Browngirl Speaks

Say it with me in the Claire Huxtable voice: “MY BABY!”

So, this tooth has been loose for several weeks and, in the meantime, the new tooth decided to show up prematurely. AND the tooth next to it! They were growing in behind the teeth in front. The second tooth is barely loose, so my baby may have what some refer to as “stacked teeth”. UGH! I think I see some serious hardware in his future. Nonetheless, I cannot believe he is losing and growing teeth.

Just one more thing to remind me that my baby’s not a baby anymore.

I hope I can stop calling him this soon, though I doubt it.  My sweet faced baby–that was his baby moniker–is not a baby anymore. 

We went to my parents for an intimate get together.  My mother-in-law is back home in Trinidad, I wish she were there.  So, we had some of sweet pies faves~~cheese pizza, goldfish crackers, bananas and peppermints.  And of course, there was cake.  Chocolate cake.

My parents went all out on the gifts which included a Cars bike helmet and knee pads AND a new Finding Nemo game for his Leapster AND some giant Cars color and paint book.  I try not to make a big deal about what have been deemed as gift giving holidays, which is why my son has yet to present us with a gift list or ask for toys when he sees them on TV.  Since my parents got him three gifts, we didn’t get anything because that was more than enough.  They just aren’t helping me keep this kid uncommercialized.

Now, he’s all tuckered out and I’m kissing goodnight my sweet pies…

C’mon, say it with me: "My baby!"

It was an almost teary moment while Zion and I played mancala.  We’ve played many times before but today I could tell that he really got it.  He still doesn’t know how to strategize but he understands this game.  As a "gamer", I couln’t be more proud.

A "happy accident" has led me to teach my son the Trivium. It all started with a Google search for a curriculum form. I needed to find a form that had some sort of breakdown by subject or… something that would let me just "plug in" the materials I want to use. Well, I came across Tanglewood curriculum. This is a curriculum that combines Charlotte Mason and Classical education.

Side note: A Classical education is the Trivium–three stages of learning: Grammar(focuses on absorbing facts) , Logic(focuses on analyzing facts), Rhetoric (focuses on written and verbal conclusions of facts). Charlotte Mason is a famous educator whose approach was centered around "living books". This is a literature based approach as opposed to textbooks.

Well, after a year of researching homeschool and about three months into our Kindergarten year, I have come across both CM and Classical education quite a few times. I finally took this moment to see what it was all about and discovered that this could be the way we need to go. Tanglewood’s CYOC form sealed the deal. I LOVE the format and for those familiar with Charlotte Mason, this unique approach is more flexible. I needed to incorporate more multicultural literature than a strict CM program calls for and I didn’t want to follow any one curriculum to the letter. I’m incorporating some elements I never imagined like nature studies. I’m not a nature person but it’s definitely going to be a special addition to our curriculum to observe and sketch the world around us.

So here’s our first grade curriculum plan:

Bible/ Character Building: God’s Wisdom for Little Boys: Character-Building Fun from Proverbs

History spine: The Usborne Internet-Linked Encyclopedia Of World History(We will study Ancient history and I haven’t picked all the readers yet)

Science: I have to choose a few topics and so far I’ve chosen butterflies along with the requisite birds. For birds, we’ll use The Burgess Bird Book for Children. More topics to come–primarily on the human body and plants. I’ve got my eye on potting soil and seed packets that’s to go on sale @ Walgreens soon. Our nature notebook will also fall in this area.

Literature: These are books I read aloud to Zion from several genres and include: The Dream Keeper and Other Poems, Cool Melons - Turn To Frogs!: The Life And Poems Of Issa, Amigo, Charlotte’s Web, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Richard Wright and the Library Card.

Grammar: I’m using some free materials online creating spelling lists myself on spellingcity. And I just now discovered the free resource I was planning to use for grammar is **GASP** gone! Back to the drawing board there.

For handwriting, we’re using Draw Write Now which will coincide with art.

Reading: Z will continue with some Level 1 readers and begin some Level 2–haven’t picked any yet; it’ll be whatever I find on BookMooch most likely.

Math: Modern Curriculum Press Level A (first grade)

The Arts: Along with Draw Write Now for applied art, we will continue to visit museums,read about and view the work of a different artist each month, and read about and listen to music of jazz musicians and classical composers.

