End of the School Year!

For those of you in New York State, June 30 is the end of the school year, with July 1 starting the next one.  Just a reminder about the paperwork that's due at this time -

June 30, your End-of-Year Assessment or test scores

July 1, your Intent to Homeschool letter (for the 2014-2015 year)

Both of these documents are due to the Superintendent of Schools for your district.  Our district also has a liaison for homeschoolers, so I send her a copy as well.

If you are just starting homeschooling next year, you should receive a packet from the school district with regulations and sample forms.  Your IHIP (education plan) is then due four weeks later, or August 15.  Anyone who has been homeschooling, the IHIP is due on August 15 for the following year.

Happy Summer!

Building a Dream

Hello, folks - I know it has been a really long time since I posted on here, but I'm really excited about meeting some new homeschoolers in the area, and I've decided we need a place for ourselves.  So I've attached this blog to a facebook page - you can find it here:  https://www.facebook.com/harlemvalleyhomeeducators  If you are on Facebook, please stop by!

My real dream is about an actual building, which is a little harder to implement.  Please read my post at Music of the Heart:  My Dream Space.

Let's get together!  We need community.  As homeschoolers, life can sometimes feel a bit isolated.  The more we can support each other, the better we will be.

Share this site - and the Facebook page.  I will try to update more often.  If anyone would like to be able to post here, I can add you onto the list.  Let me know!  We can do this...together!

IHIPs Due Soon!

Hello - all of you New York State homeschoolers.  Just a little reminder, here - your Individual Home Instruction Plans are due to your local school district on August 15.

New York State Capitol Building, Albany, NY

So, who has a plan this year?  Our plan is changing up a bit from last year (actually I'm still tweaking it - panic!) because I started subbing at the local school district two days a week.  It works well, because Hubby is home then, but also not so well, because I basically have to  prepare sub plans for him to work off of while I work off someone else's sub plans in the school.  Oh, well.  At least it's something!
So, because of that, I'm trying to plan specific subjects for specific days (making sure Grammar does not fall on Hubby's days - you live and you learn).  This is different from what I have done in the past, which involved running through the list, and then starting over, no matter what day we were on.  I like that way better, because it allows for various days off, and you still have time for everything.  But I've decided that we'll have to be more structured in our vacation days, too.  I guess structure isn't always a bad thing.

That said, we are planning on continuing our Ancient History, using "The Mystery of History" volume 1.  My 5th grader has requested to study Chemistry, so we'll be using Apologia's "Exploring Creation with Chemistry and Physics."  We also plan to study the sea for American History, using a Kaleidoscope Kids Book called "LIghthouses of North America,"  "Carry on, Mr. Bowditch," "Seabird" by Holling C. Holling, and "Treasure Island."  We'll also be studying Davy Crockett, and the Santa Fe Trail ("A Tree in the Trail" by Holling C. Holling).  Adding in Bible, Math, Spelling, Grammar, Music, Poetry, Art, and Reading, I guess that makes a pretty full schedule.  My Kindergartener will be working on basic math, reading, writing, and phonics, along with piggybacking with her older brother on the other lessons.  This is the first year I'll be really trying to teach both of them at once - my little one has been doing "school" on her own schedule up until now.  So, I really do have to plan a little more strictly to get everything in.

So - your turn - how do you do it?  Especially with multiple grades, and/or working while homeschooling?  Please share your ideas in the comments!

Until next time - Happy homeschooling! - Robin

Great Article from Mary Hood!

Hello, all! I just found this great article by Mary Hood. It appears on her website, "Archers for the Lord."  If you haven't heard of Mary Hood, she's a homeschooling mom and author, who advocates "relaxed homeschooling."  This isn't unschooling, but the idea of using what you have and really deciding what your children need, rather than trying to fit into a curriculum "box."  Anyway, the article is called "How to Turn Being Broke Into a Unit Study."  I saw the title, and had to read it, and I'm glad I did!  It is a really great perspective on homeschooling under difficult financial circumstances.  Enjoy!
- Robin

How to Turn Being Broke into a Unit Study

or Depressions Don’t Need to be Depressing!

by Mary Hood, Ph.D.

"Since the economy has been in freefall, I've received a lot of letters from homeschoolers who doubt their ability to continue teaching their own kids at home. You don't have to worry. Feeling the pinch will simply force you back into examining what really is important and what isn't."  read more...

Food Pantry Trip Rescheduled!

