no homeschooling

today at around 3am this morning, i was trying to sit down again (after so many attempts all day long) and organize the papers i wanted to put in the girls' workboxes which i have setup right now in the closet at 8 workboxes for each of the girls. i just need a solid 1hour without intruptions so that my brain can follow a train of thought w/o having to get up to meet someone's physical needs. I had given Dh the task of fixing the globe I had gotten (i forget the name right now) where the battery connections were eaten away. after roughly 2-3 weeks, he got to it today at around 2:30am. I had just finished taking a shower. Just as I sat to work, he wanted me to find out where one of the universal AC adapters we had was. I asked him to check in certain places and went back to my task at hand. Then he wanted me to look for it right now. "Why was it not in its right place?", etc. Then after we came to some conclusion on it, he was thirsty and wanted me to make some carrot juice (Jack Lelan?? juicer)..I don't mind at all making juice when he wants...but at 3am when I am trying so darn hard to just have a peaceful moment to work...I snapped and for soem reason I decided at that moment I didn't want to homeschoo. I don't see how it can practically work with my personality and my husband's nonexistant support of any type... If he is taking care of the kids, he will keep tabs on how long he's been taking care of them. Now mind you, this still means if they need to go potty or need a diaper change, that is still my responsibility. Or if anyone needs any food, I have to stop whatever it is I am doing and meet their needs...

"Each of us shines in a different way but this doesn't make our light less bright "- Unknown

Charlotte Mason quote

"We are waking up to our duties and in proportion as mothers become more highly educated and efficient, they will doubtless feel the more strongly that the education of their children during the first six years of life is an undertaking hardly to be entrusted to any hands but their own. And they will take it up as their profession--that is, with the diligence, regularity, and punctuality which men bestow on their professional labours." p. 2 and 3 of Volume 1 of CM Series... from this blog http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lklivingston/593286/

philosophy on education

what is my philosophy on education? what is education in my terms? what is it in my dh's terms? what is the ideal stuff i have in my mind? how real are these goals/ dreams in my day-to-day reality? my energy levels have been horrendous these days. i get a big surge for a couple of days and then it goes downhill; eg., workboxes. It would be so simple to put it together all in one weekend, yet it took me two (and i'm still not done). I just read this email from another mom from monessoribeginnings egroup. I was just amazed at how clear she was with what was right for her family. Yes, she had doubts and all..but she wanted to do one thing and then go on to another.

One thing that is consistent in my life (or at least that is what it feels like at the moment)..is a sense of constant doubt at what i can or cannot do (limiting myself 'cuz of not getting approval from someone) or just being always in a state of uncertainty...NO commitment. Why so much wavering?

Since this is my personal blog, I should be safe in pasting her email here...as I would like to remind myself of her points, etc... it is a comparison of Waldorf & montessori...

