The Hunt is On!

I like adventure! I have been known to make my own adventures out of the simplest of things or events! Sometimes those end up being more exhausting than exhilarating, but they were adventures just the same!

So, now my quest is for curriculum. Oh, I know I could go the easy way out and just get a whole series that encompasses ALL topics in one big bundle. But, first of all, those tend to be expensive, or...boring!...or BOTH! Besides, one of the advantages of homeschooling is the ability to customize the learning to fit the needs and interests of the child. Handsome is not a child with few interests, nor one that would be satisfied with mundane curriculum...And neither am I!!

So, the hunt in on! It began when I made a simple pnone call to a long-time friend who homeschooled her two kids into high school. Where, or where, is that TEACHING Tools store on the west side? Apparently...on the EAST side! But the conversation led to my discovering that there would be a curriculm fair at a college on the east side on a Saturday that I could actually accommodate!

And find, I did! A much desired Science Book was available for about a third (or less) of the price of new. This one is used, true, but absolutely no markings of any kind, or much signs of usage, other than the luster of the outside cover is waning! Wow! Great find! One down!

I continued on and found the History/Geography book of choice. (I had made a list from previous experiences and online resources coupled with advice from more experienced homeschoolers.) A few marking, yes, but in pencil and easily erasable! That one was about 1/5 of the online price! The map skills book was not found, so I can still be a seeker! And I got two reader books about the historical topics related to the text book! Two down!

I also found most of the Language Arts/Reading materials that we will need. I tend to supplement those with my own worksheets or some from other resources along the way anyway. Those were a total of about 10% of the retail price! Three down!

I found a wonderful big book about the human body with full color pictures and cool explanations! What a great buy! And there was a book of puzzles of all the continents! Handsome loves puzzles! A great way to sneak in extra geography!

And, for incentives, I have been having a "bean jar" where Handsome earns beans for every subject daily which he then "cashes" in to "buy" a prize. He has really scored this year! From a jr size wheelbarrow, a gears marble game, a legos crane, to smaller things like games, and whoopie cushions, he has earned quite a lot of loot. At the beginning of the school year, he got an Air Hog pressure engine airplane that I had gotten at a yard sale a very long time ago! He loved it, but alas! It finally crashed one too many times! And I have been unable to find any online or at yard sales. But, there were TWO at this curriculum sale, still new in the box! Unfortunately, I didn't notice immediately, and one got away...the smaller one just like he had had before! But, I was able to get the twin-engine one for only a few bucks more than the lady in front of me paid for the smaller one! Yippee! Handsome will be so excited...but that is a summer secret!

Well, I still am hunting for the math curriculum that we like. And the health book. And an additional Science kit...along with books about art and artists, music, and computers! And, yes, that map skills book too!

All this hunting gives me plenty of ammunition for "needing" to go to yard sales and such. And the online hunt is fun too! Ebay, here we come!

The End of a Journey

All good things must come to an end. At least that is what they tell me! And so, our saltwater aquarium days have finally ended. We lost the fish! Then we lost the snails! And finally, Mr. Crab succumbed to the perils of my lack of knowledge! So, Handsome has decided not to pursue this any further. We considered raising tadpoles into frogs. But, I think we have decided to just move on. Our Science topic of choice (supplemented with many others) for the upcoming school year is Botany. Perhaps we will have better success with a terrarium! I do have a garden and Handsome has some plants...hm... I will post pictures of our aquarium efforts as soon as I find the cord to the camera! It DID move with us, I KNOW! But it is hiding somewhere! Come out! Come out, wherever you are!

Jumping for Joy

Wow! School is out! I should be jumping for joy...if I was a real teacher...you know, one of those in public school, who gets at least a semi-vacation. I AM jumping for joy, but not for vacation. I have new plans for the summer, including some summer school moments, outings, and crafts.

I went to a curriculum fair yesterday and found some of our desired curriculum at really good prices. We have the bulk of Science, Reading and Language arts, and History/Geography under control. Now I need to find the math books and one health book,a map skills book, and some fine arts books...found them online...just looking for even cheaper! Bargain hunting is not only a hobby of mine, but it makes me feel good about myself! It makes me jump for joy!

But, where has the year gone? It seems only yesterday that I was devising strategies to motivate an eight year old. I was preparing Science projects and lessons for a series now completed. It seems like just a few short moments ago, I was reciting the mulitplication tables, spelling rules, and parts of speech. Now we have moved on. Oh, I will be reciting those things again, along with others, but there will be new dimensions, and topics, and information.

