Brave Writer

I'm in love with this new program. I'll let you know more once I actually get the book, but I ordered The Writer's Jungle because I believe the brave writer philosophy that language is a way of life. Mentors must be reading and writing if they expect it from their kids. They know what it is to be a writer and to overcome the fear of the blank page. Here is an excerpt from their blog. Also, check out bravewriter.com. I'll post again after I've had some experience with The Writer's Jungle.

Developmental stage: What level is your child? Forget age, forget grade level. Look at actual skills. Match the work to the skill level, even if it means slowing way down or moving back a couple of years. Conversely, work that is too easy for the child can be just as inhibiting and demotivating.
Positive environment: What is the emotional temperature of your home? Are children free to share their real reactions, feelings and ideas? Can they openly state that they are bored, that their work is too hard, that they are too tired from a late night to concentrate? Likewise, do you bring a cheerful, realistic, supportive person to the table when you start the day? Are you undistracted and available to help, support and applaud the work that your kids do?
Habits: Which practices can you turn into habits that will support the natural growth in any given area? These habits don’t need to be iron-clad laws that suggest punishment more than reward. Rather, what kind of routine will give maximum opportunity for a child to cultivate the skills that will take him or her to the next level? Have you shared the benefits of the practices so that your child can see the point of the work and the direction he or she is pointed? Is there a way to validate growth? Is there a way to mix it up - habits that have a variety of applications so that the practice isn’t endlessly predictable and tedious?

IHIP

I just finished my IHIP (individualized home instruction plan) for my three home schoolers this year! Whew. That was a long night. I'm posting a copy here in case that's handy for anyone out there. The content changed slightly for my younger ones, but not much! i still need to make a monthly/weekly schedule that I can use, but this is our second year and we're already off to a much better start. What I didn't include in the IHIP is that we'll be studying ancient world history with DK history of civilization and Story of the World by Susan Bauer. Along with that we're reading the Old Testament. My oldest is learning calligraphy. Everyone is working on typing with BBC Dancemat typing online. Google it. It's a great program which also happens to be GRATIS! Which reminds me that the kids have taken to beginning Latin with Minimus by Barbara Bell. We may be throwing in a photoshop class with another HS family. I just ordered all my books and we're looking forward to making friends with Mr. UPS this month.

Sorry my handy tables separating subject and curriculum didn't show up here, but hopefully you get the idea.

Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP)
School Year 2008-2009

Child’s Information

Parent’s Information

Primary instruction for _________ will be provided by her parents. Supplemental instruction will be provided by others as necessary.

Assessment Reports will be submitted on the following schedule:
Quarter #1 November 15, 2008 Quarter #3 April 15, 2009
Quarter #2 January 31, 2009 Quarter #4 June 30, 2009
Annual Assessment June 30, 2009


SUBJECTS Syllabi, curriculum materials, textbooks OR plan of instruction include, but are not limited to the following:
Arithmetic
Alpha Omega Horizon Math 5

Reading
silent reading, reading aloud, choral reading, reading response/discussion, dramatic reading and oral presentation

Spelling
Merriam Webster Online Dictionary variety of activities for spelling and vocabulary building including, word origins, word games and practice for the Scripps National Spelling Bee and http://www.merriam-webster.com/spell/index.htm

Writing
The Writer’s Jungle – Julie Bogart; Easy Grammar 6 Wanda C. Philips

English Language
Literary tour of ancient world history will include offerings from Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia, myths and fables, novels, Shakespeare, fairy tales, 17th century lit., nursery rhymes and poetry

Geography
Hammond Atlas of the World, Children’s Atlas of Civilizations –Antony Mason, DK First Atlas Planet Earth – BBC video; trip planning and navigation, maps for tracking the travels of our friends, family and literary characters.

United States History
Focusing on 19th century mainly via American Girl series books, period cookbooks, period crafts; Little House on the Prairie series

Science
Exploratopia: More than 400 kid-friendly experiments and explorations for curious minds by The Exploratorium; DK Science Encyclopedia (revised edition) Susan McKeever; Janice Van Cleave’s Chemistry for Every Kid: 101 Easy Experiments that Really work; Concepts and Challenges in Physical Science-Janice VanCleave, Second Edition- Globe Fearon.

Health Education
Kids Health – http://kidshealth.org; How the body works, Staying healthy, Growing up, Everyday Illnesses & Injuries,

Music
The Music Pack – Ron Van Der Meer and Michael Berkeley; Primary children’s choir; live musical events; piano; wide exposure to all forms of music and music theory

Visual Arts
The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain and Workbook – Betty Edwards; The Art Pack – Chriostopher Frayling, Helen Frayling, Ron Van Der Meer; trips to the Met; arts and crafts; design; sewing; abundant art supplies

Physical Education
Basic sailing with Sail Manhattan Club; running cumulative marathon; swimming; hiking; rollerblading; bicycling; dance; free play indoors and outdoors

Following subjects to be covered during K-12:Patriotism and citizenship;Health education regardingAlcohol, drug and tobacco
Misuse; highway safety andTraffic regulations, including Bicycle safety; and fire and arson prevention and safety.
-Learning patriotic songs http://www.niehs.nih.gov/musicpatriot.htm; political parties, election process and following upcoming elections; community volunteerism.
-kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/ drugs/know_about_drugs.html – 43k and ongoing discussions generally prompted by drinkers/smokers in our neighborhood, on billboards and other media.
-Traffic and Bicycle Safety Kids Page: http://www.nysgtsc.state.ny.us/kids.htm
-U.S. Fire Administration for kids - http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/kids/flash.shtm and http://www.smokeybear.com/

Bilingual education and/or
English as a second language
where the need is indicated NOT APPLICABLE

Gearing up

I"m going to resist the urge to philosophize, give back story or even to polish my words. This is a forum for sharing ideas about educating our children at home. I'm putting together my 08/09 home instruction plan for the state. New York requires that we teach US history every year, which is funny because after five years in public school my daughter's classmates had never heard of the founding fathers or the revolutionary war and did not recognize me as George Washington in my character day costume, even with clues like "I'm on the 1 dollar bill. I was the general who led the revolutionary war. I was the first president of the United States of America." One student asked, "Are you a person or an animal?" Why do I homeschool? I digress.

The point is we did tons of US history last year especially focusing on the founding of our country since it was our year of founding home school. However, my new plan was to rotate years and focus on US history intensely every 4th year. This year we're studying ancient world history. I really want to study the Sumerians and Mesopotamia and Egypt, etc. so what to do? Finally, the idea struck me that we can read the American Girl series (and other books like Little House, Dear America...). They are excellent and give kids an in context feel for what was going on in politics, technology, music, family life, etc. Real aspects of history for every day people. I think I'll have the kids keep notebooks and we'll collaborate on what the most interesting and meaningful assignments might be, whether it's illustrating scenes from the book, designing period clothing, writing a letter to the main character, re-telling part of the story from another character's point of view, learning popular songs of the day, period cuisine, etc... There are so many options and we'll post our ideas here as we try them out. Whew! Anyway, it's a relief to know that the learning is going to be so fun and easy to integrate into our lives. We've started with Kiersten who immigrates from scandinavia just like our ancestors did. Maybe a trip to Ellis Island is in order...once the tourists leave. ;)