by Lisa
One of the deep dark secrets of homeschooling is that,as a mom, you get to do so many fun things. I've learned to knit, to sketch wildlife, to make scrapbooks, to use cuisenare rods and a myriad of other wonderful things all of course, so that I can be a better teacher, right. Of course. I wouldn't devote all this time to myself, would I? That would totally violate the martyr mom code that homeschoolers are supposed to follow. Of course, it's all for the kids. So it should come as no surprise then, that my kids blog, too.
We've found that blogging is a fantastic way to display the kids writing skills, and thoughts. We don't have any family in our town, so whenever family wonders how the kids are doing or what they're "learning in school" we direct them to the blogs.
My girls are all contributors to a blog that reflects their history program. We're following The Well Trained Mind's four year history cycle, so this year, the History Blog theme is Ancient History. My 14 and 11 year old share design responsibility(computer technology 101), as well as contributing their written summaries (language arts) of each civilization as we study(history). My 7 yr old also writes summaries of what she's read (writing, history) and occasionally I'll upload pictures she and my 5 yr old have drawn that reflect what they've studied (art, history.) My 5 yr old doesn't write well, so her narrations are in video form (speech) and occasionally I'll let my 7 yr old post a video narration, too.
Each girl has her own individual blog as well. Participating in Memes is definitely an exercise in creative writing. Posting their content online helps their Grandparents (Arizona, California and Maryland) share what they've been learning so I never have to hear them asking. Grandparents can communicate with each other via the comment section as well. I can correct written grammar all I want, but when three Grandmothers point it out, it's suddenly a more pressing issue.
My 5 yr old is practicing for her future career as a newscaster, introducing herself to viewers by first and last name in every post. She insists that her hair must be brushed before we turn the camera on and if she messes up, she shouts CUT. She even requires audience particiaption. Today, while filming a piece about her baby sister, she looked into the camera and asked "Have you ever haved' a a baby sister?" I'm hoping no one mistakes the word "haved" (being the past tense of have of course) for "halved"
Even my 2 yr old has a blog. We post short videos of her every week to share with friends and family. As her language development progresses, her sisters interview her and she parrots back to them, to the delight of friends and family, I am sure.
Keeping a portfolio of your child's homeschooling years is sage advice and I never did get the hang of scrapbooking.
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Ooooooh … I love this idea!!!!! I think my kids would, too. Thanks for sharing!
~Brea
My older two kids, ages 6 and 8, have their own blogs as well. They are theirs to post what they wish, though, I don't make them post about their schooling unless they chose to on their own. It's a great well to encourage writing without nagging. My daughter started writing stories on her own because of her blog, without me saying a word…and she hated writing before. My son is showing signs of wanting to follow in her footsteps here and there. It's a great resource. They also love reading other kids' blogs when they can find them.
I am completely inspired. My five-year-old will love this idea–especially getting to do her own "show" for the grandparents.
So, does your whole house study the same period of history at once? We are going to do TWTM, but my kids are 3 years apart. I've wondered how to bring the younger one (now just 2) into our studies once he's old enough. Do I wait to start him on "1st grade" history when he's in second grade and his sister is in fifth grade, doing ancient history for the second time?