In the mean time, I have three little minds to care for all summer...well, most of it anyway. They have a trip planned to see the other grandparents for a week, and I must take some time to assist in the miraculous process of seeing my newest grandchild born. She is due towards the end of July. My, how time flies!

There have been days when the year seemed to drag on as well; days when I thought we would never get through certain topics or exercises. Girlfriend had her moments; especially during the potty-training days. Handsome had his struggles like any other child; voicing his opinions of topics he would rather not attempt. But he can ask the most marvelous questions in topics of interest. He has been the reason for many side tracks onto the computer to find an answer to a fantastic question beyond my present knowledge. He keeps me learning and researching...more stuff that makes me jump for joy.

And the days when Girlfriend did not want to take a nap, but her own body betrayed her desire. She begged me to lie down with her. Then she hooked her arm into mine, cuddled up and with her beaming smile said, "You're my faaavorite gramma!" Nothing melts my heart more. Now, I realize that she may have been hoping for a nap reprieve, but I also know she does love me and was so precious in trying to express it. Moments like that make this job worth everything!

And now I will have privilege of having Hunky in my care as well. Keeping him busy after his great Kindergarten year in public school, will, no doubt, be challenging!
But he's my funny man! And he wants to learn. So, we will have a great summer!

Yes, it would be nice to have the summer off like "real" teachers do, but what would I do with myself? And where would I get those cuddles and questions? The more I think about it, the less a summer off sounds good. After, all, my grandchildren are what really makes me jump for joy! And the summer affords me the opportunity to see TDH and Jommo, too, perhaps quite frequently...and little Mr. Boo, too! They are all growing up too fast!

With all the jumping for joy I have to do this summer, perhaps I can lose a little more weight!

The Great Escape

Somewhere, out there is Lizardland, there is a large lizard...using the term "large" witth reference to the "type" of lizard he is. I say "he" because of the size and the adventurous spirit. He may well be a grandfather lizard, currently sharing his tales of adventure with his grandchildren.

Speaking of grandchildren, that is where this adventure begins. With MY grandchildren who discovered this lizard in their backyard. As boys do, they chased the poor creature until he ran between the sliding patio door and the screen. There he waited, panting, and scared, I suppose, wishing the boys would go back inside.

Hunky squealed with delight and shouted "There he is! There he is!" I, in my ignorance of the lizard's plight, opened the door. Hunky screamed "Grandma! You're gonna kill him!" Once I learned of the situation, I gently pulled the screen back a bit. The lizard scampered away as fast as he could go. (And that was pretty fast!) The boys chased after him, only to discover he was hiding under the barbeque. We discovered this by noting his tail protruding from beneath the barbeque!

Believe it or not, the patience of the lizard withstood the curiousity of the boys, and they finally gave up staring at the barbeque. Eventually, they came inside and the lizard dashed off to tell his tale...dragging his tail behind him! (I had to put that in!)

And so goes the ongoing saga of lizard life in the desert! I do wish saltwater fish faired as well! That's another story for another day!

Two New Neighbors for our Sea World

Well, we finally did it! After thoroughly cleaning the tank, we successfully got a clean report on our saltwater aquarium. Even the nitrates are right! Wow! And I didn't even have to add the clams...

So, now we have two new tenants. Both are damsel fish. The store was out of blue damsels, and Handsome did not want to wait til Monday...so...we have one black and white striped damsel, and one black with two white spots. They are supposed to be compatible so we will see! I will post pictures soon...I promise. Anyway, the striped one seems to be brave and is checking out its new environment, while the other one is hiding behind the filter sponge. It is not stuck...just easily frightened. Hopefully, they will survive and be content. Eventually we hope to add one clown fish...and that will complete our community. We have a snail still, and a baby snail...and at least one crab. All these are survivors of original purchase!

Handsome is also growing tomatoes! He is a natural care-giver when it comes to plants and animals! He is so excited that he has green tomatoes on his vine. Me, well, I already knocked one off of my biggest plant...oh well!

Pictures will be coming of our tank...and maybe the garden and some others too...hurry back!

Sometimes I wonder...

My mother used to respond whenever I would say, "I was wondering", by commenting, "While you are wandering, don't get lost!" She was trying to be funny. Which, actually, for her, was an accomplishment. She rarely was funny or even tried to be. So, really, that is a fond memory.

But I have spent a lot of time "wondering" about a lot of things. I do enjoy learning. Learning with Handsome is especially fun and rewarding. I like to spend time at the library, museums, and other educational venues. I think sometimes that I am learning as much as Handsome is, only perhaps, different details!

