars off the paths (so noone would step on them). We looked at gypsy moth nests and talked about how destructive some types of insects can be. Even a fun time at the park can be educational. But just as important, we all got to exercize.
Exercise!
When my son was in public school, I was concerned and frustrated by the lack of physical activity the children received. With all the media attention given to childhood obesity in the United States, you would think schools (where the majority of children spend the greater part of the daylight hours) would be doing more to get children physically active. Yes, reading and math are important, but you aren't going to develop diabetes or heart disease if you don't do them for hours on end 5 days a week. Where as lack of physical activity does lead to major health problems that will follow you through the rest of your life.
Children also need to release energy. To have children (especially boys) sitting in desks for hours really isn't natural. However, elementary classes have gone from having physical education class every school day to only having p.e. 2-3 times each week. (It saves the school system from having to pay for multiple p.e. teachers.) In addition recess is given at the teachers' discretion. Teacher has to get paperwork done, students need to review material for an upcoming standardized test, then no outdoor recess.
Ok, now that I've had my rant. One thing I love about homeschooling is the amount of time we can spend outside, being active (or not)! We have science lessons outside, where the kids can really experience the things we've read about in books. We do social studies demonstrations. We spread out on the patio to do big, messy art projects. We can just sit outside and read. It is great!
In addition to playing, we also participate in sports. My oldest son plays soccer with the local soccer association. He plays in the spring and fall. My sister (who also homeschools her two children) takes her kids to an informal soccer clinic for homeschoolers once a week. My oldest son also takes karate classes. (J has been doing soccer and karate since he was 5. E is eagerly awaiting the time when he will be old enough to join "brubber.")
Children also need to release energy. To have children (especially boys) sitting in desks for hours really isn't natural. However, elementary classes have gone from having physical education class every school day to only having p.e. 2-3 times each week. (It saves the school system from having to pay for multiple p.e. teachers.) In addition recess is given at the teachers' discretion. Teacher has to get paperwork done, students need to review material for an upcoming standardized test, then no outdoor recess.
Ok, now that I've had my rant. One thing I love about homeschooling is the amount of time we can spend outside, being active (or not)! We have science lessons outside, where the kids can really experience the things we've read about in books. We do social studies demonstrations. We spread out on the patio to do big, messy art projects. We can just sit outside and read. It is great!
In addition to playing, we also participate in sports. My oldest son plays soccer with the local soccer association. He plays in the spring and fall. My sister (who also homeschools her two children) takes her kids to an informal soccer clinic for homeschoolers once a week. My oldest son also takes karate classes. (J has been doing soccer and karate since he was 5. E is eagerly awaiting the time when he will be old enough to join "brubber.")
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