Telephone Rules for Homeschools
Posted on January 27, 2010
Filed Under Homeschool, Learning Lifestyle | 3 Comments
What’s worse than a day when no one feels like doing school, but you have to do it anyway? I always felt it was much worse to be in the middle of a great school school day, with everyone engaged in lessons, then having the whole thing interrupted by a phone call that pulls you away and creates distraction for your children. When that happens, it’s likely that you never get back into the flow for that day. This doesn’t have to happen, though.
One of the best things I ever did for our homeschool and learning lifestyle was to create a telephone policy. By setting a few simple boundaries, I eliminated an enormous source of potential distraction and frustration, and noticeably increased our number of great school days. Now that the boys are grown, I still follow these guidelines during my writing and business time.
My rules were tailored for our life and preferences– yours may be different. Whatever boundaries you choose, I recommend setting at least a few. You’ll be amazed at how much more you can get done, and how much more fun it will be!
My Telephone Policy
- Answer no calls during school time–we have voice mail for a reason. An answering machine is not as good as voice mail because you can still hear the message and be distracted.
- Make all outgoing phone calls at one time after school.
- Encourage week-day social contact via e-mail rather than by phone (much quieter and more convenient).
- Let family and friends know that you don’t answer calls during school time. I did qualify this by giving them an alternate means of reaching me (text message to my cell phone) if there was a 911-worthy emergency, and I always answer calls from my husband and my grandmother.
- Any call to my personal number that is from an unknown source goes to voicemail (where it is usually discovered to be a telemarketer if anyone ever checks the messages).
In what may seem the most curmudgeonly rule of all, I advocate turning off your cell phone ringer when you’re on a field trip or special outing with your family. Few things are more rude than ignoring the people you’re with in order to talk on the phone, and I always wanted my boys to know they mattered to me. I also wanted to help us all to be present in the moment and learn from where we were and who we were with. Family time is family time; school time is school time; and social time is social time. It’s rarely beneficial to mix them, as something or someone will get shortchanged.
If you are a caregiver, you’ll have to be somewhat accessible, but other than that, try not to let yourself to be controlled by the phone. It’s a major time-waster, and can ruin a perfectly good school day in no time. If you’re firm, friends and family will grow accustomed to your eccentricity (and if they don’t, you’ll develop a remarkable tolerance for ringing;-)). Calls can be returned or answered after school or in the evening, which is usually soon enough. Very few calls are urgent or time-sensitive, so an occasional phone check should be all you need.
Homeschooling means not only teaching the 3R’s, but also modeling good habits for your children. Learning to set boundaries and to create time and space for priorities is something that every adult needs to know. The phone is often the last life-disrupter to be banished, but when it is, I believe you’ll find yourself and your children much more creative and productive. I hope you’ll try it!
Learning: Mind-Numbing or Mind-Nourishing?
Posted on January 12, 2010
Filed Under Homeschool, Inspiration, Learning Lifestyle | 1 Comment
Robinson Crusoe reading
We’ve been finished with our homeschool journey for some time now, but learning is still happening for all of us, and that makes me happy. I’ve been thinking about learning and what makes it stick, what brings it to life, and why some students enjoy it more than others. Here are a few thoughts…
Can you remember the last time you or your student was excited about learning? One of the things I enjoy most about having grown sons is the fact that they are continuing to learn through reading and listening, and are excited about it. One of them will often track me down to tell me all about the book he’s reading or listening to, and we often have conversations that range across the spectrum of knowledge.
Within the last couple of weeks, I’ve enjoyed a discussion of C.S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity with one of the boys, and had several interesting conversations about a lengthy series of essays by Ayn Rand with another son. They begin the discussions, and I’m usually delighted–though I don’t necessarily agree with everything– at the interesting ideas they bring to the table. I’ve decided that it really does pay to raise your own conversational companions;-)!
As I think back to my own school days, I remember both mind-numbing tedium and mind-nourishing reading. I believe I learned more from the reading I did (mostly in books of my own choosing), than from many of the stale, dry lessons I was expected to memorize and regurgitate. When my boys recall our homeschooling days, they talk about things we read or made, or places we went, and they understand that those were learning experiences, even when they were the most fun thing we’d done all week.
