Learning Outside the Lines

Just a quick message during the holiday season to take time for yourself and give your kids what they really need...time.

I also shared 3 videos on my FB page with holiday and Christmas books that I encourage you to check out.

Please feel free to send me comments, suggestions for episodes, or questions to [email protected]

Find me on FB where I post articles, encouragement, and relevant resources

https://www.facebook.com/learningoutsidethelinespodcast/

or www.learningoutsidethelines.com

or Instagram @ Lattebooks2read where I post books and resources for learning.

Thanks for listening!

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In this episode I encourage parents to dive into their child's interests and hobbies to see the appeal, what kids are learning, how to make connections with other learning opportunities, and potentially find a new interest for themselves!

I share many examples of things my kids were interested in and after engaging with them, I found many new interests for myself. I never would have tried most of these interests on my own, but have learned a lot and enjoyed them a lot.

Examples include American Girl doll play, animals/pets, geeky fandom interests, books, movies, cars, and video games.

Please feel free to send me comments, suggestions for episodes, or questions to [email protected]

Find me on FB where I post articles, encouragement, and relevant resources

https://www.facebook.com/learningoutsidethelinespodcast/

or www.learningoutsidethelines.com

or Instagram @ Lattebooks2read where I post books and resources for learning.

Thanks for listening!

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The holidays and end of the year can be challenging to get school work done.

In this episode I share some ideas that might help you get some work done when the kids might be distracted and not all that motivated to do school work.

I discuss poetry tea time, pajama day, forts, choosing one thing to learn days, and choosing a different location for school work. I also discuss lightening up and doing less work to focus on family traditions and community service as way to look at getting learning done in different ways.

I love holiday/winter/Christmas stories and will be sharing some books on FB live on my FB page so check that out this month.

Please feel free to send me comments, suggestions for episodes, or questions to [email protected]

Find me on FB where I post articles, encouragement, and relevant resources

https://www.facebook.com/learningoutsidethelinespodcast/

or www.learningoutsidethelines.com

or Instagram @ Lattebooks2read where I post books and resources for learning.

Thanks for listening!

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Unstructured play is so important for kids but seems like a long lost idea. In this episode I share some experiences we’ve had and why play and nature is so important for kids.

Please feel free to send me comments, suggestions for episodes, or questions to [email protected]

Find me on FB where I post articles, encouragement, and relevant resources

https://www.facebook.com/learningoutsidethelinespodcast/

or www.learningoutsidethelines.com

or Instagram @ Lattebooks2read where I post books and resources for learning.

Thanks for listening!

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In this episode I discuss handling negativity and naysayers during the holidays regarding relatives that don't support homeschooling. Keep it positive!

You don't have to change anyone's mind regarding homeschooling. I encourage you to not engage in arguments or debates. Instead, say thank you, smile, and walk away. Period. It's not worth it to debate.

Be strong, tell them that you are the parent and it's your decision, and that it's not up for debate.

Some tough love might be necessary for them to understand.

Life is too short, don't spend the day in misery or anger, it's OK to make the decision not to attend if it's that bad.

Don't forget that kids are listening to these arguments and understanding more than you think. It's not healthy for them.

In the end, bring it back to the reason you are gathering together-family, gratitude, and togetherness. Hopefully, that will bring everyone together.

Wishing everyone a happy holiday and safe travels!

Please feel free to send me comments, suggestions for episodes, or questions to [email protected]

Find me on FB where I post articles, encouragement, and relevant resources

https://www.facebook.com/learningoutsidethelinespodcast/

or www.learningoutsidethelines.com

or Instagram @ Lattebooks2read where I post books and resources for learning.

Thanks for listening!

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In this episode I want to encourage you to take stock of your homeschool and life in general. It's a good time time midway thru the semester to review the academic, extracurricular, and general homeschool schedule to see what's working and what needs changed or extra attention.

I also share my book purge and life changes coming up that will definitely impact our homeschool life.

