A New Site

I have put this off for a number of years but the time has come.

I am moving over to a new site.  It is at FlorasGarden.Online

I want to focus on encouraging those who might feel overwhelmed.  I have learned so much in this journey.  I know the hard days.  I understand the feeling of being inadequate.  

But I also have learned to rely on Heavenly Father for guidance and strength.

Here is a link to my introductory post over at the new site.  I hope you like it.

ST Math

I stumbled upon this video a couple of months ago.  

I went over to the website and checked it out.  I tried the demo myself and then let the kids try it out.  I was so impressed with the program and how it teaches.  Not only does it teach concepts well, I love that it also encourages the kids to try.  "Failure" is not something to avoid or fear, it is simply a natural part of learning and growing.  Problem solving is inherent.  And best of all is the joy that comes when they succeed after struggling through a concept.  Learning to work is fabulous.

It is more expensive than I like but.  I found a discount over at homeschool buyer's co-op which made it doable.  With 2 kids that struggle with language, this is a blessing.  I'll let you know how it goes.

Flora

If Not Math, Than What?

I love it when someone smarter than me agrees with me.  Last year I wrote about how I don't think we should be requiring our high schoolers to study higher math.  Link Here.  I recently found this TED Talk by John Bennett making a much better argument than I did.

I love his solution.  I will definitely be incorporating this into our plan.  Bennett has published a book of brain games and has a website containing several game and puzzle resources.  http://www.iwannabigbrain.com/

Let the games begin.

Aspbergers and Autism

I found these guys about a year ago.  These young men, on the spectrum themselves, bring an insight that I desprately needed.  After their simple explainations I understood my son so much better.

Meet the Aspbergers Experts

 Ya know, the more I get to know people on the Autism Spectrum, the more I like them.  Of course I am biased with one of my own and a couple beloved brothers.  But...yeah.  They're Great!!

Homes Schooling High School

Many families are nervous about homeschooling through high school, but it can be done.  I wanted to share with you a great resource for building your confidence.

Lee Binz, TheHomeScholar.com, has a plethora of resources to walk you through the land of high school.  Transcripts, credits, records, scholarships, college admissions, and more.

This is a webinar that Lee Binz did several months ago.  She covers a lot of what you will need to traverse the land of high school.

Higher Math?

I had a bit of an epiphany this last year and I have been on a bit of a soapbox about it since.

Why Oh Why are we insisting our kids study higher math?  

The main reason we started teaching higher math is to teach logic.  But higher math is not a good fit for all students; even college bound students.

What did I get out of my study of higher math?  I received the knowledge that I could do higher math - with a fair amount of work.  That's really about it.  I do not use it in my daily (or yearly) life.

However what I would have really benefited from is a personal finance course.  That is the kind of math that affects me on a daily basis.  I have had to learn on my own how taxes, interest and amortization works.  I have struggled to make a working budget and how to effectively make wise financial choices.

I venture to speculate that the lack of emphasizing personal finance in lieu of higher math courses  might actually contribute to a rising generation and nation who have more debt than they can handle.  Many do not understand the true purchase amount of a new car or mortgage.  They do not understand how to budget and save.  They do not know what it actually takes to run a business.  They often do not take personal responsibility for their finances and look to others or even government to take care of them.

When I was in school, personal or consumer math had a stigma to it: it was for the "losers;" the kids who were just barely going to graduate anyway.  I find this is unfortunate.  We encourage higher math for all students to teach logic.  Why not instead teach Logic.  We encourage higher math because we have decided that everyone needs a college degree.  I'm not so sure about that one either - but that is a different soap box.

I am certainly not saying we should not offer Calculus and Statistics.  But I do think it would be better to emphasize personal, consumer, or business math.

So if I had my way, This would be my recommendation:  Encourage math courses for everyone through Algebra and perhaps a little Geometry and then require a personal finance course (or consumer or business math).  Algebra and Geometry often appeal to different of students. (I did better in Algebra; my husband did much better in Geometry.)  By then most students know whether or not they would want to continue with the higher math courses.  Leave higher math for the scientists, mathematicians, engineers and those who just love it.  However have everyone take a personal finance course.  I think we will be better off as a society.

Beginning Charlotte Mason Study Resources

I have spent the last several weeks reviewing what I already have.  I have much of Donna Goff's writings since she was my first official mentor 10 years ago.  Much of her resources are found at Mentoring Our Own and Moor House Homeschool

I have also pored over An Old Fashioned Education and Ambleside Online,  Ambleside took me to After Thoughts Blog where I found 2 fabulous blog series.  31 Days of CM Myths and 31 Days of Charlotte Mason.  Those were vital for me; especially the Myths one.  If I hadn't received that insight, I think I would have read through her works through the eyes of the myths I have assumed over the past 15 years.

My plan is to begin my formal study with A Journey Through Charlotte Mason's 20 Principles. I will read the guide myself this summer.  In the Fall I want to host a monthly group study.  If that actually comes to fruition I will continue at that pace.  If not, I will continue on my own.  After that, I might also use Penny Gardner's Charlotte Mason Study Guide or read straight through the 6 Volumes.

I'm excited.