So we were planning on the trip to the Hope Chest thrift store and food pantry today, but Mother Nature decided it wasn't a good time.  The trip is rescheduled for next Monday, February 4, at 11:30 A.M.  Let me know if you're interested in attending!  Thanks - Robin

Field Trip Opportunity

Hello, all - I'm just giving a shout out about a field trip for Monday, January 28 at 11:30 a.m.  If you are near Dover Plains, NY, we will be touring the Hope Chest thrift store and Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, 7 Market Street, Dover Plains, NY.  I know it's short notice, but please let me know if you're coming, so we know how many to wait for :)  You can leave a comment on this post, or fill out the contact sheet.

What do Children Really Need to Learn?

Hello, everyone - I realized that it's been a while since I posted anything here.  I hope you're having a great holiday season!  My kids think things would be a bit better with more snow, but other than that we're recuperating from Thanksgiving and getting into Christmas, here.

I usually start thinking around this time of year about the things that are really important.  We've been "in school" for a few months now, so it is time for me to evaluate what's going right, and what needs to change.  As I tweak our schedule and our curriculum, and relax a little to admit some of those great holiday activities, I've been thinking about what my children really need to learn.  I've come up with a list of six things (so far) and posted them on my personal blog today, so I'm going to include the link here.  Hop on over to read them!  "What Children Need to Learn" at "Music of the Heart"

I also wanted to point out that my curriculum, "The History and Geography of New York State," is on sale now, at half off!  Click on the link on the sidebar of this site to get it for only $7.50 until Christmas.

Happy holidays to everyone!  And here's looking forward to a great New Year! - Robin

Homeschooling Perk: Learning With Your Kids!

How many of you know that September 17 is Constitution Day in the United States?  Do you know that Lego's were invented in Denmark, and were originally made of wood?  Do you know that those wooden manikins for art are held together by springs?

Welcome to my week. I didn't know any of these things last week.  Possibly they are not important to know now.  But one of my favorite reasons for loving homeschooling is this selfish one:  I get to learn along with my kids!

It is easy as an adult to coast through life.  Unless you change jobs, you can go for months or years without learning a new piece of information.  And the information you learn for work is usually the kind that you have to know, not the kind that tickles your mind.

I've found that I really enjoy history!  Now, history was not my favorite subject in school.  All of those names and dates to memorize.  Ugh!  So, when it came time to teach history to my son, I decided to use a "living book" approach.  And you know what?  History is interesting!  Did you know that it's about people, not just names, and about events, not just dates, and that it flows together and means something for today?  I didn't, either!

My Grandmother always said "You can learn something new every day."  I was never sure how this rural housewife was able to accomplish this, but I know how I can - it's called homeschooling!

Happy learning, everyone!

Homeschooling with Lego's?

I want to let you all know about a great website.  It is a blog by homeschooling mom Jamerrill Stewart, and is called "Free Homeschool Deals."  I've been following the blog through an e-mail subscription, and every day I get an e-mail with information on free and discounted Kindle books, curriculum, and home management products.  There are even coupons for things you would buy at the grocery store!

Lego Guy ready for school!

The reason for the title of this post - "Homeschooling with Lego's"- is that one of the freebies she posted today was a four-day unit study on...believe it or not...Lego's!  I checked it out, and it includes writing, history, geography, vocabulary, and even math.  So, my Lego-happy son is going to have a fun week next week, as we learn about and with his favorite toy!  The unit study is found on the blog, "Walking by the Way", which I plan to spend time visiting in the future!

Zooming in for Lego Week!

You might be wondering if it's a good idea to take a week out of your busy curriculum plan to do something else.  I would encourage you to try it.  I like to be in charge of my kids' schooling, and spend quite a bit of time choosing the best books and planning the best schedule I can.  But even the best books can become dull, especially if it is something I want my kids to learn, not necessarily something they're interested in.  I've found that giving choices, and taking learning detours, can restore the excitement we had when we started out.  So, this week, we're taking a little trip into Lego-land together!

What do you do to keep the excitement in your homeschool?

Meeting News, a New Class and How to Join HVHE!

Hello, everyone - I hope you're having a great start to your school year! We started a couple weeks ago, but kind of eased in, taking a few days off here and there. But the (slight) chill in the air and the (few) falling leaves make me thing of pencils and notebooks, so I'm ready to go!