Finally, I remind parents to take some time for yourself to renew and relax!

Please feel free to send me comments, suggestions for episodes, or questions to [email protected]

Find me on FB where I post articles, encouragement, and relevant resources

https://www.facebook.com/learningoutsidethelinespodcast/

or www.learningoutsidethelines.com

or Instagram @ Lattebooks2read where I post books and resources for learning.

Thanks for listening!

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In today's episode I want to give thanks and remembrance to John Taylor Gatto. He passed away on October 25 and will be missed by many around the world.

For those unfamiliar with Mr Gatto, he was a true pioneer in the education field and harsh critic of compulsory education. As a long time teacher, he saw the inner workings of schools and the effects the system had on children. He was teacher of the year in New York twice and used that platform to expose the faults and dangers of the system he worked in. Thankfully, he broke free of that system and became an advocate and beacon to those bucking the system for something better for their children.

One of my favorite Gatto quotes:

“Whatever an education is, it should make you a unique individual, not a conformist; it should furnish you with an original spirit with which to tackle the big challenges; it should allow you to find values which will be your roadmap through life; it should make you spiritually rich, a person who loves whatever you are doing, wherever you are, whomever you are with; it should teach you what is important, how to live and how to die.”

My introduction to Mr. Gatto was when a friend suggested I read Dumbing Us Down. I can honestly say this book not only forever changed how I looked at education but it changed my life. It's now the book I encourage everyone to read that is considering homeschooling or thinking about education in general. You will not be able to look at a classroom or institutional education the same again.

More quotes shared:

“School is a twelve-year jail sentence where bad habits are the only curriculum truly learned. I teach school and win awards doing it. I should know.” 

"I feel ashamed that so many of us cannot imagine a better way to do things than locking children up all day in cells instead of letting them grow up knowing their families, mingling with the world, assuming real obligations, striving to be independent and self-reliant and free."

“The lesson of report cards, grades, and tests is that children should not trust themselves or their parents but should instead rely on the evaluation of certified officials. People need to be told what they are worth.” 

“Children allowed to take responsibility and given a serious part in the larger world are always superior to those merely permitted to play and be passive.”

Books by John Taylor Gatto

Dumbing Us Down The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Education

Weapons of Mass Instruction: A Schoolteacher's Journey Through the Dark World of Compulsory Schooling

A Different Kind of teacher: Solving the Crisis of American Schooling

The Underground History of American Education

Thank you Mr Gatto for being an advocate and never giving up, even when change was slow. I encourage homeschoolers and parents to continue to be advocates and continue to inspire and motivate others in helping their children learn best.

Please feel free to send me comments, suggestions for episodes, or questions to [email protected]

Find me on FB where I post articles, encouragement, and relevant resources

https://www.facebook.com/learningoutsidethelinespodcast/

or www.learningoutsidethelines.com

or Instagram @ Lattebooks2read where I post books and resources for learning.

Thanks for listening!

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This week I want to encourage everyone to take advantage of the upcoming NaNoWriMo project (National Novel Writing Month) that takes place every November. This is a great FREE resource to encourage writing. It's often a gateway to writing for many people and can really lead to success in the writing world. I've known a few people that have had great success using NaNoWriMo to write their first novel.

Moira Ward was interviewed last month on writing and she started out with NaNoWriMo too. Don't forget to check out her work on her web site.

NaNoWriMo has lots of great FREE resources that can be used in a variety of ways and I encourage you to check them out to see if some of the activities will work for your student. You can use some of the more structured lessons or leave that all behind and just write! Follow your child's lead. Be sure to leave the editing out of this! This is all about getting their ideas on paper and their voice heard. You can deal with grammar and spelling later. This is all about getting their ideas on paper.

