There is an amazing mom in our co-op group that organized bi-weekly nature hikes for anyone that wanted to join this year. We have enjoyed adding this into our homeschool schedule so much. The kiddos spend an hour hiking wherever we happen to be that week and collect or take pictures of interesting items in nature that they find along the way. Then, we gather together and let the kids draw or paint these "treasures" in their journals. To springboard off this concept, my kids and I went nature biking this weekend. To give you a little history before I tell you about it, you must know that up until a few weeks ago, I have always felt like a failure of a mother for one main reason......neither of my kids knew how to ride a bike (without training wheels, that is). It wasn't for the lack of trying, but they had both taken a fall on their bikes and were scared to death to even set foot near their "real" bikes. No judgement please, but our son had a bike without training wheels for several years just collecting dust in the garage as he slowly grew too big for it. Panic attacks would occur when we would even mention the idea of going outside to try to learn how to ride it. Fast forward to a few weeks ago, when suddenly our daughter said that she wanted to try her bike again. I was thrilled, but very skeptical that history would repeat itself. After a few words of advice, I held on to her bike several times as we went up and down our street and then she said, "Mommy, let go." I did and she took off. It was amazing!!! I was NOT a failure, at least not completely. I'd taught ONE of my children to ride a bike. Once her older brother found out that she could ride, I figured it wouldn't be long before he wanted to try again also. Two days later, he hopped on his little sister's bike and took off. (I don't think I can take any credit for that one) You would think that after trying to potty train a son before he was ready, I would've learned that when they're ready....it will happen. Apparently, I had forgotten that lesson. Back to the nature biking thing....the kids were excited to ride their bikes beyond the block that we live on, so I decided that we should go on a bit of a "nature biking" excursion. They rode, I ran and it was pure bliss. I got to workout and they went on what they referred to as a "real bike ride." There wasn't any drawing in our journals afterwards or formal lesson (it was Saturday after all:) but we talked about the different birds and trees that we saw, how it was so hilly and peaceful in one particular neighborhood, and my daughter called back to me as she was riding "This is the life, Momma!" It was a great way to start off a Saturday. Enjoying beautiful weather, God's creation and hanging with two of my favorite people.
0 Comments
For those of you that are a part of a Classical Conversations community, I'm sure that you know all about Memory Masters. This is our 3rd year in CC, but our first to prepare for Memory Masters. For a student to become a Memory Master, they basically have to recite all 24 weeks worth of memory work (7 subjects) in one sitting. It is a TON of information and a huge undertaking. I don't think I truly realized what a big deal it was until this year when my son decided he wanted to go for it.
I wanted to share some lessons that I've learned along the way: 1) Until your child truly takes ownership of preparing/doing what it takes to be a memory master, DON'T DO IT! We learned that the hard way last year. 2) Get a kleenex box ready, because when they finally sing the Timeline song all the way through without a making mistake, you'll need it. 3) If you have other children, prepare activities that they can do on their own when you need to study with your kiddo that's preparing for Memory Master. 4) Plan breaks into your long days of studying - we rode bikes to the park, we went on a walk, we left the house (and our Foundations guide) and grabbed some lunch 5) Don't be surprised when you, the parent wake up singing memory work songs or dream about the Timeline. How do you dream about the Timeline, you might ask? Good question, but I did. Weird, I know. Our final tutor proofing happens this Tuesday. My son....he's ready. Me, on the other hand...I'm going to be a nervous wreck waiting outside that classroom as he rattles off all of that information. There have definitely been moments of stress through this process, but there have been great life lessons learned along the way too. I think it's been helpful that my son sees that there are times in life when you'll experience stress, but when you persevere to accomplish a task, it is so rewarding. This process has also given me the opportunity to teach him effective ways to study. I think many times we just expect kids to know how to do that. I know for a fact, that it took years for me to figure out the best ways to study.....the ones that would truly work for me. I am definitely thankful that he's learning that at an early age. I'll drop back in Tuesday to report how he does....probably with a glass of wine in hand! |
AuthorThanks so much for visiting. I'm Heather. I'm a wife, mother and educator who loves trying to make beauty of the life around me. Archives
July 2022
Categories |