OUR LAST MEETING:
We had a good meeting, Sunday afternoon. We had six moms in attendance, along with two great kids :) Most of the kids who would usually have attended were home sick, including mine, so hopefully they will be able to make it to the next meeting. It was wonderful to meet some new people, and hear some new perspectives, along with catching up with old friends. We spent a little time telling our stories, and amazingly not one of the six of us came to homeschooling quite the same way. We also ran the gamut of curriculum and methods, but everyone was ready to share, and to help. I am so grateful, because that is what this group is for! To help and support others who are on this amazing, exciting, (can I say frighening?) journey.

OUR NEW CLASS:
I would like to invite you (well, your children) to a class about Elections. It will be held at the Millbrook Library starting next Thursday afternoon at 2:30. The class will be once a week, running through the Presidential Election in November. If you are interested, please fill out the Contact Page by Friday, September 7 and I will get the information to you.

OUR NEW MEMBERSHIP FORM:
Lastly, I would encourage you to join our group.  Several of you have attended our meetings, and we hope to see more of you in the future.  But we would like to be able to support each other between meetings, too.  I've included a page on this blog called HVHE Membership.  It is a form to fill out if you would like to be part of our group.  The information you submit on the form will not be published on this blog, as it is public and we respect your privacy.  However, I will compile everyone's information into a single document and e-mail it to those who wish to be members.  That way, we will all be able to contact each other for support, or maybe just to get together for a day at the park!  For anyone who has given us information at a meeting, I ask that you still fill out the form so that I am sure you want your information given to others.

I will make one more request.  If you know someone in the area who is interested in homeschooling, please forward them the link to this blog!  We want to reach as many people as possible.  Thanks a lot - and Happy Schooling!  - Robin

Meeting Rescheduled for September 2!

Hello, all - we're sorry about having to cancel the last meeting, but really didn't think it'd be a good idea to invite a bunch of people with no working bathrooms!

We're happy to report that the toilets are now in good working order - in fact, they are brand new - so we are rescheduling the meeting for Sunday, September 2, 2012 at 3:00 p.m.

We hope you can make it, it is Labor Day weekend, so it might be hard, but as many of you as are able, come on out for some meet-and-greet-and-get-to-know-you's.

We welcome homeschooling Moms and Dads, and people who are thinking about it, have family members doing it, or just want some information!

We'd like to be able to support each other.  If there is anything in particular that you're wondering about, feel free to leave a comment here and we'll try to answer your question!  Most of all, we want to give you and your kids a community to belong to.  It can be scary to pull your kids out of school.  You, and they, might wonder how they'll make friends, and you might even wonder the same thing for yourself!  Well, the good thing is that homeschoolers are a pretty friendly bunch, and we're all interested in having and being friends.  So please plan to attend this meeting, or the next, and introduce yourself!  We look forward to getting to know you.

Homeschooling Lessons

I found this post on a blog called "Terri's Take" and thought I'd share.  As you start the new year, realize that even the most seasoned homeschoolers are not perfect, and don't have it all together.  We're all homeschooling by the grace of God!  I loved some of the lessons here - especially the ones that recommend coffee and/or chocolate! - Robin

by Maggie Hogan

—

Every child has a gift or two. Every child has a special need or two.

It’s not the method — it’s the time and the love.

It’s not the test scores — it’s the character.

It’s not a sprint — it’s a marathon.

Learning styles matter.

How to pick back up and start all over again.

Teenagers have so very much to offer.

To be open to new ways of doing, seeing, thinking.

That I am wrong much more than I’d like.

It is impossible to homeschool on my own strength.

Read more...

July Meeting Cancelled

I am sorry to report that the meeting we had scheduled for July 29 will have to be cancelled.  There is a plumbing issue at the church we meet at, and we didn't think it would be a good idea for everyone to come with no bathroom availability!  We will reschedule, probably later in August or in September, and the new meeting time and date will be posted here.

In the meantime, please check back here periodically as I try to share pertinent information as it comes up!  And enjoy the rest of your summer.

-Robin

Don't Forget Your IHIP!

Just a reminder to all of you New York State homeschoolers - your Individual Home Instruction Plan is due by August 15th if you've already submitted your notice of intent to homeschool for this year.  Here is a summary of the things that need to be included, as outlined in the legal analysis by HSLDA:

1.  The childs name, age, and grade level

2.  A list of the syllabi, curriculum materials, textbooks, or a plan of instruction

• I tend to submit different items for each subject, depending on how I teach - i.e. math has a specific workbook, history has a list of subjects covered.
• You are also supposed to include the publisher for any books or curriculum you list.
• It is good to include a paragraph somewhere that curriculum is subject to change at your discretion.  You can always change in the middle of the year if something is not working for you.  Just note it on your quarterly report.