Foreign language: Still at a loss because this is probably the most expensive subject to cover. Zion loves languages–he’s figured out how to watch his dvd’s in french and insists that it not be changed. He’s also shown interest in Spanish (he already has a good vocabulary there) and sign language. All the programs and software available are pricey. So just say a prayer over this one.

i’m certainly hoping this one is happier than the last. i’ve got a few resolutions, but they’re better left unspoken. it seems the things we don’t talk about is what gets done. i will say, though, i plan to be better, in general.

christmas was uneventful. well…except my husband’s truck wouldn’t start that night and we were almost stranded at my parents. we went from guessing it the battery to the alternator and back again. turns out, it was the battery. a cable had some corrosion…thank goodness for coke. and the battery was shot, but that’s a cheap fix.

z got a betta fish for the occasion, though we don’t make a big deal about christmas. i told my mom that he’s a complete 180 from me at 5. i had that sear’s wishbook and would have it marked up and a list with everything i wanted, on what page and alternative options. he has yet to even say “i want ________ for christmas”. and that’s cool with me. he named the fish char. yes, as in char-lie, but no “lie”. don’t ask. i have no idea and he’s not sharing the rhyme or reason to this name. i talk more about the fish later. gotta get a better pic.

i’ll share one resolution after all, i plan to read more. i have joined the 75 book challenge 2009 group on librarything to keep myself accountable and it’s fun to see what others are reading. i read two books yesterday. my average is usually about 25-30 a year, so i really wanted to push myself. my ticker is over to the right.

that’s all i got for now. maybe i’ll get into some craziness on my birthday…

Time4Learning is a good online homeschool resource for those with auditory and visual learners.  My son, a Kindergartner, adores the computer and catches on very quickly to games and activities on it.  His comprehension skills in general leave much to be desired, so this was a welcomed addition to his curriculum.  The graphics and audio are fun and engaging.  This is very well paced and digestible for children and parents–they are nice enough to include a curriculum guide  and record keeping on the site.  I loved that access was given to the preceding and succeeding grade level in each subject.  For Kindergarten, this includes language arts and math only.  This program can be completed at the individual learner’s pace and is available 24-7.  I had two concerns with Time4Learning.  The first was a technical hiccup that occurred twice in one session.  Nothing’s perfect, so I can forgive this.  The second was approaches to comprehension of a lesson.  Each lesson on a skill begins with it being taught then follows with exercises to show the skill has been mastered.  A time or two, the comprehension exercises were not accurate in assessing that my son learned the skill.  Fortunately, these were skills he did, in fact, already know.  This is, however, a common and not necessarily a major issue that can be a factor in almost any educational program.  Do I consider these drawbacks?  Absolutely not.  This educational program is commendable for being technologically and educationally sound, as well as affordable.

If you’re looking for a curriculum suitable to any learning style that’s self paced and, most importantly, budget-friendly, then give Time4Learning a try.

I live smack in the middle of the infamous "Bible Belt".  Everything homeschool around here is Christ-centered.  Do I have a problem with Christ?  Absolutely not.  He is the head of my life and has been for most of it.  However, a Christ-centered education is very close-minded and non-inclusive.  It seems hypocritical of the teachings of Christ for the majority of the homeschooling community to not only go out of their way to be non-inclusive but also, sometimes, shun those who do not adhere to or even believe in a Christ-centered education.  I want my son to choose Christ just as I did, but I also want him to be able to function in this world that is also comprised of non-believers.  I want him to be informed and filled with intelligent thinking, not narrow minded and unable to think outside the box.  I’m not saying Christians are narrow minded or I’d be calling myself as such and I’m far from it.  I’m saying that a form of education that ignores a number of truths about our world is unacceptable.  Public schools teach a very Eurocentric curriculum and homeschoolers are opting for curriculums that are Christ-centered AND Eurocentric.  This seems like a step further in the wrong direction.  I already see an area that is very lacking in available curriculum that I will have to create my own.  I do hope that more secular curriculum becomes available and soon.  I also hope that the homeschooling community becomes more inclusive because Christians don’t own the rights to it. 

kids bible info - extensive list on character building with scripture reference

free world u - flashcard based curriculum for Pre K- 12 (also includes Pre-Medical through fourth yr. Med.)

spelling city - create your own spelling lists-that can be saved- and the site will teach and generate quizzes and games for you. 

Scott Foresman Online Grammar and Writing Handbook -  these are pdf files of workbooks for grades 1-6 grammar and writing exercises.  these are printable and can be bound into an actual workbook.  the corresponding textbook is not necessary to use these. 

your child learns - includes "bridge to reading" program, printable maps of any size, map puzzles and online atlas.  very good site for geography.

Stay tuned for my review on Time4Learning…

Dear Zion,

Today you are 5 years old and a man of color, a Black man, was elected President of the United States of America. Now, you will learn throughout life of the many struggles of Black people in this country. You will learn that we were brought here as slaves and lived as second class citizens even after we had been supposedly freed. You will see images of us harassed and brutalized as we attempt to vote or enter educational institutions. Because of the history of injustice in America, the idea of a Black person leading this nation has always been inconceivable, until now. And, though many of us swore our support to Senator Obama with little regard to the color of his skin, this fact could not be denied nor ignored. Does this mean things will change drastically for Black people? Not necessarily. I’m pretty sure it will provoke little change in our overall status as a group. But, what I do know is that this victory means that every drop of blood shed by our people has undoubtedly not been in vain. It also means that when I say that you can be WHATEVER your heart desires, you have one of the most prolific representations of that endless possibility to inspire you. Always know that anything is possible.

Love,
Mom