Homeschooling Four: The socially adept homeschooler

I was browsing the blogging world today and I came across this little tidbit. It cites some interesting research on socialization and such. And it makes me happy that I homeschool! I know, of course that the research can be tainted to achieve any results you want, but I do believe that parents are key in socialization and most of what kids learn in school about the subject isn't very good
Homeschooling Four: The socially adept homeschooler

Oh Christmas Tree

It is that time of year again. The time I dread. The time when the kids start asking "When are we going to get a Christmas tree mommy?" I dislike the Christmas season in general, but I really hate the whole Christmas tree ordeal. You see, in our seven years of marriage Christmas trees are probably responsible for more fights - I mean discussions than any other thing. Every year it is something different.

The first year the big thing was when do we get our tree - Todd's family always waited until a day or two before Christmas while my family put up our tree right after Thanksgiving. Then there is the fight over how many lights need to be on the tree - he didn't see why it needs more than one or two strands, while I believe that there is a mathematical formula, something like 50 lights per foot. One year when we went to Arnold's tree farm where every tree was $10, and none of them were very attractive. Anyway we found an acceptable tree and brought it home. We decorated the tree and the next night it fell over. We bought a new stand, redecorated the tree and still it tipped. I seem to recall that next we used twine to tie the tree in the standing position, but that didn't work for long either. I don't remember who was mad at who over what, but that was a stressful year that resulted in two Christmas trees and a lot of broken ornaments.

We have had various disagreements about where to put the tree, which decorations are ugly, and what constitutes tackiness in regard to a Christmas tree. So this year I was seriously thinking that we shouldn't have a Christmas tree. Todd agreed that was a good idea, but it was apparent that the kids would never go along with this. And since Jacob is still not the sole property of Todd and me, yesterday was looking like the only day to go get a tree before Christmas.

After what seemed like a mile of walking (probably felt like a marathon to the kids) we found a tree that made us all happy. And by "us all" I mean me. I kept telling Todd that I would not pick the tree, I wanted someone else to do it. But he refused to come home with a tree that didn't make me happy. As we walked and walked, and he pointed to tree after tree I said "no, no, no, sure if you think so, that one looks good, yup" but he insisted that I find a tree that I liked - he saw right through "that one looks good and yup". Maybe it is from growing up with a fake tree, maybe it is just because in my own little way I am a perfectionist (Todd would point out that this fact is evidenced by the fact that I am married to him - perfection!) but I expect to find a perfectly shaped tree with no bare spots. I was ready to settle and pick out a less than perfect tree when we found one I really liked.

Do you know what the most exciting thing about this tree is? It was only $20!!! We cut it down dragged it back and got it tied on top of the van all without incident. It is now standing (straight) in our dinning room where it will get decorated later today.

Getting Creative

Yesterday Jacob finished one of his reading books, which means he had to write a book summary. Jacob hates to write book summaries. I make him do it (most of the time) anyway because I know I don't do enough writing with him, and the kid needs to learn to write correctly. But yesterday as I was looking over the instructor's guide to see what his book was about I decided to approach this assignment a little differently....

The story was about a little cat that was searching for a good home. I had Jake write an essay about what makes a good home - for a cat and then for a boy. He started out doing his usual complaining and trying to cut corners, but then as he was getting into the assignment he said "I like this a lot better than what I usually do - summaries are boring and this is kind of fun". That made me pretty excited - I thought of something fun!!!!!

I don't know why it didn't occur to me sooner to find a more interesting way to approach book summaries, maybe it is because I lack imagination and creative genius. Whatever the reason, I will strive to be a little more creative when it comes to writing assignments. It seems that a little creativity goes a long way! I have held back from creative writing because Well Trained Mind says not to start it till 4th grade, and I personally hate anything with the word creative in it. Plus there is the pull between just letting him write (without correcting every little mistake), allowing him to re-enforce bad habits and correcting his writing so much that is discourages him.

Here is Jacob's take on what makes a good home (with a little help from mom like don't start all your sentences with AND).

What Makes a Good Home

by Jacob

In The Last Little Cat by Meindert DeJong the little cat thought a good home would be warm and have friends. And she also thought there would be a nice warm bowl of milk. I think a nice warm home for a boy would have nice furniture and games and toys to play with. It should have decorations. It would be nice to have a big yard to play in. Running watter and lots of food to eat are important. It would be nice to have a bed and a t.v. Electricity to give light and a solid structure are especially important.