3.  Dates for submission of quarterly reports

• You choose these dates.

4.  Names of the persons giving instruction

• Probably you!  A parent does not need to be certified, only "competent."  You are deemed competent if you follow the regulations.

So that's about it!  If you have questions, please leave a comment and we'll get back to you, or plan to attend our support meeting on Sunday, July 29, 2012 at the Second Baptist Church of Dover for hands-on help.  

- Robin

"Lone Ranger" Homeschoolers, Mark Your Calendars! We're Having a Meeting!

Please consider attending our first support meeting!  Our informational meeting went well, and we are hoping to build a strong support group of homeschoolers in our area.  We welcome everyone, whether you've been homeschooling a long time, a short while, or haven't started yet.  Come even if you're just curious about it!  Homeschooling is very rewarding for families, but it's easy to feel like you're all alone sometimes.  We want to change that.  Homeschooling parents and children have a lot to offer each other, and the community, and it can all start here.  We don't have to be Lone Rangers any more!

Harlem Valley Home Educators

Invites all current and interested home educators to our first support meeting!  We are a local group of parents who are dedicated to sharing information and support as we strive to provide our children with a quality education at home.

Childcare will be provided.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

3:00 p.m.

Second Baptist Church of Dover

29 Mill Street

Dover Plains, New York

Learning Styles

If you've been homeschooling for any amount of time, someone has probably asked what your child's "learning style" is. And chances are, you have a pretty good idea about how your child learns best, just from trial and error. I'd like to highlight a website today that has been very helpful to me in picking out curriculum for my oldest. It is called Custom Homeschool Curriculum.

The creator of this website has amassed a wealth of information on the four basic learning styles:  Auditory, Kinesthetic, Visual-Print, and Visual-Spatial.  She includes an inventory, articles on ways of teaching for the different styles, curriculum suggestions, a blog, and monthly e-mails you can sign up for (my favorite feature!)

I'll give you a taste of today's e-mail:

Tips For Choosing Curriculum

Tip #1 - Auditory learners need to hear the curriculum.

Tip #2 - Kinesthetic learners need to experience what they are learning.

Tip #3 - Visual Print learners need to read and write.

Tip #4 - Visual Spatial learners need pictures.

Now, these are just the headings.  She includes explanations for each point, along with general tips for all the styles, and links to the specific pages on her site for each of the styles.

Whether you have been homeschooling for a long time, or are just starting out, I would encourage you to visit this site.  Happy browsing! - Robin

Free New York History Curriculum Offer

It's time to think about curriculum for the next school year - those of you who are new to Homeschooling in New York, your IHIP (plan of instruction) for next year is due August 15.  One subject that is required in New York State is New York State History.

For a limited time, I am giving away my New York History curriculum.  You can find the details on my personal blog, Music of the Heart.  If you are interested in reviewing the curriculum for free, please leave me a comment, or use the contact form to send me a message.

If you know of anyone else who would be interested in reviewing this for me, please get the information to them, also!  Thanks alot! - Robin

School Without Books?

I think one of the most daunting things about homeschooling your children is the worry that they won't learn the things they're supposed to.  That they'll fall behind the kids in school.  This can lead to a rigid schedule of "school at home," complete with worksheets, desks, and the Pledge of Allegiance.  Half an hour for recess, and mystery meat for lunch.  Okay, maybe not that last one, but you get the picture.

When we first brought our son home from school, I tried something very similar to this approach.  He was in kindergarten, and we honestly weren't sure if we were going to send him back to school for first grade, so I was really worried that he would fall behind.  I bought math books and reading books and writing books and proceeded to set him up at a desk and require him to write.  And write.  And write.

It seemed like all we did for that period of time was fight, and cry, and complain - and that was just MY reaction!

Now, I'm not going to tell you that we don't use books in our home school.  I LOVE books, as anyone who's been to my house and seen the quantity of bookshelves would know.  We read a lot.  And yes, my kids write and do math workbooks.  But I want to talk about another aspect of homeschooling that isn't as obvious, but is just as important.  And that is real life.