The Gift of Time
As homeschoolers, we were fairly relaxed. We did a lot of reading, less writing than we should have, listened to audio resources, traveled when possible, played games, and had interesting conversations. Most of all, I gave them the gift of time. Time to find out what was interesting to them. Time to learn skills that weren’t on any “state requirements” list. Time to be boys in the woods with sticks and forts.
The boys each went into college wondering how they would measure up against students from traditional school systems. It didn’t take them long to find out that they measured up. They discovered that they knew how to learn and how to be good students. Most of all, they hadn’t lost their taste for learning and growth. To be sure, there were subjects that were none too interesting and professors who droned, but overall, their minds hadn’t been numbed by an unending stream of busywork, and they were able to approach learning with the expectation of mental nourishment and life enrichment. I’m glad we homeschooled, and I’d do it over again. How about you?
World Literature is Here!
Posted on December 31, 2009
Filed Under Homeschool, Teaching Literature | Leave a Comment
World Literature (English 5)
It took longer than I thought, but World Literature– the English 5 level of the Excellence in Literature: Reading and Writing Through the Classics curriculum is finally here!
You can see it, read all about it, and order it on the World Literature page.
- Unit 1: The Odyssey by Homer
- Unit 2: Antigone by Sophocles
- Unit 3: The Aeneid by Virgil
- Unit 4: Inferno by Dante Alighieri
- Unit 5: Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
- Unit 6: Les Miserables by Victor Hugo 67
- Unit 7: 19th-Century Russian Reader: Selections by Pushkin, Dostoyevsky, et al.
- Unit 8: Faust by Johann Wolfgang Goethe
- Unit 9: Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen
$29
Literature and Composition, the English 2 level of Excellence in Literature is next. I hope to have it ready for you in just a couple of weeks if all goes well. The end is in sight!
Thankful Thoughts on Freedom, England, Homeschool, and Writing
Posted on December 8, 2009
Filed Under Homeschool, Observations, Teaching Writing | 6 Comments
Dear Readers,
I sometimes come upon a thought so well expressed that I just have to share it! Today’s guest post is the editor’s letter from the Writing-World.com newsletter, and it’s reprinted here with the kind permission of the author, Moira Allen.
This Thanksgiving, my husband and I were deeply aware of the many things we have to be thankful for — chief among them being the fact that we are once again living in the United States. As most of you know, we spent 15 months in England, pursuing (but not precisely living) a lifelong dream. Those 15 months made us appreciate so many things that, as Americans, we take for granted.
Freedom, for example. One thing I’ve always taken for granted is
that if a civil authority (e.g., the police) wishes to enter my
home, a warrant is required to do so, issued by a judge and only on
presentation of “just cause.” Not so in England! Any number of
“civil authorities,” including social workers, council
representatives, “wheelie bin police,” and quite possibly the
vegetable seller down the street can legally enter one’s home for
any number of reasons (including things like whether you’re
importing an illegal variety of potato — which admittedly wasn’t
something we worried about overmuch).
The latest furor, however, has arisen over a proposal to allow
authorities to enter the homes of parents who are home-schooling
their children, to “inspect” the premises and ensure that they are
“safe” for this very “vulnerable” segment of the population.
(Apparently a child is considered unsafe in the home only during
“school” hours, as there has been no proposal to invade the homes
of parents who send their children off to a public or private
school.) But it gets even better; now the British government has
proposed to require any parent who wishes to home-school a child to
undergo a criminal records check, to ensure that the parent has “no
record of violence against children.” (Again, evidently only
parents who choose to teach their own children are considered
potential child abusers; just HAVING a child isn’t enough to arouse
official suspicion… yet.) Oh, and by the way, the parent has to
pay for a criminal records check, to the tune of approximately $300
(last time I looked; it may have gone up by now) — imagine paying
your government just to prove you have the right to educate your
own child!
Did I mention that our beloved newsletter editor home-schools her
daughter? Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we have a potential criminal
on our staff, one who has already flagrantly defied the law of the
land by swapping child-care with a friend. (Yup, this is illegal in
England, because friends who swap child-care are receiving a
“benefit” for offering such care — that benefit being getting
their OWN child cared for in return — and they are therefore
operating a “business” without a license. Presumably, too, it’s
illegal to watch your friend’s child without undergoing a criminal
background check — because ANYONE who is involved in any sort of
business or volunteer activity that might get them within 100 yards
of a child must have one!)
