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5 Benefits of Cold Weather Play for Children: Boost Their Health & Happiness This Winter
Straining to fit into a boot. Whining about a finger caught in the wrong mitten. Searching for that elusive toque. Getting your kids outside to play...
As you might have surmised, if you don’t already know, we are home learners. Currently we are enrolled home learners which means we receive some money from the provincial government and in exchange we report to a learning consultant (a registered teacher) who supports us in our home learning journey. This year my eldest is a registered home learner in the first grade. My daughter isn’t school age yet but as you can see in the pictures above she is very eager to “do learning” like her big brother.
Last year we were registered with Ascend Online, a Catholic distributed learning (DL) school, and it was a wonderful experience. This year, however, our situation has changed so we are registered with a different distributed learning school. The Learning Circle that we are part of has evolved and started a Learning Centre where our children will meet with two teachers twice a week. The Learning Centre isn’t like a typical school, in fact much of their learning with the teachers will happen outdoors and it will continue to be child-lead and family focused. We have a space that can be used for projects when needed or as a blustery day back-up plan. Ultimately we are still home learners and as parents we are still responsible for much of their learning.
When it comes to home learning we will continue doing much of the same things that we did last year. I don’t prescribe to any particular philosophy but borrow from many. I value child-led learning, project-based learning and unschooling as well as providing my children with a strong foundation in reading, writing and mathematics. We love books, art and music. I don’t hoard curriculum but I don’t shy away from a good curriculum that fits well with my child’s learning style and needs. Since we are Catholic we celebrate feasts related to our faith and because we love the earth we celebrate it’s seasons and solstices.
French. This year I am working hard to teach my children french. I tell you this is not an easy task! I do have curriculum for this that my mother-in-law, a retired french elementary teacher, has compiled for me. Unfortunately I don’t have much to share at this point except for Tire Lire which is a French lending library through the BC Francophone Parents Association. Hopefully I will gather more resources in the months and years to come and please do share if you have resources that you use for french.
Have you tried Duolingo, Josee? https://www.duolingo.com/ It's free! Not sure how it would be for kids but might be worth a try.
Thanks Eryn! I'll check it out.
Hi Josee! It sounds like you are enrolled rather than registered, if you have a support teacher?
Sorry, deleted my comment because I had included it under "reply" rather than as a stand-alone comment…
We use PAL too, at least with Micah since he loves games. We did something different with Chloe last year and this year is more of the same eclectic mix. We've been experimenting with resources from the authors of the Well-Trained Mind. We a're using Singapore Math (because I have a fondness for Southeast Asian things) and it's going well so far. Both our older 2 kids love math, thankfully. We're borrowing Life of Fred from a friend so will take that out at some point and try it too! I'm always interested hearing what others use so thanks for sharing!
Thanks for pointing that out Karen! Yes, you're right we are enrolled not registered.
How do you like Singapore Math? I have been considering it with Felix but I'd love to get my hands on a copy (to look at) before committing to buying it.
It is wonderful all that you are doing with home schooling. Where do you get the time? I just admire you and also all the other moms who are involved with home schooling. Continue the good work it will pay off in the end. My prayers are supporting you. Alice
Hi Josee, we like Singapore math, but we are a math-loving family so I don't know how it works for everyone (although it sounds like Felix likes math too!). For kindergarten last year we bought Singapore Math's Essential Math Kindergarten books, because it was cheaper than the Earlybird series. Very basic, black and white worksheet exercises (with lots of pictures) but had great tips for the teacher on each page about what activities/games/additional exercises could be done to teach the topic. We have the grade 1 books (standards edition) but haven't started it yet because we were still finishing up the kindergarten book this month. Singapore Math goes above and beyond the BC learning outcomes so we didn't worry too much about finishing the kindergarten book last year. If you are ever in Vancouver feel free to take a look at our books! Otherwise, maybe check out this: http://www.singaporemath.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=260