One of the best things about being home together is being able to really LIVE together.  Our family just got back from a two-day trip to Lake George.  One of the books that we read this past year was "Indian Captive:  The Story of Mary Jemison" by Lois Lenski.  We're going through a chronological study of American History, and this book takes place during the French and Indian war.  Well, in Lake George is a reconstructed fort, called Fort William Henry.  We spent half a day there, seeing a film, taking a tour, and, of course, visiting the gift shop.  It was a way of bringing the book to life a little.  We're also planning to visit Letchworth State Park this summer, which is on the Genessee river, and is the site of the Indian village that Mary Jemison lived in.  There is also a statue of her in the park.

The day that we went to Fort William Henry, I am sorry to say, we didn't crack a book.  I don't expect we will when we go to Letchworth, either.  Are these "school days?"  You bet!

Life is so much more than reading and writing and arithmetic.  After all, none of these things are an end in themselves.  You learn them so that you can function in society, and so that you can enjoy life more.  Think about it.  Baking a cake requires reading and arithmetic.  You have to read the recipe, measure the ingredients, and time the cake.  So, baking a cake with your children practices reading and arithmetic.  Going to the grocery store requires writing a list, reading the labels, and using money to pay for the items.  Reading, writing, and arithmetic.  Flying a kite uses science.  Going hiking is exercise as well as natural science.  Setting the table requires counting.  Finding a new place requires map reading.

I'm not advocating an "Unschooling" or "Delight-directed"approach here.  I believe that as parents we are responsible for making sure our children learn what they need to, not just what they want to.  But I also believe that learning can take place any time, and any where.  One perk to teaching your own children is that you can SEE what they are learning.  You don't have to give them a test or a worksheet to prove that they know something.  You are with them, learning alongside of them.  You are discussing things with them.  When they are reading to you, you know if they are struggling with certain words and you can help them.  When you are reading to them, they can stop you to ask questions if they don't understand something.  And you can learn by doing things, not just by reading about them.

So yes, a day without books can still be a day of school.  So go ahead and live a little!

Art Appreciation

Today was REALLY hot.  Not having air conditioning in my house (which is okay about 360 days of the year), I was racking my brain to find somewhere COOL to go.  So, I remembered that Shauna had recommended the art museum at Vassar College.

We jumped into the car, and headed off for the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center.  I don't think I've visited an actual art museum in about 20 years.  I wasn't really sure what to expect, or in fact what to expect from my kids in this new situation.  But it was a great experience!  The gentleman who was working there went around with us and explained many of the pieces, pointing out things that we might not have noticed ourselves.

The best thing is, this is local, and it's FREE!  The kids and I saw pretty much everything in 45 minutes, which was just right for my four-year-old's attention span.  I probably could have spent much longer if I'd gone by myself.  There were a few paintings that we sort of avoided (a bit unclothed), but there was a great variety of art displayed, from an ancient Roman statue to contemporary pieces, and Lily's favorite, a mobile by Alexander Calder, the inventor of the mobile!  There are several rooms, and each represents a time period or a theme.  For us New Yorkers, there is a section devoted to the Hudson River School of painting, which includes many paintings donated by the founder of Vassar College, Matthew Vassar.

The Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center is open from 1-5 on Sunday, 10-5 on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, and 10-9 on Thursday.  I highly recommend it for an educational and completely refreshing afternoon!

Tooting my own...Pen?

Hello - I'm being a little self-promotional, here, but I'm just so excited!  I've been working on a curriculum for New York State History for about four years, now, and today, it was finally published!

If you're new to homeschooling, you may not know yet that New York history is required sometime before high school.  That does NOT mean that you have to spend a whole year on it, but that is exactly what I did with my oldest our first full year of homeschooling.  I figured that if we could study local history, it would be easier for him to understand, so we read about local things, and took field trips to local places, and really experienced New York.

As I was going along, I realized that New York history includes a lot of United States history, from the explorations of Henry Hudson to the Revolutionary War, from the Erie Canal to the Statue of Liberty.  So learning about New York, beyond the basic facts of population and landmarks, was a very good basis for him to learn about the whole country.

So, at the urging of my friend (Heather, of course!) I decided to try to publish my little book list as a curriculum.  What evolved is a guide to literature, biographies, activities, websites, and even a recipe, with basic information about many of the people and places that influenced the progress of our state and our country.

So, without further ado, I present "The History and Geography of New York State:  A Literature-based Guide", for sale on Currclick.com.  I hope you enjoy it! - Robin