So, looking backward, I am thankful beyond words that I live in
this country, which has such interesting little things as a
Constitution and a Bill of Rights. But what, you may be wondering,
does this have to do with WRITING? Well, a lot, if you think about
it.
Because writing is, at the most fundamental level, about freedom.
Countries that wish to restrict the freedoms of its citizens
invariably get around to restricting the freedoms of writers. One
of those things that I DO take for granted is the freedom to write
what I want, without fear of having someone knocking on my door
late at night — or worse, without the fear that someone has a
right not only to knock but to enter, without a warrant or anything
resembling “just cause.”
Governments that don’t like freedom don’t like writers — because
writers have this nasty tendency to tell the world all about what
their governments are doing. Frankly, I sometimes get tired of our
press complaining nonstop about our government — but I will never
get tired of the fact that the press CAN complain!
There is no power on earth as important as the freedom to be able
to say, and write, whatever you wish. There is no gift so great
for writers to celebrate in this holiday season as the freedom that
we have, at least in this country, to WRITE. That freedom means
that we have the power to speak up about things that we don’t like
– and the power to demand and make changes to the world in which
we live. It is the gift that makes the difference between being
“citizens” rather than “subjects.” Many of us may never feel the
need to exercise the full power of this gift, but we should never
forget that we have it. And we should also never forget those who
don’t.
It’s also something that we can pass on. Whenever you help someone
develop their writing skills — whether it’s your own child, or a
total stranger that you’ve met through an Internet writers’ group
– you’re passing on more than just the ability to craft a better
sentence. You’re passing on a gift of freedom.
Moira Allen is the editor of Writing World newsletter, and the manager of the enormous Writing-World.com website. She’s provided a valuable resource to writers for many years, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to reprint her thoughts here.
Houseplants and Homeschools and Normal Homeschool Moms
Posted on December 2, 2009
Filed Under Inspiration, Learning Lifestyle | 3 Comments
It’s only December and the geraniums are pouting, the mandevillas are climbing everything they can reach, and the hibiscus persists in drooping. If I hadn’t left the begonia on the front porch too long, it would be shedding leaves and blossoms everywhere. How does this happen to me every year?
As I made my rounds with the watering can, I realized that my lament sounded an awful lot like some of what I used to think about homeschooling. Right about the time the weather turned cold, the new had worn off the lesson plans, all the interesting books had been read, and all that was left was squirming and math, not necessarily in that order.
How long does it take to reach that “whose bright idea was this anyway” point in your homeschool year? If you’re a first-year homeschooler, you may feel a bit alarmed when it happens. You may even feel like a “bad” homeschooler. I know I did, but that was only until I realized it was happening every year, and every other homeschooler I met seemed to be having similar thoughts.
For what it’s worth, it’s normal to have these moments. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed on some days, and it’s normal to wish for peace and quiet. Here are a few things you can do to make “normal” bearable:
Establish daily quiet time for everyone in the family. Give each person a different room or special spot, and let them do any activity that is noiseless, such as reading, building with blocks or other construction toys, writing, drawing, listening to a story with headphone. The rule is that they must have gathered any necessary objects before QT, and they must not leave their spot once QT begins.
Try a different school schedule than usual. I have a few alternatives listed in this post.
Teach a creative handcraft such as crochet, knitting, drawing, carving, calligraphy, or anything else that’s quiet and creative. If you don’t know any, find someone or a video to teach you, and learn along with your children. Creativity helps brains develop and helps to relieve stress.
Try to do writing assignments using content from other subjects. For example, rather than assigning a paper to practice the essay format and also assigning a history report, assign an essay on an appropriate history topic. This is usually much more valuable to the child, and it condenses the learning day to a more manageable length. (Charlotte Mason advocated SHORT lessons, and she was right.)
If you’re planning for the holidays, start incorporating bits of the planning into the school day. Let the children help with baking and gift wrapping or whatever other duties arise in connection with the celebration. They learn from all of it, and you can make good memories in the process.
Take a complete break between semesters. If everyone is weary of school before the break, it doesn’t make sense to drag it into the time that is supposed to refresh their minds. You need a break as well.
Remind yourself why you’re homeschooling. Read a few good books on the subject, and learn how others have done it, and refresh yourself with new ideas.