Both these links have GREAT information for educators

NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program

NaNoWriMo Teaching Resources

Make this fun and cater to your child. If they want colored paper, color pencils, blank books, etc. then let them use whatever they like. You can set goals according to your child's style. You can have a time limit each day, a certain number of words each day, fill a page each day, etc. Don't stress about the details, just make it a fun special writing event. I encourage the parent to write WITH the child each day and take the time to really engage in the activity. You also might want to make it special and have some treats to eat or tea while you write or light a candle on the table, etc. Make this as much or as little as you think your child will respond to.

I didn't mention the upcoming Gameschool conference being held in Irvine, Ca Feburary 1-3 this week but here's a link to their site so you can learn more about it and take advantage of their early bird registration discount ending Oct. 31. I will definitely be there!

www.gameschoolcon.com

Please feel free to send me comments, suggestions for episodes, or questions to [email protected]

Find me on FB where I post articles, encouragement, and relevant resources

https://www.facebook.com/learningoutsidethelinespodcast/

or www.learningoutsidethelines.com

or Instagram @ Lattebooks2read where I post books and resources for learning.

Thanks for listening!

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In this episode I discuss homeschooling high school and how it's worked for us.

We have used the Bravewriter philosophy for writing over the years and we have not done a structured/formal language arts program consistently. We only did maybe 3 years of formal grammar which was Growing with Grammar and we used Word Roots for a few years for vocabulary. We focussed on getting the ideas on paper and worked on basic skills instead of a lot of structure. We also used a practical workbook for expository writing called Writing Skills. It's a very good overview of core writing skills and I have used this for 2 children so far. This link is for Level 1 but there are other levels you can check out to see which might work for your student. The workbook levels are for older elementary or middle school thru high school.

I discuss how my daughter is taking college classes as a high school student and she received her first 100/100 on a college research paper. I shared this to show that homeschooling in a more relaxed and individual style can work and they can definitely gain the skills needed to succeed. An outside person determined that she had the skills to master the research paper format and the topic and she gained those skills as a homeschooler. It's "proof" that it works.

My older son is also taking college classes and he was a lot more of an unschooler in high school and focussed on his interests of competitive biking and computers. He is also is getting good grades and learned what he needed in his own way, when he needed it.

Obviously, every child is different, but these are just a few examples that homeschooling high school, in various styles, works.

Lastly, I mention an event coming up February 1-3, 2019 that is all things gaming and learning, also known as gameschooling. It's going to be a great event and I will definitely be there. Early bird registration is going on now to save some money thru Oct. 31.

www.gameschoolcon.com

Please feel free to send me comments, suggestions for episodes, or questions to [email protected]

Find me on FB where I post articles, encouragement, and relevant resources

https://www.facebook.com/learningoutsidethelinespodcast/

or www.learningoutsidethelines.com

or Instagram @ Lattebooks2read where I post books and resources for learning.

Thanks for listening!

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In this episode I share an experience I witnessed with 2 young girls playing with simple tools like squirt bottles, water, brushes, tongs, chalk, etc and how their free play was a great learning episode. They had no direction or instruction but they had a great time using these different resources and experimenting and learning.

I share how these simple learning tools are so useful and expensive toys or devices are really not necessary.

They were also moving naturally with no chairs or desks. They were squatting, sitting on the ground, stretching, etc and these are all important developmental movements that we take for granted. I shared a podcast called Move Your DNA with Katy Bowman and can be found here if you're interested in learning more

https://www.nutritiousmovement.com/podcasts/

I shared that there are some incredibly beautiful Instagram accounts with lovely autumn images and activities and these are few that are stunning! However, I also caution not to compare yourself to them and enjoy them for what they are, don't try to recreate it. They are great for ideas and inspiration but don't feel less for not having a homeschool table that looks like theirs.

twigandmoth

lacy.arrowsmith

give.them.beauty

Send me comments, suggestions for episodes, or questions to [email protected]

Find me on FB where I post articles, encouragement, and relevant resources

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or www.learningoutsidethelines.com

or Instagram @ Lattebooks2read where I post books and resources for learning.

Thanks for listening!

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