However, I still wonder if I am doing a good job. When I look at the public school curriculum, part of me thinks we are doing wonderfully. Another part of me starts to panic and feel as though I am not an adequate teacher. I know Handsome gets the benefits of one-on-one instruction. He gets the privilege of museums and community programs such as the Science Center and libraries offer for home schooled children. He gets to do many more "hands-on" types of learning activities than could be handled in a classroom full of inquisitive kids. And he gets to choose some of the Science topics. Few classrooms would hassle the saltwater aquarium, for instance. And then we have our ocean room full of stuffed whales, walruses, sharks, etc, along with real shells and star fish and sea horses. And then we have plastic lobsters and crabs, squid and octopuses!

He gets to experience music and art and history in the form of "hands-on" activities and videos, etc.

Yet, when Hunky comes home from kindergarten and spells "symmetry" (a word Handsome just had in math) and tells me he learned it in art in KINDERGARTEN...I feel the panic rising. Yet, at the same time, the neighbor girl in third grade just finished learning her multiplication table, which is one thing we are almost done with in second grade! Handsome also has algebraic and geometrical problems in his math book that they have not yet covered. And he has started cursive, although we have not emphasized it. Public school starts that in mid third grade here.

So, you see...I am wondering...am I on the right track? I love the Science we do! He does too! And he likes math. (I know that to be my weakness) But...it seems to me that the public system pushes reading and spelling more than I have been able to. I spend a lot of time trying to find the right methods, motivators, and inspiring, interesting books...and trying to compete with the system. I wonder still... Am I doing this right?

Am I the best teacher I can be? And, if so, is that good enough?

My sister (who spent years as a public school teacher and still substitutes in CA) tells me that most teachers, if not all, feel this way from time to time. But they were completely trained as teachers. I was trained in Christian Education, somewhat more administrative, and in geriatric behavioral and social (quality of life,etc) topics. I spent time learning about Alzheimer's and arthritis, macular degeneration, and dementia...about physical therapy and care plans. I wonder...am I good enough? Teaching is such an important calling...and I certainly don't want to get lost!

A Fish Tale

Yes, the saltwater fish all died. So we have a goldfish...actually three goldfish! And we still have Mr. Hermit Crab and Sea Snail roaming through the tank. PetCO has tested our water three times now and seem to find something new and different every time. I don't doubt their credibility...I am at a loss to fix the problems. I have been able to maintain a proper salinity level in spite of a broken hydrometer. But the nitrates go up and down, along with other chemicals. Well, we are now down to nitrates...and they tell me a possible fix is clams! I must go to an Asian market(or a saltwater specialty store)and find live clams and put them in the tank. I inquired if our snail would not devour them, and was told most likely not since he has plenty to eat in the tank. And even he if did manage to eat one, if I put a dozen in they will likely eat up all the nitrate issues quickly and escape his appetite.

Next question: What do I do with the clams when the nitrate is all in balance? I don't particularly want yet another species to care for!

In the meantime, we have the goldfish. They are in three separate containers. One on the kitchen island downstairs. One in Handsome's bedroom, and one downstairs on another counter. Each being cared for by a different child. Of course, Girlfriend needs some extra help!

So, moving on in the Ocean studies...we collected, via actual trips to the Ocean, and yard sales, a nice variety of shells. We even have a cowry! Yes, we have clams and scallops and mussels. We have oysters and wentletraps and cone shells. We have winkles and possibly a slipper shell. Some are not so easy to identify, being the novices we are. But Handsome did his report on them and glued some into a box and labeled the ones we could figure out. We do have one we entitiled "Mystery shell". We have some clams that obviously fell prey to snails and have the holes in their shells to prove it. Those nasty radulas!

And Handsome has a 10 year old clam, age-identified by the clearly marked rings on his shell. We also have some real sea horses and sea stars! Quite the collection. We have decided that the shells are MUCH easier to care for and quite interesting and pretty! Perhpas we shall concentrate more on these!

For any of you desiring to study the Sea...when you reach the chapters on the shells...there is a wonderful children's fictional book called "Island Eyes" by Laney Lee. It is a whimsical saga of a King's Crown shell that begins with his original animal and continues with a hermit crab taking him on adventure after adventure...we don't know where it ends, as we haven't finished it yet. It is like a novelette for kids, but reinforces the facts about the life of a shell of the sea. I recommend it! Even Girlfriend will sit through a chapter, if I flex my voices with the various characters he encounters. The hermit crab, Maggie, makes it a nice mix of male and female fun as well! Hope you can enjoy it some day!

So, we shall continue on. This next week we will learn about sponges and sea stars and sea anemones...and more! This IS quite an adventure, even with the fish and crab, and snail, and...clams...