Hi Jill, I think it is a wonderful problem to have deciding between these two theories of childhood and education. I am also in this place, constantly going back and forth as to which philosophy will work best for my family. Since my children are still at home I have taken the best of both worlds (in my opinion) because I found the pure philosophies of both a little too rigid. I've posted some links to places that explain the difference that I found helpful. The mothering magazine forum (mothering.com) has some great discussion threads as well. I would also like to share my own musing on the subject, especially as it pertains to choosing the right school. Both schools love children, follow them, are holisitic, have well trained teachers who understand and love their craft. Both philosophies bring the child into the rhythm and nature of the family, both teach young childen how to be self starters and how to play by themselves using materials from nature (no plastic) I love the art and music base of Waldorf. The children learn early handi crafts, cooking, wood craft. The art that comes out of even the early classroom is beautiful, as are the classrooms themselves. In the early childhood classrooms, curriculum is play based, very seasonal, and very spiritual. This is one draw back for me, as we are Jewish, the seasonal holidays are very christian based (although they do make a point in of celebrating other religious holidays.) I love the nature table (bringing nature inside, celebrating the seasons.) As they get older, Waldorf becomes very teacher driven, with rows of desks facing the instructor. One teacher teaches the class from 1st grade until 8th grade. They also do not formally introduce reading until the child is 7. I am actually OK with this, due to many studies I read as a teacher, as long as there is literacy going on in the classroom. However in Waldorf, parents and teachers are told to guide a child whowants to read away from reading, as this is seen as inhibiting the child's ability to imagine. As a lover of books, I can't see how this is possible. At the Waldorf school near us children learn three languages, one wind and one string instrument, many different artistic crafts (knitting, sweing, woodwork, all types of painting and drawing techniques) The 8th graders who graduate are well about state standards in all subjects (not that that is saying much) Montessori: there are many similarities in my mind with these two philosophies in how they view the young child. Both tell us to follow the child, to observes, to help the child become self sufficient. Montessori is a little more scientific about it. Montessori created very specific toys with very specific purposes based on her observations of the young child. I love this, but I am challenged some times when my children use the toys "incorrectly" but in a way not harmful to themselves or the toy (do I take it away, or let in be used as is?) I love the early literacy games, toys, "lessons" I miss the dress up corner, and sometimes I miss the chaos (is that weird?) I love the soft colors of Waldorf, the way the rooms look so played in. That being said, I love the order of the Montessori classroom, and the children are so busy and quiet in their work. I think Montessori is very academic, which I am drawn to. At the Montessori school near us the childrenlearn one language, most children are reading by 5, they have a beautiful peace corner in each room and they teach peace education and conflict resolution starting with the 2 year olds. The art seems like other private schools, its there, but there isn't a lot of depth to the technique, although there is a lot of art history. Geography is very important, as they believe that if you understnad the world around you, both the actual land mass and the culture, then there will be less conflict (i love this!) There isn't really a music curriculum, although they do have music class. In the end, I don't know where I'll send my child to school. Maybe I will send them to Waldorf, because the music and art is so important to me, and I can give her Montessori things at home. Or maybe I'll send her to Montessori, because the independent goals and child driven work in the older grades is sooo important to the growth of the child. I think both are valid, and I wish I could pick both. At home we tend towards more Montessori, with a little bit of Waldorf thrown in. Good luck, and check out the links below. Each one has its own bias, so I always take them with a grain of salt, and then decide what works for me. I always found it interesting that so many of the comparisons come from Waldorf sites and schools. I wonder why that is? Leigh http://ecrp. uiuc.edu/ v4n1/edwards. html http://www.jnorth. net/mindmaps/ personal/ parenting/ parenting% 20research/ Waldorfvs. Montesorri. html http://www.thewaldo rfschool. org/home/ content.asp? id=931 this i s a Waldorf school http://www.michaelo laf.net/MONTESSO RI%20and% 20WALDORF. html this is a Montessori catalog http://euphoriamate rnity.wordpress. com/2009/ 04/27/montessori -vs-waldorf- preschools/ http://childhoodswo nder.blogspot. com/2006/ 06/montessori- vs-waldorf. htmlhttp://www.oakmeado w.com/resources/ articles/ coulter.htm

I would like to analyze my attraction towards a Montessori approach and my general tendency to be away from Waldorf... Reggio is another approach I do like yet I 'm not sure of how it would apply to my family...

workboxes idea

got this idea first from http://www.workofchildhood.com/ blog. Then i googled and found so much info. Haven't purchased the book yet as I guess I am sort of thinking if I can commit to this idea. Great idea... here r some pics I found very helpful in setting it up.... then I joined the yahoo groups for this...

sweetsimplicity (luv the look)

support from dh..

will i get an honest support for the things i want to do?? i wonder. i will have to struggle all the way with a lot...

language shapes thought

This was an interesting topic on how language gives shape to thought:..and how baby videos contribute to lagging language development:
http://reggioway.wordpress.com/2009/06/06/baby-videos-contribute-to-lagging-language-development/

john gatto

Just read this entry from one of the blogs i enjoy about john gatto. sadly enuf, i haven't read any of his essays yet...

http://whatdidwedoallday.blogspot.com/2009/05/john-taylor-gatto.html