Finally, remember that “the sweetness of lips increases learning” (Proverbs 16:21). Learn to work with your own body’s cycles of energy, and get as much rest and good nutrition as possible so that you can be sweet with your children. What you do every day doesn’t matter nearly as much as how you make them feel. I wanted my children to know, feel, and believe that I loved them unconditionally, because I believe it helps them understand how the Lord can love them, even when they aren’t perfect.
I get tired of taking care of houseplants during the winter, but I enjoy the blossoms and the green leaves when it’s grey and dreary outside. That’s the reason I find myself, watering can in hand, almost every winter, wondering why I do this. The answer has always been, “Because it’s worth it in the long run.” And that’s the same answer I’d give about homeschooling. I’m very, very thankful we were able to complete the journey, and I hope you’ll be able to complete it as well.
Wishing You A Joyous Thanksgiving- Here’s a Recipe and a Sale!
Posted on November 25, 2009
Filed Under Home & Garden, News | Leave a Comment
We wish you and your family a joyous and blessed Thanksgiving. Click on the postcard to visit the big Thanksgiving Sale!
I sent out the relish recipe in the newsletter and thought I’d post it here as well. One of our readers in Malaysia reminded me that they have no cranberries there. I sometimes forget that even small things such as cranberries can be a cause for giving thanks! There are doubtless some lovely tropical fruits in Malaysia with which to create a lovely salad or dessert. I hope to visit and find out some day! Read more
Veteran’s Day 2009- Thoughts on Liberty
Posted on November 11, 2009
Filed Under Inspiration | 1 Comment
On this Veteran’s Day, I’m thankful for those who have borne the burden of preserving the freedoms we enjoy. We have an amazing heritage! Here are a few of my favorite quotes on the subject.
Benjamin Franklin
“They that can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
Abraham Lincoln
“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter, and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” Read more
Carnival of Homeschooling- The NaNoWriMo Edition
Posted on November 10, 2009
Filed Under Early College, Home Business, Homeschool, Inspiration, Learning Lifestyle, Observations, Organization / Time Management, Reading, Records & Transcripts, Reviews, Teaching Writing, Writing | 12 Comments
Preface
Don't miss our Thanksgiving Sale!
Welcome to this hundred-and-umpteenth Carnival of Homeschooling! Because November is National Novel Writing Month (also known as NaNoWriMo or nano), and I’m over 10,000 words into the writing process (and can’t think of anything but writing, writing, and more writing), I thought it would be appropriate to format this Carnival as sections of a book. I even consulted the Chicago Manual of Style for an authoritative list of book parts!
Introduction
For me, homeschooling is first and foremost a heart matter. In Mangled Schedules and Grateful Hearts, an article I wrote for Home School Enrichment magazine, you can read how a father’s presence and influence can shape a family school. Enjoy! Read more
Everyday Education is Undergoing Maintenance-All Fine!
Posted on November 4, 2009
Filed Under News | Leave a Comment
Update: The website is back up, and as far as I can tell, all the main nav links are functioning. If you find something odd, please leave a comment below, and we’ll fix it as quickly as possible. Enjoy!
If you wanted to visit Everyday-Education.com, and you see the page only briefly before it disappears, I apologize. The site is undergoing maintenance, and will be back up very soon (if all goes well). I’m sorry for the inconvenience!
Bayeaux Tapestry- An Animated Look at History
Posted on October 22, 2009
Filed Under Learning Lifestyle, Teaching Literature | 2 Comments
One of the highlights of our trip to Europe was seeing the Bayeux Tapestry– the story of the 1066 war. I’d just finished reading 1066: The Year of the Conquest
The animated version below brings it to life in a fresh way, and is guaranteed to make even small boys enjoy the Tapestry! Read more
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About
Hi, I'm Janice Campbell, and I'm glad you're here! I invite you to join me in focusing on things that matter- family, literacy, creativity, growth, and service. It's so easy to be entangled by the mundane, but it doesn't have to happen.
Among other things, I'll write about home-schooling through high school, and some of the opportunities you can explore with your teens- entrepreneurship, travel, early college, college alternatives, and more. I'll also share favorite poems, classic literature, announcements of special events and reviews of good resources, as well as a dollop of opinion on mostly education-related topics. I welcome your comments!
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